Real World...

North American Alliance- Greater New York Congomerate

Black Spire- Blackrock HQ

"So, how are the new simulations doctor?" Anthony Mitchels asked as he studied the various feeds of Ithea.

"Working with Adam and Eve has streamlined our testing of new processes of digitizing a human. We have already increased the probability of survival up to twenty-five percent in the newest simulations." The doctor related.

"Not good enough, I want at least seventy-five percent chance of success before I take this to the government," Anthony responded.

"I understand sir, but working with simulations we can only go so far. We need more test subjects and we need to test our new processes." the Doctor informed him and Anthony nodded his head.

"You will have your new test subjects within twenty-four hours doctor," Anthony stated before dismissing the man.

"It's actually closer to thirty percent chance of success," Adam called over the communication unit after the doctor left.

"Ok, but I cannot take that to the government as a viable survival plan. They wouldn't accept anything less then seventy-five percent success I am sure.' Anthony told the A.I. 'How are the uploads going of the remaining content patches?" Anthony asked as he turned to face the screen and Adam.

"The upload is doing well and we have already assimilated thirty percent of the new content. We are testing everything but will eventually assimilate everything into the world. The blocks and breadcrumbs to unlock the new areas and content are in place, but it could take decades if not centuries for people to find them for when everything goes live." Adam informed the CEO. Anthony smiled and nodded before the A.I. cut the communications line.

Underdark- Black Basalt Region

Empire of Night- City of Gahlin

Outer City

Ailis calmly walked through the streets of Gahlin as she made her way to the Blood Rose. It was cheap and headquarters of the Assassins Guild within the city. After the siege of Cliphis, she had been told it would be two weeks at least until she was contacted again by the Master of Shadows or Darren. So she had been picking up easy contracts and grinding Reputation with the Assassins Guild.

The Quests were relatively easy but offered little Experience, money, or Reputations bonuses. However, there was a little risk as well. Entering the inn revealed a quieter crowd, but was still lively. It was a mix of locals and guild members alike. The bartender saw her as she entered and signaled for her to head to the back and the strictly only guild members area.

Ailis nodded her head in acknowledgment and headed past the unobtrusive guards that sipped drinks and lounged near the back of the main room. Entering the main room in the back another guard acknowledged her with a nod and moved to a nearby bookcase and activated a series of switches that caused part of the floor to collapse downwards revealing a path underneath the city. Ten minutes later she entered a large cavern buried beneath the city of Gahlin. Other Assassins were located throughout the chamber but Ailis made her way over to the local guild head.

Mistress Illith was a Drow relatively young and would never have survived the machinations of her house so she had joined the Assassins Guild instead and had been appointed as leader of the Gahlin branch. "Ailis, glad to see you back. Now since you have been doing such a good job with the small fry, an opportunity has arisen if you are interested?"

Quest Issued: Dagger in the Underdark

Description: Peter Shortdigger has been gouging prices but selling substandard materials to venders between Ineford, Gahlin, and Oblivion. These venders wish the problem to go away, find and kill the greedy merchant and return to any Assassins Guild headquarters for your reward.

Success: Slay Peter Shortdigger and get away without getting caught

Failure: Fail to slay Peter Shortdigger and/or get caught

Rewards: 750 Experience, Rank Increase within the Assassins Guild, 10 Gold, Unknown

Will you Accept or Decline? Accept

The Drow nodded her head in approval, "If you succeed in killing this mark, your rank within the guild will improve and you will no longer just be an Initiate. Good luck." The Drow dismissed her and Ailis quickly made her way to a nearby Vender to start buying supplies.

Surface- Winding Woods Region

Nation of Loren'thia- Outside the Aratharia Home Tree

Hayley watched the small group of Forest Wolves. The creatures were easily reached her hip in height and were heavily muscled as well. A mix of browns, tans, and black fur helped them blend into the surrounding forest. If their population had not exploded she and her companions would not be here.

Bridgett was providing magical support while Doug was practicing being their tank. Being an Archer allowed Hayley to pull the wolves so that Doug could tank them. Hayey let a breath out softly and sighted down the arrow before losing it at her target.

The arrow smacked into the Forest Wolfs flank eliciting a yelp of pain that quickly turned to a snarl as she turned and fled towards her teammates. "We got three incoming!!" Hayley yelled out as she ran past Doug who grunted in acknowledgment. Doug was a man of few words, but he did an excellent job at what he did according to Bridgett.

Doug's spear glowed as he charged the oncoming wolves, Hayley took a calming breath before activating the Skill Multi-Shot and loosed the arrow that split into three onto the heels of the charging Warrior. Bridgett let out a shout as the fluorescent ball of energy streaked over Doug's head and exploded among the wolves eliciting more yelps as they fought.

Jax, the other Rogue in their War Party, dropped out of Stealth behind the small pack of wolves and went to work stabbing and slashing at the wolves as the slowly died between the four Immortals. As the last wolf died Doug stepped back and started cleaning his spear up as Jax started looting the corpses. "Too bad no one has picked up Leatherworking yet, with all the animals we have to down with these quests we could level up Leatherworking quickly." Bridgett lamented.

Surface- Bronze Rock Ridge Region

Nation of Duran'thia- On the road between Traderest and Dera'Kan

"Fucking Gnolls!!" one of the guards cursed as they recovered from the small raid that had struck the caravan. It was even smaller than the raid yesterday, but it was still a drain on their limited healing potions, bandages, and other crucial supplies.

Ava snorted as she looted the corpses of the fallen creatures. They were simple and brutal, and if they had come in larger numbers they might have succeeded in destroying the small convoy, but they only inflicted some small minor wounds on the guards. However, a small village was less than a day away and from there it was only hours from Dera'Kan. If they had not been attacked by monsters so many times during the last week, they would already be in the city.

"The High-Elves need to patrol this road more often." the Immortal Dwarf stated as he joined Ava in looting the corpses.

"They have sealed their borders and limited trade, so I have no idea why this road is plagued by monsters?" Ava responded as she lobbed a Firebolt into the packed corpses.

"So, Necromancer? That's rare for a High-Elf, what made you choose that class?" the Dwarf prompted.

Ava rolled her eyes, "Let's just say I had an incentive to choose Necromancer as my Primary Class even though I received penalties for it." Ava replied as she launched another Firebolt at the pile of corpses.

Surface- Crecents Plains Region

Empire of Night- Outside the City of Yadpool

The long line of Legionnaires stretched ahead of him as the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Legions marched north towards Athesas. The Thirteenth Legion would garrison Yadpool for the foreseeable future, the few remaining city guards present had been disbanded with most signing up with the Legions and would be moving to one of the training camps in the Underdark within the next couple days.

Lord Thomas Berkley had been pleasantly surprised to live through the transition and was happy to be Regent of the city and he would be in a position of greater power because the other cities within the Crescents Plains Region were only Client States and not full members of the Empire of Night.

"Looking forward to the march?" Nadal asked as the Drow joined him.

Jacob chuckled, "Oh yes, field rations and sleeping on a cot with the possibility of being attacked at any moment...FUN TIMES!!' Jacob quipped causing the Drow to smile. 'On the other hand, this part of the war is finally coming to an end finally. That I am thankful for." Jacob told the Drow.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Holding Cells

Cathrine walked through the warren of tunnels below the Palace, two of the Heart Guard in front of her and two trailing her as she approached the holding cell and deactivated the enchantment the cut of sound and sight. "Well Tiffany, did you see yourself here when you betrayed us?"

The women didn't even look up at her question causing Cathrine to frown in anger. 'My daughter.." Tiffany started but Cathrine cut her off.

"Is fine and in the care of Lady Conrad. Despite your Treason, she will not pay for your choices. Why would you betray us after we did so much for you?" Cathrine asked.

"He is my father despite everything he did. Cliphis is my home, I was trying to save lives." Tiffany responded.

Cathrine snorted in disgust, "You cost more lives. Your dear father abandoned his city and probably ordered the City Guard to fight to the last man before fleeing like a coward. You betrayed us for nothing. What will we tell your daughter when she asks why her mother betrayed her oaths?" Cathrine prompted causing the other women to tear up.

"I trusted you. I encouraged my husband to trust you. You betrayed both of us for nothing so tell me, Tiffany, why I should urge my husband to spare your life after everything you have done?" Cathrine asked. Tiffany just turned away and started crying. Cathrine reactivated the enchantments and let her be for now.