Arathia Basin

Carathia Bay

Jacob looked at the new small town, the Housing was already complete and storage yards were full of all the lumber they had cleared. New supplies were steadily arriving, while units of wood were shipped out. The Portal Pad had been finished today and was fully operational and they expected to ship anywhere between 40-80 units of wood a week for the first month, food would be produced in smaller number for now, but production would increase steadily over the coming months. They had broken ground on the new Shipyards, they would be up and running within the week.

Finding people to work the boats and ships was another problem though, very few of those Jacob had liberated had experience with either. About a hundred all told, and all would be coming here within the next week.

"We finished clearing and expanding the dirt track the locals called a road. We have Calvary running patrol routes every three days and two squads of infantry running the closer patrol routes. Except for an occasional monster encounter, we have not had any real problems." Lieutenant-Commander Judrus Ironaxe informed him.

"We plan on building two outposts within three days travel of here Lieutenant-Commander Ironaxe, one to the North-West and one to the North-East. This place will be the military and economic hub of the eastern portion of the Arathia Basin especially as our influence grows among the basin. It is a large responsibility." Jacob told the Dwarf who nodded.

"I understand Sir, construction of basic needs are still ongoing but it will be completed within the next couple weeks. Housing for the civilians is complete, but we are still building barracks for the troops. We have four wells dug for fresh water, a steady supply food now that the Portal Pad is complete. The locals have sold some of their catch to us to supplement our food supplies, once we have some fishing boats built hopefully it will provide a steady food supply." Judrus replied.

Spoiler: Spoiler Name: Basic Shipyard (LVL 1)

Durability: 0/1,000

Description: The basic shipyard is able to produce everything from small fishing vessels to Light Trireme. The Basic Shipyard can produce up to 6 fishing vessels, 3 small merchant vessels, or 2 Light Trireme at one time.

Name: Basic Fishing Vessel

Crew: 1-2

Cargo Capacity: 200 Units

Speed: 4 Knots

Durability: 800

Description: The basic fishing vessel is designed for fishing in large bay areas and coastal waters, not for deep ocean or long term sailing. During disuse, can be beached or placed at a dock.

Name: Basic Merchant Vessel

Crew: 10-16

Cargo Capacity: 2,000 Units

Speed: 10 Knots

Durability: 1,200

Description: Basic merchant vessels were the lifeblood of any sea faring town, city, or kingdom. These vessels can be lightly modified by their captains for various reasons.

Name: Light Trireme

Crew: 20-30 (Does not include Marines)

Cargo Capacity: 800 Units

Speed: 14 Knots

Durability: 2,000

Description: The Light Triremes are scouts and cargo vessels and basic military vessel of any naval force. Light Trireme can be modified for speed, cargo, or carry more weapons. Best used in squadrons of 6 or more. Jacob looked at the basic framework of the shipyards, the Engineers wanted to build 3 eventually and have over a dozen docks for shipping and military reasons. Time was what they needed to get the settlement up and running though until then, this place was just hopes and dreams of what was to come. "Have they decided on a name for this place?"

"Yes sir, Aramore. Before you ask, no I have no idea why they choose that name." Lieutenant-Commander Ironaxe snorted. Jacob smiled before heading toward the Portal Pad, his escort hard on his heels.

Nation of Ebron

City of Easthaven- Business District

Jacob, Darren, and 8 more Seekers walked the city streets close to sundown and near closing time for most of the businesses. Jacob was hoping to get there before they closed, but the Curse was slowing everyone down and Jacob was not wearing his best gear. Just his trash gear to blend in with the crowd, with a minimum bonus to his stats.

Easthaven was a large trade hub for Ebron, one of the smaller human nations of the north, but also sitting on two strategic trade hubs. Easthaven was one of those hubs, both river traffic and trade caravans flowed through its streets 24 hours a day. It was also known as the Mercenary capitol of the northern kingdoms. Today, Jacob was here looking to hire for a specific job.

The Mercenary Guild Hall was still open when Darren and Jacob entered, their guildmates would stay nearby but would not enter unless something went wrong. Being close to the Mercenary Guild Hall also let them blend in with the other Immortals nearby and the Local guards would probably not question them. "How can I help you, fine gentlemen, today? Do you have an appointment?" A level 9 High-Elf asked as they entered.

Jacob looked at her and those nearby, most of the people in the entryway were admin types and all of them were below level 9. In other words, if PK team struck at the guild they would receive minimal exp and rewards for killing them, but sitting in a couple of nearby chairs was a team of 6, all over 150+. They all glanced at Jacob and Darren and dismissed them quickly as not a threat. "Yes ma'am, I was wondering if a representative of either the Myrmidons or the Untamed is present?"

The Elf looked at a list in front of her, "The Untamed have left for the day, a representative of the Myrmidons I still present though. Please have a seat and I will see if he is willing to meet you before he leaves for the day."

A few minutes later a Dwarf came down the nearby stairs and signaled for Jacob and Darren to follow him and quickly went right back up the way he came, "You two better have a dam good job coming in this late." Jacob just smiled while Darren rolled his eyes at the Dwarfs antics.

Entering an office the Dwarf gestured for them to take some seats while activating a crystal that would block anyone from spying on the business discussion, "I am Jax Blunderbus of the Myrmidons, a level 135 Engineer and a coordinator for my clan. In other words, you tell me what you need to be done and I will tell you how large of a team you will need to get it done and how much it will cost. So, tell me how can I help you today?"

Darren continued to stand and study the Dwarf and the surroundings while Jacob sat in the chair opposite of the Dwarf before laying out a Non-Disclosure agreement in front of the Dwarf. One that was enforced by Celestial forces bound in both Jacobs and Jaxs blood. "Please feel free to read and then sign if you are willing, once you do we can get down to business."

Jax smiled and chuckled as he picked up the contract then his eyebrows started to crawl up his forehead and nearly to his hairline. Then looked at Jacob and completely re-evaluating him, "I am going to sign this just because I am curious what job you want to be done." Jax replied before signing it then pulling a knife and pricking his finger where he smeared his blood over his name. The contract started glowing and Jax pushed it toward Jacob who followed the Dwarfs example. Once done the contract activated and copies were sent to the Divine signators and both mortal signers.

"Thank you, Jax, now how do you want me to lay it out? Blunt in your face or be obscure?" Jacob asked the Dwarf who smirked.

"Give it to me straight, don't hold back otherwise I won't be able to do my job," Jax responded.

Jacob smiled, "Ok I want to raid the Slave Pens of Anchorhead and free all the slaves. I want both offices of the Slavers Union destroyed that are in Anchorhead. I want as many of their guards and officials killed while doing it." Jax jaw steadily dropped while Jacob shortly and to the point told Jax what he wanted to do.

Jax roared with laughter, "You had me going there for a second.' Jax slowly stopped laughing when he saw the look on Jacob and Darren's face. ' Are you fucking insane? Even if I pulled every single team we had together, we wouldn't have the numbers to fight through the city and get what you want to be done."

Jacob frowned at him, "Guess you never heard of subtilty. It will take 200 level 150 mercs to get the job done if you use infiltration and distraction tactics. You are not talking about invading the city and holding it. We are talking about 1 primary target and two secondaries, the officials that won't be present at any of those three locations, will be taken care of one way or another the night we plan on doing this."

Jax scoffed so Jacob brought out the tactical map he had made while planning this all out with Nadal, "This is Anchorhead, these are troop counts, levels, everything we have on the city. Yes its all covered in the NDA, so no you won't keep any of the info or use it beyond our business. Now here are the Warehouses and Storageyards, they make a nice fat distraction if we set fire to several of them. While all the city guards in the Lower City are distracted, our main forces will move toward the Slave Pens to take control of the area and kill as many of the Slaver Union as possible. Secondary teams will move against their business fronts in the Lower and Upper city while our main forces concentrate on the main objective here." Jacob told the Dwarf while pointing at the various areas of the city hastily outlining the plan.

Jax sat back and actually started to consider the job, "Any loot from the building and from the Slavers Guild people will belong to your people. They will have founds on hand for buys and sells of slaves, so they should have several thousand in Gold coins and units present." Jacob told the merc.

Jax shook himself, "All this is great, but you would need some infiltration team on the inside even before we struck to get all our forces into that area."

Jacob smiled, "I have that covered, a very high-priced connoisseur of a merchant is going to Anchorhead to sale some high-value products that are hardly ever seen. A squad of your people will provide security for the merchant and his 'slaves' for the night. They will be staying in the Slave area and will open the area and help open up all the pens."

"You got every angle covered, so 200 Mercs. 20 man teams to cover the business fronts, a 10 man team for the distraction, and a 10 man team covering your 'merchant'. Did I miss anything? Are you not telling me something? Why this night?" Jax asked.

Jacob looked at Darren and PMed him. He quickly read the message and nodded his head in response, "Ok, since you asked. That night the Union is going to take a shot at killing Eadwin Saltrake, the Lord of Anchorhead. We have not decided to intervene or not yet. The Union wants him dead because he has demanded a bigger cut of their business. My guild will be providing some materials and personal on the distraction team and for those destroying the Union buildings."

Jax pinched the bridge of his nose before pulling out a bottle of alcohol and pouring two shots, "Dwarven Amber, 40 years old and a pain in the ass to acquire. I drink this when I know I am going to have heartburn from a job. This job will make my guild Infamous and get us blacklisted everywhere or it will get us more Fame then I am ready to deal with. How long will we need to hold the Slaver area of the city?"

Jacob considered his words, "10 minutes once we start opening the Pens to get them all broken open and through portals. Your people will have to make their own portals, where the slaves and my people are going you cannot follow. We might also need some healers on the slaves depending on their state to get them through the portals."

Jax considered everything, "We get all the loot from kills and the business fronts. We will require 5,000 Gold up front and 5,000 Gold upon completion of the job. Either way, the job goes, we get paid. Price is non-negotiable."

Jacob smiled, "How about a trade, some difficult equipment to find for a low-level Demon Knight, a pair of swords that are hard to find." Jacob told the Dwarf while sending him the info on Balmung and Durandal. Jacob had done his research on the blades, although not unique they were difficult to find.

"That will knock off 500," Jax responded.

Jacob snorted, "You insult me. Last time they went up for auction they cost more than 2K. No less then 1,500, even if no one in your guild uses them, you can sell them and make a profit."

Jax studied Jacob closely, "Fine, 1,500 for the blades. You will owe 3,500 Gold and the blades up front and 5,000 Gold upon completion.' Jacob smiled and waited for the Dwarf to finish up building the custom contract. 'The main teams will be in Anchorhead no later at 18:00 (6 PM local time). They will all filter in over the course of an hour, where do you want your escort team?"

Jacob handed the Dwarf a scroll, "Give this to the team leader of the squad running escort. That will dump them outside a small town, from there they will port to Anchorhead. Have them port in at 1745 (545 PM) so they can meet up and go over any last minute changes. My guildmates will find your distraction team, have a representative from each of the teams that are going to hit the Union businesses go to the Guild House for the local Assassins. They will issue some equipment to assist them in their endeavors." Jacob told the Dwarf.

Jax nodded as he forwarded the contract to Jacob and Darren. Both quickly reviewed it. Darren raised no objections so Jacob quickly signed the digital copy before sending it back to the Dwarf with the money and blades. "Remember the NDA Jax and the price if you or any of your guild divulges information about this job to anyone. Keep the copy of the tactical information it's yours until the job is done. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me. Otherwise, I will see you on the other side." Jacob told the Dwarf as he stood and left.

Jax continued to drink his alcohol hours after Jacob left. Either this job would make or break his career with the guild.