Talk:Lost Lore

Would "The Inferno", "The Rampart", "Rumors from the Court" and "Parallel world" also fit here?

• Not sure - what are those? --Legate (talk) 13:00, 16 October 2024 (UTC)
• Parallel World I didn't know where to place, as it wasn't directly related to any topic back when I added those. Inferno and Rampart are kind of dry, just explanations of the factions. More mechanical than lore-related IMO. Rumors, I forgot what it was about. --Turnam (talk) 13:37, 16 October 2024 (UTC)
• I mean - Are these short stories? Do you have the text of the stories or a link to them? Do you know who wrote them? I haven't seen any pages on the wiki yet that refer to these? --Legate (talk) 17:28, 16 October 2024 (UTC)
  • Very interesting! The style of these stories seem to closely match what is already in Lost Lore. If we can trace their origin back to some official employee, we should definitely add them here! How did you come across these? --Legate (talk) 19:39, 16 October 2024 (UTC)

Here are the texts:

Rumors from the Court

   "It seems as though a new guest speaker will be appearing at the board now... He claims to be somewhat of a rumor man, and speaks of many things said in King Gryphonhearts's Court Room. He has already made refernces about Xanthor and Marcus Finch, I personally wonder if they will be returning... Anyway, he only posted the following below so far. Now being that he is a rumor man, the info he may refer to could be phony and/or real. This makes it all the more interesting really... But anyway, I will try to post my personal thoughts after each of his to express what exactly I make of it. But all you see in quotes are the exact words of the Courtier and not mine, my messages will appear in a different colored font. Here is what has been said so far, and if we do get important topics, we may develope a frame."

Introductions

   "posted by the Courtier
   September 20,1998

   "Well, if you're here for rumors, you've certainly come to the right place. Half the things said here are made up anyway, usually by some local Baron attempting to gain King Gryphonheart's favor. It's nonsense, I tell you! Why just last week a letter arrived from some poor fool claiming to be a descendant of the family of Phynaxia, claiming that troops were needed in the east. He claimed that an army "greater in number than there are stars in the sky" was massing in Eeofol.

   Sounds to me like some insane farmer saw an imp steal a chicken, but that wasn't the end of it. The very next day we received a letter from the University, claiming that one of their professors had seen this army from a gremlin skyship. But wait, it gets better! According to the professor, he was travelling through some sort of dimensional gate when it happened! Baaahhhhahahahaha! Insanity, I tell you! I can't believe they allow people like that to actually teach others!
   Baaahhhhahahahaha!

   *cough!*

   Hmm, please forgive my outburst, *snicker* but it really was quite amusing *chuckle* when that letter arrived. We read it aloud several times, and it just got funnier every time. I do wonder what the King's opinion of it was, though come to think of it, I don't think the letter ever made it TO the king. Ah well, he needn't be bothered by such lunacy.

   Well, stick around, I'm sure we'll hear more soon.""

The Letter

   "psted by the Courtier
   September 22, 1998

   "Bah! Another letter talking of armies. Not the Kreegans this time, though. No no, now it's the Dungeon Overlords. Will these people never cease? And this one… another professor at the University! Are they ALL mad!? What was this one's name… ah yes, Xanthor. Said he was on his way here with a first hand account of the story. Hah! We should all get a good laugh out of this one, mark my words!

   Bah!"

   Yes, this is really something for me... I love when the guest speakers post and after waiting months to hear from a new one, we have Xanthor returning to tell another story!!! Remember Tales from the Swamps? It could be as highly anticipated as that... His story will appear on a new page entitled "Zoological Accounts.""

Annihilation

   "psted by the Courtier
   September 24, 1998

   "Well, we've finally received word from one of our *official* outposts on the Eeofol/Nighon border. Apparently there *is* some truth to what the locals, and even the University Professors, have been saying. According to the report, two massive armies, one formed from the Infernos, the other from the Dungeons below Nighon, are moving toward each other. The King, it seems, has decided to hold off on sending troops to the region. If they wish to annihilate themselves they apparently can do it alone. It's a smart move, because having an Erathian army in the area might cause the Kreegans and the Dungeon Overlords to decide they'd rather kill *us* than each other.

   I must admit this is not the first time these two nations have fought with each other, but if these numbers are to be trusted then this is something more than just the Dungeon Overlords attempting to put down another Kreegan rebellion.

   Ah well, fear not, for we are safe here under the wise leadership of King Gryphonheart.""

Death

   "posted by the Courtier
   September 28, 1998

   "A terrible thing has happened! The King! The Kiiiing! *SOB* He… He… *SOB* King Gryphonheart is dead! DEAD!

   They say he died in his sleep… but… bwahhhhhhh! *SOB* How could he be… dead? I mean, he was no spring chicken, but 54 years isn't THAT old, even for a King. Ack! What am I saying!? Bwahhhhhhh!

   It has just come to my attention that the King's personal food taster also died in his sleep! Since none of the other guests at last night's feast took ill, this can mean only one thing… POISON! Oh what has this world come to!? "

   The Dungeon Overlords and Kreegans rise to power and the king unfortunately died, how can Phynaxia possibly survive a time of war while missing their beloved King Gryphonheart... The story continues..."

Proclamation

   "posted by Dannil Darvin
   September 29, 1998

   May I please have everyone's attention! Thank you. My name is Dannil Darvin, Lieutenant of the Royal Erathian Military Command, and I've been instructed to come here and read this, uh, proclamation to you so, uh, here it goes.

   "In light of the recent tragedy of the loss of the Nation of Erathia's King, Nicolas Gryphonheart I, and in light of the fact that no bloodline heir to the Throne of Erathia exists, rule of the Kingdom of Erathia shall pass to the Royal Erathian Military Command until such time as a proper successor can be found."

   "Know, too, that the murder of the King will not go unpunished. An investigation has already provided several leads, and it is only a matter of time before the guilty party is brought to justice."

   "So signed, General Morgan Kendal, Commander, REMC."

   Well, uh, that's it I guess. I've also been assigned to the Palace, so I'll be here until I receive new orders. Please try to stay calm, I'm sure this will all blow over soon enough."

Battle Results

   "posted by the Courtier
   October 2, 1998

   "I was listening in at the door of… well, I can't say, really, but let me tell you what I've heard! The Dungeon Overlord and Kreegan armies met just south of Eeofol in what was sure to be a spectacular battle. Instead, they set up camp for two days, and according to the scout reports, the Dungeon Overlord army gradually vanished! Thousands of creatures just disappeared! After that, the Kreegan army split in two. One broke camp and headed north back toward Eeofol. The other, however, turned west. They overran the border into the Contested Lands, laying waste to everything in their path, including the Erathian Garrison forces stationed there! I did not hear an exact number of casualties, only that the Garrison was a total loss.

   What will we do!? The Military Command already have their hands full keeping the peace throughout Erathia following the King's death, and it took the full might of the REMC to stop the Kreegans two years ago. How will they stop this attack!?""

A Word of Courage...

   "posted by Dannil Darvin
   October 2, 1998

   "Well, it would seem that for once the Kreegans have managed to defeat the Dungeon Overlords. We just received a report that after two days of fighting, the Dungeon Overlords were driven underground, most likely in a retreat back to their Nighon homeland.

   Not only that, but following the battle, half the Kreegan army began its retreat to Eeofol, while the other half, apparently as some sort of diversion, attacked the Erathian Garrison forces stationed in the Contested Lands. Heavy losses were inflicted to both sides, but our latest information shows a victory for the REMC, though reinforcements will be sent to the region over the next several days should another attack occur.

   Fear not, friends. We have defeated the Kreegans in the past. We shall defeat them again."

Parallel world

   "" *cough!* *cough!* Oh, thank goodness I'm finally in the right place. I think I've been stuck in some sort of "parallel world" for the last week. It was all very strange - filled with people who looked just like you, but acted very differently. I thought I was going mad when I spotted Guthwulf in the middle of the University building a dollhouse out StormMaster's supply of, what did he call them… nukes? It was dreadful, I barely made it out through a portal before he blew up the place, and I've been portal hopping ever since!

   Well, now that I appear to be back in reality, I can only hope that some of the things I have seen in the last week are not happening here as well. You see, my last hop took me to a Gremlin skyship (believe me, they were just as surprised as I was) that was on a sulfur gathering expedition to the Eeofol volcanic range. After I told them my tale of what had happened, they said they might be able to return me to the correct world, and began to work on opening a portal. While I waited, I decided to take in some of the scenery, especially since I had never actually seen Eeofol, either before or after the Kreegans arrived.

   I was amazed by what I saw. Instead of admiring the stark scenery of the many volcanic ranges, I saw a massive army gathered below! I informed the Gremlins, who seemed unconcerned, saying that this army had been gathering for nearly two months. I had never seen so many of the Inferno creatures in one place, and I became so frightened I had to look away. I laid down on the deck of the skyship, choosing instead to watch the smoke from the ship's furnace swirl around the twin balloons that held us aloft.

   Perhaps an hour later, one of the Gremlins approached me to say that they were almost ready with the portal. He took me to the back of the skyship where half a dozen of his shipmates were working some bizarre machine with dozens of moving parts and gears. They told me to get ready, and one of them took hold of a long lever that looked like some sort of switch. The machine buzzed and whirred, and as the Gremlin threw the switch there was a blinding flash of light but… no portal.

   Not sure what had gone wrong, the Gremlins began looking around, convinced that a portal should have appeared. Finally a shout of "I found it!" at the back of the skyship got our attention, and I realized that the Gremlin who had spotted it was pointing over the railing behind us. With a gulp, I approached and cautiously looked over the rail. There, nearly twenty feet below us, was a flat, black square, slowly floating along behind us.

   I flatly refused to jump. One of them said, "okay, if that's the way you want it." When I told them it was, they surrounded me, picked me up, and threw me off the ship. I suppose I should be glad their aim was true, yes?

   Regardless, I'm home now, and I must send word to King Gryphonheart. I only hope that what I saw in that other world is not going on in this one as well!"

   -Finch"

The Inferno

   "My friends, in all my studies of Erathia, there is but one thing that fills me with dread more than the silent, cold death of the Necropolis, and that is the twisted, black-hearted evil of the Infernos. Foul creatures, ripped from the depths of the Hells and beyond, are bound into the service of the Demoniaks and Heretics who call them forth. They serve unquestioningly, and without fear, but are always looking for the one chance to break free from their master. Fortunately, I have never actually seen one of these creatures loose.

   None of the creatures of the Inferno cities are native to this land. Because of this, there are few actual dwellings to be found. Instead, a great number of altars, halls, towers and pyres need to be erected in order to summon the Inferno's armies.

   The lowliest creature to be found here is the Imp. Honestly, they are like rats, and no matter how many times you think you have killed them all, more seem to appear. Through research I was able to determine that once an Imp becomes a Familiar, it can create a dimensional rift within the city, allowing an even greater influx of these vermin.

   After the Imps come the summoning halls of the Gogs and the furnaces of the Hell Hounds. Both appear in great numbers, though fortunately nothing near the influx of the Imps and Familiars. The Hell Hounds, when properly summoned, can not only take the form of a stronger Cerberus, but in the best cases can also be summoned in greater numbers.

   As many of you have asked, there are in fact Demons to be found in Erathia. They, along with the weaker Hell Hounds and the stronger Pit Fiends, seem to make up the bulk of many armies of the Infernos. Strong alone, and deadly in great numbers, these creatures make even the holiest and hardiest of souls tremble.

   Yet there are two creatures that outclass those that I have already mentioned. The first, summoned from great towers, are the Efreet. These monsters bear a striking similarity to the Genies, riding about on great waves of fire that always surround them. However, even the Efreet Sultans quiver with fear in the presence of the purest of all evil creatures, the Devils. Though they pledge their service willingly (for the right price, of course), it always seems like they come to this land for their own reasons.

   Fear these creatures, friends, for they represent all that opposes Good. So ends today's lesson."

The Rampart

   "Based on many of your questions, I have chosen the Rampart city as my topic for today. The Rampart cities of Erathia are most similar to the Sorceress cities of Enroth. Found mostly in remote and heavily forested areas, they are, as one would imagine, populated by creatures of nature.

   To start with, the Rangers and Druids no longer serve as troops in the armies of Erathia. Instead, they have risen to join the elite few who become heroes of this land, and it is the creatures of the Ramparts who now serve them.

   Whenever a new Rampart is constructed, it is the gentle Centaurs and sturdy Dwarves who arrive first to pledge their loyalty. In fact, once you offer proper training to the Dwarves, they will begin to "horde," bringing both additional units and income to your city.

   Before you know it, Elves will begin to join your city, Wood Elves at first, then Grand Elves as time passes. More amazingly, once they are convinced of the cause you fight for, the Elves will begin to bring to the Rampart their great Pegasi mounts, creatures both beautiful and deadly, to join your armies.

   One day you will suddenly find yourself surprised when you learn that apparently overnight, the trees themselves have come alive! Great and noble Treefolk, who you discover have been watching your progress very carefully, offer to join your ranks, and as word of your success spreads throughout the forest, mystical Unicorns will show themselves, also ready to do battle in the name of good.

   But it does not end there. When at last word of your heroic deeds reaches the far corners of the world, massive Green Dragons, and their elder Golden kin, will begin to arrive. Your success is almost assured!

   Beautiful, noble and elegant. These are the traits that can be found uniformly in the creatures that inhabit the Rampart cities of Erathia.

   So ends our discussion for today. If you have any requests for which of Erathia's cities you would like to learn about next, please voice them here."

Other stories that may fit

I found a few stories originally written by Bard Tannim (in a Polish translation). I wasn't able to locate the english source, even using the web archive - I suspect it may be lost to time.

Link to the stories: Zaginiona Księga (eng.: The Lost Book) - Csaros (talk)

• Several of these are stories from the H3 manuals (and are already included on their various pages). We should go through the rest and see if they belong on the wiki! Likely they don't belong with lost lore...at least in my mind Lost Lore is fan-fiction written by official employees. Somewhere between Bob's random heroes 3 internet story and lore officially included in the game. --Legate (talk) 15:36, 17 October 2024 (UTC)