Editing The Life Guard

{{inhota}}{{campaign navigational box|hota=expanded|allin=expanded}}
{{CampaignScenario
| scenario       = The Life Guard
| description    = Dargem must defend Kilgor from the forces of Erathia and Bracada for 3 months. If Kilgor falls, the game is over. The maximum level of heroes is 18. After winning, Dargem will proceed to the next scenario along with the Pendant of Holiness.
| underground    = enabled
| size           = L
| source         = hota
| victory        = Survive Time (84 days) or Defeat All Enemies.
| loss           = Lose Hero {{gl|Kilgor}} the {{gl|Barbarian}}.
| allies         = {{purple}}{{tan}}
| enemies        = 1:{{red}}{{blue}}
| difficulty     = Normal
| bonus          = {{BonusCr|Wolf Rider|17|loc=Gruezak}}{{BonusCr|Stormbird|8|loc=Dargem}}{{BonusR|Gold|2500}}
| carry          = {{Hn|Dargem|noname=}} {{An|Pendant of Holiness|noname=}}
| max_lvl        = 18
| cback          = hota ai 2
| region_text    = In doing another job for his employers, Dargem agrees to help the new barbarian king Kilgor get out of the trap he fell into during his raid on Bracada.
}}

== Prologue ==
<!---{{cvid|HotA 1.7.0-Data-HotA vid-ROGERA-bik-ROGERA|thumbtime=0:00|float=left}}--->
{{H|Dargem|0=}}: Dirt, mess, and folly. The very things I abhor and strive to stomp out wherever I go are bound to become staples of my life for the coming months. Oh, the sacrifices a man has to make to reemerge as the top choice for jobs no one but a true artist of delicate business can handle. You might think I am here to enlighten these dim [[barbarian]]s about the health hazards that come from picking ears with a loaded pistol—and your guess will be wrong. I have come to do a favor to [[Kilgor|someone who may soon become the ruler of half a continent]]. A favor remembered for a lifetime.

{{clear|both}}
== Scenario ==
=== Timed events ===
{{TEheader}}
{{TErow| 7 | AI Resources | freq = 7 | loc={{red}}{{blue}} (AI)|effect=+10000 {{Gold}} [[Gold]], +20 {{Wood}} [[Wood]], +20 {{Ore}} [[Ore]], +10 {{Mercury}} [[Mercury]], +10 {{Sulfur}} [[Sulfur]], +10 {{Crystal}} [[Crystal]], +10 {{Gem}} [[Gems]]}}
{{TErow| 1 | Day 1.1 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 250:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: This was probably the day after which I began to loathe myself even worse than after my ill-fated theft of the [[Helmet of Anduran|Helmet]].<p>It all started with [[Stella]] meeting me at the pre-agreed place, handing me a bag of ducats and saying:<p>[[Stella]]: "Excellent work, Mister [[Dargem]]! My masters are pleased with your success."<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "Glad to hear it, my lady," I nodded politely. "And now, I would like to hear more about the expedition you mentioned..."<p>[[Stella]]: "Nice of you to remember that," [[Stella]] smiled broadly. It seemed to me as though smiling was her professional skill. She had definitely mastered the art of answering any manner of a question with one. "If you still want to take part in the expedition, then there is one more task for you to do..."<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "Wait a minute, good lady, we didn't agree on this!"<p>[[Stella]]: "That much is true," she sighed. "You have the right to refuse. I must say, however, that this mission is extremely important to my masters. And likewise for you."<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "How so?" I inquired, squinting and looking her in the eye.<p>[[Stella]]: "The young [[barbarian]] chieftain [[Kilgor]]," Stella said softly. "Perhaps you've already heard of him—an unsavory character through and through... He recently spread the word that he is in dire need of mercenaries. He tried to raid [[Bracada]], but ended up getting trapped. Now he needs a hand to break out. And [[Kilgor]] is willing to pay anything to get help. Do you understand what I'm getting at?" The young woman's eyes flashed, and she turned to the sea.<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "Hard not to. You want to help this savage out so that he will finance the expedition," I hazarded a guess.<p>[[Stella]]: "Correct, as always, Mister [[Dargem]]."}}
{{TErow| 1 | Day 1.2 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 251:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: And so I agreed to become the captain of a unit that should help [[Kilgor]] get out of his predicament. Well! I hear he can't stand mercenaries, but things are going from bad to worse for him, and he hardly has any choice. My men and I will approach from the sea and land to support the forces defending [[Fort Wildblade]], the barbarian chieftain's headquarters. He was generous enough to placed an auxiliary fort at my disposal and even sent me something like a "liaison officer"—a [[Gruezak|pig-faced dolt]] with a nonsensical name that starts with "G". I think. This shambling mound of lard looks like a brigand through and through. Well, if anything, at least he can procure his own supplies for his rabble, even if by robbery.<p>The combined forces of [[Erathia]] and [[Bracada]] are advancing from the north. Our task is to contain them, and then to overturn and defeat them. Darn it, I'm a traveler, mage, and collector, not a warlord! I already tried this role once, and I didn't enjoy fighting regular troops at all.<p>Right now, my biggest concern is not so much the life of the filthy brute, [[Kilgor]], but rather the prospect of letting down my employers. My reputation, which I had barely begun to revive, would be shattered forever, and, worse still, I would never find out about the expedition [[Stella]]'s masters are planning. Well, how's that for an incentive to try and play [[Tarnum]]—or some other mythical military genius. I've acted on worse.}}
{{TErow| 4 | Day 4 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 236:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: I have received disturbing news. [[Bracada]]'s troops are led by the legendary [[Solmyr]]. He is a powerful [[genie]] and a very close servant of [[Gavin Magnus]] himself. I wouldn't enjoy meeting him on the battlefield!<p>Maybe [[Kilgor]]'s thugs could keep him at bay? Ugh. Dreaming sure feels nice—it's just a pity that dreams so rarely come true.}}
{{TErow| 8 | Day 8 | From an unsent letter by [[Gruezak]]:<p>{{H|Gruezak|0=}}: So far, I've managed to play this [[pirate]] like a fiddle. For the kind of "been there, seen it" adventurer figure he's trying to pull, he's surprisingly unobservant, or maybe just too arrogant to pay attention to things going on beyond the tip of his nose. I managed, for example, to convince him that the disassembled [[ballista]] I brought with me was actually parts of a mechanism designed to turn a whole [[Gorgon]] roast on a spit.<p>[[Uncle Bof]], I am of the opinion that [[Dargem]] figuring out who I really am is not a risk to consider. I can act freely around him, while he is convinced I am plundering the neighborhood for provisions and any other goods that are not nailed down. And if it turns out that he is unreliable... I remember your lessons well enough, old man. No person, no problem.}}
{{TErow| 9 | Day 9 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 255:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: Today, [[Gruezak]] delivered a message from [[Kilgor]] himself:<p>{{H|Kilgor|0=}}: "Hireling! The Lord of [[Krewlod]] is addressing you! The [[Erathia]]ns and the spellweavers took me by surprise; that much you know. I am confident in my power, but the enemies outnumber me, and they have vile magicks on their side! I therefore command you: render all possible assistance to my forces and make sure that the enemy's shock troops do not penetrate my fortress!<p>I know your type well; people like you have no honor. You hired blades will happily stab your employer in the back if someone gives you a better deal. We're both grown men, and we understand that, don't we? I'll have a caravan of gold and supplies sent out—to secure my rear, not because I really like you. Under other circumstances, I'd love to see what color your guts are. Good luck!"<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: Can't say I'm surprised. What else can you expect from a [[barbarian]] chieftain? A confession of love?}}
{{TErow| 11 | Day 11 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 256:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: [[Kilgor]]e's spies were so kind as to shared some information with me—after, of course, they brought it to their ruler. If only this slop balloon, [[Gruezak]], would be of use like that once in a while! Anyway, several enemy generals are preparing a strike at [[Fort Wildblade]], right into the heart of the territory I have been deployed to defend. It is not yet known what kind of heroes they are, but there are at least two of them. The [[Bracada]]n wizards began work on an arcane ritual to magically transport those armies right under our arses!<p>Damn cowards! The only thing I know for sure is that they won't be able to bring all their generals here at once; they will send them one by one. After the first ritual, the [[mage]]s will have to recharge their portal, and we will have about a month to prepare for a new strike.}}
{{TErow| 12 | Day 12 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 257:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: Sometimes I can't help but wonder; why does one's luck turn all the time? Fate can be capricious. It all started with that mouthy rat [[Boyd]]—he wanted to take my place, and it was clear as day, even to one with no eyes and half a brain. I put up with him for a long time, hoping he would come to his senses and quit scheming. Alas! I had to execute the half-wit as a show of force, so that no one would ever draw new plots against me.<p>And what do you think? He rose from the dead! I don't know who helped him—the mainland [[Jadame]] is an incredible mess, and literally anything can happen there.<p>The vile rotten carcass teamed up with [[goblin]]s, [[Halflings|man-eating midgets]] and other abominations from the wastelands, and they managed to oust us from the continent. I could not tolerate such an affront. I decided to take on this repeat offender... and failed!<p>That stupid bonehead rejoiced. He buried me alive, assured that he was not only killing me, but also condemning me to terrible death throes. Ha! Hoping to scare a [[Nighon]] native with some earth over his head! Isn't that something! Mind you, I am not a simple [[pirate]]—I am a sorcerer of the air element, and of quite outstanding power at that. Extracting some air out of the soil for breathing, weakening my bonds with tiny, pin-sharp gusts of wind—all that is small change for me. And then, long hours of patient, diligent exercises in forcing the wind to blow away the sand, until, layer by layer, it goes away and frees my coffin. [[Tor Anwyn]] himself couldn't handle me, let alone a stupid [[pirate]]'s even stupider corpse!<p>There were no brains left in that bone box at all—otherwise he could have come up with a better idea than the execution, which I myself forced into his mind, begging him not to dispense the reckoning with the same measure that I once dispensed my punishment to him with. They say the [[Bracada]]ns have come up with a whole science about the turns a person's thought takes—I think they call it psychology. Maybe I should write a textbook on the subject for them.<p>Well, dear diary, I have literally risen from the grave, and before long, I will regain my power... Very soon.}}
{{TErow| 14 | Day 14 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 258:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: A caravan of gold from [[Kilgor]] has arrived. I hope this doesn't cripple his army too much. I believe his dashing men are getting ready to do something too, besides watching [[Dargem]] do the dirty work. Or are they?|effect=+1575 {{Gold}} [[Gold]], +3 {{Wood}} [[Wood]], +3 {{Ore}} [[Ore]], +1 {{Mercury}} [[Mercury]], +1 {{Sulfur}} [[Sulfur]], +2 {{Crystal}} [[Crystal]], +3 {{Gem}} [[Gems]]}}
{{TErow| 15 | Day 15 | From an unsent letter by [[Gruezak]]:<p>{{H|Gruezak|0=}}: It's surprisingly easy to pass for an idiot in the eyes of others if you happen to be born an [[orc]]. Well, our ancient cult of feasting is indeed very easy to mistake for a mixture of gluttony and sloppiness, if you have never been invited to sit at our table or taught the meaning behind every tradition-laden component of our ceremonial regales. This fop [[Dargem]] pulls unimaginable faces, as soon as his eye catches us, with all the required rituals of respect, skin and butcher our kill, applying patterns of hot blood to our faces; the seniors among us have first choice of the most valuable cuts and intestines which irrevocably lose their delicate taste as soon as the living warmth leaves them. Well, let him be content with his thrice moldy cheese and wines forgotten in a dusty basement since time before gods.<p>[[Old Preudhum]] would have the time of his life watching this gourmet! Now that was a man who knew his high cuisine: he could slice a fresh spleen into paper-thick slices, roast and serve it while the one who supplied it was still breathing. I remember, [[Bof]], how you brought me to meet him and told me to learn everything he knows. I remember the way you uttered that word, "everything." I was a diligent student, [[Uncle Bof]].<p>Someday I'll be asked, "Who were you in [[Kilgor]]e's time, [[Gruezak]]?". That's probably how I'll answer: a cook. I just hope I won't be hearing these questions while drawn over a rack.}}
{{TErow| 21 | Day 21 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 260:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: A woman on a ship is trouble; that's what [[Erathia]]n sailors think. This is actually the case, and it's quite understandable. On a long voyage, the male crew will sooner or later get at each other's throats if one of them enjoys female company, while the others do not. For this very reason, the pirates never even take women captive—they just throw them overboard.<p>However, most of the female population of [[Regna]] can hardly be characterized as timid housewives. Some female [[pirate]]s have become legends of no smaller caliber as the best male [[captain]]s. Of course, few girls in [[Regna]] have the guts to become regular sailors—this is a difficult and taxing job, fraught with constant risk. There is a stratum of [[Priestesses of the Sea]] in this society—they are considered full-fledged crew members, but no one forces them to scrub the deck or stretch the sails.<p>They can hardly be called cultists, although they observe rituals originating from the religion of some small people once assimilated by [[pirate]]s. Rather, they are battle mages, supporting the crew with simple but effective spells. Male [[pirate]]s largely perceive them as comrades-in-arms; but that's before going ashore, of course. It is worth noting, however, that some of these [[priestesses]] are very talented spellweavers of no smaller power than, say, [[druid]]s. They command great influence and maintain close ties with the most reputable [[captain]]s and admirals.}}
{{TErow| 22 | Day 22 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 261:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: We should be on our guard! There is information that [[Adelaide]], the ice priestess, will soon invade the region. Well, I, for one, am not afraid of her silly tricks with icicles. She'll regret getting in the way of [[Kilgor]] and I!}}
{{TErow| 28 | Day 28 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 263:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: What is known about the [[Nix]]?<p>They are an ancient race of humanoid amphibians. They differ from the [[Tatalia]]n [[lizardmen]] in their larger size and emerald-colored scales. Also important is the fact that they prefer to live in salt water; they actually tend to spend more time in the depths than on land. Maybe the two species are related to an extent, but hardly greater than, say, [[goblin]]s and [[ogre]]s. The [[Nix]] once engaged in piracy, attacking ships and coercing tribute out of coastal settlements. This barbaric lifestyle, as well as constant internecine wars, brought the [[Nix]] to the verge of extinction.<p>They were scattered all over the world, and many ended up being enslaved. I've known these creatures since I lived in [[Nighon]]. We often used [[Nix]] laborers to work in flooded mines. Recently, however, they have managed to forget their old feuds and have reached out to the [[pirate]]s of [[Regna]]. That was a wise decision: it gave their race powerful patrons.<p>An adult [[Nix]] is no weaker than an [[ogre]] or a [[troll]], and armed with his weapon of choice, trident, he becomes a veritable death machine. For this reason, [[Regna]]n [[captain]]s respect and value these creatures highly, and [[Nix]] can often be found at the forefront of their hosts.}}
{{TErow| 49 | Day 49 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 264:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: An urgent report came, telling about the soon-expected arrival of the [[wizard]] [[Astral]] in these parts! I think I've heard of this rascal before. He professionally messes with the heads of enemy soldiers, and is likely capable of other dirty tricks as well. If the scouts are not exaggerating, then [[Astral]] is accompanied by [[Titan]]s. Apparently, he is dead set on vanquishing [[Kilgor]]. I cannot let that happen! No [[Titan]]s will help him defeat our hordes. The old fool will crawl away in disgrace!}}
{{TErow| 50 | Day 50 | From an unsent letter by [[Gruezak]]:<p>{{H|Gruezak|0=}}: [[Bof]], I'll just pretend I never received your last letter with instructions. Don't forget: I have a lot of interesting things to share, should someone be willing to listen. For one, there's a captivating story about how [[Kilgor]]e circumvented [[Boragus]]'s law on the size of clan leaders' life guard by designating his extra men as kitchen staff on the registers submitted to the Duke. About the person who put the very idea of such a trick into his oaken head. About how Bo... the very mastermind personally recruited these "knife and brazier workers", and about what he taught them. What... recipes. About the exquisite treats the chieftains who abhorred [[Kilgor]]e's rise would receive from this kitchen.<p>Of course, now, right after yours... our lord has proved his right to power in the only way worthy of a [[barbarian]]—by force, that is—this information is useless. But what if the seed falls into fertile soil a few years from now, with the clans already weary of his rule? What if they find out what a rotten foundation underlies the shrine you and [[Kija]] are erecting around the figure of our brave ruler? Think about it, [[Bofmog]]. Think carefully before giving me ultimatums and forcing me to risk my skin. I don't care about [[Dargem]]. I will say more: not only was he disrespectful to me, he even dared to threaten me, and I would like him to pay for that—but you yourself taught me that in our line of work, one cannot give in to feelings.<p>It would be small challenge for me to make sure the hireling does not survive the last fight, and the reward [[Kilgor]] sent him... disappears, but I found signs that someone other than myself is keeping an eye on him a well. This is someone who already counts on the money and would definitely disapprove of your plans to ensure yourself a safety net through a little embezzlement, just in case something unforeseen and premature befalls our ruler. And I'm not prepared to pay with my life for your greed.}}
{{TErow| 70 | Day 70 | [[Dargem]]'s diary. Entry 265:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: It seems that the last enemy general is about to arrive here at the head of his army. The famous [[knight]], [[Sir Mullich]], decided to throw his gauntlet in this war. He is preparing to march here with a group of [[archangel]]s. I must admit that this foe is our biggest threat thus far. Just how accomplished a warrior [[Sir Mullich]] is can be judged by the fact that he is no more allowed to ride in jousting tournaments, so that others would have a chance to shine. However, an all-out war is no tilt, and I am not bound by any rules here! That being said, we should make proper preparations; It's not worth taking risks when victory is so close and the enemy is about to falter. Perhaps I won't even have to pummel [[Sir Mullich|Mullich]] with my own hands—if I manage to distract his attention from [[Kilgor]]e's headquarters, the time gained thus should be enough for reinforcements from [[Krewlod]] to arrive. Once they're here, the enemy coalition will have no choice but to retreat.}}
|}

=== Objects ===
==== Events ====
{| class="sortable wikitable" cellpadding=5px
! Location
! Message
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 4, 104, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Ambush!<p><center>'''Guardians:''' 50 {{Cn|Crew Mate}}s, 15 {{Cn|Gunslinger}}s, 50 {{Cn|Rogue}}s, 15 {{Cn|Sharpshooter|image=Sharpshooter (HotA)}}s<p>'''Contents:''' 534 {{Gold}} [[Gold]]</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 6, 1, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | It's horrendously cold in here...<p><center>'''Contents:''' {{Morale|-1}}, {{Mv|Take|-400}}</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 10, 22, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | {{H|Murdoch|0=}}: "Hey, pal, thanks for saving me from those things!"  The voice of the stranger in the odd-looking hat rang out.<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "How did you let them capture you?" I asked.<p>{{H|Murdoch|0=}}: "There were too many of them; I didn't have enough time to reload."<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "That's why I prefer good old-fashioned magic," I said weightily. "I am handy enough with the pistol and the arquebus, but there's no better feeling then giving a foe a mouthful of [[Lightning Bolt|lightning]]!"<p>{{H|Murdoch|0=}}: "I owe you one. My name is [[Murdoch]], and I'm a [[mercenary]]."<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "I'm [[Dargem]]," I said. "I'm a mercenary, too... sort of."<p>{{H|Murdoch|0=}}: "Well met, [[Dargem]]! To repay my debt, I will accompany you on your adventures, but for a limited time. Business calls me to [[Jadame]].<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "That would be good: I could use some trusty companions. Oh, you know what! When in [[Jadame]], if you happen to meet one little, mischievous..." I was loath to let my regular companions in on the details of my less-than-successful endeavor off the coast of the distant continent, so the rest of the conversation was kept low. [[Murdoch]] lifted his dark-hued spectacles, narrowed his pale eyes, and nodded. We shook hands.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 18, 38, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | {{H|Dargem|0=}}: Suddenly, a phantom appeared next to me, taking the form of a [[red-haired woman]]! I drew my cutlass and prepared a [[Lightning Bolt|bolt of lightning]] in my left hand. My bodyguards also drew their swords.<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}:"Who are you? Identify yourself!" I shouted.<p>Phantom: "Give... Mograin... oots... vitation," said the phantom, gesturing violently and occasionally seeming to distort for a moment.<p>
{{H|Dargem|0=}}:"What are you on about? I don't have any boots except my own... and no "vitation" for sure!" I said angrily, confused as to what was going on.<p>I didn't get an answer, though: the phantom was gone. Some spatial anomalies again, I thought warily as I put my cutlass away.<p>Man: "Cap'n, look! There's something glistening on the ground!" one of my men exclaimed.<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}:"Well, that's what I thought!" I said, looking closer. "Someone was experimenting with spatial beacons, but messed up the settings. Collect them! They are nothing more than pretty pieces of glass now."<p><center>'''Contents:''' 7 {{Gem}} [[Gems]]</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 23, 72, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Entry from [[Dargem]]'s diary:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: I noticed that brightly colored tent from afar. I thought it might be the keymaster's, for some reason left unmarked on my map—but it was surprisingly small, which confused me. Then an odd-looking grey-haired man in a peculiar outfit appeared from somewhere. When he saw us, he waved, then ran into the tent. Just as I shouted at him, "Who are you?", the tent vanished into thin air! We searched the area carefully, but found no sign of the old man or his blue tent... There was, however, something valuable lying on the ground: he must have dropped it.<p><center>'''Contents:''' {{An|Speculum}}</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 46, 105, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Entry from [[Dargem]]'s diary:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: We saw an unfamiliar ship: it popped up, as if out of nowhere. As we got closer, someone on its board shouted loudly, 'De Spanjaarden!', and then the ship just disappeared! What do these words mean? I've never heard anything like that. We must have encountered the legendary [[Flying Jadamean]]—it's said to bring bad luck.<p><center>'''Contents:''' {{Luck|-2}}</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 48, 72, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | ''Note: Only applies to {{purple}} AI player''<p>Low difficulty ally bonus<p><center>'''Contents:''' 10000 {{Gold}} [[Gold]], 20 {{Wood}} [[Wood]], 20 {{Ore}} [[Ore]], 10 {{Mercury}} [[Mercury]], 10 {{Sulfur}} [[Sulfur]], 10 {{Crystal}} [[Crystal]], 10 {{Gem}} [[Gems]]</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 61, 30, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Entry from [[Dargem]]'s diary:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: A puff of smoke from over the hill caught my attention. I decided to check it out. To my surprise, I found a [[halfling]] farmstead! With all my rage, I let a [[Lightning Bolt|bolt of lightning]] at the nearest shack. The house burst into flames, and the little bastards scattered in terror. I laughed ominously, sent a few more bolts after them, and then snatched a musket from a companion's hands and fired a shot.<p>Let those dirty midgets remember [[Dargem]]! Let them run all the way to [[Jadame]] and complain to their kin!<p>I hate the [[halfling]]s, their nasty chieftess [[Henrietta]], and her friend, the old goof [[Frederick]]. If they dare get in my way again, I won't be playing by gentlemen's rules!<p>After quenching my thirst for revenge, I decided to replenish my supplies a little. By way of robbery, of course. I'll see if someone dares say I didn't deserve it!
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 62, 12, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Entry from [[Dargem]]'s diary:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: Today, I met a famous scholar named [[Lex]]. We sat by the campfire, trading stories. [[Lex]] told me that somewhere in the void between worlds, huge chunks of stone are flying, on which people and other creatures live—and these stones seem to form new worlds like ours. To be honest, it sounded like ravings of a madman to me. Flying rocks? They are heavy and inevitably fall! Still, some food for thought.</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 76, 64, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | {{H|Kilgor|0=}}: "[[Dargem]]? What the hell?!" Kilgor growled from the wall, surprised.
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 80, 63, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | ''Note: Only applies to {{red}}{{blue}} AI players''<p><center>'''Contents:''' {{Luck|+3}}, {{Morale|+3}}, {{Mv|Nullify|Nullify}}</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 84, 52, 0<br>84, 58, 0<br>107, 37, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | ''Note: Only applies to {{red}}{{blue}} AI players''<p><center>'''Contents:''' {{Mv|Nullify|Nullify}}</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 90, 52, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | {{cnu|Ogre Mage|Cyclops King|Stronghold#Creatures|name=Ogres and Cyclopes}}: "Good to see you, mercenary! We have cooped up here to hide from the sorcerers' wrath, but we will gladly help you!"<p><center>'''Contents:''' 15 {{Cn|Ogre Mage|name=Ogre Magi}}, 5 {{Cn|Cyclops King}}s</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 103, 25, 0
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | Entry from [[Dargem]]'s diary:<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: I had an utterly dreadful dream today! In it, I worked at an observatory lost in the mountains. It was equipped with huge telescopes that transmitted information to a crystal ball. Suddenly, something went wrong with the telescopes: the feed from them began to stutter. It was night outside, and I was very scared, but I had to check out the telescopes and find out what was wrong. I was shaking with terror at the thought of going out into the mountains in the middle of the night!  I had a pony in the stable to ride on. I was just trying to mount when I fell and woke up. How good I felt after finding out that it was merely a dream!<p><center>'''Contents:''' {{Morale|-2}}</center>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2, 94, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | ''Note: Only applies to {{blue}} AI player on [[Difficulty level|impossible difficulty]]''<p>Bonus for max difficulty level<p><center>'''Contents:''' 93 {{Cn|Halberdier|image=Halberdier (HotA)}}s, 13 {{Cn|Zealot}}s, 15 {{Cn|Arch Mage|name=Arch Magi}}, 8 {{Cn|Naga Queen}}s, 3 {{Cn|Titan}}s, 34 {{Cn|Steel Golem}}s</center></p>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2, 102, 1
| style="padding-left:7px; padding-right:5px;" | ''Note: Only applies to {{blue}} AI player on [[Difficulty level|impossible difficulty]]''<p>Bonus for max difficulty level<p><center>'''Contents:''' 87 {{Cn|Royal Griffin}}s, 56 {{Cn|Crusader}}s, 16 {{Cn|Champion}}s, 5 {{Cn|Archangel}}s, 132 {{Cn|Obsidian Gargoyle}}s, 41 {{Cn|Genie}}s</center></p>
|}

==== Towns ====
{{town header}}
{{town row|86, 73, 0|tan|Stronghold|nofort=}}
{{town row|88, 95, 0|tan|Cove|[[Kraken Bay]]}}
{{town row|48, 70, 0|purple|Stronghold}}
{{town row|76, 63, 0|purple|Stronghold|[[Wildblade]]}}
{{town row|20, 26, 0|red|Castle|nofort=}}
{{town row|54, 26, 0|red|Castle|[[Thundertown]]}}
{{town row|5, 5, 0|blue|Tower|nofort=}}
{{town row|91, 3, 0|blue|Tower|[[Star Grove]]}}
{{town row|5, 47, 0| |Stronghold|nofort=}}
{{town row|104, 56, 0| |Castle|nofort=}}
|}

==== Heroes ====
{{hero header}}
{{hero row|87, 74, 0|tan|Gruezak|Barbarian}}
{{hero row|88, 96, 0|tan|Dargem|Navigator}}
{{hero row|9, 2, 0|{{tan}} {{imprisoned|small}}|Murdoch|Mercenary}}
{{hero row|13, 28, 1|{{tan}} {{imprisoned|water}}|Elmore|Captain}}
{{hero row|48, 70, 0|purple|Oris|Battle Mage}}
{{hero row|48, 71, 0|purple|Dessa|Battle Mage}}
{{hero row|76, 63, 0|purple|Kilgor|Barbarian}}
{{hero row|21, 25, 0|red|Ingham|Cleric}}
{{hero row|54, 27, 0|red|Beatrice|Knight}}
{{hero row|56, 28, 0|red|Theodorus|Wizard}}
{{hero row|0, 98, 1|red|Adelaide|Cleric|image=Adelaide (HotA)}}
{{hero row|5, 6, 0|blue|Iona|Alchemist|image=Iona (HotA)}}
{{hero row|7, 1, 0|blue|Fafner|Alchemist}}
{{hero row|92, 4, 0|blue|Solmyr|Wizard|image=Solmyr (HotA)}}
{{hero row|93, 5, 0|blue|Cuthbert|Cleric}}
{{hero row|0, 94, 1|blue|Astral|Wizard}}
{{hero row|0, 102, 1|blue|Sir Mullich|Knight|image=Sir Mullich (HotA)}}
|}

==== Monsters ====
{{encounter header}}
{{encounter row|84, 95, 0|{{Cn|Mighty Gorgon}}s | "Moooo!"}}
{{encounter row|92, 91, 0|{{Cn|Monk}}s | "Ye ungodly heretics!"}}
{{encounter row|96, 90, 0|{{Cn|Halberdier|image=Halberdier (HotA)}}s | "What are these stinking [[pirate]]s doing here?"}}
|}

==== Seer's Huts ====
{{SorQheader}}
{{SorQrow|seer=3|loc=25, 60, 0|quest=Defeat:<br>{{Cn|Red Dragon}}s<br>at (25, 56, 0)|rew=5 {{Cn|Behemoth}}s|prop=I'm breeding [[Behemoth]]s here. [[Red dragon]]s have been flying in from the north of the ridge lately, stealing my young! If you take out the monsters, I will reward you handsomely.|prog=The [[dragon]]s are very close by, but you will need a decent army to kill them.|comp=Thank you for saving my sweet babies! They're safe now, and I can give a few younger ones to your army.}}
{{SorQrow|seer=1|loc=36, 48, 0|quest=Be:<br>{{H|Murdoch|Mercenary}}|rew={{An|Pendant of Holiness}}|prop=My good friend [[Murdoch]] was about to embark on an adventure to another continent. Before leaving, he decided to hunt some mysterious monsters. He said they had [[Fangarm|heads like squids]], or... hell knows, I'm not a fisherman! He's been gone for a while, and I'm worried.|prog=Have you heard from [[Murdoch]]?|comp=[[Murdoch]]! How glad I am to see you in good health, old sport! Give this bauble to your [[pirate]] friends—I think they'll need it in the future.}}
{{SorQrow|seer=2|loc=95, 59, 0|quest=Return with:<br>15 {{Cn|Monk}}s|rew=15 {{Cn|Cyclops|name=Cyclopes}}|prop=<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: A [[cyclops]] tribe lives here. They are tired of preachers who keep coming year after year, trying to turn them away from the faith of their ancestors. Killing them would be too easy: the [[cyclopes]] want to eat them! They ask me to bring about 15 holy men for lunch; then the gorged [[cyclops]] tribe will join me!|prog=No lunch, no deal!|comp=<br>{{Cn|Cyclops|name=Cyclopes}}: Finally: a hearty lunch and a proper payback for the irksome preachers' blasphemy! Bring them here now: our bellies are growling!}}
{{SorQrow|seer=w|loc=20, 45, 1|quest=Defeat:<br>{{Hn|Beatrice|Knight}}|rew=10 {{Cn|Gunslinger}}s|prop=Hail to you, brother! Damn [[Beatrice]], the self-proclaimed [[pirate]] and bandit hunter, had us trapped in this hole. If you take our revenge on that arrogant woman, we'll join you.|prog=[[Beatrice]] is still in [[Erathia]]'s service.|comp=Great job, brother! Are you ready to take us into your gang?}}
{{SorQrow|seer=w|loc=85, 69, 1|numQ=2|quest=Be:<br>{{H|Elmore|Captain}}|rew=(none)|prop=<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: It seems that recently, [[pirate]]s have developed a sensible but irksome custom of locking their houses. I guess [[Elmore]] lives here; I'll have to find him if I want to visit his place.|prog=Only [[Elmore]] can open the door.|comp=<p>{{H|Elmore|0=}}: "Thank you for saving me, [[Dargem]]!" [[Elmore]] exclaimed and bowed dramatically, taking a knee.<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "Enough of the honors! Let's go have a chat," I grumbled, not without a silent sigh. I must admit that I enjoyed receiving the honors, but I didn't want to overindulge myself in the company of [[Regna]]ns.}}
{{SorQrow|quest=Be:<br>{{H|Dargem|Navigator}}|rew=+2 {{Ps|Attack}}|prop=<p>{{H|Elmore|0=}}: "I've had absolutely no luck lately! I keep getting locked up," [[Elmore]] said angrily.|prog=[[Elmore]] will only talk to [[Dargem]].|comp=<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "Bad luck, huh?" I chuckled.<p>{{H|Elmore|0=}}: "It's probably that old business in the tomb! I got into one... everything must have been cursed there! Ever since, I keep getting caught by [[knight]]s and [[demon]]s... even some [[Lobstrosity|talking lobsters]]," [[Elmore]] sighed, and began rummaging through his trunk.<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "[[Lobstrosity|Talking lobsters]]? Where did you meet them?"<p>{{H|Elmore|0=}}: "Never mind! They're unlikely to still be there!" The [[pirate]] waved me off. "You'd better try this!"<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "And what's that?" I asked, looking at a bowl with a pestle. There was some green stuff in it.<p>{{H|Elmore|0=}}: "Paste made from rare mountain berries. [[Barbarian]]s eat it to get stronger.<p>{{H|Dargem|0=}}: "Are you and [[Miriam]] conspiring? Both of you seem to have developed an alarming desire to put all sorts of disgusting things into your mouths..." I grumbled.<p>Reluctantly, I scooped up some of the paste with my finger. The smell was vile, as if someone had already eaten these berries once. I held my breath and licked my finger. A wave of warmth spread through my body, my vision sharpened, and my movements became smooth and precise. Should I finish the treat?}}
|}

==== Quest Guards ====
{{SorQheader}}
{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=14, 30, 0<br>51, 53, 1|quest=Be:<br>{{H|Dargem|Navigator}}|prop=The guards here say they have orders to only let Dargem pass.|prog=The guards here will only let Dargem pass.|comp=At last, it is Dargem.  Do you wish to pass?}}
{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=14, 68, 0<br>51, 51, 0<br>96, 53, 0|quest=Be:<br>{{tan}} player|prop=The guards here will only let those who fly the tan flag pass.|prog=The guards here will only let those who fly the tan flag pass.|comp=The guards note your tan flag and offer to let you pass.  Do you accept?}}
{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=54, 30, 0|quest=Return after:<br>Month 1, Week 1, Day 5|prop=Closed till month 1, week 1, day 5.|prog=Closed till month 1, week 1, day 5.|comp=You are free to go through now.  Do you wish to pass?}}
{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=98, 17, 0|quest=Return after:<br>Month 1, Week 3, Day 3|prop=Closed till month 1, week 3, day 3.|prog=Closed till month 1, week 3, day 3.|comp=You are free to go through now.  Do you wish to pass?}}
{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=1, 94, 1|quest=Return after:<br>Month 2, Week 4, Day 2|prop=Closed till month 2, week 4, day 2.|prog=Closed till month 2, week 4, day 2.|comp=You are free to go through now.  Do you wish to pass?}}
{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=1, 98, 1|quest=Return after:<br>Month 1, Week 4, Day 6|prop=Closed till month 1, week 4, day 6.|prog=Closed till month 1, week 4, day 6.|comp=You are free to go through now.  Do you wish to pass?}}
{{SorQrow|guard=1|loc=1, 102, 1|quest=Return after:<br>Month 3, Week 4, Day 1|prop=Closed till month 3, week 4, day 1.|prog=Closed till month 3, week 4, day 1.|comp=You are free to go through now.  Do you wish to pass?}}
|}

==== Quest Gates ====
{{SorQheader}}
{{SorQrow|gate=1|loc=9, 70, 0<br>94, 81, 1|quest=Be:<br>{{tan}} player|prop=The guards here say they will only let those who fly the tan flag pass.|prog=The guards here will only let those who fly the tan flag pass.|comp=The guards note your tan flag and offer to let you pass.  Do you accept?}}
|}

==== Pandora's Boxes ====
{{encounter header}}
{{encounter row|50, 52, 1|[[File:Pandora's_Box_(water).gif|link=Pandora's Box]] [[Pandora's Box]]|''Note: ONLY applies on [[Difficulty level|easy, medium, and hard difficulties]].''<p><center> '''Guardians:''' 215 {{Cn|Troglodyte}}s, 189 {{Cn|Infernal Troglodyte}}s, 44 {{Cn|Beholder}}s, 39 {{Cn|Evil Eye}}s, 9 {{Cn|Red Dragon}}s<p>'''Contents:''' +1 {{Ps|Attack}}, +1 {{Ps|Defense}}, +1 {{Ps|Power}}, +1 {{Ps|Knowledge}}, +5000 {{Gold}} [[Gold]]</center>}}
|}

[[Category: Campaign scenarios]]