Underdark- Plunging Depths Region

Empire of Night- Stronghold of Oblivion

Central Keep

Jacob walked through the halls of the newly conquered fortress. Bodies of the defenders and attackers were everywhere. The wounded were being tended too, the most critically wounded were already being sent through open Portals already. A Legions worth of the Dead Legion had already moved to position themselves in case they had any unexpected visitors from the nearby neighbors.

The Duergar Clans to the north were an unknown to Jacob and the Empire. They might be ok with the Empire controlling the Regional Capital, the might not be. Until they showed up though...Jacob would have to assume the worst.

Guild Officer Chat Open...

'Jacob, we need you down in the vaults ASAP.' Darren

'I am on the way. What's wrong?' Jacob

'Nothing is wrong per say, just the sheer amount of work we have to deal with. Half the people and their Bonded we brought are down here now counting and cataloging stuff. Need help because we know the Myrmidons are getting antsy to get paid.' Darren

'Well shit, I still got to figure out who is going to be the short-term steward.' Jacob

'Not it!' Darren

'Not it!' Yilme

'Not it!' Tarren

'Damn you all!! You made me lose count...' Zakoc

'I am too Junior!!!' Anastasia

'Seriously any ideas? I can install an Immortal short-term, but I want a Local for Long-Term.' Jacob

'You can always appoint a Vampire now.' Anastasia

'Yeah, I don't trust any of the Eight Families to oversee a Regional Capitol this far from Eternal Night. Not yet anyway.' Jacob

'So install Brox as the military Governor until you can figure out who to appoint. The First Legion will be staying here anyway.' Darren

Jacob closed the chat window as he entered the lowest depths of the Keep. Dozens of corpses lined the hall, the defenders had fought desperately to keep the invaders out, but we had pushed them back and slaughtered them. Each door that lined the hall was a Vault, some contained materials, others weapons and armor, others were full of gold. No wonder why they were asking for help. The Sisters must have pulled all their valuables back here in a last-ditch attempt to protect them for when they were going to rebuild. Now the wealth belonged to the Empire of Night and her allies. "Ok, so yeah these Vaults are at least organized, follow me," Darren stated as he led Jacob further under the Keep.

The followed the hallway deeper past several a dozen doors, each had a group of Seekers and their Bonded combing through and cataloging everything. Jacob followed Darren into a small cavern that was quite beautiful, the crystal stalagmites were growing from floor to ceiling. If Jacob was right, these were the type of crystal used in creating magic scrolls, books, and potions. "Nice find, they have a Crystal Farm. So what?" Jacob asked the Rogue who was looking at him expectantly before it turned to disappointment.

Darren turned back to the cavern, "LIGHT IT UP!!!" Darren yelled and multiple balls of light exploded from the pitch-black darkness. The light revealed bags, chests, armor racks, and weapons stand's, all hastily thrown around and stored.

Jacob whistled at the sheer amount of wealth apparent even after looking at the Vaults, this cavern could easily hold twice the amount that was contained within those rooms. "We got 23 hours to do an inventory at which point I will lose all the Conquest Points. So, pull whoever you need from Eternal Night, get this done ASAP."

18 hours later they were finally done collecting and cataloging everything within the Vauts and the Crystal Cavern. Eiloma and a dozen other clerks from the palace and two dozen general laborers had assisted in getting the job done. Everyone was tired and exhausted from dealing with that battle then working 18 hours cataloging the contents of a dozen vaults and a cavern.

However, the Myrmidons were happy and were carrying their 7% plus all the loot they had managed to acquire. They had only had one Epic drop in their kills, so they got to keep it. Clan Darguun, Bloodfangs, and the Earth Splitters each got 5%, Jacob also gave the Seekers of the Dawn in the end 3%. The remainder of the loot would be going to the Empire of Night.

All the wounded had been transported back to their respective people and now Jacob could start using the Conquest Points. He immediately turned the Stronghold into a Stronghold-Small City. Next Basic Repairs, Upgrade Inner and Outer Walls, Upgraded the Infrastructure, Military, and Keep, finally after looking at the other options available he bought an upgrade to the city shield which ate most of his remaining CP. Jacob closed the window and watched as a pulse of energy emitted from the Stronghold as the effects started to go into effect.

The First Legion was already camped, the ranks of the Dead Legion were standing guard at both tunnels that led to the cavern. The many new citizens of the city would be arriving within 24 hours just like last time. The difference was that this city bordered a possible hostile power and they had no buffer zone.

Suddenly the Dead Legion went on alert and the horns of the First Legion sounded. Jacob scrambled up into Stars Saddle as she took off.

Jacob, a squad of the Dawn Guard, a squad of the Heart Guard, and his War Party approached the Duergar party. Based on the banners, at least three clans had sent representatives. "Do you speak on behalf of the Empire?" the lead Duergar spoke out.

"I do." Jacob quickly responded.

The Duergar took in Jacob armored form, his escort, before turning back to Jacob, "I am Dhorim Urdislat of Clan Hammerhead.' Jacob quickly glanced at Thorgron who flinched at his clan's name before looking back at the Duergar. 'We are part of an alliance that has been fighting the Sister of the Damned for the last two years. You and your Empire has done something, we have desperately fighting for."

"The Council of Damnation is dead, the Sisters of the Damned armies are shattered, their fortresses have been razed or captured. What are your people looking for Dhorim Urdislat?" Jacob asked.

Dhorim looked at his compatriots before looking back at him, "Peace, respect of the current borders that we have with your Empire. Possibly trade between Clan Hammerhead and the Empire of Night." The Duergar replied.

"That is acceptable, and your allies, what do they want?" Jacob asked him before glancing at the two other Duergar that were barley disguising their contempt for Jacob. They probably considered him a halfbreed surfacer.

"They merely want you to respect their borders, they are of the Brokenaxes and Frostbeards. No offense but they don't have much respect for surface dwellers." Dhorim stated while studying Thorgron.

Jacob smiled at the two Duergar that continued to sneer at him until the watched as Jacobs' eyes bleed bright red and fangs grow from his mouth. "I can understand the feelings. I don't have much respect for beings I would consider as no more than a midnight snack. However unless they are offering themselves as food, perhaps they should be quiet while we talk." Both Duergar had frozen at the sight of Jacob transformation from a half-breed weak surfacer to a monster of myth.

"Yes, I think they learned their lesson. May I ask who you are sir?" Dhorim

Jacob closed his eyes and took a deep breath as his transformation reversed itself. "My apologies, it has been a very long day. I am Jacob Longstrider of the Empire of Night. If you all want Non-Aggression treaties with the Empire, send your proposal to this location and they will make sure that it gets too the proper authorities. Any proposal would receive a response within 24 hours, so your messenger would be more than welcome to stay here as a guest."

Dhorim nodded, "As soon as the proposals are written up and witnessed, they will be sent. Thank you for your time and consideration." With one more look at Thorgron, he bowed slightly before moving to rejoin his party. Jacob looked at the Captain but the Duergar didn't say anything so Jacob shrugged and left it alone for now.

Kingdom Alert...

You are now Nuetral with Clan Hammerhead, Brokenaxes, and Frostbeards.

Kingdom Alert...

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Master Suite

12 Hours of sleep and two large meals saw Jacob back to nearly to top form. Brox had been appointed temporary military Governor of the new City of Oblivion. The Orc for the first time since he had met him all those months ago, looked unsure of himself. Jacob told him, he would appoint a Governor and Steward to the city as soon as possible.

Jacob had two prompts to go over before his day started though, one was the count of everything they had acquired from the Vaults under the former stronghold and the other was the kingdom tab. Both were very important and Jacob needed to go over the information as soon as possible. Spoiler: Spoiler

Jacob Longstrider,

The Vaults of the Stronghold of Oblivion contained many treasures, Materials, and Precious metals that the Sisters of the Damned collected over the years. The following items were inventoried during our review...

3,247 potions of various strengths, 2,478 units of Silver, Gold, Mithril, Platinum, Titanium, Dark Iron, and Cobalt, 6,572 various precious materials for various professions (Note* See in-depth report), and 12 chests of precious gems of various worth. After finally paying out our Allies, the mercenaries, and the Seekers of the Dawn, the Empire of Night recovered...347,829 Gold, 27 Silver, 38 Copper pieces. 50,000 Gold were kept in the Vaults of the new city.

V/R

Eiloma, Your Seneschal not a tax assessor

Jacob smiled as he read the last line. Eiloma did far too much for him already, but he couldn't think of anyone else to name as Governor and Steward of the region and city. Maybe he did need to start utilizing the Eight Families, it would certainly make life easier, but would it create long term problems...A thought for another day.

Spoiler: Spoiler Note* Every Kingdom level awards 3 Kingdom points, once used they cannot be refunded or changed. Tiers are unlocked at Levels 1, 3, 5, 10(Current points: 3)

Statecraft...

Tier 1 Name: Secret Police (Available for Purchase)

Description: A network of spies will report any hints of rebellion or sedition within your kingdom to either your spymaster and/or you

Name: Man of the People (Available for Purchase)

Description: Civilian morale losses from War, Natural Disasters, Acts of gods, etc...are halved

Name Silvered Tongue (Purchased)

Description: Doubles diplomatic gains with foreign powers while halving losses

Tier 2 Name: Bueracrats (Available for Purchase)

Description: Without these people, everything that happens behind the scenes would never be done. Kingdoms and Empires would fall without Bueracrats, never forget that. (Increases +5% Experience gained by citizens of the Empire of the Night)

Name: Budding Business (Available for Purchase)

Description: Increases revenue (+5%) generated by Markets, Bars, Inns, Stores, Etc...Passively

Name: Diplomatic Service (Requires Silver Tongue, Available for Purchase)

Description: Allows you to send Envoys to Hostile Foreign powers, Create Alliances with Monster/Creature Factions, and Host Envoys from foreign powers (Embassy Level 1 Blueprints Unlocked)

Industry...

Tier 1 Name: Mad Genius (Purchased)

Description: Increases the rate that your researchers produce Smithing blueprints/Alchemic Formulas/Building plans, etc... and increases the chance(+5%) that rarer plans will be produced spontaneously

Name: Nations Lifeblood (Purchased)

Description: Passively increases the amount of taxes and tariffs your nation will accrue (+10%) without the negative morale effect.

Name: Armor and Arms Masters (Purchased)

Description: Increases production(+10%) of Armor and Weapons Smiths as well as the Quality of goods produced(Increases chance (+5%) that Common armor/weapons will upgrade to Uncommon)

Tier 2 Name: Master Crafters (Available for Purchase)

Description: Crafters are the backbone of every economy, without them, you won't make one Copper. This perk Decreases the cost (-25%) to craft items and decreases the time (-25%) to produce items as well for all your citizens.

Name: Master Engineers (Available for Purchase)

Description: Swords do not keep the rain off your head at night, roofs do. This perk decreases the time to build buildings by 25% and decreases the costs by 25%.

Name: Salvage Experts (Available for Purchase)

Description: When deconstructing items/buildings, your craftsmen/engineers will recover 50% more materials and have a 15% increased chance of learning the plans/schematics.

Military...

Tier 1 Name: Battlemaster (Purchased)

Description: Increases your armies Armor Rating (+5%), Attack Rating (+5%), and movement speed (+10%)

Name: Basic Training (Purchased)

Description: Decreases the time (25%) to train basic army units

Name: Unit Tactics Training (Rank 1 Available for Purchase)

Description: Unlocks advanced tactics for your army commanders to train your units in

Tier 2 Name: Veterans of Battle (Available for Purchase)

Description: Units of soldiers that survive three or more battles will earn Veteran status (+5% damage and armor) and be more likely to survive (Morale Increased) more combat. (This is retroactive)

Name: Elite Units (Available for Purchase)

Description: Units of soldiers that survive 8 or more battles have a chance (5%) of evolving into an Elite Unit (+10% more damage/armor) that inspires Morale(increases the morale of friendly units around Elite Unit) of those that fight with them.

Name: Battle Lord (Requires Battlemaster, Available for Purchase)

Description: Increases your armies Armor Rating (+10%), Attack Rating (+10%), and movement speed (+15%)

Note* Replaces Battlemaster, does not stack.

Note* Know this, some parts of the skill trees will be locked if you do not purchase the pre-requisite perks.

Wow, those were all very beneficial perks for his kingdom, but he could only choose three. How would he ever do such a thing...

Surface- Arathia Basin Region

Free Lands- Outside Anderforge

"I am sorry Anthony, but I am not here to discuss what benefits you and your people do not have. I came to drop off an invitation too you. It is for you and you alone." Jacob stated as he handed the Gilded Handz representative the sealed envelope.

Anthony frowned as he opened it and started reading, "So where is this party being held?"

"At a secure location, your safety is assured, just don't break any rules of hospitality. This is just a party, enjoy it. Get drunk and have fun at the Empires expense." Jacob reminded the man who acted as both envoy and spy for his guild.

"Has any other Guild been invited to attend?" Anthony asked as he continued to read and study the invitation.

Jacob smiled and nodded, "Now as far as a road being built to your town, Governor Hightower is correct. You realize out of the whole basin, this area is the only holdout. Your town and 7 farming communities declined to join the Empire. You didn't want to pay taxes or host a small garrison in your town. That was your right Anthony, but that also means we will not extend the road to your town as well. Now your town has built a ditch and has a palisade wall around it, do you think the Empire will invade?" Jacob asked while looking on with amusement.

"I told them it was foolish, but both the town leadership and the leadership of the guild did not want Anderforge to fall under the Empires banner. This goes back hundreds of years for the town when Middlebrough had expansionist ideals and they tried to annex this whole area. It has nothing to do with the Empire itself." Anthony shook his head, clearly frustrated by the towns leadership and his own guilds leadership to decline the offer to join the Empire.

Jacob patted the man's shoulder, "Don't worry I am sure the Empire will leave you guys alone unless you support sedition, outlaws, or outright rebellion within the Empire." Jacob tried to calm Anthony down.