Burn the Shadow is the sixth and final chapter (Torchbearer path) of The Elven Court campaign in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map from Burn the Shadow
"As two behemoths clash head on, the Torchbearers emerge in the arena to keep them from completely destroying each other. We have to be cunning, as we are greatly outnumbered and cannot win with a direct assault. I take strength from my allies. My friends, and those who still hope for peace, stand with me this day. We will determine the fate of Athla." - Sundren of House Inioch
Introduction[]
The Looming Battle[]
Calm before the storm
I must real my heart behind steel, lest I lose my nerve and hide from the terrible task before me. I must counter the lies and repel two armies long enough for the whispers of truth to be heard. Me! One who has used lies to profit. I am acquainted with the power of deception. Now, I must stand up for what is true.
My father is a master strategist. He was born to a race founded on cruelty. He will wield every ounce of his power with ruthless determination. Reskar tells me that Fai Dural, a Shadowborn agent, convinced a large group of Draconians to fight for the Elven Court. Though weakened by Nomlik's insurrection, the Commonwealth is not without its own dangerous might. Their machines are deadly and they are many.
The War Begins[]
Last hope for the world
Despite my best efforts, the Shadowborn have exactly what they want. Machines rumble, the men march. The Commonwealth and Elven Court stampede toward each other. Both my father and the Emperor lead their forces in person.
Merlin bolsters me with stories of my mother's bravery in the face of hopeless odds. How I wish I could tell her all I know. I used to think she was weak. For centuries, she's worked secretly to prevent this moment, but she was just one voice. Now, she's caught in the wake of my father's wrath. She must be here somewhere.
Somehow, we noble few who know the truth must convinvce the world that they kill for a lie.
It's not enough to stop one side. The other would trample us all. The Torchbearers must stop both sides. We need to capture Leonus and Saridas.
Overview[]
The item "Merlin's Wand" will be dropped near the city of Sundren. This item must be in the hero's inventory when fighting the main leader's of each faction in order to apply its efects. The hero that has the inventory must melee attack said leader, and then win the fight in order to reroute the Throne Recall (three turns).
Leaders[]
| Leader | Sundren | Saridas | Xorn | Fai | Leonus Degrance | Svengir | Wazuhl | Argula |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunden of House Inioch - High Elf Rogue (player, white/purple) | War | War | War | War | War | War | War | |
| Saridas of House Inioch - High Elf Sorcerer (Blue/white) | War | Alliance | Alliance | War | War | War | War | |
| Xorn the Disciplined - Orc Warlord (Black/red) | War | Alliance | Alliance | War | War | War | War | |
| Fai Dural Dzirikon - Draconian Theocrat (Orange/purple) | War | Alliance | Alliance | War | War | War | War | |
| Leonus Degrance - Human Dreadnought (Blue/yellow) | War | War | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Svengir the Golden - Dwarf Rogue (Purple/lilic) | War | War | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Wazuhl the Jagged - Goblin Warlord (Red/yellow) | War | War | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Argula Ironheart - Orc Dreadnought (Yellow/green) | War | War | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance |
Heroes[]
- Sundren of House Inioch - High Elf Rogue (Player)
- Reskar Scapeshaper - Draconian Arch Druid (Player)
- Nomlik Trismegistus - Goblin Theocrat (Player)
- Bormac Orcbane - Dwarf Dreadnought (Player)
- Julia of House Inioch - High Elf Arch Druid (Player)
- Edward Portsmith - Human Dreadnought (Player)
- Saridas of House Inioch - High Elf Sorcerer (Saridas)
- Aegelis the Levitating - High Elf Sorcerer (Saridas)
- Tianne the Monster Slayer - High Elf Warlord (Saridas)
- Xorn the Disciplined - Orc Warlord (Xorn)
- Fai Dural Dzirikon - Draconian Theocrat (Fai)
- Raknor the Crusader - Draconian Theocrat (Fai)
- Leonus Degrance - Human Dreadnought (Leonus)
- Ambor the Missionary - Human Theocrat (Leonus)
- Mikal Ironfist - Orc Dreadnought (Leonus)
- Svengir the Golden - Dwarf Theocrat (Svengir)
- Sheena the Elementalist - Human Sorcerer (Svengir)
- Wazuhl the Jagged - Goblin Warlord (Wazuhl)
- Yamani the Liquid - Goblin Sorcerer (Wazuhl)
- Argula Ironheart - Orc Dreadnought (Argula)
- Urkan the Hacker - Orc Warlord (Argula)
Cities[]
- Sundren of House Inioch
- Thanarien - High Elf Village (Sundren's Throne)
- Camrod Brak - Dwarf Village
- Livalix - Draconian Village
- Grotslin - Goblin Village
- Brenhem - Dwarf Town
- Saridas of House Inioch
- Tirahique - High Elf Town
- Zekel Hem - High Elf Village
- Onisal - High Elf City
- Lassfin - High Elf Town
- Ridanan - High Elf City
- Arranandir - High Elf City (Sarida's Throne)
- Dolendolil - High Elf Town
- Malleon - High Elf Village
- Fai Dural Dzirikon
- Xirit Thi - Draconian City (Fai's Throne)
- Firis Hix - Draconian Town
- Xorn the Disciplined
- Crozh Kur - Orc Town
- Bec Maser - Orc City (Xorn's Throne)
- Leonus Degrance
- Karmozen - Human City
- Elnoss - Human City
- Frish Kalden - Human Outpost
- Leaden - Human City (Leonus's Throne)
- Svengir the Golden
- Balver - Dwarf Town
- Clannoch - Dwarf City (Svengir's Throne)
- Wazuhl the Jagged
- Gron Zwerk - Goblin Village
- Jightor - Goblin City (Wazuhl's Throne)
- Prut - Goblin Town
- Argula Ironheart
- Dzarka Nor - Orc Town
- Borgurash - Orc Metropolis (Argula's Throne)
- Independent
- Pranar - Human Village
- Jugsus - Goblin Outpost
- Messelson - Human Village
- Nibur Ux - Orc Village (Razed)
- Shorg - Goblin Village
- Bogswa - Goblin Village
- Viloca - Draconian Village
- Cirin Fatus - Archon Revenant Dwelling
- Shadragash - Dragon Dwelling
- Rinanow - Fey Dwelling
- Pretole - Human Town
- Kerlaton - Human Outpost
- Humalin - Human Outpost
- Yisfil - Draconian Village
- Roggob - Goblin Village
- Euthenel - High Elf Village
- Kirrag Zurn - Giant Dwelling
- Tudorak - Orc Village
- Nocallon - High Elf Village
- Tiri Sit - Draconian Village
Fortresses[]
- Saridas of House Inioch
- Arnuel
- Sinuel
- Fanlinoran
- Silanuwen
- Ksirris
- Fai Dural Dzirikon
- Icsel
- Xorn the Disciplined
- Gar Lacklor
- Svengir the Golden
- Ygrim Norod
- Beren Sned
- Wazuhl the Jagged
- Zumk
- Argula Ironheart
- Gar Zlat
- Independent
- Icher
- Tessal
- Yawdise
Outro[]
Redemption[]
Their leaders are imprisoned
The battle is over. Armies retreat to their borders, waiting. Merlin's trick worked. I thought my father would leap out of his chain to destroy Leonus on sight. I forced them to sit in opposing cells, staring at each other, before showing them my evidence.
After their rage subsided, they willingly studied the Shadowborn. My mother's been the most effective in softening Father's heart.
Remaining dialogue
The Dreadnought, Edward, whose father was a friend to the Emperor, convinced Leonus to renounce his godhood after showing him that Voraditius was Shadowborn. Nomlik sits in the quiet cell beside the *Emporer hearing him confess troubling things: dark rituals involving a malevolent will that convinced him he was a god.
II believe in time father will make peace with the loss of his son, knowing the Shadowborn plotted it. I overheard Leonus comforting Father over the tragedy. They were both fooled. I don't expect their mutually inflicted wounds to heal overnight, but I hope someday the scars will fade.
The Torchbearers hunt Shadowborn operatives across both empires. My new friend Edward leads the Torchbearers across the Commonwealth, while I lead the search through the Elven Court.
Note: *Emporer is mispelled in game. It is actually "Emperor".
There will always be Shadows[]
Knowledge is power
The Shadowborn flee to their most secret places. Somewhere out there, Werlac plots against us. Due to the millions of displaced refugees spreading across the world, many have disappeared.
Edward and I compared what we know of the Shadowborn. There is something trapped behind the last Shadowgate--something that wants into this world. The Shadai war-shrines all hold an artifact that once belonged to an exiled Wizard. It is common lore that the spirits of the dead will sometimes attach themselves to objects of importance that were theirs during life.
Remaining dialogue
What if the power that seeks this world once ruled it? Merlin fears the same thing.
He and my mother met with father. I thought father would be angry, learning Merlin's identity, but he remembered Merlon from before the Mending. He remembers how the old Wizard helped him.
Merlin explained, "True Love is not selfish. I will always love Julia, but I'm grateful you granted her her fondest dream." Then he took me by the shoulder and drew me closer, saying, "Sundren is a fine daughter. Cherish her. She is the hope for the next Age of Wonders."
Sundren's Future[]
Sundren overlooks the city
It is quiet tonight. My spies have little to report. I have not seen Merlin in many moons now.
My mother and father are united, no longer plotting against each other. They even share the same bedchambers. Their eyes linger longingly when the other leaves the room. The girl in me wants to mock them for being so sentimental. Still, I remember how it was, and am grateful to see their love rekindled. Some wounds are still there. The palace feels so empty without Thannis, but we will persevere. We will all be stronger, because we remember.
It we cannot keep this inner peace we ignore our real enemy. Something deeply evil awaits us all, ready to consume our souls just beyond the door of shadows.
The world has changed. Finally the Humans and Elves seem to understand one another. Each has a place in this world. We are learning to share it. And for the first time, I find myself giddy with the prospects of what might be my future.
A future I get to choose for myself.
Signs[]
"Goldrush Mountains" - Sign on the northern part of the map, which leads to a Gold Mine rich area.
Storyline Walkthrough[]
Merlin speaks: "This is it, Sundren. Our plan is bold and risky, but it has the best chance of foiling the Shadowborn agenda. I have modified a special wand for you. Strike Leonus and Saridas while holding it and trigger their Throne Recall: they shall find themselves teleported not to their Throne City, but to the caves I have prepared for them. I have to go. Good luck!"
Imprison Leonus and Saridas[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"I have to capture Emperor Leonus and High King Saridas. This way we can forge their troops to stand down and convince them of the Shadowborn plot, away from their treacherous advisors. Only then will this war be over."
Nomlik must survive[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Nomlik alive, we need him to soften Leonus's heart."
At turn 5, the player will trigger an encounter at Sundren's city:
Queen Julia appears: "My dearest daughter! Merlin told me everything. I knnow your cause to be just. Your father is blinded by his advisors and won't listen to me, but we can make him see sense if we can isolate him from their influence, I am certain of it. I have bought all the loyal troops I could muster, I am ready to help you in any way I can."
Julia must survive[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Julia alive at all costs. She must not fall!"
At turn 10, the player will trigger an encounter at Sundren's city:
Edward appears: "Greetings your Highness, I come to join you with all the troops I could gather. Being a hunted outlaw in the Commonwealth hasn't made recruitment any easier, but I am convinced we will triumph here. We are ready to fight and if need be die for the Torchbearers: the Shadowborn must be stopped!"
Edward must survive[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Edward alive at all costs. He must not fall!"
If Reskar were to fall in battle, a dialogue will trigger:
Sundren: "Oh no Reskar, my dear ally! Not you!
I shall never forget you, and I will make sure that Draconians will always be treated with the honor and respect they deserve."
At turn 20, the player will trigger an encounter at Edward's location:
Sundren: "The Fairies we helped in the Vale of the Pool of Origins! They come to assist us! Merlin must have arranged this. Great, we welcome the help!"
When Saridas is captured, a dialogue will trigger:
Saridas is captured: "My father has been captured. His armies are leaderless, forced to hold position as long as we have their King."
Once both leaders are captured, a dialogue will trigger:
The Torchbearers are victorious: "Victory! My father and Leonus sit in their cells. Now begins the long process of getting them to see and admit their mistakes. Many have lost their lives this day, but a bright future dawns for all people. We will root out all Shadowborm and learn to live in harmony."
Notes[]
- Fai and Svengir are the only leaders with a natural Pure Evil Alignment (-800).
- Sundren and Bormac Hero Points will be reverted to base values.
- If the player defeats the pirate's nest at the very southeastern part of the map, they will be given a note that says:
- Inscription found: "We found a piece of paper in the captain's tent. It says: 16 West."
- Both Leonus and Saridas armies will become at Peace with the player when the leaders are captured, but this does not apply to their friends.
- Leonus and Saridas will respawn at their respective Underground chambers, which is protected by a Spelljammer and a Fortress, respectively.
- Since Leonus and Saridas are required to be alive, it is not possible to siege their Throne Cities to capture them, as winning the battle captures the city, which in turns defeats said leader. You can still siege the Throne City by attacking one of the armies surrounding the city instead of the city itself.