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Scenario 3
Terrible Alter-Ego
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Having bested the Imperial Knights in combat yet again, the companions pressed on in their journey to the shrine of Estool. The shrine was renowned across the land as a sanctuary for passing pilgrims, guarded by its force of warrior-priests. After a night of bed rest, dawn broke and with it came the head priest's acceptance of Liana's custody. With their journey drawing to a close, the companions pondered where to continue their travels.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commander of the Blazing Dragon Army Zorum and Morgan of the Dark Dragon Sorcerers prepared an ambush...











So yeah, the Fighter challenge was great for racking in the P, as I had enough to buy Scott a Longsword & Shield, Fighter a Shield and equipped the Swift Shoes to Hein - as Pirates apparently aren't allowed to equip them (probably because they can move freely through water cause of their Jesus-esque bare feet. I then sold all our leftover gear and we still have a whooping 1310P and if I hire all troops for everyone (Soldiers over Mermaids as there's no water on this map ) we still have 690P leftover.



So to those of you familiar with Fire Emblem, this may at first appear to be a Defend for x turns map but no, it is a Rout mission - so we must sally forth from the safety of the Shrine of Light and crush our foes.

Now then, strategy wise, we have 3 units knocking on our doorstep with Pikes on the west & east entrances and Barbarians (infantry) at the central entrance. This is followed up with mostly Soldier regiments with a sprinkling of Lancers, so ideally for placement - you want Scott charging down the middle along with Hein for support and Fighter can take the west for himself as Rohga's got the east. And yes, Rohga is still an ally NPC for now, but soon I will be able to use this glorious mercenary to cut a bloody swathe through our foes.





Here are our two enemy commanders, Zorum & Morgan. As you can see Zorum is a pretty straight forward Fighter with a minor lacklustre aura (A+1, D+1) and Morgan is much more impressive with spells at his disposal and a good aura (A+3, D+1). Morgan's unit is also host to our first bowmen enemy - the humble Elf.



Can attack at range without fear of reprisal (except against other ranged units) and has a decent AT but absolutely lousy DF.



Lastly, there's a new enemy generic commander type the Gladiator, - the same class as Rohga, so you should utilize Scott/Knight Hero when dealing with them. Now let's Sortie!





I slept like the dead.

Yes, I managed to get a good rest during the night.

I ask that you leave Lady Liana's safety to me.
Even the Imperial Army would be quite unlikely to attack our shrine.

Thank you. Have you any idea why the Imperials are after Liana?
Does it have anything to do with her work as a Shrine Maiden of Light?

... Perhaps... Their goals are, as yet, unclear to me.

There must be something special about Liana that the Blue Dragon Knights seek.



What-!?



Soldier, what business have you on this holy ground?



Would you be so kind as to hand over the tablet your shrine is guarding?

I've heard the Empire seeks the tablet to break the seal of Alhazard...
If this is true, then I must refuse. The release of Alhazard's power would destroy the world!

In that case, we'll just be confiscating the tablet, then!



I'm just here to have fun with the little maidens! Hee hee hee...

Say hello to Morgan everyone! My terrible rape-y creepy magician-y alter ego - that I always target with as much overkill as I can bring to bear. Fuck him. Seriously, Zorum may be a bit at times and Baldo liked to cut down innocent civilians but Morgan just takes the cake, shits on it and then sticks his dick in the rest. Die in a fire, Morgan the Dark Dragon Sorcerer.

Hmmm...?

This isn't good...

That blond girl seems somewhat familiar... Oh! I remember now!
If I'm not mistaken, she's the one the General Leon's Blue Dragon Knights are after!
How convenient! Since we're here, let's grab her too. Gwa ha ha ha...

It seems we can never get a break... Colonel Zorum is one of the Blazing Dragon Army's best.
He's even called the right hand of General Vargas. Morgan isn't a nobody either...
He's an elite black magician of the Dark Dragon Sorcerers. Even alone, either of them would be a challenge.

Liana, listen carefully. No matter what happens, don't leave the shrine!

If that is what you wish...





First order - we need to protect the retreating Priest and her Civilian cohort by blocking up the central entrance with Scott and Hein. Elsewhere, it's charge o'clock for Fighter & Rohga.



One drawback of Cavalry is they have halved move speed inside buildings or rather on 'building interior' tiles. Once we get outside though, Scott will be able to gallop freely with the wind in his hair and all that - what this means is that Hein will be first to block up the gap, which he can do albeit not as well as Scott could.



Fighter suffers from the same drawback as Cavalry but no matter, here's how Turn 1 ends.

What's this? How crude! At least I got a free night's stay...
I guess if you really need it, I'll do you all a favour by helping out.

If it's such a bother, then don't trouble yourself! You can stay on the sidelines and watch.

Look at the cahones on our dear boy, Fighter

Sounds interesting! Then I accept your offer to observe your skills.

Maidens, take refuge in the shrine's interior!

Yes, Priest!



Let's go, Morgan. We'll take them out in one strike!

Let's not, meat for brains, and "Morgan" alone isn't enough. You will refer to me as "Commander Morgan"!

Oh yeah, he's full of himself too - but I bet that came as no surprise.

Oh no, I won't! This time, I'll be the one commanding. And I'll call you whatever I please!
If you hate being addressed without a title, maybe I can find one more fitting, like "Widdle Morgan".

Bah! You annoying, ox-sized numb skull!

What was that!?
I don't need to take such insults from a demented pervert with a Lolita complex!


And this is part of why I actually like Zorum, since he calls Morgan out on his shit. Also no update to the curse counter, since demented pervert and numb skull are accurate insults and not blatant swear words. Still, if the commanders are infighting that means their communication and logistics will run inefficiently but actual in-game effect? Zilch.

Y, you... Damn you! (CC:16)

*sigh* It appears teamwork isn't their strong suit...

Stop idling about! I don't care what you are or what you want to be called! I said attack, so attack!

1 Wa ha ha! I won't leave anyone standing!

2 Heh heh heh... Let's go.



Our enemies are probably planning to use elves. Elves are excellent bowmen capable of long-range attacks.
We'll need to be careful in our approach.

I already explained all this, so we jump to something new.

Sir Scott sounds like a master strategist, doesn't he?

You're too kind, I'm still just a student. My father has drummed tactics into me my entire life.
Sometimes, I felt as though my brains would burst.

Pfft... I know they do this on purpose, with Hain usually playing the asker role and Scott being the tutorial guy but if there's any master strategist it's me... that Fighter solo challenge still haunts me. You know what they say, if you gaze too long into strategy, strategy will gaze back into you. Back to the game now, we've got to get to fighting!



3 Ho ho, let's boogie.

When Hein's soldier moves in to finish off the 2HP Barbarian:

Don't go easy on me!





With that Barbarian taken care of, we have secured our first major objective of this map - protecting those civvies from the who are just as creepy as Morgan. On the Western front, Fighter begins the charge.

That's as far as you go!







We're in trouble, Fighter! The Imperial Army is launching an ambush!

Ha ha ha! Now that is what we call a "strategy"! Go forth men! Fetch us that tablet!

Everyone, stop them! Don't let a single Imperial soldier into the shrine!

I'll try my best!

So basically by attacking with Fighter I stepped over an invisible line that triggered the ambush of two more s with full soldier cadres - no big deal honestly.



I still decide to play safe and just shore up my line on the West, with the potential to retreat to the bottleneck entrance so that no sneaky soldiers get through - as I take Fighter's declarations to be the word of Lushiris. Turn 2 is now complete. All the enemy does is move up aside from the rearguard.





Is that so? I didn't realise you were one to give compliments.

I would have handled this strategy differently... Do you have any orders for me?
I was originally a mercenary, so taking orders is a great chance for me to see just what you commanding skills you have.
So tell me boss, what's the plan?

An interesting idea! Well then, I'll show you the way we fight.

If it's decided, then order away!



So Rohga is now under our command and is a PC, so it's high time he stomped those Pikemen encroaching upon the Shrine. Also, I don't think I ever explained it but blue aura/units is our units, green ones are allied units and red are enemy units. When you select him:

Well, what should I do, Fighter?

When he attacks:

Hah!




Level up!

Next at the Central Front, Scott goes on the warpath.





And Hein cleans up with a Magic Arrow.



Level up! AT+1, MP+1, Attack 1 was learned!

So now Hein can buff our Attack for one turn which is pretty great on guys like Fighter, Scott and Rohga. Less so on himself. Now on the Western front, Fighter claims another scalp.





And his men work over a Pikeman pretty thoroughly. And that's Turn 3 over.

Unfortunately, as discussed in the thread - the AI is just too chickenshit to start something unless it has an advantage. However, next turn there will be blood so no more of this pussy footing about. Let's begin on the Western front.



Level up! AT+1







The Western front has pocketed the first and will crush him next turn. Plus I really like how the soldiers, if they kill a dude push into the next dude like a writhing mass of men and arms. Onto the Eastern Front!







So Rohga takes out a Pikeman and employs his men intelligently, letting the soldier take the brunt of the initial attack and mopping up with another whilst keeping the hurt soldier safe behind their lines. Lastly, the Central Front.





Level up!









Level up!



A great push forward on the Central Front will soon see the emergence of a united front with Fighter, Hein & Scott bringing down arms upon the great unwashed masses of the Empire. There might even be an opportunity for a flanking maneuver in support of Rohga. And I've kept that 5HP soldier safe, which is great - Turn 4 fin.



1 Die!







In the last image, that's the effect of Morgan casting Attack 1 on those troops - not that they'll move till we get closer, so whatever. Anyway, 1 tried to break out of his pocket through the no-bonus soldier - but he couldn't break through the cordon and is easy prey this turn. And the enemy tried to kill our 9HP soldier and did a good job but none of his men were willing to risk taking damage in return his head. Cowards, Fighter will turn his cheek only once, now it is time for blood.





Fighter and his men raged against the Gladiator for he was a tough foe, and wanting to avoid the pressure of a pincer attack, Fighter reformed up his line as best he could. Hein even threw in a Magic Arrow for good measure. Now it was Scott's time to shine.



Making men explode with the power of his unit's explosive charge, Scott quickly turned the battle on the Central Western front in our favour. Here is the current status of the front - I do worry about the 6HP cavalry, but hopefully the AI is still too cowardly to make a move.









On the Eastern Front, Rohga has effectively boxed the enemy in as they are unable to penetrate his thin lines. Thus concludes Turn 5.







We suffer an attack but not a loss, so we'll grit our teeth and keep pressing on. Morgan also wastes more MP, idiot. Before Turn 6 begins however...





I can't let you do as you please!

Ack! Little girl, go home quietly. I wouldn't want that sweet ass of yours to get bruised here.
I have other plans for it... Hya hya hya!

Why did he have to have my name?!

Wh, what was that-!? You dirty wizard!

Yeah, I'm going to have to side with her on that. You certainly are twisted.

You... Grrr!

Who is that strange girl who just showed up?

How rude! Even though I took all the trouble of coming to help you. Oh...? You're pretty cute.
I suppose tough girls aren't your type. Should I act act a bit more bubbly?

You... you don't mean me!? I feel so awkward.

Are you stupid!? Who was talking to you!

Hey!

Seriously... given the context the only person the reader could think she was talking to was Hein... for you see, Cherie is a bit of tsundere/bitch at times aka anime *sigh*

... Anyway, please help us.

Heh heh heh. I think he's blushing. How cute!

Enough of team anime, back to the brutality of the combined Central-West Front. We shall kill these miscreants this turn.







Hein buffs up Scott with Attack 1 - you can tell if a unit is buffed, as they have a like wand/staff icon on the top right corner of their sprite when selected. And the carnage begins. Now it's Fighter's turn and he is pissed.



Obtained Dagger.

1But... it was... perfect... I... gave it my-!

Level up!



And with some decisive blows, we have shattered the core of the enemy force and need only mop up the remnants next turn before pushing on to the Doofus & CreepMonster duo. Though I might avoid giving Fighter any more EXP, so y'all can decide his class change. Onto Rohga!





Level up! DF+1, MP+1





I take a bit of a calculated risk to push in harder with Rohga's forces and it seems to work in that the enemy is still boxed in and I'm inflicting heavier causalities upon them. Hopefully they don't have enough room to move in to kill that 5HP soldier. Turn 6 is finished.

Cherie of Kalxath, heading out!

Cherie...? I think maybe I've met her somewhere before...


image65

Cherie does nothing much but get in between us and the enemy. Morgan casts another spell and Fighter's men continue to prove they deserve to be standing next to him.

Everyone, be careful! Although Kalxath has won a few battles against the Imperial Army, this one won't be easy.





Outrageous...

Level up! DF+1, MP+1



We've secured the Central-Western Front! Go team! Now to push south and purge ourselves of the Imperial encroachment.



The one downside of boxing them in like this is now I can't get at those sweet delicious EXPs in the form of soldiers and pikemen, I'll give them a turn and if they don't rearrange, I'll pick one commander and kill him as an example to the other. That was Turn 7. The enemy is super boring and Morgan wastes more MP, so straight into Turn 8.

These guys are a stubborn bunch!

Hee hee hee! Thank you, I consider that a compliment!

God, you've got to be the most bothersome ass I've ever been assigned to work with.

Look who's talking, you gibbering, dunder-headed cretin!

Now back to the Eastern front, Rohga's men soften up and he goes in for the kill.



Blood... blood is-!



We soften up the remainder to finish off next turn and then the Eastern front shall collapse into the United Front. Hein does the same but in his own way.









Scott plows through the enemy and will finish them next turn. Maybe I'll feed Hein some kills so he can play catch up...



And that's all for Turn 8, we're on the final stretch at this point barring enemy reinforcements.



Hmph... Is that all you can do!? Don't drag this out!

Gosh, I'm sorry Rohga, I was counting on AI stupidity to pull you through - my thoughts are with you and your men in these trying times. Morgan wastes the last of his MP on himself.





2 Not yet, I can't die yet-!

FUCK YOU 2! Rohga's a better Gladiator then you ever were! With this, the Eastern front is secure and now we can begin an all out push to the finish.

Hmmm, well done... No matter, though! Now witness my real power! Everyone charge!

Argh! Slow! Slow! Slow!
With a stupid commander like you, we're not going to get in a decent attack, much less a win. No way...

Level up!



Level up!





Im, impossible-!

Level up! MP+1

So because of the impending charge with pikes, I'm bringing Hein down to protect the flank and to gain some much desired EXP.



Here's the combat status update at the end of Turn 9, it's a bit grim as Hein's men are quite easy targets, but I think we'll pull through.





I'll grant no mercy to those who obstruct my path!



Well bollocks. Hein's men got basically demolished with only one wounded unit left standing - I might have to put Hein back onto fireball duty instead of combat... in other news, vengeance is the name of the game. No mercy - I'm going for commander kills. Now a before shot:



And an after Hein-does-pyromancy shot:



That's a total of 16 damage right there! Next up, Fighter going straight for the jugular:



Gah-!

Then his men attack Zorum's minions. Followed up by Scott doing the same.

I'll show you how we get things done!







All that remains is Zorum and Morgan, we will beat this in 2 turns max! I just hope we don't lose too many more brave souls. Would be nice if Cherie actually did something instead of just chilling at the Central entrance, che. Turn 10 is solemnly completed.



Which should I take? One is enough to start with. Oh yes... I just remembered an interesting magical item General Egbert gave me...
Maybe I should try it out on the cute little girl! Hee hee hee! I call forth, spirit that enslaves both mind and soul-!
...? Oh shit... I forgot what comes after that part, oh well. (CC:17)





Ahh! My.. my head-!

Liana! Are you all right!?

Excellent, my teenage sweetie. First off, sacrifice redhead hero-boy over there to Odin!

Didn't realise Odin was kicking in this word till I saw this line - since he's never really seen or mentioned just from myth naming of some items and a few Norse-themed summons later on. Besides was Odin even big on human sacrifices? Weird.

Yes... Widdle Morgan...

How odd... It seems my magic didn't work quite right. Someone throw me a bone!
Why can't anything ever go the way I plan!?

Gah ha ha ha! Morgan, you're one pathetic excuse for a sorcerer.

D, damn it! A meat-head grunt like you has no right to say that! (CC:18)

Meat head? Maybe I should find a bit more humiliating work for you... "Widdle Morgan".

You son of a bitch! Well... that's all right.
Seeing you cower in the back like that is satisfactory enough, "Commander Zorum". Hee hee hee! (CC:19)

What's wrong!? Be stron, Liana!

It's no use... His magic has overcome her true self and is manipulating her mind. What should we do?

That man... We must defeat Morgan! If we do that, I'm sure Liana will return to normal.

Yeah... If we somehow defeat Morgan, I'm sure it will break the spell!

Mwa ha ha ha! You think you can beat me with your weak spirit?
Well, if you want to become a zombie, then I'll grant your wish right away. I could always use a few more minions!

Fucking Morgan is the worst - mind control, necromancy, pedophilia, rapist, egotistical, dirty and lets face it, he probably is a necrophiliac too. THE WORST. Also he cast fireball on us. THE WORST.



Taste the height of my power!



Yup, that's how you represent no damage Fire Emblem cause Fighter is just that tough. Morgan follows up with another Elf attack on Fighter - same deal. Now, I know the current music for our turns is Ally Backup 1, but I feel since this is the final turn I'd spice it up with one of my favourite tracks, Soldier. Enjoy~





Liana is now an enemy unit which is a nice touch, but not for long. However, this is a pretty good move to make the game more tense since OH SHIT we've got a turncoat in our defenses near those poor innocent maidens... Now... let's destroy Morgan!



Hein sees your Fireball and raises you a Fireball - will you call or y'know... will you die? Because it's bloodletting time! Hein's remaining soldier kills a 1HP enemy and Scott & Fighter strive to finish this madness.





Wee hee hee! Those who oppose me will die!



Elves are surprisingly tougher than I remember but I suppose that's because they still have first strike - now to demonstrate how utterly insignificant Morgan is to us. Fighter, if you please?







Obtained Magic Wand.



Some day I'll make you regret this! Just wait till I have my revenge!

(CC:20) I shall hear from you no more, vile wizard. Good riddance.

Ah-?! Hmmm... I... I...

Are you awake again? With Morgan wounded, his spell seems to have lost effect.

I'm sorry, Fighter.

Level up!



Obtained Dagger & Buckler.



I won't forget this!

And Scott cleans house. Good work everyone, you all pulled your weight for this one.





Level up! Can class change.

Level up! DF+1, Level up! MP+1

Level up! AT+1, MP+1

It looks like the battle is over.

Thanks for helping out. I'm Fighter. May I ask your name, Lady ...?

I'm Cherie of Kalxath. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Our kingdom and its neighbours are forming a League of Anti-Imperialists. I heard there was Imperial activity in Estool, so I came to see if I could help.
However, the Empire was only after the Shrine of Light... I wonder... what were they planning?

By the way, what should we do about Liana?

Eventually, even the largest Shrine of Light won't be enough to keep the Imperials at bay.

The Empire's after the girl, isn't it? I see... If that's so, how about coming to Castle Kalxath?

Castle Kalxath...?

If I remember correctly, Kalxath just might be able to protect Liana.

That's right. Kalxath has many strong soldiers besides me.

That's rather apparent. However, I'm not sure what other options we have...

Fighter... I, um...

What is it, Liana?

Please, let me fight too!

No way! It's too dangerous for a young lady on the battlefield.

But all of you have to endure so much... just because of me.
It was for my sake... that... that all of you got hurt.

I think we should let her come. Or do you lack confidence in your ability to protect her...?

... Fine.

Thank you, Fighter!



Fucking finally - the healbot is onboard!

Well, that's that. It seems like everything has worked out.
After that battle, I have to say, I like your spirit!

Thanks, it's good to be working with you.

I feel that we'll be great if we work together. We'll be rich!
I helped you through this, please allow me to continue working with you, Fighter!

It is I who should be asking you! We could really use a sword as strong as yours.

Well then, let's hurry to Kalxath. I have to tell them of this!



Also, I'd like to give you all a big welcome.

If you didn't let the female Priest die:

Wait up a second! At least, let me thank you for helping us...

Thanks to you, the shrine is safe, but there's not much we can do for you for your trouble.

Please accept this cross. May it always bring you Lushiris's blessing.

Obtained Cross.

Well then, let's be off!





Overall that was good effort, though not my best. There will be a mini-update soon, covering a few new things (such as our first CLASS CHANGE) and our current lineup of characters, and then after that we turn from piracy to siege-breaking!

Question for the thread- what are your thoughts on Zorum & Morgan? They will be back after all.