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Scenario 2
Solo Fighter Challenge
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Really translators? Couldn't do 'Leaving for Safety' or 'Escape to the Estool' or 'Ambush in the North'?!
Also, I've gotta show off the little world map animations next time - they're little swords clashing and a flag where you've beaten a scenario before.
By a stroke of good fortune, Fighter rescued Liana from her would-be kidnappers, the Imperial Knights. However, with Rayguard forces still in pursuit, Loren, Lord of Salrath, concluded it impossible to defend in his remote lands. After a night of consideration, Estool, a shrine where Liana served as shrine maiden, was selected as the safest hiding place.
When dawn broke, Fighter and Loren set out to escort Liana along the road to Estool. However, unwilling to relent in their pursuit, an imperial detachment led by Leon and Laird awaited them at the crossroads...
It's pre-deployment time again and specifically, this is the Placement of commanders which enables you to put any commander in a pre-determined position - denoted by the flag. In our case, we have 3 commanders to deploy - Fighter, Hein & Scott (he joins us at the start of this mission). Scott is a Lv. 2 Knight and can hire Troopers but isn't quite up to scratch... yet.
Here I buy Scott a Dagger (AT+1) and Scott & Hein a Cloak (DF+1), cause I have the cash due to the challenge.
These are our arrayed forces, with Scott in the trees, Hein and Fighter in the middle guard position, Liana to the north and Loren in the rearguard.
Here's a much higher quality map compared to last time (though still some minor issues getting it perfect and as usual, cursor remnants) - as we can see there's alot of open space to the north but clearly an ambush lies in wait, whilst Leon & Laird push from the south. A very clever maneuver to be sure but Fighter has overcome much worse as a Pirate. And now let's Sortie!
Though I am Lord of Salrath, even my forces cannot stand against the Rayguard Empire.
To pursue Liana, the Empire must have some special plans for her.
Recently, it has been invading every neighbouring kingdom that does not submit to the Kaiser's will...
Indeed... There must be more to their ambitions than first apparent.
Perhaps, if Liana were guarded within Estool's Shrine of Light, their efforts would be stymied.
You're right! The great shrine priest can surely help us.
I'm sorry, everyone. It seems I become an ever greater burden.
Please don't think like that. It's not your fault.
The journey to Estool is far too dangerous for you to undertake alone, Liana.
I'm more and more curious as to why the Empire is after you...
And with that purpose, it appears my "aimless journey" is no longer so aimless.
Everyone... thank you so much.
Well then, father, I shall take leave of you now.
This is a great opportunity to apply your education, young Scott. Study well and use what I have taught you to aid Fighter and his companions.
Fighter, I entrust you with Liana's safety. Scott, please look after her on the road to Estool.
As you order, father.
All right! Let's be off!
What the...?! It seems we have some unexpected guests...
What...? It's the Blue Dragon Knights!
We, the Blue Dragon Knights, are charged with obtaining custody of Lady Liana.
By edict of the Kaiser, if you value yours lives, do not interfere in our mission!
...
Liana! Pay them no mind!
Hein is right! There's no reason for you to acquiesce to the demands of those Imperials!
Knights of the Empire, you are trespassers in my territory! Your forces have no business intervening here.
Leave the way you came!
I'm afraid we cannot do that, Lord Loren. You leave us no choice!
Knights, we will take Liana by force!
Fighter, I will stay here and cut off their path. Take Lady Liana north along this road. It leads to Estool.
Do not worry about me! You can't waste any more time.
I don't know how long I can hold them off, so hurry!
Can I really protect Liana...?
Here you can tell Liana what to do, since she and her unit are NPCs for this map. Her default behaviour is to run north to the stage exit but we want BLOOD 
, so we tell her to follow us instead - the game will check again if you want to do this, which of course we do.
However, what I just learnt for the first time was that Liana can follow other PCs like Hein or Scott with more dialogue but none of it's really great or anything. Anyway, the Fighter way is to keep our friends close and our enemies within axe-to-face range. And we get this short bit from Fighter & Liana.
Liana, you'll be safe at my side.
Are you sure? Thank you... Fighter.
No matter the trouble, I'll defend you with my life! Don't leave my side!
Okay!
Here is Loren's stats - he's a High Lord or an evolved Lord (Ridel) and has with him a group of Pikemen who are the basic Spearmen unit.
And this is Liana's stats, she's a Sister which means she can heal bods and deals more damage to the undead though that isn't relevant here as she'll avoid combat as best she can. She also doesn't heal you as often as I would like at all.
This is Laird's stats - he's a Highlander - tier 3 Cavalry and has a respectable cohort of Lancers, whilst in this map Leon doesn't really matter so we won't look at his stats just yet.
When Fighter strikes first...
Here I come!
When you first select Scott...
Unfortunately, we are no match for the Imperials with our current manpower. I will hold the line. Please hurry down the road to Estool.
And that's our turn over - I move Scott & Hein above Fighter so that they may bask in his glory. Turn 1 over.
I will take care of their commander. The rest of you, after the girl!
Yes, Sir!
When attacks...
You dare to interfere!? Then prepare to meet a swift end!
Due to the boosts Loren is giving his men, they are defensively stronger compared to - even with his affinity advantage, so they'll be around for some time I hope. The rest move up and the other Fighter attacks a Pikeman with the same results.
General Leon! Villages in the Empire's borderlands are under attack!
Monsters are inflicting heavy causalities on the villagers!
What!? Then my home town could be in danger...!
If I don't return to defend them... No, that's too horrible...
Yes, Sir! General, will you be all right by yourself?
I can deal with the monsters on my own. You are to complete our mission here!
Understood, Sir!
Leon and leave the battlefield.
We are acting under Imperial orders! This is your last warning. Do not get in our way!
I will not allow you to do as you wish! At all costs, I will stop you!
Don't be a fool! How can you hold back all our forces alone?
Consider this carefully. Don't throw your life away!
I cannot back down! While I live, you will not capture that girl!
Even if you are the Imperial Blue Dragon Knights, I will not be easily bested!
Gotta say, doing this LP has reminded me of what a badass Loren is as well as the fact he uses words like 'stymied' too!
Similar words have been spoken by those who lie dead and buried.
If death is the only way, then have at you!
Okay!
This is said regardless of whether you're retreating or not.
Here's our current battlefield, with the two s trying to press Loren and failing, and with Laird bringing up the rear. Plan of action? Keep smashing.
Fighter strikes again and I use Hein & Scott to plug up some gaps in Loren's line, as self-defence is out of my control - though honestly the AI probably won't attack them due to Scott's affinity advantage and Hein being too strong for the normal Soldiers. Turn 2 ends.
I'm surprised they still used Evil Enemy here, as Leon's theme I feel applies to Laird as well.
It's payback time!
When Loren attacks:
How dreadful! I cannot permit Imperial scum to roam freely in my lands!
KSing! Nah, it's cool - we may miss out on EXP but we still get P at the end of the mission for that kill. As long as he doesn't take out the s...
Even Laird himself can't take out a full health Pikeman without taking some damage in return.
Much the same can be said of his Lancers who actually lose in a head-on charge against a Pikeman.
It can increase the attack power of one of your hired units for one turn.
Of course! You won't find me a fool when it comes to support magic.
Except I don't actually know that spell...
Also Scott is wrong, from my recollection,Attack1/2 ups the attack of every unit under a specific commander - only if you cast it on yourself does it only affect your hired units. And when Fighter goes straight for the jugular of those weakened Lancers:
It will take more than that to stop us! We'll defend Liana to the end!
You'll regret not listening to us obediently.
Oh really now, Laird? Also Level Up for Fighter but no gains, so meh. Turn 3 ends.
Loren continues being awesome.
His men follow his example. And even follow up by obliterating a Soldier outside of's CR. Though they lose another Pikeman to a cowardly Soldier attack and Laird follows up with another.
Here's the current state of the battlefield - it's a bit more of a mess, though s are not touching us at all, leaving us free to pick them off. Now Laird is an annoyance but should be controllable for the most part now that he's lost all his Lancers. Clobbering time continues.
I move Scott and Hein south to try to give Loren more of a line and end Turn 4.
Loren takes out another Soldier and shores up his line alongside Fighter - very good strategic move AI!
Eeek!
Liana! Are you all right?
I, I think so...
Everyone! We must protect Liana!
After that, Laird attacked one Loren's Pikemen but failed to kill it and we are now in this situation.
I decide it's time to start moving onward, since Laird will eventually beat Loren's men and Loren himself, so I start targeting .
It goes quite well.
Shit! They are too strong-! (CC:10)
And here's how Turn 5 ends.
They're tougher than I thought! Don't let her get away!
Laird decides to attack a full hp Pikeman and it doesn't die, so we continue killing units. I know some of you might argue it goes against the ethos of a Solo Fighter run but regardless I've decided to utilize Hein to Magic Arrow Laird, since a. it won't kill him since he'll just heal up and b. I do want to save Loren. Or a Fireball - same difference as both deal 1 damage to him and it means I can show off another spell animation. If you want to complain or chew me out, I can take that but I'd rather (and hopefully you would to) get Fighter a cool new toy to play with and that good feeling inside.
Anyway, this time I broke the gif into two (since it was over 2mb, so we have the casting animation here and you can link to the resultant attack animation.
On-field animation of Hein's Fireball
Fighter continues his rampage but is going to focus on commander units for the foreseeable future. I move Scott to run interference with the enemy's lines.
Turn 6 ends with little fanfare and the enemy does nothing but make themselves vulnerable. Laird heals up - my strategy is working! Hein throws in another Fireball for good measure. Fighter moves in for the kill.
(CC:11)
Two s down - now what of that ambush? Also, it's canon - that was the original from Scenario 1, Lushiris bless you as you were a true Imperial hero 
Oh shit! It's an ambush! (CC:12)
I'll slow them down! You must break through! Don't let them harm Liana!
Level up! DF+1 MP+1
So killing the last non-Laird commander, spawned in reinforcements which would have also done so if we crossed the river and so Turn 7 ends. Laird kills a weakened Pikeman, the enemy reinforcements move south and we arrive at Turn 8.
Now the race to the exit and secret tiles for Scott & Fighter begins in earnest! Turn 8 fin.
We are now within range to strike next turn. Hein continues buying us time to save Loren. Turn 9 over.
All that happens is Laird heals and the forces continue moving south. We elect not to do violence this turn for an important strategical gain. For you see, I know these reinforcements prioritize Liana's unit over others whilst Liana prioritizes sticking next to Fighter thus potentially creating a gap in the enemy's lines.
The attack on Monk goes worse then I think that "Fighter" expected. I can mop him up next turn, so no worries. Laird attacks another full HP Pike thus sparing the weakened but recovering one - this is a good trend for Hein & Loren's delaying action. My strategy appears to be going smoothly.
EAT IT! Ahem, 1 more to go and we're home free. Scott and Hein continue their own individual missions and Turn 11 ends on a high note. Laird heals and the last enemy force moves down within range of Liana.
Hein keeps up the valiant effort, Liana regroups around Fighter and Scott moves to bypass the enemy troops and make a break for the secret tile up north-west - it's pretty obvious where it is if you check the map (hint: check that forest in the top-left corner). Turn 12 over.
Sadly, we are unable to strike true at the commander, so I settle for a Pikeman.
I really want to get to Lv 10 soon, so I can show off Class Changing! Also Hein did his thing and Scott continues on his epic quest. As for Laird? He failed to kill another Pike unit, so those 2 units are by Lushiris, some of the best survivors this side of Ridel.
Why did I agree to this...? Am I a MasochistMonotoneMorgan? In any case, that's another one down and I believe I got the position right for the commander to expose himself next turn plus there's that +20% TA for being on a forest tile. Liana flees north, Scott reachs the bridge and Hein does what Hein does. Turn 14 over.
Just as planned. I think that's all of them, so it's an easy breeze to the finish, thank Lushiris.
Oh, shit! Even more Imperial reinforcements...! (CC:13)
FUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK - I had honestly forgotten about them!
Someone is coming!
You bastard! Mind your own business or die by my blade! (CC:14)
I was just passing through, but I'll help you against the Imperial Army. Hey redhead! Let me give you a piece of advice. You need to keep your cool - and stop being so reckless!
NEVER! FIGHTER KEEPS NO COOLS BECAUSE RECKLESS IS HIS MIDDLE NAME! I LIKE SWORDS! FF1!
Who is this guy and where did he come from...? He doesn't seem to be one of the Imperials...
Another empty level up for Fighter but now that Rohga's here I can finally draw enemy attention towards him and use him as cannon fodder. YAY! Also, here is Rohga's stats, he's kinda like Fighter - more offence-oriented.
When a unit crosses the bridge:
You're doing well! Keep heading down the road!
When Rohga finally gets his turn:
Those guys looks like they'll be entertaining.
Rohga heads west and Turn 15 is over. Unfortunately, nothing much of import happens on Turn 16 as Laird still can't catch a break - though Hein has run out of MP, so bugger. Rohga goes on the offence and gets attacked in return - they manage kill his vulnerable soldier and he quips:
I fucking finally get Fighter to the other secret tile!
You notice strange fruits scattered about beneath it. Do you want to taste one? Yes
A surge of power flows through your body! AT raised by 1 point!
Scott continues towards the other secret tile, Liana heads north, Hein recovers MP and Rohga moves to engage.
Rohga's attack is basically the same as Fighter but with a sword instead of an axe. Still bloody powerful though.
In fact, his whole unit goes on the offence and does a fair amount of damage - another kill, got the commander down to 4HP & a soldier down to 1HP. The enemy counterattacks killing another of his men. The next turn is a wash, as Scott moves in towards the tile above Rohga and Laird is still being delayed whilst Liana & Fighter move up.
However, when Rohga attacks the enemy commander:
General... Leon!
Yes, in this game allied NPCs can level up - so can enemies I think, though that would need testing since I've never fed them enough kills for that to happen. Laird finally kills a Pikeman and the race against time is heating up now.
One set of foot prints leads towards a small hole. Do you want to look inside? Yes
Obtained Swift Boots.
An excellent get - it gives a non-mounted & non-flying unit +1 to MV
It's all coming to an end soon - Fighter is on water... yeah, they are totally screwed now. And Laird actually attacks Loren instead of the remaining Pikeman and suffers for it.
Next turn we move up and Liana takes an attack from the enemy commander. But he will pay for this slight.
And yes, I had forgotten about the differing terrain elevations in combat screens - pretty cool, ey?
Note the +50% that Fighter is getting, that is because he's a Pirate and he's on a water tile. Also, that's the last of the reinforcements for the rest of the map. We just have to get Liana out, keep Loren alive and it's a total victory for this challenge! Turn 22 over.
Shit... I had the tactical advantage... How could I have been defeated...!? (CC:15)
Or not... apparently Laird flees if you kill everyone except him. Kind of an anti-climax since I was so worried about Loren dying at the end before Liana escaped... Still a win's a win and this is a challenge I am not likely to repeat ever again.
As I don't know about you guys, but for me a 22 turn slogfest is also a bit boring LP wise since a lot of it is delaying tactics & slow movement phases. There wasn't much happening until I killed everyone then reinforcements came and moved down (slowly), rinse and repeat - though Rohga popping up was pretty sweet since I had forgotten all about him.
Fighter, Hein & Liana have empty level ups, Scott gets AT+1 - lucky bastard.
Too late... he's already left.
I think he's meant to be talking to Laird but I'm not sure - this line always confused me.
Thanks for helping us. I am Fighter, a traveler. Who are you?
I'm Rohga, a mercenary. So what do the Imperials want with the girl?
Honestly, we don't know either. For now we're just trying to get her to safety.
That's it? Not a very interesting story so far!
Well, I can't reveal much about myself for personal reasons.
Maybe some day I'll be able to tell you more.
I bet it's a bitch having the Empire after you, isn't it? (CC:16)
Look, as much as I'd love to stay and chat... We really must be off.
We're on our way to Estool to seek the priest's help.
Estool? I'm on my way there as well.
Really? In that case, let's go together.
By the way, Liana... Do you have any idea what the Imperial Knights want with you?
None at all...
At any rate, let's hurry! More Imperial reinforcements may come at any time.
If you managed to keep Loren alive:
Wait. I have something for you before you depart. Take this sword.
Thank you, I will surely guard it.
You must keep a careful eye on the road.
So much money 
it was all worth it in the end. That's all for this update - next time, we meet my evil alter-ego!