Chapter 34- A Way Foreward?
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Underdark- Unending Abyss Region
Ruins of House Dhalmass Fortress

I studied the item in my hands, it was mainly stone, but both silver and gold inlay covered the stone disk. On one side was what I assumed was Ithea, the flip side was someone sitting on a chair or throne. Around each image was a Latin phrase 'Meo ossa, sanguine et spiritu, non dici in dicto castro et hanc terram regnum' the phrase that was loosely translated into 'By my bones, blood, and spirit, I claim this land and upon this fortress, a kingdom will be built.' I looked at Drax, "Don't tell anyone about this, it's our lives." I warned the Orc as I tried to pull up the items information but only [Kingdom Seal] tag appeared in my sight. 

The Orc nodded in understanding, "I agree my lord, any House would covet such an item for personal power alone. Only Chalxae knows of its existence when she turned it over to me, but I trust her to keep silent." the Orc warned me and I nodded in agreement. Damn, I didn't want this thing any more than I wanted it in the hands of the House nobility, but who would I trust with it? 

I shoved the seal into my Inventory, I could worry about it later. Both Tribes and their parts of the loot from the attack were gone, only the forces from the city remained but they were rapidly breaking down their camp and a portal was already open as the former slaves and prisoners were pushed through. "Come, we have to head back to the outpost, you need to get cleaned up and I sent your armor ahead to be repaired while you recovered," Drax commented and I frowned.

"What?" I asked him and he shook his head. 

"You allied with two other people and marched an army against an enemy. You helped assault their position and destroyed them utterly, in other words, the queen will march you through the city to help galvanize the people and in all honesty, their Morale needs to be raised anyways." the Orc replied and I groaned. 

"Fine, but there better be no more surprises!" I told the Orc as we started towards the open portals. The others quickly joined us as we made our way back to where the Drake had been held. The thing was weaker than it should be, either due to its confinement or other reasons, I had no idea. As soon as Chalxae popped off its collar it looked at me one last time with a nod before disappearing with a puff of sooty smoke. 

I looked around and spotted Oren, "Captain, tell me once you finish here that you and your men are coming back to the city with me?!" I asked him and he chuckled.

"Of course my lord, I will not send you to face the hordes of admirers alone," Oren replied with a wink causing the others to chuckle as I relaxed slightly. 

I shook my head as Chalxae put her lockpicks away, "You joke captain, but I did this because it needed to be done, not because I wanted the admiration." I told him earning a smile from the Duergar.

"Well success breeds two things my lord, responsibility, and displays where you are paraded through the city," he told me before striding off as he barked orders to his troops. I deflated slightly causing the others to chuckle as I stomped off like a child, I knew this was all part of it but enduring the crap was a whole other experience. 

My stomach twisting portal jump dumped us within the confines of the outpost saving us nearly two hours of walking. The prisoners were being controlled by the garrison and isolated while the former slaves were being taken care of. They all needed new clothing, food, and medical attention from what I could see. "Drax, why don't you offer your services to help out with the former slaves. I promise to go get a bath and eat, so we can get on the road after." I told the Orc who nodded but glanced at Sessa.

The Pyromancer nodded and ushered me towards one of the barracks and in less than five minutes I was soaking in a bath after getting the others out of the room. No, I am not comfortable taking a bath with my Thralls watching or participating, I don't care how good-looking they are. I pulled up the slew of notifications waiting for me and started reading as I continued to scrub the blood and grime off of me. 

<<<>>>

Quest Alert: Zombie Apocalypse?

Notice: After fighting through swarming mindless Undead, and the dangers of the Underdark, you helped marshal the forces of Eternal Night, the Blood-Fang, and Earth-Cracker Tribes in an alliance to destroy the nearby settlement controlled by House Dhalmass. While the fortress is a complete loss due to your actions (Seriously using a sword to destroy a LEGENDARY ITEM!!! I wonder did your mother drop you on your head while you were a baby?) in destroying the Crystal of Bound Death, that which is destroyed can be rebuilt. You have garnered allies and forged an alliance through battle and bloodshed, but more importantly, you did not use them as disposable troops or less than your own for their efforts. You have received 20,000 Experience, +100 Renown, your Reputation with the Blood-Fang and Earth-Cracker Tribes has increased, you have taken control of a Level 1 Settlement (Temporary). 

Note* Due to your Fortress lack of a Town Hall, or equivalent building, you cannot accrue Diplomatic Points or create Treaties.

<<<>>>

Skill Name: Bladed Weapons
Skill Level: 9
Skill Type: Passive
Effect 1: Increases Bladed Weapons damage by 21%. (+10%)
Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A

Skill Name: Heavy Armor
Skill Level: 8
Skill Type: Passive
Effect 1: Increases base armor rating while wearing Heavy Armor by 21%.
Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A

Skill Name: Conditioning
Skill Level: 9
Skill Type: Passive
Effect 1: Pain felt due to effort, status effects, or injuries is reduced by 18%.
Effect 2: Decrease the chance spells will Miscast due to pain by 8%.
Range: N/A
Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A

Racial Ability Name: Thermal Sight
Racial Ability Level: 4
Racial Ability Type: Passive
Effect 1: Increased vision improvement at night or in total darkness by 14%.
Range: Sight
Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A

<<<>>>

2 X Level up!

You have (10) unassigned Attribute Points.

You have (2) unassigned Skill Point.

<<<>>>

Moonlight has gained 1 Level (Current Level: 5) and has (1) unassigned Skill Points.

Notice: Due to your combined actions, Moonlight has been changed forever and a new branch within the Living Weapon's Skill Tree has been added, and the blade has acquired a new Effect.*

Note* See Moonlight's information and Skill Tree for more information. 

<<<>>>

Notices...
--- You have slain (2) War Party Leaders and (1) Warband Leader increasing your War Spirit by 100.
---Your Warband has destroyed or assisted in the destruction of (8) War Parties and (2) Warbands. You have been awarded 2,360 War Points (-1,860 due to current Warlord Rank, see your Warlord Perk Tree for more information on War Points).
--- Your Warband has acquired the War Feat...Besieger 1 (See your Warlord tab for more information).
--- Your Warband has acquired the War Feat...Unstoppable 1 (See your Warlord tab for more information).

<<<>>>

Notice: You have received the Favor of Nyx and your Luck Attribute has permanently increased by (+15). 

<<<>>>

Notice: You have consumed the blood of a Shadow Drake and forged a Blood Bond with a Shadow Drake. Only time will tell what effects this will have on both of you.

<<<>>>

Weapon Name: Moonlight
Weapon Type: Bladed Weapon; Adamant, Shadow Steel, Gold and Silver Wire, Black Diamonds, Two-Handed Arming Sword
Class: Ancient Artifact; Living Weapon (Level 5)
Base Damage: 60
Primary Effect...
--- +50 Shadow Damage + (Character Level X 0.5)
--- Increase Vitality by (Character Level X 0.5)
--- Increase Spirit by (Character Level X 0.5)
--- +10 Constitution
--- +10 Strength
Secondary Effects...
--- Living Weapon's Gift: +400 Experience per Kill
--- Living Weapon's Price: -200 Experience per Kill
--- Death Blade: This weapon can harm both Mortal and God alike.
--- Moonlight Skill Tree Unlocked

'Forged with the Blood and Hope of the Vampire people, Moonlight will never break while wielded in service to those in need.'

<<<>>>

Quest Alert: From the Ashes

Description: The ancient Vampire Kingdom was destroyed, but what was lost in the fires of war can be rebuilt. Abraxxus, your new Seneschal has advised you in order for the Vampire people to fully recover, a new kingdom and Faction needs to be founded. In order to do that, you have to find a Kingdom Seal, which are rarer then Demon Tears. However, if you do find one, the future of the Vampire people and Eternal Night will be more assured. 

Update: You have secured a Kingdom Seal, now the choice you have is to use it yourself or turn it over to the Queen. The choice and consequences of that choice are up too you. 

Quest Class: Kingdom Based; Legendary Quest Chain

Quest Difficulty: Unknown

Success: Locate and recover a Kingdom Seal

Failure: Do not locate and recover a Kingdom Seal

Rewards: Unknown

<<<>>>

I read through all the Notifications and brought up Moonlights information, the Death Blade effect was new and while I had no wish to go up against any god or goddess, it was good to know I had something to bring to an argument if need be. I got out of the bath and pulled the blade from my Inventory and out of its sheath to study it.

The blade was still almost the same, but new runes that glowed with sickly green-black energy ran opposite of the purple-black runes now, and the image of a Reaper or reaper-like character was at the base of the blade near the hilt and crossguard. "Most men when they say they play with their swords in the bath, do not mean their actual swords." I looked over to see a bemused Chalxae studying my naked form. 

I glared at her and made Moonlight disappear back into my Inventory as it started laughing at me, "Well that's good to know, but kind of been too busy for anything like that. What do you need?" I asked the Drow as I grabbed a towel and started to dry off. 

"Food is ready, and your armor is waiting for you as well. Hurry up." Chalxae replied with a wink before sauntering out the door and closing it shut, I rolled my eyes, Drow! One minute they are trying to kill you, the next they want to fuck you, very little in-between. 

I finished drying and left the bathroom and quickly started donning my armor but Sessa came in and shook her head before laying out some clothing on the nearby bed. "Your armor is mismatched, wear the clothing and boots. None of them are meant for combat but are perfect for a formal occasion and will be acceptable by the queen." the Pyromancer stated and I studied the clothing. It was pitch black mostly, but the emblem of the Executioner was on the right breast. 

I turned to face Sessa who was studying my expression, "Thank you for this. Where did you get it? Something like this would have taken time to be made." I told her and she blushed. 

"I had it made when you sent us into the city to buy equipment. I knew you would need something for any formal events but until you decide on a personal motif I cannot have it put on your clothing." Sessa replied and I acted impulsively and gave her a hug causing her to freeze up slightly before relaxing.

"Thank you Sessa, I won't forget this gift," I told her before releasing her and she blushed again before scrambling out the door. I quickly pulled off what little armor I had on and donned my new clothing. 

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