Surface- Storm Break Bay Region

Anchorhead- Sea Lords Keep

Captain Adrian Riptide watched as the Council argued once again deep into the night. He was disgusted that they were still fighting over the White Cap Throne. By the time someone finally occupied it, Adrian would die of old age. Ever since Lord Eadwin Saltrake had been assassinated, his former advisors had fought tooth and nail over who would be elevated to Lord of the City.

Suddenly the doors were pushed inward and black armored soldiers started marching in, Adrian started to draw his sword but a knife suddenly appeared at his throat and back. "Please do not do anything stupid Captain, you are one of the good ones in this snake pit." Someone hissed in Adrian's ear. Adrian nodded his head and let his arms relax to his sides. Although the blades were not moved, Adrian could tell the wielder relaxed somewhat.

Finally, an armored man entered with a cloaked figure, he wore plate and chainmail that looked like it was covered in blood. His helm was topped with pointed Rubies that made it look like a crown of some sort. "Gentlemen and Ladies, I thank you for your time but this discussion is over. None of you will be taking the White Cap Throne, this man is the reason why." He gestured the cloaked figure forward who withdrew the hood revealing...Lord Eadwin Saltrake?!?!

The Council exploded but the black armored soldiers quickly moved forward pushing them back into their seats, "Settle down please everyone, Lord Eadwin Saltrake will explain everything once you settle down. Once he tells you his story everything will become clear. Lord Saltrake..." The man ushered him forward.

Lord Saltrake stepped forward bowing slightly toward the armored figure, "My friends as you all know, some weeks ago rumors reached our ears that the Slavers Union was planning to assassinate me. At first, they reached out to the local Assassins Guild who instead of taking the job, declined it and informed me directly that my life was in danger. They also informed me that my family would also be killed. So I desperately searched for a way to counter their power here in Anchorhead. In my search, I came across whispers of a people that had outlawed slavery and imprisoned or executed those who profited from the enslavement of others. So I sought them out and found their King. In secret correspondence, I told him of my families plight and begged for his assistance. Working with him we duped the assassins while smuggling out my family, me, and all those the Slavers Union oppressed." Lord Saltrake stated as he walked around the council and toward the White Cap Throne.

Lord Saltrake did not sit on it though, his hand caressed the armrests activating a secret compartment that opened revealing the Sword of Storms. The blade was supposedly a powerful Artifact weapon handed down from one Sea Lord to the next. It was beautifully crafted and had an ivory hilt with a gilded and jeweled sheath. "Like many of you, I profited from the suffering from so many others the Slavers Union has brought here. Today the Anchorhead turns its back on Slavery, we will never again allow slaves to be chained, whipped, abused, collared, or sold in this city. Today I, Lord Eadwin Saltrake swear an oath of allegiance to King Jacob Longstrider. I bind my city, my people, my fortune to a greater cause that you represent. Let it be known that Anchorhead has joined the Empire of NIght." Lord Saltrake finished his oath as he took a knee and extended the Sword of Storms.

This King Longstrider picked up the blade and inspected it, taking it in and Adrian could almost swear the man smirked at what he saw. Before he extended it back to Lord Eadwin Saltrake, "I Jacob Longstrider King of the Empire of Night, accept your oath of allegiance on behalf of the Empire of Night. As our fortunes increase, so will yours, your enemies are our enemies. Rise Lord Eadwin Saltrake. I appoint you as Regent of Anchorhead and Governor of Storm Break Bay Region, do you accept these responsibilities and privileges?"

"Gladly my king, and I thank you for thinking me worthy of such an appointment." Lord Eadwin Saltrake responded.

King Longstrider almost sneered, he knew what kind of man Eadwin really was, "Rise and take your place as Regent of Anchorhead. Council of Anchorhead I thank you for your patience if you do not realize yet but the time of the Slavers Union and all the corruption that came from it is now over. The vast fortunes you made from the suffering of other people will be seized by the Empire, any further corruption will result in you being stripped of your offices and exiled from the Empire. As we speak any remaining officials of the Slavers Union are being rounded up. Their mercenaries are being arrested, ships are being seized, cargo confiscated, their crews and captains imprisoned. Any slaves found will be freed immediately. Any collusion with them in the future will result in harsh penalties including imprisonment. General Brox!! Please join us." King Longstrider called out over his shoulder.

One of the biggest Orcs Adrian ever saw walked into the room, he was covered in blackened Plate, Chain, and Leather Armor, "My KIng?" The Orc intoned in a gravely voice.

"I am appointing you as Military Commander of Storm Break Bay Region. The First Legion will be staying here for now. Regent, General Brox is second only too you and will be working closely with you to weed out ALL corruption within your government. I expect to receive reports from both of you on a consistent basis. Captain Adrian Riptide a moment of your time." The King spun on his heel and left the room. General Brox glowered at the room and the Rogue behind Adrian released him and pushed him toward the door.

Jacob read the Regional Alert while minimizing his personal ones, so many things could go wrong starting today. Taking one of the major ports on the White Cap Ocean was a large step, but a necessary one.

Regional Alert...

Anchorhead has joined the...Empire of Night.

Regional Alert...

Jacob looked at the Legionnaires of the First and Second Legions spread throughout the city. The only resistance they had faced was in the Slavers District but the Legion had been given strict orders to put them down hard if they resisted. Jacob knew they might have been reinforced since the raid, but from what he could see the district was mainly a ghost town. "You asked for me King Longstrider?" Captain Riptide asked behind him.

Jacob turned and looked at the human, Adrian Riptide was about 5'6", 175 lbs and a wiry build. He was definitely a swordsman based on the way he stood and carried himself, "Please join me for a moment, Captain.' Jacob gestured for the man to come closer to the wall next to him. 'Did you know out of all the senior leadership of the city, only 3 members did not receive bribes from the Slavers Union. You are one of those people. I want you to join the Empire, we need you, Anchorhead needs you. In a little over an hour the guards of Anchorhead are going to be permanently dissolved, their arms and armor taken and they will be offered a chance to join the Legions or become normal citizens. I want you to be the first to signup and join."

"So you are going to fire me, then rehire me? Why dissolve the city guard at all?" Adrian Riptide asked as he studied the city below.

"The Empire does not allow personal militaries over 100 men. It also does not allow cities or towns to maintain large groups of soldiers. Another reason is your guards are just as corrupt as the government, some more so. I will not have men like that in the military of the Empire of Night. The two most important things to the Empire is family and honor, help me and join the Legion. Help me recruit the good men and women of your guard while keeping the corruption out of my Legions. You are a good man, you have proven that time and time again." Jacob told him as he studied him out of the corner of his eye.

Adrian slowly drew his blade and placed it on the nearby wall, "That is the sword I was given when I joined the city guard 15 years ago. I will no longer need it. If I join your Legions, I expect a new weapon."

Jacob smiled and turned while offering the man his hand to shake. Adrian looked at it then smiled as he shook the offered hand, everything begins with one single step Jacob thought.

Underdark-Unending Abyss Region

Tomb of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Outer Gardens

Jacob watched as the distant portals slam shut as the remainder of the Second Legion finally arrived. With all the other Legions assigned to garrison duty, the Second Legion was his only mobile force currently. However, of the 6,000+ guards of Anchorhead, they had managed to salvage just over 4,000 to be enlisted into the Legions. It boosted the numbers in training from 8,000+ to over 12,000+ in training. The Bloodscorched Fortress now had a training camp and had a steady stream of non-combatants moving too it like New Dawn and Midnight now. Jacob was sure all those former soldiers from Anchorhead would be surprised they were going to be living in the Underdark for the next couple weeks to a month. Jacob pulled up the Settlement page from his Kingdom tab to review everything there.

Spoiler: Spoiler Note* Population centers and military fortresses listed below are considered loyal to the Empire of Night, it does not include Allied or Enemy cities or fortresses

Note* Contested Regions are regions that the majority of the population are NOT loyal to the Empire of Night or active war is being fought.

Underdark-Black Basalt Region (Contested)

City of Gahlin (Region Capitol)

Fortress of Hope

Fortress of Redemption

Underdark-Unending Abyss Region (Loyal)

Tomb of Eternal Night

City of Ineford (Client State)(Region Capitol)

Fortress of Midnight

Fortress of New Dawn

Fortress of Bloodscorched

Surface-Arathia Basin Region (Contested)

Town of Middlebrough

Town of Aramore

Surface-Storm Break Bay Region (Loyal)

City of Anchorhead (Region Capitol) Jacob frowned at the status of the Arathia Basin, but considering how widespread the population was, it was not that surprising that it was still contested. However, the percentage of those loyal was climbing as more settlements were started. Flooding the basin felt like cheating, but they needed the food, wood, and it provided an outlet for all the former slaves they freed. Jacob dismissed the screen and pulled up the alerts he had received earlier in Anchorhead.

Kingdom Alert...

For capturing a Region Capitol and Level 6 Stronghold-City, your kingdom has gained...500,000 Kingdom Experience.

Kingdom Alert...

Kingdom Alert...

The Empire of Night has reached level 2. You now have 3 Kingdom points, See Kingdom Tab to use points.

Kingdom Alert...

Jacob dismissed the alerts and brought up the Kingdom tab and started looking at the Kingdom Skills. Tier 2 would not be unlocked until they leveled up to Kingdom level 3. Jacob didn't even hesitate, he immediately purchased Nations Lifeblood, Battlemaster, and Basic Training. Once the purchases were complete he dismissed the kingdom tab. Tomorrow they had plans to make and a war to win.