Surface- Blistering Wastes Region

Free Lands- Eastern Desert of Arakon

Fortress of Soothing Palms

Jacob stared at representatives of the big Ten, well big Nine now that the Children of the Light had fallen so far. Once the new year started, the top ten rankings would be filled out again. This meeting had been called because of what was going on all over the continent. War and tension had broken out all over Arakon, these people were here to try and figure out what they could do to stop it.

Members of every nation had been requested, most of the smaller nations had refused, but all the bigger nations had sent representatives. Jacob should have sent a representative, but he wanted to be here and get a feel for what was going on. As far as everyone here knew, he was just another representative. Only the diplomat from Sylfemel might know who he was, be he had never met this Wood Elf before. The city had sent a different diplomat than the ones he knew.

Mercenaries from the Myrmidons, Steel Warriors, and a few other guilds ringed the area to ensure the safety and protection of the participants. Jacob drummed his fingers on the table in front of him as the ongoing arguments drowned out everything else. Jacob just continued to spin the gold coin in front of him ignoring everything around him as the various dignitaries argued.

Jacob considered leaving, but some of these people would consider it an insult even though nothing was getting done. "So, are you enjoying yourself?" the man next to him asked causing Jacob to lookup at the Ambassador from the Rolling Sands and smile at the poor joke.

"Of course, I am thinking if we throw some weapons in the middle of the group we would see some blood sport." Jacob quipped back causing a chuckle from the man.

The Empire of Night, Rolling Sands, the other Eastern Kingdoms, and the Free Cities Alliance, that seat stood vacant, were all seated at one table. They were considered the lesser and weaker nations. On either side of their table were the smaller northern nations were represented and the larger northern nations sat opposite of Jacob and his group. Representatives of the big Immortal guilds were spaced out at every table.

"We wouldn't want to get blood everywhere." The other man smiled as he looked at the other tables that were openly arguing with each other.

"Blood will be spilled somewhere, they might as well get it over with," Jacob replied as he studied the Dwarf of the Dark Iron Thiag and Orc of the Blackfang Hold continue to argue and yell at each other.

"I think we could have a more...rewarding discussion for both our peoples some other time?" the other man inquired and Jacob nodded.

"Have an Ambassador sent to the Empire. Perhaps an accord could be made. "Jacob replied and the man smiled and nodded. Two hours later and nothing had been agreed upon and Jacob was sure the current hostilities were far from being put to rest. The meeting had been called and most of the Diplomats were gone. Jacob had no intention of returning. "You coming back tomorrow?" Johnathan from the Shadow Daggers asked.

Jacob snorted in disgust, "Why? To watch as the most powerful nations tear into each other and act like children? No thanks, I have far more important things to do." Jacob replied as they walked away from the tent.

"That includes?" Johnathan prompted bringing a smile to Jacob's face.

"You take care of yourself, Johnathan. I am sure I will be seeing you sooner rather than later." Jacob said as he opened up a portal and jumped through.

Underdark- Forelorn Depths Region

Fallen Obsidion Kingdom- Eastern Hall

Jacob slash removed the Mind Warped Guardians head as he cursed. The ongoing battle was a complete cluster fuck, two of the Bone Chimeras were almost dead despite having Necrotic Auras that leeched the life from enemies around them. The Dead Legion was doing its best to cut its way to the Bone Chimeras, but there were just so many of the Mind Warped and they had to hold the what they had conquered.

The One had given the first two segments of the Eastern Hall to them, all his forces had been withdrawn to the last segment of the Hall. The Immortals were doing the best they could to help the Dead Legion, but there had to be ten to fifteen thousand Mind Warped in this segment of the Hall, and they were concentrating most of their forces on downing the Bone Chimeras. "We got to fall back!!" Darren called out over the sounds of the battle.

Jacob snarled in frustration before nodding his head and giving the orders to the Undead. The two nearly crippled Bone Chimeras immediately fell back behind the Dead Legions lines as the other Bone Chimeras covered the retreat of the Dead Legion. The Mind Warped sensing the retreat of the Dead for the first time halted their advance and held their position. Jacob glared at them one last time before entering the tunnel that led away from them. "Well...that sucked," Anastasia stated as the Dead Legion finally finished emerging from the tunnel and taking up defensive positions.

"Yeah, they gave up the other two segments of the East Hall to overextend us. We wasted resources today trying to take the last segment and since they are still in control of it, we cannot recover the bodies of the Mind Warped we did kill to replenish the Dead Legion that was destroyed." Jacob stated as glared around himself in frustration.

"So what are you going to do?" Darren asked as he studied Jacob.

"I already called in reinforcements from the other Halls, they will all be here within twelve hours and will boost our numbers by about five thousand," Jacob responded as he drummed his fingers on Moonlights hilt.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Inner City

Jacob watched as all the initiates practice various abilities and skills. All the freshly minted Blood Knights were learning slowly, but they had some time. They were pulled from all Eight Families, other Immortals could not learn. So far a hundred had been recruited, another fifty were under consideration.

"How is the training going Mike?" Jacob asked the older man who had been an Armsmaster at one time. He had been picked up in a slaver raid and later freed by Jacobs forces. Although he had wanted to join the Legions, Jacob had managed to persuade the man to take over the training of the recruits.

"Overall, good once I beat the arrogance out of some of these bastards. I look old, so to them means I must be slow and weak. They had no idea I was another Vampire until after I kicked more than one of their asses." Mike said with a huge smile on his face.

Jacob smiled and imagined how it would have gone when a message dinged in his ear. Jacob quickly looked in his inbox and pulled it up when he saw it was from Marc. Spoiler: Spoiler Kevin/Jacob

BlackRock is on board with the PvP tournament, the board loves the idea and agree to help with marketing as long as it's after the first week of Patch 12s Launch. Since that is what you proposed, everyone is happy.

As far as the announcement goes, we will post it on the Forums and the weekly news updates starting tomorrow. We will post the following information about the brackets next week in case you decide to switch anything up. As far as creating soulbound one-off portal scrolls for the competitors, we can do that.

Enrollment is over two weeks, one week before Patch 12 launch and one week after launch. People that want to signup can travel too the cities of Uldon, Ordgan, or Mabus.

---This is for individual competition, no team fighting

---IMMORTALS ONLY, NO LOCALS

---Registration is free. If you fail to show for your slot, it counts as an automatic forfeit.

---Tickets for the Preliminaries and Finals can be purchased from the same cities.

Preliminaries Pass Week 1- 50 Gold Per Person (will cover Portal Cost) (Passes Available for Purchase: 10,000)

Preliminaries Pass Week 2- 50 Gold Per Person (will cover Portal Cost) (Passes Available for Purchase: 10,000)

Finals Pass Week- 100 Gold Per Person (will cover Portal Cost)(Passes Available for Purchase: 10,000)

Single Day Pass- 1 Silver Per Person (Does not cover Portal Cost)

Note* Those that purchase a Pass can travel to view games at any city (As long as seating is available) where they are being held.

Note* Seating for mid to high levels within the Arenas is first come, first served.

Note* Lower level and boxes cost more and can be rented (Whole day) at individual Arenas.

Preliminaries will be held in the cities of Oblivion, Gahlin, Ineford, and Anchorhead over two weeks

Finales will be held in the city of Eternal Night over a week

Bracket 30-39: 1 Silver per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 100 Gold

Bracket 40-49: 1 Silver per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 100 Gold

Bracket 50-59: 1 Silver per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 100 Gold

Bracket 60-69: 5 Silver per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 500 Gold

Bracket 70-79: 5 Silver per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 500 Gold

Bracket 80-89: 5 Silver per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 500 Gold

Bracket 90-99: 5 Silver per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 500 Gold

Bracket 100-109: 1 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 1,000 Gold

Bracket 110-119: 1 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 1,000 Gold

Bracket 120-129: 1 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 1,000 Gold

Bracket 130-139: 1 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 1,000 Gold

Bracket 140-149: 1 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 1,000 Gold

Bracket 150-159: 5 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 10,000 Gold

Bracket 160-169: 5 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 10,000 Gold

Bracket 170-179: 5 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 10,000 Gold

Bracket 180-189: 5 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 10,000 Gold

Bracket 190-199: 5 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 10,000 Gold

Bracket 200+: 10 Gold per win, Finale two from each city go to the finales, Winner gets 25,000 Gold

Jacob smiled, it was good news. His advisory council would shit bricks though with all the money they would have to put up front for the competition though. Jacob thanked Mike for his time as he headed for the Palace, time to tell them his idea Jacob mused as he walked.

"Lord Grimgar, how can I help you?" Jacob asked as he looked up from various reports.

"I have been trying to see you for a while King Longstrider." The older man fumed as he entered the office.

"Well being a noble, you should know a leaders job is never done. Running an empire means my time is rarely my own and I have things that must be done every day. So, why is the Ambassador of the Free Cities Alliance here?" Jacob prodded as he set aside the expense reports for the repairs of Uldon and Ordgan.

"The Free Cities Alliance is willing to become Client State too the Empire of Night in return for its assistance." Lord Grimgar stated as he sat down at Jacobs invitation.

Jacob chuckled lightly, "The Free Cities Alliance is not a political body per-say, it's more like a mutual defense coalition that was created to defend against outside invaders and a platform to discuss problems between the individual cities. So the Free Cities Alliance saying they will become a Client State to the Empire of Night means jack and shit. Insult me again Lord Grimgar and it will be months before you see me again." Jacob replied as he asked the guards to send for tea and water.

Lord Grimgar ground his teeth together in frustration, "You are using the current situation to advance your agenda." the man grated out and Jacob nodded openly.

"Yes, I am. The Slavers Union has either been compromised by the forces of Chaos or is allied with them. Chaos is manipulating events across the continent and you are worried about your independence. There is more at stake in this world than a handful of cities. So yes I will use this situation to my advantage to bring more cities under the Empire of Nights banner. Unity and safety are far more important than the arrogance of a few cities. A war is coming, Lord Grimgar, a war on a scale this world has not seen in nearly ten thousand years. You think I am being power-hungry and selfish, I am trying to forge an Empire that will survive and defeat Chaos. Your people would go a long way to ensure that happens.' Jacob responded 'So either the Free Cities will join the Empire of Night willingly, or our Legions will march after your war is done and we will pick up all the pieces after. So tell me Lord Grimgar what will it be?" Jacob asked the old noble who glared at Jacob before collapsing back into his chair.

"What do you want?" Lord Grimgar quietly asked as he sat back.

"First off, your militaries will belong to the Empire of Night. Any city will only be able to keep five hundred men under arms, all others will be enrolled into the Legions. The Empire will receive ten percent of your gross taxes monthly, there will be no tariffs for trade between the cities that become Client States and with the Empire. Each city will be a Client State for no less then five years with the option to join the Empire after six months if they choose to. At the end of the five years, each city can renew the treaty or they will have their independence.' Jacob stated and Grimgar winced at all the conditions. Jacob was not done yet though, 'Any city the Empire conquers will belong to the Empire, they will not regain their independence once the Slavers Union has been defeated here in the west. Finally, the Legion will be opening recruitment centers at all Client States, you cannot interfere with them, gouge rent, or dissuade your people from joining. Day to day operations will be run by the local rulers and the Empire will not interfere. However, these rulers will be held accountable for their actions and their cities actions. At any time a Client State does not fulfill their part of the treaty, they would be considered in breach of the treaty and enemies of the Empire." Jacob finished as he stared at Grimgar.