Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- The Wall

Jacob flipped the body of the Chaos Warped Kobold and threw it onto the growing pile of corpses, over seventy-five thousand enemy dead and counting. "What are the casualties from the battle today?" Jacob asked as he moved onto the next corpse.

"The Legions lost just over one thousand dead and critically wounded. The War Horde lost just over two thousand. The Third Legion lost just over eight hundred over the last couple days, we will have a complete breakdown of our losses by tomorrow." Nadal reported.

"Good, make sure the tribes that came to our aid receive a portion of the loot. Same goes for the Steel Warriors, Amazons, and Myrmidons. All Chaos aligned gear is to be broken down, anything that can't be destroyed needs to be dumped in the Storm Sea." Jacob told the Drow as he looted and stacked the next corpse. "The Legions will be camping here tonight before they head back to the city of Ingson where we will prepare to march on Cliphis. Once it falls, all the westernmost Free Cities will be under the Empire of Nights control. After that, we can end the siege of Athesas." Nadal stated as Lilly flung some Hellfire at the stacked bodies.

"Good, with this army, defeated, we need to concentrate on ending the Slavers Union threat sooner rather than later. How long will it take is to march an army from Ingson to Cliphis?" Jacob asked as he looted a Chao Warped Goblin.

Nadal frowned as he pulled up something on his interface before responding. "Once we have the supplies and troops in place, five to six days at most if we march unopposed. I had already made arrangements with Governor Winter to start marshaling supplies and siege engines at Ingson so we can march on Cliphis as soon as possible." The Drow responded.

Surface- Storm Break Bay Region

Empire of Night- City of Anchorhead

Ailis slunk through the streets of Anchorhead. After finishing her assignment in Aramore, she had received an assignment to find out if the growing dissension in the city was in any way related to the local Governor. If so, get concrete evidence one way or the other. For the last three days, she had followed every whisper of rebellion, but so far it had led to nothing but rumors.

"Everything alright lass?" the bartender asked as he dropped a plate of food and water in front of her.

"Yes, thank you," Ailis responded as she started eating while she continued to eavesdrop on the conversations around her. An hour later, two drunken flirtations, and three beers later her ears picked up something interesting. A pair of human sailors and a Goblin talking low and eyeballing other patrons. Ailis let her concentration center on their table as their low whispers driftet to her ears. Ailis let her eyes wander the room, but did not let them settle on her new quarry. She made mental notes of hair color, size, and any distinguishing marks of the three people as she listened to their conversation.

After thirty minutes the meeting finally broke up, the Goblin went deeper into the Inn, while the humans left for parts unknown. Ailis waited another ten minutes before heading out. She headed for the Broken Anchor and her contact, time to pass the information to someone else and let them decide what to do.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Jacob soaked in the hot bath as he tried to relax as his head continued to pound away. It had been weeks since his last headache after the battle had finished, the newest one had nearly driven him to his knees. Gloria was behind him while Cathrine hovered in front of him as she gripped his head as she explored his mind. Whatever she found made her frown and shake her head. "Something is going on, what I do not know," Cathrine stated as she moved to sit beside him.

Jacob leaned forward, "Gloria would you give us a moment, please. I need to speak to Cathrine alone for a moment.' Jacob told the new Seneschal. The other Vampire nodded her head and quickly got out of the water and headed into the bedroom. 'The last time I had a headache like this was when the Mantle of Divinity was causing problems. I don't know why it would be acting up now though." Jacob told her softly so that only she could hear his words.

"You think it could be the Mantle? Could it be the magic that brings you to this world?" Cathrine asked as she leaned into Jacob.

"Whatever it is, if its something from this world, there is nothing I can do. If its something from my world, maybe I can do something about it." Jacob told her as he pulled her closer.

Surface- Wind Swept Hills Region

Nation of Duran'thia- City of Elleshara

Lost Estates

The Forest Wolf gave one last whimper as it died. Ava wiped the few drops of sweat from her forehead as she moved closer to the former Loranan Estates. After gaining the Belt and Staff she had decided to come out here to try and figure out more about the Loranan family and their downfall.

With what little money she had, she had bought some robes, leggings, and sandals. The price to purchase the items was double what any other Immortal would pay due to her families unique standing. It did not stop her from getting two minor kill quests for killing forest wolves and bears, and a fetch quest as well.

Entering the main house revealed a large Forest Bear. "Shit!" Ava cursed and slowly tried to back away but the bear lifted itself off the floor and roared at her. Ava started casting Flurry as the bear rapidly closed the distance. Luck was on her side for once and the Numb De-Buff took effect slowing the large beast. Ava immediately turned and ran to gain some distance before turning and dual casting Flurry again before quickly following it with a Dual Cast Arcane Bolt. Ava quickly Analyzed the oncoming creature. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Forest Bear

Level: 8 (Elite)

Health: 1,780/2,000

Note* Forest Bears are prevalent throughout the forests of Arakon. Although these creatures are slow to wake, once angered they will hunt until killed or distracted by another prey or predator.

Ava dismissed the information as she quickly cast Haste on herself as she ran awa from the Elite Forest Bear again, she could only hope to kite the thing long enough to kill it.

Surface- Storm Break Bay Region

Empire of Night- City of Anchorhead

Warehouse District

Ailis watched as a half dozen people met below. From what she could hear they were planning on ambushing various patrols and setting fire to Imperial ships, but she had not found who had organized everything or who was funding everything. Ailis slowly moved through all the various stacked resources, supplies, and equipment as she made her way closer to the meeting as the Warehouse doors flew open and a half dozen squads of Legionnaires came rushing in.

Magic and the clash of weapons filled the air as Ailis shadowed a mage that flung fire and lightning until AIlis dropped out of Stealth as she activated Backstab. The High-Elf tried to scream but then the Death Root Poison went to work as her daggers continued to puncture various vital organs before she disappeared back into Stealth to continue her hunt.

Over the next five minutes, Ailis downed two more Mage types and an Archer os some sort before the battle finally wound down. Various Hydromancers and Icemancers worked their magic to contain and put out the few fires that were present. A half dozen of the rebels had been captured, they would be sent back too Eternal Night for questioning before being executed. Three Legionnaires had been killed and half a dozen wounded in the battle, the Captain that lead the group didn't even acknowledge her presence, but more than one set of eyes were on her as she left.

Surface- Wind Swept Hills Region

Nation of Duran'thia- City of Elleshara

Lost Estates

Ava sighed in exhaustion, her health, Stamina, and Mana pools were at critical levels. She quickly downed a Stamina potion before kneeling and activating Mediation. After thirty seconds both her Mana and Health bars were refilled and fading back into the background as she rose from her kneeling position and headed into the large house.

A ruin was the best way to describe it, but it was linked to the Loranan family and Ava was hoping to find the Boots of Loranan's Wisdom or Gloves of Loranan's Wisdom somewhere among the ruins. Ava knew it was a long shot, but from what she read in the library, this was her best bet near the city of Ellshara. The next closest estates were nearly two weeks of travel away.

After exploring the ruins of the house Ava found stairs that lead down into the basement where a sealed door lay with engraving similar too what she had found in the catacombs below Ellshara. Ava quickly put her staff in the sling across her back before slicing open her hand and placing it in the nearest Runes. After a few moments, they started to glow and the large door retracted into the ground and a Portal Stone was revealed. Ava slowly moved forward and touched it.

Alert...

Do you wish to travel to the Loranan Proving Grounds? YES/NO

Requirements: Level 5, Individual (Cannot be completed with a party)

Alert...

Note* Once initiated, trials can only be undergone once, the Dungeon will scale to your level if you die you will be kicked from the Dungeon and you cannot access it again. Proceed with caution.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Inner City- Cathedral of Balance

Jacob ignores the few people within the building, Cathrine was in bed with Gloria and as soon as he finished this meeting he would be heading to bed as well. It had been a long couple days and he needed his rest. "Hey old man, you there?" Jacob softly asked as he sat on one of the many seats within the large building.

A deep chuckle was his answer as he manifested within the building. "Congrats on beating Alexi, but I assume that is not why you are here?" Balance asks as he studied Jacob.

"Yeah, I think my Mantle is acting up again. Any insight?" Jacob asked the Primordial who started studying Jacob intently.

"Yes, consider it growing pains and the last ones you will have before it emerges," Balance responded as he finished studying Jacob.

"What will I become? A god, godling, Celestial being?" Jacob asked as he bit his lip in worry.

Balance snorted, "If you survive the emergence of you Mantle of Divinity, you will become a Demi-God. That is the initial rank and the only thing you need to worry about is surviving the transition." Balance replied quickly.

"Any pointers on how I can increase the odds of my surviving?" Jacob replied and Balance winced and shrugged his shoulders.

"Being of two worlds increases that chance you will die. If you could sever your connection to Earth, it would greatly increase your chances of surviving, but I have no idea how we could do this." Balance replied.