CampaignDialogue:EI
This is a transcription of all dialogue from Eastern Invasion. It is meant as a resource for Wesnoth writers. If you don't want spoilers, leave this page now.
Death Dialogue
Gweddry
No! I... die...
Dacyn
The light fades... We are doomed...
Addogin
How did I get dragged into this mess...
Owaec
I... must- Argh...!
Grug
Grarrgg....
Dolburras
Dolburras: Watch out behind ye-ach!
Gweddry: Though he wasn't one of us, he served bravely alongside Wesnoth's best. We must carry on the good fight.
Engineer
Wha'? Yah fail'd to give me protecshun...
Early Defeat
Narrator: It was perhaps as well for the men of Gweddry's troop that they did not live to witness the fullness of the grim tide of undead sweeping westward into Wesnoth, laying waste to all in its path.
Foreign Defeat
Narrator: Wesnoth never learned the fate of Gweddry's band, but they would soon learn the full measure of the power of Mal-Ravanal in a war that would end only in misery and death.
Wesnoth Defeat
Narrator: Their home country proved to be no refuge for Gweddry's weary men, and no more would it for the inhabitants of Wesnoth as foes pressed them on all sides to a final defense of the doomed kingdom.
Late Defeat
Narrator: With the staunchest defenders of Wesnoth bested on their home ground, the once-great kingdom was plunged into final darkness under the vengeful hand of Mal-Ravanal.
Scenario 1: Eastern Invasion
Story Text
Content note: this campaign has minor depictions of blood and gore.
It was the thirteenth year of Konrad II’s reign when the strange occurrences in the Estmark Hills on the eastern border of Wesnoth began.
Cattle and beasts of burden were found dead in the fields and villagers vanished from their houses with nary a clue nor sign of struggle. At first, the settlers suspected raiders from the great desert, but when they sent scouts east they found nothing but a small mountain range and miles of swamp.
The disappearances did not stop and every day the terror grew greater. Eventually, the people living in the eastern villages sent a messenger to the king, asking for help. The messenger rode hard for many days and nights, and finally reached the city of Weldyn.
When the King received news of the problem, his adviser Dacyn had much to say. Apparently, these attacks bore much similarity to ones that had previously occurred on the far southern border where undead had been the eventual culprit. Dacyn outlined a plan to combat these intrusions.
In the days of King Garard I, two strong-points had been built along the near bank of the River Weldyn, south of Soradoc, to stop bandits and orcish raiders out of the Estmarks from entering Wesnoth. In later years, the river guard posts had been abandoned as colonists spread into the Estmarks and the orcs were driven in retreat north of the Great River.
With unknown enemies pressing Wesnoth from the East, Dacyn pressed Konrad II to re-man the outposts, and use them to keep the Crown's eye and hand firmly on the lower River Weldyn. He sent two of the most promising young officers to them. To the northern outpost he sent Owaec, a Clan noble. To the southern outpost, he sent Sergeant Gweddry, who would be accompanied by Dacyn the mage.
All went well once the king's forces arrived. There were no attacks for several weeks, and Gweddry's men started to grow incautious. Then, one evening, Gweddry and his men were roused by the startled cries of the night watchmen...
Introductory Dialogue
Gweddry: Watchmen, report. What's going on?
Unit: Help! Run for your lives!
Dacyn: See for yourself. Undead approach from the east.
Gweddry: Soldiers, to arms!
Turn 2
Gaennell: Look! The old outpost is newly manned.
Mel Guthrak: Interesting... you, Talar, send news of this development.
Turn 5
Unit: Sun's up! They're falling back!
Turn 7
Dacyn: I sense a great power... no, it cannot be... I must not be seen.
Mal-Ravanal: This s the resistance you spoke of, an untrained commander and a few fresh recruits?
Mal-Talar: My deepest apologies! Please, forgive us. There will be no more delays.
Mal-Ravanal: So you say.
That is how you raise thralls, apprentice. Carry on.
Mal-Talar: We shall ensure their destruction!
Gweddry: Blast it, they've been reinforced! And why did Dacyn leave? We'll have to hold back the undead until he returns.
Turn 12
Gweddry: Wha- How did so many of them flank us? We're cut off from Wesnoth!
Dacyn: Gweddry? Ah, you survive.
Gweddry: Dacyn, why did you flee the battle? Our situation has become rather desperate.
Dacyn: Now is not the time for a lenghty report. Unless you intend to die, I suggest you escape through this trapdoor.
Gweddry: But we have orders to hold this outpost!
Dacyn: You have not yet seen even one-hunderdth of the undead armies. This outpost is already lost. Your death - as heroic as I am sure it would be - will benefit no-one. Now come, there is little time to spare.
Enemy death dialogues
Mal-Talar: No! I was promised I could rule this province!
Nakeg-alvan: ...
Mel Guthrak: You may defeat me now, but I will return!
Gaennell: Get me out of here!
Victory Dialogue
Unit: I'm at the trapdoor! Follow me!
Scenario 2: The Escape Tunnel
Story Text
Screams and shouts echoed across the surface as Gweddry rushed his remaining men into the roughly hewn tunnel. A foul stench wafted up from below...
Introductory Dialogue
Gweddry: Where are we? I can hardly see my own nose.
Dacyn: We are in a tunnel under the outpost. Smugglers originally dug it to sneak behind Wesnoth's patrols. I believe it to be currently inhabited by trolls.
We must make haste to escape before the undead catch us.
Gweddry: Wait, before we go anywhere - who were those necromancers?
Dacyn: Is this really the time for questions? Suffice to say they represent an army much too powerful for us; perhaps too powerful for all of Wesnoth. We must flee while I consider how to defeat them.
Dwarves are Seen
Sighted Unit: Who goes there?
Gweddry: We are soldiers of the King of Wesnoth. Make way, or help us get past these trolls.
Knutan: Aye, we'll help anyone quarrellin' wi' them trolls. But what be ye doing down here?
Gweddry: Undead are pursuing us, purging the land of all that lives. You should join us and flee!
Knutan: My clan ha' lived in these caves fer near a century. We'll no' be scattered now by some sacks o' bones.
Dacyn: Yes, I'm sure that will end well. Gweddry, we may able to avoid the bulk of the trolls by going through the dwarves' tunnel. I doubt they will need it much longer.
Trolls are defeated
Kabak: From stone I come... now stone I return...
Signpost
Narrator: TROL TREZZUR HOL: KEIP OWT
Find the treasure
Unit: It seems these trolls were hiding some gold. I count fifty gold pieces!
Crystal Quiver
Dacyn: I recognize the enchantment on that quiver. How did trolls come to possess such an artefact?
Narrator: Arrows from this crystalline quiver glmmer with a pale magical light, illuminating the surrounding area and making your bow or crossbow attacks arcane.
This item is reusable if its wielder dies, and can be dropped by right-clicking. Picking up an item consumes your moves and attack.
Turn 10
Mel Guthrak: I have found your hiding spot, flesh-bag! Prepare to die!
Dacyn: He sounds awfully smug for finding an open trapdoor. Gweddry, we must escape through this tunnel's eastern exit. It is unfortunate that it will take us into the Estmark hills, beyond the borders of Wesnoth. But it is the only option.
Find the lost dwarf
Duduril: Humans! What be ye doin' in our caves?
Unit: A horde of undead is pursuing us! You should come with us and escape.
Duduril: Thursagan's beard! I've got to go help the others!
Victory Dialogue
Unit: I see daylight! Follow me!
Scenario 3: An Unexpected Appearance
Story Text
Daylight broke over the relieved faces of Gweddry and his men as they clambered out the dingy care. The lush Estmark hills filled the horizon in all directions.
Introductory Dialogue
Dacyn: Quick, I must collapse the tunnel behind us.
Gweddry: It's a relief to once again breathe the fresh air. Where are we now?
Dacyn: These are the Estmark hills, so we must be in a mountain pass leading both east and west. I am unsure which path leads us the swiftest towards Wesnoth, but we certainly cannot stay here.
Mal-Kallat: What are these soldiers doing here? The vanguard must not have done a thorough job of cleaning up...
Mal-Skraat: Don't be scared, Kala. Look at how haggard they are! I bet the new ewcruit can handle them by himself.
Mal-Tar: No!! They'll kill me!
Mal-Skraat: We can always bring you back if you die.
Mal-Tar Dies
Mal-Tar: Wait, please, not like this!
Mal-Skraat: I told him he should have studied harder.
Mal-Kallat: I wanted to avoid as much battle as I could, but it seems like we have no choice...
Turn 2
Dacyn: I believe this is the undead rearguard; we must have crossed under their armies while in the tunnel. We must kill either of the dark sorcerers and escape towards Wesnoth.
Gweddry: This is a true invasion then? These necromancers mean to conquer Wesnoth itself?
Dacyn: Yes. I have history with their leader.
Victory Dialogue
Mal-Skraat Dies
Mal-Kallat: Skrai, no! Cursed Wesnothians, he was my precious little brother...
Mal-Kallat Dies
Mal-Skraat: Kala, no! Curse you Wesnothians! You may have killed my sister, but I will chase you east and take my revenge!
Mal-Tar is still alive
Mal-Tar: ... wait, what just happened? Why am I still alive?
Scenario 4a: An Elven Interlude
Story Text
Gweddry and Dacyn found but scant respite through the west pass. After weeks of slow and laboured mountain marching, they stumbled upon a green valley and an unknown forest.
Introductory Dialogue
Vaelya: Greetings, travellers! I hope you find our forest hospitable.
Gweddry: Indeed, and you have my thanks for allowing us entry.
Vaelya: What brings you to our lands? Long it has been since men of Wesnoth presented themselves to us.
Gweddry: I'm afraid Wesnoth has been invaded by fell undead, although I am glad to see they have not yet entered this forest. We have come here seeking refuge and passage to Wesnoth's northern river outpost.
Vaelya: I am sorry to hear of your misfortune. Our scouts had spotted undead in this area, but I am shocked to hear that they are attacking Wesnoth. And if they are hunting you, then...
My heart aches with the weight of this decision, but if you are being pursued by undead I am afraid I cannot allow you entry. You are welcome to travel outside our lands, but I cannot risk bringing destruction to my people.
Dacyn: So much for forest hospitality. Elf, you know full well that going around will take us days of forced march, time which we can hardly afford. We despise the undead just as much as you. Let us pass.
Gweddry: Vaelya, surely you can find it in your heart to grant us passage?
Vaelya: I wish I could, but I would spare my people the fate of underneath. I must take precautions to protect these lands.
In fact, I confess that since of hearing of the undead I have stopped so low as to hire a mercenary company...
...Addogin, please escort these Wesnothians away to the east.
Addogin: You heard the lady! Boys, it's time to earn our keep!
Nafga: And what about me?
Addogin: Into the forest with you. If it comes to bloodshed, strike at them from behind. And don't even think of running off with any corpses before I can collect our bounty!
Gweddry: There must be some way to resolve this without fighting...
Dacyn: Finding another path westwards would cause great delay, which would cost Wesnoth many lives. We will fight our way through the mercenaries, through the elves and out the other side.
Gweddry: ... hmmm, mercenaries are not known for their loyalty. If we can show we are gaining ground, they may turn and run. If we can defeat their leader, the outcome may be even better.
Nafga appears
Nafga: Bloodshed, ha ha ha! Nafga will kill the humans and keep the bounty all for himself!
Nafga is killed
Nafga: No! It's the first time I've failed a mission, and it will be the last!
Conquer 10 villages
Enemy unit: This ain't lookin' good. Those Wesnoth soldiers are mean.
Addogin: No amount of money is worth dying for. Forget this, it's time to bail!
Vaelya: No, we need your help! Please come back!
Addogin: Sorry lady, but coin's no good if you're not alive to spend it.
Vaelya is killed
Vaelya: I only wanted... to protect my people...
Addogin: No amount of money is worth dying for. Forget this, it's time to bail!
Defeat Addogin
Addogin: No amount of money is worth dying for. Forget this, it's time to bail!
Vaelya: No, we need your help! Please come back!
Addogin: Sorry lady, but coin's no good if you're not alive to spend it.
Unit: Oh no you don't! You and your band of mercenaries have caused us enough trouble! How do we know you won't rally your men and attack us again?
Gweddry: I suppose we'll have to bring him with us, at least for a time. Tie him up so he doesn't run away.
Addogin: Help! I was only doing my job!
Narrator: Addogin has joined your side, but will be slowed and unable to attack as long as he remains tied up.
Addogin: I'm gettin' too old for this...
Victory Dialogue
Unit: I've made it through the forest and I can see the valley Weldyn open on the other side!
Dacyn: Well done, we have crossed this forest without major delay. Now we must see what has become of Owaec and his garrison.
Scenario 4b: Ill Humours
Introductory Dialogue
Dacyn: Now that we are free of the mountain range the path northwards is clear. Let us go north and try to reach Owaec at the outpost.
Gweddry: Wait. I am not sure that is the best option. If we go east now, we may be able to find the lich who attacked us and destroy him. He must be nearby.
Dacyn: This is no ordinary Lich you hunt. Even if you manage to find him, how will you prevent him from simply teleporting away? We should head north; there is much I must learn before we confront this menace.
Mal-Skraat: They run from me! Still, it will not help them, the border patrol will destroy them. I may even be promoted!
Mal-Skraat Dies
Mal-Skraat: Now I will never get promoted!
Dacyn: Come, let us return to Wesnoth and head for the Northern Outpost.
Mal-Telnarad Dies
Dacyn: We have defeated this patrol, but we can still turn back! Do you insist on traveling east, or shall we defeat this dark sorcerer?
Gweddry: Hmm...
Go East
Option: I wish to destroy the evil before it can spread. East we go!
Dacyn: I cannot say if this is a good decision, but I will follow you.
Mal-Skraat: Noo!!! I can't be promoted if they run away!
Go Back
Option: You are right. It is foolish to go onward - we will turn back.
Mal-Skraat: Good! If I defeat them, I can become a lich!
Time Over
Enemy Leaders Alive
Dacyn: We failed to defeat either enemy! Now more liches will come and we will be overwhelmed!
Else
Gweddry: We cannot spend any more time attempting to defeat Mal-Skraat. Like it or not, we must go further into these undead lands.
Mal-Skraat: Noo!! He will reach Mal-Ravanal's capital, and I shall be punished for letting him escape!
Scenario 4c: Mal-Ravanal's Capital
Introductory Dialogue
Gweddry: The Bitter Swamp's ill reputation is, it seems, well merited. Mal-Ravanal's capital lies before us!
Dacyn: Yes, but look! The undead forces are closing in behind us. As I said before we cannot kill Mal-Ravanal. It was foolish to come this far; we must turn back!
Gweddry: Perhaps. To retreat, we must kill one of these dark sorcerers that follow us. But, perhaps we can kill this Mal-Ravanal. I might wish to try.
Mal-Ravanal: These humans have dared foolishly to come this far into my land. Crush them!
First Prisoner Released
Freed Prisoner: Thank you for destroying that skeleton warrior! Every time you kill one of the Revenants, one of us knights is let free!
Gweddry: Why? Are you the undead's prisoners?
Freed Prisoner: Yes. My allies and I were questing when we were ambushed by undead. The guard is playing a sick game - whenever one of their warriors dies, one of us is let free, but whenever you lose a fighter, they kill one of us.
Dacyn: This sounds dangerous. We will try to free as many of you as possible before we escape from here.
Freed Prisoner: Five of my comrades are still imprisoned. We will gladly enter your service in appreciation for our freedom.
Mal-Ravanal Notices Dacyn
Mal-Ravanal: Wait! I recognize that magic! Dacyn, have you come to surrender to me? Or perhaps you wish to finish the duel we started so long ago?
Dacyn: If I have one regret, it is that mercy slowed my hand thirty three years ago. Stop this madness and I will release you from your torment.
Mal-Ravanal: Torment?! You have no idea... but you soon will. Kill them all and bring Dacyn to me!
Gweddry: You know this lich?
Dacyn: Yes... We studied together many years ago. He was most powerful then, but the dark power I sense today is far greater. We must escape immediately!
Dacyn Attacks Mal-Ravanal
Mal-Ravanal: Ah, so you’ve decided to fight me.
Dacyn: I will atone for my failure thirty three years ago.
Mal-Ravanal Retreats
Mal-Ravanal: Enough! You cannot possibly defeat me!
(Mal-Ravanal teleports away)
Gweddry: Is he... dead?
Dacyn: Merely departed. He will return once he has recovered; we would best be away from here by then.
Victory Dialogue
Narrator: Gweddry's men retreated swiftly from the Bitter Swamp, fleeing north and west as if their heels were winged. Finding a low pass through the northern Estmarks, they were greatly relieved to see the valley of the Weldyn open before them on the other side.
Scenario 5: Northern Outpost
Story Text
With the elven forest open for passage, Gweddry and his men resumed their journey through the northern Estmarks. After many days of mountainous travel, they were greatly relieved to see the walls of the northern outpost silhouetted against the horizon...
Introductory Dialogue
Gweddry: Alas! The northern outpost has been destroyed...
Dacyn: Did you expect anything else? Owaec has either fled or perished and the undead hordes now march towards the River Weldyn. They must seek to overrun Wesnoth before the king can muster his armies.
Owaec: Hail, Gweddry!
Gweddry: Hail, Owaec! I am stunned and relieved to see that you are still well. How did you escape the undead?
Owaec: Many of these farmers dug deep cellars connected to a network of caves. I hid as many villagers as I could once our scouts spotted the undead. They must have thought the villages abandoned, for they moved on swiftly westwards, and yet...
... I was not able to save everyone. Gweddry, their deaths weigh heavily on my heart.
Dacyn: I am surprised you managed to save even yourself, much less anyone else. But compared to the havoc these undead seek to unleash on all Wesnoth, the deaths of a few peasants are hardly worth mourning.
Owaec: How can you say-
Dacyn: For now, I must study and consider how these undead can be defeated, and then we should leave before more arrive. Will you join us?
Owaec: ...
No. I failed these villagers once. I will not do so again. They have survived the undead, but a gang of bandits exploits our weakness and now terrorizes these people. I cannot seem to find a way to defeat the outlaws; they hide in the village cellars whenever I send in my horsemen.
Gweddry: I fear that until the undead are defeated, these villagers will never be truly safe. But if we can drive these bandits out, will you join us? From what Dacyn tells me, Wesnoth will need all of its soldiers if it is to survive what has come.
Owaec: If the situation is so dire, I am honour-bound to join you... but I know of no way to remove these bandits.
Dacyn: You forget that I have many skills as the adviser to the Crown. I can reveal the bandits when our soldiers enter a village. However, this magic will require my full attention. I will not be able to combat them directly.
Addogin: Naw, wizard, you go and help fight. We don't need no fancy magic for this. I've dealt with plenty o' thugs before. Maybe if you untie me I'll help you find 'em, eh?
Gweddry: Do you promise you won't simply flee if we set you free? This is a battle for all of Wesnoth. If we fail, it will spell doom not just for us, but also for you and your little mercenary band.
Addogin: Eh, there's always a necromancer or warlord o' some kind one way or another. Me and my boys woulda been fine.
But yeah, sure, I ain't runnin'. Just sayin', as soon as this invasion business is done, I'm outta here.
Gweddry: Very well, untie him! Owaec, we will aid you in driving out these bandits.
Bandits in a Village
Moved Unit: No outlaws in this village.
Addogin: Pull aside that old rug, will ya? I think I see somethin'...
Addogin: Check under the floorboards! There's always somethin' there.
Moved Unit: They're here!
No Bandits in a Village
Moved Unit: No outlaws in this village.
Addogin: Every outlaw posse got a leader. Tear up enough cellars and he'll turn up, then take him out and the rest'll run for the hills.
Dacyn: Like your mercenary band did?
Turn 1
Rilaka: Ah ha! I knew this outpost wasn't really abandoned! Too bad nobody else believed me. Maybe once I defeat you I'll finally get the respect I deserve?
Dacyn: Defeat us, hmm? I have a better idea.
Owaec: Once again, undead threaten these villagers! In the name of the Clans, I will strike you down!
Bandit Leader is Found
Moved Unit: No outlaws in this village.
Addogin: Shh! Do ya hear that?
Moved Unit: They're here!
Shodrano: Gah, I've been found!
Owaec: That's the bandit leader! Kill him!
Holy Amulet
Narrator: Engraved with a consecrated symbol, this amulet will bless both your melee and ranged attacks with arcane damage.
This item is reusable if its wielder dies, and can be dropped by right-clicking. Picking up an item consumes your moves and attack.
Owaec: There lies Anwyan, our local priestess. She insisted on hiding the others first and was one of those who didn't make it to the cellars in time.
Shodrano is killed
Shodrano: This is how it ends...
Owaec: Huzzah! At last, these villagers are liberated! Gweddry, thank you for your aid. I place my Clansmen and myself at your service.
Narrator: (You may now recruit Horsemen and Cavalrymen!)
Undead Are Alive
Owaec: We still need to defeat these undead for the villagers to be safe.
Rilaka is killed
Rilaka: No! I deserve better than this!
Victory Dialogue
Gweddry: Now that both the outlaws and undead are defeated, we finally have some time to rest.
Dacyn: Good. Now leave me in peace while I consider how to combat this invasion.
Narrator: Some time later...
Owaec: Mage, pull your nose out of your books for a moment, would you? Gweddry and I have some questions about this invasion you speak of.
Gweddry: What do you know of the dread lich they called Mal-Ravanal? Back at the southern outpost, you purposely hid yourself to avoid being seen.
Dacyn: ...
I suppose you have a right to know of the adversary we face. I will tell you about Mal-Ravanal.
Late in the reign of Haldric VII, a Sylph of Lintanir forest came to Weldyn and spoke of the emergence of a power that threatened to corrupt Wesnoth's greatest mages and eventually bring ruin to the entire kingdom. She offered only a small piece of cryptic advice, that avoiding this calamity would require a peerless wisdom to harness the use of tremendous power.
Thus, the King decided to seek this peerless savant. In all the land, there were two magi that clearly stood out from the rest. Myself, and my good friend Ravan, a mage from the east. The King, wishing to choose the best adviser, sent us both before Galdren. Then he conversed with the seer privately. None know what was said, but when he came out he announced that the seer was dead, and he had... chosen... me as his new adviser.
Ravan took this quietly enough, or so I had thought, but it must have been more of a blow than I had realized. We drifted apart for a long while, and several years passed without my seeing my once close friend.
One day, I received a message. Ravan was calling me north across the Great River and past the Listra, to an ancient sanctuary that we had once explored together in our younger years. At that time, I had still thought Ravan was my friend and a respected mage of the Light, so I obliged. It sounds foolish now, in hindsight, but I made the long journey north in the darkness of winter to the sanctuary and its hidden chambers.
Even now, that dreadful scene is burned into my memory. At a mere glance, I could already sense the taint of black magic on that cloaked form. Ravan's once bright aura was enshrouded by an impenetrable darkness, thick and potent and filled with terror. Before I could gather myself, hoarse and frightful voices sprang to life around me, a stream of foul incantations whose cacophonous sound clawed and tore at my body and soul. At that moment, I knew I was obliged to do whatever was necessary to excise this evil from the world.
Before the incantation could finish, I summoned the utmost of my power and rended Ravan's physical body. Yet even as I witnessed flesh and blood burn away into soot, a dark shadow arose from the ashen bones and dispersed throughout the sanctum. I knew then that death would be but a mere inconvenience to one so skilled in the mystic arts, and that Ravan's spirit would return one day...
Gweddry: As it has now, to finally fulfill the prophecy that the Sylph spoke of all those years ago.
Dacyn: Yes. But hope is not yet lost. After pondering the matter once more, I have come to a conclusion. I do not have the power to defeat Mal-Ravanal as I am now. We must travel north, away from Wesnoth, back to the sanctuary where I had defeated Ravan once before.
Owaec: And leave our countrymen to fend for themselves in a time of war? This does not sit right with me.
Dacyn: If we fail to defeat Mal-Ravanal, no effort of ours will be sufficient to withstand the endless armies of the dead. Our blood is limited and the more it is spilled, the more their strength grows. Only by using the power from the sanctuary to destroy the Lich we can find salvation.
Gweddry: Far though this journey may take us, if it is necessary to defeating this great evil, we have no choice but to make it.
Owaec: Very well. The Great River can be crosed near Soradoc. We could reach the garrison there, contact the Crown, and gather supplies for our journey.
Dacyn: The entire undead army is between us and Soradoc. They even may have already taken the city itself. We should avoid that battle and cross the Great River further east, behind the undead lines.
Owaec: If undead are attacking Soradoc, that is all the more reason to travel west! I will not stand by and let my comrades die while I cravenly flee the battle.
Gweddry: Peace, friends. You both speak wisely. Allow me to cast the deciding vote.
My decision is...
Cross the Great River to the east, behind enemy lines. (normal)
Gweddry: We are not strong enough to fight the undead head-on. Let us cross the Great River to the east.
Cross the Great River west in Wesnoth, near Soradoc. (challenging)
Gweddry: It is our duty to aid the king's army at Soradoc and cross the river there.
Scenario 6a: Undead Crossing
Story Text
In the west, where the Great River is deep and wide, the few crossings are known by all and heavily guarded. Hoping to evade detection, Gweddry and his band made for one of the numerous eastern fords instead...
Introductory Dialogue
Dacyn: We have done well to avoid conflict with the undead thus far. It's time to turn northwards, towards our goal.
Owaec: You still have yet to explain more about this goal.
Gweddry: Wait, look, a small force of undead have already fortified this ford. We'll have to fight them to cross the Great River.
Dolburras: Let me out 'o this cage ye bag-o-bones! When the Alliance hears abo-glug
Mal-un-Karad: Ha ha ha ha! This dwarf is too short to keep his head out of the water. I wonder how long he'll last?
Owaec: The undead are torturing that dwarf for sport! This shall not stand; we must rescue him before he drowns!
Turn 1
Mal-un-Karad: I don't know how you Wesnothians got here, but don't even think about crossing here unless you want to become fish bait!
Kill an enemy unit
Mal-un-Karad: Fine, you can have the south shore! I'm going to stay nice and safe in my castle.
Conquer an enemy village
Mal-un-Karad: Time to wake my reinforcements!
Gweddry: In addition to summoning undead, this sorcererhas lerned to command swarms of carnivorous fish!
Dacyn: A clever plan. The fish gnaw away flesh, leaving the skeletons ready for reanimation. They'll make our crossing more difficult.
Free Dolburras
Dolburras: Many thanks ta ye! Feels good ta be finally breathin' proper again.
Gweddry: How did you come to be captured by these undead?
Dolburras: Ran into a whole blasted army of 'em marchin' from the Swamp o' Dread. I think they be headed for Knalga! Someone oughta invade them for a change.
Owaec: By the Clans! Do these undead mean to conquer all the world?
Gweddry: Dolburras, we're men of the King of Wesnoth, seeking the power to destroy these foul undead. Will you join us in our quest?
Dolburras: Kinna hardly go back ta Knalga with all them undead about! Aye, I'll join ye.
Kill Mal-un-Karad
Mal-un-Karad: No! I thought I'd be safe here...
Victory Dialogue
Dacyn: If we intend to save Wesnoth, we must press onwards into the mountains. Let's be off.
Scenario 6b: Soradoc
Story Text
Established by the Crown and administered by the Horse Clans, Soradoc controlled the strategic confluence of the Great River and the River Weldyn. Since its founding in the early days of Wesnoth, it had grown into a prosperous and well-fortified border town. Gweddry and his band approached cautiously, hoping to reunite with Wesnoth's armies.
Introductory Dialogue
Gweddry: The air is filled with smoke. I fear the town is already lost.
Owaec: Madness! How can the city have fallen? The garrison is stout-hearted and loyal to a fault. I know many of them personally! They would hold the city to their dying breaths.
Dacyn: Were you expecting a victory parade? Soradoc will be the first of many if we cannot accomplish our goal.
Gweddry: Wait, look, the flag of Wesnoth still flies over the western barracks!
Yannic: Are you our reinforcements? Weldyn promised us days ago! The undead already control most of the city. We're hiding our wounded in the temple, but if we lose the western quarter as well, I fear that no-one will escape.
Owaec: By the Clans, some of them yet live! We must move quickly if we are to rescue the garrison! If we can defeat this wave of undead, they may yet have time to evacuate.
Gweddry: I agree, but... there are many powerful undead besieging the city. Do we have the strength to defeat them all?
Dacyn: Maybe, maybe not. Remember that our true goal lies far to the north. Nothing we do here today will more than inconvenience Mal-Ravanal.
Owaec: You still have yet to explain more about this goal.
Dacyn: We should proceed north as quickly as we can. If we cannot save Soradoc, we can at least slip past the undead and escape, though they will certainly follow us.
Turn 8: Undead Reinforcements
Dacyn: The undead reinforcements have arrived! We must cross the river immediately!
Unit Gets to the Other Side
Moved Unit: Hurry up. We must get across before these undead slaughter us!
Leaders Cross the River
Dacyn: Good! We have crossed. Now let's see if we can get the ogres to join us. They have been convinced to work for the Crown in the past; maybe it can be done again."
Grug Is Alive
Grug: Grug say join you will he.
Narrator: You may now recruit young ogres!
Scenario 7a: Capturing the Ogres
Introductory Dialogue
Gweddry: Look, this valley is inhabited by a tribe of ogres. They don't seem very bright...
Ogre: Guh... human? Human come! Run!
Dacyn: Excellent, a source of slaves. If we surround and capture them, we can use them for risky missions and preserve our more valuable soldiers.
Owaec: Slaves?! No, these shall be great warriors fighting alongside us! My Clansmen shall capture them one by one.
Ogre is captured
Ogre: Ogre surrender!
Ogre: Don't hurt Ogre!
Ogre: Ogre be good will! Promise!
Ogre Escapes
Ogre: Waah! Run!
Gweddry: We have let one escape. Let's hope not all of them do!
Ogre: Me run life for!
Ogre: Ruuuunnnn!
Ogre: Waah! Run!
Victory Dialogue
Ogres Recruitable
Gweddry: We managed to capture many ogres! They'll make a good addition to our troops.
Dacyn: Well done. Ogres are unskilled fighters, but much cheaper to equip than our other soldiers, and thus cost much less gold to recall.
Ogres not Recruitable
Gweddry: We failed to capture more than two of the ogres.
Dacyn: Unfortunate, but at least we have some. Ogres are unskilled fighters, but much cheaper to equip than our other soldiers, and thus cost much less gold to recall.
Scenario 7b: Ogre Crossing
Part II: The Wildlands
Gweddry and his men made good time past the Great River northern banks, leaving the undead far bbehind. With winter drawing near, they unexpectedly stumbled upon an inhabited valley...
Scenario 8: Xenophobia
Introductory Dialogue
Dacyn: Farmland, in these remote reaches? Our supply situation has become rather dire since abandoning the outposts, so we are fortunate to have found such a fertile valley.
Addogin: Huh, maybe throwin' in my lot you ain't so bad after all. This place would make for a good retirement.
Owaec: Hail, stout-hearted dwarves! Winter comes fast on our heels and we seek provisions and supplies for our journey north. Can you be of aid?
Prok-Bak: Don't bother asking those freeloading dwarves for anything! They can't even manage to pay their tribute on time.
Pelathsil: To flames with yer tribute! What's ours be ours, and don't no orcs nor any o' ye humans be tryin and takin'it!
Dolburras: Nay, these humans be good folk! Ye can trust us to help against them orcs. All we be askin' be some food and drink to re-provision.
Pelathsil: Never! Not since tha days o' Ulrek and Delfador ha' any o' our clan helped one o' ye gangly humans!
Aleii: Hsss... orcsss, dwarvesss, humansss. We've travelled far to find thisss warmth. I've called the vote; the clutch has ssspoken. These waters are only for Naga. Leave usss be.
Prok-Bak: That's Whitefang territory you'resquatting in, snake! Show some respect for the Chief!
Bagork: And I bet they haven't paid tribute either! Dwarves, snakes, humans, I say we kill 'em all!
Dacyn: Infuriating. We may find scant supplies in the coming winter, but we can't risk starving in the wilds while undead ravage Wesnoth.
Gweddry, we'll have to re-provision despite this conflict. If we spend cautiously and control enough farms, we should be able to gather enough supplies to see us through the winter.
Recruit
Dacyn: Remember, if we spend too much on soldiers now, we may struggle to save enough supplies to see us through the winter.
Owaec: And how do you expect us to capture farms without enough soldiers to take them?
Turn 2
Dolburras: Ack, that Pelathsil ha' a skull full o' mud. If ye get me next ta him I'm sure I ken talk some sense into him.
Dolburras attacks a dwarf
Dolburras: It be a sad day when dwarf fights dwarf... ken ye not let's pass peaceable-like?
Enemy unit: I'm not afraid of ye! Raise yer axe, foreigner!
Turn 7
Owaec: ... I've held my tongue long enough. While Wesnoth bleeds, the High Adviser leads us north to forage for food. And as our men and our people die, we seek an unknown mage hovel with some unknown power that the High Adviser has yet to explain more about. Gweddry, surely you feel this is strange?
Gweddry: I don't know, Owaec. It's odd, but Dacyn's light and wisdom are well-known throughout Wsnoth.
Owaec: So were his friend Ravan's, if Dacyn's story is to be believed.
Reach the dwarven gold
Unit: These dwarves have a pile of 10 gold pieces!
Reach the naga gold
Unit: These nagas have a pile of 20 gold pieces!
Reach the orcish gold
Unit: These orcs have a pile of 20 gold pieces!
Dolburras reaches Pelathsil
Dolburras: Oi, mud-fer-brains! What do ye think ye be doin', fighin' wi' these men o' Wesnoth?
Pelathsil: Men o' Wesnoth ain't dwarves! I be a dwarf lord, not a man-friend.
Dolburras: Aye, and so instead ye send yer subjects to die on man-spears? What kind o' lordship be that? If ye dinnae want ta help us, at least dinnae fight us!
Pelathsil: A man-friend and a blood-traitor ye be... but I suppose I ken see yer point. We won't be fightin' ye any longer.
Scenario 8: And My Axe Ally with the dwarves in Xenophobia.
Shield of the Sentinel
Narrator: Deep within this shield's towering bulk, enchanted machinery whirrs faintly. Whenever an adjacent ally is hit by an attack, this shield's bearer is hit instead.
This item is reusable if its wielder dies, and can be dropped by right-clicking. Picking up an item consumes your moves and attack.
Deaths
Bagork: I'll kill all of you!
Unit: Not likely.
Prok-Bak: Chief Dra-Nak will hear of this!
Aleii: Thisss isss why we avoid outsssidersss...
Turn 20
Dacyn: We're doing well. Our forces have already gathered 1055 gold - plenty for the winter, and there's enough time remaining to gather even more.
Victory Dialogue
Gweddry: I've finished gathering the supplies from all our captured farms! We should have plenty for our journey ahead.
Dacyn: Let's forge onwards. We have almost reached our destination, and will soon have the power to save Wesnoth from Mal-Ravanal.
Gweddry: I only hope we're not too late! We've heard nothing of the undead since they overran us at the outposts. I wish we knew how Weldyn's armies fare...
Scenario 9: Castle in the Ice
Story Text
As Gweddry and his band continued north, winter tightened its grip on the wildlands. The days began to shorten and the air swiftly grew chill, making the already challenging mountains even more perilous to traverse.
Introductory Dialogue
Owaec: This winter cold chills my very bones! I long for the rolling plains of my homeland. I wonder how the horse lords fare against the grim undead; surely Wesnoth is near victory?
Dacyn: Doubtful, but our victory is close. Across this river lies the abandoned sanctuary, and within lies an artefact that can destroy Mal-Ravanal once and for all. That's the object of our quest.
This area was deserted whence last I came, but I've heard rumours that a flight of drakes has taken up residence.
Gweddry: And listen! I hear the bone-chilling howls of wolves echoing among the peaks.
Owaec: Wolves and drakes, bah! I fear no mindless beasts!
Dacyn: Unlike yourself, drakes are very much intelligent. Their inner flame guards against our mages' fire and their flight will serve them better than our feet amidst these snow-covered mountains.
Dolburras: Aye, and dinnae underestimate wild beasts! I've known wolves ta take a dwarf's arm clean off.
Gweddry: Still, we must press onwards to the icy castle.
Turn 1
Gweddry: Brrrr, I can't feel my fingers or toes! We'll die of cold if we're trapped out here for too long.
Addogin: What am I even doin' here? All I wanted was to make an honest living smashin' in skulls, then retire somewhere warm...
Seeing the ruins
Gweddry: Look, a ruined castle off in the distance! Is that the one we're looking for?
Dacyn: No. The ruin we're journeying towards lies across the river.
Reaching the northern camp
Tapok: Well? Are they ready?
Mortic: Ga'all, your Hunt has failed. Verash, your claws grow aged. To our Flight, your only usefulness remains... as tribute to the orcs.
Verash: Aspirant Mortic, as you command.
Ogho: C'mon wyrms, get moving!
Tapok: Heh heh, quality tribute, as always. Be grateful for our generosity. Chief only asked for two this time!
Mortic: An unknown creature approaches. Paler than an Orc. Taller than a Dwarf. Tell me of your kin.
Gweddry: We are men, of Wesnoth! We come in peace, seeking magic to help in our war against an undead horde.
Mortic: Dra-Nak warned us. You men of Wes-Noth speak of peace. Yet you brandish your spears at our flight. We've already paid the orcs, dearly. No further tribute can be paid.
Gweddry: No, wait, we just want to-
Mortic: Our Hunt must continue.
Reaching the gold
Unit: This shipwreck was carrying chests of gold! Most of them are buried under the ice, but I can still reach 25 pieces.
Unit: This ruined town still has some valuables! I count enough to be worth 30 gold pieces.
Unit: This drake only had 15 gold pieces in his camp. Not much of a dragon hoard...
Recruit/Turn 12
Dacyn: Gweddry, you should try to conserve our gold over the next few conflicts. We'll be hard-pressed to find many villages in these lands and will surely need more for later.
Narrator: (This and the next 3 scenarios have 100% carry-over, but few villages and 0 starting gold.
You'll want as much gold as you can possibly get when you try to leave the wildlands!)
Mortic is defeated
Mortic: I'm Aspirant. Yet in these north-lands, even prey bares its fangs, and threatens to vanquish us. We've struggled against mightier flights, and tarnished our honour. Yet our flame still persists. I shall not fall here.
Victory Dialogue
Dacyn: This is the place! Let's enter.
Scenario 10: Dark Sanctuary
Story Text
Sequestered away under ice and stone, the dark places of the world quietly count the long years, biding their time until once more disturbed.
Introductory Dialogue
Dacyn: We have arrived. This is a long-abandoned sanctum that you may know as the lair of the mage Iliah-Malal.
It's here that I seek Iliah-Malal's Amulet of the Veil, an artefact possessing the power to open gates between the land of the living and that of the dead.
I once thought such a power too dangerous to use; I'm lo longer so naïve.
Owaec: Iliah-Malal? I know that name from the legends...
All this time... all this time I thought we were on a quest towards a noble goal. Searching for a legendary sword, an ancient tome, a holy relic.
Instead, our quest brings us to the lair of one of the most evil beings that ever lived. How can you possibly mean to make use of anything ever possessed by such an evil? As soldiers of Wesnoth we're honour-bound to fight for the Light, not the darkness!
Dacyn: Don't be so short-sighted. With the power to open portals to the Land of the Dead, I can pull Mal-Ravanal's spirit out of this world. Then, the spells granting false life to the dead will fail, and their fearsome armies will collapse into piles of bones. I'm wielding this power for the good of Irdya, not for your honour's sake.
Gweddry: Dacyn, I'm uneasy about this course of action. I know little of the Land of the Dead, but everything I've heard suggests-
Owaec: You'd violate the dead's eternal peace to fight a war, yet you call me short-sighted?! And while our homeland bleeds, you have the gall to speak of the good of all life?! Madness! As a mage of the Light, you should know better!
Dacyn: I've had enough of your second-guessing. You, fool of a horse boy, know nothing of the mystic arts, yet you mask your ignorance by cowering behind a pretend morality. If that's what you insist on doing, then by all means return to Wesnoth and add your corpses to Mal-Ravanal's ever-growing hordes.
Unlike you, I have the knowledge and power to defeat the undead, and I intend to use it to destroy Mal-Ravanal. Will you wallow in your short-sightedness, or do you intend to help me safeguard all that lives?
Gweddry: I'll help you. We've come this far, and it seems a waste to turn back now.
Owaec: By the Clans, I won't! Would that I'd perished in battle against the undead! Better that than living to see Wesnoth's high mage succumb to the temptation of darkness.
Gweddry, if you truly wish to aid this madman, I'll guard the outer gates for you. But I won't enter that evil stronghold. I'd sooner perish than travel one step closer towards Dacyn's foul amulet.
Turn 2
Dacyn: Ah, I still remember this place quite clearly. Now that I think of it, Ravan had always been very interested in the magic of darkness. Apparently, the balance between light and dark would be crucial to the safety of Irdya in the future, at least according to Ravan's theory. In hindsight, that was all nonsense.
Owaec: The irony seems lost on you.
Dacyn: Back then this place was full of traps and undead, and it will no doubt be worse now that the wild beasts have had a chance to move in.
Ravan sealed this place before our last meeting. I need a moment to remember the incantation.
The red star blazes, the red stone bleeds. The black pool swallows all voices, the darkness between worlds opens its maw.
Addogin: I'm a simple man. I use simple tools and weapons. This magic stuff is givin' me the creeps.
Dacyn: This antechamber only has room for eight. I must go to retrieve the artefact, and Gweddry has agreed to accompany me, so that leaves room for six more.
Move Owaec
Owaec: I won't aid in this evil quest.
Dacyn is inside
Dacyn: Gweddry, you agreed to accompany me. We must both enter this antechamber before I cycle the gates.
Gweddry, are you still choosing your troops? I must end my turn in the antechamber to cycle the gate and enter the sanctuary.
Both are inside
Dacyn: I'm ready to cycle the gates. Gweddry, shall we proceed?
Yes, these are the soldiers I want.
Gweddry: The torches are lit...
Dolburras: I ha' seen my fair share o' dark caves, but summat 'bout this place be givin' me the shakes.
No, not yet.
Signposts
Narrator: East: Study and Vaults
Narrator: West: Laboratory and Experiment Testing
Entering the eastern hallway
Dacyn: The Amulet should be beyond that gate, within the inner sanctum. We'll have to find a pair of magical keys to open the door.
Attack the Wild Wyvern
Wild Wyvern: Hissssss...
Reach the gold
Unit: This wyvern was rich! I count 200 gold in its hoard.
Reach the skeleton
Study Guard: Who. Comes?
Unit: Err... don't mind me, I'm just taking a look around.
Study Guard: Master. Is away. Intruders. Must die.
Reach the diary
Unit: There are a few loose pages on the ground here...
Journal of Ravan - 13 Blackfire, 588 YW.
This expedition is proving a greater success than I had anticipated. While Dacyn disarms the traps littered around this place, I've been able to conduct extensive research into the other plane beyond the Maw. There's a realm of souls that can be reached from our very own world, one that Iliah-Malal doubtlessly made contact with using the Amulet of the Veil. From time to time, I hear spirits whispering from the other side, but their voices are faint as of yet. I suspect that if I can somehow reach them, they'll be able to answer some of the questions I've been pondering. However, there seems to be a piece of the puzzle still missing.
Journal of Ravan - 21 Whitefire, 589 YW.
I had a dream tonight. Was it a dream? It seemed much more like a vision. I saw a scorching light from twin orbs in the sky, radiating searing brightness over a land teeming with aberrations of constantly shifting flesh. I saw a jewel, no, a key, alight with fire bridging the vast nothingness of the Maw. I saw darkness, merged with light and transfigured, rending the indestructible core of those without form. I hear voices recounting these muddles dreams, yet their words are disjointed, incomprehensible. What are they trying to tell me?
Reach the sheets
Unit: Journal of Ravan - 5 Bleeding Moon, 597 YW.
Nothing is going well. My research has come to a dead end and even the spirits from the other plane no longer speak to me. I can no longer rely on Dacyn either. That stupid man! He decided that playing politics would be a better use of his abilities than helping me decipher this crucial puzzle. As if he could do any good, being the adviser to that half-decrepit old King Haldric. Then again, maybe that's the game Dacyn wants to play. What a shame. I had held him in higher regard than that.
Unit: This volume has something to do with a dwarf named Tharga... Thursag-something? The text is very faded.
Reach the book
Unit: What's this? Looks like a book on necromancy? To become a lich, one must first-
Dacyn: Drop that at once! That journal is dangerous!
Reach the orbs
Unit: These three orbs must be ancient, but still pulse with some kind of dark energy. Just standing near them gives me a splitting headache.
Reach the bookshelf
Unit: This shelf appears to be full of accounting ledgers detaiing the movement of funds and goods hundreds of years ago.
Reach the boxes
Unit: This box is empty.
Unit: Yuck, this box is full of pickled fingers!
Reach the barrel
Unit: This cask of wine is from nearly 200 years ago! If only I was allowed to drink while on duty.
Find the key
Unit: I've found a key! It must be magical; it started glowing as soon as I touched it.
Reach the rune
Dacyn
Dacyn: This gate is locked, and I recognize the petrification trap concealed within its guardian rune. I should avoid trying to open it.
Everyone else
Unit: Looks like this gate is locked. I wonder if this rune opens it?
Dacyn: That was a petrification rune. It should wear off in a few moments.
Entering the western hallway
Cowardly Goblin: Aaah, humans! Run away!
Unit: I suppose there are goblins living here. Well, that explains the lit torches.
Reaching the northern gates
Unit: Uh oh...
Oh, nothing happened.
Entering the goblin room
Thirsty Goblin: Hey, this looks tasty!
Drink the yellow potion
Unit: Blech, this tastes awful! Whatever used to be in here, it went bad long ago.
Drink the grey potion
Unit: ACK! I'M DYING!
Hah, just messing with you, it's only water.
Drink the blue potion
Unit: Ugh, my head hurts. Was this room always spinning?
Potion of Barkskin
Narrator: This potion bubbles as though over an open flame, yet is cool to the touch. Its drinker gains the steadfast ability and can heal 2 hit-points each turn, like dwarves with the 'healthy' trait.
This item can NOT be dropped, and can NOT be reused if its user dies. Picking up an item consumes your moves and attack.
Reach the second goblin room
Unit: Look, a key! But it's guarded by all those goblins... and there are ghasts in cages!
The goblins' eyes must be blinded by their fires. I still haven't been spotted.
Enter the second goblin room
Goblin Leader: Humans! Get them!
Reach the rune
Unit: Hmm, it looks like this rune is connected to those cages. I'll bet I could get one of them open...
Yes, release some ghouls.
Goblin Leader: Aaahh! The monsters have escaped!
No, keep them locked up.
Find the key
Unit: Look what I found! This key started glowing as soon as I touched it.
Dacyn: Both keys are found! We can now enter the inner sanctum and retrieve the Amulet.
Gweddry: I hope Owaec hasn't got into any trouble outside...
Reach the southern room
Unit: Hmmm, looks like a magic lamp. I've heard stories that these can grant wishes. Today must be my lucky day!
Jinn: WHO DARES DISTURB MY SLUMBER?
Find the treasure chests
Unit: This chest contains 70 gold!
Unit: It's full of... toilet paper?!
Baneblade
Narrator: This incorporeal sword resembles those wielded by undead wraiths. Any mortal brave enough to wield it becomes chaotic and lashes out at their foes with reckless abandon. 6x4 arcane damage, drains, berserk.
This item is reusable if its wielder dies, and can be dropped by right-clicking. Picking up an item consumes your moves and attack.
Find the cloak
Unit: This fine silken cloak would be priceless back in Wesnoth, but is useless to us here.
Holy Amulet
Narrator: Engraved with a consecrated symbol, this amulet will bless both your melee and ranged attacks with arcane damage.
This item is reusable if its wielder dies, and can be dropped by right-clicking. Picking up an item consumes your moves and attack.
Reach the gate
Unit: I can unlock this gate from the inside.
Find the ants
Unit: Ugh, more ants. I doubt there's anything of value in here, just more of that lousy ambrosia.
Ant Ambrosia
Narrator: This goopy honey-like substance makes you feel very sleeoy... perhaps eating too much would be unwise.
This item can NOT be dropped, and can NOT be reused if its user dies. Picking up an item consumes your moves and attack.
Turn 9
Chief Dra-Nak: What do we have here? This is what those wyrms were grovelling about?
I'm Dra-Nak, Chief from the Whitefang clan. What're you doing so far away from home, human?
Owaec: I'm a lord of the Horse Clans, and we're here on Wesnoth business. You'd do well not to bother us.
Chief Dra-Nak: Wesnoth business, huh... you're not the first group of deserters I've caught fleeing the undead.
I'll tell you what. I'm a fair orc, I won't take advantage of your situation. Maybe I can help you. Let's make a deal.
Those necromancers down south are paying me good coin to keep them supplied with corpses. Hand over, let's say, eight of your soldiers as tribute, and you're free to go about your business. I'll even give you a cut of the profit!
Owaec: Today I've been called short-sighted, then a coward, and now a deserter?! My honour will stand no more insult! Begone, foetid orc, lest I mount your head on a pike! I don't fear the dead and I don't fear you.
Chief Dra-Nak: (grinning) I was hoping you'd say that!
Turn 21
Unit: Time to chop some human heads!
Turn 33
Unit: Keep attacking, hit 'em while the sun's down!
Turn 45
Unit: Chief's orders, let's get them!
Turn 51
Unit: Burn and pillage!
Dacyn is at the gates
Dacyn: Are we ready to enter the inner sanctum?
Yes, I'm ready.
Gweddry: Is that... the Amulet?
Dacyn: Yes. We now look upon one of the most powerful artefacts ever to taint Irdya. But first, we must clear out this room.
Sanctum Guard: TRESSPASSERS!
Gweddry: Prepare for incoming undead!
No, not yet.
Victory Dialogue
Dacyn: Excellent. Now...
Gweddry: Wait, Dacyn, before you pick that up... are you sure this is the right decision? Even if you can wield it safely, something this evil will doubtlessly corrupt anyone who possesses it.
Dacyn: Why, I'm incredibly touched by your deep show of affection. I'm sure that will be of great comfort when thousands are massacred after Wesnoth loses its greatest war in living memory.
No, Gweddry, I'm not sure. But I know of no other way to defeat Mal-Ravanal. I've tried once before. Even as a mage, Ravan's powers near outmatched my own. As the lich Mal-Ravanal, perhaps only Delfador the Great could have stood a chance.
This Amulet will give us the edge that I need. With it, I can open a gate to the Land of the Dead and pull Mal-Ravanal's unholy spells out of this world.
Gweddry: But if what you said is true, the very same could be said of Ravan. How do you know you won't fall down the same path as well?
Dacyn: You're right, Gweddry. I can't know. But I must try. If I don't, Wesnoth - nay, all of Irdya - will surely fall to ruin. As long as I try, there's still a chance. Sacrificing myself means nothing for the greater good.
(picks up the amulet)
AAAAHHHH!
Unknown: AAAAHHHH!
Gweddry: Dacyn! Everyone stand back, give him some air.
Dacyn: ... don't fear, I'm unharmed. I just... need a moment to catch my breath.
Chief Dra-Nak: Hah, did you think you were safe hiding back in here? Nobody can escape from Dra-Nak, greatest chief east of the Listra.
Cowardly Goblin: See see! I told you there were humans in here! And I showed you the secret passage! Reward reward?
Chief Dra-Nak: Sure, here you go. You did well.
As for you humans, you might as well convince your friends outside to surrender. Otherwise, we'll slaughter you all starting with that injured old man. I gave you a chance to do things fairly before, but now we're doing things my way.
Gweddry: I don't know what these orcs want with us, but we can't hope to escape with Dacyn so badly hurt.
Very well, orc, we'll surrender.
Scenario 11: Captured
Story Text
After their surrender, Gweddry, Dacyn and Owaec were promptly taken before the orcish chieftain, Dra-Nak. The rest were thrown into the prisons to await their turn...
Introductory Dialogue
Narrator: Several of Gweddry's men find themselves locked away in a crude orcish cell.
Unit: We've got to get out of here!
Unit: I'm sure your commanders will come to save us!
Unit: What?! Didn't you see those huge orcs drag them away? It's hopeless!
Unit: Be quiet you three! There's something back here...
Look! There's a gap in the wall over here. I think I can slip through if I clear away some of these rocks...
Come on! This way!
Reach the gate
Unit: The door won't open from this side.
Turn 3
Unit: Bowman, I don't recognize you, and you look like you've been locked up longer than the rest of us. How did you get here?
Unit: When the undead burned Tath, I got... lost. I have family up north, but I didn't even get across the ford before some orcs captured me. They marched me and many other slaves east along the river, until we arrived here.
Unit: (scowling) A deserter. We should lock you back in your cell.
Unit: No, please, you don't understand! The undead are everywhere! I didnt want to die like all my friends...
Reach the northwestern map
Unit: Do you hear something coming from those pits?
Vampire Bat: Neep! Neep!
The bats attack
Unit: Ack! Get away from me!
Go down
Unit: This tunnel seems to go deeper into the caves. We can't go that way.
Turn 6
Unit: How do we know these caves aren't all dead ends? We might be stuck wandering until we die of thirst!
Unit: You're welcome to go back to your cell.
Turn 8
Unit: Even if we do find your commanders and escape, maybe we should consider staying in the north? It's tranquil and quiet... and there's no undead...
Unit: I didn't come all this way just to give up at the words of a deserter!
Unit: Let's focus on escaping the orcs before worrying about the future. Now quiet, I smell something foul up ahead.
Reach the abandoned weapons
Unit: Ugh, here's where that wretched stench is coming from. This must be the orcish storeroom, full of their discarded gear and trash. At least we can find ourselves some proper weapons.
And look, our captured equipment and provisions are here too! I've received supplies worth 2532 gold.
Holy Amulet
Message: Wearing this amulet will cause every blow you deal to inflict arcane damage!
Message: I am not suited to using this item! Let another take it.
Try to Leave the Wrong Way
Gweddry: I see the exit to the tunnel! Onward!
Dacyn: Wait! We cannot go out that way. There are too many orcs. We must exit through the south-west gates.
Gweddry: Very well. We must go the other way.
Victory Dialogue
Gweddry: Good! We have escaped these accursed caves!
Scenario 12: Evacuation
Story Text
Gweddry and his men had escaped from the orcish prisons. After a harried chase south, they found themselves surrounded by orcs at the Great River.
Introductory Dialogue
Dacyn: We have to get out of the Northlands as quickly as possible! Run for your — what the...?! Who are you?
Engineer: "I'm an enginea'. I s'pect you'll have a need of me services. I bet you're gonna want me to blow up that bridge ov'r theah.
Owaec: Why would we want to do that?!
Engineer: Well, I see those orcs are chasin' you, and if I blow up the bridge, they can't get across. It'll help you to escape.
Dacyn: I see... I think it is a good idea to hire him. How much?
Engineer: I aint charging gold - I wants protecshun! Everywhere I go, I see orcs, undead. 'T'aint safe 'round 'ere!
Gweddry: Very well, we'll protect you from the undead. But we can't help you until we get across this river. Now let's go!
Engineer: Deal. I c'n blow'er up once I get to that signpost ov'r dere. That's where my eq'pment is. But ev'ryone not ov'r theah on that side when it blows w'll be killed by the orcs fa' sure!
Blow Up the Bridge
Engineer: So, d'ya want me to blow up der bridge yet, Cap'n?
Gweddry: Hmm...
Yes
Message: Yes, blow it up.
Engineer: Alright! Blast'n time!
Narrator: BOOM!!
Gweddry: Good, we have escaped from the orcs. Now we must return to save Wesnoth.
No
Message: No, wait until later.
Engineer: Neh? Alright then, we'll wait fa' later, eh?
Time Over
Dacyn: We have not thrown down the bridge in time! The orcs will kill us all!
Enemies Defeated
Gweddry: Well, we didn't have to blow up the bridge after all. No we must return to save Wesnoth.
Victory Dialogue
Owaec: How do you propose to do that?
Dacyn: We head south. My research revealed that the dragon Khrakrahs is in possession of a Null Stone; with it I will be able to block Mal-Ravanal’s teleportation. Once we have retrieved the stone, we must travel to Weldyn. Our experience fighting the undead will prove invaluable in the defense of our homeland. Also, I have advice to give the king: I know Mal-Ravanal’s weakness.
Gweddry: Very well, we will head south. Let us hope we reach Weldyn before Mal-Ravanal.
Engineer: I'll be followin' yah from now on. Hope yah can get to Weld'n an' all so I c'n stop runnin'...
Scenario 13: The Drowned Plains
Introductory Dialogue
Owaec: Now, we have reached the Horse Plains, the fair homeland of my people. They may be able to help us find—
What?! Swamps?! Those undead have destroyed the grasslands of my House, and they shall pay for it!
Dacyn: The lich-lord must have flooded the valley. The undead like the swamp. It is death, decay, everything that they are themselves. I can sense them lurking in the swamps, waiting to ambush us.
Engineer: I s'ppose we'll hav' to wade across it anyway... ugh.
Krahkrahs: Findshhhh... slayhhhh... killhhhh...
Gweddry: What is that sound?!?
Dacyn: That was the dragon Khrakrahs. He was a powerful beast indeed in the time of Haldric, living in the Northern Mountains. But he radiates a dark power these days, and I know not why he has taken up residence this far south. We must find him, and pray that he still has the Null Stone.
Krahkrahs is Seen
Dacyn: Ah! It appears that the mighty Khrakrahs is no longer among the living. But this undead abomination does not appear weak to my arcane powers... he must still have the Null Stone!
Victory Dialogue
Dacyn: The Null Stone! With it we may finally defeat Mal-Ravanal!
Scenario 14: Approaching Weldyn
Introductory Dialogue
Gweddry: We have finally reached Weldyn, but it seems the undead have surrounded it. We must break through to reach the king!
Dacyn: It would be best not to waste time defeating these undead, they are but a small fraction of the host we face. We should go straight to the city and prepare our defenses.
Victory Dialogue
Gweddry: My liege, we have vital information about the leader of these undead.
Konrad II: Come, into the castle.
Konrad II Dies
Konrad II: Weldyn has been captured, and Wesnoth is no more...
Scenario 15: The Council
Story Text
Dacyn: Before we begin our council, I must tell you all the history of this lich we face. He was at first a mage of the realm, like me, and his fall began during the reign of Haldric VII...
The greatest seer in the land, Galdren, foresaw that some day, some day soon, a great evil would spread over the land. The king, naturally, was worried. The seer told him that the only way to stop the evil was to appoint a mage, versed well in combat with the spirits of darkness, to be the king’s advisor
In all the land, there were two magi that clearly stood out from the rest. A mage from the east named Ravan, and myself. The King, wishing to choose the best advisor, sent us both before Galdren. Then he conversed with the seer privately. None know what was said, but when he came out he announced that the seer was dead, and he had chosen me as his new advisor.
Ravan took this quietly enough, we all thought, but now I think that this was when he began his fall. He went deep into conversation with the spirits of darkness, hoping to discover their weaknesses. But it was they who found his.
One day, Ravan returned to the castle where I was living. He demanded to see me and the guards let him in, for then he was still a well-respected mage. When I greeted him, he named himself Mal-Ravanal and challenged me to a duel.
His attack was swift and his power great, but through unwavering faith and no small skill I emerged victorious. As he lie there mortally wounded I prepared to excise the darkness in his soul.
But I hesitated too long... He simply vanished, teleported away. The mage Ravan died that day; yet death is a mere inconvenience to those most skilled in the arts of necromancy...
Introductory Dialogue
Dacyn: This is the lich we are facing: Mal-Ravanal.
Konrad II: So what should we do now?
Kaldor: We must fight, obviously. Surely the might of Wesnoth can triumph over a mere lich!
Owaec: I can tell by your words that you have not seen the hordes for yourself. It is like all of the dead warriors from all the ages have come back to attack us. There is no end to the columns of marching skeletons, the wailing ghosts, the infernal bats, led by the foul necromancers who raised them.
Gweddry: We barely escaped the Southern Outpost with our lives; Mal-Ravanal’s army cannot be defeated by even the might of all Wesnoth.
Kaldor: That simply makes you cowards. True warriors would have stayed and fought, to the death!
Dacyn: A meaningless sacrifice and a few more corpses marching upon Weldyn. We realized our only path to victory is to destroy the head of these necromancers, the lich Mal-Ravanal. With this Null Stone I can counteract his teleportation and finally put his tortured soul to rest.
Kaldor: But if we cannot defeat the army, how may we strike at the leader?!
Owaec: I recommend a full assault. Our mounted units are more manueverable; if we attack in force we may be able to punch through the enemy lines and isolate Mal-Ravanal in the chaos of battle.
Dacyn: I suggest that we appeal to his arrogance: I believe Mal-Ravanal would be compelled to face me if I were to challenge him to a duel.
Owaec: We cannot trust that he would honor the terms of the challenge! You would likely find yourself facing his entire army!
Dacyn: We face his entire army regardless. The only difference is whether Mal-Ravanal is commanding in back or gloating in front.
Konrad II: Two risky plans. But if these undead are as strong as you say then we are pressed for options. Gweddry, you are most familiar with this situation. I will leave this choice in your hands.
Dacyn: No, I don't think so. I am the only person alive who would recognize the name Mal-Ravanal, and if he had known I was there when he attacked, he would have pursued us much more vigorously.
Guard: Sire, the undead armies are attacking!
Konrad II: Well, that will have to be the end of our council. Let us fight!
Scenario 16: Weldyn Under Attack
Introductory Dialogue
Gweddry: We will fight soon, my lord. Look, night approaches; and with it the undead hordes. I stand ready to defend the kingdom.
Konrad II: Very well. But this... Mal-Ravanal, that you spoke of, is he here?
Dacyn: "I sense his dark magic prolonging the night, but I do not feel his presence.
Owaec: In any case, the undead are attacking now. Let us show them the might of Wesnoth!
Konrad II Dies
Konrad II: I have died, and with me gone the city is lost.
Time Over
Dacyn: Look, the sun has finally risen, and the undead are retreating.
Enemies Defeated
Owaec: Even this infernal darkness cannot dim the spirits of our men!
Choice Dialogue
Gweddry: This long night is over, and Wesnoth still stands. Yet I do not know how many more such nights we can endure.
'Konrad II: Gweddry, have you made a decision regarding our course of action?
Gweddry: I have. I think we should..
Duel
Gweddry: challenge Mal-Ravanal to a duel.
Dacyn: I will send the message at once.
Open Assault
Gweddry: try to isolate Mal-Ravanal in battle.
Owaec: I will begin preparing our troops.
Scenario 17a: The Duel
Introductory Dialogue
Mal-Ravanal:I have waited a long time for this day to come. I shall have my revenge, Dacyn!
Dacyn: Indeed, it is time to end this.
Narrator: The rules of the duel are these: You may recruit or recall up to 5 units. At the end of your first turn, your keep will disappear, and you must battle with whatever troops you have at that time.
Dacyn: When we attack Mal-Ravanal I will need to be nearby with the Null Stone to prevent his teleportation. We cannot afford to let him escape.
Cheating
Gweddry: Wait - what just happened? He called more warriors out of the ground! That's not allowed!
Mal-Ravanal: Stop talking and fight! The rules do not stop me from bringing up warriors that were already here.
Gweddry Dies
Gweddry: No! This cannot be the way it was meant to end!
Dacyn Dies
Dacyn: Wesnoth, I have failed you...
Scenario 17b: Weldyn Besieged
Introductory Dialogue
Dacyn: I can sense Mal-Ravanal is here somewhere... When we attack him I will need to be nearby with the Null Stone to prevent his teleportation. We cannot afford to let him escape.
Lich Revealed
Lich: You dare to attack me? Now you will pay! Lich: I will enjoy watching you suffer! Lich: Death will only be the beginning of your torment! Lich: You will serve me in death! Lich: Allow me to free you from your wretched existence! Lich: My master is merely toying with you!
Mal-Ravanal Revealed
Mal-Ravanal: I shall destroy you personally!
Undead Reach Weldyn Keep
Undead: Kill them all!
Gweddry: They killed the royal family... now, even if we save Weldyn, Wesnoth has fallen.
Konrad II Dies
Konrad II: The Kingdom of Wesnoth dies with me!
Scenario 18: Epilogue
Story Text
When Mal-Ravanal fell his undead army simply collapsed like puppets with their strings cut. As the lich’s death-scream echoed in the air, a vast and louring column of shadow arose from his corpse like smoke from an unclean fire; then it divided fivefold at its height, reaching for the heavens like a clutching hand.
Men let weapons fall from nerveless fingers and horses reared in terror as that great dark pall obscured the sun...
... and then it thinned, and paled, and a breeze from the west dissolved it in tatters, and the light of day shone once again undiminished on Weldyn.
Introductory Dialogue
Konrad II: It is a great victory we have won here today, vanquishing the arch-lich Mal-Ravanal.
Gweddry: So many months of fighting...I feel as though I am awakening from a long nightmare.
Dacyn: Nor is our work yet complete. Mal-Ravanal’s host has been broken, but in its wake chaos and disorder prevail throughout the countryside.
Konrad II: We will be years...perhaps decades...recovering from the ill he has wrought.
Owaec: Even now we should be sending our cavalry to restore order throughout the land. (Gweddry says this if Owaec is dead)
Konrad II: It shall be so. But it is also to be thought that you three have served Us, and Our Kingdom, full well. We are minded to reward you.
Terraent Is Alive
Konrad II: Sir Terraent, your service to the crown has been a beacon of light in these dark times. We are appointing you to command the River Guard in Estmark.
Terraent: It is an honor to serve my kingdom, and I humbly accept your commission.
Grug Is Alive
Konrad II: Grug, Gweddry has told me of the help you and your tribe provided his men. We wish to offer you a new home in the Estmark Hills along with Our thanks.
Grug: Grug say new home will make thanks with.
Dialogue Continues
'Konrad II: Dacyn. I would have you remain by Our side, here; as you counseled these two in war, so shall you counsel Us in peace and the rebuilding of the Kingdom.
Dacyn: I am honored, your highness.
Engineer Is Alive
Konrad II: Engineer, much of Estmark region stands in ruins. The crown has need of your skills to clear the wreakage and organize the reconstruction.
Engineer: I’ll be glad ta help yah. It’ll be fun to work in peace again.
Owaec Is Alive
Konrad II: Now as for you...
Gweddry: Sire, we but did our duty.
Konrad II: Quite. Now do not interrupt while I am doing mine... Kneel, Owaec.
Arise, Owaec, Knight Commander of the King’s Horse. And take as Our first command to you your own wish; go from here, secure our borders, and show all that the might of Wesnoth will endure.
Kneel, Gweddry.
And arise, Gweddry, Earl of Estmark. The land for which you shed your blood shall be put under your hand to be made green again.
Narrator: And so began the Silver Age of Wesnoth, that time known to historians as the Reconstruction...
Else
Konrad II: Now as for you...
Gweddry: Sire, I but did my duty.
Konrad II: Quite. Now do not interrupt while I am doing mine... Kneel, Gweddry.
And arise, Gweddry, Earl of Estmark. The land for which you shed your blood shall be put under your hand to be made green again.
Narrator: And so began the Silver Age of Wesnoth, that time known to historians as the Reconstruction...
EI-Specific Descriptions
Generic Unit
Horse Lord: Lvl 3
The greatest of the men of the plains, Horse Lords are heads of their houses and are respected by all, friend or foe. Their sword can kill most ordinary enemies, and their morning star crushes those who are left.
Mounted Fighter: Lvl 1
The nobles of the men of the plains are trained with the rest of the horsemen to become great warriors. However, they are also trained in commanding their comrades, and they are the ones that become captains of the armies of the Clans.
Mounted Warrior: Lvl 2
Leaders of the plains, Mounted Warriors are skilled with the use of the sword and the morning star. Riding horses, they are able to move around the battlefield with great speed, and can provide much needed assistance to different fronts.
EI: Specified Unit Names
Humans
- Gweddry (Sergeant)
- Dacyn (White Mage)
- Owaec (Mounted Fighter)
- Terraent (Paladin)
- Shodrano (Assassin)
- Engineer (Red Mage)
- Konrad II (General)
- Kaldor (Great Mage)
- Haldrad (General)
- Halric (General)
- Halrod (General)
Trolls
- Kabak (Troll)
- Darg (Troll Warrior)
- Groog (Troll Warrior)
- Unhk (Troll Warrior)
Dwarves
- Knutan (Dwarvish Steelclad)
- Pelathsil (Dwarvish Lord)
Elves
Orcs
- Gruga-Har (Orcish Warrior)
- Wak-Rano (Orcish Warlord)
- Dracu-Kura (Orcish Warlord)
- Prok-Bak (Orcish Warlord)
- King Dra-Nak (Orcish Warlord)
- Varrak-Klar (Orcish Warlord)
- Ran-Lar (Orcish Warlord)
Half-Orcs
Ogres
- Grug (Ogre)
- Gork (Ogre)
- Drog (Ogre)
Gryphons
- Kraagak (Gryphon)
Undead
Humans
- Mal-Sakkat (Dark Sorcerer)
- Mal-Bakral (Dark Sorcerer)
- Mal-Skraat (Dark Sorcerer)
- Mal-Tar (Dark Adept)
- Mal-Kallat (Dark Sorcerer)
- Mal-Marak (Dark Sorcerer)
- Mal-Galkar (Dark Sorcerer)
- Mal-Arnai (Dark Sorcerer)
- Mal-un-Karad (Necromancer)
- Mal-un-Darak (Necromancer)
- Mal-un-Zanrad (Necromancer)
- Mal-un-Xadrux (Necromancer)
Liches
- Mal-Uldhar (Lich)
- Mal-Ravanal (Lich/Ancient Lich)
- Mal-Telnarad (Lich)
- Mal-Hakralan (Lich)
- Mal-Grekulak (Lich)
- Mal-Xacralan (Lich)
- Mal-Uknalu (Lich)
- Mal-Drakanal (Lich)
- Mal-Hadanak (Lich)
- Mal-Katglagad (Lich)
- Mal-Xaskanat (Lich)
- Mal-Akranbral (Lich)
- Mal-Larakan (Lich)
Skeletons
- Rava-Krodaz (Death Knight)
- Lanar-Skal (Revenant)
- Garnad (Revenant)
Skeletal Dragons
- Krahkrahs (Skeletal Dragon)
Nagas
- Aleii (Nagini Centurion)
King Dra-Nak's City (labels)
- Prison
- Torture Chamber
- Throne Room
- The City
- Exit