Surface- Drenched Plains Region

Free Lands- Cairn of the Fallen Chiefs

Jacob and his party approached the holy place of the southern tribes. Dozens of tents marked the grounds around the circle where the Shamans of all the tribes were present. Outside the sacred circle, hundreds if not thousands of those clans were present. Jacob had done his research, very few Immortals had ever been invited to this place, none during this meeting. However, some knew that every clan sent at least one Shaman with a handfull of warriors to and from the two-day ceremony. Even with a handful from each tribe, it added up quickly.

Some Immortal believed the southern Orc tribes numbered just as much, if not more then the northern Orc tribes. The difference was the location as far as any outsiders were aware. Those few Immortals that had managed to join the southern Orc tribes, had never discovered why the two people disliked each other. The animosity was there though.

"You wanted to come here alone?" Jacob frowned at the chuckles and ignored the question.

"Once we enter the camp, let me do the talking please, and for gods sakes, no damned funny business or snide remarks. Keep to the plan I laid out. These tribes live in a very closed society, who knows what could set them off. If they offer food or drink, take it. Do not ask for anything, do not offer anything. If they ask you a direct question, answer honestly. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE behave, this could be a huge boon for the Empire." Jacob stated as Star moved forward.

Jacob took a deep breath as he approached and pulled back his cloak covering his head so they could see him and his bright red eyes. Every single member of Jacob party followed his lead, removing anything that impaired someone from seeing them as anything but Vampires. That alone stopped most from approaching the mounted party. Most were not all, an armed party moved to intercept them.

Jacob closed his eyes and breathed deeply, "Well boys what do we have here. Interlopers. "You realize our people do not like uninvited guests here in this place. I think you are going to owe us some sport and your females are going to owe us some entertainment before we let you go." The orc sneered.

Jacob gave the Orc a tight smile as he dismounted the Void-Wolf and walked up to the Orc, his four friends chuckling as Jacob approached. "Move now, we were invited by the Broken Skulls tribe months ago to attend this meeting."

The Orc snorted, "What if we don't want to move? What happens then?" The Orc laughed and nudged his friend. Jacob gave the Orc another tight smile before his hand lashed out and his talons dug deep furrows into the Orcs neck severing the arteries there.

The Orc stumbled and tried to grab Jacob but he intercepted the hand and broke his wrist before pushing the dying Orc away. "If you do not move. You die." Jacob replied as blood dripped off his talons and onto the ground. His four friends started to reach for their weapons but a Shaman approached and they stopped.

"Why are you impeding the guests of the tribes. Your friend already paid for his arrogance with his life, if you continue with his stupidity, you will all die either by our guest's hands or by mine.' The Shaman stated, the four Warriors frowned before bowing to the Shaman and leaving. 'This is a sacred place to our tribes. Do not spill blood again unprovoked. Guest rites will only protect you so far." The Shaman stated as he led the way to the Cairn and the other Shamans.

"What did submitting to the blood drinkers give us and our people in the end? Nothing. Just an endless war against overwhelming enemies. Our people fought and bled for them, in the end, the blood drinkers were defeated, they became cursed, and their city destroyed. I say, let the past stay the past. Let us look to the future and ourselves." A Shaman spoke in the middle of the circle. Jacob snorted which caused the Shaman to sneer at Jacob and his party.

"Ahh, one of the vaunted blood lords of old, have you come to take command of us and enslave us oh great one?" The Shaman mockingly spoke.

Jacob slowly entered the circle making sure everyone could see him as he looked around and made eye contact with every single Shaman that would meet his eyes. "What future would that be? You speak of some grand future but is it not true that your people fight each other even more than outsiders? Can a single tribe present here today honestly claim they have not attacked or been attacked by another tribe in the last...month?' Jacob looked around and none would disagree with him, 'How about the last two weeks?"

Again far too many of the Shaman present refused to answer, "So your vaunted grand future is an endless slaughter at the hands of other tribes around you. If not them from enemies from outside your lands. Is that the future you see?" Jacob asked the Shaman that frowned in response.

Jacob nodded and continued, "I don't want slaves, I don't want mindless drones to follow my command. I want to give your people a purpose. I want to help your people find peace with each other. I want your tribes to unite once again under the banner of the Empire of Night. I want your people to live free knowing they don't have to worry about another tribe coming to attack their homes. I want your tribes to live free knowing their children will grow up safely with no worries that others will come in the night to slaughter them just because they are Orcs or because they belong to another tribe. None of that is possible though if you are not willing to fight for it. Unite and fight with us, take a chance, or continue on the path you have already set. A path of endless war where you will never know peace." Jacob told them.

"Enough, you have said your piece, we will consider your proposal and will vote on it. Please wait outside the circle with your party, this decision is up to our people and our people alone." One of the Shamans called out.

Jacob nodded and bowed slightly toward the council as he led his party away and into the surrounding camp.

While the council of Shamans debated on either joining the Empire or not, Jacob was busy concentrating on his Shadow Magic Utility Tree. He still had three points to spend after leveling up and he might as well expand his arsenal. Jacob fiddled with his interface and brought up the Utility Tree and dumped a point in Dome of Darkness. Then he raised Heart of Darkness to Novice level to increase both his damage and Mana Regen.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Heart of Darkness (Novice Rank)

Description: Offensive Spells deal more damage (+10%) and your Mana Regeneration (+10%) is increased at Night and in the Underdark.

Cost: Passive, N/A

Cooldown: N/A

Name: Dome of Darkness (Initiate Rank)

Description: Summon a stationary dome of darkness and shadows that surrounds you and the area around you increasing (+10%) Health/Stamina/Mana Regeneration. Enemies will be blinded while within the dome.

Range: 10 Feet

Cast Time: Instant, Self

Duration: 10 Seconds

Cost: 300 Mana

Cooldown: 5 Minutes

Dome of Darkness would be both good for regen, but also for breaking combat with enemies if he was getting overwhelmed. Heart of Darkness was good for overall damage and Mana regen in and out of combat.

"What do you think they will choose?" the Priest asked.

Jacob closed the interface, "I don't know. I can hope for the best, but honestly the way my luck has been running lately..."

The Ranger snorted, "Well whenever you have really bad luck, you are always due for some good luck. Hopefully, this is your time for good luck. That's how karma usually balances it all out."

"Whatever happens, we will know soon enough, I just hope they agree. It would be beneficial for us and them if they agreed to join the Empire, but I will not force them. Their people have suffered enough, I won't try to force them." Jacob replied.

"That is a wise decision, King of the Empire of Night.' The Shaman that had interceded before joined them. 'I am Dular of the Dark Raven Tribe. If we were to accept your offer and join the Empire, what would be expected of the clans?"

"If you think the Empire taxes overmuch or if you expect me to take everyone that can fight, you are wrong.' Jacob replied. 'The Empire has a 5% tax on everything except exports. As far as recruitment, I would be willing to accept anyone to sign up in the Legions and I am willing to cap how many can sign up." Jacob replied.

Dular considered what Jacob said before nodding, "Only a few clans are undecided, I believe our future is with the Empire and the terms you are offering us favor our people more then it favors the Empire. 36,000 from the combined clans, that will leave 2/3 of our forces to protect the Golden Plains. I will cast my vote to join the Empire, I just hope you do not allow your ancestors to overshadow your current choices. The tribes of the Golden Plains are yours to command. May we bring terror and calamity to our enemies." Dular bowed slightly before turning and heading back to the circle of stones.

Secret Kingdom Quest Completed: Rally the Horde!!!

Description: After a rocky start to meeting the clan Shamans of the Southern Orc Tribes, your impassioned speech and honesty have won the Shamans councils favor and support. They have promised the loyalty and military support of the Empire. In return you have promised not to overly tax them nor draw upon the clans military might too much.

Rewards: 50,000 Kingdom Experience, Loyalty of the Southern Orc Tribes, 36,000 troops for your armies

Jacobs' eyes bulged as he saw the Orc smile at him before bowing deeply before disappearing between the boulders. Odd day and if Jacob had been in their shoes, he could not say that could have made the same decision.