CampaignDialogue:WoF

This is a transcription of all dialogue from Winds of Fate. It is meant as a resource for Wesnoth writers. If you don't want spoilers, leave this page now.

Death Dialogue

Gorlack

So much left... unfinished...

Resha

Gorlack: Resha!

Zedrix

My dragon, I've failed you...

Arinexis

Zedrix: Arinexisss... your time hass come too sssoon!

Karron

Resha: Alas! Karron is slain!

Scenario 1: The Hunt

Story Text

From the skies above, the glider caste felt the Winds of Fate.

They saw the diminishment of our nourishing lands as the isles of Morogor slipped into the sea. They heard the cries of starving hatchlings before the wasting's eternal hush.

Newer flights scraped out a meager existence on islets of rock their ancestors would have scorned. With envious eyes these flights gazed upon the green expanses of the central isles. Then it began...

One by one, the most desperate flights turned rogue. They broke the long peace among drakes by invading the domains of their neighbors. One by one, the rogues were destroyed by the honorable flights in accord with the Ways. Still more turned; two by two, then four by four. Soon enough there would be more flights to betray the Ways of Morogor than uphold them.

It was in this dark time the glider caste felt a familiar Windpath under their wings, a path newly recast from the twisting Winds of Fate. Curious landbound creatures had been sighted on the Isle of Omarath. Faring across the ocean upon their wooden sea skimmers, they journeyed from beyond one side of the horizon to the other. Even the strongest of wing could not safely follow them so far as they went, lest they pass the point of no return. Just the same, the ancient glider caste had more than a notion of their destination.

For their Spoken Memories told what other castes had forgotten. There are lands beyond Morogor, across the Great Ocean. From there drakes came long ago. To this wider world we needed return.

Introductory Dialogue

Resha: Behold, the Isle of Gaall. The most perilous hunting ground in the Domain of Vladnir. Many a hunter has become its prey.

Gorlack: Our trial for aspirancy has come at last. The hunt that awaits us below will prove a worthy test.

Resha: If only we could still count Karron among us...

I fear without his aid this trial will outmatch us. We too may fall prey to this isle.

Gorlack: Karron never was among us, verily. His heart sought glory over our greater purpose.

We need no further hunters to prevail here. No less of a challenge readies us for aspirancy. Neither the reascension long fortold by your caste.

Call the Hunt.

Resha: By your will - Hunters! Descend!

Turn 3

Resha: Behold the many healing oases which dot this isle. Their cleansing waters purge miasma from wounds. While the tailleaf growing at their shores makes a fine poultice.

Any of us injured during the hunt should seek an oasis for healing.

Reaching the southern village

Unit: Ah, it's you, Gorlack. In my fire for the hunt, I strayed from Karron's pack. Then a bite from venomous prey drove my retreat here.

The waters flowing from the Cenotaph of Kotick have purged the venom from my wound. I ask sanction to join your hunt, so I might now purge the dishonor of my folly.

Gorlack: It was Karron that dishonored himself by not regathering you.

My sanction is given.

Reaching the northern village

Karron: So it is, that timid Gorlack attempts the Trial of Gaall.

Gorlack: So it is, that brave Karron cowers within the Cenotaph of Morogor.

Resha: Karron, you're without companions.

Karron: One was slain. The other went astray.

Resha: To attempt this trial with only two allies was unwise.

Karron: Yet so have I already succeeded, little glider. All my prey-tokens are gathered; my hunt is ended.

Gorlack: Then take your leave.

Karron: As you wish.

Gorlack: ... Karron, hold.

It's perilous to depart from this place unaided.

For your own sake, join us.

Karron: Gorlack, it's purely for your sakes that I shall do so. One final time.

When this isle is behind us, we part again as foes. You'll taste humiliation at the contention. I shall deliver it.

Karron is defeated

Karron: Curse these nipping beasts!

Gorlack, the rest are in your keeping; I must withdraw.

Victory Dialogue

Resha: Victory is yours, Aspirant Gorlack.

Gorlack: Learn from this trial, Resha. Your doubt voiced at the onset of this hunt; see now its futility.

Resha: Your Windpath was well chosen. I was wrong to doubt your fearless heart, to which I owe my life.

Gorlack... though you've forbade it, I must speak of the cave.

My life - debt to you must be -

Gorlack: Nay!

There's nothing more to be said of that place.

You know what lies ahead. Henceforth, we must look only to the future.

Scenario 2: Reclamation

Story Text

Having risen to the rank of aspirant, Gorlack only needed perform an act of duty to secure his entry into the contention.

The opportunity arose with a summons from Dominant Vladnir...

Vladnir: The treachery of Gorath Ohm was only a brush with the coming war between flights. Many eyes watch us that will soon be of rogues. They spy frailty... for even now an infestation of voracious landbound creatures keeps a holdfast on our northermost isle. This isle that was before bountiful with game is now laid bare by these infesters.

Karron: So then let this pestilence be harvested in place of the meat it has taken!

Vladnir: Aspirant Karron, offer your ploy of attack.

Karron: Full encirclement from offshore. No escape will be permitted. From the circle I shall spy their thinnest line of defense. Then strike through it to reach the nighest watchtower. From there I rally a force to purge the isle. Wherever their defenses thin to feed a counterattack against me, the circle will fall upon.

Vladnir: A firm ploy, Aspirant Karron. Now offer yours, Aspirant Gorlack.

Gorlack: Cornered prey defends its back. Encircly is folly. Let our prey think they can thwart us. Two equal wings of drakes. First wing strikes southeast watchtower on first dawn. The creatures will rally to fall upon it, a mere half force as it is. On second dawn, second wing strikes opposite from northwest. When they'll find our prey's back turned to them.

Karron: Your first wing wouldn't last the day, Gorlack. It's you who speaks folly!

Gorlack: The wing will hold. I shall lead it myself to see that it does.

Vladnir: Aspirant Gorlack, for the first time your ploy is bolder than Aspirant Karron's. I'm curious as to why.

Gorlack: So that I may capture the leader of our prey unspoilt. Urged by the touch of flame, this creature might breathe secrets for reaching far lands beyond the sea.

Karron: Again you waste time pondering Resha's glider myths! If the far lands of glider legend ever were, they now dwell below the waves. Every raindrop drowns more of the world till the sky itself is filled.

Gorlack: Wingless. Finless. These intruders are land bound. They can only be from distant land.

Vladnir: So it will be. Aspirant Gorlack, you may take this captive for inquisition. Aspirant Karron, you have lead of the second wing. The Hunt is called.

Introductory Dialogue

Resha: It seems by our swift approach we have evaded our foe's notice. They have yet to rally a defense.

Gorlack: We shall retake the nigh watchtower before they do so. From there we rally a defense of our own.

Resha: If we are to ensnare their leader unharmed, then we must surround it with our hunters.

Gorlack: Make that your first task, Resha. Once we have our captive, burn their sea skimmers. The landbound prey may then be left for our younger hunters to harvest.

Turn 1

Viragar: Rally! Rally! Get to your posts, you scum! Wyrms are raining down on us! Pull our boats back and keep the fire breathers off them!

Viragar is captured

Gorlack: Speak, prey. Your kind fares beyond these isles. You'll tell us of your destinations.

Viragar: Release me now and maybe I let some of you live... for future sport of my archers! Hahahaha!

Gorlack: Put him on the Spit of Telling.

Viragar is killed

Gorlack: Nay! It was to be taken alive!

Diary

Narrator: ... that a fearsome war between drakes is fast approaching.

Each flight is led by a 'dominant' and advised by three ranked intendants. Beneath these are aspirant, whose position is like a princeship except their ascensionto dominant is decided by contest. There's also a caste system that cuts across the flights, with four castes -

- Burners are strategic thinkers and show special concern for their fellow drakes. They're natural leaders. But prideful and prone to losing sight of the little things that grow into defeat.

- Clashers are trusted by all to fairly enforce the Ways of Morogor. They guard the drake hatcheries, and also libraries of secret knowledge engraved into ceramic tablets. They keep these secrets not just from us, but from the other castes.

- Fighters are bold. Quick thinking but decisive to the point of shortsightedness. They're our biggest trouble here.

- Gliders have a curious mind steeped in the 'Spoken Memories', a kind of oral history unknown to the other castes. As scouts, messengers, and stewards of the hunting grounds, they know Morogor is sinking. But the other castes ignore their warnings.

A young glider, Resha, told me his caste hopes to escape Morogor, and I suspect our arrival here may have encouraged them. Thankfully, Jessene keeps all her navigational charts under lock and key. If she hadn't, the beating of dragon wings might be heard over Southbay!

Jessene says her people are familiar with these dragons. Their tomes describe such a race of monsters that drove the Wesfolk from the distant west. And the gliders too have stories of drakes living far beyond Morogor. Resha told me a few of these stories, before our parley was broken by another rebellion from the fighter caste.

- Prince Leodren of Southbay,

26th day of the Eastwood Oceanic Expedition

Finding the Drake Clasher

Gorlack: Clasher, fall in.

Unit: My duty is to first destroy the Secrets of our library.

The Secrets my caste keeps mustn't be seen by a foe.

Gorlack: There's no foe on this isle, only prey.

The hunt has been called. Your prior duty is hereby superseded.

Sheet

Normal unit

Unit: This firescale is far too cumbersome for armor making...

Clasher glyphs are engraved into it; this firescale must bear Secrets of their caste.

Clasher unit

Unit: It's forbidden for me to speak the Secrets engraved into this firescale.

By the Ways of Morogor, we clashers must keep our Secrets.

Turn 7

Resha: Lo! Karron reinforces us.

Karron: I see Gorlack still lasts...

Wing, descend upon the interlopers. Leave no survivors!

Gorlack: Karron, their leader is to remain alive. I want no repeat of last time.

Karron: You don't command me, Gorlack.

Gorlack: I remind you it's by Vladnir's order this creature remains whole.

Karron: So be it. My wing will hold your prize inviolate.

Mostly.

Karron is defeated

Karron: I must withdraw. Another triumph falls to Gorlack alone.

Victory Dialogue

Resha: The sea skimmers are perished. Their hope of escape is no more.

Gorlack: Our hunters will complete the harvesting.

Now see to -

Resha: Lo! An unknown wing approaches from northwest!

Gorlack: Announce yourselves!

Koli: I'm Second Intendant Koli of Flight Omakon.

Resha: The troubled Domain of Omakon is six dozen leagues away.

They're strangely far out...

Karron: They're rogue.

Gorlack: State your purpose here!

Koli: My dominant has sent me to observe the status of this isle.

Karron: So your dominant has you probing for soft scales...

Probe just a little closer, rogue!

Gorlack: If you approach any closer, then by the Ways of Morogor we shall Proclaim you Rogue.

Koli: If my flight were rogue, you'd already know it. For when the time comes to move against you, we shall first warn of our cold intent. As a final honorable act towards you, our fellow drakes...

Then the needs of our hatchlings will demand the taking of your hunting grounds.

For now, I go.

Karron: Indeed, return to your dominant. Tell her of what you have seen here this day. What we've done to these creatures is only a glimpse of the fate which awaits you!

Resha: The rogue flights grow bolder.

Gorlack: Soon they won't matter.

Go ensure that our captive is attended to, Resha.

Scenario 3: Victory Feast

Fresh prey carcasses were justly divided among hunters in accord with the Ways of Morogor. An ample victory feast was had...

Karron: Savory... (crunch)

Sapid... (chewing)... these creatures are a delicacy without match.

Resha: Gorlack, I bear rich tidings. The captive's mind revealed its every secret.

Gorlack: Excellent, Resha! Speak of it.

Resha: 'Orcs' the creatures call themselves.

Karron: (examining his meal)... 'Orkchops'.

(CRUNCH)

Resha: They flow forth from a 'Green Isle' in the distant west. It's great enough to rival even our own central isles.

Yet, further west sits a land vast beyond perception; even from the clouds you couldn't see its entirety. Surely it's the place from which our ancestors followed Dominant Morogor into exile.

Gorlack: It may very well be, Resha. Now speak of our prey's destination in the east.

Resha: Perilous that way is. A wide stretch of sea unexceptional flyers might cross with fortune from the Winds of Fate.

Then only a cluster of shoals to rest them, which might be slid past unnoticed with perilous ease.

Gorlack: Go on.

Resha: Further east, another stretch of sea, nearly as wide.

At last, the Greatland, a land as vast as the ocean itself. Likewise mysterious.

The Spoken Memories tell us drakes once thrived there into the Time of Turmoil. When nigh all of them perished in an unknown calamity.

Gorlack: If there our prey migrates, then there our prey will be most plentiful.

With the flight I earn at the contention, I shall go to this Greatland far beyond. There my eyrie will be set; a beacon leading other flights to salvation.

Karron: Gorlack, that will condemn Vladnir to destruction!

He counts on us, his aspirants, to set eyries within his domain. Only with nigh allies can Flight Vladnir hold against the rogues!

Gorlack: Mine is a higher task, Karron.

I must do as all our folk need. Lest a day comes when none can hold against the rogues. Neither the burning hunger that drives them to treachery.

Karron: Then you, who shirks an ally, must meet defeat at the contention.

I shall win the new flight myself, so that with it the Domain of Vladnir will hold!

Scenario 4: The Contention

Story Text

So the day of the contention came. Each caste elected an aspirant from their ranks to become the new dominant. Each aspirant chose carefully three intendants to aid them.

All the skills to lead a flight were tested. Each aspirant was put through trials of endurance, trials of warfare and trials of the hunt. In the end, only the two aspirants of Vladnir remained to face one another in the Arena of Dominance, in the very heart of Morogor...

Introductory Dialogue

Karron: Today, my old mentor, it's I that teaches you. You shall learn a pivotal lesson in humility!

Gorlack: If just sharp as your tongue were your teeth.

Defeat

Vladnir: Karron has acended to the rank of dominant.

The flight-in-contention is hereby entrusted to Dominant Karron's keeping.

Karron: This must be a dream. I no longer dwell in the shadow of Gorlack.

Victory Dialogue

Vladnir: Gorlack has acended to the rank of dominant.

The flight-in-contention is hereby entrusted to Dominant Gorlack's keeping.

Karron: .........

Gorlack: Drakes!

Fellows of all castes, hear me!

This is a dark time in which we endure. Our lands provide not as once they did. Unfed hatchlings succumb to the wasting. A war among us hastens.

Worse than these all - your hearts bleed fear!

This hope I offer you. There are lands beyond Morogor. Beyond its troubles.

This oath I swear you. I shall lead you to the way beyond. With my new flight, I proceed to the far lands to plant my eyrie!

Vladnir: So it begins...

Gorlack: Upon the greatest of all lands my eyrie will stand.

The Greatland of the east!

Await my summons.

For it will be your salvation!

Narrator: For winning by defeating the rival leader, you receive war claws!

War Claws: The finest work of the Morogor forges, these steel claws increase the damage of the wearer's melee attack.

Scenario 5: Final Departure

Gorlack: Dominant Vladnir, I can no longer remain in this land as your ally.

I seek your forgiveness.

Vladnir: There's nothing for me to forgive.

The Spoken Memories of the glider caste have pointed your course. There's no betterheading I may counsel.

Gorlack: ... I never suspected you held the gliders in such esteem. That you had heard the Spoken Memories.

Perhaps glider wisdom overlaps the many written Secrets your own caste wards.

Vladnir: I'm forbidden to tell. The Gliders may share their Memories. We Clashers must keep our Secrets.

Yet I may say this...

Your glider first intendant is well chosen for the journey ahead of you.

Many matters are now in motion. I go now, for there are preparations to be made...

May your fire light the way in darkness.

Gorlack: May your ancestors tread beside you.

Resha: My Dominant Gorlack, your flight has assembled upon the eastern landing.

Gorlack: There's no need for you to address me by status, Resha. We're still equals regardless of rank.

Resha: My friend, we're not equals, for I owe you my life.

I'd have perished in that cave if not for your intervention.

Gorlack: .........

Resha: Gorlack... there's a matter for which I must give counsel.

You've heard the Memory of our ancient exile to these sinking isles. You've endured the shame of knowing it was Dominant Morogor's betrayal that made it so. While the rest of your caste revere this Ancestor, you alone shoulder the truth.

Gorlack: Verily, it has cooled my heart some, to know our shameful past.

Yet such is a small price for wisdom.

Resha: My friend, the price is yet to be paid. Beyond these isles is a world stranger than words can tell. Things forgotten since the Time of Legend.

When planted are our feet on the Greatland, that place which slewso many of our folk long ago... we must proceed with the utmost caution. With our Windpaath well chosen.

Gorlack: I hear your counsel, Resha. I shall heed it.

Yet set aside your fear, for there's also more to us than words can tell. A power within our hearts to which you'll bear witness. With it we shall part the turbulent Winds of Fate themselves. Leaving in their place, a Windpath of our own making.

Scenario 6: Journey

Story Text

To make ready for the journey, Gorlack cut loose every possible burden from his flight. The hulking armor of the clasher caste was forsaken. Provisions were halved.

Even then, half among the flight were unready to last such a journey. Those yet too young. Those with wounds still mending. To Karron's bewilderment, Gorlack gifted him these - his own flight to lead.

At earliest dawn the Flight of Gorlack lifted skyward...

Flying over land darkly striped by long shadows of craggy peaks, with the light of a warm new sun between...

Soaring over a sea bright as the sky above, the airy world far around suspending them under a midday sun...

Skimming just above the glassy moonlit ocean, their wingwakes rippling behind...

So forth the journey persisted.

To spot the pretty shoals, Resha formed his gliders into a forward line spanning several horizons. Even so, the shoals nigh slipped past their north wing unnoticed. At long last, the flight set down on them.

Introductory Dialogue

Shussek: Ssssss! Leave our reef, fish imps.

Poseira: Naga interlopers, these isles are a now annexed to the realm of Lord Typhon, and by his decree, you're banished from them.

Nemas: My liege! Drakes have made landfall to your south!

Poseira: Drakes?! By the gods, how can they be out this far from their rocks?

Shussek: Ssssss! What's this? You bring bizarre winged hirelings to our parley... Treachery!

Poseira: Naga interlopers, this shall be my final warning to you, depart at once!

Shussek: We'll 'de-part'your fins from you and gulp your fry by the thousands. Ssssss!

Gorlack: Long have the merfolk harried us. Now they hinder our journey across their ocean realm.

Resha: Without dominion over these shoals, we can't reprovision.

Yet the flight is direly weary from the journey. We should avoid conflict.

Gorlack: We outmatch them. We shall overcome them as so we always have.

Resha: If that's your will. Yet pray first recall the folly of Dominant Morogor at the Battle of the Crystal Sea.

Gorlack: ... You speak true, Resha.

We mustn't repeat the ancient mistakes.

I shall allow a sojourn of three days. The whole of the flight will rest. Except for we that are strongest of wing...

We shall harass the sea devils whenever they offer the chance. By the third day's end, we must hold all their settlements. For from those shall we, all at once, carry away their provisions with our rested flight.

Resha: We might also forge a truce with the serpents.

Gorlack: A truce with prey...

Resha: Grant me your trust, for alien possibilities exist in this wider world.

If we slay none of these serpents, I might turn their leaders to our side. Yet I must get close enough to grasp the strange words it speaks.

Otherwise, having not summoned us here, they'll assume us allies of the merfolk.

Gorlack: I shall consider this.

Turn 2

Nemas: My liege, permission to engage the drakes?

Poseira: Permission denied. Stay on your keep and let your forces engage them.

Nemas: With all due respect, sir, I'm no coward. My father always led from the front and his fighters respected him for it.

Poseira: Remain at your post, Nemas, that's an order.

I have something special planned to turn the tides in our favor.

Resha: Strange waves circle the northernmost shoals. I fear the northern mermish plan to unleash monsters from the deep.

Gorlack: Slaying their leader willl halt their doing so.

Resha: That might spread us too thin. I must advise against it.

Reaching the naga leader

Resha: We seek an ally against these fiendish merfolk.

Shussek: Ssssss? You will betray merfolk?

Resha: ... Yes.

Shussek: And then you take this reef from us? Ssssss!

Resha: We seek a right to respite here for those of our kind travelling past these isles.

Shussek: What you say?

Resha: ...... We have no need of your reef. We seek only the land above the sea.

Shussek: You have a deal, sky monster. Merfolk will float dead on the waves!

Turn 3

Nemas: Advance!

Poseira: Nemas, you're violating a direct order! Return to your keep at once!

Turn 5

Poseira: Release the Krakens!

Slimysuckers: Glarbelblarg!

Turn 6

Shussek: Behold your doom!

Sharpspikes: Graarrrrrr!

Shussek is defeated

Shussek: Ssssss!

Turn 8

Shinyscales: Roarrrrrr!

Victory Dialogue

Resha: All provisions are gathered; the flight is readied for departure, awaiting your command.

Gorlack: It's given.

Take wing!

Scenario 7: Threshold

Story Text

Gliders were dispatched back to Morogor with exacting details of the petty atoll's location. The flight resumed its journey east.

The familiar rhythm of the long journey began anew. The aching of wings slowly returned.

Then Gorlack, scouting far ahead with the forward wing, sighted it. Land as great as the ocean. The land without end.

Resha persuaded Gorlack to make first landfall upon a nearby cluster of three isles. Here, a narrow sea warded against the unknown perils of the Greatland.

Introductory Dialogue

Gorlack: It's here I shall plant my eyrie.

This will be the threshold through which our folk pass. From our long shameful exile adrift on sinking isles. Reascended to claim our forgotten birthright of this greater world.

Resha: The game looks sparser than these isles should bear...

Some orcs may have drifted to here as well.

Gorlack: Then we shall seize their settlements to procure our flight's sustenance.

Resha: There's some commotion below us...

Hatchlings! There are hatchlings just below. They look to be in dire need of aid!

Rhynnin: Excellent, we have them surrounded once more. This time don't allow any to slip through; the King will have everyone of their green heads for his mantle.

When you're done here, advance to the interior villages and trample the eggs. These little devils will cause Fort Elense no more trouble.

Gorlack: Another herd of those orc creatures...

Resha: Nay, their weaponry isn't crude enough. Those are haldric, creatures of much higher quality.

Whilst the haldric speak with many unfamiliar words, their menacing tone is clear. Those hatchlings will be slain if our intervention isn't swift.

Killing Rhynnin

Zedrix: He returns! Noble Shek'kahan returns from ssspirit realm to sssave usssss! (chirping sob)

Gorlack: Resha.

These... are not hatchlings.

Resha: By the winds, they aren't. Their resemblance is so strikingly of hatchlings...

Arinexis: Ssso these are Fire Dragons, eh Zedrix?

Hail, dragons! (rapid clicking) Down here!

Resha: They're receiving us.

Arinexis: Hail-loooo! Dragons, can you ssspeak? Zedrix, you sssaid dragons can ssssspeak!

Gorlack: Little ones!

You'll do as I command!

Zedrix: By every sssign upon firmament, we hear you, Shek'kahan! You're our moonlight!

Elyn: Rhynnin has fallen, just as I feared he would. So eager to serve his King and so very proud of his quest here; he underestimated the treachery of this accursed place and our strange enemy that would choose to shelter here.

Men, I'm now in command of this expedition. No more lone heroics. Signal the eastern detachment that we shall try to reunite with them along the isle's southern shore.

Resha: The haldric creatures have twice before seized an isle of Morogor. To have done so, they must possess a nigh drakelike cunning. Should they sense defeat approaching...

They may put their settlement to the flame to deny us the stores of provisions therein. The arrival of our flight would likely startle such desperate action. We'd be wise to secure all settlements before then.

Reaching the southern temple

Unit: I hear...

Vermin!

Tidbit: Reeeeee!

Unit: I shall...

Pet them

Tidbit: Squeak.

Narrator: Achievement Unlocked: Leader of Mice.

Killing Elyn

Arinexis: Any lassst words, brute?

Elyn: ... you've only bought yourselves a little time... for your cowardly attack on Fort Elense there can be no mercy for you saurians... you'll never escape the King's Justice...

Arinexis: Your king's jussstice?! Your king murdered my brood sssisssters unprovoked! Your Fort Elense sssitsss over their bones!

Elyn: ... the King did as he needed to, and may the Sky Father favor him for it... the elves would never have granted us sanctuary if he refused to do the deeds they asked of him...

... our every action in this land is justified... for we're only refugees here; doing what we must to survive...

Zedrix: Ssso let that be your epitaph.

Reaching the northern temple

Oxepotex: I'm Oxepotex! Massster tamer of beassstsss big and sssmall.

Arinexis: Sssettle down, Oxe. And get to work feeding your petsss!

Reaching the northern villages

Resha: Beware the great maelstrom off the north coast.

Gorlack: The tides are of no consequences to us, Resha.

Resha: Long ago, such maelstroms were strongholds of an ancient foe. I fear a thing most foul may lurk within there, even now. We'd do well to keep our distance from it.

Gorlack: I shall keep that in mind. Carry on with your duty.

Reaching the book

Narrator: Log 72

I've found anoþer Aquadyne. It's here, deep beneaþ Þe Þree Sisters. It's only been þree years since Haldric destroyed þe elf gosts þat were sapping it and already þere's a mælstrom formed off þe norþ shore. Just like þose mælstroms Seeker Perþ discovered west of Alduin before a Wisp chased away his ship.

Indeed, þere must be an Aquadyne every twenty leagues around þe entire Great Continent. Everyþing is just a Seeker Oþila had predicted. We should never have left her behind on þe Green Isle. Wiþout her work, it may take centuries before we of þe Silver Order know what mankind is dealing wiþ on þis continent. Þe Færie Realm is stronger here þan we ever imagined.

-- Someþing is wrong. I'm getting a signal of warning from þe norþwest watchtower and þere's smoke rising from þe souþern iland. Rhynnin's expedition is under attack and I sense it's more þan just þe saurians. I must go to assist.

I don't have time to cypher þis log, nor can I risk taking my logbook wiþ me to perhaps be captured by an unknown enemy. Yet I shalln't destroy it, þe secrecy of þe Silver Order be damned. May þe sea carry þis book back to Fort Elense, so someone will know what has been discovered here.

Reaching the maelstrom

Narrator: A powerful maelstrom, surrounded by paradoxically calm waters. The swirling current seems to com entirely from deep below the sandy seabed. It emanates a faint melodic humming.

The humming grows slowly louder as a cold mist begins to billow out. The mist somehow moves against the wind.

Resha: Fly away from it! Fly!

It's just as I had feared.

Gorlack: Elaborate.

Resha: This is a living mist, a creature of the Faerie.

Without our flight, we don't have the numbers to engage this foe on equal terms. We should evade it if we can.

Victory Dialogue

Resha: The settlements are seized,along with all contained provisions. There's enough to feed our flight for half a dozen moons.

Gorlack: Upon this isle, I hereby Proclaim my Eyrie. From here my domain extends.

Resha, dispatch gliders back to Morogor with tidings. Send word also that I shall issue my summons in a year's time. All flights with a heart hot enough to undergo the journey will be received, at this place, my eyrie. From here, they may go forth to set eyries of their own upon this greatest land.

Resha: By your command. I wish to dispatch a sky patrol as well. To begin ceaseless watch of the Greatland just off our eastern shore.

Gorlack: Make it so.

Scenario 8: Early Arrival

Story Text

With the arrival of Flight Gorlack, all remnant foes were vanquished. A proud eyrie was carved into the highest peak of the three isles. The small flight easily filled their bellie with the captured provisions, leaving the isle's game to regrow itelf for sake of the visitor flights to come. Resha's patrols spied vague details of the mysterious Greatland.

Then, only a moon cycle after, a flight was spotted inbound. It was the Flight of Karron.

They had arrived far too early...

Introductory Dialogue

Gorlack: Karron, you didn't wait for my summons!

Karron: You left no prospect of waiting. Upo your departure, the rogues began probing the Domain of Vladnir. Without your flight there wouldn't be enough of us to hold against them.

Vladnir counseled me here. So the youths you bestowed me I traded to other flights, for prime drakes able to make the journey.

Gorlack: Vladnir won't last with no ally by his side.

Karron: Vladnir is to follow me here. By now he's already faring.

Resha: We haven't yet the provisions for three flights within this domain. There could be hunger before the next moon!

Karron: Gorlack, we must -

Gorlack, hatchlings don't belong at a counsel gathering.

Arinexis: We're not hatchlings...

Not hatchlings!

Zedrix: Indeed, I'm our clan's elder. Sssuch longevity wandering ssstars bestow me. For over 11 years have I lived.

Resha: They're 'saurians'.

Karron: Their likeness to hatchlings is disarming. Disturbingly so. I don't want them near my fli-

Gorlack: Enough.

I shall have a closser survey of the Greatland focused on game abundance. Resha, see to it at once.

Resha: By your will.

Karron: Gorlack, arriving here, I noticed a large gathering of game to the northeast. A nest of haldric.

Zedrix: You sssaw Demon King?! You sssssaw The Haldric?

Karron: Gorlack, your hatchling-things cry nonsense. You must gain control over them.

Arinexis: Not nonsssenssse! Creatures you sssaw call themssselves 'humans'. They're lumbering, brutish, odiousss monsssters covered in moissst ssskin of toad. They're hirelings sssummoned from underssside of world by elves of deep, dark Foressst of Wesssmere.

These humans ssslaughtered all but my entire clan! On the ruins of my hatchplace they raised their towering Fort Elenssse. Pray dragons, rain jussst fire down upon these abominations!

Karron: Gorlack, we should harvest them. There's meat enough there to feed our three flights a full year.

Gorlack: Resha has advised against further encounters with humans until more is known of them. Many glider Memories speak of times when underestimated prey became the hunter. Also that this Greatland hides terrible danger.

Karron: You speak with Resha's fearful tongue. I remember long ago...

You'd speak of our great battles to be won over the rogues. Hunting beasts so terrible we could onl hope to take them on working together. Long ago. Before Resha. Before your mind echoed with his glider myths.

Gorlack: Not myths, Karron. Look around us. It's not the ocean we stand upon.

Karron: Your dreams of glorious feats, spoken in such detail. Such certainty.

In them I found my inspiration. I'd become your first intendant. So that I might become a part of them - your adventures to come.

Harder than your other allies I trained. In the challenges, fiercer than any of them I fought. Already advanced to warrior rank was I, when still of basic rank were both of you...

When you promised first intendancy to Resha. The insult of second... to me.

Gorlack: You dwell so much in the past. The past weakens you.

Karron: It's for this present moment that I recall the past! I adjure you, remember your fire for those dreams of glory! The gift of your caste that once bunded brightest in your heart!

Gorlack... look across this narrow sea before us. Look to that 'human' legion which faces you. Those creatures which ward the threshold to the greatest land...

Dominant Gorlack, pray tell what glorious dream you see.

Scenario 9: Landfall

Story Text

Near to the gathering of human prey, the Flight of Gorlack took positions. Veiled by the clouds above, Karron, with his wing of hunters, watched for the signal to pounce.

Introductory Dialogue

Resha: Gorlack, you've made landfall!

Within sight of these humans!

Gorlack: You've returned from patrol with fortunate timing, Resha. These creatures are to be our prey. I shall grant you the details at the keep.

Fall in.

Resha: Gorlack, this is terribly unwise!

The full ability of the humans is still unknown to us.

Gorlack: We have no choice, we need the meat.

When I give you the signal, light the beacon. It will call in our reinforcements.

Iryn: General Vorlyan! We have a problem.

Vorlyan: How many orcs? Have they made landfall yet?

Iryn: Not orcs, sir, dragons.

Vorlyan: Dragons?!

Iryn: Indeed sir, they're moving in from south. There's a horde of them.

Vorlyan: They do move in hordes...

Captain, ride east and order Carcyn Fisher to put his people on the boats and evacuate upriver. Tell that wesfolk traveller if he ignores this order you'll evacuate his head from his shoulders.

Then go upriver yourself, all the way to Fort Weldyn. Bring word of our situation directly to King Haldric the Dragonbane.

Iryn: Might we be overreacting, sir?

Vorlyan: We're students of war, Captain, and if recent years have taught our people anything, it's to be ready for the worst at all times.

Iryn: Sir!

After calling the reinforcements

Karron: I see we shall eat well this day!

Victory Dialogue

Arinexis: Fort Elenssse burns, gone forever! My hatchplace is free and my people can return to live here again. Sssaurian Empire will lassst thirteen millennia more!

Gorlack: Learn from this victory, Resha. See now the futility of your doubt.

Resha: Gorlack, by this victory my doubt rises threefold. We've flown headlong into chaos, into the innermost whirlwind of the Winds of Fate.

Thoughour Windpath is now unknowable, I fear it leads to war.

Karron: There can be no war in a land with prey so plenty.

Resha: These creatures are more than prey.

They could very well outmach us.

Karron: ... You witnessed only moments ago how we slew a nest of them utterly.

Gorlack: Perhaps... your patrols have been overtaxing, Resha.

I relieve you of all duties. Return to the eyrie until your sense recovers.

Arinexis: With these humans dead, ssspiritsss of my brood sssisssters feel sssome peace... but humans were only hirelings for elves, yesssss, elves mussst ssstil pay...

Elves of Wesssmere, your time has come!

Scenario 10: Winds of Fate

Story Text

The hunt continued across grassy stretches of the Greatland. Prey was harvested in countless numbers. Finally, overburdened with the yield of the hunt, Flight Gorlack returned to its eyrie. The recently arrived Flight of Vladnir awaited them.

Vladnir: I come with tidings, fellow dominant. Half of Morogor makes ready for the journey here.

Resha: That mustn't be. Even now we haven't the provisions for them.

Further, our saurians tell us there's a grim season which afflicts the Greatland. Much of it will grow as cold as a high mountain peak. This cold lasts several moons.

Vladnir: Nothing will delay their coming. All that before stirred one flight against another, now drives theme here.

Gorlack: Then their needs will be met. I shall expand the hunt so as to meet them.

Resha: Gorlack, you must reconsider this course, wholly.

End the hunt.

Elsewise... you doom this expedition by following the shameful Windpath of Dominant Morogor.

Gorlack: I see your sense has yet to return, Resha!

Dominant Morogor betrayed his own kith; he attacked the very drakes with whom he'd sworn alliance!

Resha: Nay, they weren't drakes which he attacked...

Those allies Morogor betrayed were creatures of an alien kind. Perhaps even the same kind our hunters now chase across the grassy flatland.

I should have long ago Spoken the whole of this Memory to you. Yet I had concern it was more than you could believe by word alone.

Gorlack: Then your concern was well measured, for I disbelieve you even now.

Those 'humans' that graze upon the tall grass of the flatland, that trick beasts to carry them across it, that ride works of driftwood over the sea, can be of no consequence to our affairs.

No Ancestor would mistake such simple prey for an ally.

Resha: Yet verily it was so. Drakes once counted many noble creatures as allies in times of need - the fleetfoot, the drakekin, the craftlings, the serpents, the casters. Likewise were there those of terrible natures - the Horde, the Jotnar... the Faerie. I fear one of these races is they who swept our folk from this Greatland long ago.

The names which they call themselves have shifted in our long absence. Yetmany creatures we've already come across bear a perfect likeness to those from the Spoken Memories. Indeed they're the same. If we proceed as we have, we shall drive old allies to war against us. Worse still, we may awaken an ancient foe to our presence in this land.

Vladnir: Your first intendant speaks truth, Dominant Gorlack.

By the Honor of my Caste in whole, I hereby Proclaim it so.

Resha: Dominant Vladnir... never since the exiling has another caste verified our Spoken Memories.

Vladnir: We were forbidden to do so. Since the Time of Legend, we clashers have been charged with the keeping of secrets-

The meandering way through the underland took by Parapathos in seeking the Council of Nine. Makings for the mighty Automata down to their metal hearts that mix fire into water. Witwegana's final words of affection to her mate before delaying Lenvan with a hopeless duel.

The wisdom, the powers, the stories of our Ancestors.

These were once shared freely among all drakes. Until, anguished by our exile, Dominant Morogor forbade their telling. Your glider caste alone wouldn't comply. By our honor, we did.

Yet our written secrets quietly remained.

Now, we're far beyond the Domain of Morogor; here his edicts hold no sway. All that he made secret, I may share with you here.

Gorlack: Speak no more of your secrets.

Resha: ... Gorla-

Gorlack: I see now how you all cling to your fragments of the past; you cower there with them. Clasher secrets. Glider memories. All useless, as an entire age passed while everyone of you feared to act on what you knew!

Resha: Gorlack, the clasher secrets may bear details of the Greatland unknown to the Spoken Memories.

If we don't heed them, I fear-

Gorlack: Speak no more of your fears!

So many challenges have we overcome. So many foes vanquished. Yet still you feel not how we shift the Winds of Fate by the Force of our Will.

Resha: ... Gorlack, I grasp not your meaning.

While the Spoken Memories tell us steady wings may catch the Winds of Fate-

Gorlack: Nay!

We aren't merely tossed about by the Winds of Fate. We shape them.

We fumble not for a Windpath. We make it.

Feel the world as it should be with all the fire of your heart. With no room left for fear. With all your Willful heart, make that world be!

Perhaps you need witness one final demonstration...

I Call the Hunt. A hunt greater than any before it.

Three flights of hunters.

I already signaled Karron to continue east across the Grassy Flatland. Vladnir, you'll depart southeast for the Warmsands. I shall go northeast into the Wesmere Jungle.

Together we shall provide enough for all of Morogor.

Vladnir: Then... so it will be...

Scenario 11: Harvest

Story Text

Dominant Gorlack considered every hunting opportunity along the way to Wesmere.

A deep green swamp offered adequate game. Yet the saurian Arinexis urged him on to the much fatter prize that lay just ahead...

For in the cold Jungle of Wesmere dwelt a great herd of a new prey-kind. Arinexis spoke of these 'elves' as dull witted with a capricious heart, the consequences of remaining too long within their stale realm.

It would seem they were perfect prey.

Introductory Dialogue

Vonel: You monsters there! Halt!

This is the sovereign realm of Wesmere. No further may you go.

Salennea: Monsters?! For spewing such hurtful venom, the true monster is you, Vonel!

We must look deeper than their hideous and odious exteriors. Look deep to the beauty within!

Vonel: Princess, I beg of you, walk not again into jeopardy!

Salennea: Be silent, Vonel. For I'm no mere "princess" awaiting your salvation; I'm a Lady of Wesmere!

Vonel: (you'll always be a princess to me...)

Salennea: Your beastly sinews and steel tools of death don't impress me, Vonel, for my witful tongue and virtuous conscience are more than protection enough in any case I may find myself.

Arinexis: (... Shek'kahan, thisss is elves' sssoft underbelly I ssspoke of...)

Gorlack: These creatures of yours ramble incomprehensibly.

Arinexis: (That's jussst what they do. Now I'll further pacify them with praise-)

Wise Salennea! We wish entry to your land to ssseek your counsssel. Grant usss thisssss, Salennea the Jussst!

Salennea: Ah, "Salennea the Just". I shall weave this into the long twine of my existing titles...

"Wise Lady Salennea, the Just, Wielder of the Sapphire of Ice, the Embracer of Woses, the Merciful to Orcs, Keeper of Ca-

Arinexis: Salennea... we grow weary of travel... and we go hungry! So Hungry.

Salennea, pray allow usss entry.

Vonel: Nay! This is a March of Wesmere, we shalln't...

Salennea: Marches only part us, Vonel. Let all be welcome to Wesmere!

This is my castle, Saethrania - the Castle of Sharing. You may make an abode of castle Gliinoler - the Castle of Caring. My attendants will bestow whatever form of floral nourishment you most desire. Mayhap Bread of the Locust Fruit softened with Milk of the Hazel and sweetened with Sap of the Birch?

Also, there are some little thiings I must ask of you...

As I do realize your off-putting rough and scaly skin is largely beyond your control, I ask only that you dress well enough to cover as much of yourselves as you feel comfortable doing. I wish that you take no offense in my asking this favor!

Further, I find your odors somewhat repulsive - though I shan't hold this against you! Still, if you'd only treble bathe at the start and close of each day, and twice in between, it might do wonders!

Also, regarding your weaponry-

Arinexis: We're ssssso weary... let'sss dissscusss sssuch sssmall details in good time.

Salennea: But of course.

Turn 2

Salennea: Vonel, have you seen my personal diary anywhere? It was in the safe keeping of a handmaiden of mine, but she's gone missing.

Vonel: Another of your handmaidens is missing? Since when has she gone missing?

Salennea: Since I sent her to feed my precious aethenwood tygers.

Nomeon: (Oh my...)

Salennea: When my diary is found, see that no one looks upon its pages-

My diary is very personal, Vonel!

Vonel: Of course, m'Lady.

Reaching the keep

Salennea: Might I tempt you with some of the finest floral refreshments of elvish cuisine?

Arinexis: Sssalennea, has your Ka'lian ruled to formally apologize to our Sssaurian Empire for sssetting loossse your human minions upon usssss?

Salennea: The Ka'lian neither confirms nor denies any involvement.

We elves of Wesmere have moved on from this matter and we hope you shall as well!

Arinexis: Oh, we'll move on, we will...

(... as soon as we've finished with you here.)

(Gorlack, pray position your hunters well and then let'sss attack!)

Attack

Salennea: Nay! This is a thing too terrible to foresee. Vonel, save me from these monsters!

Vonel: I'm coming to save you, m'Lady!

Dispatch doves to the Ka'lian with word of our peril here!

Nomeon: Lady Salennea loosed them to the wilds this morning for sake of their well being...

I shall bring word myself!

Vonel: Nay, I need you here to defend this march until your dying bre-

...

Salennea is killed

Salennea: You've slain me, Vonel. Your bias and slander against these gentle giants imbued them with a terrible yet justifiable wrath!

Vonel: If only I'd listened to you, my Lady... my princess...

Naaaaaaaay!

Reaching the diary

Narrator: "The Diary of Lady Salennea"

7th day of Greenleaf

...the Sapphire of Ice has yet improved even my own talent for the art of scrying. I've discarded my Orb of Pondering in favor of it. Soon I shall peer into the far side of our Faerie Realm, which that pretender Lady Dionli claims she fears to descry. She simply hasn't the talent to do so, though she shall never admit it. How I despise that upstart Lady Dionli, that usurper of my rightful place in the Ka'lian, whose only real talent is the art of...

28th day of Greenleaf

... now that I've found a powerful ally in Lord Vanar of the far side, the days of Lady Dionli are nigh over. I need only complete a single small ritual for him, the details of which he shall provide to me after I gather the necessary elements. I list them here so as not to forget:

• A slab of cold black granite.
• One of my fair young handmaidens.
• A twisted metal dagger that menaces with spikes of...

29th day of Greenleaf

... how was I to know Vanar's ritual would involve blood sacrifice?! Oh, if only the wicked "Lady" Dionli hadn't put me in this unenviable position. Now I shall need another unsalaried novice handmaiden willing to work for "experience"...

1st day of Leaffall

... still more of these dreadful rituals must be completed before Vanar can place a curse upon my usurper. Yet if I stop now, everything I've sacrificed - everyone I've sacrificed - shall have been in vain! I owe it to them to continue...

13th day of Leaffall

... the Ka'lian is growing suspicious because more of my attendants have gone missing than usual. I must vastly intensify my persona. And for future rituals, I shall need new "guests of honor" which aren't of elfkind...

31st day of Leaffall

... those saurians may smell of the swamp they crawl from, but they shall make a worthy sacrifice to Vanar! I've extended a formal invitation to Arinexis, a saurian ambassador, or what passes for one amongst their primitive and malodorous kind. I shall show this saurian and her entourage every courtesy and tempt them with all the delights of elvish cuisine - seasoned with Shavings of the Yew...

Reaching the orb

Narrator: Unit finds a shiny sapphire. Do you want this unit to take it?

Take it

Narrator: Sapphire of Ice - This sapphire grants the bearer a ranged cold attack!

Victory Dialogue

Gorlack: Flight, spread forth. Seize all this jungle offers us.

Then regather upon the Sunreach Peaks.

Scenario 12: Overlook

Story Text

The main body of Flight Gorlack descended upon a rocky mountainside overlooking the Jungle of Wesmere. There, Dominant Gorlack waited for his wings of hunters to rejoin them.

They were long overdue...

Introductory Dialogue

Arinexis: To command ressspect, our alliance with dragons mussst have sssssome name!

Zedrix: 'Sssiblings of Sssetting Sssun'

Arinexis: 'Union of Saurgrath and Morogor'

Zedrix: 'Alignment of Moon and Sssun'

Arinexis: 'Sandwalkers'

Zedrix: 'League of Ssseven Sssilver Ssstars and Five Fish of Firmament'

Arinexis: 'Sandfolks'!

Zedrix: Ah, that's mossst favored name - 'Sandfolksss' - bland, yet no negative connotationsss which sssummon...

Gorlack: You will be silent.

Report, Resha. There are still nine wings yet to rejoin us!

Resha: Gorlack, the wings are slain.

Gorlack: Impossible...

Resha: The jungle withheld the elves' true number. Just as our pride withheld their true potency.

A full host of them now pursues us here. We must retreat to the eyrie with all haste.

They're coming...

Gorlack: Our haul is too heavy to be flown with a dozen trips.

We mustn't forsake it. Too much depends on it.

Arinexis: Through thisss cave! Essscape through here...

Zedrix: With care, Arinexis, with care! Fire dussst is ssstrewn about.

Arinexis: Dragons, don't breath on thisss dussst!

Resha: Fire Dust... enough to bring down this cave behind us...

Gorlack: ... a cave.

Resha: Gorlack, you know we must brave it...

We shall do this. Together.

You delivered me from that cave alive. I swear to you, Gorlack, I shall now repay you in kind.

Gorlack: Resha... about that cave... there's someth-

Resha: Land gliders!

Their aim must be to delay us before the arrival of the others.

Gorlack: I need a few to hold a line across the mouth.

The rest of you, into the cave!

Seeing the Death Knight

Gorlack: Such a sickly looking creature.

Zedrix: That's a ssskeletoid - humans' true and ssstrongessst form. Every human that dies sssomeday rises again as one of those.

Arinexis: Unlesss you burn, crush or eat the bones firssssst. Never leave the bones!

Reaching the diary

Narrator: Lodestane Mines of Gyldanwolf Clan

Year of Wirk 368, 7th Month

They elves wur back in the mushroom croft again, making dolly threats tae the laddies in that fancy tongue of thairs. Said thay wid attack if we gather ony mair wood tae feed oor mushrooms, it does nae even maiter if it be juist the pine!

Hud the laddies pat up gates tae keep they elves oot fur now.

If thay dae come back with an airmie we cannae handle, we hae flashpowder kegs aroond the load bearing walls. They elves ur sae impressed with that cute "magic" of thairs - think of the looks oan thair faces whin thay see dwarven kencraft kencraft at wirk!

Still, oor woodcutters cannae harvest ony mair mushroom fodder oot of the forest withoot elves chipping away at thaim and the lodestane mines ur nearly tae the end of thair veins.

Mibbie ah shuid trade this cave tae that streenge "Nova" cratur efter all. With ever it be ah dae nae care; if the elves ever come back then thay kin deal with it.

Reaching the north of the cave

Avatar of Nova: Is that you again, Khrakrahs?

Zedrix: It's to his ssstronger brother, Shek'kahan, that you ssspeak!

Avatar of Nova: As you say.

Gorlack: I shall have passage through this mountain.

You're advised to move aside.

Avatar of Nova: You have no means to threaten me. Even if you destroyed this grim avatar of mine, presently speaking to you, I'd continue acting through my others in far off places.

Now, I must resume my work and you must leave...

Wait... What's that behind you?

Faerie creatures have followed you...

If they come much closer, it will see what has been created here. The Faerie Realm sees and feels through the senses of all the simpler beings it has transmuted. And if it only glimpses my work in this early phase, we may lose our world's best hope against it.

Resha: The Faerie...

You say those things that pursue us are 'Faerie'. That's a fearsome word known from even our oldest Memories. Tell us its full meaning.

Avatar of Nova: There's no time for that!

Faerie creatures are chasing you; you must leave the way you came or they'll follow you here.

Resha: Gorlack, it's an ancient terror that hunts us. You must get our flight through this mountain at any cost.

Arinexis: *flicks tongue*

Dragonsss! Gate behind talking boness ssmellsss of fresh air. That'sss way through mountain. We mussst break through that gate! With hassste, dragonsss!

Attacking the Avatar of Nova

Avatar of Nova: Stop!

I'm using nearly all my Focus to spellbind these Faerie creatures from seeing the true nature of this place. I can't hope to drive back an army of dragons at the same time!

You leave me no choice but to destroy my creation to save its secret.

Yet even a disenchantment on such a scale will take all my remaining Focus...

I ask you for a truce. I know you have no idea what's at stake here, but please, at least grant me this.

Gorlack: You will

have your truce.

Avatar of Nova: Thank you, Gorlack and Resha.

Resha: Our names are known to you, yet we've given them not...

There's something familiar of you... from a Memory long ago-

Avatar of Nova: The gate blocking your passage is no more. Hurry, there's little time.

meet your doom.

Gorlack: Your chance for clemency has expired.

Reaching the cave exit

Resha first

Resha: Nay. Gorlack, I shalln't depart this cave before you!

Gorlack first

Gorlack: Those two saurians don't keep pace...

Yet I shalln't forsake them to such a place as this.

Everyone is out

Resha: Go on, my friend. I shall make sure none follow.

Leave this cave behind.

Gorlack: Nay, there's no time, we leave now.

Resha: Tell Karron I always regretted taking his place.

Gorlack: Resha, we leave this cave together. Just like we did the first one.

Resha: Farewell, my friend...

Gorlack: Resha...

Resha: My wings catch the Winds of Fate...

Scenario 13: Ancestor

Story Text

Gorlack: My friend...

I've slain you...

Introductory Dialogue

Klanir: Dominant Gorlack, I bring ill tidings of the hunt.

The Flight of Karron was decimated by a pack of humans upon the grassy stretches. The last word from Dominant Karron spoke of their striving for a retreat to your eyrie. In a noble attempt to aid the imperiled Flight of Karron... my dominant, Vladnir, fell to our prey.

Our flight was scattered east, deep into the Greatland.

Gorlack: ...........

Klanir: I must relay what I know to Dominant Karron, should he still live.

Gorlack: Glider, take care.

Zedrix: Cold ssseason has arrived. Many moonsof cold are now upon usssss.

Gorlack: We shall set camp there... where the wounded land bleeds its warming ichor...

May it provide the safety for our weary flight that I've failed to.

Gorlack reaches the beacon

Unit: Ho! I don't believe what I see...

It's magnificent.

Unit: It's a drakekin. Few have beheld such a being since the Time of Legend.

Unit: With our own eyes we behold a drakekin...

It was the drakekin who led us from the Moonlit Wastes in the Time of Fate.

Khrakrahs: I know you're here, weakling Shek'kahan! You know better than to intrude upon my domain! Even if I must search this entire valley, I'll find your hiding place.

Fly, my pets! Sweep this place of every scaleless beast, so I'll have no distraction.

Gorlack: It's... an Ancestor...

Zedrix: Shek'kahan, don't you recognize Khrakrahs...?

Reaching the north-western village

Narrator: 'BAK NEKST SPRING'

Khrakrahs delivers the final blow

Khrakrahs: Be no more.

Victory Dialogue

Khrakrahs: Show yourself!

Zedrix: Khrakrahs, he's here...

Behold, mighty Shek'kahan!

Khrakrahs: You're bold to present such an imposter!

Zedrix: Impossster?!

I'm elder of Green Swamp Clan and all my years Shek'kahan protected usss. I could never missstake sssome impossster for him!

If you don't sssee this is Shek'kahan... then impossster is you!

Arinexis: Don't sssay ssso much, Zedrix! You'll be eaten!

Khrakrahs: You're bold indeed, little saurian. What you've told me is false, yet a mere liar couldn't speak so bravely before a dragon.

Indeed, your heart believes the falsehood you speak... because it wishes to.

Zedrix: ...

Khrakrahs: Zedrix, your Heart shall Reveal its Truth.

Zedrix: Khrakrahs... Shek'kahan is dead. He fell protecting his domain and humble sssubjectsss... of which I'm all that is left.

Khrakrahs: So then it's true...

It was nigh every season he'd intrude upon my domain or me his. Each time, there was such a glorious battle between us as to impart even the clouds with fright. I mustn't have challenged him enough that he grew weak, vulnerable. Now another great battle between us there will never be. Now there's only me.

I go.

Gorlack: Ancestor, you spoke that Shek'kahan grew weak...

Yet to his last breath, he was fearless.

Khrakrahs: Yes, Shek'kahan was fearless.

That was his weakness.

Scenario 14: Fire Meets Steel

Story Text

A storm of ice fell upon the Sunreach Peaks. The Greatland's season of cold had come to sojourn the flight. The camp was fortified with great stone works until it resembled an eyrie. Using the ample provisions, the season might be outlasted.

Gorlack secluded himself to a small abode atop the highest peak within sight of camp. There he remained in deep contemplation. Each day, the saurian Zedrix trekked up the peak to bring his dragon sustenance.

Introductory Dialogue

Zedrix: I sssee now you're not Shek'kahan. I sssaw as I wished to sssee.

Gorlack: As have I...

Zedrix: What do you mean?

Gorlack: As a fledgling long ago... I strayed far from the Eyrie of Vladnir, lost in dreams of glorious things to be.

From a cave nearby I heard cries. My friend Resha had happened upon a dishonored rogue hiding within. It sought his death to keep secret its presence there.

It had cornered him.

I thought myself invulnerable, the hero in my own tale. I charged at the beast, striking with bare claws, spitting feeble sparks.

With one swipe I was sent to the ground, bleeding.

My body froze me as it readied to flee...

The desire to flee was overwhelming...

Flee... abandon Resha to die...

The agonizing guilt of that last thought-

Leave my friend to die.

It reignited my heart with an unfamiiar passion. I'd do anything to save my friend. I felt the whole world around me burning for the means to save him.

That's when I felt it beneath my right wing. A clasher's spear, broken a reach beneath the head. It hadn't been there when I entered the cave.

It was there now.

The rogue turned to finish Resha.

I threw my self upon it with all my hate. The spear I ran deep into its cold heart.

Ever since have I trusted absolutely in the fire that saved my friend...

Ever since have I fled the fear that drove me toward such vile cowardice.

Zedrix: You shunned Resha's fears too.

Gorlack: Breathing in his fears could chill my heart to cowardice.

Zedrix: Yet his heart was brave.

His fears for you made it ssso.

Gorlack: ... It did.

Zedrix: Your fear for him made you brave.

Gorlack: A discarded spear made me brave.

Zedrix: That ssspear was your means to sssave your friend. It appeared as you feared for him. Because you did.

Gorlack: .........

Arinexis: Come ssswiftly! Deep dwellers emerge!

Thurdakor: Sae whit hae we 'ere? Dragons... Sae mony dragons mah een cannae hawp whit thay're seeing.

Arinexis: He ssspeaksss but I hear no words... deep dwellers mussssst be drunken.

Zedrix: It sssaid "dragons" and... sssssomething about dragons.

Thurdakor: A' richt, noo ye listen tae me, dragons. Ah cannae hae ye juist standing aroond th'hail winter dumping yer ye-ken-whit oan th'frozen slopes, whilk, come spring, wull mak' fur a stowed oot Knalgan gusher, if ye ken whit ah mean.

Gorlack: I don't grasp the words you speak. Use fewer of them with less haste.

Thurdakor: Noo juist whit in th' fiendish skies 'boon is that suppose tae mean?! Ah wull hae ye ken-

Arinexis: Your hornblower ssspews notesss over your words!

Thurdakor: Juist dingy her, she hud awfy much tae dram.

Gorlack: If you depart now, no harm will come to you.

Thurdakor: Weel, that's it then, wee jimmies. Ye a' saw how ah tried tae be reasonable. Bit thare's na reasoning wi' dragons. Thay ainlie ken th' bite o' oor axes.

Turn 1

Thurdakor: Whit urr ye waiting fur, how come urr ye laddies nae attacking?!

Wait, mibbie ah didnae gie th' order...

A'richt lads, attack!

Turn 5/10

Thurdakor: Reinforcements! Send in th' neist wave!

Reaching the south-western village

Narrator: 'BAK NEKST SPRING'

Thurdakor is defeated

Thurdakor: Whit's this? How did ye git a' th' wey ower 'ere?

Gorlack: Behold what ends you've wrought. You can no easier cast us off these peaks than we could pull you from the deep.

I offer you this pact.

All the peaks are our domain. For our metal works, so too are the soils within them. The vast underworld beneath these we shalln't violate. Both of us may hunt the lowlands so long as one takes not the other as game.

Thurdakor: Nae sure ah like the sound o' this deal.

Gorlack: It's the best you'll have. We covet the soil as little as you do the clouds. We shall find no better neighbors than each other.

Thurdakor: Yer nae easy tae haggle with, dragon.

Sae be it, a deal we hae. Ah wull even release mah wee prize dragon captive fur ye.

Resha: Gorlack, it seems no cave can keep us!

Gorlack: Resha...

Resha!

Thurdakor: Well, that's it fur me, back doon th' shute.

Resha: The deep dwellers hewed through my tomb of broken stone to uncover me. I was to be their captive in the underworld forever. Kept as a curio to frighten their hatchlings from straying to the above.

By your pact with them, I was freed.

My friend, I'm once again in your debt.

Gorlack: Nay, Resha, it's I that owes you.

Come, we have much to prepare for.

Scenario 15: Crosswind

Story Text

Soon enough the season of ice was weathered. New green shoots of fodder rose from the thawing Greatland. Eggs laid during the long sojourn were hatching. What began a passing refuge had become a proud eyrie.

A flight was spotted inbound. Once more, it was the Flight of Karron.

Introductory Dialogue

Karron: Gorlack, it's good to see you alive. You as well, Resha.

When the Flight of Gorlack didn't return, I assumed you all had perished to the wild creatures of this land.

Resha: Karron, likewise!

If only Vladnir had shared our fortune.

Karron: Indeed, Vladnir will be remembered. He'll be avenged.

Five new flights have arrived at your eyrie. Another seven will have made the journey within a moon. Next year, a full dozen more.

Working together, we shall swiftly cull the prey-kinds that proved problematic. At least we shall tame this wild land.

Arinexis: Yesss!

Gorlack: Karron, not even the whole of Morogor could subdue this land. Not in the way we strove to.

Karron: Gor-... never before have you spoken as this...

Gorlack, by your own measure, you speak cowardice!

Gorlack: My measure was wrong. I thought we need only escape Morogor to fulfill our reascension from exile. Yet we carried something of Morogor with us. Its fearlessness.

Like our exiled ancestors, we fly pridefully along the shortest path. We cut down any creature we find before us, even one another. We become as one of the ancient foes - the Horde, the Jotnar, the Faerie... the Drakes. Until we're surprised by defeat just as Dominant Morogor before us. Because we shun all fear.

That's why our noble Ancestors exiled us. Until we learn to temper our pride with fear, we remain the creatures they exiled.

Karron: Enough of this glider folly!

By your honor, Gorlack, you must return to your eyrie, to complete what you began!

Gorlack: This is my eyrie now. Here I must stay to shelter my flight from the war that's to come.

You may return with the remaining provisions we gathered. Once returned, you may claim the eyrie I forsook.

Karron: You swore to aid those who journeyed to your Greatland! You called the hunt-

Gorlack, the hunt isn't ended!

Arinexis: Lisssten to Karron!

Gorlack: My summons was never issued; the arrival of the flights was premature. My hunt was indeed ended, by failure.

There's nothing more I can do for our folk now-

Karron: You may embrace your cowardice, Gorlack. Hide here in your hovel with it.

Yet your flight won't be dishonored by you. They'll return with me to rejoin the hunt. To aid the salvation of our fok which you've forsaken!

Through the Ways of Morogor, I Proclaim you Deprived.

Resha: We're far beyond Morogor.

Here its Ways don't apply.

Karron: Then only one fix remains... a trial to the death.

Damn you for this, Gorlack. You've left me only the coldest choice.

Resha: Gorlack, recall how we took captive the orc creature back in Morogor...

Gorlack: Agreed. We must do the same.

Karron is to be taken alive.

Resha: Before it set camp, I beheld a curious detail of Flight Karron.

There were no gliders among them. Perhaps they were scouting...

Yet burners too were absent. It may be two castes is all that remains of his flight.

Gorlack: Whatever the case, Karron mustn't be underestimated.

Arinexis: ...

Karron, you're only dragon left with ssscales. I choose to rejoin your hunt. Many of usss will follow you.

Karron: To think that such a small creature has more fire in her heart than my own kin...

Very well, little fledgling, you've earned my respect.

Zedrix: Arinexis, don't leave our new clan, it's not sssafe!

Arinexis: There's no sssafety if we hide. My hatchclan hid in Great Delta and was ssslain. You hid in Green Ssswamp with your old dragon. Your old clan was ssslain too. Will you do sssame again here?!

We run, we fight and we live. That's only way for usss now.

Zedrix: I've ssseen too many moons. My feet grow weary and ssslow. I ssstay.

Attack Karron

Karron: Gliders, engage!

Burners... Now!

Arinexis is defeated

Arinexis: You win, I go... I run.

Karron is killed

Gorlack: Karron.

My Windpath spared one friend... only to cut down another...

Victory Dialogue

Karron: You have one last victory over me... finish it.

Gorlack: Nay.

Karron: ......

Gorlack: Karron, I banish you from this Greatland, from these far lands of the east. Not as the victor vanquishing a rival as it was in the contention...

As a friend seeking to keep you from the turmoil that's soon to be.

I strove to prevent a war between the flights. Yet I only traded that for a war of an unknown kind.

The hungry flights arriving in numbers will call a hunt far greater than even mine. Yet this won't be a hunt...

This will be a war with prey.

Karron: Prey can no more make war on us than could the clouds.

Gorlack: They already have, as we all witnessed.

Perhaps half the coming flights will be scattered deep into the Greatland. Where they'll meet unknown fates as it was with the Flight of Vladnir. Only through defeat may some learn the creatures they hunt are much more than prey.

Verily, these creatures are fellow contenders for dominance over the world itself. With this Greatland as our arena. They're our equals until we prove ourselves their betters. In this Great Contention.

We shall need allies from amongst the noble creatures of this land. Like our gentle saurians. So, too the deep dwellers with whom we have now a pact.

Our every move must be part of a grander design for victory. In this Great Contention that will take a thousand years.

By this Windpath alone shall we reascend to dominate the world once again.

Karron: Gorlack, I don't feel this... Windpath beneath my wings...

Gorlack: Because you're still fearless, my friend. That's why I banish you west, away from this crisis.

Take your flight west beyond even Morogor. Seek out new lands with the wisdom learned from mistakes made here. Let your gliders' Spoken Memories guide the way.

Karron: Gorlack, let both our flights head west. We may together take on this adventure as it always should have been.

Gorlack: I'm sorry, Karron. Our windpaths shall never cross as you hoped.

You spoke rightly before, I must finish what I began. When defeat drives our folk to seek a new Windpath, I must be here to provide it.

Karron: So it must be...

May your fire light the way in darkness.

Gorlack: May your wings catch the winds to soar.

Epilogue

Dominant Karron heard the Memories Spoken to him by his gliders. He lead several flights west to the Green Isle of the Orcs. Striving together with the noble creatures of this far land, the infestation of orcs was destroyed so new eyries could be set there.

Countless drakes flocked from Morogor to scorch the Greatland with their need. Those creatures that survived their hunt formed large hosts with a deadly cunning. Soon, whole flights fell to their own prey. Others were scattered far across the Greatland as more poured over from Morogor to supplant them.

As most grew weary of the hunt, Dominant Gorlack summoned all flights to a counsel gathering high upon his Sunreach Peaks. There, he shared with them a new Windpath, the Great Contention. By its wisdom, any creatures that spoke with an honest tongue, that respected the domain of another, that obeyed our Ways... mightn't be taken as prey. Such creatures would be justly feared as fellow contenders for world dominance.

In accord, the flights went again into exile, withdrawing to the Greatland's many remote places. So ended the War with Prey.

Now, a century later, we that follow the Ways of Gorlack span half the Greatland. Amongst us, there are no more unheeded Memories, no more unrevealed Secrets. From the skies above, we see the ways of our fellow contenders. The time for the Great Contention has come.

Now, our reascension begins...

WoF: Specified Unit Names

Drakes

• Gorlack (Armageddon Drake)
• Resha (Hurricane Drake)
• Karron (Drake Blademaster)
• Vladnir (Drake Warden)
• Koli (Drake Flameheart)
• Gelshitt Ohn (Drake Warrior)
• Gili (Drake Thrasher)
• Vashlsh Ko (Sky Drake)
• Velkré (Drake Arbiter)
• Oma'ag (Drake Flare)
• Klanir (Drake Glider)
• Marritos Ohm (Hurricane Drake)
• Dirutin (Drake Flameheart)
• Ko'li (Drake Warden)
• Klarutin Egar (Drake Clasher)
• Morli Ka (Drake Clasher)
• Gi'tick (Drake Clasher)
• Marritos (Drake Fighter)
• Gaall Ohm (Drake Fighter)

Orcs

• Viragar (Orcish Warrior)
• Grol (Orcish Crossbowman)
• Pigor (Orcish Slayer)
• Grag (Orcish Warrior)

Merfolk

• Nemas (Merman Warrior)
• Poseira (Merman Spearman)
• Pelgara (Mermaid Enchantress)

Nagas

• Shussek (Naga Warrior)

Humans

• Rhynnin (Lieutenant)
• Elyn (Longbowman)
• Vorlyan (General)
• Iryn (Cavalier)
• Addogaent (Bowman)
• Tiry (Bowman)
• Yran (Bowman)
• Saeralyn (Bowman)
• Owthynec (Bowman)
• Leddyc (Bowman)

Mechanicals

• Sword of Aethyr (Caravel)
• Lance of Ladoc (Caravel)
• Queen Jessene (Caravel)
• King Haldric (Caravel)

Saurians

• Arinexis (Saurian Flanker)
• Zedrix (Saurian Soothsayer)
• Oxepotex (Saurian Skirmisher)

Monsters

• Slimysuckers (Kraken)
• Sharpspikes (Sea Serpent)
• Shinyscales (Sea Serpent)
• Tidbit (Giant Rat)
• Smidge (Giant Rat)
• Morsel (Giant Rat)
• Nibble (Giant Rat)
• Princess Mew (Leopard)
• Khrakrahs (Fire Dragon)

Elves

• Vonel (Elvish Marshal)
• Salennea (Elvish Lady)
• Nomeon (Elvish Rider)

Woses

• Gulladrumm (Ancient Wose)

Undead

• Avatar of Nova (Ancient Lich)

Dwarves

• Thurdakor (Dwarvish Berserker)
• Alralarbor (Dwarvish Dragonguard)
• Bargalmabor (Dwarvish Dragonguard)
• Nordurcatdur (Dwarvish Dragonguard)
• Pelmatol (Dwarvish Dragonguard)
• Trimathauthis (Dwarvish Dragonguard)