Hi folks! I have begun writing my campaign, A Song of Fire, but since it's my first, I'm with a few doubts about its storyline; so I'd like to hear your opinions on how it is, how could I improve it, whether it is too detailed etc. Any comments are much appreciated!
Some background information first...
Central/Eastern Great Continent; Kingdom of Garet-Desh, largest city of the Aragwaith people, which was built on a large meadow where many other smaller cities and villages also thrive. To the northwest of the Aragwaith Meadows is the sacred city of Hiera’Shirsha, the seat of the Windsong Witches but also the place where the Great Council of the Free Peoples, the Kalian, gathers; and which is ruled by the High Ascendant Maat. Hiera’Shirsha is a very remote settlement, built on the highest peaks of the Windy Mountains range which marks the Aragwaithi’s western and north-western frontiers. In fact, the Windy Mountains – where the Great River is formed – is home to many races: in its bowels live trolls and dwarves of the Aigathol clan, on the mountain slopes ogres are often found; and in the woods permeating the mountains, a handful of elvish enclaves thrived, serving as links between the Aragwaithi and the elves from Lintanir, far to the west of the Windy Mountains.
Part 1: The Last War
Introduction
“Of the countless tales sung by the bards and recorded in the scrolls of sages, there is one which, for all its importance, fell into complete oblivion across the ages passed since its origin. It is a tale of civilizations, heroes and heroines from a long-gone aeon: it tells of King Abhai III of Garet-Desh, the owner of the fabled Rod of Justice; of the great dragon Shek’har, father of Shek’kahan and Krahkrahs; of High Ascendant Maat, goddess amongst humans; of the Aragwaithi people, once paramount amongst the humans of the Great Continent… And of how the Ruby of Fire, the fateful gem that shaped the histories of so many kingdoms, was formed.
But it is also the tale of an unlikely heroine, a young woman from the mysterious Order of the Windsong called Myra. Daughter of an Aragwaith woman and a man from the eastern steppes, she spent most of her childhood in a small village in the Aragwaith Meadows. Her life there was never happy, for she was often bullied by other villagers due to her mixed heritage and to her mother being single. When the latter died, the young Myra fled the place, venturing into the Southern Wilderness – and she would have been killed by wild beasts or nomadic saurian bands, hadn’t Maat found her. The High Ascendant adopted the girl as her own daughter, and took her to Hiera’Shirsha, the great city of the Windsong in the Windy Mountains, to become one of them. And there Myra finally felt at home: she wasn’t discriminated like in her birth village, for most people in Hiera’Shirsha came from various backgrounds – the all-female Windsong Order filled its ranks with orphan girls from other lands –, and she was admired by her peers for her potentially great and mysterious powers, which allowed her to communicate with and control spirits of nature.
Myra’s life amongst the Windsong was indeed happy and calm, but alas, it was not to last forever. The first sign of change came when Maat suddenly left Hiera’Shirsha towards the faraway Lone Pinnacle, where she used to meditate. Before leaving, she asked King Abhai III – her close friend – to send some troops to the Windy Mountains, for she feared some dark deed was on the way. A few weeks passed, but nothing else happened; and in the Valley of Hashir, Myra anxiously waited for her foster-mother’s return while studying as the pupil of Lashimi, headmistress of the Windsong haven – or school – in the region. And it is there that our tale begins, with the onset of what would be known as the Last War…
1 - Rain of Fire
Lashimi: And so we come to another peaceful day… I know it is Lady Maat’s order, but the presence of all these Aragwaithi here is beginning to bother me.
Myra: Why, Headmistress?
Lashimi: Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? They’ve been far from their homes and wives for three weeks now, alone in this isolated valley with dozens of young women… They may be Lord Abhai’s trusted soldiers, but they’re still men after all!
Myra: Well, in truth I think the students are kind of enjoying their presence…
Lashimi: What do you… Wait, what is that column of smoke rising in the distance? And why is that soldier running as if ogres were on his heels?
Soldier: (panting) Headmistress… Dragons… were sighted… in the mountains to… the northwest…
Lashimi: (shocked) Dragons?! But… Is it possible that another dragon has gone rogue and decided to attack us, like Krathon did years ago?
Myra: If so, I’m really not worried; I can see them now, and they’re quite puny for dragons.
Lashimi: It’s because they’re drakes, not dragons! Now things begin to make more sense: not all drake tribes are under Lord Agniballi’s control, and some even dare harass us, or the Aragwaithi. (shouting) You, drake warrior! You may have heard the Windsong were a peaceful order composed of women, and thought us an easy prey, but know that armies larger than yours have already attacked us, and that none of them has survived to tell the tale!
Drake Leader: (roaring) Onwards warriors, if we sweep this valley quickly enough we won’t have to share the witches’ soft meat with the others!
Lashimi: He didn’t even heed me, the impudent! But for what he says, his is not the only band attacking the mountains; we must defeat it quickly so that we may flee. However, I’m afraid that even if we put every student in this haven to aid the Aragwaithi soldiers, we won’t be able to withstand these drakes… I need you to summon your pets to help us in this battle, Myra.
Myra: You mean the elementals? But you told me to stop summoning them…
Lashimi: I know I told you so, but now forget it! I need you to unleash them on the drakes, or we’ll all die before sunset!
Myra: All right, I get it. I’m going to the forest to call them…
(Myra goes to the woods and sets a camp there, but before she can summon the first spirit, Veela appears)
Veela: Erm, Miss Myra…?
Myra: (sighing)*not her again…* What do you want now, blondie?
Veela: I heard we’re being attacked by dragons, is that true?
Myra: No, we’re being attacked by drakes, and probably we’ll all have to fight, so go quickly to the sanctum, that Headmistress is rallying the soldiers and the students to fight these invaders.
Veela: Erm, if you don’t mind, I’d rather stay with you… I mean, not to hide myself behind you, of course, but fight alongside you.
Myra: (eyes rolling) Believe me, you’d be better off fighting under Headmistress’ leadership, I’ll only lead you to your death. And besides, you’ll just burden me.
Veela: But I really can help you! I have learned to use the Cipher of Immobility, with which I can slow down any enemy long enough for you to strike the deadly blow!
Lashimi: Just let her stay with you and summon your pets at once! Time is running!
Myra: (sighing angrily) So be it, blondie, you may fight with me…
(When Myra summons the first elemental)
Veela: I had never seen one of them so close… They’re very cool indeed! I doubt those overgrown lizards will stand a chance against them!
(When Myra kills using the Soul Bullet spell for the first time)
Veela: Wow! So this is the Soul Bullet I heard of so much! Please do tell me, how do you…
Myra: Veela, if you don’t shut up soon, I’ll show you that I too know how to cast a Cipher of Immobility!
(When the drake leader is defeated)
Drake Leader: We clearly underestimated you… But know that we’re but a small fingernail of Lord Shek’har’s full army…
Myra: Shek’har, I heard that name before…
Lashimi: Of course you have, he’s the Dragons’ Land’s viceroy, second only to Lord Agniballi himself. Can it be that he rebelled against Agniballi and decided to attack us on his own…?
Myra: Or maybe Agniballi himself decided to turn against us?
Lashimi: That can’t be, he’s been friendly with us for thousands of years! Why would he change his mind so abruptly? Well, this is a question for the Kalian; as for us, let’s not tarry here any longer, and hurry to Valon, which is better protected…
Myra: Why Valon? We should go to Hiera’Shirsha!
Lashimi: Those drakes came from the west, and if what that leader said about his army is true, Hiera’Shirsha is currently in great jeopardy. I want to go there too, and you shall come with me should you wish, but I must first ensure the safety of my students. Captain, will Valon grant us asylum?
Captain Allore: Most certainly, Headmistress.
Myra: If Hiera’Shirsha is in jeopardy, we should go to our comrades’ aid!
Lashimi: Myra, you may be Lady Maat’s daughter and our best student, but you must still obey your elders. I say we’re going east, to Valon, so east we shall go!
Myra: And you may be my superior, but Hiera’Shirsha’s still in danger, and needs help now! So west I shall go!
(She runs to a small woody pass that leads west, covered by her elementals)
Lashimi: Curse that girl! Honestly, I can’t understand why Lady Maat insists so much on keeping her, even if her potential power is so great! And that Aragwaith girl, Veela, could have proved her mastery of the Immobility Cipher and stopped Myra…
Student: Erm, Headmistress, I think she was too busy clinging herself to one of those plant elementals to cast the cipher…
Lashimi: Wh- Oh no, don’t tell me she followed Myra! And now what is that Veela has seen in that darn girl that she idolizes her so much?! I give up – Maat shall deal with her later, I’ve done all I could to put some sense in that head…
2 - A Common Cause
Veela: (panting) Have we… arrived…?
Myra: Do you see any bright walls on the top of any mountain? Of course we haven’t!
Veela: But we have been travelling for five days already, and you said Hiera’Shirsha was three days away from Hashir…
Myra: I… well, I think I took the wrong path.
Veela: So we’re lost?
Myra:…
Veela: I feared it would happen, these forests and mountains are so similar to each other, it’s hard to find a reference point.
Myra: Anyway, we may not have reached Hiera’Shirsha, but we haven’t gone anywhere either. Look, this valley is inhabited by trolls and dwarves, both allies of us Windsong.
Veela: I see, but they seem to be in trouble.
(They look over the valley, which is infested with drakes)
Myra: Drakes. Drakes everywhere.
Veela: Quickly, we must aid them!
(They charge at the drakes, and are seen by the trolls and the dwarves, who are also fighting each other)
Aiglur: Hey, aren’t those Windsong coming from the south?
Myra: Greetings, friends. I am Myra, daughter of High Ascendant Maat; I and my companion have fled from our haven at Hashir Valley, expelled by the same monsters that are attacking you now. May we jump in the party as well?
Aiglur: The daughter of the great Maat? Ye are more than welcome to help us, for we’re sorely beset!
Myra: I’ve noticed that, but then why don’t you ally with the trolls, just for the time being, given that you’re both being attacked by the same foe?
Groth: Hrumph! That is what I suggested, but those smelly, greedy dwarves would not have it so! They say we will let them take the brunt of the offensive and, when the battle is over, attack what is left of them!
Aiglur: And what else should we expect from brutish animals like ye?
Myra: Hey, friends, calm down and listen, please. If we remain divided like this, we’ll be crushed one by one. If it’s distrust that is preventing you from uniting, then allow me to serve as a mediator; and, if any side leaves the other helpless against the drakes, I shall turn against it myself.
Aiglur: Well, under these terms I think I can fight alongside those be… I mean, the trolls.
Groth: So says I… You are barely a girl, but you speak with intelligence and authority, young Myra.
Myra: (blushes slightly)
Aiglur: Onwards then, boys! Let it not be said that dwarves fought less than trolls in this battle!
Groth: Crush those lizards’ skulls, my warriors, so that their screams might be heard in the deepest caves of the dwarves!
Veela: (whispering) Good one! Now the trolls and the dwarves will compete for the highest body count… I quake for the drakes.
(After the drake leader is killed)
Groth: It was a very good battle, young Myra. Without your intervention, those invaders would have probably prevailed.
Aiglur: Aye, though I hate to admit it, the troll is right. Daughter of Maat, you paid us dwarves a great service today; I’d like to invite ye to meet King Auroghar, who I’m certain will be pleased to meet ye in person.
Myra: I deeply appreciate your offer, Aiglur, but I and my companion are in a hurry to reach our city of Hiera’Shirsha, which might be under attack in this very moment.
Aiglur: So I know how we can repay you! The surface paths to that city are certainly at the mercy of the fire lizards, but our caves are still intact; we can take you there through our tunnels in a couple of days.
Myra: If that is so, then I’m going with you to your capital.
Groth: I would take you there myself, but our tunnels lead to the east, far from Hiera’Shirsha.
Myra: It’s fine, Lord Groth; I hope we meet again another day, preferably at the celebration of our victory over the drake invaders.
Groth: So do us all…
3 - A Monstrous Help
Thus Myra and Veela, led by Aiglur, reached the capital city of the Aigathol dwarves. Used to the slender and airy Windsong architecture, they felt somewhat overwhelmed by the sturdy, rock-hard buildings of the cave-dwellers; but they were also marvelled at the beauty and complexity of the dwarvish craft. The king’s castle was surprisingly simple, with little embellishment, but it looked like a fortress capable of withstanding the heaviest and longest sieges. The dwarf king sat on his throne in a great room, flanked by his many children and the most trusted warriors; Aiglur bowed to him and introduced the Windsong girls. Myra had never met a king before, and so she felt quite awkward, but the kind smile the king gave her made the young woman feel much better.
Auroghar: Young Myra, fair Veela, be welcome to our ancient capital. Know that I have High Ascendant Maat as a dear friend, for she saved me and my people in the war against the cursed dragon Krathon, years ago; and so I shall be your friend.
Myra: We’re indeed honoured for visiting you and your great city, Lord Auroghar.
Auroghar: I recall Lady Maat warned me just a few weeks ago of a possible threat; however, because nothing else happened, I built but light defences in our caves’ main entrances. Now I see what she was talking about…
Myra: We were all surprised when we were first attacked by the drakes, my lord, and we’re still trying to understand what the reason of the attack is. Hopefully my mother’s already at Hiera’Shirsha, with the answers to our questions; also for that reason I and my companion are eager to reach our city.
Auroghar: I see. Well, after the help you gave my people at the Great Horn’s Valley, the least I can do is to give you safe-conduct to travel our caves towards Hiera’Shirsha! I’d lead you personally, so that I might meet Lady Maat again, but I must stay and prepare my men for the oncoming battles; thus, my son Balin, who knows these caves better than anyone else, shall lead you.
Myra: Thank you very much for aiding us, Lord Auroghar.
Auroghar: No, I thank you for helping in the defence of our Great Eastern Gate.
(Myra and Veela, led by Balin and escorted by some of his dwarvish warriors, travel throughout the tunnels)
Balin: Well, we now have just a couple of kilometres to the Great Northern Gate. Reaching it, you’ll see the mountain where Hiera’Shirsha stands, and the path towards it is clear and easy.
Veela: It’s fortunate that we’re close to our home; this trip through the caves is killing me. I was made for strolling around in the fields and woods, not for dwelling in caves…
Myra: Stop whining, blondie; you shouldn’t have come with me if you wanted comfort. Now, let’s reach the Great Northern Gate.
(They explore the caves for a while, until they find a saurian)
Balin: By the beard of Aigathol! What is that thing?
Myra: I think it’s a saurian. Oh no, that’s not good: saurians are allies of drakes, so if there are saurians here…
Balin: But damn it, we have no minor, undefended gates in this area, how did they enter our caves? Unless…
Myra:…they have entered through the Great Northern Gate. And if they did, it’s because Hiera’Shirsha… Folks, now we really must hurry. Let’s defeat these saurians and retake the northern gate!
Balin: Spoke my very thoughts! Let’s introduce these saurian things to our axes, boys!
(They fight the saurians, but then a new wave of them appears)
Saurian 1: Ssomething wrong here?
Saurian 2: Reinforcementss at last! There iss a sstrong dwarf force attacking uss!
Balin: Blast it, there are more of them coming from the outside!
Veela: There are too many of them! What will we do now, Myra?
Myra: Um, I think… Yes, I must try that…
Balin: Try what?
Myra: Just give me a few minutes, and you’ll see…
(Two turns later, giant cave spiders appear out of nowhere)
Balin: By Aigathol’s axe, what is happening?
Myra: Don’t attack them! I have lured and charmed them, they’re under my control now.
Veela: And they’re bringing friends, look at all those spiders!
Balin: Och, how do you do that, girl?
Myra: Just like I communicate with nature’s spirits, I can communicate with other animals and make them do my bidding. I’d never tried to lure so many gigantic animals at once before, though.
Veela: But you did a great job – as expected of you! Why was I even caring about being tired when I was alongside you…
Balin: (whispering to Myra) The fair-haired one really likes you, uh?
Myra: Be silent, Balin…
(After defeating the saurian leaders, they reach the Great Northern Gate)
Myra: Now, let’s go and see whatever is happening outside…
4 - Lightning Strike
After two days in the dark, cold underground, both the warm wind the blowing through the Great Northern Gate and the sunlight were more than welcome. However, the young Windsong couldn’t have expected to face a more horrendous sight: their familiar White Mountain, on which top the white-walled city of Hiera’Shirsha stood, had streams of blood running down its slopes; and the city itself was half-burned, besieged by a horde of drakes and saurians. Even from where they were, Myra and Veela could see their Windsong sisters fighting desperately the attackers, but there was no sign of Maat and her shining staff and trademark lightning bolts.
Assix: Burn Hiera’Shirsha, my ssoldierss, burn it to the ground and leave none alive!
M’lena: Hold your ground, Windsong! Countless times has our city been attacked, and countless times have our foes clashed uselessly against our walls! Our High Ascendant is on her way to help us, and her very sight shall scare away these fire-breathing barbarians!
Windsong Keeper: Look! Look at the Dwarven Gate! Lady Maat has arrived, and is bringing dwarvish reinforcements!
M’lena: No, wait, that’s not her… By the elementals, I think it’s Myra…
Windsong Keeper: It’s not the Ascendant…?
M’lena: No, but for now let’s content ourselves with her daughter – after all, Myra and her elementals are better than another drake battalion.
Myra: Balin, so this is the plan: hurry back to the caves and rally every dwarf warrior you can find. If Hiera’Shirsha’s falls, the morale of every free people in these realms will be severely weakened. Meanwhile, I shall help our sisters in the city’s defence.
Balin: Aye, Myra, I’ll be back in a blink… Sorry for not being able to help you immediately.
Veela: (sobbing) But Myra, they’re too many…
Myra: Get a hold of yourself, Veela! It’s a good thing there are many of them; thus we’ll be able to punish them more. Now, CHARGE!
(In the middle of the battle, Assix sneaks into the city and enters the Great Library)
M’lena: The enemy has invaded the Great Library! Someone kill him before he destroys our scrolls!
Myra: Damn the scrolls, we must protect our sisters!
M’lena: You don’t understand; nearly all the wisdom we’ve collected across the centuries is accumulated in that Library. If it’s destroyed, there’ll be no point in our order’s existence anymore!
Myra: All right, I’m going after him…
(She enters the Great Library with Veela and a few of her elementals)
Assix: Finally! Thiss iss the book I’ve been searching! Ah, our foess shall fall before uss one by one with the power this book will give uss!
Myra: Not if I blast you right here, you disgusting scaly monster!
Assix: Sso one of the little witchess cravess death so much she couldn’t wait until we returned to ssurface, and hass come down here… Let’s give her a tasste of ssaurian magic, my acolytes!
(Myra kills the saurians but for Assix, who manages to escape)
Assix: You, little witch… I shall not forget your face. You will pay me for crossing my path!
Myra: Then why don’t you come at me here and now, you reptilian COWARD? (Assix disappears, and the Library trembles) Hurry Veela, we must leave this place before it comes crumbling down!
(Back to the surface, Balin and his dwarvish reinforcements appear in the Great Northern Gate)
Myra: About time!
Balin: I went as fast as I could, but ye know, my legs are a bit short…
(A new drake horde appears from the west, led by the great dragon Shek’kahan)
M’lena: No!
Drake Warrior: Yes! Behold the Pride of Dragons’ Land, Shek’kahan son of Shek’har!
Shek’kahan: I have been given the honour of finishing the famous Hiera’Shirsha, the Jewel of the Continent! Advance, Children of Morogor, and consume our foes in your fires!
Myra: M’lena, it’s over now… We must save as many of our sisters as we can, and one day we may be able to rebuild our order…
M’lena: (crying) I have dedicated my whole life to this city… As did so many generations of good women, collecting the wisdom of Irdya and keeping it away from wrong hands… Only for all our work to be turned to ashes by these merciless monsters…
Myra: Do you think I don’t know what you’re feeling? This city was my only true home, the place where I found happiness again after my real mother’s death… It is lost now, but our sisters may yet live, so we must withdraw into the tunnels, where the dwarves shall cover us!
M’lena: You speak wisdom, like your mother… It is well, then: I charge you with leading the younger Windsong out of our crumbling city; I and the eldest amongst us shall delay the enemy as much as we can.
Myra: M’lena…!
M’lena: Go before it’s too late!
(Myra leads as many Windsong as she can towards the Great Northern Gate, covered by M’lena, the dwarves and her own elementals. She is the last to enter the tunnels; just before Balin closes the gates, Myra looks back at the crumbling city one last time)
Myra: Farewell, my home…
5 - Forest Ablaze
With the image of the crumbling Hiera’Shirsha still vivid in her mind, Myra followed Balin and his dwarves across another network of tunnels, leading the refugee Windsong. They were mostly girls as old as Veela, and few were those older than thirty years, but even these had acclaimed the twenty-three-years-old Myra as their leader. As they wandered the tunnels, she felt her heart ache every time she saw one of her sisters’ desolated faces and frightened eyes – but she also felt her resolve to lead them to safety strengthen.
At Myra’s request, Balin escorted them through the shortest way towards the Aragwaith Meadows. Such path led them to the Valley of Flowers, where one of the many elvish enclaves in the Windy Mountains stood. Balin was uncertain about whether the aloof elves would let them pass through their territory, but Myra was confident that the forest-dwellers would be comprehensive. As they reached the valley, however, the refugees saw that the elves were actually in need of their help…
Galyon: Stand strong, elves, and we shall vanquish these tree-killers!
Drake Leader: Burn everything, drakes! Without their precious forests, these skinny weaklings will be helpless!
Alenya: Marshal, look! There come the dwarves and the Windsong!
Galyon: Oh no, don’t tell they have decided to harass us just now…!
Myra: Greetings, elves. I could give you a speech on why we’re here and where we’re going, but I think we have more urgent matters at hand, don’t you agree?
Galyon: Well… Although it’s known to us that neither dwarves nor Windsong are much trustworthy, we must now leave our differences aside to face a common enemy, like we did in the war against Krathon. So yes, newcomers, your aid will be very appreciated.
Balin: Hrumph! Darn elves, acting all high and mighty even when having their asses handed on a plate…
Veela: (snickers)
(When the drakes are defeated)
Galyon: I thank you for your aid, friends. Until your arrival, I feared for the worse.
Alenya: You must be the daughter of the High Ascendant, am I right?
Veela: Exactly!
Galyon: I think I must retract what I said earlier about the Windsong… Hiera’Shirsha has remembered its old allies then?
Myra: Not really… We’re just refugees seeking protection with the Aragwaithi. Hiera’Shirsha has fallen.
Galyon: W-what? But… No, it cannot be! Was Lady Maat herself unable to hold off the dragon army?
Myra: My mother’s still away in her meditations. Hiera’Shirsha was being administered by the Librarian M’lena, and we were managing to hold off the invaders, until a great dragon called Shek’kahan appeared with another huge army, and we had to flee.
Alenya: No, not Shek’kahan! He is his father Shek’har’s right-hand dragon; if he has come here, then his father will soon follow. I think my mission to Garet-Desh has just become more urgent, Marshal.
Myra: Your mission?
Galyon: Alenya is a noblewoman from our kin who lives in Lintanir Forest, far to the west. She had originally come here to ask for Lady Maat’s help, for the dragons have launched a massive attack on the continent’s far west.
Alenya: However, as I travelled to this region, I saw the dragons and their drake and saurian subjects heading east as well. It seems that the Dragons’ Land has waged war on all peoples of the continent.
Veela: But… But what if all the humans, dwarves, elves and trolls unite against them? If we do, I’m sure we could defeat the dragons!
Alenya: That’s what I was thinking: to speak with High King Abhai and forge an alliance between the Aragwaithi and Lintanir. If we do, the elves from other far-western forests – such as Wesmere and Aethen – will follow us.
Myra: So we must not tarry here any longer. Let’s hurry to Garet-Desh!
Galyon: You go and escort Alenya; I shall stay here and block the advance of any other drake battalion that comes. This forest has been our home for ages, and we shall not give it up without a bloody fight.
Balin: (whispering) For an elf, he’s got quite the guts…
Myra: So be it. I wish you the best of luck.
6 - Council with the King
The rest of the trip was safe, for the drakes hadn’t penetrated so deep into the Windy Mountains – yet. Myra left the Windsong and the dwarves, all of whom were wounded and exhausted, in the Aragwaith city of Valyen, and then rushed towards Garet-Desh alongside Veela, Alenya, Balin and the quickest Windsong seekers. Once at the great human city, they requested an audience with King Abhai III, which they were denied, for he was already in a meeting with his son, his best general, some other human kings and High Ascendant Maat. Upon knowing her mother was there, Myra and her companions flew towards the palace, swiftly passing through the surprised sentries, and stormed into the king’s throne room.
Abhai: Wait, what is the meaning of this… Is that a dwarf?
Maat: Myra! (rushes towards her) You… Thanks Heavens, you’re alive!
Myra: Yes, of course I am… I just took a detour, hasn’t Headmistress Lashimi told you?
Maat: Lashimi… Oh dear, you don’t know yet…? Well, she and the other students of your haven were ambushed by saurians and drakes near Thelian’s Enclave. The elves went to their aid, but it was already too late…
Myra: Oh, no… No, no, no, no!
Abhai: How did you manage to cross the Windy Mountains unscathed?
Veela: We… Majesty, we went underground, guided by the dwarves, whom we helped defeat a drake vanguard. This is Balin, son of King Auroghar, who guided us.
Balin: Majesty, I know my presence here has not been requested, but I ask you to let me stay, to serve as my father’s representative.
Abhai: In that case, you are forgiven for storming into the throne room; we all definitely need to orchestrate well our moves, or we shall fall separately.
Maat: Myra, please tell me: is it true about Hiera’Shirsha…?
Myra: Yes… We arrived there as the city was besieged by a huge army, which we were almost defeating when another one led by the dragon Shek’kahan appeared. Librarian M’lena stayed behind with the other elders, to hold the enemies while I and the younger ones fled into the tunnels.
Varthan: If the strong Hiera’Shirsha has fallen so early, will we stand any chance against the dragons? And why are they attacking us now? I thought Lord Agniballi was friendly to us!
Maat: He is, as he has been for aeons, and for this reason I refuse to believe he has turned against us. No, there is someone else behind it: judging from what Myra told me about Shek’kahan, my guess is that Agniballi’s right-hand, Shek’har, is responsible for the dragons’ attack. Now the question is: why on Irdya has he rebelled against his own master…?
Alenya: Well, I expected that you, with your foresight, would be able to find this answer, High Ascendant.
Myra: And you watch out how you talk to my mother, elf!
Abhai: Peace, ladies. And you, elf, you haven’t identified yourself yet.
Alenya: Apologies, Lord Abhai. I am Alenya, daughter of Kalien, Lord of the Lintanir Elves in the far west, where we too are facing the dragons’ offensive.
Abhai: So the dragons are attacking the west and the centre of the Great Continent?
Alenya: Exactly. I was sent here to speak with the elf enclaves in the Windy Mountains, with you humans and with anyone else who’s friendly, to join forces with the western elves. Only then, says my father, we’ll be able to withstand our common foes.
Abhai: Your father speaks wisdom, princess, and know that I would ally with him, but I fear you won’t be able to deliver him my message; the roads to the west must be very dangerous by now.
Alenya: Indeed, I hadn’t expected the dragons to come east so soon… But I can send him a message through a messenger gryphon.
Varthan: It is well, but Lady Maat, with all due respect, you still haven’t answered the elf princess’ question. How come you haven’t seen the dragon attack?
Maat: I… I still don’t know. It has never happened to me before, but I think… I think that my foresight has been blocked somehow, by some being of incredible power.
Aragwaith King: Someone mightier than you? Is that even possible?
Maat: I don’t know… Maybe…
Abhai: Let it be clear, friends, that Lady Maat, in spite of her troubled vision, noticed some danger was looming. It was following her warn that we positioned sentries all around our Meadows, which will certainly protect us, at least temporarily.
Aracyn: So what do we do now?
Abhai: We must strengthen the Meadows’ defences, and then run to our neighbours in the mountains’ aid; the dwarves and the trolls should be able to protect their caves for a good while, but the elves are completely exposed to the drakes. Balin, I’d like you to send word to your father that he may count on the Aragwaithi; Lady Maat, I’d be honoured to shelter the surviving Windsong in my own city, should you wish.
Maat: Thank you, my friend…
(Later, still in Garet-Desh)
Myra: Mother…
Maat: Why… Just why couldn’t I sense such immense danger? What, or who are we facing…?
Myra: Mother, listen…
Maat: I was a fool, I shouldn’t have abandoned them, and now, they’re all dead…
Myra: Mother! Please stop blaming yourself! You have always given your best for our sisters, you have dedicated your whole life for them, shed your blood for them! As for the one who blocked your foresight… Well, haven’t yourself once told me that ‘one day, regardless of how mighty we are, we are bound to find someone stronger’? A horrible thing has happened, but we must not lose control now, or everything will definitely be hopeless!
Maat: Ah, Myra, how I envy your real mother for birthing such a wonderful girl… You are right; I should not be wasting my time babbling self-deprecations, but planning our next moves. Now, you must rest and visit the healers; the last days must have been extremely harsh for you…
Myra: No, I’m fine, actually, don’t worry.
Maat: Still, go rest for a while, you deserve it. I, by my turn, must arrange for our sisters’ arrival and living in Garet-Desh.
(Maat goes away, leaving Myra alone in the courtyard. Then, Veela appears, bringing a young man with her)
Veela: Myra, look! This nobleman wants to talk with you!
Jevyan: I told you, I’m no nobleman.
Myra: A word of advice: give up trying to convince this blondie otherwise, it’ll be a waste of your time. But is it true you want to talk with me?
Jevyan: Yes. I am Jevyan, son of Captain Aracyn. You may not have seen me, but I was there at the meeting. I deeply lament what happened to your fellow students, but if I may say, you did well following your own heart. The elders tend to be wiser, but they often overestimate us youngsters’ cleverness and choices – the fact that you stand here while your Headmistress – lamentably – doesn’t proves my point.
Myra: Thanks, but I really don’t care about it now; all I want is to find a soft bed to throw myself upon and rest.
Jevyan: I understand. Have a nice sleep then; if you need to know anything about our city and customs, you can ask me, and I may even guide you…
Myra: I do know your customs; I’m half-Aragwaith, in case you didn’t know.
Jevyan: Oh, really…? Well, pardon my foolishness, I thought…
Myra: It’s all right, see? Now I really must go and sleep for a while; Heaven knows when I’ll have such time to spare for a nap again…
7 - Rise of the Dragons
And Myra was right: a day after her arrival at Garet-Desh, the great city was visited by a drake glider, who was but bringing a message from Shek’har himself to King Abhai, inviting him for a field meeting in the new dragon base on the ruins of Hiera’Shirsha. And he, for both Varthan and Aracyn’s dismay, accepted it, deeming it a good opportunity to understand what was happening – and maybe even talk about a truce. In the following morning, he gathered some of his soldiers and left Garet-Desh. Aracyn and Maat accompanied him, as did Myra, Jevyan, Veela, Alenya and Balin – the two first following their respective parents, Balin seeking more information to transmit to his father, and Veela and Alenya both following Myra – the elf claimed she was interested in her powers, and wanted to know more about them. On the way, they met the troll chieftain, Groth, who charged some of his best warriors to escort the king’s retinue. Two days later, travelling through burned forests and scorched strips of earth, they finally spotted the great mountain where Hiera’Shirsha once stood, and which was now swarming with drakes and saurians, their roars echoing in the surrounding valleys.
Myra – just like Maat and Veela – felt her heart ache at the sight of their beloved home’s ruins; but her sadness was replaced by awe when she saw the monumental shadow of Shek’har, the greatest living dragon after Agniballi himself, loom in the distance. He landed at a good distance from his own base, all by himself; unwilling to look distrustful or cowardly, King Abhai and Maat stepped forward to confront the dragon…
Shek’har: Lord Abhai, Lady Maat, I’m very pleased to see you have accepted my invitation. It heartens me to learn that not all humans are puny, cowardly little pests.
Abhai: You greet us with harsh words, dragon. Was this what you invited us for, to insult us?
Shek’har: Oh no, certainly not! Forgive my impudence, I got a little bit carried away… In fact, the reason for which I wanted to meet you is that I thought I owed you some explanations on why I have turned against you so suddenly.
Maat: Indeed you owe! Tell us, why has Lord Agniballi thrown away the age-long truce between your people and all other intelligent peoples of Irdya?
Shek’har: Lord Agniballi is no longer in the world of the living, High Ascendant.
Maat: W-what… Don’t tell me he’s…
Shek’har: Yes, he’s dead, overcome and succeeded by an even mightier dragon, one who’s truly worthy of being our ruler, one who does not serve the interests of inferior races; a King who will usher his people into a new Golden Age!
Abhai: But… I have always heard that no dragon was even close to being as powerful as Agniballi…
Shek’har: Ah, puny human king, one could fill a Library as great as Hiera’Shirsha’s will all things you ignore…
Aracyn: And you should wash your fetid mouth before even spelling Lord Abhai’s name, lizard!
Abhai: Aracyn, silence from you. Shek’har, everyone in Irdya acknowledges the might of the dragons; but you should know that, if all the elves, humans, dwarves and trolls in this world unite against you, even with all your power, you shall not prevail. This is something that even I, a “puny human king”, know.
Maat: Shek’har, tell me… Is this dragon who killed Agniballi the legendary Sky Dragon?
Shek’har: You… (roars loudly) Even if I answered your question, Ascendant, the information would not be of any use to you, for you shall be dead shortly. (flies away) My brothers of fire! Before us stand the paramount leader of the humans, as well as their precious sorceress, she of far-reaching fame, High Ascendant Maat! But they’re overwhelmingly outnumbered, and on our side we have the Warden of Earth, whose power eclipses Maat’s like the sun’s light eclipses that of the brightest of stars! So, fall on them, and leave no survivors! Today we shall avenge the death of our brother Krathon!
Abhai: As I expected, they treacherously try to kill us… Maat, are you sure you want to try it?
Maat: I am. If they do have the Sky Dragon on their side – which I now think is very likely – I might end up in trouble, but I don’t think we’ll have Shek’har within our reach again so soon, and thus we must kill him here and now; his death would trouble the dragons’ campaign here in the east, which would give us some extra time to mount a solid alliance with elves, dwarves, trolls and anyone else who may join us. I will kill Shek’har, but I’ll need the Aragwaithi, the trolls, the dwarves and the elementals to cover me as I get nearer to him.
(The battle begins; still in the first turn, Assix starts summoning undead skeletons)
Shek’har: Yes, Assix, show them our new weapon!
Aracyn: What on Irdya are those things?!
Maat: Curse them! They must have stolen the Book of the Dead, and learned the arts of Necromancy!
Myra: *Book of the Dead? Can it be the tome I saw with that lizard Assix?*
Aracyn: Can you translate it please?
Maat: Dead bodies filled with dark magic to do the necromancer’s bidding. Your soldiers’ weapons will be of little use against them; they are weak against Windsong or elven magic, but the only ones here are myself, Myra, Veela and Alenya…
Balin: Pah! They look frail enough to me. I’m sure our hammers – and the trolls’ clubs – can do short work of them. C’mon boys, let’s introduce those old bone piles to our axes!
(Maat finally reaches Shek’har, and severely injures him. As she’s about to strike the deadly blow, however, she suddenly falls down, screaming and grabbing her head in pain)
Myra: Mother!
Abhai: No… MAAT! What has happened to her?!
Alenya: Could it be the same being that blocked her foresight is pinning her down…?
Myra: Who cares?! I’m going for her, please cover me!
Shek’har: Cursed be this Ascendant… But I’m not losing the opportunity to taste her flesh; I just need to recover for a while, and then I shall crush her where she stands. I don’t want anyone else laying a claw on her! She’s mine!
(Myra fights her way to Maat; as she seizes her mother, she summons some earth elementals to cover her)
Shek’har: No! Don’t let them escape!
(Myra gets back to her camp)
Abhai: Lady Maat is safe, but has no conditions of fighting any further. Without her, there is nothing else we can do here; we must retreat.
Balin: The Great Northern Gate is close by, we’ll be safe once we get inside the dwarves’ tunnels. Come, I’ll show you the way.
8 - The Kalian of Garet-Desh
With the dwarves’ aid, King Abhai and his retinue returned to the Aragwaith Meadows without more incidents. Once there, he invited every human, dwarf, troll and elf leader in the realm to a Kalian – or Great Council – at Garet-Desh, to plan the counter-attack on Shek’har.
Maat mysteriously returned to normal as soon as she had entered the caves, but only at Garet-Desh did she fully recover from the incident. She claimed that at least one good thing had resulted from the skirmish: that she now knew who their main enemy was, though she refused to explain it better before the Kalian. Two days later, the great human city received all the invited leaders, who gathered at King Abhai’s palace…
Abhai: So, Lady Maat, could you better explain us who is this Sky Dragon that is plotting the dragons’ attack?
Maat: First, I must tell you an ancient tale, so ancient that nowadays only a few sages know it. It tells of the High Dragons.
‘Thousands of years ago, the dragons were the supreme rulers of this planet; no other race could match their power and wit. However, they used their might to tyrannize other races, and with their fires, they promoted great devastation.
Seeing this, a group of beings known only as the Ancient Ones chose a dragon whose compassion for weaker being made him stand out, and imbued him with immense power – but changing his element from fire to water. Thus the High Dragon of Water, Nitiballi, was born; he stopped the dragons’ rampage and saved the world’s nature. However, he exceeded himself, and threatened to bring an end to the dragons themselves. Not willing to destroy any of Irdya’s races, the Ancient Ones chose another dragon, one whose honour and dedication for his own people was widely famous, and imbued him with peerless might, allowing him to retain his original element. Thus Agniballi, the High Dragon of Fire, was born, and he battled Nitiballi in a great battle which, as expected, ended in stalemate.
Finally, to make sure any of those mighty dragons would topple the other, the Ancient Ones themselves created a third dragon, giving him not only a strong sense of justice, but also a power far greater than that of Agniballi and Nitiballi together; and commissioned him to watch over them, making sure nature remained balanced. This third dragon was Svarballi, the High Dragon of the Sky. Afterwards, the Ancient Ones disappeared; some say they had decided to leave the world thriving on its own, and withdrew to wherever they’d come from.
For a long time, Irdya was in peace under the constant watch of Svarballi, and nature started rebuilding itself. The Sky Dragon fulfilled his duty well, and maintained order in the world. However, he grew increasingly harsher, and started to do anything to maintain the order; ultimately, he concluded that life was bound to be self-destructive, and decided that it was no longer worthwhile to protect it. Thus he went on a rampage all over Irdya, destroying vast extensions of land and killing thousands.
Agniballi and Nitiballi did not stay idle before that, and united to stop the Sky Dragon’s insanity; but Svarballi was far mightier than them, and easily overwhelmed his foes. It was then that Nitiballi was possessed by an unimaginably strong power, which nearly matched that of Svarballi himself, and soon Agniballi was taken by the same force. In the ensuing cataclysmic battle which devastated much of Irdya, the Sky Dragon was finally vanquished. However, for some reason he wasn’t killed: instead, his soul was sealed in a secret place.
Svarballi was defeated, but the nature was deeply affected. In order to save it, Nitiballi unleashed a constant stream of magic water that gradually spread all over the world, reviving the soils and the plants, restoring the nature to its former state. Unfortunately, though, the effort was too great for Nitiballi, who died shortly later – but his crystallized body kept unleashing an endless stream of life water: he became the Fountain of Life. This is the Legend of the High Dragons’
Abhai: So… So you mean the Sky Dragon you mentioned is this Svarballi, whose might was far superior to the late Lord Agniballi’s?
Tindël: If such is our enemy’s strength, we will never possibly prevail!
King Thrandyl: You shall pardon me, High Ascendant, but I refuse to believe your words! It’s unconceivable that our foe is so superior to us!
Maat: Your belief will not change the truth, Lord Thrandyl. But despair not, for I think I know the key to defeating Svarballi – either by killing or by sealing him again. This key is my foster-daughter, Myra.
Myra: Wha- Mother, that’s not funny!
Maat: I’m not jesting, daughter. I… I think I have never told you everything concerning the day I found you in the Wilderness, when you were but a child. And for this, I apologize…
Abhai: But please, Lady, tell us how this young and brave woman can help us defeat the legendary dragon.
Maat: I found her by accident certain afternoon, during one of my “meditation wanderings”, in the tunnels of certain mountain. She told me she had been there for weeks, and when questioned about her means of survival, she claimed she had been just drinking water from a fountain she’d found in a deeper cave. I went to investigate, and I fell on my knees when I saw a great sapphire-like, dragon-shaped statue from which a massive water flow sprouted. When I detected the faint, but notable healing energy that emanated from the waters, I had no doubt that that was the Fountain of Life. Even then I guessed that consuming and bathing in those waters for so long would have some effect on Myra, and I was proved right years later, when she showed her affinity with the nature’s spirits by summoning her first elemental.
Myra: So I have… the High Dragon of Water’s power in me? But how does this explain…
Maat: …Your affinity with nature? Simple: it is because Nitiballi too had a strong bound with the nature’s spirits, or so the legends claim.
Abhai: Then Myra has the power to defeat the Sky Dragon?!
Maat: Not quite; what I think is that she may learn the true secret of Svarballi’s defeat from the spirits of nature themselves. I also guess – and my guesses tend to be correct, as you must know by now – that she’ll better communicate with them at the Fountain of Life, which still is impregnated with nature’s arcane energy.
Groth: Then young Myra must make haste and find this Fountain! I shall choose a hundred of my finest warriors to escort you if necessary, to crush anyone who dare lay a finger on you!
Tindël: And my druids shall keep you healthy during your entire journey!
Aracyn: And my horsemen shall take you swiftly to your goal!
Myra: (blushing) Well, I… I am truly grateful for your kind offers, but methinks a large retinue will be too noticeable. I think my elementals are enough to protect me – though I’d really appreciate it if you came along, Balin…
Veela: !!!
Myra: …and you too, Veela.
Balin: Och, I am sorry for not being able to follow you, my friend; I must return home and take the news of this Kalian to my father.
Myra: It’s fine, I understand.
Alenya: Erm, if you didn’t mind, I’d like to come along with you as well…
Myra: And why would you risk yourself following someone you’ve just met?
Alenya: Because… I am as interested as anyone else here in defeating the dragons, and my arcane arts shall come in hand if we come across magic monsters. Besides, I know well both medicinal and edible herbs, and you’ll need them as you cross the Wilderness.
Maat: She is right, daughter; please think well about it.
Myra: Well, if that is so, then you may follow me.
Jevyan: AND you would certainly need speed for the journey; I could lead a division of horsemen if my father the captain and Lord Abhai allowed me to.
Aracyn: You are no commander, Jevyan; your cousin Ravyan would be more fitting for such task… Though I appreciate your initiative, and will allow you to escort Lady Myra if Lord Abhai gives his approval.
Abhai: Which is given – to both bright Ravyan and bold Jevyan.
Jevyan: *Father only wants Ravyan to watch over me...* I am gleeful for such honour, milord.
Maat: Then we must not waste any time: we must prepare the men for the journey and set out as soon as possible!
Abhai: And it shall be so. Myra, Veela, Balin, Alenya and Jevyan are allowed to leave immediately, to begin preparations; but I still have some points to discuss with the other lords, and so the Kalian of Garet-Desh continues.
Maat: (whispering) Go and start suiting yourself for the journey. I’m telling you the mountain where the Fountain of Life is later; it’s not that I don’t trust the other lords, but I wouldn’t have the fountain’s whereabouts divulged to so many people.
Myra: I understand it, but… How am I supposed to communicate with the spirits? I mean, I can control them, but not dialog with them…
Maat: You will know it when the time comes. I’m sure you will.
If you enjoyed A Song of Fire, War of the Jewel, Aria of the Dragon-Slayer and Soldier of Wesnoth, you may like my new project: Star of Chaos, a science-fiction mystery/adventure intended to be a trilogy ;-)
Thanks for taking the time to read it
Well, at first I'm coding it myself, though I must still learn how to do it; and I can't do it now, since I'm studying for a very important exam. But any help with the coding would be extremely welcome
If you enjoyed A Song of Fire, War of the Jewel, Aria of the Dragon-Slayer and Soldier of Wesnoth, you may like my new project: Star of Chaos, a science-fiction mystery/adventure intended to be a trilogy ;-)
Well, if you need help, just ask. Or if you want me to code it for you, I will. But first I want to finish a campaign I'm working on. PM me if you want help for anything! I'll be happy to invest time in this campaign!
But if your going to code it your self (which is what I would suggest, its good to learn) I would suggest copying one of the default campaigns and editing it to your needs. It's a good way to get familiar with WML.
Lord Kata
Coder, Roller coaster enthusiast, king of the world... I'm looking to hire artists for my campaign. If interested, please PM me.
a very engaging story!
when converting to campaign scenarios, are the dialogues going to be broken up into events throughout each scenario? otherwise they seem too long as intro sequences.
(edit) oops i see that there are triggered breaks in the dialogues. it wasnt obvious to me at first glance
Yes, most of them will appear as the scenario is played
PS.: Lord_Kata, I tried to PM you but couldn't, a message appeared saying you'd disabled the option for receiving them.
If you enjoyed A Song of Fire, War of the Jewel, Aria of the Dragon-Slayer and Soldier of Wesnoth, you may like my new project: Star of Chaos, a science-fiction mystery/adventure intended to be a trilogy ;-)
If you enjoyed A Song of Fire, War of the Jewel, Aria of the Dragon-Slayer and Soldier of Wesnoth, you may like my new project: Star of Chaos, a science-fiction mystery/adventure intended to be a trilogy ;-)
A couple more; firstly, you may want to check your places against this map:http://postimage.org/image/xp4wgedlx/ which is a near comprehensive mapping of Wesnoth canon, and some UMC.
I would like to point out that the Ka'lian is a distinctly elvish entity; this is a problem I myself encountered when attempting to create a campaign based in relatively the same area as yours, though set long before. Perhaps you might consider re-locating your council to Mhregost by the Lins-Elens? I too have a campaign involving such a council, that I am slowly, but steadily working at, perhaps we could link them?
Also, there are in fact two Aragwaithi races, Turin's and Shadowmasters; of which are they a part of ( I assume Shadowmasters) and how does your history relate to their history? Perhaps these Aragwaithi should instead be a different race that does not contradict canon and semi-canon so heavily? Wesnoth flourishes on innovation as well as adherence to accepted history.
High over valleys in the red levelling rays -
In din of crowded streets, going among the years, the faces,
May I still meet my memory in so lonely a place
Between the streams and the red clouds, hearing the curlews, Hearing the horizons endure.
I must admit I didn't know this map before; you see, although I've been playing Wesnoth for years, I only started playing UMC some 2 months ago
Now, about the Kalian, the Aragwaithi and the location: the Kalian (and not Ka'lian) is not the elven council; it's an Aragwaithi version of it. I remember I read the Aragwaithi have been influenced by elvish culture, and so I thought it'd make sense that they had adopted some elvish names and customs. And this Kalian is that of Hiera'Shirsha, which is originally (very briefly) mentioned by Abhai, that ghost from Northern Rebirth - who, by the way, is not the ghost of King Abhai III, but of one of his ancestors.
The Aragwaithi in my story, by their turn, are very ancient ones, from the time they were at their apogee. After that, they'd isolate themselves in a distant land - hence the reason no one knows them when they reapper in WEsnoth's time. Also, this isolation would help preserve their culture practically unchanged during all that time, and so the Aragwaithi as the Wesnothians know them would be almost the same as the ones from the Aragwaithi Meadows. Moreover, I'm familiar with Shadowmaster's Aragwaithi, but where can I learn more about Turin's?
And the location... Seeing this map, I'd set my campaign to the east of that eastern lake with an island in the middle - it is essential that the story is placed far from the western regions, and closer to the Great Continent's eastern shores; I'd have to change the part in which I say the Great River is born in the Windy Mountains, though...
If you enjoyed A Song of Fire, War of the Jewel, Aria of the Dragon-Slayer and Soldier of Wesnoth, you may like my new project: Star of Chaos, a science-fiction mystery/adventure intended to be a trilogy ;-)
Turin's Aragwaithi aren't Turin's, exactly, but a version of the Aragwaiti have long been part of the Feudal Era (a currently unavailable era set in the world of the Imperial Era). Since they're set in a completely different universe, these Aragwaithi have their own origin and backstory, but unless you're interest in making a Feudal Era campaign you can probably ignore them for your purposes.
EDIT: Looking at your project now...since you're dealing with Wesnoth lore and artifacts that don't exist in our little mirror universe, you can just ignore the Feudal Aragwaithi completely, I suspect. The units are the same anyway.
And on that topic, Temuchin, you can rest happy in the knowledge that I don't think the Feudal Era is that far away from a re-release. I'm pretty confident that I've dealt with almost all the gamebreaking bugs now, and am now looking at fixing some of the niggling annoying ones. It will be nice not to have a barrage of error messages every time I boot up multiplayer.
Talking about these different versions of the Aragwaithi, I have remembered something else I wanted to know: would it be wrong if I use factions from different eras - for example, Wargs and Minotaurs - in my campaign? Also, is there already a campaign dealing with the origins of vampires? They'd appear later in my campaign, and I plan on giving them a brief origin story, but I don't want this to clash with any other origin story that may already exist...
If you enjoyed A Song of Fire, War of the Jewel, Aria of the Dragon-Slayer and Soldier of Wesnoth, you may like my new project: Star of Chaos, a science-fiction mystery/adventure intended to be a trilogy ;-)
