Surface- Valley of Origins

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Inner City- Jilted Lover

Was it sad that one of the Cat Houses, Whore House, or Burlesque was becoming one of the best restaurants in the Inner City Jacob wondered as he ate the glazed ribs, with a potato, corn, mixed fruit, and honeyed mead. Chalxae was eating a fish plate, and June was eating a steak of some sort. They had been seated on one of the many dark corners with two Dark-Fire lamps for illumination.

They were eating off the main floor where the main show was going on with the many customers, men and women dancers, and guards to protect them. The second and third floors were for anyone wanting to purchase any additional services, at an additional fee. The dining room was a little more refined though, and although they still had scantily clad servers, they were clothed. Jacob could see two other guild members, a dozen Legionnaires, and a couple of the nobility. It was excellent food by anyone's standards, but Jacob was eating and drinking absently minded while contemplating everything that had hit him over the last couple days.

"Is everything ok, or would you like something else too eat if it's not to your standards sir?" A Dwarven Woman asked as she walked up. For those thinking she would have a beard, you are very mistaken. Dwarven women are built similar to Dwarven men, short, stout, and busty by anyone's standards.

Jacob smiled at the proprietor, "Everything tastes wonderful ma'am I just have a lot on my mind. So I am taking my time enjoying the food and sites while I let my brain process everything." Jacob responded as he took a drink.

She smiled and leaned over the table and made sure Jacob enjoyed the view, "Well if we can interest you in anything other then food and drink, don't hesitate to ask." Jacob blushed and sputtered causing all three women to laugh at him as the Dwarf walked off, hips and ass swaying provocatively.

"If you invite her back to the palace, I am sure she will come along," Chalxae stated amusement dancing in her eyes as she sipped her wine.

"Dwarven stamina is widely known and I am sure she would enjoy a night or two with you," June stated while she continued to eat causing Jacob to blush and bury his face into the next rib. Darren and one of his Rogues entering the dining area stopped his thoughts. Jacob sent him a quick PM and asked Darren to join him for a few moments.

"I am surprised to see you here Jacob, and not at the palace. What's gone wrong now?" Darren stated as he sat down.

Jacob smiled at him, "Why does anything have to be wrong for me to want to talk to you?" Jacob replied as he started eating his potato.

"Sooooo, why am I here?" Darren stated.

Jacob considered what to tell him, "When are we going to get the scout reports on the Plunging Depths Region?" Jacob asked as he continued to pick and sip.

Darren's eyes were slitted but he responded, "Scouts should be reporting back within the next 24 to 48 hours. You know this because I already discussed it with Nadal."

Jacob nodded as he responded, "So what do you know about the Four Dwarven Kingdoms and the original four clans."

Darren's eyes bulged, "No, no, no, hell no, and a big fat nnnooopppeee. We are not going there because we have enough problems with the Dark Lands." Darren responded nearly hissing the last quietly. Both Drow women were giggling now as Jacob considered how to tell Darren.

"It's not my fault, I just want to put that out there," Jacob responded causing Darren to shake his head and flag down one of the nearest servers.

"I was wondering what your strongest alcohol is?" Darren asked the guy.

The Human thought about it, "I believe we have a 100-year-old Dwarven Extra Dry, I know we have a 60-year-old. I will have to ask the owner though."

Darren smiled, "Please do and bring us two shots. Every time Jacob says 'it's not my fault' from now on has to take a shot of this stuff." Darren told the Chalxae and June who continued to laugh.

"It isn't though!! I had no idea what was going to happen." Jacob responded as the Dwarven female made her way over to the table.

"Hello sweety, it appears your friend here wants to order some alcohol. It is pretty expensive stuff. 2 Gold per shot, are you sure you want it." She stated.

Chalxae snorted at the statement, "For that price, she should come back to the palace and enjoy several nights in your bed." Jacob glared at her as the Dwarf frowned.

"Yes ma'am, four shots for us and four cups of water as well, please. As I said, I have a lot on my mind, so getting out of it for a while would be helpful. Please don't mind my friend's words...she is very...forward at times. Nothing other then food and drink service is expected of you." Jacob stated while smiling at her as he patted Chalxae's leg.

The Dwarf smiled dubiously as if she could not believe he could purchase one shot, much less four. If he could though, no way would she turn down the profits and Jacob and the city would get their cut as well.

Jacob was sure he didn't look like he could afford it. They had all dressed down for coming out tonight, Jacob wanted to avoid attention and wanted to get out of the palace for a couple of hours. Cathrine was sleeping, Eiloma was working, so he came with June and Chalxae. A few of the Heart Guard were nearby, dozens of the First and Second Legion were in the main room, so Jacob was sure he would be safe.

"So, you going to tell me what's going on or not?" Darren asked as he leaned back in his chair.

Jacob looked at the Rogue, "I don't know. Do you want to wait on the alcohol or just get the ugly out of the way?" Jacob asked him as he continued to eat.

Darren considered it as he took a sip of Jacobs Honeyed Mead, "Go for it." Jacob smiled and shared what he knew.

Dungeon- Black Night Hold

Jacob looked at the distant Hold and the roaving patrols of Orcs, Goblins, and Skeletal Warriors, yesterday had been a very long and arduous, but it was finally over. Today was a whole different problem, scouts from the Plunging Depths Region would be reporting back sometime today and Jacob was Dungeon diving again.

Dungeon Name: Black Night Hold

Age: Ancient

Level: 42 to 45

Recommended Party Size: 5 or 10

Quest Issued: Doom-Reavers Doom

Description: The Orc Clan, Doom-Reavers, has fallen under the control of a powerful Necromancer intent on building an army and invading his neighbors. End his ambition and destroy the leadership of the clan and end the Necromancer threat once and for all time. Slay Grugug the Apprentice: ---

Slay Orak the Warchief: ---

Slay Matuk the Bone-Reaper: ---

Rewards: 50,000 Experience, Unknown

Quest Issued: Thining the Ranks

Description: The Doom-Reavers are mobilizing to invade nearby Regions of the Underdark, end their threat of expansion and curtail their ambition.

Slay Doom-Reaver Warrior: 0/100

Slay Skeletal Warriors: 0/100

Slay Doom-Reaver Shaman: 0/20

Slay Doom-Reaver Necromancer: 0/10

Rewards: 50,000 Experience, 1,000 Gold

Patrols in and around the Hold were a mix of living and Undead, no rhyme or reason. Occasional a Shaman and Necromancers dotted the landscape as well. "Ok, we are going to pull one or two patrols at a time, Thelgrum you are the ace in the hole today since we will be facing Undead and hostile Necromancers. So stay sharp and safe as we can be people." Jacob called out as they all prepared for the oncoming combat.

June started the first pull by sending an arrow through a Goblins throat, another Goblin, an Orc Warrior, and Two Skeletal Warriors turned and charged toward Jacob and his group. Thelgrum and his party were 50 feet to their left starting their first pull.

The Goblin, although smaller and weaker than its compatriots, was faster and stabbed out at Jacob as soon as he was in range. Jacob deflected the blow as he triggered War Cry assuring the rest of the patrol targeted him. He side-stepped the Goblins next thrust and slammed Moonlight into the Goblins exposed ribs causing it to cry out and fall back as the Orc and Skeletons arrived.

Fighting multiple opponents was difficult, Jacob had to play a more defensive role as he deflected their sword thrust and slashes using his own sword and shield. As soon as he saw an opening he almost always used a skill or ability. Once fully engaged he started turning his foes to expose them to fire from Shigna and June as Chalxae dropped out of Stealth and finished off the Goblin. Jacob quickly Analyzed his remaining foes.

Name: Doom-Reaver Warrior

Level: 42 (Elite)

Health: 75,324/110,000

Abilities: Power Strike, Demoralizing Roar, Unknown

Name: Skeletal Warrior

Level: 41 (Elite)

Health: 86,742/100,000

Abilities: Cleave, Plague Strike, Unknown

Jacob almost cursed as he saw that the Skeletal Warriors already brandishing oversized Axes and Swords, also could infect him with Plague Damage. Jacob yelled that information out as a Magma Blast slammed into one of the Skeletons, sending it careening into the Orc who caught fire as some of the Magma dripped off the Skeleton.

Chalxae smirked as she dropped out of Stealth triggering Backstab and bringing the Orcs screaming to a whole new level as her dagger sought his kidneys. Moonlight flashed out as Jacob triggered Power Slash, blood and Moonlight went one way while the Orcs head went the other as Jacob stepped back as the other Skeleton tried to swarm him. An Explosive Arrow to the ribs quickly dissuaded the Skeleton of that as Jacob and his party quickly finished the two bone heads off. Woohoo, one patrol down a couple dozen more to go, Jacob, thought as they recovered and checked on Thelgrums group who had already started to pull their second.

40 minutes, 30 patrols and a Unique Mini-Boss, a level 42 Goblin Worg-Rider named Sreq Sprite Bane, they had finally cleared the outside of the Hold. The entrance was guarded by four Doom-Reaver Warriors, six Skeletal Warriors, two Doom-Reaver Shamans, and Grugug the Apprentice a level 43 Mini-Boss. A nasty group all around and one they could not split up, they were too packed together. "Suggestions beside just a frontal assault hopefully?" Jacob stated as they sat around eating and recuperating from the fight against the Mini-Boss.

Less than a minute later, 6 Skeletal Warriors, Two Golems, and a Demon Warrior charged the line without anyone else. The Warriors and hostile Undead closed to meet them. After a 10 count Patemal started the fun with Grasping Hands followed by Corruption. Shigna quickly followed with Meteor and Firewall, Fenwyn added Abyssal Incineration to the mix, the combined magic helped down two hostile Undead and one of the Doom-Reaver Warriors. Two more of the hostile Undead were entering the critical range when the minions were called back and the hostile melee units quickly followed. The Shamans and Grugug the Apprentice were left unguarded and alone but they quickly tried to get back into magical range, but it was too late, they were out of position and vulnerable.

Jacob, Thelgrum, and Rory quickly moved to engage them as the minions swarmed past them and out of the line of oncoming magical firepower that kept slamming into the onrushing swarm of enemies. Jacob smiled as he triggered Shield Charge that bowled over two of the hostile Undead and deep within their ranks. Jacob immediately lashed out with War Cry and Hemorrhage, gaining all the nearby enemies undivided attention and away from the minions that were circling around the ongoing melee and back toward the three spellcasters.

Jacob fought his way out of the center and made sure they were all still focused on him as he used Reaver Attack to recuperate some of his health. Jacob was sitting at just over 2/3, so he continued to hold up as Rory and Thelgrum slammed into them from behind. Shigna added to the fun by unleashing Firestorm on the packed enemy ranks as Jacob laughed as none of it dropped their health by one point, but the last two remaining hostile Undead fell, leaving two Warriors on their feet still fighting.

Jacob looked back at the ongoing fight against the Mini-Boss and winced, only the Demon Warrior and the Magma Golem were still up, but both Shamans had been downed and Chalxae, June and her pet were moving to engage Grugug the Apprentice. "Thelgum finish them off, I am going after the boss," Jacob called out as he disengaged from the Warriors and moved toward the Apprentice.

As soon as he was in range, Jacob triggered Piercing Lunge followed by Triple Slash causing massive damage and gaining the full attention of the ugly Apprentice Necromancer. Grugug thanked Jacob by unleashing a Necrotic Blast directly into his stomach and sent Jacob stumbling backwords before he regained his balance.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Necrotic Poison: Health Regeneration decreased by 50% (Duration 5 Minutes)

De-Buff Open Wound: 50 DPS (Duration 1 Minute)

Battle Alert...

Jacob cursed, the Necrotic Poison could be a killer if this turned into a slugging match Jacob thought as he continued his assault.