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Scenario 13 -
To Kill a Big Bad

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Having defeated General Leon once more, the companions began their invasion of the palace interior. But even their success played into the plans of the Kaiser. The companions were headed straight into an ambush. With the fate of the world at stake, the companions hoped the divine power of Langrisser could crush Kaiser Bernhardt and his followers. Fighter knew nought whether the companions' combined strength could win this fight. As they rushed into the Rayguard Palace, the companions found themselves surrounded... The battle between the Descendants of Light and the Army of Darkness has begun.









Scott gets re-equipped with Leon's basic equipment set. Otherwise, there's really not much of an equipment change since and probably won't be for a while, unless Liana gets an attack spell soon. Still it's nice having the old boy back in the team - his cavalry will be of great use in the opening of this next map. Speaking of which, here is the map:



Nothing too special but I do admire the use of black space for this epic clash. Now, it's a good thing B?ser was our fated target as he's weaker then Bernhardt, his ninja soldiers count as undead so... hello Liana/Hein/Aaron! Plus, the canon L2 route from my limited understanding seems to be focused on killing Boser now rather then Bernhardt - though I may be wrong. Anyway, the battle plan for this map is simple as seen below:



All I can add is that after taking out all of those enemies, we focus on Egbert then Boser with any idle units taking a couple of potshots at Bernhardt's men. There may be enemy reinforcements coming from the rear but if it's anything like last map, it won't matter one iota. Now then, an inspirational ditty:

For justice, for peace,
We shall take on the forces of malice,
Who probably own a kickass chalice.

But with Langrisser shining bold,
Our enemies shall tremble as if from the cold.
With strokes wide and deep,
Fighter will sweep foes from their feet.

But alas, all is not great as it is said,
For a great man is now dead,
And with many more to follow,
Let us pray that this victory is not hollow.

Men, we shall take Castle Rayguard this day,
So by the power of Lushiris and the Holy Blade,
Let this battle echo throughout the ages!

Sortie out!







Your Majesty...? Did we not hold the enemy back long enough?

Don't concern our Kaiser with such petty matters. I will hear your report...

Yes, Sir! I'm sorry! I have a report from General Leon... He has let the enemy intrude.

Really... In that case, we will ambush them on their way in.
No matter what, we will ensure His Majesty's safety.

Yes, Sir!









I must thank you for being such excellent couriers of my sword, Langrisser.



He seems awfully complacent for a man cornered by his enemy...

Why should I be concerned? We will have the last laugh!

Bernhardt! We won't allow the revival of Alhazard! We will stop you here!

Oh, will you, boy?

We're on the verge of being able to toast to a lasting peace!
Everyone, fight with all your heart!

Opening moves - Lester and Hein will maneuver to pepper our foes at range. Aaron and others will follow up on the right side. Operation Massive Damage begins.











That's the right side devastated though it could have gone better. Lester was unable to get his Ballista in range but next turn, he shall unleash the wooden mechanized fury. Now for the one and only Highlander to break the center forces.



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





Scott just shreds these poor schmucks... but the Mv penalty from being indoors means we can't surround them. Still, he's halfway to another level and should be able to take out Bernhardt's men with relative ease. Liana, of all people, is going to lead the charge to B?ser and turn all his Spectres into dust. You go, girl.



But it helps that Fighter is backing her up.











Here's where the team stands at the end of Turn 1 - we've got the edge over all the initial enemy forces, but everyone is in danger of being sniped by those ballista teams. This ambush is actually really well thought out and shows the level of tactical cunning of Egbert and the Kaiser. It's interesting that B?ser has yet to be introduced but only time will tell.





However, your ragtag "army" will find reaching my throne most impossible.
In time, you shall realise that raising a sword against me was truly reckless.

I like to imagine he does when he says "army".

Oh, really? We will win this fight. Wait and see!

Hmmm... A humourous fellow... So be it, young warrior.
Show me what power you think gives you the right to make El Sallia yours!





The Ballista keep trying and failing to hurt the Grenadiers. Just can't touch the left side... the right side however...





Bugger it all, lost 2 Bandits, Locke & Lock - they were cousins... and 1 High Elf, her name was Halcyon. The centre falls under attack next.











Scott fares slight better and Hein is on hand to deal with the damages next turn. This has been a pretty brutal ambush and from here on it'll only get worse. Still a breakthrough here means less pain when dealing with the three big bads of the map.



But before any of that... we need to heal up like super badly. Liana & Aaron fire off two Heal1s for us. I wanted to use Hein for this job since Heal2 restores all HP, but he would be better suited to casting some Fireballs and taking care of the right side by preventing them from dealing such catastrophic damage again.







Not as much damage as I've come to expect from Hein but it'll do. Time to follow up with Keith and Hein/Aaron's men.





Level up! AT+1



Why, why can't I win...

Lester still is nowhere near the range he needs to fire off some shots and I feel I've made a grave strategic blunder in my positioning of him. I'll have to make it up to him later. Scott - be my saving grace.







This can't be right...

Level up! AT+1

The centre melee forces taken care of, we can push hard through the left flank and strike the centre ranged forces with a combo of Fighter, Liana and Cherie. Let's hope they're up to task.







I, I've lost?

Level up!

Liana's charging her way to a class change - I for one think she makes a great Saint, much better than Imelda. For now, we'll ignore the leftmost enemies and take on the central ones. Fighter leads the push.







I'm thinking about trying a new method of showing off multiple similar kills like this - for now, I'm limited to Paint but in time I should be able to get my old version of Photoshop back up. I think it sorta works for now.





Here's the battle situation at the end of Turn 2, we've pushed up - killed 3 units, weakened the centre and softened up the right side a little. The left flank is a bit shaky though but hopefully, it all works out.





Prepare yourselves, Descendants of Trash!









It takes all 4 ballistas to kill this unaura'd Grenadier - RIP Heinrich, husband of Floppy II. May they both find one another in El Sallian heaven









Blast it all, the right flank is still the weakest. Another bandit is dead, RIP Jaffar, and Keith/Aaron are hanging by a thread. There's still more to come.

Protect His Majesty!

Yeah!











It took a good deal of sorcery to wear down that garrison...
Impossible, you are...!?



That's the problem with killing worms - you cut them down, but both halves keep wiggling.
But since you used the Rebirth spell, I shouldn't underestimate your skill...

B?ser... Prince of Darkness... When were you revived?

You know him? He is the man who aided me in obtaining Alhazard.

Now it's all clear to me. Only an absolute fool... would cooperate with demons!
This is all B?ser's scheme. He's using you!

Once again, I have been resurrected!
And with the waking of Chaos's Glory, darkness shall once again rule this world!

That won't happen! We won't let Alhazard be revived!

So there you have it. Since we did just meet the Dark Princess, it was only a matter of time till we met the Dark Prince. I like how chill Bernhardt is about this - "you know that guy? cool beans, he helped me get this sweet sword." Anyway, it's time to solve the right flank through a liberal application of Keith.



Hein heals up first though and Aaron/Keith move in.



Level up! AT+1, DF+1

Not bad, just the commander is left and we're all healed up to take another Meteor hit - so no problem. Aaron and Cherie takes on the centre.







Aaahh... Bernhardt, Your Majesty!

Level up! AT+1, DF+1

Liana heals up and now we can see the difference between Heal and Force Heal - look at what Force Heal1 does after selecting a unit with it. It means, if you wanted you could keep 1 minion safe out of harms way next to your Force Healer and just heal away with no danger to your healer. An effective but somewhat inefficient and cowardly solution.





Fighter gives no fucks about unit affinity at this point of the game. However, after moving up the rest of our forces, I can now see my previous blunder was a blessing in disguise as Lester can snipe away as Jessica takes the brunt of the onslaught from these plebs.



Unfortunately, Lester is again out of range and fortunately, they are out of range of Jessica. Lester should get the jump on them next turn. The initial ambush is almost over - one more turn should do it, then we can focus our attention on Egbert, B?ser & Bernhardt in that order. Turn 3 used to be here but it's gone now.

Kaiser Bernhardt, that man, B?ser, is the Prince of Darkness. He gives away power only to manipulate you.
The strength you've acquired isn't from Alhazard alone! You're channelling the energy of Chaos.
It will consume you and destroy this world!

So what if I choose to wield the power of darkness? As Kaiser, it's my prerogative.
Langrisser is no different. Power is power - its source matters little.

Alhazard drives those who wield it to madness!

Such ignorance!
What is a sword but steel? It is the fire of its wielder's heart that forges its use.
Alhazard shall bow to me... As will this continent of fools and fools' kingdoms!

In that case, Kaiser, we must dethrone you.

That's more like it Jessica! REGICIDE!











So we take some meteors and they do minimal damage. However, Jessica moved down and into range of those cavalry. So she's gonna suffer some hits.









Let's do something different and start with Lester. He needs to support his Mistress pronto since she's in quite a pickle.



Level up! DF+1, MP+1







Doesn't look so good, but if Jessica holes up and play defensively it should be alright as Lester has the firepower to take out these s with relative ease. Valkyrie comes out and Fighter aims at taking out the left side.





Level up! AT+1, DF+1

Fighter, this is one of the few times you've failed to live up to your hype. I mean, it's great you've dealt a crippling blow to them but I expected destruction and smashing... Maybe Keith can do better, finishing off the commander mage on the right side.



As expected... But with your meagre ability, you won't defeat His Highness.

Hein heals up and our forces regroup in the centre. Cherie aims to take out as many minions of Egbert and Bernhardt as possible.



Level up! AT+1, MP+1, White Dragon was learned!







Aaron heals Cherie up and now I worry immensely about Egbert's counter attack. Just look at those Ballistae.



That is it for Turn 4. Many risks were taken and much was gambled this turn... let's see how well it pays off. Jessica throws out a Fireball for starters - good move!

















Egbert buffs his troops with Attack2 (I assume) and it works decently, we lost an Angel - RIP Gabriel. Jessica comes under attack again.











Thank you Jessica - my heart was in my throat for a second there.





Before I start with Lester, I want to give Liana a bit more experience before throwing her to B?ser. Valkyrie's Fireball can take out those two low HP ballista. And might as well finish off the mage with Fighter.





Aahhhh!

Anyway, back to Lester - the ballista meister.





Lester smashes the opposing s' forces. Only the commanders and one Lancer are left standing - Jessica should be able to survive the next turn with no difficulty. Aaron heals Keith and Hein up again and we move onto Keith supporting Cherie in her northern war.













But, I won't die quite so effortlessly.

Egbert...! That's enough, stand back! Next time, leave it to me.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

Level up! MP+1



That's the right side taken care of. I want to give Hein the secret tile on the right side - whoever gets to the left secret tile can take it. And that's turn 5 taken care of - major breakthroughs are occurring and soon, victory shall be to the Forces of Light. Jessica shoots off another Fireball for good measure.







Also... Bernhardt can cast Meteor even though his class, Emperor, shouldn't be able to - cheating bastard. Though it burns through all his MP quick smart - he's down to 2 just like that.



Lester should be able to finish off the rest of the Blue Dragon Knights right now.





I won't die yet. I won't die... not yet...

Level up! AT+1, DF+1



P, painful... I can't breathe...

Lester... you're my favourite blunder!
The plan for the remainder of the map is to bring Liana and her Turn Undead on B?ser, Scott will take out his Beserkers and Hein will summon up the White Dragon after getting in range whilst everyone else attacks Bernhardt's men with everything they have left.





This is what Turn 6 amounts to - a lot of movement, wrapping up of some loose ends and getting ready for the final strike.







The original gif was massive - over 6mb, so here's the cast animation and what it basically looks like in action.



Earthquake has a huge AoE centered on the caster and does decent damage to ground based units. It only hits the 3 grenadiers to the top-right of Fighter, 2 of which just get healed up at the start of our turn as you can see. The centre charge begins.



When Hein's High Elves go for the ranged assault:

You managed to get here. I commend you for that. But, you will soon witness the difference between a Kaiser and a few brash weeds!









Hein is in position to summon the White Dragon next turn and move onto the secret tile. Scott can also charge into the Beserkers in 2 turns. Liana is also ready to go next turn for a Turn attempt. Lester can just sit with Jessica, it'd take too long to bring him up and he's fulfilled his role for this map. Turn 7 is completed.











Lesson for me from this update - Liana is a goddamn magic tank - took no damage from a Meteor from the Dark Prince himself. Hells yeah. Now for her to follow up on B?ser's invitation to party.







Fighter does something he hasn't done in a while and heals everyone up. What a great leader is our General, Fighter. When Scott strikes at the Beserkers:

Think you can beat me!? The Descendants of Light... How pathetic!







Say hello to our new friend, White Dragon, who is bloody strong (51AT, 39DF in Hein's aura) and has two attack spells - Blizzard is another AoE spell centered on the caster. It deals more damage then Fireball but have less range as a trade-off.







Just... summons do not suffer from Final Fantasy Summon Syndrome - where they are too expensive and all suck. In this games all summons have their use no matter what level you're at. Aaron heals up and Keith attacks.







So, here's the battlefield post-Turn 8 - we're so close now. The other thing I'm remembering about fighting Bernhardt is that the aura he gives off is so huge, that only our commanders and maybe Fighter's men stand a chance against Bernhardt's men. 5 minions and the 2 commanders are all that's left to this map. Hein's going for the secret tiles next turn.











Scott moves in to finish off the rest of the Beserkers.







You are the only Highlander for this playthrough, Scott. There shall be no other. On the other hand, the DragonForce are going for a full on attack while Hein moves onto the secret tile.







Level up! MP+1





That's Turn 9 wrapped up - no more enemy minions and both big bads are open to take out at our leisure. Hein's ready to grab that secret tile next turn and Scott should be able to grab the other one next turn.





Level up!

B?ser's attempt to rock us failed as Fighter healed everyone up with little difficulty. Valkyrie and White Dragon utilize some Fireballs to weaken B?ser then we can finish him off. But before that - secret tiles.



Nevermind, B?ser is immune to magic damage. Alas. Secret tile time!



Will you drink it?
Yes No
Movement raised! (MV+1)



Also, welcome to the first of many mutually exclusive secret items - the other choice was a blue potion which raised magic defence. Oh well, a faster Hein is a better Hein. Time to take out B?ser. First, I lay down a Protection2 on Scott and then...







Arrgghh!

Bernhardt! You're next!

Hah... This sounds like fun.

What!? Fighter, that Bernhardt is an illusion.
The real Kaiser isn't even here!

Jessica... you're a terrible ancient sage/mage.

What! You mean that man is, just an illusion spell?

Heh heh heh... As I would expect.

That voice is Egbert's!

Right about now, His Highness is preparing Alhazard's glorious revival ceremony.
Thank to you, we've had all the time we could want. Really, you have His Majesty's regards.





Level up! MP+1

Level up! DF+1

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

It seems Egbert's magic is responsible.

Where is Bernhardt!?

Perhaps... He may have gone to the cursed land...

Chaos's Glory, Alhazard...
It sleeps in Velzeria's darkness until the Keeper of Alhazard awakes. B?ser...

By now, we're too late. The prophecy is everything but reality now.

Velzeria... The forbidden land?

We mustn't allow Alhazard's revival!
The War of Elthlead cannot... the continent cannot bear it again.

The War of Elthlead?

During my natural life, before I returned with the spell of Rebirth...
There was a time when, through the power of Alhazard, evil laid flame to this world.
The Dark Blade's power was fierce, and it forced us into a terrible, tragic war.
Our good king at the time, Sieghart, took his own life, binding his essence within a weapon to rival Chaos.
The sword became known as Langrisser, the Might of Elthlead.
We received Langrisser's power and successfully sealed Alhazard... but many lives were sacrificed.
We must never allow that disaster to repeat itself.

What I tell you is also written in the ancient scrolls.
"When the Dark One drew upon Alhazard's unbridled power... the sun was swallowed and the stars vanished...
The dead rose from the cracked earth and all life was engulfed in a world of darkness."
This, this really happened...

I cannot believe Alhazard is capable of so much...

Fighter, you must stop Alhazard's awakening!
I will go ahead and search out Alhazard's revival ceremony. The rest of you, please depart for Velzeria.

Alright...

Velzeria lies across the sea.
A port city lies just down the road. We can find a boat there.

I'll be one step ahead. Let's all head to Velzeria. Lester, show them the way to Velzeria, please.

Liana...

You don't have to say anything, I understand... I promised, didn't I...
I'll wait for everyone to come back in one piece...

Liana, I'll go with you to Kalxath.

Thanks, Hein, but I'm okay. I can go by myself.

Well then, let's depart! Liana, be careful.

May Lushiris's light guide us all...





So next time, we steal a boat! Like any true band of pirates would. Also, if anyone wants to take a stab at summarizing Langrisser I/Warsong's plot for us, feel free to give it a shot as that explanation wasn't too great by Jessica. And yes, Liana is out of the party now but Scott more then makes up for her absence. Next up though, will be a mini-update covering some of the extras missed so far. Happy New Years everyone!