Underdark- Forelorn Depths Region

Fallen Obsidion Kingdom- Southern Border Area

South Hall

The packed ranks of Skeletal Warriors kept the swarms of Mind Warped Drones and Guardians at bay as the Skeletal Archers, Mages, and Minor Liches whittled at their ranks. All the Seekers with ranged attack abilities were adding to the destruction on the small horde of creatures assaulting the Dead Legion. The Level 80 Bonelord, Nizyl, was easily cutting through one to three Drones at a time while the Reaper, Ailniur, spells were devastating whole ranks of the Mind Warped.

Whenever it looked as if Nizyls health started dipping, a few nearby Minor Liches would suck the life from a few oncoming Drones and transfer it to the Bonelord. Nearly a third of the Undead had managed to fight their way into the South Hall before the advance had finally stalled.

Jacob was launching waves of Shadow Bolts into the packed ranks of the Mind Warped, but it was equivalent to spitting into the wind at this point. "Anastasia have all the Mages concentrate most of their AoE on the left flank, have all the Berserker types and most of our healers meet me on the right flank, all the Archers concentrate on the center," Jacob called out over the raid channel as he pushed his way over.

Eighteen other Immortals quickly joined Jacob, most were the Berserker types while six were lightly armored healers looking at him. "Ok people, Berserkers I hope you got Leap unlocked.' All of them nodded while wincing, 'Ok time for us to ride the crazy train. We are going to Leap into over the front ranks of the Dead Legion. We are going to try and break the Mind Warped forward momentum so the Dead Legion can push further into South Hall. If you drop below one-third of your health, fall back. I don't want anyone dying." Jacob noticed four Knights and two more healers walk up and join them. Jacob quickly filled them in on the plan before updating Anastasia telling her that they were ready on their side.

The One watched as its mindless Drones continued their assault on the damned Undead. Once again it cursed that it could not simply reach out and simply crush the minds of the invaders, but the Undead were mainly mindless drones. The few Undead that had thoughts were either protected from its abilities and skills or were Immune to such influence. It was...frustrating.

The One was spending most of its Drones located in the South Hall trying to keep these Immortals out of its domain it had fought so hard to conquer. Three of its toys were almost at the battle, two of the lumbering Fomorians and a floating Beholder. Once they engaged the hated invaders, they would be turned back.

Suddenly something changed and dozens of its Drones died suddenly, the cursed Immortals!!! They had joined the battle and were no longer holding back. The One urged the Fomorians forward and recalled the Beholder, he would use that toy another day, this battle would be determined by brute strength, not magic. Jacob slammed into the ground with fourteen others, the concentric shockwaves devastated the oncoming swarms of the Mind Warped Drones and Guardians. Then the Immirtals went to work. Jacob and the two Knights tried to keep all the aggro, but there was just so many of them, some of them were starting to target the Berserkers.

Jacob activated Shield Slam causing massive damage to the oncoming Drones, over a dozen were killed and twice that were crippled from the attack. More importantly, it gave them some breathing room and time to organize again. Jacob triggered Invigorating Shout and Battle Stomp, stunning the oncoming enemies and helping his allies that were devastating the oncoming horde. Suddenly two earth-shaking roars sounded from deeper within the South Hall as two large Fomorians emerged from the Underdark. Jacob cursed, they were out of position and could not intercept either one, Nizyls would have to take them both on for now. Hopefully, the Bonelord had some badass Skills to go with his size.

Jacob continued to lash out with Moonlight and his shield keeping the swarming enemies at bay as more of the Dead Legion poured into the South Hall. Suddenly Jacob saw a streaking flaming Skull flash in front of him and slam into the onrushing Mind Warped Drones exploding upon impact. The Death Wagons had arrived, Jacob watched as they unleashed a destructive salvo on the packed enemy ranks slaughtering dozens and it allowed the Dead Legion to push forward for the first time in nearly thirty minutes.

Jacob triggered Hemorrhage devastating the nearby survivors as the Immortals started falling back behind the Skeletal Warriors. The Undead Warriors were marching forward mindlessly, slashing, stabbing, and hacking their weapons into the dying ranks of the enemy. The only real contention left was the center where the two Fomorians were battling Nizyls. The giant Bonelord was doing better then Jacob would think considering that they were Boss level monsters, but considering the Bonelord itself was a Mini-Boss, Jacob should not be surprised.

All the Immortal Archers were now targeting the two Fomorians only, the completely ignored the Mind Warped Drones and Guardians, leaving them for the Skeletal Archers and other Undead ranged fighters. The tide had turned and the Undead Legion was winning. Alert...

Through battle, you have gained...126,460 Experience.

Alert...

It took the Immortals an hour to loot all the dead bodies, the Minor Lich's quickly summoned new Skeletal Warriors and Archers to replace any losses among the Undead Legion. All the other bodies were quickly cleaned of their flesh and carts were summoned from Eternal Night to take them back to the Bone Barracks. With the campaign here in the Obsidion Kingdom growing larger then Jacob ever thought, he might have to call on more of the Undead to fight whatever had taken over.

Surprisingly Ailniur, the Reaper, had gained a level and was now 76. It was a huge worry for Jacob considering it should not have been possible, they Bone Barracks did not produce sentient Undead. They should not be able to level, yet the Reaper proved otherwise. Jacob had immediately summoned Abraxxus too study the Reaper and figure out what was going on.

The Lich studied the Reaper and cast multiple spells on it. All Ailniur did was look back at the Lich or ignore him. It was a very odd meeting. "I don't know my king, the Reaper should not have been able to gain a level, yet it has. All the spells I cast on it reveals it is not sentient and its will is still bound to you or any you appoint. It is very...odd. What components have you added to the Bone Barracks that would have significant magical properties?" The Lich asked.

"Parts of a Pit Fiend, various types of arrows, scales of a Wyvern, and a Wyvern Heart," Jacob replied and causing the Lich to freeze.

"If you decide to add any more components please consult me first, you have brought what the Bone Barracks produces very close too sentience.' Abraxxus stated and Jacob nodded his head. The Lich was looking around and studying his surrounding and the piled-up corpses. 'Be very careful my king, something ancient and powerful resides here." With that, the Lich opened a Portal and stepped through.

The Southern Hall was a large cavern, beautifully crafted and carved from the bedrock. dozens if not hundreds of former buildings had been carved out of the rock of the cavern. Thousands could have lived in this hall alone and they had not reached the heart of the Obsidion Kingdom yet. Statues dotted the Hall, maybe ancient Kings or heroes of the Obsidion Kingdom, it was a forgotten ruin now, it was history lost to time and whatever had invaded. Maybe someday soon the Dwarven people would reclaim this place, but for now, the Dead Legion would press on.

"The Scouts have pressed forward, they have found another Outpost on the other side of this hall, no Mind Warped were present, but we still have to claim it to unlock the Teleport Pad. Beyond that, the Hall closes up into another tunnel. I suggest we break and garrison the Outpost, send all these bones back too Eternal Night and call up more of the Dead Legion." Anastasia stated. Jacob considered those words as he looked at his HUD and the time. It had taken them nearly two hours to fight their way to the Southern Hall. Then the battle to take it had taken over an hour, Nizyls was still recovering from his fight against the Fomorians. More then half the day was gone and they had no idea how far the next Outpost or Hall was.

"Agreed, we push forward and take the Outpost at the far end of the Hall. We fortify the position and rest the Undead Legion." Jacob replied as he headed for the Bonelord and Reaper to issue the orders to them and Anastasia would lead the Seekers.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night

Jacob paced back and forth waiting, Jacob needed to turn in To Rise or Fall, but that was not the most important thing he needed to discuss with the Master of Shadows. Jacob suddenly leaned against the nearby wall, his foot tapping impatiently. Suddenly the office door open and the man entered, the two Heart Guards bowed slightly to Jacob before posting themselves at the doorway. Jacob moved to the door and closed it, this conversation would be between the two of them and no one else at this point.

"This needs to be a private conversation between me and you Ezekial, that is why I closed the door. It is off the record and between just you and me, informal in other words." Jacob told the Master of Shadows who simply nodded before triggering some items on his desk sealing the room physically and magically.

"We are as alone and private as I can make us Jacob," Ezekial responded.

Jacob drummed his fingers on Ezekials desk for a few moments before continuing, "A couple of weeks ago, before we marched on Uldon, I received a recruitment pitch from Chaos. Two of them back to back, the first one was at the edge of a knife. When it failed, someone tried to use words. I turned them both down."

Ezekial nodded, "You want increased security?" Ezekial asked.

"No, if they want to get too me they will. There were two oddities from these encounters. First, the group that tried to forcibly recruit me was defeated by a Succubus. The recruiter that tried to use words was a Lord of Chaos and the former King, Alexi Sunstreaker." Jacob informed the spymaster who noticeably paled and leaned back in his chair.

"Every time I expect you to stop surprising me, you do not. Now you give me two surprises in one day. Sometimes, Jacob, I miss the boring monotony of the last two thousand years. I assume you are wondering if the old king is manipulating anyone or anything within the city?" Ezekial prompted.

Jacob frowned, "If I was in his shoes, that is what I would do. Recruit, not just me, but any one of his old friends or allies he could get too. Have people in critical positions and ready to be used at the right moments." Jacob replied.

"Well, all the old king's allies and friends died or disappeared during the war. Plenty of people will remember him, but most will not like him. I assume you want my advice on this matter?' Jacob nodded and the Master of Shadows continued, 'Tell the Eight Families, warn them and it will win you some goodwill from them. The heads of those families directly not your advisors. They will be on their guard and watch their people and you will not look like an overbearing asshole. As far as having a Demon on the Mortal Plane, that is against the Accords between the High Heavens and the Abyssal Plains." Ezekial stated.

Jacob snorted, "Let's just say some Accords are being suspended in the interest of survival, but they can only come to the Mortal Plane for those reasons." Jacob replied to settle the spymaster. With that said they quickly finished the meeting, Jacob had other things too check on and deal with but before he could leave Ezekial caught his attention.

"What about your quest Sire, I seems you have finished it, correct?" Ezekial asked and Jacob nodded and an Alert popped up.

Quest Completed: To Rise or Fall (STAGE 4)

Description: Ezekial fanatical rantings have revealed that he wants you to expand how much money you have in your treasury, your military strength, and he wants you to conquer more territory. He has also tasked you with creating more Vampires, but not just from the Immortal ranks, but Locals as well. The most difficult task though is, you must create your first Full-Blood, choose wisely for you are more than likely to create enemies no matter who you choose. What this has to do with breaking the Curse or making sure the Tomb of Eternal Night once again sits on the surface is unknown at this time.

Treasury: 500,000/500,000 Gold

Military: 50,000/50,000 People

Conquer 3 Cities and/or Strongholds: 3/3

Create 100 Vampires: 50/50 Immortals, 50/50 Locals

Create a Full-Blood Vampire: Complete

Rewards: 1000 Gold, 100,000 Experience, Signet Ring of House Lightsbane, To Rise or Fall (STAGE 5)

"You have accomplished much my King, but for the next step, you are not strong enough yet. Come back for the next quest when you are stronger." Ezekial finished.

Alert...

To Rise or Fall requires you to be level 75 to Unlock. See Ezekial when you have achieved that level to acquire To Rise or Fall (STAGE 5).

Alert...

Jacob nodded as he left the room. It was an odd prompt and one he had never seen before.