CampaignDialogue:DID

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

Death Dialogue

Malin Keshar

I'm not ready to die yet...

Mal Keshar

Then my battle against the orcs is lost!

Darken Volk

Fool boy! You have allowed my death, and now none in this world will aid you.

In "A Small Favor - part 3"

No! I will not fall this close to achieving the goal of so many years!

Drogan

Who will be left to defend Parthyn?

Dela Keshar

I'm... dying...

Time Over

Darken Volk: Your incompetence at this simple task is appalling. You will never grow strong enough to be of use to me.

Scenario 1: Saving Parthyn

Story Text

Malin Keshar was born ten years after the death of Haldric IV. He grew up in the northern border town of Parthyn, the second child and eldest son of the city's baron. Every summer, by the time the mountainous paths and high passes shed their wintry gowns of snow, orcs descended from the northern hills to ravage the settlements at the frontier. Every year, Malin's father led the townsfolk to repel the raids and force the orcs to retreat back to the north.

When Malin was ten, a passing mage sensed strong magical abilities in the boy and suggested he be sent to the Isle of Alduin for training in the magical arts. Malin studied there for eight years, learning all manner of magic from basic control over the elements, to the mystic arts and scrying, to alchemy and simple medicine.

Although his life on Alduin was luxurious and peaceful, Malin found the teachings of the scholarly mages to be too philosophical for his tastes. His thought turned back to Parthyn, where brute force, not theoretical reasoning, was necessary to drive off the orcs. In time, Malin began to research new magics on his own, but his lack of experience led to a series of failed experiments, one of which took the life of a fellow student. For his transgressions, he was expelled.

When Malin returned to Parthyn, orcs had already begun to attack the city. Although he tried his best to fight them off, the raids were far more relentless and the town guard was far weaker than he had remembered. One night, a particularly powerful strike stormed the city and Malin could only watch as his father was cut down by one of the savage orcish warriors.

Shaken by the loss of their commander, the human defense began to falter. The orcs roared in anticipation of victory, but before they could overrun the city, skeleton warriors poured out of the woods to their rear. The undead cut down orc after orc, swords and axes hacking through flesh and bone with ruthless efficiency. The soldiers watched in half amazement, half fear as the orcs dropped and the skeletons turned toward them, empty eyes bleeding with fetid magic. All was dreadfully still as the blood and carnage settled in the rank darkness.

The silence was broken by the irregular shuffle of a man emerging from the trees. He stood before them, a hunched figure with a rasping voice reminiscent of crackling bones. "I am Darken Volk. While I know your you don't love my kind, I think it's vital that we put aside our differences for the moment. The orcish menace grows in the north, and they'll soon return in even greater force. You can't hope to defend against them without my... help. For now, however, I ask only to refresh myself in your town."

Drogan, the captain of the guard, replied: "Nay, you surely know that the penalty for necromancy is death. Seeing that you've saved our village, however, we'll allow you to rest here for a few days. Nevertheless, upon your departure, you are banished from Parthyn. Should you return, we'll attack you on sight."

Malin, troubled by his father's death and the strength of the orcish assault, argued to no avail that Darken Volk be allowed to stay. After a couple days, the necromancer left Parthyn without incident.

Introductory Dialogue

Dela Keshar: Was it really a good idea to send out a raiding party so soon after the orcs just attacked us? Even Father is no longer here...

Malin Keshar: Nor is Darken Volk. We're truly defenseless.

Dela Keshar: Not like we needed him. I can't believe that you'd even consider trusting a necromancer!

Drogan: Quit bickering you two. With the bulk of their forces massacred in that assault, the orcish encampments will be greatly weakened. The raiding party should be able to clear them out and leave us a relatively quiet summer.

Malin Keshar: So much for quiet, Drogan. Orcs amass north of the river!

Drogan: What? Curses! How can there still be so many of them?

Dela Keshar: You sent most of our soldiers away to attack the orcs, and we haven't even begun to rebuild the city walls...

Drogan: Quiet you. Malin, you must hold the river fort, or they shall surely overrun the town. If you can defend for two days, the raiding party should return by then and we'll be able to fight the orcs off. For now, I'll bring what soldiers remain to your aid.

Recruit a Walking Corpse

Drogan: What in blazes is that thing? Has the necromancer returned? His timing couldn't be worse...

Malin Keshar: No, Drogan. I raised this corpse with the skills Darken Volk taught me before he left. While I have no love for it, we can't hope to repel the orcs without the help of the dead!

Drogan: You say it will ensure our survival, but at what price? Defiling the bodies of our dead? Your soul, sold to black magic?

Malin Keshar: What? I'm hardly evil, Drogan!

Dela Keshar: You say that, Brother, but you've been very close-mouthed about why the mages sent you home from Alduin. I'm beginning to think that you were already dabbling in this witchcraft even before you met that necromancer!

Malin Keshar: No! No... it was something stupid, something silly... it doesn't matter now! I won't stand by and allow the orcs to destroy my home while I have the skills to prevent it!

Signpost

Narrator: Welcome to Parthyn

Book

Narrator: Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

Orcs Reach Parthyn

Drogan: The orcs have broken through our line. Parthyn is open to attack!

Victory Dialogue

Necromancy

Malin Keshar: The orcs are dead!

Drogan: By all rights, I should have you executed on the spot, Malin. I can't believe you let that necromancer corrupt you. I suppose part of this is my fault, since I was the one who allowed him into Parthyn; nevertheless. Since I showed him mercy, I'll show the same to you. You're hereby banished from Parthyn.

Malin Keshar: Fine words, Drogan. Would you rather have let the orcs overrun the town?

Drogan: Aye, better that than to even dabble in dark magic. People would have rebuilt the town, just as they always have before. Even had I died, it would at leat have been with dignity. Would the mages had taught you more sense.

Malin Keshar: I only did it to protect those whom I care about. Is this really what I deserve for saving your hides?

Drogan: Yes, yes, it is. Nobody will support you on your path to depravity.

Spearman: We should all be glad to see you gone, necromancer. I detest having fought by your side.

Malin Keshar: Dela? Sister?

Dela Keshar: It sickens me to be of the same blood as a necromancer. Father would turn in his grave if he could see what you've become. Just leave.

Drogan: Begone, Malin. I've no wish to see your face around here ever again.

No Necromancy (as if that's possible)

Malin Keshar: The orcs are dead!

Drogan: That was bravely done, lad, holding the orcs off by yourself. But I fear the raiding party brings grave news from the north. More warlords have begun to amass armies in the hills, no more than a few days north of the Great River. I don't know if we possess the strength to fight them off.

Malin Keshar: Then we must seek help. It hasn't been long since Darken Volk's departure. Perhaps I can find him and ask him to aid us.

Drogan: I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

Malin Keshar: Then, what would you have us do, Drogan? Let the orcs overrun Parthyn? Abandon our families to those savages?

Drogan: If it comes to it, yes. Abandon the town and rebuild later, as we have always done.

Malin Keshar: Or we can drive off the orcs altogether and make sure they never attack us again. Surely I can't be the only one who sees that what Drogan says is madness!

Drogan: Should you embark on a quest to seek out depravity, none of us will support you.

Spearman: Better to die than to ally ourselves with a necromancer.

Malin Keshar: Dela? Sister?

Dela Keshar: I hope that you'll stay with us, Malin. Be reasonable.

Malin Keshar: Be reasonable? I'm the only one whosees reason here. If no one will help me, I'll go by myself.

Dela Keshar: Malin, seeking out the help of a necromancer is just... just foolhardy! We need you here to help protect the town!

Malin Keshar: You'll eventually see that I'm right, Dela. I'm resolved.

Time Over (Victory)

Narrator: The raiding party returns, and the orcs flee in the face of a superior force.

Orcs Defeated

Narrator: The orcs are broken, dead or fled.

Scenario 2: Peaceful Valley

Story Text

Bitter and alone, Malin follows the back-trail of the orcish band north from Parthyn. He curses the mages for casting him out from the Isle of Alduin only half-prepared, unprepared for conflict. He curses Drogan for lacking the resolve to make the necessary sacrifices to protect their home. Most fiercely, he curses the orcs for their mindless savagery, pillagers and raiders who view violence as little more than sport.

Three days' travel northeast, Malin stumbles upon Darken Volk, the necromancer who had saved Parthyn and taught him to raise the dead. The dark mage suggests that they travel together. Malin obliges, having been abandone by his kinsmen. As the weeks pass, Darken Volk teaches Malin more dark magic.

Introductory Dialogue

Darken Volk: In truth, I share your hatred for the orcs. The Northlands have been my home for many years and the orcs have been a growing infestation in recent times. They despoil the beauty of the land wherever they go, hacking and burning the forests and wildlife with their crude armaments. They're truly nothing but brutish barbarians. If you are interested, I would be happy to take you on as my... apprentice... so that you can aid me in the fight against them.

Malin Keshar: Yes! These vile creatures have ruined our lives in more ways than I can name. It's time someone did the same to them. They deserve to suffer for what they've done to us.

Darken Volk: Perhaps removing the threat of orcish raids will persuade the people of Parthyn to welcome you home.

Malin Keshar: They should be grateful. Imagine. No need to rebuild our homes year after year. No more needless deaths, no more senseless bloodshed, no more fear...

Darken Volk: But first, training. The orcs are powerful in the hills, strong enough that even I dare not confront them directly.

Malin Keshar: Then, what shall we do?

Darken Volk: Strike at them where they're weak. A goblin village lies in this valley, just ahead. They're the bastard children of the orcs, feeble creatures individually, but annoying enough in large numbers. Subduing them will provide us a supply of fresh corpses and souls to use against the orcs.

...it will be a worthwhile test of your skills.

First Village Captured

Darken Volk: Beware the goblin guards in the villages.

Swamp is Seen

Darken Volk: Ahhh... I did not realize there was a swamp near this village. Malin, I believe it would be beneficial for your training if you and I were to investigate the swamp.

Enter the Swamp

Darken Volk: Rise from the realms of death and decay!

Malin Keshar: What are those things?

Darken Volk: They are ghouls: disgusting beings fashioned from living flesh in poisonous, disease-carrying carcasses. Those of them who outlive their masters orbit towards natural decay, infesting swamps and marshes.

Malin Keshar: It seems cruel to turn men into such terrible beings.

Darken Volk: You don't have to have mercy on them. They were once... evil men... murderers and outlaws, no better than the orcs you are hunting. I have transformed them so that their outward appearance matches their soul. Don't you find it appropriate? There is no greater punishment for those of their kind.

Malin Keshar: I suppose so...

Killing the leader

Malin Keshar: Master, the goblin knight is dead.

Victory Dialogue

Malin Keshar: Sacking goblin villages is all well and good, but walking corpses and bats won't stand up to full orcish warriors.

Darken Volk: Be patient. We are only at the beginning of your training. These corpses and their souls will provide enough resources for training. Once you have learned the basics, we will attack the orcs and see your forces grow rapidly.

Malin Keshar: Excellent. I'm eager to move on to the real foes.

Scenario 3: A Haunting in Winter

Story Text

Malin and Darken spent the summer and fall traveling up and down the lower Northlands. When they found them, they attacked small goblin villages and orc encampments. Although Darken Volk is occasionally picky and cranky, he proves to be an effective mentor. Malin's power grows considerably under the tutelage of the necromancer.

The mosaic of autumn colors eventually vanishes under the winter snow that whitens the arid lands. The nights lengthen as the sun disappears behind a seemingly perennial fog of pale clouds. Hunted by the elements, the two necromancers retreat to the hills to seek shelter. By pure stroke of luck, they come across a largely abandoned cave in early winter.

Introductory Dialogue

Darken Volk: I perceive many forms of life in this cave, but none of them are very powerful. They are most likely nothing more than beasts. However, we may be able to use them to continue your education.

Malin Keshar: Better than nothing. In what direction are these creatures?

Darken Volk: East.

Young Ogre: Kill you!

Young Ogre: No, kill you!

Young Ogre: No, kill... see humans!

Young Ogre: Humans! We crush humans!

Malin Keshar: Simple and dull creatures.

Darken Volk: This should be an easy task for you. After killing them both, we will turn them into skeletons.

Killing the ogres

Young Ogre: I... die...

Young Ogre: Arrghhaaughhh...

Malin Keshar: The ogres are dead.

Darken Volk: Well ... I've already shown you how to summon a skeleton, but maybe it would be better if ... we saw it one more time. Aside from ghouls, flesh and blood are useless to the undead. First, take the blood and entrails and discard them.

Malin Keshar: Very well.

What a mess.

Darken Volk: The ghouls will deal with them once we have enough resources to summon them. Then, remove the meat. If it sticks a bit, that's fine; too much will hinder the movement of the skeletons.

Malin Keshar: And then?

Darken Volk: Tie the energy cords to the bones. Skeletons are nothing but puppets. Novices will control their movements with threads of dark magic, but you shouldn't need such crude methods. Rather, you impose your will on the skeleton, stretch the ropes over the bones, then release the laces from your hand. If your will is strong enough, the skeleton will be able to move on its own.

Malin Keshar: I'll try.

Darken Volk: Do it again.

Very well. Now let's go north. I feel the presence of another young ogre.

Seeing the other ogre

Malin Keshar: I can turn this into a skeleton too.

Killing the ogre

Darken Volk: The ogre appears to have plundered a bow. Use it to create an archer skeleton.

Malin Keshar: Very well.

Darken Volk: It seems that the summoning of skeletons is already a trivial thing for you. You are really... talented.

Malin Keshar: Maybe, but I'll need more than a handful of skeletons to fight the orcs.

Darken Volk: It will all come in due time when you learn to control an entire group of them. For now, let's continue exploring these caves. We may find something else to use.

Seeing the scorpions

Malin Keshar: This cave is infested with giant scorpions!

Darken Volk: Nothing but annoying parasites. However, killing them will provide useful experience for your skeletons.

Seeing the swamp

Naga Fighter: Hsss, I ssspy on human parasssitesss... I have to sssuppresss them.

Naga Fighter: We'll kill them...

Malin Keshar: I don't think I'll be the one to die here.

Killing the nagas

Naga Fighter: Evil... Dark... Magic...

Naga Fighter: Hsssss...

Darken Volk: Since you have learned how to reanimate skeletons, I will now teach you how to control spirits. The souls of the departed do not stray far from their bodies. You should be still able to perceive them.

Malin Keshar: I perceive them.

Darken Volk: Soul control can be risky even for an experienced necromancer. Be cautious when imprisoning a soul - use all your power to maintain control over it. You must impose your will on that of the dominated spirit, otherwise it may try to break the bonds that imprison it and destroy you.

Malin Keshar: I... will do my best.

I think... I did it-

Ghost: Freedom! Your sssorceriesss will hold me no more, Malin the Damned!

Darken Volk: You are a crazy idiot! How did you let your will be overwhelmed by that of a semi-sentient creature who can barely make up a single coherent sentence? Let your willpower diminish a little more and you will join the ranks of the other young necromancers who have died at the hands of their minions.

Malin Keshar: My will is strong, but the creature does not come back under my control. What should I do?

Darken Volk: Subdue the rebel! Once you have drained its energy, exercise your power over him and don't lose focus.

Rebels Ghost is Defeated

Darken Volk: Regain control while it's weakened!

Malin Keshar: I think I have it under control again. I came close. Now let me try the other one.

Darken Volk: Nothing serious this time, but you will have to practice more.

Reaching the mines

Malin Keshar: Railroad tracks and mines... the dwarves must have lived here, but no one seems to be standing guard. Where the hell did they go?

Seeing trolls

Malin Keshar: Trolls! I suppose I should have expected it.

Darken Volk: A threat to your skeletons, but little more than meat for your ghosts. Eliminate them all.

Killing a troll

Malin Keshar: If I act fast, I can enslave another ghost to help me fight the rest of these trolls.

Darken Volk: The boy learns quickly. He could prove to be of great use, after all.

Victory Dialogue

Malin Keshar: The trolls have been defeated.

Darken Volk: You have done very well so far, but I still have many things to teach you. Come on, we have work to do.

Scenario 4: Beginning of the Revenge

Story Text

Weeks pass in cold and bare caves. There is little light and little food, but Malin's burning desire for revenge sustains him during his training. As black magic's grip grows stronger, so does his control over the undead. He finds that it's a mastery of a different kind from what he was taught at the Academy. The magic pervades him as he had never done before: he listens to it and answers it. It feels his will and lets himself be guided by me. He embraces dark magic as if it were an extension of himself.

With the arrival of spring, Darken Volk leads Malin north to the rugged mountain peaks. On the highest peaks the snow has just begun to melt into rivulets of water, flowing downstream and splitting the frozen surface that covers the Lystra River. Although the unstable terrain makes the transit dangerous, the eldest necromancer insists on continuing. He says that by arriving early in the season, he hopes to catch the orcs unprepared.

Introductory Dialogue

Darken Volk: Across this passage is the eastern boundary of the central mountains proper. Due to their particular shape, the orcs call these mountains "White Fang", which is also the namesake of the ruling clan of this region. They are the very same ones who killed your father.

Malin Keshar: The White Fang orcs... so they're called that.

Darken Volk: To reach them, we must first destroy the orcs that block our path out of this mountain pass. Thus, we can move towards our main goal.

Malin Keshar: I have dreamed of this day for a long time. We will finally take our revenge.

An Orc Dies

Malin Keshar: Feel my wrath, vile creature!

Move to the Ice

Malin Keshar: The ice doesn't look very thick...

Darken Volk: ...

Ice Breaks

Narrator: The weak ice gives way beneath the undead creature, who becomes mired in the thick mud at the lake's bottom.

Narrator: The weak ice gives way beneath the heavy warrior, who drowns in the frigid mountain waters.

Killing a leader

Malin Keshar: After all, these orcs aren't that strong!

Victory Dialogue

Reaching the signpost

Malin Keshar: It's time to hunt down the Whitefangs.

Killing the last leader

K'rrlar Oban: Wait, human! I can help you! What would you like? Slaves? Gold? Lands?

Malin Keshar: I just want your death.

It's time to hunt down the Whitefangs.

Scenario 5: Orc War

Story Text

The cycle of the seasons is renewed and summer and winter follow one another once again. Malin's thoughts often go to Parthyn, where, a year earlier, he was still with his family and his friends of hers in a small, rustic town that she thought was still her home. He has since become an abandoned wanderer, he thinks, but the still burning image of his downcast father in the ruins of his house is etched in his mind in the foreground.

Company and peace ... maybe they are just a farce and certainly impossible with the looming threat of the orc clans. Perhaps it makes no sense to remember his pastoral and peaceful life. He has never been a regret type.

Malin turns his attention to the current task. Darken Volk takes him to the heart of White Fang territory, where they terrorize and kill entire fields of orcs with their undead minions. Word spreads among the cities of the orcs, who began to post sentries and deploy frequent patrols to exterminate the two necromancers. These measures are of little use.

Rumors have spread south when the usual annual raids don't show up. The people of the frontier town spend their days gossiping about the voices of the undead; some do it with disgust, others with complicity. At the end of winter and the arrival of spring, some dark adepts travel north to join the pair of necromancers. "They're useful enough in combat," the necromancer tells Malin, "but none of them have a tenth of your potential."

Malin and Darken Volk continue their raids against the orcs and eventually force Whitefang's usually unruly leaders to team up to fight them. The orcs chase the two necromancers east to the mouth of the river the men call Longlier and the elves Arkhan-Thoria, where they manage to surround the men and force them to fight.

Introductory Dialogue

Malin Keshar: Since the founding of Wesnoth, you have tormented men incessantly. You trampled our crops, slaughtered our animals and burned our homes. You brought war where there was peace, death where there was life. You are nothing but merciless killers and wild beasts. Those of your kind have no mercy on anything and will not receive any. I will reduce you to dust and turn you into my slaves for eternity.

Borth: Stop your silly talk, foul necromancer! You have caused enough trouble. It is time for you to die.

P'Gareth: Ummm... unless... you are already dead, like the skeletons?

K'Vark: Then, it will be time for you to die again!!!

Killing the first leader

Malin Keshar: Orc, how threatening and weak you are when you see death.

Killing the second leader

Malin Keshar: Death is just the beginning for you. After this battle, you can rest assured that I will make you my slave. And now for the last one-

P'Gareth: Retreat!

Malin Keshar: The last chieftain is escaping! The coward!

Darken Volk: Orcs are nothing but beasts. They speak loudly to weaker enemies, as if this makes them powerful, but they will always flee in the face of overwhelming force. However, the Whitefangs are still many and they also have some ties to other orc clans. You have to take this boss down before he can warn the others, or we may soon have dozens on our heels.

Malin Keshar: By "you have to", you mean... me alone?

Darken Volk: Your apprenticeship is almost over - you are more than capable of handling a single half-dead ogre on your own. After that, I have a little favor to ask you. It will be the last part of your ... training. I have other problems in preparation that I need to attend to. In a few weeks, let's meet in the west, near the town of Tath. For now, hunt down the last commander.

Scenario 6: Return to Parthyn

Story Text

After two days of traveling south from the previous battle, Malin finds the tracks of the assembled orcs. He follows them along the west bank of the Lystra River, past the Whitefang Mountains. He wonders why they keep running to the Great River instead of asking for reinforcements, but after thinking about it, he realizes where the orcs are headed. After all, this is the season when they usually raid human cities.

'This commander has no intention of alerting the rest of his clan of my sighting. I guess he must think I want to attack the rest of the White Fangs rather than hunt them down here. With his brothers busy fighting me, he will be able to raid many other human cities undisturbed. Selfish creature. Exactly what one would expect from an orc.' Malin thinks carefully and soon realizes what he should do.

He walks tirelessly in the woods, neglecting to sleep for several days as he and his minions approach the Great River, hoping to intercept the orcs before they reach Parthyn. Soon, Malin recognizes a familiar environment...

Introductory Dialogue

Malin Keshar: Drogan, I bring news from the north! The orcs march towards Parthyn, they are no more than a few hours' walk from here. They're going to raid the village tonight!

Drogan: I hoped I'd never see you again, Malin. I see you are not bringing your own exile, so I will clear your mind: no matter what your reason for returning, you are not welcome here. Take a step towards Parthyn and I'll order the guards to attack you.

Malin Keshar: Exile or not, I'm here to help defend the city from the orcs!

Drogan: Orcs or not, you have to go!

Malin Keshar: Dela, help me! At least you have to understand!

Dela Keshar: You have chosen the path of darkness for yourself. We will not be taken with you.

Drogan: If you continue to be stubborn, we will attack you. It's your choice.

Ghost: Master, don't listen to them! He also has a choice, but he foolishly decided to refuse your help! He endangers Parthyn's safety!

Malin Keshar: Shut up.

Drogan! With my new powers, I have already eliminated several orc leaders! If you allow me to help you, I will destroy the one who's coming here too!

Drogan: A nice story. But it seems more likely to me that you brought your orc allies here to take revenge on the city. If we retreat, your undead will undoubtedly kill us instantly. When I watched you grow up, I never believed you would become a traitor.

Malin Keshar: Dela, you don't believe it, do you?

Drogan: Stop talking to your sister, Malin! The fact that she also refuses you should make you realize how much a traitor you are.

Ghost: Master, he threatens the safety of the city by blocking your way.

Malin Keshar: Then you are the traitor, Drogan, if you stop me from defending Parthyn. I'll defend my home, whatever it takes, even if it means I have to take you down first.

If I want the people of Parthyn to accept me again, I have to be cautious. I don't have to kill anyone besides Drogan or they'll banish me forever.

Recruiting a Dark Adept

Drogan: So, Malin, you even started corrupting our people with your magical arts. I also never expected you to be reduced to the point of kidnapping the villagers and making them your pawns!

Unit: I joined Malin of my own free will! You fools simply do not understand the power inherent in necromancy.

Drogan: I understand enough to know that it makes everything it wraps evil.

Malin Keshar: There's no point in arguing with such a stubborn one. We can only show Drogan how wrong he is by force.

Signpost

Narrator: Welcome to Parthyn

Dela Keshar is Defeated

Dela Keshar: I am defeated but not dead, foul thing that was once my brother. Watch your back, because I will be coming for you and kill you...

Kill a Regular Villager

Malin Keshar: Now the people of Parthyn will never accept me back!

Drogan Dies

Malin Keshar: Do you see what you have achieved with your treacherous plots, Drogan?

Dela Keshar: Drogan, no! Malin, you are a monster! How could you kill Drogan in cold blood?

Malin Keshar: He chose his fate alone! I just took my own revenge!

Dela Keshar: How do you think Drogan could be a traitor when you are the one attacking Parthyn?

Malin Keshar: What? I have not twisted a hair on any villager or guard outside of Drogan! I'm just trying to help out, but no one seems to want to hear my reasons!

Dela Keshar: There is no reason to deceive someone who embraces evil without shame! You will pay for Drogan's death!

Malin Keshar: Even with my new powers, I can't fight an entire city. I must flee west and look for Darken Volk!

Evening

P'Gareth: Recruits! Prepare the camp! Tonight we will attack the city - stop! YOU! Necromancer, have you followed us this far?!

Malin Keshar: Did you really think you could run faster than death, which needs neither rest nor sleep? Get ready to meet your creators, orc!

Drogan alive

Drogan, I'll show you what my new powers are capable of. You will see how foolish you are to oppose me.

Malin Escapes

Dela Keshar: Run while you can, Malin the Damned! Once we have protected Parthyn from future raids, you can rest assured that he will hunt you down. You are no longer my brother.

Malin Keshar: O Gods, how did we get to this point? My sister is determined to see my death alone. Exiled from Parthyn, my homeland, my home ... rejected by my people, to whom I gave everything for... Nothing has gone right since I messed up that fat orc-kissing toad Zephrin and tried to curse him. I was just trying my new spell on him! It had to be just a simple curse! How was I to know it would kill him? Damn the Academy.

Now the only one who wants to keep me alive is a necromancer. I'm starting to think I'm the cursed one.

Killing the orc leader

Narrator: The orc was carrying gold.

Dela Keshar: Run while you can, Malin the Damned! Once we have protected Parthyn from future raids, you can rest assured that he will hunt you down. You are no longer my brother.

Malin Keshar: O Gods, how did we get to this point? My sister is determined to see my death alone. Exiled from Parthyn, my homeland, my home ... rejected by my people, to whom I gave everything for... Nothing has gone right since I messed up that fat orc-kissing toad Zephrin and tried to curse him. I was just trying my new spell on him! It had to be just a simple curse! How was I to know it would kill him? Damn the Academy.

Now the only one who wants to keep me alive is a necromancer. I'm starting to think I'm the cursed one.

Killing the orc leader, Drogan alive

Malin Keshar: Look, Drogan! I defeated the orc commander. Do you take my word for it now?

Drogan: At least you haven't completely lost your humanity by allying yourself with the orcs. But you can't go back to Parthyn anyway, Malin. No necromancer will ever be welcome here.

Malin Keshar: What?! Ungrateful mongrel dog! You would let the city be sacked and all our people would die, and for what? Just to ignore something you don't understand? You are a fool. At your guide, Parthyn will always be threatened. If the city is to survive, you are the one to go!

Drogan: Malin, in all honesty, I don't want to fight you as my former friend. Leave Parthyn. I will not ask you again.

Malin Keshar: It's your choice, not mine. If you refuse to leave of your own free will, then it will be done by force. Attack him!

Kill a Villager, Drogan is Dead

Malin Keshar: See how you die when you spurn the help of Malin Keshar!

Scenario 7: A Small Favor

Story Text

On the run from his hometown, Malin flees to the wooded hills north of the Great River. Some distance from the west, he finally stops after several days without rest or sleep. He closes his eyes, trying to clear the last hours of his mind, but the darkness makes the images even more alive. he is tired, so tired, but sleep doesn't come.

"No regrets. No regrets ..." He repeats it softly like a song, muttering over and over in his half-unconscious state. After a while, a second voice joins the first, a voice that looks a lot like his, but somehow sounds foreign and alien. "There may be another way. You may have been wrong."

"No, no. Even if there was another way, they'd still have refused me. They're blindly... wrong. I've no regrets for what I did. No regrets..." He dismissed the voice. Sleep arrives, long stretches of dreamless darkness punctuated by short nightmare shapes: so distorted and grotesque that they whisper in strangely familiar voices. "You're cursed, Malin the Damned! Damn! Damn. Damn..." They repeat over and over, first a chorus, then a duet, both male, then one, a voice in the dark.

Malin wakes up with a plume of smoke rising to the east. He only gives him a brief thought before heading further west to Tath. He soon reunites with his teacher.

"As a final test of your apprenticeship, you will help me retrieve a book," says the necromancer. "The book was... stolen from me a long time ago. Since it has sentimental value to me, this task is a small favor. I must warn you that for this you will have to take action against your compatriots in Wesnoth, as they were the ones who stole it from me."

Malin replies: "They're no longer my compatriots".

Darken Volk continues: "Excellent. In Tath there is one of the lords of this city named Karres. In his youth he studied as a wizard and now he uses his wealth to keep several wizards studying. The book we are looking for is in his library. We will have to go into his manor and look for the book there. "

Introductory Dialogue

Darken Volk: The stolen book lies within Lord Karres's manor on the north end of the city. We cannot defeat the entire city guard, so we must stay hidden as long as possible. The cover of the night and this fog will aid us. I'll use it to cast a spell that obscures the sight of the city guards. However, it shouldn't affect us.

This spell will not completely hide us. If we get too close to the guards, they'll still be able to see us. Once located, we'll have to run forward. The faster we enter the manor, the more time we'll have to search for the book before the guards can chase us.

Narrator: Note: Only the units you recruit now will be available to you once inside.

An enemy unit is seen

Gate guard: This damn fog is so thick! I can't see anything!

Taylor: Alert, soldier. Report anything unusual immediately.

Undead are Seen

Enemy unit: Undead creatures are coming out of the forest!

Taylor: Call the guards! To arms, men!

Attack of the Holy Water!

Moved Unit: Ooouuuh! It burns... burrrrnnns...

Malin Keshar: What in the name of all demons of hell was this thing?

Darken Volk: This was the impact of what is known as holy water among common people. It is brewed in a complicated and mysterious procedure only known to a few priests and often used to fight resurrected creatures.

Both necromancers move to the manor

Darken Volk: Here's the entrance! Hurry!

Scenario 8: A Small Favor - Part 2

Introductory Dialogue

Narrator: Malin and Darken Volk enter the lord's manor and hastily close the heavy gates behind them.

Malin Keshar: This gate won't stop the soldiers for long - we'd better hurry.

Reaching the notes

Narrator: The only thing we need to be afraid of is fear itself.

...unknown, unreasonable, unjustified terror...

Opening a gate

Enemy unit: The undead have broken into the manor! Defend yourself!

Finding Lord Karres

Lord Karres: Darken Volk! I should have guessed it was you! What are you doing here?

Darken Volk: I take back what's legitimately mine.

Lord Karres: Impudent as usual. Whatever is written in that book must not be read by human eyes, neither mine nor yours.

Darken Volk: I'm not here to argue.

Lord Karres: Of course you're not. I guess your arrogance has grown over the years.

Darken Volk: If you wish to continue teaching me a lesson, anyway, go ahead. It will only make it easier to kill you.

Lord Karres: I'm sorry it came to this.

Reaching the green orb

Emerald, the verdant green fades, touched by the shadow to the dark tint of black, a fetid stain of pestilence.

Lord Karres Dies

Lord Karres: How... dare you...

Darken Volk: Stop babbling, old decrepit.

I feel an illusion spell is broken. The book is located in the main hall in the northwest corner of the manor. We must find the corridor that leads us!

Next turn

Enemy unit: Find the undead! Destroy them all!

Darken Volk: The city garrison has entered the manor. We'll have to hold them back while we search.

Victory Dialogue

Necromancer: I think I found the corridor to the main room!

Time Over

Narrator: As dawn breaks, the city guards force their way into the manor and capture the two necromancers.

Scenario 9: A Small Favor - Part 3

Introductory Dialogue

Darken Volk: I feel the book is very close, somewhere to the northwest.

Turn 2

Darken Volk: The guards keep looking for us.

Reaching the notes

Narrator: Be careful, when hunting for monsters, not to become a monster yourself...

Narrator: Death is the sunset that follows the light of day. Life fades as the sun sets in the dark. Existence coagulates and the soul is reborn in an endless night.

Malin Gets the Book

Malin Keshar: Such an old and worn book. It doesn't seem worth much, but at least now we have it.

...So... how do we get out of here now?

Darken Volk: There's a small tunnel in the cellar to the northeast. It will lead us far enough out of the city that we can escape pursuit.

Victory

Malin Keshar: Phew! Let's get out of here

Darken Volk Gets the Book

Malin Keshar: We've got the book, but now how do we get out of here?

Wait, you aren't leaving me behind, are you?

Victory

Malin Keshar: Phew! Let's get out of here.

Defeat

Darken Volk: You have served me well, my apprentice.

Narrator: As he heads into the tunnel Darken Volk collapses its entrance, leaving Malin to be captured and executed by the city guards.

Time Over

Narrator: As dawn breaks, the city guards force their way into the manor and capture the two necromancers.

Scenario 10: Alone at Last

Story Text

As he enters the tunnel underneath Lord Karres's manor, Darken Volk turns and, with a word and gesture causes the entrance to collapse. The two necromancers turn and begin walking down the pitch-black tunnel, temporarily safe from pursuit.

They continue walking through the damp, cold air all through the morning and day, finally emerging as the last rays of sun sink below the horizon.

Introductory Dialogue

Malin Keshar: Well, we made it out. We got your precious book. What's in it, anyway? And what do we do now?

Darken Volk: We? WE do nothing. You are no longer my apprentice.

Malin Has the Book

Darken Volk: Now give the book to me.

Narrator: Darken Volk grabs the mysterious book from Malin's hands and stalks away.

Malin Keshar: You can't just leave me here!

Darken Volk Has the Book

Darken Volk: Now go your own way, and I will go mine.

Malin Keshar: You can't just leave me here!

Dialogue Continues

Advisor: Master, do you not see? He has merely been using you to get that book!

Malin Keshar: What do you mean?

Advisor: He cares not about your noble quest to push back the orcs. He needed your help to fight the mages! The book is rightfully yours!

Malin Keshar: Wait!

All of the training you gave me, that was just so I would help you get that book! Return it to me now, or I will take it by force.

Darken Volk: You are even more of a fool than I thought.

Attack Darken Volk's Side

Malin Keshar: You let me believe Parthyn would accept me back so when they didn't I would be willing to attack my own countrymen!

Darken Volk: What you let yourself believe is no fault of mine. Cease your foolish prattle. I gave you more power than you could have possibly dreamed. Use it to fight the orcs that annoy you so, not me.

Malin Keshar: So it is true! You took my home away from me. You took Drogan away. Now that all of that is gone, I will at least keep the fruits of my labors.

Darken Volk: Hardly. I will crush you easily.

Malin Keshar: Perhaps, but I have nothing left to lose.

Attack Darken Volk

Malin Keshar: Now you shall pay for what you have done to me.

Darken Volk: Done? I have done nothing but give you an opportunity. You have chosen your own path. Now leave me alone!

Paladins Attack!

Sir Caddaeus: Your travels in this region have not gone unnoticed, foul necromancers! We have been tracking you for weeks, with our purpose renewed this morning upon hearing of the disaster you wreaked upon the goodly city of Tath.

Do not even think of running away - my horsemen can easily catch you. Yes, on this day you shall have to answer for your innumerable crimes.

Darken Volk: We'll see how well your pompous words protect you from the blades of the undead once I have finished this upstart.

Dela Joins in the Fun!

Dela Keshar: I told you, Malin, that I would find you again, and I have kept my word. I will not suffer you to bring any further harm to my people, and so you will not live to see another sunset.

Malin Keshar: You wrong me, sister. I have only tried to help. Have you not seen fewer orcs this past summer?

Dela Keshar: I will not listen to any more of your lies. Men, attack!

Darken Volk Dies

Darken Volk: With my dying breath I curse you, Malin the Damned!

Malin Keshar: Now I've just got to get that book out of the battleground!

Narrator: Pick up the book by moving a unit onto it. Bats and ghosts cannot carry the book.

Get the Book

Moved Unit: I have the book.

Moved Unit (bat or ghost): I am sorry master, that is too heavy for me.

Victory Dialogue

Malin Keshar: The paladins will not be able to pursue me through the mountains, and Dela will not dare take the soldiers too far from Parthyn.

Scenario 11: Descent into Darkness

Story Text

'To become a lich, one must first die.'

So reads the book that Malin has reclaimed. 'The spells of necromancy bind the spirit, but only once it has been unbound from the body. To become a lich, the mage must make the necessary incantations with his dying breaths. He thus binds his own spirit in much the same way necromancers bind the spirits of others. Because he retains his own will, however, the lich can call upon the awesome powers of the spirit world.'

The words, and the idea, stick in the back of his mind. With all of Wesnoth forbidden to him, Malin finds refuge in a nameless frontier village where few questions are asked. When word filters to the town that Parthyn has been overrun by orcs, it rekindles hatred within him. With renewed purpose, he raises his undead minions and travels northward.

Malin soon finds the track of an enormous orc army, and follows them until he reaches their camp. As he sees the number of orcs, the enormity of his quest begins to dawn on him. He attacks the camp anyway but is quickly driven back, and badly injured by a thrown orcish dagger as he retreats. He finds refuge in a small cave.

Introductory Dialogue

Advisor: Master, you are gravely injured!

Malin Keshar: I won't go down like this, felled by an orc's blade. I won't see them defeat me!

Advisor: There is another way, master. Remember the book...

Malin Keshar: Yes... yes. The orcs are too strong for me now, but once I have undergone the transformation they'll begin to fall before me. And I will continue to hound them until the last one falls!

Leave me now while I prepare.

Advisor: Yes, master.

Narrator: With his last bits of strength, Malin assembles an altar as the book instructs.

Malin Keshar: I pray that I am strong enough to complete the spell.

I'm ready. Do it.

Narrator: There is darkness...

and peace...

for a moment.

Then they are replaced by a pulling, a pain too strong to resist, and then...

by emptiness.

Mal Keshar: AAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiggggggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!

The cold, it burns!

I need warmth... life... I sense some here!

Attack Something with Drain

Mal Keshar: Yes! I can draw energy even from these insignificant creatures.

See Your Goal

Mal Keshar: There, in along this old road, I sense a place worthy of being my home. From there I will build by armies. But I am still too weak to clear the vermin from it. I must finish regaining my strength.

I will need a castle from which to call upon my soldiers. I sense one nearby.

Yes, this will do until I can take my new home.

The Wose

Dumdumbadoom: Who has awoken me from my slumber? Undead? I shall not suffer the existence of such foul creatures.

The Abyss

Killed Unit: AAAAAAAaaaaaaaggggggghhhhhhh!!!!...... . . . . (not Ghosts and Bats)

^Have a nice trip, see you in the fall. . .

(A prophetic comment, no? What is this giant chasm next to the keep anyway?)

Scenario 12: Endless Night

Story Text

Years pass. Every summer when the mountain passes become clear, the lich sends his soldiers to attack the orcs, removing any human, elven, or dwarvish patrols that get in the way. Every year the undead inflict some damage before being repelled and retreating to the caves.

Rumors circulate of a lich that preys on scouting patrols. A hero, gathering his loyal troops to him, decides to put an end to the evil.

Heroes

Loyalist

Foolish Hero: Your doom is at hand, foul lich! I shall bring you down by my own hand.

Mal Keshar: The only doom at hand is yours, if you do not leave now. Go back to your manors and taverns, and do not trouble me further.

Bandits

Foolish Hero: You have preyed on too many of my boys. I have come here to end this, once and for all.

Mal Keshar: Not even real soldiers. I will sweep you aside.

Elves

Foolish Hero: Your kind is an abomination. I am here to see that you inflict no more harm on the spirits that have passed on.

Mal Keshar: Fool! By leaving your forests and coming into my domain, you have sacrificed your own spirits.

Dwarves

Foolish Hero: I've been itching for a chance to break some bones with my hammer, and now you've given me cause. Goodness knows you've got plenty of bones over there.

Mal Keshar: Go back to your tunnels and your mines, and do not trouble me unless you want your hammers to work for me once you are dead.

Foolish Hero: Hear that boys, he's threatening us! It's time he learned what real dwarves are made of.

Orcs

Foolish Hero: So, I've finally found your lair, lich. You, who have been attacking the orcs for years and have destroyed many of our tribes.

Mal Keshar: Orcs? It is you who have forced me to choose the dark path, and it is you who ended my mortal life and made me turn into a lich. I am actually grateful to you for coming here, foolish hero. My hatred toward your race makes me stronger and I again get a chance to kill orcs!

Foolish Hero: Nothing will stop me from taking revenge for my father who died at your hand and for the rest of my people you and your minions have killed, lich. Orcs, attack! The one who brings me his skull gets a bag of gold.

Taunting

Mal Keshar: Is there an endless supply of foolish heroes with death wishes? Honestly, where do you all come from?

Mal Keshar Dies

Foolish Hero: Well, that is the end of his evil ways.

Killing Unit: I wonder who he was in life, before falling into the evil ways that led him to today.

Foolish Hero: Once he chose this unlife for himself and his soldiers, he forfeited any claim to our compassion. Does it even matter who he was?

Killing Unit: No, I suppose it does not.

DiD-Specific Descriptions

Generic Unit

Apprentice Mage: Lvl 1

Trained in swordsmanship as a boy and the magical arts as a young man, Malin Keshar is talented at both but an expert in neither.

Apprentice Necromancer: Lvl 2

Despite his increased magical powers, Malin holds on to his short sword as his melee weapon of choice.

Dark Mage: Lvl 3

Although Malin's sword has grown rusty from lack of proper care, his increasing skill with magic more than compensates.

Frontier Baroness: Lvl 2

On the frontiers of Wesnoth, all able-bodied men and women must be able to defend the town at need. While the men are most often trained in the use of sword or bow, the women learn the use of staff and sling. The most proficient are more than a match for any orcs foolish enough to engage them in combat.

Ghast: Lvl 3 (unused)

The ghast is a creature taken from humankind's most primal nightmares. Unlike their lesser cousins, ghouls and necrophages, ghasts are not patient enough to wait for their victim to die from poison before consuming the body. They attack directly with their enormous mouths, trying to rip the flesh straight from their foes. Once their enemy is defeated, they eat the rest of the body, gaining strength in the process.

Giant Rat: Lvl 0

Given an adequate supply of food, some rats can grow to truly impressive sizes. They can also grow quite aggressive.

DiD: Specified Unit Names

Humans

• Malin Keshar (Apprentice Mage/Dark Mage)
• Drogan (Sergeant/Lieutenant)
• Gorak Cole (Bandit)
• Dela Keshar (Frontier Baroness)
• River fort guard (Spearman/Bowman)
• Lord Karres (Arch Mage/Great Mage)
• Taylor (General)
• Night Watchmen (Spearman/Mage/Red Mage/Silver Mage)
• Gate Guard (Pikeman/Heavy Infantryman)
• Head Trainer (Sergeant/Lieutenant)
• Townperson (Spearman)
• Guard (Halberdier)
• Guardian (Mage/Silver Mage/Red Mage/White Mage)
• Sir Caddaeus (Paladin)
• Foolish Hero (Royal Guard/Assassin)

Orcs

• Kreg'a'shar Trr (Orcish Warrior)
• Gron'r Hronk (Orcish Warlord)
• K'rrlar Oban (Orcish Warlord)
• Borth (Orcish Warlord)
• P'Gareth (Orcish Slurbow)
• K'Vark (Orcish Warlord)
• Foolish Hero (Orcish Warlord)

Goblins

• T'shar Lggi (Goblin Knight)
• Villager (Goblin Spearman)
• Shaun (Goblin Spearman)
• Ed (Goblin Spearman)

Dwarves

• Dap Horner (Dwarvish Steelclad)
• Watchman (Dwarvish Guardsman)
• Foolish Hero (Dwarvish Lord)

Elves

• Foolish Hero (Elvish Marshal)

Wose

• Dumdumbadoom (Ancient Wose)

Undead

Humans

• Darken Volk (Dark Sorcerer)

Liches

• Mal Keshar (Lich)

Ghosts

• Tortured Soul (Ghost)

Places (labels)

• River Longlier