Underdark- Unending Abyss Region
Nightwell Fortress

I studied the cloth-wrapped figures, twelve dead compared to over two hundred enemies killed, it was an overwhelming victory. Yet staring at the still bodies of our dead, it didn't feel like it. "My lord, what do you want to do with the prisoners?" Sergeant Shadowsteel prodded. 

A part of me wanted to execute every single one of them, but I knew that was a short-sighted and foolish choice. Yet my anger at them would not let me let them go unscathed. "We will transport them back to the city. The Queen will decide their fate and they are better equipped to question the captives that would know more valuable information." I told the Duergar. I turned and looked at Abraxxus, "Prepare a letter and send Master Stonehand please." I told the Lich before turning and striding towards the drawbridge and into the settlement proper. 

I had a list of notifications, but I needed a moment to myself. When starting this endeavor, I hadn't thought it all the way through. I was just blinded by rage and the need for revenge. Now...now I wanted it to just all go away for a few moments. It had become too real, too close to me. People who followed me had died, and there was nothing I could do about it. Before I knew it I was in the town hall and sitting down. 

Surprisingly it was Glagor studying my blood-covered form. "I can see it's been a stressful day, yes?" I nodded absently and the Dwarf grunted before pouring a cup of something and shoving it my way. "Drink, then talk." the Mountain Dwarf told me and I took the cup and downed the contents, and coughed slightly. 

I gave the empty cup back, "Thank you, it has been a long couple of days and I needed that. I assume you have been in battle and war for your people?" I asked him and he nodded with a frown, probably trying to figure out where I was going. "Does the sense of loss and anger ever stop or go away?" I asked the Dwarf.

Glagor sighed and poured himself a small cup and shook his head before downing the contents in one go. "No, and if you ever stop feeling that sense of loss, that is when you need to worry. So who or what did you fight with?" the Dwarf asked. 

I gestured around us, "This place used to belong to House Dhalmass, but they were meddling with all the local people in this part of the Underdark. Causing trouble, manipulating events, and getting ready to do something really bad. We interrupted their plans and claimed this place as our own. They sent a small army to reclaim this place, we stopped them but it cost us." I told Glagor.

The Dwarf studied me for a few moments and nodded slightly, "Well, you certainly choose your enemies well. They will keep coming." Glagor stated and I grunted. I knew I had to gain the initiative, but I had no idea where they were working in the Region. 

"In a couple of days, we will be heading out. Friends of mine have contacted your Clan and they will meet us. If you don't trust the people we meet, say so and we will cover you and get you out of there." I told the Dwarf earning a grunt. 

"Why would you do that?" Glagor asked me, while his tone was light, there was a certain gravity to the situation.

"What was done to you was wrong. I have no idea how you ended here, but it's clear as day to me, someone within your Clan or Thiag sold you out. Otherwise, you would have never ended up in that mine under the gentle hands of that Necromancer. So it's clear to me you need help and maybe even protection. If I can do that, I will." I told the Dwarf before standing. "For the record, House Dhalmass is not the worst thing I have come across over the last couple of weeks. I have...other things that weigh on my mind." I told the Dwarf earning a curious glance. 

"What would that be?" Glagor prodded earning a chuckle from me.

I considered telling him about the grimoire but thought it best to generalize instead. "Let's say, in theory, if someone came across an Item of Power that was semi-sentient. How would one go about either containing it or destroying such an item? Could I throw it into a volcano or drop it into the ocean?" I asked the Dwarf causing him to frown and shake his head. 

"Every Item of Power I know of has ways to protect themselves from destruction. The only sure way, that I am aware of is for those that created it, to destroy the item in question. I am willing to bet the people that created your item in question won't just sit around and let you experiment and those that created won't destroy it either." Glagor responded and I stood up and shook my head. 

So much for the One Ring solution, there was no Mount Doom for the Grimoire of the Abyss that I could throw it in. "What about containing it or weakening it so it cannot escape its confines," I asked the Dwarf. 

Glagor frowned and shook his head, "Items like that, with the power invested in them, not that I am aware of. Possible a sufficiently powerful Mage could contain it for a time, but it would only work for so long." the Dwarf replied and I nodded before heading to the door. "Why tell me all this?" Glagor asked and I smiled before turning back to the Dwarf. 

"All of them think of me as a leader, to be strong and unflappable. They forget I am mortal too with the same vulnerabilities and weaknesses and that eventually even I will get overwhelmed." I told him and stopped and shrugged my shoulders. "Also, I never met my grandparents, but I get a sense you are a grandfather and I think you make an excellent grandfather," I told him before leaving him and heading for my room.

Magrum waited outside, "Master Stonehand, walk with me please." I told the Duergar and he fell in beside me as I walked towards my private quarters. "I want a cairn built for those we lost. I know the quarry yields mainly granite, but does it produce enough of other types of stone to create a cairn?" I asked the Duergar. 

"Yes my lord, while granite is the main type of stone we harvest, we also have some marble as well. I can have it cut and molded within a day if that is acceptable." Magrum responded and I clapped my hand on his shoulder.

"Do your best Magrum, these were our people and they died for all of us. Do the best you can and get with Abraxxus, I don't know if we have any sculptors, but if we do the Lich would know." I told the Duergar who bowed slightly before heading off. "No smart-ass comments?" I asked Moonlight as I started to strip off my armor. 

While the armor stand wouldn't repair any major physical damage, the enchantments would clean off all the blood and grime. "Honestly Jacob, nothing comes to mind and it has been difficult enough as is without me being a jackass. So I decided to give you a break today, but don't worry I am saving them up." the sword responded causing me to smile for the first time. "Just don't get all depressed boss. Something tells me that isn't the last battle we are going to get into and it won't be the last of the losses we will suffer." Moonlight finished before going dormant.

I nodded in response, "I understand my friend and although I have lost friends and comrades, this is the first time people died because of my orders and choices. It makes it more real." I told the blade as I finished hanging the last of the armor on the stand. The small bath was attached to the room and with a touch, the copper bath started to fill with hot water. While the housing within the town hall was limited, it was better than the rooms in the longhouses. With a thought I dissolved the Warband, I had created before the first wave of the Swarm and it was long overdue for a break and brought up my waiting notifications.

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Quest Alert: Making a Stand

Notice: Despite the best efforts of the invaders, you managed to soundly defeat their force. However, your victory did not come without cost. While the dead will never be forgotten, do not let their sacrifice drown you in sorrow for each gave their lives willingly in the defense of you, their family, and their land. You have received 10,000 Experience, Increase Settlement War Spirit by 100, and Settlement Morale and Loyalty by 250. 

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2 X Level up!

You have (30) unassigned Attribute Points.

You have (5) unassigned Skill Points.

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Notices...

--- You have slain 3 War Party Leaders, 2 Champions, 1 Scout, 1 Decurion, and 1 Centurion increasing your War Spirit by 200
--- After many battles against both beast and man your Warband has accrued 1,240 War Points (-745 Due to Rank)
--- You have acquired the War Feat...Unbroken I
--- Your Warband has acquired the War Feat...Besieged I
--- You have received a promotion from Decurion to Centurion*.

Note* Review your Warlord Ability information on any changes due to your promotion.

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War Feat Name: Unbroken I
Description: You have been tried and tested, yet your mind, body, and spirit remain unbroken by your enemies.
Effect 1: +10% decreased Mental Fatigue from Battle and Sieges.
Effect 2: 5% Chance enemy Mental Attacks and Effects will be turned back against them.

War Feat Name: Besieged I
Description: You will not always go to your enemies, sometimes they will come to you. When that happens, you will have the advantage of when and where to fight.
Effect 1: +5% Armor when defending a fortified position.
Effect 2: +5% Damage when defending a fortified position.

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I read all the information with great care, especially about all the Warlord information. Mental Damage and Effects could turn the tide of any battle, but few Classes existed that could use mental magic offensively. Unlike most mages, it took time to cast and if your target resisted the effects of your spells, it was a pretty sure thing you would die. Yet those few Classes that could use their spells both effectively on their enemies were just as dangerous as other mages, if not more so. More importantly, I had hit level twenty-five unlocking several new skills I could invest in. 

However, I was pulled from my though by someone tapping on my shoulder. "Move forward please." I jerked in surprise but did so and Chalxae slipped into the tub right behind me.

I cleared my throat trying to think, "Not that I mind, but why are you here?" I asked her as she pulled me back and I felt her nipples dig into my skin. 

"Your Thralls worry about your mind and heart. This is your first real fight on your own, and while you won overwhelmingly, you also lost." Chalxae commented as she scrubbed my back and neck. "Drax was going to come, but I suggested he and Mug go check on our Dwarf guest and came in their stead. You were so distracted by your thoughts and Interface, you didn't notice me enter your bathroom or stripping naked. I am not sure if I should be insulted or not." the Drow Vampire commented causing me to chuckle. 

I felt a smile grow on my face, "As much as I enjoy the Shaman's company, I do not wish it in the bath or bedroom." I told her and turned slightly so I could see her face. "You are not required either Chalxae, as a former Thrall or as one of my new Vassal's. My rule about not forcing one of you into my bed is still in effect." I told her and she snorted before kissing my cheek.

"If I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't be you, foolish man. I am a woman and while I do enjoy a romp with women from time to time, I do prefer the male sex even more." Chalxae responded before pushing my head to face foreword again. "Now, let us finish bathing I expect you to slake my lusts before you go to sleep." the Rogue stated but I was fairly sure it was a demand.