In truth, there was a lot to do anyway, such changes had occurred from his rewards, that the outpost was completely different. The simple outpost tower with its enclosed walls had changed overnight, growing in size and complexities. But now Jazmel was in awe of just how much it had changed.
The black wing stronghold now appeared to be a majestic city, set against the backdrop of towering, rugged mountains. The architecture now grand and imposing, with high walls and the outpost tower had now become the one and most impressive one which now reached towards the sky. The city is situated on a steep hill, with its structures tiered and layered, giving a sense of both scale and depth. The central tower is particularly prominent, standing taller than all other structures, likely serving as a significant landmark or citadel within the stronghold.
The atmosphere is serene yet powerful, with a mist or low-hanging clouds enveloping the lower parts of the city, creating an ethereal and almost mystical feel. The mountains surrounding the city are vast and intimidating, reinforcing the city's sense of isolation and fortification. A lone figure, possibly a traveller or a warrior, stands in the foreground, gazing up at the city from a lower vantage point, emphasizing the grandeur and awe-inspiring nature of the stronghold. The overall colour palette is muted, with soft greys, whites, and blues, adding to the otherworldly and timeless quality of the scene.
But this wondrous change, was not solely for them all, though the outpost had suddenly become a stronghold, growing in strength and power, it wasn’t just this that looked different, no Jazmel had finally done it, finally become a master tier. Though only a beginner, and not really fully in the tier as he had skipped ranker tier III all together.
But that wasn’t the only changes, just the beginning, he took a moment to look over his system status screen.
Name: Jazmel
Level: 100
Species: Tyrant*
Rank: Master tier I
Class: Sword Scion
Trait: HEART OF THE SWORD (BORN TRAIT)
Tempered body; Domineering tyrant
Health: 6680/6680
Stamina: 4332/4332
Mana: 4320/4320
Soul 3770/3770
STR:193(+5) PER:201
VIT:186 END:184(+3)
INT:186 WIL:191(+7)
AGL:174 DEX:178
Skills:
- Sundering Raven (tier I)
- Great Rumbling Dragon (tier II)
- Flaming Evisceration (tier I)
- NONE
- NONE
Title(s):
THE ARDUOUS PATH (PERMANENT)
FIEND BANE (ACTIVE)
BEASTIAL BYAKKO SENSES (PASSIVE)
TYRANNY OF THE TYRANT DRAGON (PASSIVE)
SERPENT SLAYER (UNACTIVE)
DEMON SLAYER (UNACTIVE)
AWAKENER (PASSIVE)
BASTION OF THE TYRANT (PASSIVE)
Unused Stat points: 0
442X PLATINUM COINS
782X WHITE GOLD COINS
4X GOLD COINS
Item(s):
TIER II 2X COLD IRON ORE
TIER I 1X GREATER GRAVE IRON ORE
2/3 PIECES OF THE PLAQUE
TIER III TUNIC OF TUMERIN
TIER II ARMOUR OF THE STEADFAST
X8 TIER III GORGON SCALES
TIER III GORGON HEART
TIER III MOON LOTUS FLOWER
TIER III BOG HAG MUCUS SAC
TIER III SWAMP WITCH MIASMA POTION
X5 TIER II ROCK SALAMANDER FANGS
X9 TIER II ROCK SALAMANDER SKIN
TIER I MAGELLANIC MEMORY MOULD
X4 TIER III ACIDIC SCORPION CARAPACE PIECE
TIER I 10 YEAR MANA GINSENG
TIER III REAPING GRIM BEAST CORE
TIER III RED MASK
TIER III LAMP OF LELUTHIAN
X10 TIER II BRUTE BOAR TUSKS
TIER IV DREAD HERETIC CORE
TIER III ARMOUR SET OF THE NIGHT WING
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TIER III SKILL EVOLVE TOKEN
X10 TIER II GREATER MANA POTIONS
X7 TIER II GREATER HEALTH POTIONS
X10 TIER II GREATER STAMINA POTIONS
TIER III ALCOLI THE GHOUL CORE
TIER III GARGAUNTUAN SABRE OF CULLING
TIER III LION HELM OF ADVERSITY
RANKER TIER SCOURGING SCARAB
MASTER TIER ASHES OF THE FALLEN
TIER III RUNE OF THE ART OF THE SWORDPLAY
MASTER TIER SONG OF THE SUNDERING
RANKER TIER TITLE OF THE DRAGON SONG
TIER III LEVEL UP TOKEN
X2 TIER III SWORDS OF THE SHIELDMAIDEN
TIER II KEY TO THE GARDEN OF THE AESIR
SIX WINGS OF THE FALLEN VALKRYIE
TIER IV CAVE BEAR BONE
TIER IV SHADOW ADVENT CORE
TIER V ANGELLUM SPEAR
MASTER TIER BLOOD CORE
MASTER TUER ARMOUR SCHEMA
MASTER TIER RUKH SONG
MASTER TIER SKILL TOKEN
MASTER TIER SWORD TOKEN
TIER IV SWORD SCHEMA
TIER III DOUBLE CORE SCHEMA
COMPANION: NIGHT DRAGON
LEVEL 10
PARTY:
5/5
BAEK LVL 115
It was almost impossible to believe he had gained all of this, in just under a year within the labyrinth. He had made it to master tier, but in truth, in just that year, they had undergone so much change, he and his core members of his party had literally entered the labyrinth together and now they were the top figures in a faction they had created together.
His seat of authority had changed, the central node and his ‘power’ over his domain was still in the same place, but his chamber and seat had changed immensely. Mana had enlarged the tower, it was far more robust, expanding in size and structure, but it still kept the fundamentals of his previous design.
The faction had grown in strength too, he looked at that screen too.
YOUR FACTION INTERFACE SCREEN
STRONGHOLD – BLACK WING FACTION
TIER III STRONGHOLD
- 42% STRONGHOLD STRENGTH
- 100% REGION MAP
FACTION LEADER SCREEN INTERFACE
FACTION LEADER – JAZMEL
WAR COMMANDER – MARY
FORGE MASTER – GORIN
SCHOLAR – BAEK
FACTION CAPTAINS
- BANNERMAN
- KATIE
- GILMORE
- GELTH
- ELAI
- WENDY
- LYSANDER
- TERA NEMA
- GRACE
- MYN
- MORWEN
FACTION RETAINERS (WELL KNOWN)
- TANGO
- SADE
- LENO
- SERAFINA
- SAIF
OUTPOST POPULATION
- 5 MASTER TIER
- 18 RANKER TIER
- 250 SEEKER TIER
GROUPS
- CLAW
- MOUNTAIN BREAKERS
- BRADDON HILL DEFENDERS
- WANDERERS
ALLIES
- KINGDOM OF OREVALOR
- BRADDON HILL
Things had changed, a great deal actually. Firstly he wasn’t the only one to reach master tier. Katie had also, with a trick. One of the rewards she had gotten after fighting the final guardian of Solis. She had been given a soul chain, or a link that connected her soul to her chains. It would allow her to imbue some of her spirit into her chains. But in doing this, she had opened her soul point too, the soul chain link acting as a tier tribulation item. It was as if the system was cheating them, but Jazmel didn’t mind if his friends grew stronger, as long as they were able to protect themselves, but he didn’t step in the way of them training. No everyone had their own plots and plans within the labyrinth.
Sadé had made it into ranker tier III, she hadn't been able to open her soul point on her own. but she had been given a plot. she would need to find the forest of the Kitsune, once she did, she would be able to seek direction. So she had begun planning for entering the labyrinth and seeking her plot. Jazmel had offered to go with her, but she had declined his kind offer. Stating that he needed to go on his own journey, and this was something she had to do too. In truth though a little hurt, he understood her words and decided to not fight her, but she was not to go alone. No it had been discussed and decided that when the labyrinth opened its gates, Sadé would enter. Alongside Elai, Timone, Tera Nema and Morwen.
Gelth and Gil had grown close with Lysander, and they had been going back and forth to train him and his peers. But also to maintain the strong bonds with the stronghold of the black wing. But as the labyrinth had been locked, it had been decided that when the gates opened, they would go and see how he was doing, how the Braddon hills were. So another group was formed; Gelth, Gilmore, Wendy, and Grace.
Myn had taken to the maps within the tower exceptionally and nobody had told her, that Patton had once laid claim. But from they were empty she took control of them, it was through her that they managed to complete 100% of the domain region, they had mapped it out, but conquering it was another conversation all together. So it was Mary, Morwen, Tango and Bannerman. Actively working around leading different groups and retainers of some strength, trying to clear the domain and all its recesses and reaches.
But all in all, they were busy with hard work. The daily duties of the domain had changed as they had become a stronghold, something about it had given more complicated tasks for those with higher status. Even Melle who was the head secretary of them all, was busy with running the literally living arrangements of everyone and everything. When the outpost got upgraded, so did she and she needed to add to her ranks to ensure all needs were met, but she worked like the AI. She was so meticulous, and she ran the black wing stronghold like an efficient company.
She had come to Jazmel when he, Sadé, Katie and Bannerman had been sitting in the stronghold main chamber. Where his seat of authority had been enhanced and strengthened, the hall hadn't changed much, extending a bit further backwards and the steps up to his seat were stretched. But the seat remained the same and when he sat in it, the system energy almost buzzed with welcome.
Melle had asked for an audience and when he had accepted she had come in and taken to standing on the other side of the step, opposite to Baek. Proof of how high her position was within the stronghold maybe.
“My Lord.” She started and he almost rolled his eyes, but Sadé and Baek had, had serious words with him. status was a responsibility of accountability. Him hiding from his title and status only belittled all the people who chose to follow him and support his endeavours, and so he needed to acknowledge his position and not shirk his role.
“Yes Melle, welcome. How can I be of service.” He said and he fought back the shudder he felt unfurl in his spine; he hated the formalities. But besides himself, everyone else seemed more comfortable with him when he carried himself like this.
“Congratulations on upgrading your outpost to a stronghold, many changes are occurring even now, as we speak. But not to worry, I have the means to my needs.” She explained and Jazmel nodded, thanking her.
“I have come about another task; another moment is at hand.” Melle said and something stirred in his stomach. He suddenly felt a little worried.
“What do you need from me?” he asked, and she smiled.
“We need you to name the stronghold.” She explained and the others sighed, Jazmel realised he too had been holding his breath, but as he looked around the room. He noticed the look of affirmation on Baek’s face and Sadé seemed to acknowledge it too.
“But we have always called the outpost the black wing outpost? Why should I change the name?” Jazmel asked, perplexed.
“No, your faction who resides within the stronghold are the black wing faction and are members of follow the flag of the black wing. But a stronghold is much more than an outpost, in truth as we do not have the numbers we cannot call it a town, but the domain expanding with the stronghold, we could build a city here and a home needs a name. Something for the retainers to return to, but also to keep its name in their heart.” she explained and Jazmel had to admit, it made sense.
“I hadn't considered this; I am not too sure as to what it should be.” He said, suddenly quiet and then a name came to him, fell between his lips and with a smile, it ushered out.
“I actually do have a name, we will call the stronghold, Moxores. The Moxores stronghold of the black wing faction.” He said and everyone looked at him, curious to the name but Baek knew, he always knew. He froze, trying his best to keep his emotions and Jazmel could tell not only he would be pleased with it.
DING!
YOU HAVE PICKED A NAME FOR YOUR STRONGHOLD!
…
…
ARE YOU SURE?
Y/N?
WITH PICKING THE NAME, IT WILL PERMANENTLY BE REFERRED TO IT AS THIS
THE GATE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER THE STRONGHOLD
The system bid him, and that was a curious option for him, but he wasn’t worried. No he had strong people present and even stronger people ensuring the safety of the faction.
“I will name the stronghold Moxores, after my mother’s name and we will protect our domain. Once the gates reopen, seekers will be given access to the domain. It will be like a trades town.” Jazmel explained and the others began to discuss amongst themselves.
“We accept the name, and I will prepare trade spots and our wares for seekers.” Melle said with a low curtsy.
DING!
MOXORES STRONGHOLD OF THE BLACK WING FACTION HAS BEEN NAMED!
THE DOMAIN BELONGS TO THE BLACK WING FACTION!!
ONCE THE LABYRINTH OPENS AGAIN THE DOMAIN WILL BE ABLE TO BE ACCESSED!
The system announced to all within the stronghold and Jazmel simply exhaled slowly. Whatever happened from now, he would face it with his friends.