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Scenario 10 -
A Great Man Falls

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After a long and winding journey, the companions drew near the ruins of Castle Baldea-now the barrow of Langrisser. Their skirmish with Imelda bought time for General Vargas to erect a small fortress and further impede their advance. The time has come for a decisive battle between Fighter and the brave Vargas, general of the Blazing Dragon Army.







So after all those glamourous shops in the prior levels, we go back to the boring basics so there'll be no major equipment changes for this map though I will equip Aaron with Imelda's loot and sell some of the excess baggage we've been carting around. Makes us about a grand or so - not too shabby. Here's the map of the fort:



And our battle plan - we should aim to neutralize the enemy charge and then counter-charge with the goal of securing the fort by Turn 5-7 depending on enemy reinforcements. Keith & Cherie should avoid engaging the fort garrison on their own and should instead focus on the enemy airborne force to the north. Vargas should eventually show up and we can aim to shatter the enemy morale by killing him and taking the fort, forcing a swift rout and securing a major strategical advantage in the battles to come.



So here's the long term plan - get to Baldea, rout the Empire in our way, secure Langrisser, obliterate Alhazard's wielder if it is used and save the world from its destructive nature through sealing it up again. Now let's look at some of our new unit types.



Cherie the Dragon Knight now has access to Angels, which are upgraded Faeries with one notable exception beyond increased stats... they are immune to all magic damage! Which make them excellent mage unit killers if said mage unit isn't sporting bowmen.



Lester the Serpent Knight has access to Nixies which are a straight upgrade from Mermaids and their main selling point is they are blonde and their body colour is similar to Lester's hair. But man, are they expensive - 200P a pop!

So it's time to put this plan in motion... it's time to take out a Imperial General... it's time to Sortie out!







We've got no reason to stick around here and build a useless fort.

Hey a new generic commander mugshot! DL, you keep on surprising me even after all my playthroughs



No matter how strong General Imelda may be, she'll underestimate their strength. If she doesn't take them seriously, she won't win. At any rate, General Vargas has already seen just how strong their leader is.

I like Zorum's little speech here, it really shows the importance of character development that giving even a minor guy like him can do for making a game feel more realistic and engaging... as he has wisened up to the greatness of the HMS Fighter crew and knows his own (well... Imelda's) forces as well as his enemy's. Know yourself and know your enemy, indeed.



They really did come! Listen up! We can't let them go any further! No matter what, we'll defend this fortress to the end!

Right!



*sigh* Liana, are we there yet? I'm so exhausted.

Castle Baldea should be just over this mountain.

Hein, stop being so lazy.

Hey, wait! There's an enemy fortress!

Gwa ha ha... You made it here at last! But this is as far as you go. This place shall be your grave!

Who is that guy...? Have we seen him before?

Yeah, it's Colonel Zorum again. He's General Vargas's right hand man... Well, so he says.

You punk! Are you trying to insult me!? This time I'll shut that noisy mouth of yours for good! I'm not holding back any more!

Uh oh, he's not going to go easy on me.

Hein... did Imelda rub off on you a little bit? Cause you are delivering some hot burns right now.

How on earth did they find time to build such a fortress? I'm sure there was never anything this size here before.

It looks like they did all this just to stop us, Princess.

They're really determined, I'll give them that.

This will be a tough fight.

Then we'll just have to surpass their determination. Everyone, let's go!

No wait a sec, hold up right there Fighter. We've been neck and neck with the Empire this whole time basically, since otherwise they'd have collapsed that bridge on us. If you ignore the secret scenario then really, there's no way they'd have had the days/weeks necessarily to construct a stone fort.

If anyone versed in medieval/stone fortifications wants to give us an understanding of how this could be done (and yes, you can hand-wave magic a little for being used in place of hard labour but still such spells would be very draining for the mage much like the labour would have been for the worker) that'd be appreciated. Anyway, it's Turn 1 and I think we're out of range for any combat this turn, so it'll be a sparse one.







Aaron puts down a sweet support spell on Fighter further buffing his DF. Liana summons up Valkyrie and everyone else moves up, here's how the western assault squad looks. Now back to the Royal Aerial Strike Force and Hein.





Hein brings out his Norse goddess, too bad he can't summon Loki. Though I'd like to note so far we've only had blonde summons... will this disturbing trend continue? Oh, and the Royal Special Air Service move up. Should be able to attack next turn but otherwise, Turn 1 is over.



Right now, General Vargas is with Lady Eliza! With our strength, we shall defeat the enemy. The songs of our victory will be a lullaby for his new baby!



Ha ha ha! That's the spirit, men! Let these kids see the power of the Blazing Dragon Army.

Argh!

Left flank attack!

Let's go! Take them down!

So... the enemy aerial units move into closing distance and the rest of the enemy do nothing. I swear the cavalry does charge at some point... Anyway, Vargas is gonna be a daddy~ Aww... too bad we have to kill his military "family" by taking out all his men cause they are in our way. Still, we learned that his wife is named Eliza and you all chose to murder him, let his wife die of grief and for his newborn child be orphaned and thus, seek revenge on Kalxath and the Descendants of Light... You're all monsters.



The enemy is using ballista.

Leave the explanation to me! After Scott left I started to study battle tactics. Ballista use a system of pulleys to hurl rocks and spears, so they have an incredibly long attack range. Flying troops need to be careful since a single hit from a ballista unit may be enough to take them down.

What in the hell are you talking about!? Flying troops are so fast and agile that ballista won't even have a chance to aim. Therefore, flying troops have nothing to worry about. You stupid wizard! If you don't know what you're talking about, then just keep your mouth shut!

Hmph... how rude!

I agree, not only is Cherie wrong given these ballista are behind a wall that fliers can't get over they have enough range with their Mv to nearly guarantee them getting a indirect blow before the fliers can a chance to close the gap. Also, Hein is a priest.

That's correct. Among projectile units, ballista are special. But Princess... when did you study this?



However, Princess, your commentary shows your tactical knowledge has a ways to go. Since aerial units are weak to ballista attacks, if they rush in unprepared, they can be easily wiped out.

I was right - you were wrong! Told you, told you, told you! They really do need to be careful!

Hein, I hate you!

This are the saviours of the world, everybody.

Well, Princess, from now on you should study more carefully.

When Lester moves further upstream...





General Vargas! Why are you here? Is Lady Eliza okay with this?

Tell me, for this important battle, what would you do without my command?

But General Vargas...

Silence! Now just think about winning!







Next turn we'll be in for some counter-cavalry action on the western front. Though if Vargas causes a mass charge, we could be in for a world of hurt. Back to the Royals & Hein, we need to get in position for spell slinging to weaken the ballista strategical advantage. It's here I learn a valuable lesson... we can fly over the fort walls! Time for Freyja to commando some ballista before they can strike at the Royals.



Remember that crater in the ground outside the fort? If you guessed that was the secret tile for this map, you'd be correct. Keith nabs it for the team.



Will you pick it up?
Yes No
Obtained Wizard's Robe.

Cherie and her holy minions take out the enemy on the right flank. Let's see what her Dragon buddy can do.



Wow, Flappy can sure kill those dastardly Imperials good with his draconic breath. Now for the Angelic strike.









So Griffins are like Angels, they are upgraded Harpies with stronger AT, lower DF - so they are the glass cannons, whilst Angels are much more balanced.





So, there's a worry that I'll lose an Angel next turn but it's been an otherwise successful aerial raid, thanks to our Angels - Bomber, Spitfire, Raiden, Jack, Harrier & Typhoon. Turn 2 has been aerial aced by our crack squad.



Colonel Zorum! Let's settle this right now! Concentrate all attacks on this redheaded punk! He's the rebel scum's leader!

Yes, Sir!

A good idea in theory, General... but the real world has a way of messing with your expectations. Also, everyone starts charging our forces - it's now well and truly on.





Holy moly, Keith! You should have taken massive damage from that barrage! Way to go!

Right flank, attack!

Right flank, attacking! Attack!

Left flank attack!

Let's go! Take them down!

Yes, they repeat the dialogue again... which is probably a goof on Masaya's behalf.



General Vargas! Please leave this to us and return to Lady Eliza. Even if it costs us our lives, we won't let them pass!

Zorum...! No matter how strong I am, it's obvious we're at a disadvantage. Knowing this, how could I leave you alone to fight as I retreat to safety? Do you really think I could do such a thing?

We don't have anyone waiting for our return! But our General has an expecting wife waiting back at home...

My father was a man who would abandon his comrades to run home. Can you call that pride? When someone leaves his men to die and saves himself? No, he was a complete coward. To think, when I was young, he looked down on me all the time. I won't have my child suffer such feelings... A child shouldn't be ashamed of his father. No matter the odds, I'll fight without running. I want to be a brave man... a man worthy of praise... That's all I've ever wanted.

If that's true... then I'll fight beside my general till to the bitter end!

So... now you know why I like Vargas so much... and why the Light path sucks. Yes, there's no choice. We must kill him - it's the mission objective. Let's get this over with - starting with a combined land and amphibious assault.





Level up!

Fighter's phalanx take out another Royal Lancer (the upgraded Lancer) and Liana's Valkyrie moves in for a tactical strike. Also... Jesus horses.



Level up! MP+1



Level up! AT+1, DF+1



Fighter's phalanxes and Lester combine to take out the enemy Highlander (that's Laird's class from waaay back) and remaining Lancers who penetrated our lines.









I, I can still... fight...



Lester barely manages to get the kill and that is the western front done - hopefully Fighter's attempt at a blockade of the entrance will pay dividends next turn, though I worry the remaining cavalry commander who is behind our lines. Liana chucks a Heal1 out for the team and we move on to the RSAS & Hein on the East Side.





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

Hein is getting more badass as we go along - climbing fort walls, taking out men with the power of Lushiris. Is there nothing he can't do? Anyway, less talking, more crusading!







Man, I forgot how awesome Crusaders can be against non-monster foes. They are just wrecking this side of the fort. Now for the Her Majesty's 1st Airborne Division to commence anti-air and precision bombing duties.





Level up! AT+1, Class Change!

I think it's obvious at this point, but Keith's going Dragon Knight. He gets to ride a Green Drake~ It still shoots lightning though.





It's green lightning though, so totally different. Also, I didn't expect that fairy to kill the 5HP Griffin... so happy right now. Just gotta mop up with Cherie and that'll be the enemy aerial support completed routed.



Yeah,



Level up! AT+1, DF+1

she's





got





this. (CC:44)



Here's the eastern front after the royal rampage. It is utterly collapsing on itself and we should be able to take out Zorum next turn. Keith & Cherie may need some time to heal their men though as quite a few are wounded. Hein however, is in prime position to cause a lot of damage. Clearly, he's been taking lessons from Fighter

Turn 3 is routed.











I can't help but imagine this last Phalanx is a curmudgeonly old man who yells after the tier 1 foot soldiers, after they fail to kill him, "Yeah, you better run!"





This happens 3 more times - Zorum really wants to watch arrows bounce off my Crusaders. And that is it for their offensive and for once, I feel it actually was quite a full-blooded charge rather then a meekly re-positioning nearby.



We begin with Aaron firing off a Heal1 for our beleaguered troops in the west. Valkyrie strikes the vulnerable northern soldier followed by Lester making landfall and blood fall.







It's interesting that Nixies throw daggers as their ground based attack rather then say, their tridents. But whatever, they get first strike so they can sound the siren call for any non-cavalry based unit usually. Especially dirty, filthy Pikemen.



Level up! MP+1



That was pretty darn cool and now Fighter's up to finish off the remaining cavalry like a true pirate. This is a no horse boat now!





Son of a bitch... You kids won't be so lucky next time! (CC:45)

Next we push hard from the east to tighten the pocket and reduce our enemy's forces to just the latecomer, Vargas. It'll make killing him slightly more palatable to know he'll be with his other family in death.









Ahh! If only I could have been a little more useful...



This is what Hein has become... thank Lushiris he doesn't betray us like Rohga did. Cherie, you're up!





Just goes to show that even with the upgraded units & commanders, type affinities still matter... though not as much as having massive stats. Go go Cherie! Unfortunately, since I want the rest of her forces to heal up her charge has to stop there and since I want to put Fighter's class change to vote, I opt out of using him to kill anything as he'll level up.





This is the state of the battlefield at the end of Turn 4. Vargas is still slowing making his way south and will be far too late to do anything to save his men. C'est la vie, General Vargas. Turn 4 est fin.













It's winding down now, Lester will focus on the mage unit with all of his Nixies - who aren't quite nymphs or pixies.









G, General Vargas...

I don't say this enough but mermaids rock! Thanks Cap'n Lester!

Now it's time for Aaron to have a go of it.







R, regretfully...

Level up! AT+1, DF+1

Yeah... sorry, my build for Aaron makes him weaker then his own Bandit units surprisingly. Still it is great having another support unit for heals and utility stuff - so he's got that going for him at least. Now, it's the summons time to show us their Valhallan might. But first Liana chucks an off-screen Heal1 for a little EXP.



Hein finishes him off with his first ever spell, Magic Arrow. Feels kinda cheap but also kinda fitting for Zorum since he was always a small fry in the grand scheme of things.



Obtained Dagger & Buckler.



(CC:46)

General Vargas, avenge me-!

Zorum!

You fool! You're not allowed to die on me!

Level up! MP+1

After all that, we move the rest of our forces up and Valkyrie aims to take out Vargas's Elf.





And that's Turn 5 done, we're at an extreme advantage even with me restricting use of Fighter to non-combat roles only. The Royal SAS can swoop in an tear through Vargas's Grenadiers with ease whilst Hein can finally actually do a little bit of spell spamming instead of fort taking. All according to plan.







By the hammer of Thor! Our first dead summon... sorry Leneth, you're going back for now. Now, does this mean Liana will be unable to summon her again for the rest battle? To my knowledge, if she's got the MP then no, she totally can resummon her next turn.







So, let's all welcome Silmeria to the field. Aaron starts us off with another Heal1 and we aim for a decisive blow to finish off the brave General once and for all. Everyone, attack!



Hein's Fireball AoE is... 15 squares in diameter... it's ridiculously huge and it's only going to get bigger as he levels up further. I also get Freyja to buff up Cherie with Attack2, as she'll be bringing us home the victory. Lester takes advantage of the Elf's isolation...





And Keith tag teams with his buddy. Cherie, it's time to cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!









And in a most befitting manner, as angels come down to deliver the new life to Eliza, they also come to bring Vargas to the end of his life. Such is the circle of life.



Obtained Long Sword.







Leon... it's too late for that. As a fellow warrior, I have one final request. My child is soon to be born. Please tell my wife, Eliza, that... that I'm not coming home. Tell her her husband fought bravely to the end with his men so his child could grow up in a world without war...

Yes, friend... I swear I'll tell her.

I'm sorry to give you such a terrible task...

General Leon...

Laird, you will lead our troops to Castle Baldea! I must give Vargas's message to Eliza... I will leave immediately.

Yes, understood!

Fighter! I swear on the name of the Blue Dragon Knights, I will kill you! Remember this. Farewell, for now.





Level up! AT+1, DF+1, MP+1, Class Change!



Sage - Fighter's only magic focused class option, it has some good damage spells (EQ) and some interesting utility spells going for it (Zone/Again), it also gives him access to Crusaders and Ballista, and has a better aura (by D+1) than General.



General - A straight upgrade from the Lord class chain, this gives better stats (aside from MP), a good aura and access to Grenadiers - the upgraded soldiers who are wonderful in conjunction with a General given they are both walking tanks unless they are faced with cavalry. A solid choice.

The thread voted for General, so Fighter has now become the new General on the block.

Level up! MP+1

Level up! AT+1, DF+1, MP+1, Quick & Resist was learned!

Level up! AT+1, DF+1

So this is the real face of war...

It's so sad...

I hate fighting. Why is it that everyone must kill? Why hasn't war disappeared? Aren't there more important things in our lives?

Let's go, Fighter! To end such wars... Once and for all.

Yes... we must put an end to all this...





It feels a little hypocritical of Cherie, since it's pretty obvious why she must fight and kill - the soveriegnity of her country and kingdom are at stake. I'm surprised Keith didn't weigh in on this pity party. Anyway, that's a wrap for Scenario 10 - moral of the day: those who die in war leave their families, often young families behind to grieve and mourn them. Given such, at the end of the day even your most hated foe is still a person, a human being regardless of how you want to demonize them to make it more palatable to kill them en masse. This been true throughout the ages.

Next time, we finally make it to Castle Baldea... or maybe not? We haven't seen Egbert in a while, maybe he could be bringing some monster pals?