Dragon's Blood (campaign scenario)

Tarnum must acquire the Vial of Dragon's Blood so he can take the Gold and Green Dragons out from Mutare's control. Be careful not to lose Tarnum. All Heroes will be limited to level 12 and Tarnum and two of his best Captains will transfer to the next scenario.

Victory condition:

Acquire Artifact or Defeat All Enemies

Loss condition:

Lose Hero

Allies:

Enemies:

Choose a bonus:

1

Carried to next scenario:

2 strongest heroes

Max level:

12

Campaign

Prologue

File:H3ABdb4b.png

Mutare was human once, but her thirst for power drove her to drink a potion that turned her into a Dragon. Soon, she became the Dragon Queen of Nighon where her reputation for cruelty became as well known as her desire to rule the world.

Scenario

Timed events

Day 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? 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. Now, I know that I must not only save the good Dragons, but I must stop Mutare, no matter what it takes.
Day 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. "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. "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. "Check!" I said. Aspen smiled, and didn't even look at the board. "The group sent to retrieve the Vial has never returned, and is assumed dead." "I see," I said. "Your move." Aspen moved his queen once again and said, "Checkmate!" 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.
Day 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. "More mouths! That's the last thing I need!" Kurbon shouted when I told him.
Day 7 - Day 7
"What exactly does this Vial of Dragon's Blood do?" I ask Aspen as we ride. "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." "So how's it suppose to break Mutare's control over the good Dragons?" "I guess the Dragon's Blood has more powers than we know. Maybe it strengthens their mind as well as body."
Day 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. 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.
Day 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. 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.
(2, 5, 0) Rampart: Day 14 - Troops
Considering the scope of your mission, the Elf King has sent you some extra troops. Creatures: 15 Centaurs and Centaur Captains, 15 Dwarves and Battle Dwarves, 10 Wood Elves and Grand Elves
Day 17 - Day 17
This morning, some Dwarven guards brought me an Elf with his arms bound behind his back. "He was skulking about, trying to slip by us," said one of the Dwarves. The Elf smiled when he noticed Aspen standing next to me. "Do you know him?" I asked my advisor. "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?" "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!" "I see. Then you best be running to the King," Aspen said. 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." "I won't let that happen," I promised.
Day 23 - Day 23
As I ate my morning meal, Aspen approached me with a worried expression on his face. "What is it?" I said. "You'll have to do without my company for a while, Tarnum. I must be off." "Off? Where?" "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. "Take some soldiers with you," I said. "I don't want you dying before I get a chance to beat you at chess." "Nay, I must go alone. Better that I not been seen." I reluctantly agreed, then asked, "How is it you know so much about the Elf King's spies, Aspen?" 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!" "Of course!" I said.
Day 32 - Day 32
Today, Aspen returned from his mission to rescue the trapped spy. He looked a little tired, thinner, and angry. "I need a drink," he said, refusing to say more. So, I waited until he had cleaned up and ate, approaching him only after he had had a glass of wine. "What happened?" I asked. "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." 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. 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!"

Objects

Events

Location	Message
15, 12, 0	In the distance stands the ancient Fire Gate, a Garrison too strong for you to siege. After decades of war between Nighon and AvLee, the Nighons have fortified it well, and the Pegasi have flown over it many times to confirm the size of the army within. Attacking the Fire Gate would be futile, so you must find a way around it.
18, 2, 0	"Dragon!" someone shouts. At first, you scan the sky but find nothing. Then you spot a massive green mound on the charred soil ahead. It's a Green Dragon, but it's not moving. You approach slowly, quietly, and as you near the creature you can see its wounds. Both wings are broken and most of its tail is missing. The blood pooling on the ground is evidence of a much deeper injury concealed beneath its body. You rush forward, screaming for a healer even though you sense it is too late for this once-beautiful creature. Soon, the Green Dragon notices you and opens its only remaining eye. "What did this to you?" you ask. "A Gold," the Dragon says. It takes one of its last breaths in order to continue speaking. "Mutare made us fight each other, for her amusement." "I'm sorry. She'll pay for this," you say. "It's a dark power she holds over us. I fear her, Tarnum Dragonfriend. For the first time, we Dragons know fear in Mutare's presence," says the Green Dragon. "Thank you, Tarnum. It was good...to die with a friend...at my side." Your tears fall on the Dragon's blank, dead eye.
23, 29, 0	You were concentrating on navigating your ship safely through the sharp rocks, so you were unprepared for the winged old women who flew out from the caves high up on the cliff face. "Harpies!" screamed the sailor in the crow's nest. Sadly, he was the first to fall as one of the Harpies carried him away to her cave. Then the rest were upon you and you had to defend yourself. Guardians: 8 Harpies, 9 Harpies, 12 Harpies, 5 Harpy Hags
28, 21, 0	Your ship comes too close to the coast and is bombarded with fireballs thrown by the Magogs hiding on the shore. A fire starts in the hull of the ship, destroying some of your stores before you're able to put it out. Contents: -8 Wood, -4 Sulfur

Towns

Location	Color	Type
2, 5, 0		Rampart
26, 15, 0		Inferno

Heroes

Location	Color	Hero
2, 6, 0		TarnumTarnum Tarnum the Ranger
22, 35, 0		Valita the Ranger
28, 17, 0		Calid the Heretic

Monsters

Location	Type	Message
8, 24, 0	Grand Elf	One of your scouts returns from the Shipyard with news that a renegade group of Grand Elves has taken control of it, and refuse to give it up. All attempts to bribe them have been rejected, and finally you have no choice but to force them to leave.
12, 12, 0	Familiar	At the mouth of the Crystal Cave stands lots of hooting and spitting Familiars who refuse to leave. Raids such as this are common this close to the border, and are usually dealt with by the local Forest Guard, but you decide to help.
17, 18, 0	Hell Hound	A local Dwarf tells you that the Gold Mine has been abandoned for three months ever since some giant dogs made it their den one night. Every attempt by the miners to expel the Hell Hounds has failed. Lives have been lost. So, you offer to give them a hand in return for a steady supply of Gold to help support your forces. "Agreed," says the Dwarf miner.
24, 35, 0	Pit Fiend	A Pit Fiend steps out of the bleak Prison. It cracks a whip, splitting a nearby rock in two. Immediately, lots more of the creatures come to its side. "Flee, or else join the hopeless within our prison!" the Pit Fiend says.
28, 34, 0	Grand Elf	You're riding past a stand of dead trees when to your surprise an Elf runs out. He's followed by more of his companions, all of them appear tired and dirty. "I thought I would never again set my gaze upon a friendly face, but here you are!" the Elf archer says. "What are you doing here?" you ask. "We were part of a scouting expedition in search of the Vial of Dragon's Blood, but we were set upon by Demons and captured. We were brought here to be tortured, but we escaped thanks to the efforts of our captain, Valita. We've been hiding ever since, looking for a way off this accursed island!" "You're most fortunate that we stopped here," you say. "What happened to your captain?" "Dead, I hope," the Elf says sadly. "She's been in a prison near here for months. The Fiends who dwell on this island are masters of torture." The Elves gladly join your army for the chance to exact their revenge upon the creatures that hold their leader.

Quest Guards

Quest Guard (8, 0, 0)
Proposal Message
"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. Quest: Be Valita the Ranger
Progress Message
"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."
Completion Message
"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!" The gate opens and you may now pass.