Toggle Background Color
--------------------------
Scenario 10 
A Cunning Strategy and
a Very Moderate Commander
--------------------------
Let's keep this talk of armoured nipples on topic, so try to picture an old man in his set of nipple armour and that old man is Aaron. 
Thanks to Laird's diligent scouting, the location of the Baldean ruins was uncovered. However, a great river still separates the company from reaching the ruins and Langrisser's barrow within. Along the opposite shore, an old swordsman stood with his troops, ready to lay down his life to prevent the company's advance.
So, with the loss of Vargas as a potential defensive unit or even naval unit (which would've been great for this map!), I need to utilize Leon as a dedicated Phalanx breaker since Aaron has surrounded himself with them. So the Assault Suit goes on, Rohga gets a Necklace to make up for his CR of 0 and Octavian nabs an Amulet to weather any magic that those mages can muster. The Shop has utter trash for sale, so let's move onto the map.
So Aaron has a much more impressive force then in the alternate universe where he defended a fort of civilians. He's even utilizing some good strategy trying to fight us on a bridge. However, his choice of mostly cavalry is unfortunate since their mobility and powerful charge is wasted on a bridge. The plan is as follows:
Pretty straight forward, no? I believe there are some secret tiles present but I'll have to fish around for them. I'm unsure if Aaron gets reinforcements, but it wouldn't surprise me if he didn't given his starting forces. Also, if Aaron dies at the end of this map then it proves that Der Langrisser has a thing against old men (ignoring immortals like Egbert/Boser/Jessica) as Vargas is the first to drop on the Light path, whilst Aaron passes away first on the Imperial path.
For Pax Rayguardia! Men, cross this bridge and bring me the head of those who resist us!
It's just beyond this village.
Turns out it's not Laird... that's what I get for making assumptions!
Great! Let's hurry ahead, then.
I don't understand what he's getting at.
Answer my question! Do you plan to harbour your army near this town?
We are people of the Rayguard Empire, and we are simply passing through. Do you have business with us? If not, stand aside.
Still you spite me, cur! You will not disrupt this village's peace. I, Aaron, shall end your warmongering.
You will not set foot on holy Baldea!
Wait a moment, please. We don't want to fight. If you just let us be...
You would be so insolent! Have at you!
Damn it, he seems serious about this. (CC:104)
Oh well, we'll kick his sorry ass. He won't impede the Empire. (CC:105)
Settle down. Let's try not to kill without need.
If he sees our intent is not to bring war here, he may agree to let us pass.
So let's get right on that and blockade the bridge whilst our mages take up position on the beaches. We're going to get all V-Day landings on this old fool.
And that's Turn 1 done. Time for the cavalry to crash into our lines and break upon our halberds. Or do nothing, as the AI is wont to do.
Leon! Please, give me orders!
What should we do, Octavian? His ability is limited. I don't think he'll be of much use.
That's true. Should we have him standby...?
Will you have him stand by?
Yes, it's for his own good as he may rise up and become the next heir to the Empire one day,
No, I love dealing with NPCs messing up a perfectly ordered battle line and dying like flies
Leave this to us. Please, stand aside.
Yes!
If we say Yes though:
It's your call. Just use him wisely...
Yes!
The red-haired commander, what do you call yourself?
My name is Octavian.
You have mysterious eyes... You don't appear to be a soldier of Rayguard.
Why have you decided to aid the Empire?
If we take control of El Sallia, the war will be over. Union by power is better than the current state of things.
A forced peace would be a short peace. Someone with more power could end it, someone like you.
Is that really sufficient?
Hmmm...
Here is the other important choice, along with the one on the bridge, that determines whether you will remain an Imperial trooper, a Force of Darkness servant or your own man. Well, the two questions and the opening questionnaire. The choices and resulting dialogue will be covered below.
It's only natural
It's only natural. He with the most power would be the best suited at securing this land.
The longer it takes to unify this continent, the more lives will be lost.
Only with power can we lessen the number of those sacrificed.
I see... In that case, we free nations will destroy your Empire. Very few would agree to surrender their property and livelihood under martial law.
I will fight against you for my ideals. We shall see whose method is the better.
You can't sway me!
Spare us the altruism. Aaron, in my travels, I have seen the horrors of war...
This world is bloody with conflict. We must change that now.
So, you hate war... yet you wage it for "peace." You, Sir, are a hypocrite.
I don't know...
I can't say my means are perfect. But this way, I never see war as completely purposeless.
If you have other options, I'd like to know them.
I see... If your actions lead to peace, I'll be mistaken about many things. Come, Octavian, let's see how you end wars!
En garde!
The conversations converge here and two units of Serpent Knights spawn in. By the way, Octavian chooses 'It's only natural'.
Shit! Serpent Knights! (CC:106)
They were hiding under the water!
A crafty one...!
Don't pursue! We'll take them with a pincer attack!
Yes, Sir!
Line up with our sea units and charge the enemy!
Yes!
(CC:107)
Their main force uses its mobility to take advantage of weak points!
Very perceptive, Aaron. Though I must say that applies more for Leon's Blue Dragon Knights whereas Octavian has been happy to utilize blockading and stonewall in order to slowly force his way through opponents.
We're advancing on the enemy!
Well shit. Imelda just got her forces reduced by half (inc. herself) and now will have to weather a fierce storm of mermaids and flying units. Need to back her up and spray a lot of magic at them.
How unsavoury. This will cause grave damage.
Don't just charge in. How about instead, we retreat and reorganise?
Indeed, a forceful rush would be ill-advised.
NOT. A. STEP. BACK. At least for Rohga & Octavian. Leon can do whatever. It's time for some Jesus-inspired maneuvers. But first, we begin with some magical fire.
BA BOOM! It's a good opening, now for Plan Pew-Pew - wherein Hein & Imelda's ranged units to go pew-pew.
Now Octavian needs to charge the Merman's flank and save Imelda from being overrun.
Hesitate no longer!
Level up! AT+1
Now for Rohga to swoop in and maintain the defence with a solid offence.
Level up! AT+1, DF+1, MP+2, Tornado was learned!
Now Rohga can bring some magical wind down upon those who would oppose him... next turn. Time for Leon to strike.
And that's it for Turn 2 - a very good push through the middle. Imelda could be killed next turn by a Nixie attack, but here's hoping the beach negates her terrain advantage completely.
Everyone, hold! This moment is critical!
This attempt at Sleeping Rohga fails utterly. But it does put Leon to sleep and so he's vulnerable now.
Well at least, Imelda lives on and Octavian can clean up the Eastern beachhead.
Arrgh-!
Beachhead mostly cleaned up! I'll be wanting to feed the remaining fliers to Imelda though, since without her Elves she can't get as much EXP. Now for the western beach and Hein.
Gaah... I'm falling from my dragon... Aaahhh-! *sploosh*
Level up! DF+1, MP+2
A Fireball from the rear takes out another Mermaid, so well done Hein! Now onto Leon and his efforts in removing the naval threat.
Too bad he's sleeping since he is a walking god of destruction now. The 1HP Elf retreats and Rohga charges up his big fuck off spell.
When we attack the Saint and her forces...
Defeat ill befits our Company... But it shall complement you quite nicely!
Unfortunately, by firing off that spell Rohga's men can only strike out at one enemy and thus, have to maintain the line. Turn 3 is over and we should be able to push through next turn if the enemy doesn't heal up and then, Rohga fires off another Tornado. Also, if Leon wakes up that'd be another boon. For now, we shall wait and observe Aaron's moves.
So, no to the Tornado plan then. Leon continues take tank hits in his sleep and wakes up this turn. But first, Imelda strives to take out the remaining aerial forces on her lonesome. Hein decides to focus on the naval remnants with some help from Rohga.
Now Leon can strike and absorb that sweet sweet EXP from their scattered corpses.
Impossible!
Wh, what! Are the Serpent Knights finished already!? These guys can't be taken lightly!
Level up! AT+1
I, I can't make it any farther!
And that's Turn 4. Aaron still has a significant force up north, but we've broken the back of his pincer strategy. 2 cavalry remain, plus that Saint. Once we break through them, Aaron will be wide open whilst Octavian can swarm his ranged mages thanks to that Amulet. The Saint tries to put us to Sleep and fails, and otherwise not a lot else happens on Aaron's turn. Back to the carnage!
So Rohga & Leon combine for some decent damage, though not as much as I'd like. Time for Octavian to sweep in and clear a path through to Aaron.
Turn 5 is finished - the path to Aaron is open, everyone else is waiting to pounce from the bridge. The Saint manage to enchant a Phalanx into restful slumber. When Rohga comes under fire...
You're very reckless to turn your blade in my direction!
That's just sad. Let's give Imelda an edge in her 1v1 with the Dragon Knight, a magical edge if you will.
It may be hard to see, but that DK is asleep. This leaves Imelda free to whale on him next turn. Hein moves up and starts his supporting barrage of arrow fire.
Aaahh-! Noo...!
Beautiful work, Hein. Everyone, would you kindly finish up the rest of the cavalry?
Is this my end...? Is it here...?
Level up! AT+1, MP+1, Charm was learned!
Oh ho! You have defeated me...
We've made it to the end of the bridge. Next turn, we charge Aaron and demonstrate our superior mobility and irrepressible power. But that is all for Turn 6 and lets see what Aaron can muster.
That's it. But as it turns out that Dragon Knight did not stay under which sucks. I'll have to get more creative with Imelda's 1v1 - she can't win against him when they're both at full health. Rohga heals us up and we move on.
Imelda should kill him in two turns, tops. Leon, I choose you!
I can't believe you have made it this far... The Empire is truly amazing.
Who else would appoint a pack of selfish hoodlums as its representatives.
Be reasonable! We are not some power-mad aggressors!
Unfortunately, Octavian's men are out of charge range so we move up and present a bunch of Leon's Elves as targets for Ballista fire. Turn 7 is done and I must say, this map has been a pretty fun challenge - a straight up grudge match with the enemy having most of the advantages over us given our commanders for this map.
Rohga heals up Octavian and the charge can finally begin in earnest.
Level up! AT+1, DF+1
Level up! AT+1, DF+1, MP+1
It's been good fun Aaron, but you're so close to defeat now.
Turn 8 is all done, we're just dealing with remnants and Imelda throws out another Fireball for fun & profit.
If we back down, Langrisser will be taken by the Empire!
Goddess, give me the power to fight the Empire...!
Yes, the Elves are sadly dead - when going downhill soldier units can disappear off the right side of the map along with their opponents.
We got counterattacked pretty hard, but the cat is still in the bag. Rohga does another Heal1 and Hein fires off another Fireball.
Octavian, you may not be Fighter but still... 
Now for this next image from the 1v1 battle to the death, a little back story. As you probably know, the Dragon Knight's attack is a lightning beam arcing from the dragon's mouth straight down then horizontal, whilst the Saint fires a holy beam straight up and then arcs to the horizontal. When you have two such attacks on screen at once the emulator craps itself and skips the majority of the combat, going straight to the result.
All well and good, right?
Well, if you try to record that battle with FRAPS or what have you, your computer will shit itself and freeze up, SFX will blare incessantly and you will have to restart your computer. I tried to get a gif of this fight, goons, I really did but even with nothing else but the game and FRAPS running I couldn't do it. I am sorry, so here is the still image from the combat result instead, may Lushiris preserve us all.
I was beaten...
So in the end, Imelda won through cunning and luck really. If that DK had attacked her at full health, he'd have won but blessed be thy stupid AI at times. Now to wrap this up.
Save me from death... from death...
One more turn and that'll be that. As such, Turn 9 is over. I should checking for secret tiles soon.
Ouch. Too bad for that poor Phalanx, but it's all over now.
Goddess... Lushiris... Aaahhh-
Too bad! Your Goddess can't save you now! Level up! AT+1, MP+1
Let's skip ahead since the game is over, Aaron is surrounded and kept at low HP. So, it's just a matter of finding secret tiles. After Turn 10...
Imperial Army, my blade has rusted with age... Consider it an even match!
Will you inspect it?
Yes, a metal plate? Sounds like another item I already own... No, trash is trash is trash, let's keep it that way.
The plate emitted light and became a beautiful shield.
Obtained Odin's Buckler!
Skip ahead a few more turns as Rohga goes duck diving in the river.
Do you wish the examine it?
, 
You did your hand into the water and hit something metal!
Obtained Crown.
Aww yes, this what all this time wasting was for. This one item solves the majority of problems with the Ranger/High Lord class - it is a major boon to have found it! Anyway, lets kill an old man.
Obtained War Hammer & Chainmail.
Ugh, it's already no good. Can we do nothing other than fall back...?
You don't understand my motivation, but there's nothing I can really do about that... Time and history will move on.
One day you'll remember my words and regret but, by then, it will be too late.
...
This is our first meeting. Try to think it over until the next...
That was a bit rambling, old man but I get your point. Octavian is too fast and furious for you to handle, I believe was the gist. Zurai is right as Aaron doesn't explode and just disappears, which is bullshit given the map condition is to best all enemies but eh, I like to think that Aaron figured he was too old for this shit and left once the plan turned sour.
Level up! MP+2, Class Change!
Again is an awesome ability, but I want TELEPORT and hence, Hein is going to become the ultimate wizard that ever lived. Archmage, it is!
Level up! AT+1, DF+1, MP+1, Quick & Resist was learned!
It's over.
A very moderate commander, huh?
What a guy. He reminds me a little of myself.
So our next stop is going to be the lost castle...
All right! Our destiny is only a few steps away!
Alright! That's one quite brutal map over with and I must say, I relished in the challenge of it - so props to Aaron, you make a terrible PC but a good enemy. One thing I will note, Elves are quickly becoming obsolete and thus, I'll need to get Leon up to his next class change ASAP if I want to play with some Grenadiers. As for next time, it's back to Castle Wolfenstein Baldea but this time, we start on the west side.