Editing Maker of Sorrows

{{campaign navigational box|ab=expanded|armageddonsblade=expanded}}
{{scenario
| scenario       = {{PAGENAME}}
| description    = Xeron must seek out Grand Forgesmith Khazandar and force him to make Armageddon's Blade. If Xeron falls, all is lost. Xeron is only allowed to advance to 24th Level.
| underground    = enabled
| num_play       = 2/1
| size           = L
| source         = ab
| victory        = get_art2
| victory_hint   = {{An|Armageddon's Blade|noname=}}
| loss           = hero
| loss_hint      = {{Hn|Xeron|noname=}}
| allies         = {{red}}
| enemies        = {{teal}}
| difficulty     = Hard
| bonus          = {{BonusCr|Pit Lord|5}}{{BonusArt|Loins of Legion}}{{BonusB|Inferno|Upg. Kennels}}
| carry          = (none)
| max_lvl        = 24
| Cmap           = [[File:Cmap ab ab 4.png|400px|Xeron must seek out the Grand Forgesmith, Khazandar.  He is the only man with the knowledge and skill to build Armageddon's Blade and it is vital that he "convince" him to do this.  There shall be interference from the accrused Conflux towns.  He must complete this quest and then return to the capitol.]]
}}

== Prologue ==
{{cvid|AB CD-Heroes3-DATA-Heroes3 vid-H3ABab4-smk-H3ABab4|thumbtime=0:00|float=left}}
{{h|Xeron|0=}}: My king seeks to build [[Armageddon's Blade (artifact)|Armageddon's Blade]].  With this fabled weapon he will set the world on fire.  I have the elements to build the blade, but only the grand forgesmith [[Khazandar]] can fashion it from the relics I carry.  Again, a collection of mysterious heroes gather to end my quest.  Ironically, they have surrounded [[Khazandar]], but have not killed him as I would.  This proves they are soft.  They will not stand in my way.

{{clear|both}}
== Scenario ==
=== Timed events ===
{{TEheader}}
{{TErow| 1 | Opening|"[[Sleen]] has provided us with the name of the man whom you will seek out.  Grand Forgesmith [[Khazandar]], an alchemist and weaponsmith of great repute is the sole man in all Antagarich who has the knowledge and skill to build [[Armageddon's Blade (artifact)|Armageddon's Blade]].  Find him [[Xeron]].  Find him and force him to construct the Blade, for if he does not consent, make him suffer until he does.  My vision will become reality and you will carry it out for me.<p>According to [[Sleen]], he is being held somewhere in this area of the [[Contested Lands]], protected by those accursed [[Conflux]]es.  Destroy them.  Make them suffer for daring to stand in the way of destiny.  You are too close to achieving my victory to be held off by this rabble.  Succeed and the rewards will be glorious.  I shall wear your skin as a cloak and your eyes shall adorn my rings should you fail me."</p>As the vision fades from the red crystal shard, you stand and summon [[Sleen]] to your side.  [[Xex]], your faithful servant, "bamfs" away and returns shortly with the slimy human. <p>"So [[Sleen]], here is my task for you.  Find me the location of that smith.  Failure is not an option."</p>}}
{{TErow| 6 | Guerilla Attacks News'|[[Xex]] teleports into your presence with a message on his lips.  Kneeling before his lord and master, [[Xex]] begins his report.<p>"My master, I have come to regretfully inform you that our enemy has again begun their shadowy attacks on our supply lines.  We lost three more caravans and the mark of that accursed pale warrior was left behind on one of the wagons."</p>"Arise [[Xex]], my faithful companion.  I have a task for you.  Seek out [[Sleen]] and put a name to this mysterious pale warrior.  I wish to know his name, so I might know it when I kill him."|effect= -2000 {{g}} [[Gold]], -4 {{w}} [[Wood]], -4 [[Ore]] {{o}}, -2 {{m}} [[Mercury]], -2 {{s}} [[Sulfur]], -2 {{c}} [[Crystal]], -2 {{gem}} [[Gems]]}}
{{TErow| 11 | [[Khazandar]]'s Location|[[Sleen]] stumbles into the meeting area, having been pushed there by [[Xex]].  You turn and face the little man who has provided you with much worthy information.  He is visibly sweating and you know that fear courses through his veins.  It is obvious that [[Sleen]] is still worried if you are going to carry out your threat to eat his heart.<p>"I bring news Your Eminence," [[Sleen]] states fearfully.  "The Grand Forgesmith [[Khazandar]] is being held in a simple hut somewhere in the tunnels left behind by the [[Overlord]]s of [[Nighon]] when they invaded [[Erathia]] not long ago.  He should be easy to find as he will be heavily guarded."</p>"Congratulations [[Sleen]], you have managed to exceed my expectations as to how skilled and useful you are.  Perhaps you will not need to be eaten after all.  However, I wouldn't be making any long term plans if I were you."}}
{{TErow| 21 | New about [[Catherine]]|A hurried messenger [[demon]] rushes into your planning session early in the pre-dawn hours. Infuriated at the intrusion, you grasp the [[demon]] by the throat and lift him off the ground.  Your fetid breath in his face, you ask him why you are being interrupted.<p>"My master, I come to pass on a message sent by our spies in The [[Contested Lands]].  They tell of a meeting between the [[Elemental Lords]] of the [[Conflux]] and [[Queen Catherine]].  They also say an agreement has been reached between the two armies.  They are now allies!" the demon manages to croak out just before you crush his windpipe.</p>Throwing his lifeless corpse to the ground, you bellow out in rage.<p>"Bring me [[Sleen]]!  I want to know why this little piece of information escaped his attention.  I want to know why [[Queen Catherine]] is still alive!  I want to know why incompetents SURROUND me so!  [[Xex]]!  Get this useless sack of griffin droppings out of my sight.  I need to think."</p>}}
{{TErow| 38 | [[Gelu]] Kills [[Xeron]]'s Mother|A forlorn-looking [[Xex]] enters your chambers, a long look on his face.  He obviously bears grave news.  He kneels down as is tradition, but is waved to stand and give his report.<p>"My master I regret to inform you that your mother has been slain in battle.  It was the pale warrior who has been plaguing us so.  She fought bravely yet was slain by that accursed one during one of the raids that he has been leading.  I am truly sorry my lord," [[Xex]] states as he takes a step backward.</p>"Leave me."<p>When the tent is clear you drop to your knees and sob.  Soon your sobs turn to laughter; laughter with no humor; laughter filled with insane rage.  Moments later, the tent erupts in a steady stream of swearing and the crashing sounds of destruction.</p>}}
{{TErow| 48 | Spirits of the Dead|In your sleep, you are visited by haunting dreams.  In it spirits come to you, with a warning.  Your present course of action is leading towards your destruction.  You laugh in their faces and the visions get worse.  Still you laugh at their pathetic attempts to sway you from your appointed task.  You have suffered far worse fates than some insipid ghosts haunting you in your sleep.}}
{{TErow| 66 | Cat Marches on [[Kreelah]]|[[Xex]] "bamfs" in and kneels before you while you are deeply involved in examining tactical maps.  You turn and put your hand on [[Xex]]'s shoulder.<p>"What is it my trusted friend?  Is it bad news again?  You may feel at ease when speaking to me."</p>"I have grave news to bring you my master.  Our spies have informed me that [[Queen Catherine]] and her forces now march on [[Kreelah]] itself.  Our northern lines have failed to breach her defenses enough to gain a foothold in Erathia and I have reason to believe [[King Roland]] has reinforced her position and made his own push into [[Eeofol]].  My lord, I fear we might be beaten."<p>"NEVER!"</p>You backhanded [[Xex]] across the face, sending him sliding across the floor.<p>"I cannot believe what they have brought me to.  No longer shall I tolerate failure.  I want them all slaughtered.  Kill everything.  Leave no survivors. GO!!!"</p>[[Xex]] quickly flees his master's presence just as you unleash your fury on the map table in front of you.  Maps and markers fly across the tent, scattering like spores in the wind.<p>"Know this [[Catherine Ironfist]], I shall have my revenge.  I swear by [[Erebus the Dark]] I will flay the skin from your child's bones as you watch.  You shall suffer my wrath for this insolence!"</p>}}
|}

=== Rumors ===
{{Rheader}}
{{Rrow| [[Xeron]]'s Mom|[[Xeron]] is born of the union between an [[Erathia]]n [[knight]] and a succubus.}}
{{Rrow| [[Xeron]]'s Dad|[[Xeron]]'s father was seduced by a succubus but not slain afterward.  Rather he was tainted and never the same again.}}
{{Rrow| [[Khazandar]]'s Homeland|[[Khazandar]] was once an alchemist in [[Bracada]].}}
{{Rrow| [[Khazandar]]'s Mercenary Ways|[[Khazandar]] was once a wizard who got kicked out of [[Bracada]] for acting too mercenary.}}
{{Rrow| [[Khazandar]]'s Former Profession|The Forgesmith was once a wizard, but never finished his studies.}}
{{Rrow| [[Khazandar]]'s Ties|It is said that [[Khazandar]] apprenticed as a smith under [[Galen]], a smith who built a powerful sword for [[Lord Haart]].}}
{{Rrow| [[Khazandar]]'s Ties 2|I hear [[Khazandar]] once lived in [[Tarach's Cove]] and was commissioned to make an adamantine hammer for the high priest of the [[Temple of Baa]].}}
{{Rrow| [[Tarach's Cove]]|[[Tarach's Cove]] is a port town in [[Bracada]] with a reputation for being a home for people who live on the shadowy side of the law.  It's not a nice place.}}
{{Rrow| [[Xeron]]'s Minion|[[Xex]] is a childhood friend of [[Xeron]]'s.  He has been a loyal follower of his for a very long time.}}
{{Rrow| [[Kreegan]] Stuff|The [[Kreegan]]s worship dark gods like [[Erebus]], the God of Darkness and Destruction.}}
|}

=== Objects ===
==== Events ====
{| class="sortable wikitable" cellpadding=5px
! Location
! Message
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 34, 62, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Ahead is an entrance to an old [[Nighon]] tunnel system.  At last [[Sleen]]'s information is starting to pay off.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 44, 72, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | The musty smell down here is stifling.  A feeling of uncertainty is nagging at the backside of your brain.  Too bad [[Sleen]] couldn't actually find the bloody hut.  Is that crackling flames you hear?
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 45, 63, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | The dank, moldy smell of [[dragon]] dung hangs thick in the air.  Perhaps this way is not a good idea.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 54, 53, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Echoing off the walls of the caverns comes a sound you've never heard before.  It's a sort of wail mixed with a crackle.  Not entirely sure what is making it, yet it could just be a trick of the wind down here. . . or maybe not.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 58, 67, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | There is the crackling of electricity up ahead and several of your men have their hair standing on end.  'Tis an odd feeling indeed.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 62, 68, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Washes of heat are coming from down this passageway.  Perhaps a nice cozy lava pool is up ahead.  At least there you could relax and loosen up the toughness of your muscles.  However, with your luck, you're not too hopeful of that.
|}

==== Towns ====
{{Town header}}
{{Town row|73, 13, 0|red|Inferno|[[Azrael Field]]}}
{{Town row|97, 79, 0|red|Inferno|[[Scorch]]}}
{{Town row|99, 48, 0|red|Inferno|[[Dagger Peak]]}}
{{Town row|102, 16, 0|red|Inferno|[[Vandal Hall]]}}
{{Town row|13, 9, 0|teal|Conflux|[[Diacara]]}}
{{Town row|20, 94, 0|teal|Conflux|[[Frelin]]}}
{{Town row|21, 62, 0|teal|Conflux|[[Kaffinar]]}}
{{Town row|48, 96, 0|teal|Conflux|[[Ciara]]}}
{{Town row|56, 67, 0|teal|Conflux|[[Soal]]}}
{{Town row|65, 43, 0|teal|Conflux|[[Shelindria]]}}
{{Town row|2, 3, 1|teal|Conflux}}
|}

==== Heroes ====
{{hero header}}
{{hero row|97, 81, 0|red|Rashka|Demoniac}}
{{hero row|98, 49, 0|red|Random}}
{{hero row|73, 15, 0|red|Calid|Heretic}}
{{hero row|102, 18, 0|red|Xeron|Demoniac}}
{{hero row|13, 11, 0|teal|Labetha|Elementalist}}
{{hero row|17, 62, 0|teal|Thunar|Planeswalker}}
{{hero row|20, 95, 0|teal|Luna|Elementalist}}
{{hero row|27, 51, 1|teal|Inteus|Elementalist}}
{{hero row|48, 98, 0|teal|Ignissa|Planeswalker}}
{{hero row|56, 69, 0|teal|Gelare|Elementalist}}
{{hero row|65, 46, 0|teal|Pasis|Planeswalker}}
|}

==== Seer's Huts ====
{{SorQheader}}
{{SorQrow|seer=2|loc=21, 67, 1|quest=Return with:<br>{{an|Sword of Hellfire}},<br>{{an|Shield of the Damned}},<br>{{an|Breastplate of Brimstone}},<br>{{an|Sphere of Permanence}}</br>|rew={{an|Armageddon's Blade}}|prop="My master said you would be coming.  He told me to meet you here and to expect that several artifacts would be delivered.  Do you have the Sword of Hellfire, Breastplate of Brimstone, Shield of the Damned?  Oh yes, he also mentioned you would be bringing my Sphere of Permanence.  I've been missing that for many months now.  Do you have all of these things?"|prog="If you do not bring all that you are supposed to, how do you expect my master and I to work on your Blade?  We must do everything properly, else the intricate workings shall fail and the Blade will be useless."|comp=[[Khazandar]] and his apprentice go in the back and soon is heard the sounds of spells being cast, the pounding of hammer on steel, and the swearing of an injured hand now and again.  After some time, old man [[Khazandar]] emerges from the forge bearing a blade wrapped in thick cloth.<p>He unwraps the cloth slowly and a pulsating light emanates from the weapon so recently forged.  The blade looks odd, like none ever seen in [[Antagarich]] before. The hiltguard is shaped like an eagle and the blade has a strange shape to it, yet it bears the unmistakable appearance of a weapon most foul.</p>"Here is your blade, Dark One.  Thank you for your payment.  Now leave me be."}}
{{SorQrow|seer=2|loc=27, 50, 1|quest=Return with:<br>{{SmCost|g=30000}}</br>|rew={{an|Sphere of Permanence}}|prop=As you approach the hut, you hear some odd whistling emanating from within.  The song is a sad, angry tune, filled with a sense of bitterness and angst.  Finding the tune strangely intriguing, you go up to the door and kick it open.  Sitting calmly in a rocking chair is an old man with a long white beard smoking a pipe.  His eyes stare out into oblivion, unblinking.  Clearing your throat, you get his attention, somewhat.<p>"Yeah?  What do you want?" the old man asks most irritatedly.  "Speak quickly, I'm a busy man."</p>"I have come a long way old man.  I hear you are the one called [[Khazandar]], the Grand Forgesmith, and you are he who can harness Armageddon.  I've brought the legendary artifacts needed for the ritual.  All I need now is for you to make me Armageddon's Blade."<p>The old man looks at you, contemplates his words carefully, and puffs on his pipe.  "So, you have finally come to ask me to build my last great piece.  Yes, I'm [[Khazandar]] and yes, I'll make your Blade.  A few conditions though.  First, I want to be spared your Armageddon.  Second, I want to be paid. . .well paid.  I figure 30,000 pieces of Gold ought to do it.  Once I get that, you may take the artifacts to my apprentice and I shall build your sword."|prog=Staring deeply into your eyes, [[Khazandar]] wheezes, coughs, and spits a glob of greenish fluid at your feet.  "When you have my 30,000 Gold I'll make your Blade.  Not a moment before.   Begone!"|comp="Finally!  Here, give the 30,000 Gold to me!  By the way, since you are going there anyway, take this to my apprentice, he's been looking for it.  I will be along shortly once my work here is done.  Then I shall make your weapon."}}
|}

[[Category: Campaign scenarios]]