Ruins of Khul Darum

Jacob deflected the hammer strike of the Duergar and launched a counter strike that opened up a huge gash on the Duergars arm causing him to bellow in pain. His companions immediately launched their own attacks while a Priest of some sort started casting some healing spells. Jacob snarled in frustration, "Someone fucking interrupt their healer!!!" Jacob barked out as he triggered Hemorrhage causing all the Duergar to stagger.

June shouted and shot the Priest with a Concussive Shot causing the Duergar to stagger and interrupt his spell casting. Junes Spider then lept from the ceiling bearing the Duergar down into the ground under its mandibles and legs. Chalxae materialized behind one of the other Duergar, her knives sinking deep into his back.

A Firewall appeared within their ranks as skeletal hands exploded out of the ground as the Duergar were pinned in position. Jacob and Chalxae began hacking, slashing, and stabbing at the four Duergar warriors and Thelgrum and his group dealt with another patrol of Drow. Less then two minutes later, the last of the Drow died cursing as he bleed out. Jacob's party started looting the corpses as he reviewed the Dungeon Quests he had received.

Dungeon Quest Issued: Reclaiming Khul Darum

Description: Long ago, when the Kingdom of the Vampires was destroyed, Khul Darum was founded in the ruins of the aftermath. This Dwarven Hold built to watch over the once desolate lands quickly fell to invasion after the war. The Duergar Clan, Bloodfiend, slaughtered the inhabitants before being invaded by the Drow. These factions are still fighting for control today. Slay the leaders and drive them back into the Underdark.

Kill the Duergar Captain Urgathar Bonecrusher: ---

Kill the Duergar Lord Malfik Oondergrime: ---

Kill the Drow Swordmaster Callimar Gallaer: ---

Kill the Drow Matriarch Filnel Arguan: ---

Reward: 50,000 Experience, Unknown

Dungeon Quest Issued: The Cleansing of Khul Darum

Description: The ruins of Khul Darum are overflowing with Duergar soldiers and Drow warriors. Thin their numbers to weaken their hold on the Dwarven stronghold and drive them back into the deep Underdark.

Drow Warriors Slain: 15/200 Duergar Warriors Slain: 27/200

Reward: 50,000 Experience, 1,000 Gold

Jacob dismissed the prompts and started down the path that led to the Drow base, hopefully, they would catch them unprepared.

Ruins of Khul Darum

North Hall

Jacob ducked his head behind his shield as a crossbow bolt slammed into its surface. Jacob triggered Piercing Lunge while targeting the Drow Priestess that was casting curses on Jacob party while yelling at the Drow Warriors in front of her. Her scream of pain made him smile as he triggered Battle Stomp which stunned the nearby Drow Warriors and bought his own party members time to go on the offensive.

Rory and Thelgrum went on the offensive, bashing into the Drow while June, Shigna, and Patemal added their own considerable firepower to the ongoing battle. Jacob turned away from the Priestess that staggered back and attacked the Drow battle line from behind, laying into the Drow Warriors with Moonlight and causing more than one to collapse from wounds.

The Drow Priestess snarled and started casting a curse but Chalxae materialized behind her triggering Backstab and Gauge causing the Priestess to die whimpering in pain as the Rogue threw the Priestess into the nearby wall and charge the falling Drow from behind.

Jacob snarled and triggered Shield Bash, caving in the Drows skull as kicked another Drows leg out from under him. As the Drow went down Jacob slammed Moonlight into the Drow pinning him to the ground. The wounded warrior started to scream until Jacob slammed his plated boot into his skull, ending the Drows cry and life.

Jacob checked his surroundings and all the enemy Drow were dead or dying, all that was left was cleanup. "Thelgrum, please check everyone for Curses. Everyone rest and relax for 5 minutes, re-buff if you need too we will be heading deeper in after." Jacob stated as he bent down to loot the nearest corpse as Mug, Snaggletooth, and Thelgrum started making rounds.

Alert...

Do you wish to loot...LVL 42 Elite Drow Warrior? YES/NO

You have received...15 Gold, 37 Silver, 89 Copper

You have received...Steel Short Sword of Swiftness (Uncommon)

You have received...Steel Hauberk of Fortitude (Uncommon)

Alert...

Chalxae shout of rage as she slammed one of her daggers into one of the fallen warriors brought the whole War Parties attention too her. Jacob quickly got them all back to work as he made his way over to the irate Chalxae who was fuming and pacing. "What?" Jacob asked her as she continued to pace and ignoring him.

Jacob placed himself in her path causing her to hiss and lash out but Jacob deflected her fist as her talons tried to rake him. Jacob quickly grabbed her and drew her into a hug, Chalxae was almost vibrating with energy as she fought to free herself but Jacob would not let her go. Jacob snarled and grabbed her hair yanking her head back and let his extended fangs graze her neck causing her to freeze in fear until she felt his soft kiss. "I am sorry," Chalxae whispered as Jacob slowly pulled back but did not release her.

"What happened?" Jacob asked as she leaned into his hug burrowing into his embrace.

"He called my clanless and Outcast," Chalxae mumbled and June froze nearby and Jacob looked at her as her eyes were cast downward in shame.

Jacob frowned, "I assume he meant, Outcast from Drow society?' Jacob quietly asked and both women silently nodded. 'I am going to be blunt, but who gives a shit what any Drow think? You are a Vampire now and a part of the Empire of Night through blood, bone, and deed. Do you think it makes you less than some Drow called you an Outcast...how so? You have family, friends, and people who would die to protect you. I do not consider that an Outcast Chalxae."

Jacob leaned forward and tilted her head back and kissed her gently, "You are no Outcast. Please don't let them get too you." Jacob stated after pulling back and looking at June making sure she listened as well. Both women nodded silently but Jacob knew it would take time to get rid of old stigmas. Jacob released her and Chalxae stepped back before giving him a sad smile and disappeared into Stealth. Jacob looked at June who smiled at him before she continued looting the nearby corpses.

The Drow Swordmaster wielded a Tulwar and dagger and moved like a damned Rogue even though he had the health pool of a Warrior. Jacob snarled as he triggered Battle Stomp, but before Jacob could capitalize on the Drow being stunned a handful of arrows slammed into his chest and stars exploded in front of his eyes.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Concussed: You are disoriented and cannot use any Skills/Abilities (Duration 15 Seconds)

Battle Alert...

Jacob swiped the alert away but he was vulnerable and all the nearby Drow Warriors slammed into him piling on the damage causing his health bar to steadily shrink. Suddenly Jacob could hear Thelgrum cursing and suddenly a bright light slammed into the beleaguered Dwarf causing all the nearby Drow to shriek in pain while the Dwarf was healed. Jacob could feel the holy power start to heal him as well as he snarled and slashed at the legs of the nearby enemies as he fought his way to his feet.

Suddenly skeletal hands exploded from the ground pinning all the Drow Warriors in one place and Fenwyn let out a shout as she triggered Abyssal Incineration causing Hellfire to explode from the ground. The Drow warriors screamed and howled in pain, Jacob could see the Swordmaster regain his feet as a shield surrounded him. Jacob could see a pair of Priests chanting behind him causing him to curse. "Someone down those damned Priests!!" Jacob called out just as another arrow slammed into his eye.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Blinded: You have been partially blinded, coordination and accuracy is decreased by 50% (Duration 1 Hour)

Battle Alert...

Jacob snarled as he looked at the Drow Matriarch continued to pelt him with arrows as he ripped the arrow from his eye socket causing even more damage. Jacob smirked then triggered Hemorrhage followed by Life Absorption, a dozen Drow Warriors were caught up in the blood red aura that exploded from Jacob. They screamed as they died, their lifeblood and life forces used to heal Jacob of all the damage he had sustained and wiped the smirk off the Drow Matriarch as her battle line started to crumble.

An Explosive Arrow slammed into one of the Priestess as June targeted the vulnerable spellcasters, her Spider quickly fell from the ceiling of the hall. June quickly switched target and triggered Rapid Fire, a half dozen arrows slammed into the Priestess' chest causing her to stagger back as Chalxae drop out of Stealth and get to work finishing the Drow Priestess off.

Jacob game the Swordmaster a feral smile as the shield around him flickered and died as Jacob triggered Piercing Lunge followed by Triple Slash causing the Drow to stagger back in surprise as Jacob continued the assault on the wounded Drow as he quickly analyzed him.

Name: Swordmaster Callimar Gallaer

Level: 42 (Boss)

Health: 86,987/220,000

Abilities: Double Strike, Power Slash, Unknown

The Matriarch snarled and triggered another ability and the single arrow became a couple dozen that slammed into Jacob, Rory, Thelgrum, and all the Drow Warriors they were fighting. The of the Drow instantly died under the deluge of arrows while all the others were critically wounded. Suddenly a cloud appeared overhead, rain and lightning started coming down as Snaggletooth unleashed Storm Surge and Mug placed Healing Burst on Rory as the Berserker triggered Enrage and Bloody Strikes as he waded into the wounded Drow ranks. His Mace lashed out smashing heads, arms, legs, and whatever else he could reach.

"Thelgrum, I am going to help pin down the Matriarch. Finish off the Swordmaster!!" Jacob stated as he ran off after the bow-wielding Matriarch that was exchanging fire with June while slipping out of range of Chalxae. Junes' spider kept sending blobs of webbing and venom toward the Drow Matriarch, but nothing they did could pin her down. Jacob could hear Thelgrum below out a war cry as he engaged the few remaining Drow Warriors and the critically wounded Swordmaster. Jacob could see the Matriarch dodging and weaving as he fired off a quick analyze on her as he closed with her as quickly as he could.

Name: Matriarch Filnel Arguan (Unique)

Level: 43 (Boss)

Health: 167,263/180,000

Abilities: Rain of Arrows, Concussive Arrow, Unknown

Jacob triggered Charge followed by Power Slash but before Moonlight could connect with the evasive Drow she disappeared with a burst of shadows. Jacob was committed to the attack though and a trio of arrows slammed into his back. A fourth quickly followed causing an explosion that sent him tumbling away from the Drow Matriarch.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Red-Burr Poison: Health and Stamina regeneration reduced by 50% (Duration 15 minutes)

De-Buff Internal Bleeding: Sustain 15 DPS (Duration 1 minute)

De-Buff Burn: Sustain 30 Fire DPS (Duration 30 Seconds)

Battle Alert...

Jacob quickly downed a Medium Health Potion followed by Small Stamina Potion, both would boost his regen rates temporarily. Chalxae dropped out of Stealth and quickly jerked the three arrows out of his back. "Be careful with this bitch. She is one of the dangerous Matriarchs that thinks before she acts." Chalxae stated before activating Stealth again and moving off.

Jacob nodded absently as he tracked to Drow Matriarch that was now splitting her fire between Jacob and June. Jacob knew the ability the Drow had used wouldn't be reset for a long time, so if he could pin her down again...the fight would be moved to melee range and would make her vulnerable. Jacob started running again after the Matriarch, his shield extended before him absorbing the constant arrow fire. Thelgrum ducked the swing of the sword and slammed his hammer into the exposed elbow causing the Drow to grunt and stagger back as he tried to get his full feeling back in his arm. Thelgrum didn't give him a chance to fully recover and triggered Smite quickly followed by Wrath causing the Drow to stumble back. Rory quickly followed the Drow giving him no time to recover.

Thelgrum saw a small explosion go off and noticed Jacob go down to one knee, three arrows were protruding from his back as June continued to fire arrows at the Matriarch. "Mug and Shigna, go help Jacob we will finish the Swordmaster," Thelgrum ordered the Druid and Pyromancer who immediately darted off. Shigna fired off one more Firebolt at the Drow before joining the Human though.

Thelgrum smiled as he triggered Righteous Strike and his hammer started to glow with light as he channeled mana into it before pointing at the quickly recovering Drow. An exact copy of his hammer flew at the Drow and slammed into his chest sending him staggering away from Rory as Thelgrum starting toward the two combatants. Jacob snarled as he ducked behind his shield as an Explosive Arrow slammed into him sending him reeling back. He was getting frustrated and he needed to calm down before he did something stupid. Jacob glanced out from his cover and saw the smirking visage of the Drow Matriarch right before she sent two arrows hurtling toward him causing him to raise his shield again. She laughed as she ducked back behind the stalagmite but it then turned into a shriek of pain.

Jacob looked up and saw the tail end of a Fireball slam into the wall near the Matriarch and explode coating her in magical flames. Jacob smiled and sprinted towards her as the Matriarch tried to put the fires out and almost didn't notice Jacob until it was too late.

Matriarch Filnel Arguan managed to deflect Moonlight with her bow and draw a hunting knife or short sword. Either way, it was a nasty looking weapon that dripped poison and Jacob blocked her return attack with his shield. Jacob quickly triggered Shield Bash buying him some space and sending the Drow Matriarch reeling from the attack. Jacob gave her a feral smile as he set himself and triggered Shield Charge which carried the smaller Drow woman kicking and screaming into the stalagmite that had shielded her. Bones crunched and the Matriarch cursed at him before kicking him away.

Before the Drow could recover Arrows and a Magma Blast slammed into her as Shigna and June added their destructive abilities on her. The Matriarch screamed before biting her lip and enduring the pain. Jacob nodded as he moved to re-engage her. Thelgrum deflected the desperate Swordmasters attack as he continued to back peddle to give Rory time to recover. The boy had overextended himself and had been nearly gutted. Suddenly 6 Skeletal Warriors joined him as Patemal entered the fight. The Necromancer was glowing eerily as she channeled her magic and place Desiccation Curse on the losing Drow who stumbled and nearly fell. Fenwyn hurled a Hellfire Blast at the Drow causing the Warrior to stumble.

Thelgrum immediately went on the offensive slamming his hammer into the Drows overextended arm. The Dwarf heard a snap of bone causing the Drow to grunt in pain as he dropped the knife he had been wielding. Thelgrums' reverse stroke slammed into the side of Swordmaster Callimar Gallaer head causing the Drow to stumble back. The Skeletal Warriors swarmed the Drow hacking and slashing, it was over in less than 10 seconds as the Skeletons cut off the Drows head.

Thelgrum turned toward the last battle of the hall that was ongoing between Jacobs group and the Matriarch that was quickly ending as the Blood Knight continued to hammer her with the support of June and Shigna while Chalxae would occasionally drop out of Stealth to cut at the Matriarchs arms and legs. It was time to end this part of the Dungeon. Jacob deflected the long knife and slammed Moonlight into the Drow Matriarchs guts causing her to moan in pain as she collapsed to the ground. Before the Matriarch could do anything else Chalxae appeared over her and slammed her knives into the Drows eyes causing her to spasm as she died.

Jacob merely raised an inquisitive eyebrow, "Sometimes you can be soft on the female species. Never underestimate a Drow female." Chalxae responded as she removed her blades and started cleaning them.

Jacob snorted in amusement, "I know exactly how dangerous females can be. I am surrounded by some of the most dangerous women I know on a day-to-day basis." Causing both Chalxae and June to smirk at him.