Editing A Cage in the Hand

{{campaign navigational box|sod=expanded|hackandslash=expanded}}

| scenario       = {{PAGENAME}}

| description    = Crag Hack must acquire the Rib Cage of Power from one of the Liches haunting the swamp of Ferris to win the scenario.  However, if Crag Hack is defeated in combat, the scenario is lost.  Crag Hack is limited to level 20 but will carry his experience, skills and spells on to the next scenario.

| underground    = enabled

| num_play      = 2/1

| size          = M

| source        = sod

| victory        = get_art

| loss_hint      = {{Hn|Crag Hack|noname=}}

| allies        = {{blue}}

| enemies        = {{red}}

| difficulty    = Expert

| Cmap          = [[File:Cmap sod has 3.png|400px|A small group of [[Necromancer]]s called "The Ebon Hand" live in this part of [[Avauntnell]].  [[Erathia]] hasn't really dealt with them, for this is an out of the way swampy area, and it really isn't worth the time and expense to mount a campaign against them.  It is said they worship one of the undead races as gods and keep them under lock and key to be worshiped day and night.]]

== Prologue ==

{{cvid|SoD CD-Heroes3-Data-Heroes3 vid-H3x2 HSc-smk-H3x2 HSc|thumbtime=0:00|float=left}}

{{h|Crag Hack|0=}}: I got [[Sandro]] his cursed [[Blackshard of the Dead Knight|sword]], and now he wants me to fight more moldy [[Necromancer]]s to get some kind of armor made out of bones.  Hah!  It'll be their bones I smash!

{{TEheader}}

{{TErow| 1 |[[Sandro]] meeting 3|"Splendid!  I see you have been successful once again, [[Crag Hack|Mister Hack]]!"  [[Sandro]] says back at the [[Wingtail Tavern]].<p>"[[Crag Hack|CRAG Hack]]," you grunt.  "That stinking [[Death Knight]] [[Marzeth]] is now a dead Knight."<p>"Now, the third item I require is the [[Rib Cage]] of Power, which is being held by a group of [[Necromancer]]s somewhere in the small swamp called [[Ferris]]."  He hands you a small map.  "It was being kept safe for me in a [[Sanctuary]], but the [[Necromancer]]s, knowing its importance to my research, burned the [[Sanctuary]] to the ground and stole the [[Rib Cage]].  They will do everything in their power to stop you from obtaining it."<p>"[[Undead]] people to fight?  I don't like their smell.  They stink."  You frown as you look at the map.<p>[[Sandro]] takes out a sack and opens it partially, revealing gold and gems.  "Think of the rewards I promised and the evil you will have eliminated from [[Enroth (planet)|Enroth]] once you have gotten me all four items."<p>You think a bit and then, slowly, you nod in agreement.  After all, these [[Necromancer]]s did burn down the one place where a hero ought to be safe.  They should be made to pay for the evil they have done.  However, doing battle for this [[wizard]] is turning out not to be as much fun as you had hoped.  [[Sandro]] makes you think too much.}}

{{TErow| 1 |Entering the region.|As you enter region marked on [[Sandro]]'s map, your first thought is to set up a [[Stronghold]].  The [[wizard]] apparently doesn't have any [[Barbarian]] friends in this land willing to lend you their home, but luckily your scouts report an occupied [[Stronghold]] nearby...}}

{{TErow| 21 |Send Message|You order a scout to send a message to the [[Necromancer]]s: "Give up the [[Rib Cage]] or [[Crag Hack]] will crush your bones to dust just as surely as you burned that [[Sanctuary]] to ashes."  The messenger runs off and disappears quickly into the underbrush.}}

{{TErow| 30 |Reply|Your messenger returns, bruised, bloody, and maimed, but still alive... barely.  Limping up to you, he hands you a note:  "We know nothing about a [[Sanctuary]], [[Crag Hack|Mister Hack]], but we do know this: you are already dead. You just don't know it yet yourself."  You crumble up the paper and grumble that your first name is Crag.  As you shove the crumpled note back into the messenger's hand, the hand falls to the ground.  He's been turned into a [[zombie]]!  With one quick stroke of your axe his head comes off.  Damn [[Necromancer]]s!  You hate them all!}}

| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | It looks as if the [[Necromancer]]s of the [[Ebon Hand]] are barricaded in their main castle!  Perhaps you can deal with these cowards later.  In the meantime, you can continue your quest for the [[Rib Cage]].

| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | {{town|Castle|nofort=}}

===== Town timed events =====

{{TErow| 7 |loc={{town|Stronghold}} (9, 13, 0)|[[Goblin]] tribe tribute.|freq=7|A large nearby [[Goblin]] tribe sends its warriors as tribute to their [[Barbarian]] brothers for having helped defend them against attacks by rogue [[Ogre]] tribes.|effect=60 {{Cn|Goblin|noname=}}{{Cn|Hobgoblin|name=Goblins and Hobgoblins}}}}

{{TErow| 7 |loc={{blue}} {{town|Necropolis}} (53, 56, 0)|Bonus money from followers.|freq=5|This is money donated from fanatic followers.|effect=+3 {{w}} [[Wood]], +3 {{m}} [[Mercury]], +3 {{o}} [[Ore]], +3 {{s}} [[Sulfur]], +3 {{c}} [[Crystal]]s, +3 {{gem}} [[Gems]], +2000 {{g}} [[Gold]]}}

| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Light Blue - Setting sun<p>Dark Blue - Rising sun</p>

| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | East to [[Ferris Swamp]] - Beware, it is owned by The [[Ebon Hand]].  They do not like intruders.

| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | South to [[Ferris Swamp]] - Beware, it is owned by The [[Ebon Hand]].  They do not like intruders.