The Swamp of Esten

The Rise of Wesnoth scenario
The Swamp of Esten
Location: Result: Swamp of Esten cultists defeated.
Belligerents
Stormvale refugees Bowmen Horsemen Magi Spearmen Wesfolk[a] Footpads Poachers Thieves Thugs	Cultists Vampire Bats Walking Corpses Dark Adepts Ghouls[b] Ghosts[c] Skeletons[c] Skeleton Archers[c] Mudcrawlers[b] Necrophages[d] Blood Bats[d] Soullesses[d] Giant Mudcrawlers[e] Wraiths[f] Shadows[f] Revenants[f] Deathblades[f] Bone Shooters[f]
Leaders
Prince Haldric Lady Outlaw[a]	Cleon † Lollyra † Clurka †
← A Harrowing Escape
The Oldwood →

The Swamp of Esten is the fourth scenario in The Rise of Wesnoth campaign. It is an optional scenario, and is played if Prince Haldric chose to travel southeast in the previous scenario. If he did not, the scenario The Midlands is played instead.

Background

The Kingdom of Stormvale had been overrun by orcs from the distant west, brought to the Green Isle through gateways opened by the Wesfolk's Lich-Lords. Though its king, Eldaric IV, had perished, its populace had been evacuated by Prince Haldric. Haldric successfully managed to travel through the south pass, and upon arriving at a crossroads, chose to travel southeast to the Swamp of Esten, believing that they would not be followed there by the orcs.

The Swamp of Esten had previously been a river road, but was befouled during the Wesfolk War by the Lich-Lords during a great battle. As a result, it became home to a number of Wesfolk-imitating cultists, capable of summoning the undead. Though Haldric's people once needed to clear the swamp twice a year, this had not been done for a while, due to the orcish invasion.

Scenario

Prince Haldric leads the Stormvale refugees into the Swamp of Esten.

Victory:	Defeat all enemy leaders
Defeat:	Death of Prince Haldric Turns run out
Gold carryover:	Early finish bonus. 40% of gold carried over to the next scenario.

When Haldric arrived at the fog-covered Swamp of Esten with great trepidation, he soon heard the sound of the cultists, and ordered his men to prepare for battle. Shortly thereafter, his men came across a temple, wherein Minister Edren resided. Edren eagerly offered to help Haldric clear the swamp of undead. The refugees encountered various undead forces, summoned by Cleon, Lollyra, and Clurka, but were able to kill each of the three cultists.

Before Haldric could proceed towards Clearwater Port, he was intercepted by Sir Ruddry, warning him not to continue in this direction, as a large number of orcs blocked their way. Haldric decided that he would take a detour through the Oldwood Forest before making a break for Clearwater Port.

Notes

1. ^{^ a b} The Wesfolk and Lady Outlaw only joined Haldric if he chose to spare the latter's life.
2. ^{^ a b} These units only appeared on easy difficulty.
3. ^{^ a b c} These units did not appear on hard difficulty.
4. ^{^ a b c} These units did not appear on easy difficulty.
5. ^{^} This unit only appeared on medium difficulty.
6. ^{^ a b c d e} These units only appeared on hard difficulty.