Last Chance is the sixth and last chapter (Torchbearer path) of The Commonwealth campaign in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map from Last Chance
"To the West the massive forces of the Elven Court march, determined to destroy all traces of the despised Commonwealth. To the East the Empire trindles forward with machines of great power ready to steamroll the Elves and their homeland. The Torchbearers are positioned in the middle of the conflict in a desperate gambit to stop this war. We few shall dispel the hatred and save two nations from the Shadowborn ploy." - Edward Portsmith
Introduction[]
Averting War[]
A war approaches from both sides
War only profits evil. Every fallen victim robs the world of possibilities never to be known.
The world convulses in chaos as the rule of law crumbles. Men become instruments of murder. Merlin claims that this is nectar for dark gods reaching from the Shadow Realm. They lust for our world with unquenchable hunger. There is an evil spirit force behind them--something driving them to their dark ambitions.
Once, I was content to obey orders--just a part of the Commonwealth machine. But we lost our purpose. For too long we steamrolled any obstacle, not because it was wrong, but because it was in the way.
Even if we kill every opposing sword, we will not win. The key is to capture King Saridas and Emperor Leonus. Merlin has a plan he will explain soon. We must bring these kings together. They must be convinced that this war is a lie they despise more than each other.
I am accompanied by friends I've made along the way. Together we shall do the impossible.
Overview[]
The item "Merlin's Wand" will be dropped near the city of Edward. 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 it on inventory must melee attack said leader, and then win the fight in order to reroute the Throne Recall (three turns).
Leaders[]
| Leader | Edward | Saridas | Xorn | Fai | Leonus | Baradir | Wazuhl | Grelka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Portsmith - Human Dreadnought (player, red/black) | War | War | War | War | War | War | War | |
| Saridas of House Inioch - High Elf Sorcerer (White/blue) | 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 | |
| Baradir the Bald - Dwarf Warlord (Brown/red) | War | War | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Wazuhl the Jagged - Goblin Warlord (Red/yellow) | War | War | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Grelka Greenclaw - Orc Arch Druid (Green/gray) | War | War | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance |
Heroes[]
- Edward Portsmith - Human Dreadnought (Edward)
- Laryssa Mirabilis - Human Sorcerer (Edward)
- Sulthor Nightblade - Orc Rogue (Edward)
- 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)
- Baradir the Bald - Dwarf Warlord (Baradir)
- Sheena the Elementalist - Human Sorcerer (Baradir)
- Wazuhl the Jagged - Goblin Warlord (Wazuhl)
- Yamani the Liquid - Goblin Sorcerer (Wazuhl)
- Grelka Greenclaw - Orc Arch Druid (Grelka)
Cities[]
- Edward Portsmith
- Messelson - Human Village (Edward's Throne)
- Tudorak - Orc Village
- Pranar - Human Village
- 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)
- Baradir the Bald
- 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
- Grelka Greenclaw
- Dzarka Nor - Orc Town
- Borgurash - Orc Metropolis (Argula's Throne)
- Independent
- Thanarien - High Elf Village
- Camrod Brak - Dwarf Village
- Livalix - Draconian Village
- Grotslin - Goblin Village
- Brenhem - Dwarf Town
- Jugsus - Goblin Outpost
- 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
- 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
- Baradir the Bald
- Ygrim Norod
- Beren Sned
- Wazuhl the Jagged
- Zumk
- Grelka Greenclaw
- Gar Zlat
- Independent
- Icher
- Tessal
- Yawdise
Outro[]
Reconciliation[]
Their leaders are at their mercy
The conflict is over. The Torchbearers are victorious. Annihilation is averted.
Leonus was much more receptive to my discoveries locked in chains. He wouldn't look me in the eyes for the first few days of captivity. He expected me to slay him the way he wished me to slay Laryssa.
Remaining dialogue
The temptation to rule them all does not elude me. i could take it all. I suppose this fact surprised Leonus the most--that I was never motivated by the power he once thought he could not live without. Now that he understands that his deceased High Priest was Shadowborn, and I have separated him from his toxic advisors, he seems to be changing.
The Torchbearers will have power to move freely through all kingdoms, hunting Shadowborn. It will take decades, but I take comfort that they are fleeing.
King Saridas was difficult until his daughter stepped forward. He does not trust me, but I can tell it pains him to fight with Sundren. She convinced him that the Shadowborn, not the Commonwealth, assassinated his son.
Merlin and Queen Julia both talked with him. King Saridas seems more amazed than angry now. I wish I could understand the history those three shared, but it is long and tangled.
Ballroom Thoughts[]
New friends are made
Tonight is a night of celebration, but I cannot take my mind off the tasks at hand.
There's still much to learn about sorcery and technology. The current design is flawed, so we are working on new cells that rejuvenate without depleting mana from the world. Laryssa is a constant force for good at my side. She continues to perfect her work.
Remaining dialogue
Sundren is a shrewd leader, who furiously refuses to be treated like a princess. She will help forge new bonds between the peoples of Athla.
With our victory, Valery apologized for withdrawing her support. Finding a friend in Sundren, her extremism faded.
Only one ally seems to have wandered off. Before he left, Merlin patted me on the shoulder like a proud father. He said that I surprised him, and that is the reason he still fights for this world. I thought it strange, but that's Merlin. He has his reasons for leaving, and Werlac is still out there plotting against us. Perhaps Merlin will surface again, when we need him most... then again, I hope such a day never comes.
This is the blessing of peace and order: to dream of a future, to hope of love and explore a new life. I pray that it lasts. There is now a path forward and a plan in place. When trouble does revive the Torchbearers stand ready to fight.
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, Edward. Our plan is bold and risky, but it has the best chance of foiling the Shadowborn agenda, if we succeed. 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 force their troops to stand down and convince them of the Shadowborn plot, away from their treacherous advisors. Only then will this war be over."
Laryssa must survive[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Laryssa alive at all costs. She must not fall!"
At turn 10, an event will trigger:
Sundren appears: "It is a good to see you here already, Edward. I come to join you with my troops. We are ready to fight. The Shadowborn must be stopped!"
The player will be given control of Sundren and a small High Elf army.
Sundren must survive[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Sundren alive at all costs. She must not fall!"
At turn 20, an event will trigger near Edward:
Edward. "The Giants we helped in Brisska Province! They join us! They have long memories and are loyal friends, to have come all the way here to fight with us. I suspect Merlin has something to do with this. Great, we could use the help!"
The player will be given control of three Stone Giants.
When the player captures Leonus, a dialogue will trigger:
Leonus is captured: "Emperor Leonus is captured. His armies are leaderless, forced to hold position as long as we have their leader!"
Leonus will be at Peace with the player.
Once the player captures both leaders, a dialogue will trigger:
The Torchbearers prevail: "Incredible, we've done it! Now begins the long and hard process of getting them to listen. Many may have lost their life this day, but a great many more are safe, now that the empires have been forced to stop fighting. We can now expose the Shadowborn plot for all to see!"
Notes[]
- This scenario is the same map as the Burn the Shadow scenario from The Elven Court campaign. The difference here are the starting cities and two leaders (Svengir the Golden is replaced by Baradir the Bald, and Argula Ironheart with Grelka Greenclaw).
- Fai is the only leader with a natural Pure Evil Alignment (-800).
- Edward and Sulthor 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 hints of a treasure nearby.
- 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.