Hero of Irdya Storyline Development

[Lord-Knightmare]

Even though I have not finished The Legend Begins yet, I have already drafted the plot for the sequel: Hero of Irdya. However, I am not entirely satisfied with it and it still lacks 'awesomeness.' Thus, I am posting it here for feedback and constructive criticism.

Before you start reading, please familiarise yourself with the plot for The Legend Begins, which can be found here; as well as the timeline of events.

What I have so far:

***P L O T E L E M E N T S***
1. Stories about the First Elemental War
2. Second Elemental War
3. Steelhive Invasion
4. Great Strife (Might get included in the third campaign instead of this one)
5. Mahir and Jahin Showdown
6. Jahin's Enchanted Sleep
7. Conclusion of Faria and Jahin
8. Introduction of new Characters: (based some friends of mine: Vanessa, Snigdho, Katib, Sami, Shafi and Saima, Adib, Ehsan)
9. New Minor Villain: Kaifar (You might know him from 'Wrath of Kaifar')

Plan:

Should I make three or four episodes or just make two episodes and split them into chapters? (Suggestions can be offered here)

Data:

Seven Power Crystals:

1. White Sapphire (destroyed in TLB)
2. Black Emerald (dealt with in HoI): The same one seen in The Unstoppable Legion. HoI dictates how the crystal got inside the mountains in the first place
3. Ruby of Fire (will not be dealt with in HoI)
4. Emerald of Nature (destroyed in the aftermath of the First Elemental War)
5. Oceanic Turquoise (destroyed in the aftermath of the First Elemental War)
6. Opal of Air (somewhere in the original Eltirean city - reason why their cities can levitate and would fall if the crystal was ever displaced)
7. Magenta Octahedron (the gem on Kratemaqht's forehead, duh...)|(destroyed in HoI)

Snigdho's Character:

Lord-Knightmare: Okay, since we are considering high fantasy-themes, You were betrayed in a bitter manner. You perceived as if your life had no meaning. Then you met another necromancer who sensed your hatred, and the evil within and trained you. He afterwards left you before your training was complete and now, you wander the face of Irdya, causing havoc with your minions of the undead, How does that sound?
However, a part of you seeks redemption for all the crimes you have caused (which stunts your embracing of the dark side)


T H E T I M E L I N E :

E P I S O D E O N E: (The Second Elemental War)

50-52 YW:

Jahin is approached by the Welkin King (for further inquires on this character, please contact Espreon), and the latter tells him to gather an army to combat a threat that may destroy Irdya. Jahin, realising the gravity of the situation, begins gathering an army, composed of humans and dwarves (an amazing combination). Jahin set sails on his flying galleon, leaving New Genesis under the care of his friends, Fardin, Maruful, Affan, Ashhab, Jalin and Shifti, who are now too old (remember that Jahin is immortal) to accompany Jahin.

Five months later, Jahin arrives at the Far South of the Great Continent, as per the Welkin King's instructions and is immediately ambushed by a moderately strong force of Undead and Elementals. Jahin's army triumphs. Jahin then proceeds further into the Continent.

Advancing further, Jahin's army stumbles upon a battle between a coalition of humans and a group of elemental wizards and necromancers. Jahin aids the humans and decides to confront the head of the cult, however, his march is interrupted by Bristi of the Windsong. She introduces herself as an Arbiter of the Foundation and she tells Jahin that she has received instructions from the Welkin King to aid Jahin in his battles.

Jahin and Brishti proceed further eastward and end up confronting another necromancer, Snigdho, instead. The combined forces of the Windsong and the New Genesis army defeat him. Snigdho is compelled to tell his story to Jahin and Brishti: Jahin, realising that there is a slight chance that Snigdho might receive redemption for his wrongdoings, offers the necromancer to join him in exchange for his life. Snigdho accepts, being conditioned that he would never raise the dead again unless the situation compels him to do so.

A week later, they arrive at head necromancer's domain, but find Kaliban instead. Kaliban is enraged to see Jahin again and sends forth his undead hordes. A long and tiring battle follows and ends with Kaliban retreating. Jahin insists on pursuing, however he changes his mind as his army and Brishti's Windsong are exhausted. Snigdho volunteers to chase down Kaliban, but he is denied the request. Jahin and the rest then examine the undead fortress and encounter a Spectre guardian. They defeat the guardian.

The Welkin King then appears and tells Jahin and Bristi that Vaddyn had lost Razakel's sceptre in a battle with Mahir and that if Mahir obtains any 2 of the 4 remaining Elemental crystals, then he can reactivate the Sceptre of Dominion: recreating another catastrophic war. The Welkin King then reveals the events of the First Elemental War. Jahin asks where the other crystals are hidden and the Welkin King replies that the presence of 2 crystals were unknown to him; however, the two other crystals were in possession of two dragons. As for their next orders, Brishti receives instructions to investigate some dynamic elemental activity in Argea, whereas Jahin and his army are to scour all the islands of the northern Great Ocean (I seriously think that the Wesnoth develops should think about getting fancier names for the oceans and major landmasses) to find and defeat Kaifar: the dragon in possession of the Black Emerald. Brishti and her Windsong depart and promise to meet Jahin at Argea.

Jahin and his army spend seven months in exploring the various isles on the Northern Hemisphere, acquiring a new friend (Katib appear as an/a aragwaith/elven/dwarven/human - I'm not exactly sure of this one, but time shall tell I speculate) and finally end up confronting Kaifar. Kaifar turns out to be 'zombie' dragon and Jahin and his friends fight an endless legion of Undead, but with s stroke of luck, Kaifar is sealed within his own island by Snigdho. Jahin then acquires the Dark Emerald and keeps it with his backpack: completely unaware that the crystal would start corrupting him slowly.

An elemental bird then arrives with a message from the Welkin King: Jahin is to embark towards Argea and aid Faria, one of his followers. The name makes Jahin nostalgic and yet, he confirms his arrival. Two months later, Jahin's ship catches the glimpse of Argea...

Upon arriving at Argea, Jahin and the rest are 'greeted' (more like ambushed ) by orcish hordes. Jahin and his army fight the orcs and eventually reach a stalemate when Snigdho's undead enter the fight and even up the odds. The Orcish War Chief then arrives and ceases the attacks. Jahin and Gioviel are granted an audience. The War Chief asks them if they are in league with a being known as Kaliban. Jahin answers by telling the truth and this leads to the War Chief and Jahin becoming allies and Jahin assembles his army to assist the orcs in their battle against Kaliban.

An epic battle takes place at the heart of the once great empire of Anaktoran. Jahin observes that the forces of Kaliban are engaged in battle with Gioviel, who is now under the influence of Vaddyn. The alliance of humans and orcs win the battle (despite heavy casualties) with the help of Kratemaqht the Dragon. Kaliban flees. Jahin captures Gioviel, hoping to cure her in some way. Jahin asks Kratemaqht for permission to research inside the library for any notes on Vaddyn and the First Elemental War. The dragon grants him permission and the two enter the library, while Snigdho's undead guard the island. The orcs chase after Kaliban, whereas Katib and the rest of Jahin's army patrol the vicinity. Jahin finds significant accounts on the First Elemental War and deduce that it is for an artefact known the Sceptre of Dominion which could possibly control the Earthen Kings themselves. Jahin realises that Mahir is in possession of it when he recalls what Morin said during the Great Siege of Genesis (Scenario 26 The Legend Begins) and what the Welkin King had said to him nine months prior.

Exiting the library, Jahin takes leave of Kratemaqht, warning him to stay alert as he possesses on one of the Elemental crystals. The dragon acknowledges Jahin's advice.

Jahin's army then marches northwards and encounters a village of Minotaurs and orders to slaughter every single one of them. In the aftermath, Jahin is unsure of why he had ordered a genocide, but dismisses the fact and resumes the northern march. After a fortnight, he arrives in the midst of a battle being fought between Mahir and an of Faria's elementals and Brishti's Windsong. Mahir deems the battle a reunion before sending his nightmares at Jahin. Jahin's army retaliates and forces Mahir to flee. Jahin, Faria, and Brishti convene and Brishti manages to cure Gioviel from her trance. Gioviel decides to aid Jahin and Faria. The Welkin King then arrives and reveals Vaddyn's location: at Argea's southern peninsula. Jahin and Brishti are sent to finish off Vaddyn, whereas Faria and Gioviel are sent westwards to deal with another necromancer who had forged an alliance with the Minotaurs.

Jahin and Brishti arrive at a crossroads, guarded by a coalition of orcs, goblins, ogres, trolls, and minotaurs, during their journey through the mountains. A battle is fought in which Jahin and the Windsong prevail. Afterwards, they decide to take a route each and Jahin leads his armies through the plains, encountering renegade orcs. Jahin's armies evades the barbarians and eventually see the edge of a vast forest.

Jahin and his army arrive at the entrance of a vast forest (Forest of Nightmares) and as there is no way around it, they decide to go through it, encountering many bizarre creatures that Jahin recognises as the nightmares and aberrations he had fought years ago. Jahin meets a young girl, Meleon, who is lost and is looking for her home. Jahin takes her to her home and then Jahin is ambushed by Nightmares and he gets separated from the group. During his solo exploration, the scary ambience compels Jahin to enter a nearby cave and Jahin stumbles upon a shield (the shield is actually enchanted with dark magic). Jahin finds that the nightmares keep away from the shield and Jahin decides to use it to escape from the cave. (Unbeknownst to Jahin, the second part of Vaddyn's prophecy had taken fruition: the shield would slowly corrupt Jahin) Jahin reunites with his army and then orders to resume the march.

They arrive at the Southern Peninsula of Argea and a battle takes place between Vaddyn and Jahin's armies. The tides turn as Brishti's Windsong join the battle. Jahin prevails, losing many of his veterans. Vaddyn teleports away, vowing to obtain the Black Emerald from Jahin.

Jahin and his army decide to wait for Gioviel and Faria who arrive a month later after conquering the necromancer. The Welkin King then arrives and tells Jahin to return home as Kaliban had laid siege on New Genesis. Faria is journey towards the Far South to defeat a cult of fire elementalists. Before embarking on his next sky voyage, Jahin and Faria have a private conversation: Jahin, remembering what Faria had said to him 40 years ago, states that he and Faria are better off as friends and Faria replies with approval, despite feeling depressed . Brishti and her Windsong return to the Foundation and Gioviel, Katib, and Snigdho accompany Jahin.

Four months later, Jahin arrives at New Genesis and sees that the city has already repelled a considerable number of undead legions. Just at that moment, an undead messenger arrives with Kaliban's challenge of a death match. Jahin accepts and meets Kaliban at the former location of the Legion's capital a fortnight later. The match ends with Jahin slaying Kaliban, but Mahir arrives and blasts Jahin with an energy blast and takes the Dark Emerald, stating that he has all the pieces he needs now (Kratemaqht is killed by Mahir ).

Jahin is severely injured, but his wounds are non-fatal. Thus, he is brought back to New Genesis and is placed under the intensive care or Sreeyoshee and Gioviel. Jahin remains in a coma for nine months.

53-56 YW:

After nine months of being unconscious, Jahin finally awakens and on that very day, New Genesis is attacked by a strong force of Elementals and Undead under the command of a mage. Jahin deceptively defeats the mage by hacking away his limbs, beheading him as a finishing touch, surprising his friends.

When asked about his bloodlust, Jahin replies that he was not even sure why he ended up doing that. However, he then states that since the war had finally begun, he had to show no mercy to his enemies for he knew that he would receive none in return. The Welkin King arrives a month later and instructs Jahin to ready his army for the Second Elemental War that was taking place at Argea as the Welkin King had used the last of his power to focus the entire battle at that continent to keep the rest of world safe and unaware (which is why Wesnothian / Eltirean / Eventide / Lintair / Wesmere / Knalgan / Triththian lore never had any records of a second catastrophic war | the accounts of the first one were never found, assumed to be destroyed). The Welkin King adds that he had also place enchantments over the already affected areas on Irdya, erasing the memories on many beings to hide the truth and avoid panic. After providing Jahin with the necessary instructions and information about the forcefield that surrounds Argea, the Welkin King enters a state of hibernation to regain the energy which he had lost.
Thus, Jahin gathers his allies - the Minotaurs and Elves - and begins preparations for the war. Over the course of three months, flying galleons are manufactured, weapons are made, soldiers are armed, new tactics are engineered, and eventually the entirety of the Alliance of Light embarks towards Argea.

Four months later, the Alliance arrives at the northern shores of Argea as per the instructions. Jahin meets the rest of the Welkin King's followers: the Celestials, the Windsong, Faria, Order of the Clerics and the Orders of Air and Earth. The Alliance of Irdya is formed. The alliance leaders elect Jahin as their Supreme Commander. The combined alliance then begin the southern advance: dividing into two armies - Jahin, Elves, Gioviel, the Windsong and the Minotaurs form one army and the Celestials, Faria, the Elemental Mages constitute the other. Jahin leads his army directly into a battle against the Order of Fire, conquering fire elementals, dragons, drakes and eventually decimates the entire order. Jahin's allies feel uneasy around him and Gioviel and Brishti suspect that something is wrong with Jahin, but keep quiet.

Jahin then arrives at Mahir's territory and the battle between the two brothers begin once more. Mahir calls forth the elements, undead, nightmare, but he is defeated in the end. Jahin seizes the Sceptre and breaks it. He smashes the Magenta Octahedron, however, he takes the Black Emerald for himself. Jahin places the Emerald on his shield and that results in fulfilment in Vaddyn's prophecy: the dark magic corrupts Jahin and his army infinitely, only Gioviel and the Windsong are left unaffected. Mahir, seeing that the new Jahin, might kill him for good, teleports away, mortally wounded (Mahir becomes a lich later). Brishti decides that Jahin needs to be cured and tries to stop Jahin, but Gioviel stops her and states that they need the White Sapphire to cure him. Gioviel convinces Jahin to rest at the southern peninsula for a few days, as his army is exhausted from the persistent battles.

Galec, Brishti and Rharcyn, having more-able soldiers, decide to disperse in the north, northwest, and northeast directions and eliminate anymore threats present. Before leaving, Brishti instructs Gioviel to keep a close eye on Jahin.

A month later, Gioviel feels that the forcefield has vanished, indicating the war had been won. Jahin decides to remain at his present location and await the return of his allies.

Episode One Ends...

E P I S O D E T W O: (The Steelhive Invasion)

During their sojourn at the Southern Peninsula, Jahin and Gioviel are attacked by a strong swarm of metallic creatures. Jahin and his army repel them, but Jahin grows curious of these new adversaries and perceives them as a threat and takes his army northwestwards.

Jahin, Snigdho, Katib and Gioviel follow the trail of the Steelhive invaders and reach the entrance of a subterranean cavern. Jahin sends scouts and he finds that the cavern is literally spitting out those metallic abominations. Jahin decides that something must be done. He has Gioviel send out messengers to his allies, ordering them to converge towards the region of suspected activity. Jahin then has his army attack the cavern and Gioviel is successful in collapsing the entrance with her magic.

Jahin is not entirely convinced that the enemy had been taken care off and thus, Snigdho sends out scouts to find any alternate means of accessing the mountains. A week later, a bat finds a partially collapsed passage and Jahin then takes his army through it. They are immediately beset by the Steelhive and they fight their way through the ranks, eventually reaching the central chamber. Jahin sees the Steelhive Queen and orders her to be executed. A lengthy confrontation commences which ends with Snigdho and Gioviel combining their powers to kill the Queen. The rest of the Steelhive scatter through the various tunnels. Jahin then orders his army to examine the cavern and finds a map of Irdya, showing the location of five more hives: two of which are at Arkenova (One is at the Silver Lands, the others are at the Farthest North, another landmass and at the Far South). Jahin's allies (Brishti, Rharcyn, and Galec) eventually arrive at the Central Chamber, having cleared out the rest of the Steelhive remnants.

Jahin then addresses the issue of a possible invasion by the Steelhive: Brishti and her Windsong decide to leave Argea in order to notify her superiors of the unfolding events and warn of the impending attack by the Steelhive (the hive is somewhere on the same landmass as the Windsong Foundation); Galec and Rharcyn decide to return to Arkenova and prepare for battle against the Steelhive there and Jahin decides to return home and prepare for battle as well.

As soon as they exit from the cavern, they are met with the remainder of the allies. The Celestial Seraph suspects that Jahin has been corrupted due to exposure to the Black Emerald and orders him to destroy it. Jahin refuses, stating that they need it to combat another threat. The Alliance of Irdya is dissolved and the a battle takes place. In the aftermath, the Orders of Air, Earth and the Clerics (I have no clue where the Order of Water might reside, but they are somewhere in Irdya) are eradicated ; Jahin beheads the Celestial Seraph; Faria is captured and Jahin orders her execution; but Gioviel allows her to flee. Jahin and the rest then begin preparations to leave Argea, which is now a devastated wasteland with no signs of life, apart for the Forest of Nightmares.

Four months later, the allies return to New Genesis and Jahin begins assembling an army to combat the Steelhive threat, however, his preparations are left incomplete as the Steelhive launch the first attack(s). New metallic models are encountered by the Alliance of Light: robotic 'imps' and mechanical 'knights'. Jahin repels the attacks on New Genesis and prepares for a retaliation. Jahin takes his army southwards and encounters the entrance to the hive.

Gioviel, during Jahin's absence, receives a scroll from a Windsong Seeker on recreating the White Sapphire. She, Ashhab and Sreeyoshee start to gather the necessary ingredients for the spell. Gioviel also places an order for a shield that is an exact replica to Jahin's at the Dwarven Weapon-smithery at New Genesis.

Jahin and his army use aggressive tactics to breach the hive and make their way into the Realm of Fire, where they find a Steelhive Queen infused with fire magic and resembling a mechanical dragon . They defeat the Queen and find the schematics of a super hive at an unknown landmass somewhere between Argea and the Great Continent. Jahin orders his soldiers to destroy the remains of the hive and then they return to New Genesis. Jahin sends messengers to Galec and Rharcyn to prepare their armies for the battle against the final hive at Arkenova, built at the former kingdom of Jalin.

Two months later, the allies converge on the Second Steelhive at Arkenova. Jahin and his army are forced to withdraw due to the overwhelming number of robots. Jahin and the rest regroup and are reinforced by Brishti and her Windsong. Now with greater strength, the allies launch a combine assault on the hive. They are successful at destroying it, however the Hive Queen escapes at the last moment.

Jahin urges his allies to pursue the creature, however, Brishti manages to convince Jahin to take his army towards a new continent where he is desperately needed. Jahin and his allies return to their respective cities. One month later, Jahin embarks on his next journey in a well-provisioned flying galleon.

Eight months later, Jahin sets foot on the Silver Lands and a Silver Drake emissary meets them and a week later, Jahin finds himself at the throne room of the Fire King. Fire King informs Jahin that the Welkin King had entrusted him to guide Jahin through the next phase of the campaign. Jahin is sent to destroy the Steelhive Lair alongside General Rah Ihn Mar (the legend who met his end at the hands of Basilisk himself). Jahin and Rah Ihn Mar are successful at eliminating the Lair. Rah Ihn Maar and Fire King acknowledge Jahin as 'drake-friend' and Jahin embarks towards the south, to destroy the last Hive on the Great Continent.

During Jahin's southward voyage, Gioviel, Sreeyoshee, and Bristhi manage to recreate the White Sapphire and place it on the replicated shield. Brishti takes it and she and Gioviel arrive at the Far South meeting Jahin in time for the final battle against the Steelhive. During their march, they face off against a lich who introduces himself as Mahir. Jahin and Mahir battle and eventually reach a stalemate and Mahir withdraws. Jahin then persists towards the Hive and destroys it, by killing the Yeti-like Queen.

Jahin then returns to New Genesis with Gioviel (To be continued from here...)


E P I S O D E T H R E E (Great Strife) - Events of the Era of Strife to take place.

1282 YW:

Please feel free to express your thoughts and suggestions on improvement . I shall not be checking this before the 10th of June since my IAL AS exams are not finished yet. Until then, Happy Typing !