Faith Reborn is the third chapter of The Elven Court campaign in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map from Faith Reborn
"Nomlik believes he has a divine mandate to save his enslaved followers from the Emperor's blasphemy, and is convinced I will help him. Meanwhile, the commonwealth has retrieved a powerful weapon from the cursed land of Nirvenkiln. Regardless of heaven's wishes, it's time to help Nomlik sow seeds of discord throughout the Commonwealth. Seeing the factories where Nomlik's followers labor should yield the intelligence I seek." - Sundren of House Inioch
Introduction[]
Nomlik's Story[]
Nomlik shares his story
Nomlik's sad story starts with a priest named Voraditius. This charismatic priest forsook all gods and declared Emperor Leonus to be Divine Ascendant. Naturally, the Emperor appointed him High Priest Eternal. Voraditius purged all rival gods from the Imperial Temple, replaced the signs of the Allfather, and demanded all priests bow to Leonus.
Instead of yielding, Nomlik pleaded before the assembly, "Remember the Allfather! Leonus only cares about gold, and power. Voraditius, stop this!"
Branded a heretic, Nomlik awaited martydom, until a ragged stranger slipped into his cell, telling him his prayers were not in vain. The Allfather wanted him to live. He set Nomlik free, directing him to Ralikesh, where the Allfather would send a sign. Nomlik lit his temple ablaze rather than see it corrupted, and fled to Ralikesh where he fasted and prayed until I appeared.
There's something intoxicating about his story--this reassurance that my action have consequences, enough to get the attention of gods. When I think of my faallen brother Thannis, it's strangely comforting.
Xablor Province[]
Enslaved goblins
Nomlik leads us to the downtrodden goblins he ministered to, before he destroyed his temple in protest. Xablor Province is blackened by soot from the foundries that forge the Emperor's machines. Voraditius rules here now.
The nobles in Xablor are very pious, believing their devotion to their god keeps them in power. They are the Emperor's most trusted. His whims are revelations from their infallible god. By his decree, they build his weapons and make obscene profits, with which they build opulent churches. His High Priest has no objection to their generosity and pardons their sins.
Nomlik preaches that a true god's love has nothing to do with wealth--that wealth corrputs the sould. He seeks to liberate his goblin converts from their debt to a false god.
This is a battle of beliefs. Voraditius exploits the urges of the body, while Nomlik appeals to the yearnings of the soul.
Overview[]
Leaders[]
| Leader | Nomlik | Gustav | Voraditius |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomlik Trismegistus - Goblin Theocrat (Brown/yellow) | War | War | |
| Gustav Gorsmog - Dwarf Dreadnought (Yellow/gray) | War | Alliance | |
| Voraditius Pontifex Maximus - Human Theocrat (Blue/yellow) | War | Alliance |
Heroes[]
- Sundren of House Inioch - High Elf Rogue (Player)
- Nomlik Trismegistus - Goblin Theocrat (Player)
- Groshak the Sharp-Edged - Orc Sorcerer (Player)
- Gustav Gorsmog - Dward Dreadnought (Gustav)
- Bursum the Invoker - Dwarf Sorcerer (Gustav)
- Voraditius Pontifex Maximus (Voraditius)
Cities[]
- Gustav Gorsmog
- Irobakin - Dwarf Metropolis
- Stelbrand - Dwarf Metropolis
- Anvilhelm - Dwarf Metropolis
- Bragan Zem - Dwarf Metropolis (Gustav's Throne)
- Brondheim - Dwarf Town
- Voraditius Pontifex Maximus
- Jiffog - Goblin Outpost
- Larsenholm - Human Town
- Ivo Ardur - Dwarf Town
- Peonden - Human Town
- Malkot - Human Town
- Waytem - Human Town
- Sanct Pleys - Human Metropolis (Voraditius's Throne)
- Independent
- Pedelrok - Goblin Outpost
- Skomik - Goblin Outpost
- Urgbokku - Goblin Village
- Larrag - Goblin Outpost
- Turgisus - Goblin Outpost (Razed)
- Narwac - Goblin Village
Fortresses[]
- Gustav Gorsmog
- Mudbain
- Nurbhad
- Fargarar
- Irk Rak
- Mirthar
Outro[]
A New Hope[]
Goblins overthrow their masters
Nomlik's uprising has hampered the Empire's ability to create machines of war. Voraditius is no more and the Emperor's religion is shaken by doubts. Leonus looks foolish. An infallible God should have foreseen this. Spies inform me this crisis of faith permeates the whole Commonwealth.
Nomlik's work is miraculous. His belief is sincere. He refuses every luxury. Now that he has a substancial following, he uses all his means to buy the debts of captives.
I admit I was skeptical that Goblins could be useful in this battle of giants, but Nomlik proves that even the smallest beings are strong when united by a worthy cause. Who knows? Perhaps an all-out war can still be averted.
I must warn my Father of the evidence I collected in Xablor, and heed the warnings of the Wanderer.
With a convoy of freed slaves in my wake, and a growing Draconian army eager to crush the Commonwealth, I'm ready to face my parents. I'm strong. I should be there in person to explain my brave brother's death and mingle my tears with theirs.
Signs[]
"To Valceron Pass" - Sign on the northwestern part of the map, which leads towards the mountains.
Storyline Walkthrough[]
Nomlik: "Here we are. Xablor. Made rich by the poor. The goblin debtors work beneath taskmaster whips. Voraditius purchased their debt. Though slavery is illegal in the Commonwealth, these indentured servants are treated as slaves. What little money the inpoverished earn goes to basic necessities that Voraditius sells for inflated prices."
Rally the swamp (0/4)[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"We will need to rally the Goblin villages of the swamp to stand against their masters Voraditius and Gorsmog. The exploitation must stop and the culprits must be punished. The Allfather shall triumph here!"
Conquer Xablor Province[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Xablor province is a vital part of the Commonwealth Empire. In order to shut it down, we need to gain the trust of the Goblins in the swamp east of the region. With their support we can invade the industrial domain of Gorsmog and after that move onwards to Voraditius' palatial estates."
Enter Gorsmog's lands[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Gorsmog is at the core of a mighty Commonwealth industrial empire. We must eliminate him in order to shut down his production"
Enter Voraditius's lands[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"We must find Voraditius's palace city. The Mountains obstruct a direct route, maybe there is a way over the water or through the underground."
Sundren must survive[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Sundren alive at all costs. She must not fall!"
Groshak must survive[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Groshak alive at all costs. He must not fall!"
When the player meets the Goblin town right in front of the heroes, a mission will be available:
Raze the spy tower[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"Please! They watch us! They shout their slander from the top and scrutinize our every move! We can't even dig for grubs without them watching. The humans see everything! Destroy the watchtower and our village will gladly join you."
After a turn has passed, an encounter will trigger:
Nameless Wanderer: "Nomlik! It is good to see you return with so many allies. I trust you'll remember the Allfather's will. All life is sacred. The citizens of Xablor Province are blinded by wealth, and they fear the unknown, but they do not deserve extermination. I hope I can count on you to uphold the values of the Allfather."
Nomlik: "You! You are the one who rescued me from the Emperor's dungeons. I have never forgotten the compassion of the Allfather, nor your kindness. But as for my allies, I must let them choose their own way."
Nameless Wanderer: "That is all any of us can do. If this world is to be saved, it will not be done by force or through slavery, but by the deliberate choices of free people."
After destroying the Watchtower, the following dialogue will trigger (completes the "Raze the spy tower" quest):
Goblins: "Thank you for destroying their spying watchtower! We'll follow where you lead!"
After reaching the Village of Urgbokku, a quest will be offered to the player:
Capture the fortress[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"The Human bastards stole our gold mine! Conquer their fortress and we will join you!"
After conquering the Mudbain fortress (completes the "Capture the fortress" quest):
Goblins: "Thank you for conquering the fortress and claiming back our mine! We will help you to defeat Voraditius and Gorsmog!"
After reaching the Outpost of Skomik, a quest will be offered to the player:
Free our people![]
- Time: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"The Human scum have enslaved our people! Take over the fortress and shut down their slavery business. Find the captives and free them. If you vcan do it, we will join your cause."
After reaching the Outpost of Larrag, a dialogue will trigger:
Goblin: "What can you possibly offer us, priest? Voraditius is showing us the right way to live, he speaks of Holy Leonus and how we need to work hard to earn an afterlife. Otherwise we will fade into nothingness when we die!"
Nomlik: "You have been misled. The Allfather is the only true god! He loves all of his creation equally. You do not need to sacrifice a good life now for a place in the afterlife. Your time on Athla can be a tribute to the Allfather. Voraditius is lying, he is exploiting you all. The Allfather is at your side wherever you are."
Goblin: "That does sound a lot better... Great, we will join your cause!"
After interacting with a Goblin Settler, a dialogue will trigger:
Goblin Refugee: "Help us! That decadent dwarf Gorsmog burned down our village because he said it smelled funny!"
After obtaining the fourth Goblin city, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Rally the swamp" quest):
Nomlik: "We have freed my peoples in the swamp from their fate. But now we must bring peace to this entire region. Voraditius and Gorsmog will not listen to reason, and they will not release their grip on their workers for as long as they live. I know them well."
Groshak: "Yes, we have to stop them. Weakening the Commonwealth's production here will be beneficial to the Elven Court, and killing that powerhungry priest Voraditius is just a bonus. Making Leonus a God, what nonsense!"
After capturing the Goblin City belonging to Voraditius, a dialogue will trigger:
Voraditius: "Nomlik! What do you think you can accomplish with that Goblin rabble? I will not tolerate this! They need to know their place: working for Leonus is their Divine Mandate! You and your rebels will fail. I will bring you down personally! This affront shall never be forgiven!"
After the player reaches the territory of Gorsmog, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Enter Gorsmog's lands" quest):
Gorsmog: "Stay away from here you filthy scavengers. I shall have to teach you a lesson you won't soon forget! My armies will drive you back to the swamp!"
Find and defeat Gorsmog[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Gorsmog is a power hungry dwarf whose time must come to an end. We have to defeat him. Doing so will strike a massive blow to the Commonwealth and its industry."
When Gorsmog is killed and the player has taken his Throne City, the quest "Find and defeat Gorsmog" will be completed.
Once you enter Voraditius main territory, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Enter Voraditius's lands" quest):
Voraditius: "You cannot be serious. How dare you?! I have legions of followers! I am the High Priest Eternal! You shall bow before me, you'll see!"
Find and defeat Voraditius[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Voraditius has a strong influence over the people of the Commonwealth. He was the motivating force behind the Emperor's rise to godhood, and the cause of Nomlik's exile. By defeating him, we can strike at the core of the Commonwealth's propaganda."
Notes[]
- This scenario can become complicated and time-consuming to end, if the player takes too long to engage against Gustav, he will retaliate against the player with machines, which are quite troublesome to deal with.
- In order to reach Voraditius's Throne City, the player has to go through Gustav base, and then go either via water through a river or through a Teleporter.
- Voraditius has a Pure Evil Alignment (-800), while Gustav is of Neutral Alignment.