Black Swamp

The portal opened and started disgorging the Seekers of the Dawn. It was the first time in a while that the whole guild was in one place, but to take down the Regional Boss, it would require everyone. It was muggy, muddy, and extremely wet due to the rain coming down. Jacob stepped through and immediately sunk up to his ankles in brackish waters. "Well, I am so glad I cleaned my armor. I am sure the swamp lizards and frogs are going to be happy to see me." Jacob muttered as others chuckled.

"Cut the chatter, buff up," Anastasia called out over the raid chat. "Groups 1 through 6 will be on the boss, groups 7 through 10 will be on standby or pick up adds. The main tank will pass off aggro once you hit 70% health. Don't forget your potions and tonics people." Jacob nodded his head as he downed a Tonic of Troll Regeneration (Increase Health Regeneration by 5%) and Potion of Stone Skin (Increases Armor by 5%). Suddenly the water near the island shifted and the huge albino alligator emerged from the waters, the displaced water revealing more of the little island.

Name: Canaleth the Man-Eater

Level: 38 (Regional-Boss)

Health: 500,000/500,000

Abilities: Chomp, Consume, Tail Lash, Unknown

"That is one big gator," Darren muttered as he chugged a potion and threw the vial away. Jacob just nodded as he moved off with his group. Another Warrior was taking the slot as the main tank today because he had better damage mitigation abilities. Jacob was the first off-tank though so it was more than likely he would take a beating today anyway.

Middlebrough

Alert...

Entering Middlebrough subjects you to the Laws of the Empire of Night

You are considered...Wanted...by the Empire of Night. If caught, you will be subject to punishments under their laws.

Alert...

Faith walked through the steps after sneaking in, she dismissed the alerts. She already knew that she would be punished for what she had done but another Immortal had spotted two of her people here. So she was sneaking through town hoping to do an impromptu jailbreak. Two others were with her and would be providing support. All her remaining team members that had survived the last job had disappeared. They wanted nothing to do with her.

Slowly walking through the streets under Stealth with two other Rogues, so far none of the patrols had found them and the town was settled in for the night. Directly ahead of her was one of the Barracks buildings. Supposedly that was where John and Billy were being held. 15 slow minutes later she was on the second floor, she slowly made her way to the two blanket covered forms. She covered Johns mouth as she gently shook him awake while another Rogue did the same with Billy. "Wake up, I am springing you guys."

John didn't immediately get up, in fact, he closed his eyes and rolled away. "What the fuck John, get your ass out of bed and come on." Billy was already up and about, Jimmy was working on the collar to no effect yet. "Come on John, you know the business. If you fall behind you get left behind. I came back to get you, now let's go."

John turned and looked at her like she was the biggest idiot in the world, "Did you really think they would leave us here with no one watching us or security measures to make sure we didn't go anywhere. You are a fool and an idiot Faith."

"I couldn't agree more." Someone stated right before something slammed into the back of her head. She fell forward and slammed into the floorboards. Shouts erupted around her, but she could do nothing. She heard someone say they got them while a pair of armored boots walk in front of her face. Faith followed the legs up to the large Orc that had pursued her last time, "No running away this time." The Orc stated right before darkness claimed her. Faith looked at the clock when she woke, 2 hours had passed and she was in a cell with John. Billy, Jimmy, and Shawn were in another cell and black armored Legionnaires were stationed throughout the room. "You had to know they would be watching us, why would you try to spring us without figuring out how to disable the collars," John asked her.

"Everyone is either dead or gone, Jimmy and Shawn were the only ones left and I got some intel you were here." Faith responded, "We had no idea the security was this extensive."

John shook his head, "You really have no idea what you got us into. Billy and I each got 10 years of hard labor or 50,000 Gold fine. Our sentencing would be considered after 5 years for me, Billy after one but I am sure he just killed his deal by cooperating with you." John replied and Billy heard him and started crying, "Idiot, what did you think was going to happen. You were given a deal and you just shit all over it by trying to escape. We both talked to him, you know what integrity means to this guy. You went back on your deal, so yeah you fucked yourself, Billy." John spat out.

"What are you talking about?" Faith asked him.

John took his eyes off Billy, the look of disdain for the man filled him. "The guy we kidnapped got away. How we have no idea, but I assume there is a story behind it. He made an offer of employment and told us to think about it for a couple of months. He said the Empire needs people like us, infiltration and sabotage. Well, we have backgrounds in both, he emphasized that the Empire does not look at traitors kindly. I might still be recruited, but Billy is shit out of luck now. The things we saw over the last couple of weeks...The Legionnaires made your spy walking around, why do you think he found us so quickly."

"After what we did, he offered you a job?" Faith said, stunned by the fact.

John snorted in amusement, "I guess we impressed him with our ingenuity and audacity. However, your actions might have jeopardized all of that." Suddenly the large Orc was walking down the stairs and signaled the Legionnaires who demanded their wrists to put cuffs on them, it was time to go see the Governor.

Black Swamp

Jacob watched as a plethora of magic and arrows slammed into the hide of the alligator in front of him. He in his group were currently hammering at Canaleth's flank. Dozens of open wounds bleed as they slowly hammered the alligator into paste. It was difficult, his hide was thick and he had a natural armor, but he was down to 75% of his health.

Suddenly a pair of Meteors flashed overhead and slammed into the alligators exposed flank and exploded causing the Canaleth to roar and retreat into the swamp. The raiders started to withdraw back up onto the island as the swamp water was displaced quickly and almost drowned several of the raiders. Suddenly groups of level 35-38 Elite Swamp Gators started crawling out of the mire and assaulted any of the Seekers they could get too. Jacob triggered War Cry and the nearest 6 gators started scrambling toward him.

Jacob grunted as the jaws started clamping down on his limbs but an Ice Storm suddenly formed above them and shards of Ice slammed into their bodies and allowed Jacob to back away as the healer of his group slapped a couple HoT on him as he set himself for the fight. This was going to be a long day...

Middlebrough

Faith and the other prisoners were led into the room collared and bound, Governor High-Tower eyeballed all of them. "John, according to the reports of the Legionnaires you did not try to leave and in fact told your compatriots they were idiots for coming. You will not suffer any further charges or punishments. Billy...We had made a deal last time we were here, you have broken it and tried to escape. You will serve the full 10-year sentence and you cannot buy your way out now. Faith Alstar and companions, you were all convicted in absentee of previous crimes and now you tried to break your former compatriots out. While your limited loyalty is noted, your actions are illegal. You each will serve 10 years for your crimes against the Empire of Night starting tonight." The Governor pronounced before signaling that they are taken away.

Faith and the other prisoner's heads were covered as they were led from the building. Ironbark looked at the Governor, "I misjudged you, I am glad I did. I will be leaving within the next week to take command of the Second Legion. A new Cohort and garrison commander will be arriving before I leave though. I appreciate you working with me sir." Ironbark extended his hand to the Human who smiled and took it.

Black Swamp

Only three groups were continuing to assault Canaleth now, all the others had been dragged away as a constant swarm of lesser Swamp Gators swarmed the area. Canaleth was finally down to 5% though, but they had lost 3 of the raiders to the unexpected all-out assault from the other alligators. Everyone was using every special skill and ability, but the alligators kept coming finally though, Canaleth the Man-Eater finally died. The alligators stopped coming and they just had to mop up the survivors.

Regional Alert...

Canaleth the Man-Eater has been slain by the Seekers of the Dawn

Regional Alert...

Guild Alert...

For slaying...Canaleth the Man-Eater...your guild members will deal 3% more damage to Reptile based monsters

Guild Alert...

Alert...

For Slaying Canaleth the Man-Eater and battle, you have earned 12,337 Experience

Alert...

A slightly tired cheer went up as the last Swamp Gator died and the Master looter and anyone with a skinning ability went to work. "I am sure the Gilded Hanz will enjoy seeing that. Except for a few independents, no one else will." Darren stated as Jacob started to worry.

"I got more good news, of the 10 that we sent invites too, 9 responded favorably. They will be at Ineford tomorrow." Tarren informed the guild to more shouts and cheers a bit louder.

"So my day is going to be busy briefing new people and then hopefully recruiting them to the Vampire race and our guild. Cross your fingers people." Jacob called out before he took a hit from a flask before passing it on to a nearby Rogue who nodded his head in thanks. Suddenly Jacobs' head snapped around and toward Middlebrough. "Who wants to make a quick stop before heading home, I have to have a mandatory 5 others or I will get yelled at." Several people started laughing but everyone at this point knew that someone had tried to kidnap Jacob so the joke was also serious. Darren quickly grabbed four others and Jacob popped open a portal to Middlebrough.

Emerging from the portal the others spread out and the Legionnaires kept a close eye on the hooded figures. Every single one was bound and wore prisoner collars, but they could still be a threat. Jacob walked over to the first one in line and pulled the hood off. She looked around and saw him causing her eyes to bulge, "Well miss Faith, I warned you when you had me locked in a cage that you had no idea what you were stepping in the middle of. Now your band has been destroyed and you face prison time and hard labor for breaking the law. On top of that, you seem to be cursed, well where you are going they don't have much chance of encountering sunlight. I hope it was worth it." with that Jacob covered her head again and shoved her through the open portal.

"Where are they going?" One of the Seekers asked.

Jacob waited for the last to go through before responding, "They are going to New Dawn to assist wherever they are needed there. If it's mining, farming, helping distribute supplies to the trainees, whatever they are told to do. Lets head home people, I need a bath and I need to get all this gator blood and guts off me. Darren, can you work up a list of who will babysit the new recruits and power level them to level 7?" Jacob asked the Rogue who nodded.