Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Jacob was exhausted, after getting back he had spent half his night talking to various experts before finally deciding to garrison the foothold in the Obsidion Kingdom with the Dead Legion. The Undead couldn't be controlled by Mind Magic or Psionics, so they had the best chance at not falling to whatever had taken over the Obsidion Kingdom. Other then the Dead Legion, only Immortals were allowed to go into the Obsidian Kingdom.

Glagor had requested a meeting and Jacob was on the way to the Dwarven District. Vognan Ironstriker was present for the meeting as well, Jacob looked at Glgor who nodded. "What did you need to talk about Glagor?"

"We were wondering at the state of the Obsidion Kingdom?" Glagor asked.

Jacob snorted, "Relatively intact but completely overrun by whatever took it over. I am not allowing any living down there that is not an Immortal. Whatever brought down the kingdom is insanely powerful Mind Mage or Psionic, it can reach across the distance of the kingdom and talk through someone else like a puppet."

Both Dwarves looked at each other worriedly, "So it's not presently able to support any type of population?" Glagor stated.

Jacob shook his head, "No, not at this time. Maybe in a couple of months, now...now you would just be giving whatever is down their new stock. Does either one of you know what could do this? Whatever did this was powerful enough to take over an Elder Illithid."

Both Dwarves looked at each other before Vognan responded, "That narrows it down, but it is still a list of possibilities. I am sure as you push forward, you will get more answers."

Jacob nodded, "How goes your search for your Clan?"

"Slow and steady, we have made contact with several dozen of those of the Flaming Anvil, how many will join us is a different thing though," Vognan responded.

Jacob nodded, "We'll keep reaching out. You and your people have a home here as long as you need it."

Underdark- Plunging Depths Region

Empire of Night- Outside the City of Oblivion

The Great Mediator

The Law Maker

The Master of Magic

The Master of the Moon

The Keeper of Records

Speak my name and free Me

"Thoth," Jacob stated as his War Party was spread out around, waiting for the Champion to emerge.

Dust and wind emerged from the small cavern but nothing else, Jacob quickly moved forward with Chalxae on his heels. The Assassin disappeared into Stealth before darting forward and disappearing within. After a few minutes, the Rogue reemerged from the small cavern and gave an all-clear.

Jacob entered the small cavern Jacob followed the short path down to the base of the cavern. Laying there was Thoth sleeping soundly under the gentle magic of a Crystal of Endless Sleep. Jacob looked around the small cave, other then the god and crystal, nothing was apparent.

Alert...

Would you like to take control of...Crystal of Endless Sleep? YES/NO

Would you like to deactivate the Crystal of Endless Sleep? YES/NO

Know this, once deactivated the Crystal of Endless Sleep cannot be activated again for 1 months time. Do you wish to proceed? Yes/No

Alert...

The 9 foot tall, dark complexion, bald, with a goatee, and wearing robes snapped awake almost immediately. Thoth looked around and studied his surrounding before rising up and looking at Jacob, "Vampire, Full-Blood...interesting. Who sent you?"

"Dumathoin, you are not acting like either him or Eilistraee. Both of them were far more...combative." Jacob told the god as he stood and stretched for the first time in thousands of years. Jacob was sure the god had more than one kink to stretch out after laying dormant for so long.

The god smiled at Jacob as he looked around, "I prefer to talk opposed to combat. You could have killed me, but instead, you woke me up. I made the assumption that you meant me no harm based on that fact.' Thoth replied, 'Plus you would be fascinating to study. A Full-Blood Vampire, you have Shadow Magic in you and a Mantle of Divinity in you, I have never seen such a combination in any being. Fascinating."

Jacob studied the god, he was an odd duck more interested in knowledge then power based on what Thoth had said so far. "Well, I am sure your friends wouldn't mind if you checked in," Jacob replied and the god twitched and nodded distractedly before conjuring a staff and tapping it twice in the ground opening a portal and walking through.

World Alert...

The God...Thoth...has rejoined the ranks of the Pantheons.

World Alert...

Alert...

The Guild Et Lunam ex Ordine (The Order of the Moon) is now...Friendly with you.

Alert...

Alert...

Blessing of Thoth has been received.

Alert...

Jacob dismissed the Alerts, he still needed to Portal to the Obsidion Kingdom and check on the Undead Legions efforts there.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- Fortress of Sevenberg

Jacob inspected the newly restored fortress, it was the last one to be repaired in the Valley of Origins. Finally, all the fortifications of the valley were repaired and fully capable of supporting the defense of the City of Eternal Night. Each of the six fortresses was supporting a garrison of four hundred Legionnaires and four hundred Dead Legion.

Secret Kingdom Quest Complete: Reclaiming a Homeland

Description: Long ago, the Vampires fortified the Valley of Origins to deter invaders and raiders. You reclaimed the ancient fortification and the Valley is safer. Keep on your guard, if your enemies can, the will conquer your homeland.

Forts Reclaimed: 6/6

Fortress of Sara'Bella (Claimed)

Fortress of Draydon (Wall)(Claimed)

Fortress of Artanges (Wall)(Claimed)

Fortress of Saelmere (Claimed)

Fortress of Caestshire (Claimed)

Fortress of Sevenberg (Claimed)

Rewards: 20,000 Kingdom Experience (Per Fort), 5,000 Experience (Per Fort), 500 Gold (Per Fort)

"General, I know you are worried about defending so much territory with so little, but the military is growing. We will have Eight new legions commissioned within the next two months. They are fresh and untested overall, but some of that strength will be stationed here." Jacob told Ironbark as they walked along the newly repaired wall.

"Better, but I know you will be gearing up to deal with the problems to the north." the Orc responded.

Jacob nodded as he considered what was laying ahead of them. The Obsidian Kingdom was turning into a campaign and they had to deal with Uldon, Ordgan, and the Slavers Union. Not to mention Chaos on the horizon or even the Council of Light.

"Yes, we have some problems with some of the Free Cities to the north, but not all. Some of them could become allies or even join the Empire, time will tell." Jacob replied as they continued the inspection. Underdark- Forelorn Depths Region

Fallen Obsidion Kingdom- Southern Border

Entry Hall- Border Outpost

Jacob watched as the Geomancers did a more thorough job of repairing the walls and fortifications of the Outpost. According to them, it would take a couple of days to repair and increase the defenses of the Outposts. "Have they tried to send an attack?" Jacob asked the floating Reaper.

"No, no forces and the Wraiths I have sent to monitor the North/South highway have reported no incursions," Ailniur replied. The Reapers voice sounded like it was coming from a long tunnel, a very odd voice.

Jacob nodded, "Good. Please keep a sharp watch on the tunnel, it was the only tunnel to the Entry Hall that we know of." Jacob informed the Reaper. The Reaper bowed slightly before turning away. Jacob didn't like leaving even the Undead here on the edge where they could be attacked at any moment by the Mind Warped beings. They didn't have a choice though... Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Control Room

Jacob looked at the tactical map of Uldon. The city was abutted by a river on the north side, small portions of farmland surrounded the city. The Keep was in the center of the city, two walls surrounded the keep with nearly ten thousand troops in the city. According to the scouting reports they had enough supplies to survive a siege for six months. The city was sealed at sundown and opened up at sunrise.

"The outer wall is twenty feet tall and ten feet wide, the inner wall is thirty feet tall and fifteen feet wide. Bombarding the outer wall or taking the outer wall is not the problem, the slum areas outside the city are. Nearly five thousand people occupy those areas. We would have to evacuate those areas before we start any bombardment.' Nadal stated as the map highlighted the areas. 'Once we take the outer wall, the fight will become more difficult. If they fight us street to street, this fight will become bloody quickly. The Legions are not trained for that sort of fight, they are trained for fighting in the field or wall fighting, not street to street." The Captain-General finished briefing Jacob.

Jacob looked at the various highlighted areas, "Recommendations?" Jacob asked Nadal.

"Either you could bombard the various districts until their soldiers abandon them, it would drive the cost of civilian life through the roof. You could do street to street fighting, the cost of our soldiers would easily triple. Finally, we could try a traditional siege, it would take the longest amount of time though." Nadal lay out the various options.

"We have time before the new Legions finish training, can we have added any type of training for street to street fighting?" Jacob asked the General.

The Drow frowned before nodding, "Yeah we could, but I would need some Geomancers to build some mock buildings and we would have to add anywhere between one or two weeks to the current training regime." Nadal responded.

Jacob drummed his fingers on the table, "Do it. We have plenty of people that can build what you are thinking about. I want all Legions trained for this as both attacker and defender." Jacob replied and the Drow nodded.