Surface- Wind Swept Hills Region

Nation of Daran'thia- City of Elleshara

Catacombs

Ava started her attack with an Arcane Blast, two of the five Undead opponents were destroyed. The last two Skeletons and the Zombie turned to engage her immediately. Ava slowly walked backwords as arcane words spilled from her lips and her right hand glowed blue as wrist-thick icicles appeared around her before launching at the Zombie that had started to run towards her.

The Numb De-Buff effect triggered slowing the Zombie to half its speed giving her time to deal with the two Skeletons continued on. Ava Dual Cast Arcane Bolt, the prismatic colored bolt the size of a small cannonball slammed into the nearest Skeletons chest and exploded causing the other Skeleton stagger as the concussion of the blast damaged it at dropped a quarter of the Skeletons health.

Ava smiled at the Skeleton as she darted forward, her staff twirling as she nocked its club out of the way before slamming the oak staff into its rib cage knocking off another quarter of its health and sending it stumbling into the nearby wall. Ava conjured a Fire Bolt and shot it into the Skeletons head destroying it. Ava smiled in victory, but then the Zombie bowled her over.

Ava screamed in pain as the Zombies limbs tore into her arms trying to get to her, but she was keeping it at bay through sheer desperation. Her staff had been knocked free of her hands, she desperately grasped at the knife at her belt and slammed it into the Zombies' head before twisting it. The Zombie jerked one time as its health zeroed out. Ava grunted as she levied the corpse off her and scrambled for her staff, but she was free for the moment. She looted the bodies and aside from some Coppers, and two Silver, they dropped some mats for alchemy.

Alert...

For slaying four Level 6 Skeletons you have received...200 Experience

For slaying a Level 7 Zombie you have received...100 Experience

Alert...

Ava dismissed the notifications as she looked at the Quest that had updated after she had finished reading the Loranan Family records in the Library.

Quest Issued: Path of Redemption (Stage 2)

Description: The Loranan Family like all great families of Daran'thia, kept extensive records and holdings throughout the kingdom. Some of those records revealed that one of the Elders of the Loranan Family was entombed after he died after the Betrayal. Seek out the Ghost of Jedidiah Loranan in the Catacombs under the City of Elleshara, perhaps he can shed light on those trying times and how to restore the honor of the Loranan Family.

Quest Difficulty: Nightmare

Success: Go to the Catacombs under the City of Elleshara and speak to the Ghost of Jedidiah Loranan

Failure: Do not go to the Catacombs and speak too Jedidiah Loranan, You reputation with the High-Elf Nation of Daran'thia will be permanently fixed to Unfriendly

Rewards: 500 Experience, Unknown

Restriction: You must complete this Stage alone, This Quest cannot be refused

Ava dismissed the information as she stood. Her starter gear was starting to look like rags after the continued combat she had seen since entering the Catacombs, but she wasn't going to give up on her quest now that she had started.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- The Wall

Jacob ducked under the Orcs swing and blasted it with a Shadow Bolt to the guts before removing its head. A steady stream of troops was emerging from the siege tower. They were losing ground steadily until a screaming ball of concentrated Mana streaked over the combatants head and slammed into the Siege Tower and exploded on contact. The top two floors were gone with at least a dozen invaders. "KILL THEM ALL!!" someone yelled at as the defenders surged forward slaughtering the few remaining invaders as the horns from the enemy encampment sounded recalling the others.

Jacob stepped back from the melee and saluted the crew working the Mana Cannon. The Dwarf running the cannon returned the salute before he started barking at the others to get the cannon lines up on the fleeing invaders. Up and down the wall, the Chaos Warped were scrambling to disengage as the defenders pressed their advantage.

Alert...

Through battle, you have gained...500 Experience

Alert...

Alert...

Your PK Counter has increased by 3, your total is 19.

Alert...

Jacob took deep cleansing breaths as he cleaned Moonlight of blood and gore before putting it into its sheath. Wounded cried out for help. Friendlies were quickly assisted while enemy wounded were killed, looted, and thrown off the wall. Three days and nights of battle, the casualties were mounting, but they had to hold.

The Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Fifth, Fourth, and Tenth Legions would be mustered to the north with the Amazons today and marching within a couple of hours. Nadal had already reported in and stated the newly minted Legions were already in position, they were just waiting on the other Legions to show.

"Why do they keep attacking? They make no headway, they are losing troops continuously...Even to me, their strategy is foreign." Lilly stated as she cleaned her paired daggers while Rose was cleaning her spears head.

"It tires our troops, we use up supplies, and it wears us down. He rotates his troops and always keeps a large reserve. He has never sent in his full army. He weakens us while remaining relatively strong.' Jacob stated and Rose nodded her head in agreement or understanding, Jacob did not know. 'We need to suck them in and get them to commit the bulk of their troops." Jacob stated as he looked at the enemy army that finally scrambled out of range of the siege engines.

Surface- Dead Plains Region

Empire of Night- Nuetral Territory

Nadal barked out orders trying to get the army together as the various Legions finally arrived. Getting thirty thousand soldiers organized was...difficult at the best of times. Usually, they had a week to organize a march, for this one they had twenty-four hours. This whole mad plan was contingent on the Legions before the invaders ground the defenders into dust.

"Captain-General, the food, and medical supplies from Uldon have finally arrived." a messenger relayed as he ran up.

"Good, report to Lieutenant Sanders private," Nadal responded as the man saluted and scurried off. Nadal and the other generals were looking at the tactical map of the current situation outside the Wall. The fortification still stood and the defenders had incurred between ten and fifteen thousand casualties on the attackers over the last three days, but the defenders were starting to tire from the constant assaults.

"The invading General attacks our defenses every couple of hours. He is spending his troops lives gradually while our defenders are becoming exhausted. They are starting to make mistakes and the casualties are starting to increase." Nadal stated as he glared at the display.

"Can't the Emperor call up more troops from the nearby garrisons." General Riptide asked as he pointed at the four fortresses that lay between the Wall and the city of Eternal Night.

Nadal shook his head, "If the Emperor does that and the invader manage to push through the Wall, what would stop the Chaos Warped short of Eternal Night?" The Drow asked the Human who nodded.

"Fighting retreat?" General Ironbreak asked.

"If our primary plan fails, that is the backup plan.' Nadal stated in return. 'Now as far as our primary plan, the Fifth and the Sixteenth Legions will strike from the west, the Fourth and the Seventeenth Legions will strike from the north. The Tenth Legion will remain in reserve. We will march half the distance tonight once this madness is organized and we will strike hard and fast tomorrow night. Questions or concerns?"

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- The Wall

Jacob could see another wave of attackers forming up. They had less than an hour before dawn, the question was, would they beat the attackers back before the sun crested the horizon or not? Jacob could hope so. The Steel Warriors and Myrmidons on the day shift were already filtering back onto the wall to reinforce the beleaguered defenders.

"Having fun?" Nila asked as she strode up.

Jacob looked at the Dryad queen and the large escort of Dryads, Nymphs, and Sprites following her. "Tons, can't you tell." Jacob responded as he rolled his shoulders and neck.

"You need to rest. You have been pulling shifts on the Wall from sundown to sunup for the last three days. You need to rest before you make a mistake.' Analisa stated as her eyes shifted to the approaching army. 'Go!! I will hold the wall for the day." The Dryad stated as she started giving out clipped commands to her escort.

A snarl formed on Jacobs's face but Rose intercepted him and shook her head."There is a time to fight and a time to rest. You need to rest Jacob. The other Immortals of the night shift have already retired to the encampment. The rotations between the night and day soldiers have already started. The Queen can hold the Wall for one day. I am sure she will send a messenger if she needs your assistance." Rose stated calmly imploring him to walk away. Jacob took a deep breath and sighed trying to get control of his emotions.

"Thank you for your assistance Queen Analisa. If you have need of me, please feel free to send a messenger and I will come." Jacob told the Dryad Queen who smiled and nodded her head. Jacob quickly checked his status and sighed again at his De-Buffs he could see.

Alert...

De-Buff Exhausted II: All Primary Stats decreased by 25%, Carry Weight Decreased by 50%, Skills improve 50% Slower

De-Buff Hunger II: Health/Stamina Regeneration decreased by 50%

De-Buff Thirsty II: Mana Regeneration Decreased by 50%

De-Buff The Thirst III: Increased chance of going Feral, Health Regeneration decreased by 25%

De-Buff Unwashed II: Diplomacy/Charisma Negated, Prices from services and stores are increased by 20%

Alert...

He needed to eat, bathe, and sleep for more than six hours. Jacob quietly made his way off the wall and towards the encampment that had been built about twenty minutes south of the Wall, Rose and Lilly followed him closely.

Surface- Wind Swept Hills Region

Nation of Daran'thia- City of Elleshara

Catacombs

Ava gulped as the Revenant and Wraith Knights studied here closely as she approached the altar. 'Stand fast and prove your loyalty to the Loranan Family' was written on the outside of the alter, a small bowl and knife were on top of it. A small blood sacrifice to prove what??? No one had ever passed the test and since the place was guarded by high-level MOBs, no one ever tried to push past the guardians placed here. After the first year, everyone had given up on searching this part of the Catacombs thinking it was a bugged quest, but the Devs had assured the community that it was not, just no one had ever met the prerequisites to enter the tomb beyond.

Ava fiddled with the small dagger and the Undead eyed her expectantly. They would not act until she passed or failed the test. Ava closed her eyes and sliced her palm as she held it over the small bowl. After a few moments, she opened her eyes, runes and glyphs were lighting up all over the alter and the Undead were now ignoring here except for one Wraith Knight who bowed slightly and waved his hand at the Tomb door. "Go, daughter of Loranan, we will guard the way." The Wraith Knight stated as he turned to face the entrance.

Ava gave the Wraith Knight a nervous little smile before entering the Tomb of Jedidiah Loranan. A large sarcophagus dominated the center of the room, around it were shelves with hundreds of books, an Alchemist set, and other objects of magical nature. At a desk, a semi-translucent ghost sat writing or studying a book. "More thieves come to my tomb?? You will be disappointed, if you are a Local, you will join the ranks of defenders. If you are an Immortal, enjoy respawning in the nearest graveyard." The ghost spat out over his shoulder.

"I am not here to steal anything, sir. I am here for knowledge and knowledge alone." Ava replied causing the ghost to stop and put down its pen to face her.

"It has been centuries since another Loranan entered my Tomb, my apologies child for my rude behavior. What knowledge do you seek child, you are too weak to become a Necromancer or War Mage, our family was vaunted for both before the Fall. So why are you here?" the Ghost of Jedidiah Loranan asked as he conjured a ghostly pipe and lit it as he sat back in his chair facing her.

"I came to ask about the Fall and how we can get justice without destroying the kingdom," Ava replied to ghost who gestured for her to take a seat.

The Ghost gave her a smile that would have sent shivers down her spine half an hour ago, now it was just fitting for the setting. "That is a proper challenge, how to destroy our enemies without destroying the kingdom. I assume you do not want to pull down the Dragon King?' Jedidiah asked and at Ava's nod, he continued. 'Yes, that is a very tough challenge. One you are not prepared for girl. You are not strong enough, you have no allies, and you want me to entrust the revenge of the Loranan Family in your hands." Jedidiah scoffed.

"I don't want revenge, I want justice for our family and its stigma removed from our family name," Ava replied and id dawned on her, this is what Jacob had felt but she had made it worse for him even after she had betrayed him. Ava gritted her teeth and thought about the here and now.

Jedidiah was studying her face and smiled at whatever he could see. "Ok girl, I will give you a shot. The former Dragon King did not work alone to destroy our family, others assisted him. We can destroy them and I will help you do it. In the sarcophagus are three items I want you to take and one item that is my legacy and its up too you to take or not. Take the journal, the belt, and my skull. The staff inside, you can take it, but if you pick it up you will become a Necromancer when you are strong enough. The Skull will allow us to talk and plan so you do not have to come back here every time we need to converse." Jedidiah stated and gestured at the sarcophagus causing its lid to move, granting her access to what lay within.

The skull was worked with more runes and sigils and glowed subtly in Ava's sight, signifying it was a quest item and could not be lost or stolen. She quickly put it into her inventory with the new journal as her eyes went to the belt and staff. Both items glowed with power in different ways. The belt was cloth and leather mainly with pockets and quick slots for potions, far better then the rope that held her robes closed that she currently had. Jewels, runes, and sigils were inscribed all over it. The staff was pitch black and absorbed the surrounding light, capping it on both ends were bladed scythes facing different directions. Hundreds of sigils and runes adorned the staff along its length. Ava quickly pulled up the stats on both items.

Spoiler: Spoiler Name: Belt of Loranan's Wisdom (Set Item: 1 of 3)

Level: Legendary-Scalable

Armor Rating: +10

Quick Access Slots: 4

Properties: Increase Intelligence and Wisdom by (Level X.25)

Properties: Increase Mana by 250

Properties: Increase Critical Strike Chance by 1%

Properties: Increase Spell damage by (Level X.25)

Properties: Perseverance of the Loranan Family (Require 3 Pieces)

Requirment: Loranan Family, Level 10, Intelligience and Wisdom 10

Durability: 200/200

Description: The Loranan family was at one time known for their War Magi and Necromancers. They became so popular that as soon as the children of this family could control Mana, they were given armor to augment their abilities and start training immiedietly. The Belt of Loranan's Wisdom is part of one such set that was lost after the Fall. The boots and gloves finish up the set.

Name: Reaper of Souls

Level: Artifact-Scalable

Damage: 40-55 (Physical)

Properties: Increase Intelligence and Wisdom by (Level X.5)

Properties: Increase Strength and Agility by (Level X.1)

Properties: Decrease the cost of Necromancy based spell by 25%

Properties: Increase the Stats of Summoned Minions by 50%

Properties: Locked

Requirement: Loranan Family, Level 20, Necromancer, Intelligence and Wisdom 30

Durability: 300/300

Description: The Reaper of Souls has been in the Loranan Family since it was founded four thousand years ago. Even after the Fall, this weapon never wavered in its loyalty of the Loranan bloodline. It has been passed from one master Necromancer to another all others will be consumed by the weapon.

"You see...do not pick that staff up unless you are committed to Mastering the Dead. It will not accept any pretenders and will destroy the unworthy.' Jedidiah warned as he stood from his chair. Ava closed her eyes and considered her options. Of all the various Schools of Magic, she had hardly ever considered Necromancy. It was powerful, true, but it relied heavily on Summoned Minions to augment the strength and power of the wielder. Since she didn't have any allies though...and since it seemed she was destined to be alone for a while, an army of Minions could prove the difference between life and death for her. She took a breath and grabbed the staff, it felt like she bit into a live wire before it stopped. She opened her eyes and looked around, she was alive. Jedidiah smiled at her and winked before disappearing. 'Contact me again when you unlock Necromancer as your Primary Class. Goodluck Daughter of Loranan." His voice echoed through the chamber.