Editing Dragon's Blood (campaign scenario)

| scenario      = {{#explode:{{PAGENAME}}|(|0}}

| Cmap          = [[File:Cmap hota 4.png|400px|xxx]]

{{clear|both}}

{{TEheader}}

{{TErow| 1 |Day 1|The Dragontalker's account of the disappearance of the good Dragons has left me concerned for their safety.  One morning, with blank stares in their eyes, they took to the air and flew east toward Nighon.  The Dragontalker tried to stop them, but what can an old woman do to stop a Dragon?<p>If the Dragontalker is right that the Dragon Queen, Mutare, has indeed gained the ability to control the minds and wills of all Dragons, then the world will soon be under Nighon rule.  And Mutare would be a greater tyrant than I had been when I was the Barbarian King.<p>Now, I know that I must not only save the good Dragons, but I must stop Mutare, no matter what it takes.}}

{{TErow| 3 |Day 3|I sit with Aspen, my advisor, each night to play a game of chess.  I always lose, but it's a chance for us to discuss our plans for the next day in private.<p>"The Elf King sent one of his own captains to find the Vial of Dragon's Blood months ago before all this happened.  He heard it had fallen into Nighon hands and didn't want our enemy to possess such an artifact," Aspen said and absently moved his queen.<p>"They obviously didn't find it, so what happened?" I said.  I saw a weakness in Aspen's defense and moved my knight to take advantage of it.<p>"Check!" I said.<p>Aspen smiled, and didn't even look at the board.<p>"The group sent to retrieve the Vial has never returned, and is assumed dead."<p>"I see," I said.  "Your move."<p>Aspen moved his queen once again and said, "Checkmate!"<p>The old Elf's gloating face always makes me want to smash the board in two, but I resisted.  One day, I'll win, and then I'll teach him how a Barbarian gloats.}}

{{TErow| 4 |Day 4|The Pegasi have decided to join my search for the good Dragons.  Although their aerial attacks will be a priceless benefit to my army, my Master of Supplies is angry with me.<p>"More mouths!  That's the last thing I need!" Kurbon shouted when I told him.}}

{{TErow| 7 |Day 7|"What exactly does this Vial of Dragon's Blood do?" I ask Aspen as we ride.<p>"It's said to be the blood of the First Dragon Dame - the one who gave birth to all the Dragons," Aspen said. "That can't be proved though.  Just a tiny drop of the blood within the Vial can make a Dragon stronger, and I've heard no matter how often you use it the Vial never runs dry."<p>"So how's it suppose to break Mutare's control over the good Dragons?"<p>"I guess the Dragon's Blood has more powers than we know.  Maybe it strengthens their mind as well as body."}}

{{TErow| 11 |Day 11|Today, Aspen provided me with a map of the region, including our best information about the land of the Devils across the mountains.  I must find a way into that land. It'll take me too long to build an army large enough to get through the Fire Gate - that's for sure.<p>So, if I can't go through, I must go around.  And that means the ocean.  Our information is vague, but we do know the Devils don't have a port.  The real question, however, is if they have any place where we could land a ship.}}

{{TErow| 14 |Day 14|Kurbon, my Master of Supplies, has requested that I hire a Hero responsible for visiting the Windmill, Mystical Garden, and Water Wheel each week.  It seems a good idea, since I may get too busy to do it myself, or too far away.<p>Not only that, but this new Hero can collect the new troops trained in places like the Enchanted Spring and the Dwarf Cottage.  Poor Kurbon. More mouths to feed.}}

{{TErow| 17 |Day 17|This morning, some Dwarven guards brought me an Elf with his arms bound behind his back.<p>"He was skulking about, trying to slip by us," said one of the Dwarves.<p>The Elf smiled when he noticed Aspen standing next to me.<p>"Do you know him?" I asked my advisor.<p>"Well, yes.  This young lad is one of the Elf King's spies," Aspen told me.  Then to the spy, he said, "Go on, tell us what you're doing around here.  Last I heard, you were in Nighon, were you not?"<p>"I was," said the spy, "and I have urgent news for the King.  The Nighons are building a massive army - it could only mean invasion!"<p>"I see.  Then you best be running to the King," Aspen said.<p>When the spy was gone, Aspen said to me, "No doubt, the Dragon Queen has found a use for the good Dragons. Soon, I imagine they'll be flying over our borders at the head of her army."<p>"I won't let that happen," I promised.}}

{{TErow| 23 |Day 23|As I ate my morning meal, Aspen approached me with a worried expression on his face.<p>"What is it?" I said.<p>"You'll have to do without my company for a while, Tarnum.  I must be off."<p>"Off? Where?"<p>"I just received word carried by messenger bird that one of our spies is trapped behind enemy lines and needs help.  Apparently, he has remarkable news about a plot against the Elf King," Aspen said.<p>"Take some soldiers with you," I said.  "I don't want you dying before I get a chance to beat you at chess."<p>"Nay, I must go alone.  Better that I not been seen."<p>I reluctantly agreed, then asked, "How is it you know so much about the Elf King's spies, Aspen?"<p>Smiling, the old Elf said, "I haven't been an advisor all my life. There was a time when I was Aspen, the Spy - and if I say so myself, the best spy in the world!"<p>"Of course!" I said.}}

{{TErow| 32 |Day 32|Today, Aspen returned from his mission to rescue the trapped spy.  He looked a little tired, thinner, and angry.<p>"I need a drink," he said, refusing to say more.<p>So, I waited until he had cleaned up and ate, approaching him only after he had had a glass of wine.<p>"What happened?" I asked.<p>"I was too late!" Aspen said as if it was his fault.  "The poor young lad was dead - tortured and left tied to a tree as a message."<p>I clenched my fists at my side, fighting down the anger rising within.  I didn't know the spy, but the man must've been courageous to enter enemy territory.  He didn't deserve that kind of death.<p>Aspen shook his head and said, "And now the information the spy had is lost forever.  Whatever plot he uncovered, we will never know until it is too late!"}}

{{SorQheader}}

{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=8, 0, 0|quest=Be:<br>{{H|Valita|image=Jenova|Ranger}}</br>|prop="Greetings!  We've trapped some Arch Devils in the hills beyond this tower, and we will not abandon our post until we receive word from our captain, Valita," says the guard in the tower.|prog="No use in trying to convince me.  I have my orders, and we'll remain here until Captain Valita returns - although I must admit that I'm afraid she was captured by them Devils." |comp="Come closer so that I can look upon you," the guard says.  "Ah, it IS you, captain!  We thought you were dead.  Please, come in!"<p>The gate opens and you  may now pass.}}