CampaignDialogue:TB1.9

This is a transcription of all dialogue from The Tale of Two Brothers (1.9.5). It is meant as a resource for Wesnoth writers. If you don't want spoilers, leave this page now.

Possible Timeframe

This campaign, as originally written, had no definite time or place. There was a vague reference to "the eastern reaches of the kingdom of Wesnoth". In a later revision the epilog hint that Arne may have traveled with the elf-lord Kalenz, but this is not much of a constraint as Kalenz was around in 1YW and at least until the beginning of HttT in 517 YW.

Maghre has to be within reach of the orcs, but in a time and place where there haven't been orc raids for generations. This limits us to *western* Wesnoth, orc raids having been a chronic problem in the northeast even during the Kingdom's strongest periods. The logical time would be shortly after the death of Haldric IV in 350, the beginning of the First Dark Age. It's arbitrarily set at 353; Kalenz began his wanderings ten years later, so the timing for Arne to meet him later in life isn't bad.

Placing the campaign is a little trickier. Our main textual clue is that there is a dense wood, said by legend to be haunted, a few days' ride north. Later, the boss's keep is said to be still further north. Neither of these directions has plot importance, but they do suggest a locale for Maghre - near the Gray Woods. The battle maps exclude it from being in a featureless plain, though; there are hills to the south and west.

Death Dialogue

Mordak

Mordak: Argh

Arne

Arne: All is lost now that I am dead... (S 1-2)

Arne: Everything is lost now that I am dead... (S 3-4)

Bjarn

Bjarn: It is over, I am vanquished.

Scenario 1: Rooting Out A Mage

Story

The remote freehold of Maghre in the western reaches of the kingdom of Wesnoth was once a peaceful place, its inhabitants largely unaware of the comings and goings of the wider world. Wars and the rumor of wars touched them not, until the day a dark mage settled in the region and began seeking sacrifices for his evil summonings.

Skeletons and zombies killed cattle and fired fields. "Fear and obey Mordak the Mage!" they cried in fell voices as they did their foul deeds. People vanished from isolated farmsteads. Men and women began to fear the night, and their children even the bright day. But the nearest lord was more than a day's ride distant, and messengers sent to seek his help did not return.

There was a man named Bjarn who had shown talent as a mage when he was young, gone to the great Academy on the Isle of Alduin, and returned to work his magic in the land where he was born. The people looked to him for help and leadership. He found weapons half-forgotten from the times of their sires and grandsires hanging in many houses, and bade the villagers to take them down and clean and oil them. He set the smiths of Maghre to making spearheads and ax-blades for the rest.

Now Bjarn had a brother named Arne who had also left Maghre to seek his fortune, and had become the leader of a small band of horsemen who hired out as guards to merchant caravans. Fortunate it was for all that when Bjarn was but an apprentice mage, he had made a pair of amulets for himself and his brother, with which they might call to each other when in dire need. Bjarn sent out that call.

12 V, 363 YW Excerpt from the journal of Bjarn of Maghre

If I could but face this 'Mordak'! I think my magic might prove stronger than his. But he bides in the hills, well-guarded by his servants, and I muster frightened peasants to fight his minions with blades and sticks. I need my brother; he always had a better head for battle than I.

Will he heed the call? I do not know if he has kept the amulet; we have not spoken since that evil day at Toen Caric. If he will not come for me, perhaps he will return to aid our village in its hour of desperate need.

Heeding the call of his amulet, Arne gathered such men as he could and hurried to Maghre to help Bjarn.

Introductory Dialogue

Bjarn: Greetings, brother, and welcome home.

Arne: Hail.

Bjarn: Is that all, Arne? I understand, but...

Arne: You called, and I came; be content with that. What ails Maghre?

Bjarn: A dark mage has come upon us; his creatures call him Mordak. They have been terrorizing outlying farms, and we fear they may soon attack the village itself! The villagers of Maghre have taken up weapons but they are not trained fighters; but we need your men, and you to lead them.

I can feel Mordak's foul touch on the hidden currents of the earth and air. He is somewhere due north of here, I would say not more than two days' ride.

Arne: All right. I will do this for the village. Can you keep the mage off our backs?

Bjarn: I will go stealthily with a handful of our best scouts and woodsmen. While you demonstrate against him and kill his creatures, I will try to defeat Mordak himself with magic at an unguarded moment. You shall be the right hand, I the left... aye, brother?

Arne: ... Aye. Just make sure you're there when we need you.

Turn 6

Arne: Bjarn should be in position by now. Press them, distract the adept so Bjarn can spring his trap!

Turn 10

Arne: Bjarn has not made his attack!

Mercenary: Could he have abandoned us?

Arne: No... No. This is something else. I'm worried about him... but right now it means we have to deal with this Mordak ourselves.

Undead Leader: Last Breath

Mordak: Argh.

Arne: Good work, men! But what has become of my brother?

Mordak: Worried about him, are you? E-he-he..hergh...gaargh... (dies)

Arne: There's nothing more to be had from this one; we will have to search for Bjarn ourselves!

Reporter: Sir, our scouts report that Bjarn was seen captured and carried away further north!

Arne: That they should dare this! We will give chase at once.

Time Over

Mordak: Your brother's plan to ambush me has failed. He is our prisoner now.

Arne: My brother, kidnapped? I have failed you, Bjarn! And even now Mordak's forces descend upon the village!

First Attack

(attacks either Adept, Sorcerer, or Vampire Bat) Arne: I hear these creatures are nigh-immune to our weapons, let us see!

Player Kills First Enemy

(kills same as above) Unit: That was not so hard!

Scenario 2: The Chase

Story

16 V, 363 YW Excerpt from the journal of Arne of Maghre

We've been searching three days for Bjarn, and turned up nothing. My best hunch was to head north into the borderlands, where the necromancer's minions could safely hide; everywhere else is more farmland. At first I thought the search might be useless, but late in the first day we found a set of tracks. Some of them had been made by skeletal feet.

We're close enough to be certain now: those tracks are heading into the Grey Woods. No one from Maghre or any of the other villages has gone into that forest in living memory. Stories have been passed down for generations warning against it. Supposedly the place is haunted by lost souls who hunger for the living, and anyone who dies there is doomed to join them.

16 V, 363 YW Excerpt from the journal of Arne of Maghre

But I'm past superstitions now; I've seen enough of the world to guess at the truth behind these sorts of tales. The forest is home to elves — unfriendly ones, if the stories have any basis at all. I worry for my men; horses don't fight well in forests, and the elves will be more dangerous in their own territory. But there are things that need done and questions that need answered. Something bigger is happening. One necromancer terrorizing townsfolk is nothing new, but why didn't his servants scatter when he was killed? Where are they headed now? And most importantly, why did they take Bjarn with them?

Besides... I want my brother back.

Introductory Dialogue

Arne: Come on, men. A stroll through such lovely green woods, what could be finer?

Nil-Galion: You there! Halt and explain yourself.

Arne: We're chasing after some men who kidnapped my brother!

Nil-Galion: Those men told me their prisoner had attempted to murder their master, and warned that evil men would follow him. Advance no further, or you will die.

Arne: So much for those ghost stories. Mere elves will not stop me from freeing Bjarn!

Horseman: I am glad at least that we will not have to face ghosts. But those elves will have us at a disadvantage; our horses will not maneuver well in the trees.

Arne: Bah, just stay on the paths; our spearmen and bowmen can fight in the deeper woods. We have faced and won through greater perils than those amateurs can offer.

Move to the North

Unit: I see them! There they are!

Muff Toras: Curses! If they had been an hour slower our master's reinforcements would already be here to meet us.

Turn 12

Arne: Come on, men, let's catch those kidnappers!

Undead Last Breath

Muff Toras: Hah! You have captured me, but it will avail you nothing. I sent your precious brother the mage north with half my men a day since; he will be safely locked away in our master's dungeons by now.

Arne: My blade is at your throat. Give us the way to my brother now, or I will spill your wretched blood on the ground.

Muff Toras: Three days ride to the northeast, in a deserted castle. The passwords to the guards are --- and ---.

Arne: Bind him and take him with us. If he has played us false, he will die.

Horseman: Captain, what are we riding into? I thought you wanted nothing to do with Bjarn any more, not since Toen Caric.

Arne: I'm no longer sure. What's between us remains, but knowing someone else has lain hands on him changes things. Mount up, and let's get moving.

Easy (Iron Mauler appears)

Brena: Greetings. I am Brena, a knight errant. I saw you pursuing and fighting the foul undead. Are there more of them to be destroyed?

Arne: Aye. We think there's a nest of them north-east of here. They've captured my brother.

Brena: I bear a great hatred towards their kind. I will follow and fight them with you, if you permit.

A Horseman: He would only slow us down!

Arne: It is my place to decide this.

Yes

Arne: Oh, all right then. Come along with us.

Brena: Thank you. My comrades and I will help you on your noble quest.

No

Arne: I am sorry. We have not the time to spare.

Brena: Take this, then, for I see that you are on a quest. My comrades will help you whenever you call for them.

Narrator: You receive 70 pieces of gold!

Elf Last Breath

Nil-Galion: Foolish human, you have killed me but you will not catch the undead in time. I have fulfilled my contract, and will be reanimated soon to become a lord of their armies.

(dies)

Arne: Follow their back trail!

Time Over

Muff Toras: My reinforcements are here!

Arne: He escaped us...

Scenario 3: Guarded Castle

Story

19 IV, 363 YW Excerpt from the journal of Rotharik the Clanless

The last of Mordak's servants arrived this morning bearing the news of his death, as well as a bundle so well-bound it was barely recognizable as a man. Mordak was always reckless. This whole desperate scheme was his, and I suppose I could blame him for everything that we have suffered through if it still mattered. It was he who brought the wrath of the orcs down on us, too. But all the same, he managed to accomplish what he set out to do. I still cannot believe the finality of what has happened; until now we had always managed to make it through somehow.

We had hoped to deliver the mage to Tairach in return for our lives. I do not know what the warlord wants with this man, but he matches the description. I suppose that Mordak's plan would have worked perfectly if not for the appearance of the horse warriors. Now they are coming here, led by a man rumored to be this mage’s brother. If that is true, he will stop at nothing, no more than would I if they held Mordak.

19 IV, 363 YW Excerpt from the journal of Rotharik the Clanless

I have done what I can to fortify this dilapidated castle. The orcs who came with us stand guard at the gates, and I am gathering all of my servants to me in the inner sanctum. But ill fate awaits. Whether I defeat this horse-warrior or no, the orcs will still come for me; they have been scouring the borderlands and raiding the northern farm country in search of us.

Yet for some reason I fear these brothers more. If Mordak were here it would be different, but we are broken... and these two men are whole. In each other, in the ties that bind them, they have strength.

Introductory Dialogue

Narrator: Arne and his men halt outside of the castle, gazing for a moment at the hulking mass of stone looming in the fog. There is movement in the mist.

Guard Leader: Halt! Friend or foe? Give the password.

Arne: The password is ----.

Password Correct

Guard Leader: Pass friend.

Arne: The adept didn't lead us astray after all. I'll keep my word, distasteful as it may be; cut him loose, and let's be rid of him.

Password Incorect

Guard Leader: Wrong! Die!

Orcs Sighted

Knago-Brek: Haha! We not kill people for long time. Weapon wants blood. We now kill humans!!

Arne: My sword-arm has a say in who will do the dying. Come on, men, let's kill some orcs.

Knago-Brek Dies

Arne: One less braggart orc in the world.

Unit: Captain, what are orcs doing this far south?

Arne: Good question. Perhaps my brother will have found out.

Second Set of Guards (Turn 3/6)

Guard Leader II: Are you our relief arriving? Does this mean we get to leave here now?

Arne: Um, yes. Fine. You can go.

Guard Leader II: Um, you're supposed to give the password.

Arne: Oh, of course. I had nearly forgotten.

Password Correct

Guard Leader: Thanks! Irritating little formality, isn't it?

Password Incorrect

Guard Leader II: That's the wrong password! These aren't our relief! Get them!

Dialogue Continues

Arne: I think I should better support my men at the front to make sure we can free my brother.

Rotharik Dies

Rotharik: Your hand or Tairach's, death is still death... (argh)

(dies)

Arne: 'Tairach'? Who or what is Tairach?

Unit: There's a key in his robes.

Arne: That may well be the key to the cell they're holding Bjarn in! I will take it.

Treasure

Unit: Look what I have found in here! I can count a hundred pieces of gold.

(50 on easy, 100 on hard)

Bjarn's Cell

Unit: I found Bjarn. He is in this cell.

If Arne

Bjarn: Good to see you, Arne.

Arne: And you too, brother.

If not Arne

Bjarn: You must be one of Arne's men. Please help me get out of this dungeon.

Dialogue Continues

Bjarn: The accursed dark sorcerer Rotharik has imprisoned me behind this magically enhanced iron gate. It can only be opened with the correct key. You must get it from him to free me.

If You Have Key

Bjarn: Thank you for saving me. I… was not certain you would come.

Arne: Have you no faith in your brother, Bjarn?

Bjarn: It's not that. Perhaps I deserved to rot here. I failed you. I failed you again.

Arne: That is as may be. But you are my brother still. And... I never doubted you would have come for me.

It was no great trial, after all. A few elves, one or two dark sorcerers, a gang of orcs and some undead. Really just a day's work for the company.

Bjarn: Thank you for coming to my aid. Let us return to the village.

Time Over

Rotharik: You are too late! Your brother is already dead! Muahahaha...

Arne: Argh!!!

Scenario 4: Return to the Village

Story

27 V, 363 YW Excerpt from the journal of Bjarn of Maghre

Almost home now. The last week has been full of mixed feelings for me — blissful and difficult by turns. It was wonderful to be out of that dungeon cell and in the sunlight again without the threat of death or worse hanging over my head... but with that behind me, I turned to the almost equally daunting task of making amends with my brother.

Arne had largely forgiven me by the time he freed me from my cell. All the same, it has taken all of the past week for us to rebuild the sense of comfort in each other we once had. It is fortunate that we have been able to take our time getting back — we gave the Grey Woods a wide berth, and on our way around it we traveled through some truly beautiful countryside. It has given us plenty of time to talk.

27 V, 363 YW Excerpt from the journal of Bjarn of Maghre

Though I am more at ease now, my thoughts often turn back to Toen Caric. We should have been able to repel the orcs without great loss — the pincer attack Arne devised would surely have carried the day but for me. It was reckless of me to leave my men behind — I wounded the warlord and forced him to flee the field, but the cost far outweighed the gain. Those under my command could have been saved if I had remained with them.

I can hardly blame Arne for having taken their deaths ill, and I can never undo the wrong that I have done, but I suppose that time heals some things. We return to the village as brothers once more.

But I am still troubled. I wonder... is this sense of foreboding I feel merely a remnant of my time locked away in that dungeon, or is it a sign of something real?

Introductory Dialogue

Arne: There. Your village is just across those hills, and already I see men coming to greet us!

Bjarn: No, they are fleeing from something. We must find out what is happening over there!

Arne: Men! Ready your arms!

Bjarn: We find Reeve Hoban. Maybe he knows what is going on here.

Tairach Sighted

Unit: We're almost there!

Bjarn: That warlord! It's...

Arne: Yes, I'd know that face anywhere. Especially after what you did to it.

Bjarn: The warlord from Toen Caric.

Tairach: You! The mage who scarred me with fire! KILL THEM!

Bjarn: Let's finish what we started, brother.

Arne: Aye. I'll be the right arm, and you'll be the left. Let's go!

Soldier of Reeve Hoban Seen

Reeve Hoban: I am glad to see you returned.

Bjarn: No gladder than I am to be here. But what has happened to Maghre?

Reeve Hoban: Soon after you departed we were beset by orcs. With half the men of Maghre gone, we could not stop them.

The orcish warlord aims to enslave us. We will not be able to hold out for much longer.

Have a care, his men are fell fighters and have killed many. Very few remain who can bear arms, but I will send them to aid you in battle.

Enemies Defeated

Arne: It is finished. We've defeated him at last. It was good to have you at my side, Bjarn.

Bjarn: So much has been destroyed. It will be difficult to repair all that the orcs and undead have wrecked. And they could come again.

Arne: I must go back to earning my living. But we have our amulets, little brother. If you are beset again, I will come.

Time Over

Arne: I don't think we can rescue anyone from these villages. It is too late.

Bjarn: I was too weak to protect these people. Oh why did this happen to me?!?

Scenario 5: Epilogue

Story

22 IX, 365 YW Excerpt from the journal of Arne of Maghre

Maghre is looking much better than the last time I saw it. Bjarn has done wonders in two years. The village is rebuilt, and the surrounding farmlands are restored and reoccupied. Despite my brother's worries, our people have faced no new threats in that time.

It has been more difficult to stay away in those two years, but I have my calling and Bjarn has his, and we have had little opportunity to meet again. But as the company and I are passing through this part of the kingdom with a new patron, I have asked leave of him to visit my brother and he gave it.

22 IX, 365 YW Excerpt from the journal of Arne of Maghre

This patron is, of all things, an elf. I never thought I'd befriend one, but he is less arrogant than the rest. Kalenz, he calls himself. He's seen too much; I can tell that just by meeting his eyes. I think we will have to work for our pay soon.

In the meantime, though, it's good to relax and enjoy the peace.

TB's Specified Unit Names

Humans

• Arne
• Bjarn
• Alwyn
• Brent
• Brena
• Cadell
• Dannen
• Efran
• Fargus
• Erik
• Heine
• Magnus
• Reeve Hoban

Elves

• Nil-Galion

Undead

Human

• Mordak
• Muff Toras
• Rotharik (the Clanless)

Orcs

• Knago-Brek
• Tairach