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{{Hatnote|This article is about the campaign. For the scenario, see [[The Rise of Wesnoth (scenario)]].}}
{{Infobox Campaign
| name=The Rise of Wesnoth
| image=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wesnoth/wesnoth/master/data/campaigns/The_Rise_Of_Wesnoth/images/units/noble-lord.png
| difficulty=Expert
| protagonist=[[Haldric I|Prince Haldric]]
| result=
* Ethnic cleansing of humans on the [[Green Isle]].
* Mass migration of humans to the Great Continent.
* Founding of the Kingdom of Wesnoth.
| belligerents 1=
* [[Stormvale|Kingdom of Stormvale]]
* Wesfolk
* [[Clearwater|Kingdom of Clearwater]]
* [[Southbay|Kingdom of Southbay]]
* [[Oldwood Forest|Oldwood]] woses
* Mermen
| belligerents 2=
* Lich-Lords
* Orcs
* Saurians
* Nagas
* Trolls
* Monsters
| leaders 1=
* '''[[Haldric I|Prince Haldric]]'''
* [[Jessene]]
* [[Eldaric IV]] †
* [[Aethyr]] †
* [[Addroran IX]] †
* [[Elilmaldur-Rithrandil]]
* [[Typhon]]
| leaders 2=
* [[Jevyan]] †
}}
'''The Rise of Wesnoth''' is a campaign documenting the migration of humans from the [[Green Isle]] to the Great Continent, led by [[Haldric I|Prince Haldric]], and the subsequent founding of Wesnoth.

The story begins during a war between [[Southbay]] and the Wesfolk, causing the Wesfolk's Lich-Lords to open gateways for armies of orcs to pour through on the Green Isle. The plot revolves around Haldric, who was forced to leave behind his sovereign father and lead the people of [[Stormvale]] south. When circumstance demanded that Haldric take an alternative route through the [[Oldwood Forest]], he was able to retrieve the Ruby of Fire, a Lich-Lord artifact. He arrived at [[Clearwater|Clearwater Port]], then continued to Southbay.

On the advice of [[Jessene|Lady Jessene]], Haldric set sail eastward, bringing the Green Isle survivors with him. Upon arriving at the Great Continent, he was assigned four quests to complete before being allowed to settle in the land, courtesy of the elves. He found out, however, that the powerful [[Jevyan|Lich-Lord Jevyan]] had followed him, desiring the Ruby of Fire. Haldric hastened west, fighting against large numbers of orcs and undead, and eventually managed to destroy Jevyan, and in the process, convince the surviving orcs that he had given the Ruby of Fire to the elves. He founded the Kingdom of Wesnoth.

== Plot ==

=== A Summer of Storms ===

{{Main|A Summer of Storms}}

During the summer harvest, a group of Wesfolk seized the [[Stormvale|Kingdom of Stormvale]]'s Nothern Keep. [[Eldaric IV|King Eldaric IV]] allowed his son, [[Haldric I|Prince Haldric]] to lead a retaliatory assault. They defeated the Wesfolk, and captured their leader,<ref name="summer">{{Cite|summer}}</ref> later revealed to be [[Jessene|Lady Jessene]].<ref name="return">{{Cite|return to oldwood}}</ref> She explained that the Wesfolk were fleeing from their own Lich-Lords, who had opened gateways for orcs to invade the [[Green Isle]]. Eldaric accepted Jessene's surrender.<ref name="summer"/>

=== The Fall ===

{{Main|The Fall}}

Although Eldaric IV attempted to defend Stormvale against the orcs, his forces were routed. Before he could evacuate the populace, he realized that Jessene had returned and settled in the south pass. With Haldric's help, he successfully captured Jessene again, allowing the people of Stormvale to hasten through the south pass. Eldaric tasked Haldric with leading the refugees south while he held the orcs back.<ref name="fall">{{Cite|fall}}</ref>

=== A Harrowing Escape ===

{{Main|A Harrowing Escape}}

While traveling through the Southern Pass, the refugees were blocked by a group of orcs. Haldric's army were forced to clear the way, although they received help from [[Burin|Burin the Lost]], a dwarf, who lived in the surrounding mountains. Upon defeating the orcs, Haldric was forced to choose between traveling southeast through the [[Midlands]] or southwest through the [[Swamp of Esten]].<ref name="harrowing">{{Cite|harrowing}}</ref>

=== The Swamp of Esten ===

{{Main|The Swamp of Esten}}
{{Plot branch
|branch text=Haldric chose to travel southeast
|contents=The refugees then came to the swamp of Esten. Shortly thereafter, they found [[Edren|Minister Edren]] in one of the temples. Bringing Edren along with them, they fought their way through various undead forces, finding and killing the three cultists who occupied the swamp, allowing the refugees to pass through. Before they could proceed, they were intercepted by [[Ruddry|Sir Ruddry]], who warned Haldric of forces blocking the path to [[Clearwater|Clearwater Port]], forcing the refugees to make a detour through the [[Oldwood Forest]].<ref name="esten">{{Cite|esten}}</ref>
}}
=== The Midlands ===

{{Main|The Midlands}}
{{Plot branch
|branch text=Haldric chose to travel southwest
|contents=The refugees then arrived at the Midlands, which had been sacked by a group of orcs. Haldric's men swiftly responded by killing the orcish warlords there. Before they could proceed, they were intercepted by [[Ladoc|Sir Ladoc]], who warned Haldric of forces blocking the path to [[Southbay]], forcing the refugees to make a detour through the Oldwood Forest.<ref name="midlands">{{Cite|midlands}}</ref>
}}
=== The Oldwood ===

{{Main|The Oldwood}}

The Stormvale refugees arrived at the Oldwood Forest, where they were asked by [[Elilmaldur-Rithrandil]] to help his fellow woses resist a group of invading orcs. Haldric successfully drove the orcs out of the forest. Elilmaldur-Rithrandil offered to help Haldric on his journey by opening a [[Oldwood catacombs|temple's catacombs]], wherein Haldric could retrieve the Ruby of Fire.<ref name="oldwood">{{Cite|the oldwood}}</ref>

=== Temple in the Deep ===

{{Main|Temple in the Deep}}

Haldric's fighting men descended into the catacombs of the temple, causing the [[Lenvan|Lich-Lord Lenvan]] to attempt an escape. Haldric managed to hold back Lenvan's undead forces and killed Lenvan, stealing the Ruby of Fire before returning to the surface with his men.<ref name="temple">{{Cite|temple}}</ref>

=== Return to Oldwood ===

{{Main|Return to Oldwood}}

Haldric's fighting men emerged victorious from the Catacombs, where they were greeted by Elilmaldur-Rithrandil. Before they could proceed towards Southbay, Haldric was confronted by Jessene, who informed him that there was an army of orcs blocking the path to Southbay, and that they should travel to Clearwater Port instead. To earn his trust, she revealed her identity as a former Wesfolk princess.<ref name="return"/>

=== Clearwater Port ===

{{Main|Clearwater Port}}

Haldric led his refugees to Clearwater Port, where they learned that [[Final King of Clearwater|the king]] had been slain in battle against the orcs and the nobles had fled, leaving [[Aethyr|Commander Aethyr]] in charge of the evacuation efforts. Aethyr requested that Haldric help protect the port while the final boatloads of refugees departed. Haldric agreed, and held out for as long as possible before setting sail, deciding to travel by [[Fallen Lich Point (peninsula)|Fallen Lich Point]] to retrieve the Book of Fire and Darkness.<ref name="clearwater>{{Cite|clearwater}}</ref>

=== Fallen Lich Point ===

{{Main|Fallen Lich Point (scenario)}}

Upon arriving at Fallen Lich Point, Haldric uttered the magic words which released the [[Caror|Lich-Lord Caror]]. Haldric's men killed Caror, and were thus able to steal the Book of Fire and Darkness, a tome documenting the use of the Ruby of Fire. They then managed to get past a group of orcs and enter the [[Southbay sewers|sewer of Southbay]].<ref name="fallen">{{Cite|fallen}}</ref>

=== Sewer of Southbay ===

{{Main|Sewer of Southbay}}

Upon entering the sewer of Southbay, Haldric's forces encountered twin magi who had been previously banished into the sewers. They sensed the Ruby of Fire, determined to obtain it for themselves. Despite this, Haldric defeated the two magi and successfully navigated to the sewer exit in Southbay.<ref name="sewer">{{Cite|sewer}}</ref>

=== Southbay in Winter ===

{{Main|Southbay in Winter}}

Once Haldric's men emerged from the sewers, they sought an audience with [[Addroran IX|King Addroran IX]]. He was initially opposed to protecting the Wesfolk, but relented when Jessene offered to help, revealing that she was the [[First Crown Prince of Southbay]]'s navigator, helping him to reach the Great Continent. They decided that they would defend Southbay against the orcs long enough to reprovision their ships.<ref name="winter">{{Cite|southbay in winter}}</ref>

=== A Final Spring ===

{{Main|A Final Spring}}

As spring came, a number of orcs laid siege to Southbay, forcing Haldric to help Addroran to mount a defense. During the fight, [[Typhon|Lord Typhon]] appeared and negotiated a deal with Jessene for aid. Shortly thereafter, the [[Jevyan|Lich-Lord Jevyan]] appeared, confirming fears that the orcs were in league with the Lich-Lords. He was able to sense the Ruby of Fire. Though Jevyan left a handful of undead forces on the battlefield, Haldric defeated the orcs and was able to set sail.<ref name="final">{{Cite|a final spring}}</ref>

=== Peoples in Decline ===

{{Main|Peoples in Decline}}

Haldric's fleet of ships eventually arrived at the island of [[Morogor]], formerly visited by the First Crown Prince of Southbay. When diplomacy efforts failed, Haldric had no choice but to pacify the drakes before he was able to reprovision his ships and set sail east once more.<ref name="peoples">{{Cite|peoples}}</ref>

=== Rough Landing ===

{{Main|Rough Landing}}

After particularly severe weather, Haldric's fleet were scattered. With Typhon's help, he attempted to regroup his ships at [[Naga archipelago|a nearby archipelago]], inhabited by hostile nagas. Haldric fought against the nagas and defeated them, allowing him to set sail again.<ref name="rough">{{Cite|rough}}</ref>

=== A New Land ===

{{Main|A New Land (The Rise of Wesnoth)}}

When Haldric laid anchor on the shores of the [[Bay of Pearls]], he encountered a hostile alliance of elves and dwarves. As fighting was about to break out, [[Dionli|Lady Dionli]] appeared and ordered that the two sides cease further combat, telling the humans to accompany her to a meeting of the Ka'lian in the [[Grey Woods]].<ref name="new">{{Cite|a new land-trow}}</ref>

=== The Ka'lian ===

{{Main|The Ka'lian (scenario)}}

Haldric was brought before the Ka'lian, consisting of Dionli, [[Logalmier|Lord Logalmier]], [[Aryad|Lord Aryad]], and [[El'Isomithir|Lord El'Isomithir]]. They negotiated that in order for Haldric to be permitted to settle in the Great Continent, he would need to complete four quests, each set by the different councilors. After completing the tasks, he was awarded elvish land. Before leaving the Ka'lian, Haldric was met by Aethyr who revealed that they had been followed from the Green Isle.<ref name="kalian">{{Cite|the ka'lian}}</ref>

==== The four quests ====

{{Further|The Dragon (The Rise of Wesnoth)|Lizard Beach|Troll Hole|Cursed Isle}}
{{Plot disorder
|title 1=Haldric killed the Dragon
|contents 1=Logalmier tasked Haldric with traveling to the [[Green Swamp]] to defeat [[Shek'kahan]]. Haldric entered the Green Swamp, where Shek'kahan was defended by numerous saurian minions. Despite this, Haldric slew Shek'kahan.<ref name="kalian"/><ref name="dragon">{{Cite|the dragon-trow}}</ref>
|title 2=Haldric drove away the metal-trading saurians
|contents 2=Dionli tasked Haldric with clearing a nearby beach of saurians on the [[Western coast of the Great Continent|western coast]], who were engaging in metal trading with the nagas. Haldric traveled to the beach and drove out the saurians, despite facing opposition from the nagas.<ref name="kalian"/><ref name="lizard">{{Cite|lizard}}</ref>
|title 3=Haldric eradicated the trolls
|contents 3=Aryad tasked Haldric with clearing out a problematic troll-hole in the [[Brown Hills]]. Haldric entered the troll-hole and slayed both of the incumbent troll leaders, before returning to the surface.<ref name="kalian"/><ref name="hole">{{Cite|hole}}</ref>
|title 4=Haldric ended the curse upon the Isle of Tears
|contents 4=El'Isomithir tasked Haldric with sailing to the [[Isle of Tears]] and ending an undead curse over the elves who once lived there. Upon arriving, Haldric was able to defeat the various undead forces.<ref name="kalian"/><ref name="cursed">{{Cite|cursed}}</ref>
}}
=== A Spy in the Woods ===

{{Main|A Spy in the Woods}}

Jessene remained behind as a spy, suspicious of the elves. She discovered that Logalmier had discovered the arrival of the orcs, and that the Ka'lian were willing to betray the humans and attack them if they were sufficiently weakened by the orcs. Realizing this, she hastened back to reveal this news to Haldric.<ref name="spy">{{Cite|spy}}</ref>

=== The Vanguard ===

{{Main|The Vanguard}}

Jessene caught up with Haldric, who was preparing to resist the orcish vanguard, warning him of the elves' potential betrayal. Haldric managed to defeat the orcs, who had bought the cooperation of the trolls, and were supported by multiple teams of undead.<ref name="vanguard">{{Cite|vanguard}}</ref>

=== Return of the Fleet ===

{{Main|Return of the Fleet}}

Haldric reached the shore of the Great Continent, where Jevyan's forces had been stationed in order to prevent Haldric's remaining refugee ships from landing. In spite of Jevyan's interference, and a group of saurians retaliating, Haldric defeated Jevyan's forces there, allowing his ships to land. He asked for a private audience with Jessene to plan his next move.<ref name="fleet">{{Cite|fleet}}</ref>

=== The Plan ===

{{Main|The Plan}}

Haldric told Jessene that he intended to plant a fake treaty on his body, describing a fictitious exchange of possession of the Ruby of Fire with the elves, and that upon being killed, he would persuade the Lich-Lords to divert their energy away from the humans. Jessene attempted to stop him, but Aethyr revealed he had eavesdropped and persuaded Haldric to allow him to take Haldric's place in the ruse.<ref name="plan">{{Cite|plan}}</ref>

=== The Rise of Wesnoth ===

{{Main|The Rise of Wesnoth (scenario)}}

Haldric's forces met the bulk of Jevyan's army at Jevyan's landing site. Jevyan was skeptical of Jessene's claims that they had given away the Ruby of Fire, and the two sides met in battle. During the fight, according to plan, Aethyr was killed by Jevyan, deceiving Jevyan and his orcish followers that the elves now had the ruby. Haldric slew Jevyan and routed the orcs, only allowing a single warlord to escape in the hope that he would spread word of the fictitious exchange.<ref name="rise">{{Cite|rise}}</ref>

=== Epilogue ===

{{Main|Epilogue (The Rise of Wesnoth)}}

Haldric was joined by his closest companions to bury Aethyr. He revealed the subterfuge he had engineered against the elves, making them swear to secrecy. Haldric founded the Kingdom of Wesnoth, becoming its first king. He also proposed to Jessene, making her the first queen consort of Wesnoth.<ref name="epilogue">{{Cite|epilogue-trow}}</ref>

== References ==
<references/>
{{The Rise of Wesnoth}}

[[Category:The Rise of Wesnoth]]