Fortress of the New Dawn

Keep Wall

Jacob watched as Abraxxus worked on the Portal Pad, fixing whatever had been wrong with it now that the missing crystal had been placed back into the command council. "So, you think I should reach out and talk to this Ranyln Do'und?" Jacob asked Darren as they watched the Lich work.

"That guy, Drake, he could have blown our cover or helped defend the fortress...He did neither, he helped us infiltrate the fortress and he sabotaged the Portal Pad forcing the Sisters to reinforce this fortress by marching overland and from what you say, bought you at least a week before they even show up. I say take a shot and Abraxxus already looked at the coin, it's completely safe to use." Darren said.

Jacob turned to Cathrine, "What do you think dear wife?"

Cathrine narrowed her eyes before opening her mouth and responding, "Whoever helped you, did it for their own reasons. They helped you because they want to use you for their own reasons. Talk, but they have to earn our trust. Ok?"

Jacob sighed, he didn't need any more complications but the world was full of greys and it was far from black and white. He would take the leap of faith but would take everything the guy said with a grain of salt. "Well, we have time and I will talk to that guy later after we get things settled here. So has anyone in the guild stepped forward in wanting the Fortress or do we have anyone with experience?" Jacob asked the Rogue

"No one wants to be an administrator for a beat to shit fortress. I know you don't like him, but Jax has experience running admin and I sure he will be willing if you offer a hefty payday." Darren responded.

The guy was an idiot but the guy had proven himself during the battle and had helped out in some pretty rough fighting on the wall. "Ok, ask him if he is willing to run the fortress for a 10 Gold a week until we find a permanent replacement? You can negotiate up to 20 Gold a week if he wants more then that...Nope." Jacob told Darren who smiled and darted off to track down the arrogant tank.

Jacob sighed as the Rogue left and thought of everything that had happened that day, he could see the army getting ready for bed for the night, most would be sleeping without tents and minimum bedding due to all the extra bodies they were responsible for now. Casualties had also helped free some space, as much as they had weakened the fortress, they still had some soldiers left over and they made them pay for taking the fortress. The Earth Splitters lost 30 dead or severely wounded, the Bloodfangs had 50, and Jacobs people had 5 dead with the regulars, 3 dead Tomb Guardians, and 1 dead among the Dawn Guard, and triple that in seriously wounded among his people. Thank you, healers, for minimizing casualties.

"Enough Jacob, you need to clean up and get some sleep. I have already claimed the Master Suite for us, you can do nothing else for these people and you need to eat still." Cathrine said as she started to drag Jacob back toward the inner keep.

"Can't keep your hands off me beautiful?" Jacob asked as he followed along.

"That..umm..is not what this is ...umm about!!" Cathrine stuttered as Jacob grabbed her and pulled her in for a hug before picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder. She started kicking and laughing while Chalxae and June joined in with the laughter. It was nice to know they all could still laugh.

Fortress of the New Dawn

Master Suite

Jacob groaned as he lay back in the tub, it was the size of a small hot tub and it was the perfect temperature. "I knew you needed this Jacob, you might ignoring the small aches and pains, but I can feel it through our bond," Cathrine said as she leaned against him. Although she did not sigh like him, he could feel it in his mind, "This feels amazing and I hope you upgrade you Fortified Hall into a Keep sooner rather than later."

"So, size matters?" Jacob said while trying not to smile.

Cathrine blushed, "Fortress size? Yes, it definitely matters. Amenities are nice to have and I am sure your people would not dislike them."

"Mhhm, that's all you women think about. Is the size of a man's fortress...I hope it does not affect if you really care for me or not." Jacob responded with a smile but it still earned him a glare. Suddenly she glanced up and cocked her head toward the door before smiling.

Chalxae entered carrying a couple of pitchers and based on the smell, one was wine and the other was blood. "You didn't have enough blood earlier with your dinner and you healed a lot of damage today, so finish the pitcher. Enjoy the wine lady." She bowed slightly and started to leave before she stopped and turned back around, "Are you sure?" Cathrine blushed some but nodded and Chalxae started stripping down and joined them in the bath.

Jacob leaned back and closed his eyes trying to ignore the naked women around him and he could feel his wife's amusement at him trying to ignore the visual stimulation. "Ahh, is my poor husband overwhelmed by the beautiful women around him?"

Jacob smiled before responding, "Just you beautiful, as I said once I make a commitment, I am in all the way." He thought as he opened his eyes and looked at her. She smiled at his thoughts before straddling him and grabbing the pitcher of blood and pouring him a drink. Cathrine made sure her nipples dragged across Jacobs' face as she poured a cup of blood and of wine. As she slowly sat back down on Jacob lap she made sure to grind herself on his hardening member causing them both to moan.

"Feel free to continue, a nice pounding after today wouldn't be bad at all. I can always enjoy the show even if I am not allowed to touch." Chalxae said from behind Cathrine. Cathrine bit her lip and looked at the Drow-Vampire who smiled and moved over to the newly married couple. "Gladly," Chalxae said to whatever Cathrine had told her and suddenly she grabbed Jacob hardened cock causing him to jump slightly. The surprise reaction made both women smile as Cathrine lowered herself slowly onto him groaning as he filled her. "Oh, yeah I miss that feeling," Chalxae whispered in his ear as Cathrine started to ride him.

Fortress of the New Dawn

Main Courtyard

Jacob watched as the Portal closed as the last of the Bloodfangs and the 500 new clan members left the fortress. Of the remaining 2500 slaves, 2000 had signed up to fight and would be going with Jacob back toward the Fortress of Midnight. The remaining 500 had agreed to work the various jobs here or at the Fortress of Midnight. Jax was already interviewing the former slaves to fill out essential leadership slots and Jacob had transferred 500 Gold to the Vault here for expenses. Jax estimated once he had an Engineer, Seneschal, Smith, he believed he could have the fortress wall fixed within a week. The fortress had had two Quarries, two mines, and 3 farms in the nearby area. "So Abraxxus, how does the Portal Pad work?" Jacob asked the Lich.

"The Portal Pad can make a stationary portal to a fixed destination as long as you have a mage to work the Portal Pad. Once we create a Portal Pad at the Fortress of Midnight, you would not require a mage to open a portal between the two spots. Since your allies donated Portal Scrolls, we can now open a portal to Kiera'tan, Bloodfang Hold, Ineford, and the Fortress of Midnight and the portals will stay open as long as the mage wants it too. Only Kiera'tan has a Portal Pad currently though and until you upgrade the Fortified Hall into a Primitive Keep like the one here, the Portal Pad will remain locked." Abraxxus stated.

"Thank you, my friend, and how long until all the bodies are processed? I want to augment the forces here with some undead." Jacob told the Lich.

"I will make sure all the bodies are taken to the Dark Oak Grove as soon as I get back so that Andria Oakleaf can take care of all the fleshy parts and then I will make sure all the bones will get to the Bone Barracks. The new resources should be available within 24 hours." Abraxxus responded.

"Ok Abraxxxus, thank you for coming so quickly and providing assistance in repairing the Portal Pad," Jacob told the Lich that did a half bow. "We have a lot of people to send back to the Fortress of Midnight, we are going to start sending everyone through shortly. Will you be ready?" The Lich just smiled and nodded. The Tomb Guardians and the Dawn Guard would come back with them, but the regular soldiers would stay here and ensure the safety of everyone here. Once he had some more Undead produced from the Bone Barracks, he would reinforce them here. Time to head home and catch up there...

Fortress of Midnight

Fortified Hall

Jacob read the report from the battle of Fortress Ill'Gargon, all the lower level guild members had quickly gained 5 levels. While the higher level members gained 2-3 levels and Jacob was now a level 32 Blood Knight. The new recruits were settling down and already being broken down into squads. Captain Thardan had already dispatched his report of the battle to the Queen, and the merchant had already left to go to Ineford to get all the Smiths working on all the new sets of armor they would need.

Construction Complete...

Spoiler: Spoiler Major Construction...

Smithy (LVL 1)

Durability: 3000/3000

Description: Although this is a well-built smithy, it can only produce limited weapons and armor (Common, Uncommon, Rare). If you break down an item in the Smithy, The Head Smith of the Fortress will have a (25% Chance) to receive the plans of the item. The chance to learn plans can increase once the Smith becomes a Master Smith and increase again once the Master Smith specializes with Weapons or Armor. Certain items and materials can influence items that are produced by the Smithy.

Workshop (LVL 1)

Durability: 1000/1000

Description: This building can be used to build Siege Engines, Glass Units, Bows & Arrows, Enchanters, etc..Its limited space and facilities will limit what people can do and will not increase the rate of production.

Minor Construction...

Inn (LVL 2)(Amount Built: 2)

Assigned Personel: Duatha and Guarda Stein

Durability: 2000/2000

Description: The Inn is a building where passing travelers may rest and relax, its also a place you can tax so that you might develop your settlement more. Entertainment is a keystone for Morale, never forget that peoples happiness can lead to great or bad things.

House (LVL 2)(Amount Built: 4)

Inhabitants: 15/15

Durability: 750/750

Description: This is the upgraded Cabin, the inhabitants now have basic amenities allowing them to support large families. Upgrading this building will increase the number of persons housed and the Morale benefits it provides.

Alert...

Your R&D has yielded blueprints for...House LVL 2 and Apartments LVL 2...see your engineer or fortress interface about the building costs.

You have turned over the blueprints for a Primitive Keep, over to your Engineer. You can now upgrade your Fortified Hall.

Alert...

Jacob sighed as he looked at the cost of building the Primitive Keep...It was going to be a huge resource drain..

Spoiler: Spoiler

Primitive Keep (LVL 2)(Requires Fortified Hall, Cost 1000 Stone, 20 Marble, 100 Iron, 50 Steel, 20 High Steel, 750 Wood, 40 Silver, 20 Gold, 30 Glass, Duration 4 Days)