Underdark- Forelorn Depths Region

Fallen Obsidion Kingdom- Southern Border

Border Outpost- Entry Hall

The Mind Warped Guardians knew only two states, mindless walking and enraged. As soon as one of any group was struck, all of a group immediately and rapidly closed with whoever had attacked them. Ashley had almost been overrun by the first group within the first 30 seconds. All the other groups learned this lesson and did not make the same mistake.

An hour later and nearly two to three hundred Mind Warped Guardians later they pushed into the grounds of the outpost itself. Waiting inside were Mind Warped Guardians and Minor Illithid Enslavers. Jacob immediately Analyzed the nearest one.

Name: Minor Illithid Enslaver

Level: 40 (Elite)

Health: 120,000/120,000

Abilities: Psychic Blast, Psychic Lash, Unknown

Jacob was confident in his natural defenses but he still downed a Minor Potion of Mental Fortitude that increased his Mind Resistance by another 10% for two hours. Between his natural resistances and the added buffs, he should be able to resist whatever nasty they can dish out. Due to proximities though, if anyone group of enemies was pulled, another would be activated as well. So they were going to have to be careful otherwise they would pull more then they could handle at any one time.

Another hour passed and thirty to forty of the Minor Illithid Enslavers and they were finally able to push into the actual outpost that was small, but all the occupants were Illithid Enslavers and Guardians. No more Minor Illithid Enslavers, these guys were all level 40 to 44 Elites. The top floor was occupied by Srosk the Elder, a named Illithid.

Name: Srosk the Elder (Unique)

Level: 45 (Mini-Boss)

Health: 200,000/200,000

Abilities: Unknown

The older Illithid was sitting at a desk writing and muttering to himself. Honestly, if Jacob didn't think they were already crazy people, Jacob would seriously consider this guy for the loony bin, if Jacob wasn't pretty sure he was already nuttier then a fruitcake.

The room was had a large entryway and was nearly 20 yards long with bookcases lining it on either side. Maybe those books contained information on exactly what happened here because no way could this small of a group could overwhelm an entire kingdom.

Four parties were going to down the Boss, but Jacob had made a stipulation that not use any AoE spells so they could go through all the books and hopefully find the records present. Anastasia agreed with Jacobs request as long as the Boss did not call any adds.

Darren disappeared into Stealth and Jacob checked his Buffs and re-upped those he could. Jacob drew Moonlight and waited for Darren to ping him saying he was ready. As soon as he did Jacob lobbed a Shadow Bolt into the Illithids forehead and knocking him head over heels backward. The Illithid stood slowly and shook its head before glaring at Jacob and activating an Aura ability.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Foggy Mind: Doubles cast time of Magic based Skills/Abilities (Duration until canceled)

Battle Alert...

Jacob grunted as he felt as if a weight was settling on his chest. For any pure casters it would probably be worse Jacob thought as he activated Leap. Jacob tried to slam Moonlight into the Illithid but Jacobs opponent conjured a staff from his inventory. Jacob whirled and brought his shield into play and slammed it into the Illithids face.

The mind flayer reeled back before thrusting his hand forward and sent out a pulse of energy sending Jacob staggering back. Darren dropped out of Stealth and slammed his daggers into the Illithids back. Jacob activated War Cry and the Illithid glared at Jacob and started casting more spells. A wave of spells and arrows slammed into the Illithid causing him to stagger backward and interrupting whatever he had been preparing.

Jacob triggered Piercing Lunge and closed rapidly with Srosk. He launched a series of slashes and cuts that the Illithid managed to deflect or block half of them. Jacob gave Srosk a small smile, this guy might be some sort of Mind Mage, but he was damned good at wielding the Staff he carried around.

Ashley lobbed a Fireblast then charged up and cast Charged Lightning Blast. Due to having to watch where they targeted spells meant they couldn't go all out. She was a War Mage finally and she couldn't get destructive because they were here more about finding an answer then killing the monsters located here.

So she was forced to confine her rotation to six different spells, only Charged Lightning Blast had good burst damage, but Fireblast had a 5% chance to proc Burning but it ate more Mana. With the Boss using the damned Aura, it was quadrupling all the Mage types spell casting times and increasing the chance a spell would miscast by 25%.

Ashley watched as a nearby Icemancer curse as she cast an Icebolt but it backfired and her arms were coated in a thin sheath of ice. It could have been worse, each spellcaster that specialized in a particular element, earned a bare minimum of 25% resistance to that element automatically.

A Geomancer was still chanting nearby and suddenly the earth beneath their feet started to shake slightly and any lose earth started to roll and swirl around Srosk. The dirt and rock suddenly started to stick to the Illithid and its movement speed was slowing. The Illithid snarled a phrase and slammed its' spear into the ground and a shield sprung up around him. Srosk glared at the Geomancer and thrust its hand at him and Srosks' eyes glowed with a silvery-purple light. The Geomancer suddenly clutched his head and fell to his knees. His spell cut off as he collapsed.

Jacob was breathing hard and watched as Tarren engage the Boss. He checked his HUD, his health was at 85% and climbing. Jacobs Stamina was at 55% and Mana was at 45%, both were climbing steadily, but could not match the rate his health was recovering. Jacob Analyzed the Boss and checked the Illithids health.

Name: Srosk the Elder (Unique)

Level: 45 (Mini-Boss)

Health: 87,249/200,000 (Burning, Open Wounds, Flash Fried, Death Root Poison, Cursed)

Abilities: Unknown

The 16 DPS were pouring concentrated fire into the Illithid, except for an occasional Mind Spike thrown at a mage, the Boss was underwhelming. If he had any support, it would have been a lot harder. It was obvious Srosk had tried to call for help, and no one was responding. Good thing they had cleared all the nearby mobs.

Suddenly Srosk started screaming and clutching at its head before collapsing to the ground. The Illithids health was strobing at 5% suddenly his head jerked and it started looking around as it was studying everyone around itself. "Well, well, well, what do we have here. It has been so long since my home has entertained guests. Who and what are you?" Jacob studied the Illithid.

"Who are you?" Jacob asked the thing.

The Illithid stood slowly and dismissed its staff, "Am I not Srosk the Elder?"

Jacob frowned at the Illithid, its heartbeat had slowed rapidly and its mannerisms were completely different from before, "No, you might be using Srosk the Elder's body, but you are not Srosk. So I ask again for the second time, who are you?"

Amusement flashed across the Illithids face, "The current ruler of the Obsidian Kingdom. For too long my kingdom has been stagnant, your arrival as infused new life into my kingdom. Since I am sure we will see each other soon enough, I won't need to tell you my name. Just know I rule this kingdom absolutely, every being here serves me. Every being you fight, you fight me. I am all, I am the One. Many have tried to destroy me, yet I still live. I broke the legendary Obsidian Guard, I will break you boy."

Jacob gave the 'One' a tight smile, "Never heard of this Obsidion Guard, legends are usually overrated, so mister 'One' why don't we settle this quickly. You crawl out of your home and we fight for the Obsidion Kingdom. Be good little monster and come face what you got coming."

The Illithid started to laugh, which was disconcerting itself. "You mortal races are so amusing. I am a god, boy, I don't fear you. Why should I come to you when you have to fight through whole armies to get to me."

Jacob smiled, even more, letting his Vampiric side to the fore, "I have eaten gods before. I don't fear the gods. Like I said, feel free to come out of your hole and let us settle this quickly."

Srosk was amused but then his eyes rolled back in his head and blood flooded from his mouth, eyes, and ears. Jacob Analyzed him quickly, but it didn't take a genius to figure out that he was dead, but seeing his health pool zeroed out confirmed it. "Well that was messed up." one of Jacobs guildmates muttered.

"Clear the room. Any analysts and a couple of Thieves stay put, we got research to get done. Everyone else set up incase this 'One' sends a force to attack us here." Jacob called out. Most of the Raid Party left promptly. Jacob and six others stayed though. The Thieves immediately started to check the room, other Rogue types would be combing the whole outpost but this was the most likely spot if any hidden treasures or secrets would be held. An hour had passed and the raid group had settled in. All the bodies had been cleared out and burned. Any worthwhile loot had been taken, anything that fell into the maybe pile had been put aside and stored in the armory of the Outpost. Surprisingly a Teleport Pad had been discovered, however, it was currently locked.

Several chests with gold, silver, and jewels had been found. Several weapons as well, but for the most part, the books were dry materials dealing with various magical, smithing, and alchemic theories. Some were very valuable even as old as they were and would be kept for the guilds various Mages and people working on Professions, would be happy with them. A Thief had been working on the last hidden chamber for a while, according to the Thief it was higher level than any other and he had been working on it the whole time. The lock was both magical and physical.

Suddenly the Thief gave a shout and a hidden door swung open. The Thief smiled and gave a bow to the room, "Ladies and Gents, I hope there is more than dust in there because this has been a pain in the ass to open." Jacob smiled and patted the Thief on the shoulder as he ducked into the hidden room.

Inside were several bags, a couple of small chests, an armor stand, a weapons rack, and more books. Jacob rifled through the books, most dealt with the same subjects as the books outside. One, however, appeared to be a journal, apparently, the magic that kept all the other books from falling apart, saved the journal as well. It belonged to the Commander of the Outpost, a Captain Gringast Bronzebeard.

"Anyone know what A.C.W. stands for? I think it's about the year." Jacob asked the room.

"It means After the Celestial War, that was anywhere between 4,850 years to 3,000 years ago.' Anastasia pipped up. Everyone stared at here causing the Arcane Archer to blush slightly. 'I like Lore and the History of the world. It was an age of Ithea that was rife with the world rebuilding and peace. Everyone was to busy trying to survive and rebuild to make war on each other. It was about that time the Obsidion Kingdom fell." Anastasia continued.

Jacob nodded and started reading, he would give the Captain this much. He might have led a boring life as a gatekeeper, but he was meticulous with his journal. "What?" Anastasia asked.

"This guy did a good job keeping the journal, but some of the later entries reference odd disappearances. Then apparently they were attacked by all kinds of denizens of the Underdark, including their own people. They defeated the first wave. When they sent a force to investigate, it never reported back. They assumed the force was lost, but then they returned but were different. They were watched and for six months nothing happened, but then they struck suddenly. Hundreds maybe thousands died and a whole section of the kingdom was suddenly cut off from the rest. Nothing happened for a whole year, then more disappearances and another section was taken. No one ever found out who was behind it or why, but the whole kingdom fell within three years. This was one of the last places that fell, the Captain ordered the tunnel sealed so whatever was taking control of their kingdom could not spread to others. That's it." Jacob informed her.

Quest Complete: Ancient Secrets of the Obsidion Kingdom (Stage 1)

Description: The Obsidion Kingdom has fallen to an unknown invader. You have found out that this invader calls itself the 'One' and considers itself a god. You have defeated one of these gods puppets, and the one boosts that he has whole armies waiting for you. Will you push forward into the Fallen Obsidion Kingdom and find the One and put an end to its tyranny.

Difficulty: Hard

Requirement: Level 50, Party of 50

Rewards: 10,000 Experience, Ancient Secrets of the Obsidion Kingdom (Stage 2)

Quest Issued: Ancient Secrets of the Obsidion Kingdom (Stage 2)

Description: You have gained a foothold in the Obsidion Kingdom, the Border Outpost is a haven, a place you will respawn and rest. Your campaign is far from over though, push deeper into the Obsidian Kingdom and wrest control of this land from the 'One'.

Reclaim: 0/3 Outposts

Defeat Puppets: 0/3

Difficulty: Hard

Requirement: Level 50, Party of 50

Rewards: 30,000 Experience per Outpost and Puppet Slain, Ancient Secrets of the Obsidion Kingdom (Stage 3)

Alert...

Through Battle and Conquest, you have received...75,482 Experience

Alert...

Alert...

For slaying Srosk the Elder you have received...24,000 Experience

Alert...

Regional Alert...

The Border Outpost has been freed from the 'Ones' influence and forces, it is now a safe and secure place.

Regional Alert...

Jacob dismissed the Alerts and shared a screenshot of the new quest with the other officers, this was going to be a long day and they had no way out.