Surface- Valley of Origins

Outside Eternal Night

Jacob and his War Party rode through the forested area that Nila and her people had left behind. According to her, they were allowed to cut down these trees. It was one of two such groups and this one had several hundred trees and at the rate of re-growth, it would take nearly two weeks to clear them all. By that time, the first trees cleared would have already regrown. "My king, this grove and the other grove we are allowed to cut down can support two Saw Mills, each. We have the people and according to the Engineers, the Saw Mills will be complete within 2 days. Each mill will add an additional 20 jobs as well." Jacob nodded to the Wood-Elf as he looked at the trees that looked like a mix of Oak, Asp, and Pine trees.

"I want them all up and running as soon as possible. We will need these resources sooner rather than later." Jacob told him as he dismounted Star.

June and the others spread out into the nearby area, as Jacob inspected the trees and the newly cleared road when something caught his attention. He closed his eyes and he signaled the Wood-Elf to be silent before he took off running into the nearby woods opposite of the grove they could cut down. Star quickly followed him as they dashed into the woods, Star howled and took off looping further outwards.

Less then 5 minutes later Jacob ran into the clearing, two wolves were facing off against an overly large bear. Jacob quickly analyzed the bear.

Name: Black Bear (Mana-Warped)

Level: 48

Health: 62,378/65,000

Abilities: Maul, Swipe, Unknown

Jacob was going to wait and let the wolves weaken the bear further but the whimpering balls of fur behind the two adult wolves changed his mind. Jacob triggered Shield Charge and slammed into the overly large bears flank shoving it away from the wolves. Arrows and magic slammed into the bears exposed flank as Star led the wolves away

Jacob triggered Triple Slash causing the bear to roar in pain and anger. Jacob hopped back as the bear whirled around and Jacob caught the bears lunge on his shield. Jacob grunted as he skidded back, Thelgrum shouted and slammed his glowing hammer into the side of the bear's muzzle.

The giant bear shook its head clearing it before roaring and charging the Dwarf who hunched his shoulders and taking the bears charge on his shield. Suddenly skeletal hands exploded from the ground slowing the bear's charge and pinning it in place. Shigna cast Firewall underneath the snared bear slowly cooking it as the party backed away from the dying animal. The bear let out a groan before keeling over as its health points zeroed out.

"That bear is not the first mana-warped we have had. They are becoming a bigger problem and we need someone to help us with the situation." Nila stated as she strode into the clearing, an escort of six Wood-Nymphs following close behind. Jacob noticed she was armed and armored similar to her guards.

"Nila, how is your day going? I assume you would appreciate my assistance?" Jacob stated as he cleaned Moonlight and sheathed it. Nila nodded absent-mindedly as she inspected Jacob armor before gently running her fingers over the plates and chain.

"Yes, we could use your assistance," Nila stated as the quest popped up.

Kingdom Quest Issued: To Mana Problems!! (Stage 1)

Description: The Dryad Queen, Analisa 'Nila' Silverwood, of the Eternal Forest has noticed since their awakening that Mana-Warped creatures are appearing within the woods. Find the source of these creatures and stop them before the problem becomes more pronounced for the Eternal Forest and the City of Eternal Night.

Rewards: To Mana Problems!! (Stage 2), UNKNOWN

"You should be aware King Longstrider, I dispatched a Dryad and a squad of Wood Nymphs to determine the extent of this problem, they have not returned. Be on your guard. Most of these creatures have been coming from the west. Good luck, please come see me after you have ended this threat." Nila stated before turning and heading deeper into the forest.

Jacob considered what he had to do today as they rode west, they still had to inspect the fortress and they had a meeting to go too. Too many things to deal with... Mana-Warped creatures and monsters were more resistant to magic and they added a little elemental damage to their attacks, Jacob quickly figured out as his War Party fought deeper into the forest. It also affected both carnivores and herbivores the same way. They had failed to find any sign of the Wood-Nymphs or the Dryad though as they searched, but they did find a small pond tainted by liquid Mana.

Looking at the glowing pool of water, Jacob could tell based on its contents that this was one of the reasons why animals were becoming Mana-Warped. It was not the source though. 30 minutes later and 3 more ponds finally revealed a small stream of liquid Mana.

Kingdom Quest updated: To Mana Problems!! (Stage 2)

Description: Your War Party has found a stream of liquid Mana, follow it back to its source and determine how to eliminate the problem.

Rewards: To Mana Problems!! (Stage 3), UNKNOWN

Jacob dismissed the notification as June and Chalxae disappeared ahead. Thelgrum and Jacob took point as they continued to push forward into the wilds of the Eternal Forest.

Wood-Nymphs were fast like greased lightning but hit like dump trucks as Jacob took another hit on his shield as he lashed out with Moonlight but the Wood-Nymph dodged back out of reach. Jacob snarled as he triggered Piercing Lunge narrowing the gap between them. The Wood-Nymph tried to dodge the attack but Jacob had closed too quickly and Moonlight pierced her side.

She screamed in pain and Jacob quickly lashed out and grabbed her ponytail before slamming his forehead into her nose. Bone and cartilage crunched as she staggered back in a daze as Jacob activated Power Slash and slammed Moonlight into her neck. Blood and gore sprayed everywhere as Jacob kicked the dying Wood-Nymph off his sword as another Mana-Warped bear plowed into his flank and bowled Jacob over.

Jacob managed to keep the shield between him and the bear, but it didn't change how much the bear weighed. Jacob tried to push and wiggle but the bear just kept a large paw on Jacob shield. Jacob snarled and cut at one of the other bears' paws causing the bear to hop back. Jacob immediately rolled away and regained his feet preparing to face the bear but Thelgrum was already fighting the big bastard.

Jacob ignored their ongoing fight and scanned the battlefield. The corpses of a handful of wolves, two deer, and the Wood-Nymph populated the field. The Mana-Warped forest bear was the last opponent and Thelgrum and the war party were quickly downing it.

The animals and Wood-Nymph were quickly looted as Jacob and his party crested a rise and saw a small lake of liquid Mana with dozens of Mana-Warped animals, monsters, Wood-Nymphs, and a Dryad. A quest update popped up.

Kingdom Quest Updated: To Mana Problems!! (Stage 3)

Description: Your War Party has found a stream of liquid Mana, follow it back to its source and determine how to eliminate the problem.

Mana-Warped Killed: 0/50

Asimina Killed: 0/1

Rewards: UNKNOWN

Jacob dismissed the quest update as he looked at all the Mana-Warped beings. "Buff and start pulling in 5 minutes, we will clear everything out before we tackle the Dryad." Jacob watched as Nila's escort take the body of Asimina away. It had been a tough fight, but in the end, the Dryad had been killed and the Mana spring had been sealed up. Apparently bringing the valley back to life had ruptured the reservoir the Mana Spring filled and it had spilled everywhere. "This was not your fault King Longstrider, the unrefined Mana is dangerous and in its concentrated form can drive all sorts of beings mad. Asimina should have known better and been more cautious in her exploration of the area."

Jacob nodded, "It doesn't make me feel better and I am sure some of your people will second guess what happened. Shigna, the Kobold, managed to seal the reservoir so it won't flood the local area any more. Do you mind if our people use the liquid Mana?"

Nila nodded, "Yes your people can take some of the reservoir, just don't drain it." with that stated Nila left. Jacob inspected the alerts he had ignored while talking to her.

Guild Alert...

For slaying Asimina the Mad, your guild will deal 3% more damage to Dryads, Wood-Nymphs, and other forest type creatures.

Guild Alert...

Alert...

Through battle, you have gained...27,378

Alert...

Alert...

For slaying Asimina the Mad you have gained...15,000 Experience

Alert...

Kingdom Quest Completed: To Mana Problems!! (Stage 3)

Description: You and your party found the breached reservoir, you managed to defeat the twisted Dryad Asimina then your party sealed the breach cutting off the supply of raw liquid Mana. In time, the Mana-Warped animals and monsters will die off.

Mana-Warped Killed: 50/50

Asimina Killed: 1/1

Rewards: 100,000 Kingdom Experience, 50,000 Experience, Access to the Mana reservoir, Eternal Woods Trinket of Friendship

Jacob dismissed all the Alerts and activated his Ring of Homecoming teleporting everyone back to the Palace of Night, time to get back to work.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Ruins of the Fortress of Sara'Bella

Jacob looked at the Chimera that lay within the courtyard until they either convinced it to leave or killed it...They could not reclaim the fortress. Archers lined the walls while Rogues were waiting in Stealth for the Tanks to make the first move as Jacob once again inspected the monster before him.

Name: Wycerm the Consumer (Unique)

Level: 50 (Elite)

Health: 250,000/250,000

Abilities: Unknown

The Chimera had a base body of a Tiger, Snake tail, and wings. Chimeras were supposed to be sentient, but so far it had done nothing but sleep as the war parties surrounded it. Suddenly the Chimera rolled to its feet and glared at all of them before letting out a hiss. Jacob cursed as he triggered Charge, they only needed 30 more seconds to get everyone in position. Arrows and Magic slammed into the Chimera is it roared in anger or pain.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Primal Roar: Accuracy is decreased by 10%, Mana/Stamina Regeneration decreased by 25% (Duration 10 Minutes)

Battle Alert...

Jacob dismissed the Alert as he triggered Piercing Lunge, Triple Slash, followed by War Cry. Jacob ducked a swipe of the Chimeras paw as a handful of Golems slammed into the rampaging Monster. Jacob snarled at the monster and continued the assault as the other melee speced warriors and rogues added their damage to the battle. Jacob launched a series of slashes at the muzzle of the Chimera as it started to glow before it released an energy wave to the surrounding combatants.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Chimera Poison: 50 DPS (Duration 5 minutes)

Battle Alert...

Jacob coughed and tried to clear his lungs as he pulled an Anti-Poison from his belt and downed the potion quickly. The potion would keep him from getting the poison again for another 3 minutes as the cloud continued to stay around the monster. Jacob triggered War Cry and Shield Bash causing the Chimera to yowl in surprise as its ribs cracked under his assault. The Chimera paw flashed out and slammed into Jacob sending him skidding and sliding across the ground to slam into the broken nearby wall.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Broken Ribs: Stamina regeneration by 50% (Duration 10 Minutes)

De-Buff Broken Spine: Mobility negated (Duration 1 Hour)

De-Buff Internal Bleeding: 75 DPS (Duration 5 Minutes)

Battle Alert...

Jacob dismissed the Alert and pulled a small healing Tonic from his belt and downed it. The strawberry flavor was quickly followed by the sweet cherry of a medium healing potion. A Priest came running up and started chanting immediately as she channeled healing magic into Jacobs broken body. Jacob grunted as his spine snapped back into place and pain flooded into his brain causing him to nearly scream. Jacob snarled as he forced himself to stand and pick up his shield and sword. Jacob fired off a quick analysis of the Chimera before dashing back into the fight.

Name: Wycerm the Consumer (Unique)

Level: 50 (Elite)

Health: 173,244/250,000

Abilities: Unknown