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Scenario 1
Goddamn impudent wenches!

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In its long history, the continent El Sallia has been a dark land marked by endless battle. Fighter, a young swordsman, has been travelling its countryside with his friend, Hein, an apprentice magician he met on his journeys. Their long travels have led them to the outskirts of Hein's home town, where the travellers decided decided to seek rest at the inn.

Village life was quiet and peaceful. Amidst a sea of smiling faces, the weary travellers found respite from the wars ravaging El Sallia. Days rolled into nights and passed on quite quickly, and Fighter began to enjoy the quiet life of a villager. Then one day, Hein suddenly burst into the inn, his face stricken pake as a ghost's.
The Imperial Knights of the Rayguard Empire had disrupted the village on imperial command, seeking only a girl named Liana.

None knew why the knights, known throughout the land for their honour and righteousness, would now attack such a peaceful village. Fighter and Hein left the inn together to rescue Liana.









Welcome to the pre-mission deployment screen! Here we can select one of our commanders and choose to Hire Troops, change/buy/sell their Equipment and choose their Placement. In this map their placement is predetermined and you can't alter it.



Thanks to the choice to make Fighter a Pirate, he can hire Mermaids (they are not clearly Mermen) who are stronger, faster but more expensive than normal Soldiers who are the default unit for most classes. They are also terrible for this map due to the lack of water tiles. Hein can only hire a max of 3 soldiers, whilst Fighter can hire 5 troopers thanks to your quiz answers.



Here's the equipment screen for Fighter, you can choose to buy items at a shop at the start of each map as well as selling any old items you don't need anymore. Our currency is Gold P or gold pieces and we start off with 500P, enough for 2 daggers, 1 buckler, 5 soldiers for Fighter and 3 for Hein.



As you can see, Fighter is swamped in soldiers and Hein's just chilling with his trio of bros down below. We can't change their placement for this map, so this is it. Also, Fighter looks pretty bitchin' as a Pirate - just look at that feather headband.



And now we begin by choosing to Sortie. Axes high!



Every time you complete a mission and begin one, you get the option to save, which is very useful if you're like me and waste 10mins tweaking your party of 6+ commanders only to get Erwin cheapshotted by some mage towards the end of a stage.







Does a girl named Liana live in this house?

Y, yes ...



General Leon! The girl we were assigned to bring in is here!







You are probably right...
Hurry up, Baldo! If the Salrath Army shows up, this could get messy.

Understood!







A detachment of knights from the Rayguard Empire is invading the village!

What ...!? It looks like they are only attacking the outskirts!
Isn't that where you said your childhood friend lives?

That is right! She must already be in terrible danger!
Will you lend me a hand?

Yes, of course. Let's go!



Here's the map (sorry for the quality, wrong hero - a leftover from my test playthrough and cursor remnants - these will be much better done in future), as you can see we're in the south and Leon & Laird are up north - we do not want to mess with them, they are tier 2 and 3 respectively and will wreck our shit if we try anything funny.

That isn't to say they are unbeatable (I just recently managed the feat) but fortunately, they won't be focusing on us for reasons soon to be revealed, so we can focus on our target objective - killing Baldo and rescuing Liana in the west. Baldo will retreat to the south if you let him, but fortunately you are almost guaranteed to cross paths. And with all maps, if Fighter dies, it's an immediate game over. And that's all for game mechanics discussion until I can do an in-depth standalone update next time.



So here's our basic menu when selecting a unit - where we can choose to Move a unit, Move and attack, Attack an adjacent square (or more for ranged units), cast a Magic spell, Rally (which heals your commander by 3HP & 2MP) and give the AI Orders. I will never use Orders because allowing the AI to control your troops is just lazy and usually results in an ineffective or woefully flawed strategy and really defeats the point of being an armchair commander.



Here are Hein's spell list - Hein can Magic Arrow 1 character for 1 damage at range, useful for picking off stragglers as for Fighter? Fighter has no such need for such feeble magicks, all that can be attained in battle is by the point of a blade.



Here we can see the range of Hein's Magic Arrow, a whopping 5 squares! However, characters can only cast spells at the start of their turn and cannot move, so they kinda need that range for the most part.



So, we move our forces north and prepare to engage the unit attempting to secure Baldo's retreat whilst Fighter engages in common JRPG behaviour and heads straight to the dresser in a stranger's house for looting. Godspeed, gentleman.



Last thing of note, the menu - here you can Save your current status, Load a save, check the Objectives again, change any Options and the most important End Phase which ends the current turn, which we shall now do.







This is , the generic commander. His only noteworthy trait? Dude is a total Leon fanboy.

Nobody was supposed to discover our actions here.

Do not needlessly shed the blood of innocents.
We have not come today to commit murder.

Your duty is to arrange for Baldo's safe retreat!

Yes, Sir!



I ask you come with us quietly to the Imperial Capital. No one needs to be harmed.

Wh, what ... do you want with me?

I apologise for the suddenness of our arrival. I am Leon, the commander of the Rayguard Empire's Blue Dragon Knights.
I was sent to retrieve you.

Me ...?

His Majesty, the great Kaiser Bernhardt, waits for you at the Imperial Capital.
I shall be your escort.

Do you promise you will leave the villagers alone if I follow quietly?



I have no intention of further shaming ourselves by killing defenceless people.
However, those who would bear arms against us shall forfeit this assurance of safety.

I understand... Then under these conditions I will follow you.

I am sorry for all this ... Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Come on, get over here!

Ouch! I'll follow, but please do not pull so roughly!



Damn it all! The things I have to put up with on these missions...

This marks our first curse of the game - I'll keep a counter going - CC: 3 (damn x 2, wench)

Well then, let us take her back to headquarters.
However ... Baldo, you would do well to be polite to her.

Yes, Sir--! I will take care from now on.





General Leon! The local militia has come!

How quickly ... But it matters not. Continue the mission as planned!

You dare to mock us!? I will make you regret ever violating our village's peace!

*sigh* Such foolishness...

Baldo's retreat appears to be secure!

I've never had such a mission as this before.
A soldier of war... witnessed here abducting a girl... what a disgrace.

Please do not let it get to you, General. For me, it's a great honour just serve under your command.

I appreciate your words, but don't get careless now.



Understood!

And all they do is move north towards the river to block off that bridge.





The Imperial Knights are here to kidnap Liana!

Why would Rayguard go through so much trouble for just one girl ...?
There is not time to think about that now. We have to hurry and help her!

When Hein strikes first blood on

You damned Imperials! Get out of this village! (CC: 4)

I won't go down so easily!

Fighter's men follow up for our first kill.





So without too much, basically our units are equal but Hein's & 's get a boost because their men are nearby them, still even without the boost Fighter's men are always up to task.



I decide to play defensively, as I really really don't want to lose any units ever... bloody Fire Emblem...

Evanze, let's go!





*sigh* A mission without swordplay is just ever so dull...
Maybe I can have some fun with the young ladies over there!

Stop it! You promised you would not hurt any of them!

Shut up, bitch! (CC: 5)
Now that we have you under arrest, that "promise" is meaningless! Ha ha ha!
Hey, you! Move it! You are in my way!

Eeek! Help me!

Baldo, wait! You are forbidden to act without orders!



We got lucky, he can totally kill her in one go - that prick.



How cruel! How can you do such a thing?

Shut up, you bitch! Or would you like a taste too? (CC: 6)

Stop it! You reckless fool!
I issued an order that all troops operating under my command are to refrain from such useless slaughter!
I will not repeat myself again! Anyone disobeying my commands is unnecessary to this operation,

Yes, Sir... I'm sorry, General.







So Baldo moves south-east towards us, that civilian recovers 3 HP and the local militia move to block up the bridge. Similarly, Leon and Laird continue north towards the bridge. Turn 2 ends.







And don't be arrogant! On the battlefield, you won't survive if you are not cool-headed.

You can't fight well if you are wounded.
Try to place the units under your command directly around yourself.
Your men will recover some of their physical strength each turn.
Value your men's lives as though they were your own.

I understand.





So here we are at the start of Turn 3, Fighter can finally loot that house and our troops aren't too worse for wear.









Whoop whoop whoop! Now Fighter can hurt even more things on his own!









However, the battle rages on with Hein getting a kill and Fighter's men getting 2 more. And so turn 3 ends.



Let's go, little girl! Hurry up and follow me!

Keep going, General!

Be careful, Laird. The enemy units wield spears.

I'll pierce through their ranks with a wave-patterned attack, then target their commander.

Do your best.

You dare attack spearmen with cavalry...? Are you mocking me!?

Pathetic! More than spears are needed to turn the Blue Dragon Knights!

Oh, really...? Then Sir, allow me to test your boast!









It's kinda even though more in Laird's favour and once Leon gets into the fray, well that's all she wrote. Here's how far Laird managed to penetrate their lines with his 'wave-patterned' attack.



This image is from post-turn 6 as I lost my original one from this turn but in any case we can see there's been a good effort by our foes and we can see that they have opened up a gap straight to Ridel, who as a fighter type (Lord is an evolved Fighter) who is vulnerable to horses. If he goes down then there goes the entire unit! Also you may wonder what about Evanze and her monks - can't they help? They can help by not fighting and forming cannon fodder shields for Ridel's spearmen to recover behind which of course, the computer would never do - too much in its blood. Plus Evanze can cast Heal 1 every turn, to give Ridel a chance for survival... but not victory.







Hein lines up a Magic Arrow...







And we gang up on and kill . Rest in peace.



Here's the level up screen and yes, unlike Fire Emblem, all your level ups are pre-determined by your class. Hence this horrid empty level.



We end turn 4 with our forces scattered but having emerged victorious from our first true test of mettle.



Turn 5 is all about regrouping and hoping Leon & Laird don't kill Ridel, who is maintaining a decent defensive posture - he's taken out two of Laird's men.



Turn 6 is about recovering from the battles prior and seeing Baldo enter our range. Ridel heals up as well and Leon wastes a turn casting a spell that does nothing to expedite their battle. It begins soon...







When Hein moves in to strike...





Shit! You impertinent asshole! I'll see you dead for that! (CC: 8)



I end the turn without pressing my luck, as Baldo outnumbers Hein's troops and I do NOT want any of them being killed by that human refuse. Turn 7 is over.





Ridel continues surviving like a champ and Evanze tops him up as usual.
Liana moves next to Fighter and this exchange occurs.





Turn 8 begins and it is glorious. For you see, Baldo's AI prioritizes getting to the southern exit over killing full health dudes (though it'll kill low health dudes and focus on healing itself) and walks straight into my pincer trap.



Hein and Fighter work in unison to topple this garbage and his men, and when Fighter's men strike true...

That is far enough!

You bastard... You're going to die for getting on my nerves! (CC: 9)

Oh no! Stay back! Just forget about me and escape!
Why should those who have nothing to do with me suffer as well?

Wait for me! I will rescue you no matter what.





I bet if you're a Fire Emblem player, you'd be clawing your eyes out and cursing the RNG gods at this stage.







So we've taken out most of Baldo's men and I don't think I can kill his last soldier and him without ending the turn and thus letting Ridel get killed by L&L. So, I go for plan B... the one you've all been waiting for - The Fighter Solution.









Yes, Sir!

We must leave immediately and escort the girl ourselves. She must be brought to the Imperial Capital without fail.

Yes, Sir!



Reinforcements have arrived~





It's the local Lord's army!

Enemy reinforcements have arrived!

What horrible timing... We have no choice but to retreat for now!

As you command, Sir.

Lady Liana... We shall be returning to finish this.










It seems to be over...

Thank you for helping me, Sir swordsman. I am Liana, a priestess from the Shrine of Light. What is your name?

My name is Fighter. I am on an aimless journey.

Lord Fighter, my most sincere thanks to you. I know not if I was worth your rescue effort, but I really do appreciate it...

You really don't have to say such things. Anyway, are you hurt?

No, I'm all right. I should be the one asking you, Lord Fighter, if you have been injured--

I'm fine, Lady Liana. You needn't call me "Lord Fighter."
I've never been much for formality. Just call me Fighter.

Well then, you can call me Liana.

You were amazing out there, Fighter!

Hein, I want to thank you for your help, too.

Well, everyone, I'm glad to hear that none of you were harmed. But it's too soon to rest easy.
The Knights will surely return to finish what they began. You'll have to take refuge with me in Salrath for your own sake as well as that of the villagers.

His Lordship is right. Let us depart immediately.

Wait a moment! I am sorry I wasn't able to provide better support...

Dude, you nearly died! Think about Evanze before you get saved at the last possible second in future. She's totally pregnant!

Err... (I need to talk to Evanze after this...) In any case, I was not of great use to you, Sir Fighter.

That's not true. We could never have won if you hadn't drawn the cavalry's attention.

Your words are very kind, good Sir Fighter. I know not what to say. Please take this with you as a token of my gratitude.

--Fighter was handed 100P--

Thank you, I appreciate it.

The world is a dangerous place. It's always better to have some extra money.

I guess so...

Well then, let's be on our way. It's getting dark, and my stomach is already growling!

Hein...! *cue freeze frame and laugh track*

I shall guide you to our manor.

If you don't manage to save Ridel and/or Evanze, then that dialogue is just skipped over.




Was Liana really the target of the Blue Dragon Knights today? The Knights are said to be the strongest force of the Rayguard Empire.
Why is Liana so important to them...? Why did I go out of my way to rescue her from the Imperials?
Is she... important to me?







I can't help think that something terrible has begun... It's a strange feeling...

I'm sorry... You were so brave out there today. Fighter, you treat me as though we've known each other for many years.
Were my father still alive, I'm sure he would be as kind and strong as you, Fighter. Ah... what am I saying...!? ( this is a terrible pick up attempt, Liana)

I apologise for saying such strange things...

I don't mind... Up until now, your life has been difficult, hasn't it? I heard of your childhood from Hein.

Yes... As a baby, I was abandoned on the steps of the village shrine. The priest there raised me in my parents' stead. Because of his kindness and warmth, I never felt lonely or sad.

I see...

Fighter... Why do you travel the country? If it's all right, I'd like to know.

My journeys have neither reason nor purpose. Both my parents died when I was very young. After that, I was raised by a man named Doren.
He was my guardian and mentor. He was brilliant, and he saw fit to teach me many things. His instruction in swordplay was most rigorous.
With his death... I am... free.

"Free"? I don't understand...

Since Doren... passed on... I have been alone in the world. Now, I wander the land searching for his slayer.

Is that so...? I'm sorry for rousing such terrible memories.

It's okay, I don't mind. The night is half-over. You should return to your chamber and rest. We'll be departing early in the morning.

Good night... Sir Fighter.







I get that this is to fill you in and reiterate key points so far as well as the whole love interest thing, but to me it just feels ham-fisted and clumsy in its execution. Not to say its all bad or completely unnecessary, I just feel it could have used some more polish. Also, hopefully by now you've noted the translators love of '...', and it only gets worse from here on.

Neo Holy War (guitar cover) - courtesy of EagerSleeper.



Here is the Spoils of War screen, which will cycle through all the enemies you or your allies killed (as in reduced to 0 HP, not defeated by killing just their commander) and show you how many of your troops survived (though really its to rub it in your face if you lose men... good men ). You get money for winning a mission and for killing enemy units. Explaining the calculations behind this can wait till next time.



Lastly, we can save in-between scenarios and really that is all for Scenario 1! Join us next time for an ambush!