Don't Drink the Water

Template:Campaign Masters of the ElementsDon't Drink the Water is the third scenario of the Masters of the Elements campaign in Heroes Chronicles .

Campaign

Prologue

File:GOOD2D.png

The Elemental Lords already departed for our world by the time Tarnum reached the Plane of Water. Tarnum's preemptive attack turned out to be a mistake. Now, he had to gain control over all four elements if he had any hope of returning home.

Scenario

Map description

Tarnum must defeat all of the Fortresses. All Heroes will be limited to level 20, but Tarnum and his three best Heroes will transfer to the next scenario with their spells, skills and experience. The Orb of Driving Rain will transfer to all scenarios.

Starting options

Receive 30 Wood
Receive 30 Ore

Timed events

Day 1 - Day 1
We were unable to return to our plane of existence. When the Air Lord left his realm, he crushed the Gateway to the Clouds behind him. With all these Wizards around, you would think one of them would've warned me that the only other way back to our world is to gain mastery over the Conflux town. So, I have traveled here to the Plane of Water to conquer the Water and Ice Elementals.
Day 2 - Day 2
This realm of water is worse than the Plane of Air! Everything bobs slowly up and down as if the entire world sits on a ship in a storm. Even when I'm standing on solid ground (if you can call all this mud solid), bouts of seasickness overcome me. Barsolar insists that Navigation is an important skill to master, but I say a magical cure for queasiness is far more urgent.
Day 4 - Day 4
Barsolar shook his head as we met this morning. "We've been trying all night, through every magical means possible - we simply can not contact King Magnus" "Then we're on our own," I said. "Yes. I'm afraid he will think we are lost." "Well, there is nothing we can do about it but continue on," I said, trying not to sound too happy. Now, maybe I can lead this army of Wizards without any interference.
Day 7 - Day 7
Today, Barsolar left on a small boat with only a few Gremlins for a crew. He's going to explore this realm and attempt to determine the locations of our enemy. I have no doubt he also plans to study the specific nature of this plane. In the last week, he's been in hiding his tent more than usual, scribbling away. To keep him focused while he's away, I've ordered him to send regular reports.
Day 8 - Day 8
My Mage Instructor, Hemoross, has uncovered some interesting information concerning two artifacts that are known to be located on the Plane of Water. Individually, both the Necklace of Ocean Guidance and the Sea Captain's Hat increase someone's travel speed over water, but if one person wears them both, they form the Admiral's Hat. This will allow the wearer to board or disembark a ship without losing their movement for a day. Such a powerful item!
Day 10 - Day 10
All of this water travel is horrible. I'm losing weight from all the retching, and I still haven't gotten used to fighting when the ground is moving beneath my feet. And I seem to be the only one having a problem with seasickness. These Wizards move about with ease. When I ask them how they do it, each one has given me a different cure for the queasiness. Of course, none of them have worked! Just about the only thing I can keep down is tea and toast.
Day 12 - Day 12
Today, I got my first report from Barsolar. I admit, I never expected an owl to land on a nearby tree branch and start speaking with Barsolar's nasal whine. "Lord Tarnum. I have traveled far already, and I have noticed that Water and Ice Elementals block just about every passage in this realm. They will attack without question, so I have stayed away from them thus far. You may want to have one Hero deal with these creatures while another picks up the floating debris. There is a veritable fortune floating on the water! I have sent some of what I have collected." I looked around, not sure what Barsolar meant. Then the owl picked at a small pouch tied around one of its legs and dropped it in my lap before it flew off. No sooner had I untied the pouch than it exploded in my face, nearly burying me beneath a pile of Wood and Gold. Resources: +14 Wood, +2387 Gold
Day 17 - Day 17
Barsolar's owl returned again with a short message. There is a town to the north that is not held by the enemy. Or at least it wasn't when this message was sent. At this point, I could use all the income I can get, so this is good news.
Day 22 - Day 22
I barely slept a wink last night thanks to this blasted seasickness. Miserable, I collapsed on the wet ground outside my tent. The mud soaking into my robes didn't matter. My clothes were already covered with the filth of more than three weeks of vomiting and marching through the swamp. I haven't felt well enough to wash, not that it's a concern of mine. A little dirt never hurt anyone.
Day 23 - Day 23
Although it was odd to hear Barsolar's voice coming from an owl's beak, I realized today that I was finally getting used to it. The creature landed on my arm this time. First, it explained that unlike the enslaved Sprites, the creatures of the Fortress work for the Lord of Water willingly. This wet world is their home, and they are simply defending it for their master. That, I can understand. Even respect. But they stand in the way of my return home. I've let it be known that I want no unnecessary cruelty against these people, and that the punishment for such acts will be death.
Day 22 - Day 22
As we pitched camp last night, a pack of Storm Elementals appeared out of the cloudy sky and attacked. Lightning bolts cracked all around us, igniting tents and wagons, scaring off horse and man alike. I think I had been hoping for a good fight because my rage took over. I met the Storm Elementals head on with nothing but my quarterstaff. Oh, I would've made short work of these creatures if I had just had my sword, but instead it took two or three blows each to destroy them. When all was safe again, I dropped my cracked staff and stared at my amazed troops. Surely, they had never seen a Wizard act like an insane Barbarian before. I smiled at them. I felt good, refreshed, despite a couple burns caused by the lightning attacks of the Storm Elementals. "See," I said, "who needs spells?"
Day 33 - Day 33
I'm beginning to understand sea travel better. The more Lighthouses under my control, the faster my ships will move because they won't have to worry so much about running ashore at night. Now, I need to concentrate on taking as many of them as possible, and to keep control of them. The faster my ships, the sooner I'll be able to conquer this realm and move on to the next.
Day 38 - Day 38
"The Lord of Water is gone," reported Barsolar's owl. I didn't hear the rest of its message as I got a sinking feeling in my tender stomach. Had I made a mistake coming to the Elemental Planes so quickly? If the Elemental Lords have already gone to my world, then what kind of mayhem can they cause before I can master the elements?
Day 43 - Day 43
I called a conference with my advisors to discuss the possibility of returning home through other means, but everyone was convinced that the way was blocked except to those who have power over the Conflux. I tried to make it through the meeting without retching, stubbornly holding back the churning feeling. In the end, it was a lost cause. I doubled over and retched right there in front of all my assistants. "By the Ancestors! Will nothing give me relief?" I moaned before I realized what I was saying. "What did you say, lord?" asked the Mage Instructor, Hemoross. "Nothing," I mumbled and immediately ordered an end to the meeting. I was too sick to do anything about it, but I heard a couple snickers as the Wizards left.
Day 48 - Day 48
Hemoross was enjoying his breakfast right in front of me while all I could keep down this morning was tea, a special brew that was the only thing keeping me from collapsing from starvation. "You called on the Ancestors before. Why?" he asked me. I pretended to take a long sip from my drink while I thought up an answer. "Because the universe seems to hate me right now - why not call on some gods for help?" I said. "An interesting choice, to call upon the gods of the Barbarians," Hemoross said. I shrugged, noticing the suspicious look the Mage Instructor was giving me. "It amuses me." "Well, I'll leave you to your tea, Lord Tarnum," Hemoross said, dismissing himself quickly. There was something odd about the way he said that last part.
Day 53 - Day 53
Now that I had a grasp of these magic spells, I've realized it was time for me to apply my understanding of tactics to their use. I summoned all my advisors to explain. "Golems are too slow to send out right away. The enemy's archers will pick them off before they can do anything. The best tactic is to have them stay behind and guard the Enchanters. Same with the Gargoyles and Nagas. We have all this magic - why not let the enemy come at us? Then give it to them real good!" "I thought the objective of battle was to attack," said the new Gargoyle Master, Rabarak. He was a young Wizard almost as obnoxious as Barsolar. "When we have the power of Enchanters behind us, and superior numbers, why not attack?" "Because, you moron, you'll lose most of your troops just trying to reach the enemy. What use would that be? All you need do is cast Haste on your troops to assure you get the first move, and lure the enemy in," I said.
Day 58 - Day 58
When was the last time I was well? I can't recall. When I woke this morning, I stared for an hour at the pot of tea near the fire. I just couldn't face another day of that stuff, so I immediately ordered one of the Gremlins to bring me wine. "And lots of it!" I shouted. As long as I was going to vomit, I might as well be drunk too.
Day 59 - Day 59
This morning, I approached the other Wizards all sitting together eating breakfast. I smiled at them, placing a half-empty bottle of wine on the table. Then I grabbed a handful of eggs, threw some sausage on top for good measure, and shoved it all in my mouth. I watched as their jaws dropped. They watched me choke down the food, lean back, and belch toward the heavens. "You seem to be feeling better," said Hemoross. "Yes," I said, retrieving the wine before I started walking away. A few yards away, I stopped and yelled back, "If I start feeling ill again, I'm going to come looking for you Hemoross. You won't like it." I kept walking, leaving the Wizards whispering frantically. Yes, I had figured out that they had been putting something in my tea that was making me sick. A good joke, considering the way I had been treating them. I can take a joke. Once.

Objects

Towns

Location	Player	Type
7, 13, 0		Fortress
8, 55, 0		Tower
19, 39, 0		Fortress
21, 4, 0		Fortress
50, 48, 0		Fortress

Heroes

Location	Player	Hero
8, 56, 0		Tarnum the Wizard
9, 61, 0		Your most powerful hero from Walking on Clouds scenario.
15, 65, 0		Your 2nd powerful hero from Walking on Clouds scenario.
21, 4, 0		Merist the Witch

Artifacts

Location	Type	Message
0, 40, 0	Orb of Driving Rain	This is the location of the Orb of Driving Rain, but a horde of Ice Elementals guard it. The ground is frozen and slick, making your approach dangerous. Do you still want to attack the Ice Elementals? Guardians: 20 Ice Elementals, 20 Ice Elementals, 20 Ice Elementals, 20 Ice Elementals
16, 34, 0	Boots of Levitation	You are surprised to find Genies on the Plane of Water, but soon realize they are trapped here guarding a pair of Boots of Levitation. Do you want to attack them to get the Boots? Guardians: 6 Genies, 6 Genies, 6 Genies, 6 Genies, 6 Genies, 6 Genies, 6 Genies
19, 21, 0	Greater Gnoll's Flail	You discover that this island is populated by Gnolls - a horde of them. Their leader is one of the largest ones you've seen, and he carries the Greater Gnoll's Flail. Do you want to battle the Gnolls for the Flail? Guardians: 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls
27, 59, 0	Scales of the Greater Basilisk	Scales litter the ground outside the den of some Greater Basilisks, enough to fashion and excellent suit of armor. Unfortunately, the creatures are likely to attack if you come near. Do you want to risk a fight with lots of Greater Basilisks to get the armor? Guardians: 6 Greater Basilisks, 6 Greater Basilisks, 6 Greater Basilisks, 6 Greater Basilisks, 6 Greater Basilisks, 6 Greater Basilisks, 6 Greater Basilisks
34, 70, 0	Necklace of Ocean Guidance	From the depths of the water a horde of Water Elementals appear. "We have been instructed to kill anyone who dares to take this Necklace. Leave now or face certain death." Will you fight the Water Elementals for the Necklace? Guardians: 6 Water Elementals, 6 Water Elementals, 6 Water Elementals, 6 Ice Elementals, 6 Water Elementals, 6 Water Elementals, 6 Water Elementals
42, 29, 0	Buckler of the Gnoll King	On a large, mossy rock rests the shiny Buckler of the Gnoll King, but you also see a horde of Gnolls lounging on the ground around it. They're not going to let you get the Buckler without a fight, so do you want to continue? Guardians: 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls, 10 Gnolls
56, 70, 0	Sea Captain's Hat	You find a Sea Captain's Hat lying on the ground, but you notice the water around it swirls unnaturally. Probably Water Elementals using the artifact as bait for a trap. Will you battle the Water Elementals for the Hat? Guardians: 6 Water Elementals, 6 Water Elementals, 6 Water Elementals, 6 Ice Elementals, 6 Water Elementals, 6 Water Elementals, 6 Water Elementals
59, 24, 0	Tome of Water	Water and Ice Elementals protect the powerful Tome of Water Magic left here by the Water Lord. You try to draw the creatures away with a distraction, but they won't budge. If you want the Tome, you must fight the Elementals for it. Do you attack? Guardians: 15 Water Elementals, 15 Water Elementals, 15 Water Elementals, 15 Water Elementals, 10 Ice Elementals, 10 Ice Elementals, 10 Ice Elementals
69, 3, 0	Inexhaustible Cart of Ore	Only a small portion of this Cart of Ore was visible when you found it. Another day and it certainly would've sunk out of sight forever.