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Scenario 12 -
Solid Liana,
Liquid Dark Princess

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At long last, Langrisser was again in the hands of a descendant of light. Sword-in-hand, the companions drew near the Rayguard capital. The alliance of kingdoms arranged by Jessica had already arrived to engage the enemy forces. With no way to backtrack, the companions pressed on to pierce the front gate and engage Bernhardt in his throne room. However, blocking the entrance to the castle interior was General Leon and his entire division of the Imperial Army...







So here is Langrisser - it can be equipped by Fighter, Liana or Cherie but is actually worse than the Long Sword, giving 1 less point of AT in exchange for 1 point of DF. I'll give it to Fighter since it seems most thematically appropriate for him to have it in this path. Also, I'd like to note - not a great Scenario title, "Iron Gates of the Barracks"... it's the bloody Castle Rayguard in the enemy's capitol! Not some shmuck army barracks in the middle of nowhere... *sigh*



I also equip Aaron with Leon's Platemail and note another glitch or oversight with character equipment. Note Cherie has a Platemail, same as Aaron's - however, her class is Dragon Knight who cannot equip Platemail as an equipment restriction. How can she still have it then? Well, since she was a Silver Knight for her 2nd class, who can equip it and she class changed since the game doesn't remove your equipment post-class change (since that'd be terrible since you can't re-equip during a scenario), she keeps the Platemail. However, if I were to remove it and then try to re-equip it wouldn't work. This can allow you to do some fun stuff with characters who have mounted options like say a Swift Boots Fighter becoming a Knight Master with a whopping Mv of 13! Plus all the troops get the bonus as well, so you could have Royal Lancers or equivalent with similarly ridiculous Mv!

Here's the map for this scenario:



And our plan for this battle is pretty straightforward, given the map is pretty straightforward itself. No real tricks aside from some reinforcements somewhere and just a straight up fight with L&L. Here's my plan for this fight:



Again, just really standard combat tactics - split up and defeat the enemy in detail. Use our fliers to take out their vulnerable ranged units and hold them up at the bridges before bringing our superior forces to bear. Just have to be wary for the reinforcements getting the jump on us is all. Now just a note about our force distribution, if you refer to the image below:



I've put Hein & Liana up front in spite of their role as summoners and back line support. This is on purpose, as I want those summons (especially Valkyrie) out and about, with a few fireballs being lobbed in for good measure as well. Besides, we'll still get Fighter & Aaron to the front lines in time without having to worry too much about ballista fire. Let's Sortie out!



W, well...

There's no reason to hide it. We failed the mission and the Descendants of Light claimed Langrisser.
They are approaching! Gather our remaining men and attack!
We must protect His Majesty!

Yes, Sir!







Wow... Words alone can't describe the splendour of this castle.
The Kaiser must be inside.

Let's hurry! We'll have an easy victory with Langrisser!
It's time to witness how powerful this sword truly is.



I can't allow this.
In the name of the Blue Dragon Knights, you shall not advance.



If we had more time, we would've been able to make better preparations.

Don't worry. We only need delay them for a little while.
If we succeed, then we can prepare an ambush within the castle.

Understood. Let's show them it takes more than numbers to defeat us.

I gotta say this feels weird coming from an Imperial given that's been their whole schtick since we first skirmished with them way back. I guess it's less so for Leon's elite Blue Dragon Knights but certainly not for Vargas & Imelda.







Liana brings out Valkyrie and Hein moves into optimal Fireball position as he's going to spell the ever-burning shit out of that spell this scenario. I want to try to get by without the game breaking Freyja summon as Valkyrie is starting to get matched and soon will be outclassed. The rest move up and then Cherie and Keith have to cautiously move just out of the range of the ballistas (they have a range of 6, they can move and attack so be extra careful when calculating attack ranges). Since you can't look at the ballista's threat range, only their move range you really need to remember their info on the fly as I've been caught out before thinking I was as safe as a duck in a pond and was actually more like a duck in Fighter's way. To visualize their threat range check the handy next image:



So one should set up their fliers like so:



Keith does the same and Turn 1 ends. As usual, an uneventful but strategically important opening turn.



If this fight drags on, we'll be at a disadvantage.
Our enemy is experienced, so give it your best!

Understood!







Well done Imperial forces, this is the first time that Valkyrie's been in such dire straits.



It's time for the MOAT ATTACK!



There was actually only enough movement to attack with one Nixie...
Oh well, Hein's got our backs.



Look at his range - 25 units are within it... so that's at least 50 damage but deals extra damage to Ballistas & Elves plus it manages to hit Leon at the corner of its range. It's just insane and if I had raised him as a mage, he'd be even bigger and deal even more damage. Still Priest Hein is pretty darn badass.





Too easy - Hein is really coming into his own of late. Fighter takes his turn to join in on the fracas.







I've left some of those Phalanxes vulnerable to the remaining Grenadiers but overall its been a good invasion on the left side. Liana & Aaron heal up with Heal1 bring Valkyrie back up to speed and restoring all damage taken on the left.





Valkyrie heralds the charge on the right side and Keith follows up.







The Angels take out three more ballistas and then we get another sweet backdrop to take out the last one.



Level up! MP+1





Cherie hopes to mirror her steward's efforts and continue the blitzkrieg.







Her Angels do what Keith's have done before her. Total annihilation.



Gahh-!

Two down and we are no longer under a significant ranged threat. There's one Elf remaining but otherwise, there's been a decisive blow dealt to their formation and we can pincer them next turn. Turn 2 is completed.





So yeah, Bandits have more AT but less DF then Grenadiers which means they usually die if they don't attack first... not that they won't take out most things without affinity on them. That's it for Leon's turn, just a bloody kamikaze grenade-man.







Hein shows us how its done with some more impressive massive damage and Liana, for once, comes in to bring in the pain. Lester & Keith assist.



Level up!





Level up! AT+1, DF+1







I really like this death portrait for El' Generico, very
Keith & Cherie strike at L&L for glory and in the name of the Royalty Who Do Shit. Also Lester, given his piratical nature, killsteals the second El' Generico from the Kalxath Flying Duo.





Level up! AT+1, DF+1





Glory to the Empire!





It is now Fighter's turn. Aaron's gonna heal everyone up after that.

Fighter! I've waited long for a chance to fight you!
I'll repay you for Vargas!









This is where we stand - no enemy reinforcements yet and the number of Royal Lancers on the field has been halved. There's a secret tile to the west - Cherie will head for it and should get it in 2 turns. Turn 3 is over.



We are facing greater numbers, but we can't give up the fight!





Dark Princess!? The Blue Dragon Knights received the defence orders.
Our strength is sufficient. I have no need of a woman's help.

Welcome to the 1950s men's club, Leon - if you come into the lounge, you'll see Aaron on our left.



Besides, don't think of me as an ordinary woman...
You know me better than that.

All right... Try not to get hurt!



They look exactly the same. How is this possible?

They really do! They look like twins.

Laird, let's go!

Yes, Sir!





Those who carry the Wings of Flame, heed my call!
Rise from your immortal plane!





Don't let your guard down, Dark Princess.

Tee hee... If we are together, then I have nothing to fear.





So damage report, we lost 1 Angel and took a slew of damage from the Dark Princess' Meteor. Clearly, she and Liana are clones of Lushiris in a Les Enfants Terrible style affair.

GENETIC EXPERIMENTS!

Anyway, where were we? Right back into the action and Hein shows off his divine skills with some Heal2 - healing 17 units in one move.





Level up! MP+1, Class Change!





Swordmaster is an interesting choice for Hein and one I may experiment with in future playthroughs, stronger and more durable with more unit choices. For now, we're going High Priest for all those sweet heals and the next level of summon, White Dragon. Oh and we get High Elves, the next level of Elves who just prove again that this game has a bit of a thing for high-powered blondes.





These are our new foes, the Phoenix who is actually kinda cute and is a Flier as one might expect. The Dark Princess on the other hand, is a Soldier type but really should be a Magician type given her access to some pretty rad spells. But first, we need to wipe out as many of their minions before trying to take out the commanders. EXP is necessary for glory (and class changing).





Valkyrie helps out with a fireball and we keep up our momentum.



Level up! AT+1, DF+1













Level up! AT+1, DF+1

We are smashing our way through the reinforcements and really, at this rate it'll all be over next turn. We let our specialist gatebreakers continue smashing their way through the Empire's paltry defences.















Cherie proves her worth as a Royal-Who-Does-Shit, here's the situation everyone else is facing - some those 8HP Angels are under threat from the Bats and the Royal Lancers... they're probably going to the afterlife next turn. Also, it's the next turn!







So, Phoenixes can also cast Fireball - still this could have gone much worse, remember our Angels are immune to damaging magic!





Well look who it is... Scott is back from Salrath border patrol and is here to support our elite forces.

Isn't that Scott? Why is he here?

I heard from Jessica about the situation. I'm here to help.



Keep in mind he has Dragoons for his minions which are evolved Troopers akin to Royal Lancers. Anyway, when we select Scott:

I've been training hard since we last met! Level up! DF+1
Level up! AT+1, MP+1
Level up!
Level up! AT+1, MP+1
Level up! AT+1, MP+1
Level up! AT+1, DF+1, MP+1
Level up!
Level up! AT+1, MP+1, Class Change!





There can only be one. That settles it, green-haired Highlander.

Level up! AT+1



Here's our brand spanking new Scott - too bad he's nowhere near the combat, has no equipment and is about 3-4 levels behind everyone else. So enjoy the bench for this mission, dear Scotty. First, Cherie goes for the secret tile.



Yes No
Obtained Rune Stone.

Aaron & Liana heal us up and the final attack begins.









It takes 3 Angels, but we down this Phoenix. All that's left is Laird, his 2 goons, the Dark Princess and Leon. Let's make this happen.





Keith's Angels can barely scratch the Dark Princess, so the altered plan is to take her out with Fighter, kill Laird with one pair of Phalanxes and Leon with another. Of course, it's one thing to make a plan, it's another to see how it works in practice.





Obtained War Hammer.



(CC:50)

Laird! Worry about it later. Retreat for now.

I'm sorry...





Well... shoot. Fighter can't kill DP with Phalanxes, which means... that's the first time he has failed to score a one-round kill when he has the move and the units to bring to bear. It's a good sign that the game is getting more difficult. Leon should still be easy prey as he can kill Valkyrie but will die to a repeated Phalanx assault. Next turn then, shall finish everything. In fact, let's let Liana's newly summoned Valkyrie take out DP next turn. And as expected, nothing happens on the enemy turn bar some self-healing.





Check out the ruined floor under Liana, another great backdrop. Time for the Ride of the Valkyries!




Keith, you're up.



Level up! AT+1, MP+1



(CC:51)

Dark Princess! That's enough - please retreat.

I can still fight...

The defence of the castle is our mission. You certainly have better things to do.
Please retreat. We can't afford to lose you!

Once again, I owe you one...
Until I can return the favour, I'll retreat...

I understand. Until we realize our dream - a war-less, peaceful world...
Until I see that day, I won't be defeated.

Hearing that makes me feel better, Leon. Please be careful!
They are the Descendants of Light.







L?na! Are you okay?

Shut up! I have no past!
The past is unnecessary... It will be swept away by a future of darkness!

L?na!

What!? The Dark Princess is Liana's sister?

Yes, there's no mistake. My sister and I are clones twins. We were abandoned at the entrance of a shrine.
The priest took us in, but while we were children, somebody kidnapped her.
I can't believe I would finally meet her here...

Wow. When I got to know Liana, she never mentioned a sister...

My Blue Dragon Knights have fallen... But I cannot yield!
Even if I must battle alone, I will protect this castle until the bitter end!

Leon, it's over! Any more fighting is a waste.

Don't make me laugh! The Knights are not known for cowardice!
The only way into this castle is through me!

Leon...



Obtained Long Sword & Platemail.



(CC:52)

However, we haven't forgotten that your strength comes from Langrisser. Alhazard's revival is at hand.
When that happens, you won't have a chance! Until we meet again, Fighter.

Leon & his steed, Laird, limp away.





Level up! MP+1

Level up! AT+1, MP+1

Level up! AT+1, DF+1, MP+1, Protection 2 was learned!

Level up! DF+1



Well... I did feel a strange aura surrounding her...

Something has happened to her. This isn't her true self...



Lady Jessica! Are you all right? Are you injured?

No, I'm all right, Lester.

Jessica! Are you injured? More importantly, what does all this mean?

Her mind is being controlled. I felt a powerful spell at work upon her.
Somebody suppressed her will and is manipulating her like a puppet.

Really... But who has such power?

We don't have time to ponder this. Reinforcements are arriving!

What the-!?

I will take care of this. Hurry into the castle!

I understand. Then I'll leave the rest of you.

Fighter! At last, the decisive battle!

Yeah, I'll do my best!

Everyone! Break down the doors, for the final battle is at hand!
Once inside, we shall find Kaiser Bernhardt and end his dreams of a tyrannical reign over El Sallia!
True peace cannot be attained under martial law.





Next time, we've breached the gates and it's time to finish this. But first we have another all important vote to get to, as there are two mutually exclusive victory conditions. Kill either the Kaiser or another guy who wears a creepy mask, his name is Boser.

IMPORTANT VOTE TIME (8 hour time frame)

Here's their stats, if it helps make your choice:

B?ser



Bernhardt