Shadow Plane

Jacob staggered once he emerged from the portal. The area around was similar to the Underdark, but there was ambient light everywhere. The world was made out of various shades of grey and black colors all around, very odd. Jacob checked his map of the local area, from what he could see it was mainly rocky ground. The Dwarf, Dagon, was about half a mile away. Before he went anywhere though he closed his eyes and listened for anyone nearby. After about a minute he opened his eyes and continued onward, he hadn't heard any heartbeats, so hopefully, it meant he was alone.

Ten minutes later and halfway to his destination, Jacob heard the first howl. Jacob stopped and listened as he heard howls to his right and left. Jacob quickly looked around and at his map before finally finding a suitable place. Jacob immediately took off at a jog, he wasn't going to exhaust himself running to his last stand. Jacob watched as the pack approached. His back was too several large boulders and based on the size of the creatures, only one maybe two would fit through the gaps at one time. In other words, they wouldn't be able to swarm him as they wanted too and it would give him a chance at surviving.

As the pack approached the slowed down and loitered outside the boulders, it gave Jacob a chance to Analyze the nearest creature. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Shadow Wolf

Level: 80

Health: 75,000

Stamina: 30,000

Damage: 200-350

Armor: 3,000

Note* Shadow Wolves, like other denizens of the Shadow Plane, deal both physical and Shadow based damage. Shadow Wolves hunt in packs and are expert hunters and trackers.

Jacob had no weapons or armor. If they caught him out in the open, even at his level, they would shred him in seconds. He should have spent his Stat Points, but it was too late now. The first wolf rushed him and Jacob redirected the wolfs charge into a nearby boulder. Before the wolf could fully recover, Jacob drove his heel into the Shadow Wolfs skull crushing it.

Jacob turned just in time to catch the next wolf. Jacob arrested the wolfs forward movement and kept his face from the wolfs chomping jaws long enough to bury his hand into the wolfs breast and crush the pulsing heart within. Two more shadow wolves rushed the opening, Jacob snarled as he let his control go and hurled the fresh corpse at one before intercepting the second wolf.

Jacob grabbed it by its large jaws and threw his arms wide ripping the lower jaw away from the rest of the wolf before shoving the dying wolf away. Another shadow wolf plowed into him and started ripping into Jacobs back immediately. Jacob reached behind him and drove his thumbs and talons into the eye sockets of the wolf causing it to whimper in pain before twitching a few times and collapsing.

Suddenly a shot rang out causing another wolf to whimper as a burly Dwarf entered the fray wielding a pistol and hatchet. The three remaining wolves quickly ran off then face the fury of the two interlopers. The Dwarf looked at Jacobs blood-soaked form before extending a hand to help him up. "What the fuck are you doing? Coming to the Shadow Plane without any equipment, if you want to die, there are easier ways. Just jump off a cliff or slit your throat. Don't die here. Now who the hell are you and why are you here?" The Dwarf asked as he pulled a small potion from his inventory and handed it to Jacob. Jacob quickly pulled up the stats on the potion. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Healing Potion

Tier: Minor

Description: Mmmm, Cherry flavored. Wait...are you sure this isn't blood?

Benefit 1: Replenish 500 Health

Duration: 30 Seconds

Cooldown: N/A

Jacob uncorked the small potion and downed it in one gulp. "I was unprepared for coming to the Shadow Plane, I have a hell of a last couple weeks and my adventure here was unplanned and unknown to me until I was told to come here. Now if you will excuse me Master Dwarf I have to go find another of you Kin, a Dwarf called Dagon." Jacob told him as he tossed aside the empty glass.

"Well you found him, I am Dagon. Now, who the hell sent you?" Dagon asked and Jacob studied the Dwarf and nodded.

"Elaine sent me, she said if you got me some equipment she would call your debt to her square," Jacob replied and the Dwarf smiled.

"Well then, why didn't you say so lad. Follow me." Dagon stated as he left the circle of boulders, Jacob following quickly on his heels.

Shadow Plane

Dagons Cabin

"So what I do is dig for Shadow Iron on this side, which can only be cultivated here in the Shadow Realm, craft it here and sell it back in Ithea.' Dagon stated as he rummaged through various crates and pulling out various things before finally finding the one he wanted. 'Now if you have not figured it out yet, the Shadow Plane is two things. Beautiful and dangerous. For those who come unprepared, it is a sure way to die horribly." The Dwarf nodded as if agreeing with his statement before he started placing the kit he had scrounged up for him.

Spoiler: Spoiler Name: Shadow Steel Breastplate of Warding

Level: Uncommon

Armor Rating: +800

Properties: Decrease Shadow Based Damage by 25%

Properties: Increase Strength by (Character Level X.25)

Requirement: Warrior Level 100, Strength 200

Durability: 800/800

Description: This Breastplate is crafted from Shadow Iron capable of protecting its bearer from horrendous damage.

Name: Chainmail Leggings of Fortification

Level: Uncommon

Armor Rating: +650

Properties: Increase Constitution by (Character Level X.25)

Properties: Decrease Physical Damage taken by 10%

Requirement: Warrior Level 100, Strength 200

Durability: 800/800

Description: Life and death go hand in hand, with these leggings, hopefully, you can keep the second further away.

Name: Plated Boots of the Strident Adventurer

Level: Uncommon

Armor Rating: +300

Properties: Increase Movement Speed by 10%

Properties: Decrease the cost of Running/Sprinting by 50%

Requirement: Warrior Level 100, Strength 200

Durability: 800/800

Description: These boots are reinforced with strips of steel. These boots were definitely crafted for walking.

Name: Reinforced Leather Gauntlets of Accuracy

Level: Uncommon

Armor Rating: +250

Properties: Increase Accuracy of Ranged attacks by 5%

Properties: Increase Agility by (Character Level X.25)

Requirement: Level 100

Durability: 800/800

Description: These leather gauntlets are reinforced with chain in certain places. The adventurer that once wore them 'forgot' about them after a wonderful night at a brothel.

Name: Long Sword of Striking

Level: Uncommon

Damage: 200-235

Properties: +5% Chance of causing Bleeding Wounds

Properties: Increase Strength by (Character Level X.25)

Requirement: Warrior Level 100, Strength 200

Durability: 800/800

Description: This serrated blade was crafted with love and care to create pain and death.

Name: Shadow Steel Buckler of Battle

Level: Uncommon

Armor Rating: +400

Properties: Decrease Shadow Based Damage by 25%

Properties: Increase Stamina Regeneration by (Character Level X.25)

Requirement: Warrior Level 100, Strength 200

Durability: 800/800

Description: Crafted from Shadow Iron, this shield will always cast you behind its shadow. Jacob was impressed to receive this much from the Dwarf. "Thank you Master Dagon, I did not expect this mutch for a favor from someone else," Jacob told the Dwarf.

"Well, Elaine and I go way back. She has done me several favors over the years. You look like a good kid that got in over his head, this should keep you alive long enough to complete whatever the quest is.' Dagon stated as he placed six potions on the table with the armor. 'That's two Health, two Stamina, and two Mana, that should keep you up in any fight."

Jacob nodded his head and thanked the Dwarf again as he started strapping the armor on. "Two things, one someday come to the Empire of Night. See a Governor or Steward in any Region and tell them Jacob Longstrider sent you and they will listen to whatever you need. Second, any recommendations on how I am supposed to complete my quest here? It's pretty vague." Jacob replied and the Dwarf snorted.

"Just start walking lad, what you need tends to find you here," Dagon replied as Jacob left the cabin. Dagon rippled as the door closed revealing Dumathoin who smiled slightly before disappearing.

Shadow Plane

For the next thirty minutes Jacob just walked, he didn't encounter anything. Not even another pack of Shadow Wolves, but Dagon stated he would find what he needed. The armor was certainly a comforting weight on his body after wearing the Light Armor for so long. Despite the armor being comfortable, Jacob thought it was time to max out his Warrior Skill Tree, he would worry about the others later.

From the Survival Branch, Jacob maxed out Sword Mastery and War Veteran. From the Heart of Battle, Branch Jacob maxed out Power Slash, Triple Slash, and Deep Wounds. Finally moving onto the Protective Branch Jacob maxed out Shield Bash, War Cry, Piercing Lunge, and Leap spending twenty-three points so far. Jacob finally looked at th Rage of Battle branch and invested four points into Battle Synergy and two points in Cleaving Strike before closing out his Warrior Skill Tree. Once he survived this, he would update his other Skill Trees.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Sword Mastery

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: Anyone can swing something with a sharp edge, with this Skill you gain instinctive Mastery of how to use a blade.

Benefit 1: Increases Base Damage of 1-Handed Swords by 35

Benefit 2: Increase Critical Hit Chance by 5%

Benefit 3: Increase the chance that your sword strikes will leave bleeding/gaping wounds by 3%

Cost: N/A, Passive

Cooldown: N/A

Name: War Veteran

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: A Warrior is a veteran of a dozen battles, or a hundred and he has learned to utilize his equipment to its maximum efficiency.

Benefit 1: Increase Armor by 200 (Per Piece of Heavy/Medium Armor Worn)

Benefit 2: Increase Physical Base Damage by 40

Cost: N/A, Passive

Cooldown: N/A

Name: Power Slash

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: Slash target dealing additional damage, with a chance to cause bleeding damage.

Damage: Base Damage X250%

Cast Time: Instant

Benefit 1: 25% Chance to cause bleeding damage (150% of Base Damage over 10 seconds)

Cost: 500 Stamina

Cooldown: 1 Minute

Name: Triple Slash

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: The warrior unleashes a series of sword strokes that do progressively more damage while leaving your opponent bleeding.

Damage: +25%,+35%,+45% of Base Damage Per Sword Strike

Cast Time: Instant

Benefit 1: Inflict 500 bleed damage per second, for 15 seconds

Cost: 750 Stamina

Cooldown: 5 Minutes

Name: Deep Wounds

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: Every strike the Warrior deals has a chance (20%) to leave an open wound that will cause bleeding damage.

Benefit 1: 200% of Base Physical Damage in Bleed Damage inflicted on target

Cost: N/A, Passive

Cooldown: N/A

Name: Shield Bash

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: Slam your shield into the face of your enemy causing them damage and causing them to be stunned for 5 seconds.

Requirement: Shield

Damage: Armor Rating of Shield (X5)

Cast Time: Instant

Cost: 500 Stamina

Cooldown: 1 Minute

Name: War Cry

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: Unleash a Primal Challenge for any enemy.

Range: 20 Feet

Benefit 1: Increase Aggro by 200%

Benefit 2: Decrease Accuracy of Hostiles by 25%

Cast Time: Instant

Cost: 500 Stamina

Cooldown: 1 Minute

Name: Piercing Lunge

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: The Warrior lunges at an opponent dealing damage and lowering your opponents' armor.

Damage: +200% Base Damage

Range: 15 Feet

Cast Time: Instant

Benefit 1: Opponents Armor is lowered by 50% (Duration 10 Seconds)

Cost: 800 Stamina

Cooldown: 3 Minutes

Name: Leap

Tier: Grandmaster

Description: The Warrior leaps at distant targets and deals damage to all nearby enemies.

Range: 20 Feet

Benefit 1: Inflict 5X Base Physical Damage

Benefit 2: 10% Chance to leave Enemies stunned for 3 Seconds

Area of Effect: 5 Feet

Cast Time: Instant

Cost: 1,500 Stamina

Cooldown: 5 Minutes

Name: Battle Synergy

Tier: Journeyman

Description: A Warrior is always home on the battlefield, anywhere else is just a vacation.

Benefit 1: Increase Armor Rating by 100 per piece of Medium/Heavy Armor

Benefit 2: Increase Stamina Regeneration by (Character Level X.5)

Cost: N/A, Passive

Cooldown: N/A

Name: Cleaving Strike

Tier: Novice

Description: Deal an overwhelming blow to an enemy and sundering the target's armor.

Benefit 1: Damage +175% Base Damage

Benefit 2: Reduces targets armor by 15% (Duration 15 Seconds)

Cast Time: Instant

Cost: 500 Stamina

Cooldown: 5 Minutes Jacob dismissed the notifications as the new information poured into his brain. He still had seven hundred and ninety-five Skill Points left to purchase the things he needed and a part of him wanted too, but the more time he spent here, the more time he was away from the people he cared about. He needed them just as much as they needed him. So he buckled down and continued to walk for another fifteen minutes when he heard howls, snarls, and yowls.

Jacob immediately took off and zeroed in on the sounds and found a half dozen Shadow Wolves facing off against something that looked like a mix between a sabertoothed tiger and a tank. This cat shoulder height easily matched Jacobs, but it was covered in what appeared to be metal plates from head to tail. The only weakness Jacob could see was the cat's belly that appeared unarmored. The Shadow Wolves were about half the cat's size, but they were far quicker and the cat appeared injured. Jacob was going to leave and let nature take its course, but Jacob saw why the cat wasn't running away or fighting more defensively. A small cub was behind it crying out every few moments.

Jacob snarled as his eyes shone bright red and Long Sword of Striking cleared its sheath easily as he darted forward. The first Shadow Wolf wasn't even aware of Jacobs existence until the long sword cleaved through its back legs. The rest of the small pack reacted immediately as the threw themselves at Jacob. Jacob danced among the attacking wolves deflecting attacks as his sword slashed, stabbed and hacked through the various wolves until he stopped. All six wolves lay bleeding out on the ground and the cat was eyeing him wearily.

Jacob made a show of placing the sword and shield down as he slowly approached the big cat. Jacob inspected the cat's wounds, the cat had bite and slash marks on its forelegs and on both flanks near its belly where the Shadow Wolves had tried to get to the cats more vulnerable areas. While it was bleeding it was more than likely to survive. Spoiler: Spoiler Name: Armored Shadow Liger

Level: 100

Health: 87,240/120,000 (Bleeding/Open Wound)

Stamina: 45,000

Damage: 400-550

Armor: 5,000

Note* Shadow Ligers move in Pride's, usually one male to every four to six females. The male Shadow Ligers usually grow bigger and have armored carapace on most of their body once they grow to maturity. Do not let their armored appearance fool you though, they are far quicker then they appear. Their speed is only matched by their brutality and willingness to do almost anything to protect their Pride's. "So, where is your family my friend, something tells me that you are not stupid enough to travel alone.' Jacob stated as he stared at the cat who cocked its head at his words before turning away and letting out a roar that felt like it rattled Jacobs whole body. Three answering roars soon followed. 'Well, I guess that answers that question." Jacob responded before moving slowly away and sheathing his sword and picking up his shield. Before he could leave though six more of the Shadow Ligers appeared all around growling at him.

"Hey buuudddyyy, can you let them know I helped you out and helped save your cub?' Jacob stated softly to the cat. The cat suddenly moved forward and bumped into him sending him sprawling into the ground. Jacob was getting up when the cat jumped on him, pinning him to the ground as the nearby cats circled them and sat down. 'What do you want?" Jacob managed to gasp out. Jacob might be higher level and in a fair fight, he could probably give himself a good accounting, but the cat easily out massed him by several hundred pounds.

"I do believe you have found the Shadow Creature you were meant to find on this trip. Shadow Ligers are very particular about their honor, I would suggest you accept the offer sooner rather than later." Dagons yelled out from nearby. Jacob looked around but could not find the Dwarf anywhere. Jacob took a deep breath and activated the Ability. Suddenly words started to spill from his mouth and his hands started making complicated gestures, it felt like forever but it was just a minute. A notification suddenly popped up in front of him.

Alert...

You have Bound a...Armored Shadow Liger.

Would you like to name it? YES/NO

What would you like to name your creature? Bruno

Alert...

Jacob smiled as he named the cat. He reminded Jacob of a pain in the ass cat his parents had owned before they died. He was a huge pain in the ass, but the one time another kid had come over and punched him, Bruno had gone apeshit on the other kid and torn him up. The new Bruno immediately got up off Jacob and backed off, Jacob got the feeling of grudging respect from the cat who immediately moved to the cub and picked it up before leaving with the others.