Machinations is the third chapter of The Commonwealth campaign in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map from Machinations
"For the next few weeks, I shall assist Valery and protect Hengevolt from Elven Court attacks while Laryssa unlocks the secrets of the Oscillator Gem. Emperor Leonus sent instructions to deliver all findings to the Capital once safe passage has been secured. Factores throughout the Commonwealth hum with the sound of industry, anticipating the inventions we will soon create." - Edward Portsmith
Introduction[]
Invention Envy[]
Mana-powered machines are born
My fellow dreadnoughts, the dwarven masters Drugal and Gorsmog, look on with envy as I finish a golem. With their innate affinity for mechanisms, dwarves have smugly driven the technology we Dreadnoughts learn at the academy. Now, I have proven that in the Commonwealth all races can contribute to the betterment of us all.
We approach the final days in Hengevolt.
Laryssa's contributions are indispensable. I wish I could tell her, but working with the Oscillator Gem strains her. She seems wary of something. We even had an argument the other day. She doesn't believe the Emperor is wise to leave the Oscillator Gem in Hengevolt. She fears it could be used to unleash terrible powers upon the world. I thought she was being dramatic and Valery told her not to question the Emperor's divine will. She has been avoiding us since.
Valery and the Gem[]
Valery as loyal to the Commonwealth
Valery's story rekindles my love of this great empire. She has endured many hardshipts here, due to the hatred many have for High Elves and the Elven Court. Instead of folding to bigotry, she has only become stronger. Her loyalty to the Commonwealth's founding principle of racial fairness is beyond question.
Early this morning Drugal and Gorsmog came to Valery in alarm. A Dwarven Commonwealth lord named Svengir has stolen the Oscillator Gem! The Dwarves want Valery to retrieve it before it falls in the hands of the Elven Court. She asked me to accompany her on this mission. It will be my honor to work with Valery to establish order in the empire and rid us of traitorous spies.
Laryssa has not yet been told of the theft. She was right to warn me. I have to retrieve the Gem as quickly as possible.
Overview[]
Leaders[]
| Leader | Valery | Gustav | Svengir | Drugal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valery of House Avernos - High Elf Warlord (player, blue/red) | Alliance | War | Alliance | |
| Gustav Gorsmog - Dwarf Dreadnought (Yellow/gray) | Alliance | War | Alliance | |
| Svengir the Golden - Dwarf Rogue (Purple/lilac) | War | War | War | |
| Drugal the Stout - Dwarf Dreadnought (Brown/white) | Alliance | Alliance | War |
Heroes[]
- Valery of House Avernos - High Elf Warlord (Valery)
- Edward Portsmith - Human Dreadnought (Valery)
- Gustav Gorsmog - Dwarf Dreadnought (Gustav)
- Bursum the Invoker - Dwarf Sorcerer (Gustav)
- Svengir the Golden - Dwarf Rogue (Svengir)
- Benham the Vicious - Dwarf Warlord (Svengir)
- Drugal the Stout - Dwarf Dreadnought (Drugal)
- Tyrobur White Metal - Dwarf Theocrat (Drugal)
Cities[]
- Valery of House Avernos
- Osna - High Elf Outpost (Valery's Throne)
- Gustav Gorsmog
- Hengevolt - Dwarf City (Gustav's Throne)
- Varrenkin - Dwarf Village
- Londor - Dwarf Outpost
- Drugal the Stout
- Drubodor - Dwarf City (Drugal's Throne)
- Iradahl - Dwarf Village
- Dalen Bor - Dwarf Outpost
- Svengir the Golden
- Ollodor - Dwarf Town
- Girgenberg - Dwarf City (Svengir's Throne)
- Independent
- Swambag - Dwarf Outpost
- Irdendal - Dwarf Village
- Talkin - Dwarf Village
- Niveresse - High Elf Village
- Morkesh - Dwarf Outpost
- Largston - Human Outpost
Fortresses[]
- Valery of House Avernos
- Vylras
- Gustav Gorsmog
- Barben
- Drugal the Sout
- Warrahr
- Svengir the Golden
- Karken
Outro[]
No Place for Traitors[]
The Dwarves are taken prisoners
With the traitors thwarted, I see now that Welac and Svengir manipulated Drugal and Gorsmog by playing their egos. The fools thought to follow the Elven Court and create a "Dwarven Court" using mana fuel technology as leverage.
The most heart-breaking discovery was Laryssa's disappearance. I feared when the traitors came for me, that they would have slain her, but we have found no body. The Oscillator Gem is still missing.
Remaining dialogue
Valery tracked Laryssa's trail to a teleportation gate outside Nirvenkiln. It was too risky to chase after Laryssa without reporting everything to the capital. Still, I feel as though I have abandoned a friend.
Rumors buzz through the empire, claiming Laryssa stole the Oscillator Gem and gave it to our enemies.
I've taken my rescued mana cell designs to Stronghelm's academy where the Empire's finest greet me with cheers. The Emperor awarded Valery and me with the Mark of Valor. To the Empire I am a hero, but I feel useless.
I don't know what to believe. I would verify the reports personally, but mobs of students monopolize my every moment. I'm tired of accolades, I must discover the truth.
Storyline Walkthrough[]
Gorsmog: "We believe Svengir has taken the Gem to his city southwest of here. Be careful, Svengir is not something to take on lightly. The best of luck to you!"
If the player chooses the option "Can you assist me?", additional dialogue will trigger:
Gorsmog: "Of course, I will do everything in my power to assist you. The best I can do right now is to send some units to guard your city, if that would make you feel safer. There is not much more I can do for you."
Get the Oscillator Gem back[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Svengir has stolen the Oscillator Gem, defeat him and get it back!"
Edward must survive[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Edward alive at all costs. He must not fall!"
If the player breaks the alliance with Drugal, a dialogue will trigger:
Drugal: "Why did you break the alliance?"
On the other hand, if the player breaks the alliance with Gustav, a dialogue will trigger:
Gorsmog: "Valery! What is the meaning of this? Why did you just break our alliance? What are you planning? As long as you get the job done, it will be all right."
If the player declares War on Gustav, a dialogue will trigger:
Gorsmog: "I don't know how, but it seems you saw right through my scheme. It would have made killing you easier for us if you hadn't. But, no matter, we'll do it the hard way then. We cannot allow the mana cell technology to spread. That knowledge is ours alone! Prepare to be steamrolled!"
Note: If the player proceeds with this path, they will not be granted control of the High Elf Village.
Once the player captures Karken Fortress, an event will trigger:
Svengir: "Welcome Valery, Edward. You have done well so far. But now it is time for you to die. You see, we cannot let you go with all of this knowledge. The mana fuel cell technology must be ours alone! So we lied: the Gem is not here. It never was. The only thing you will find here is death. Gorsmog, Drugal, grind them to dust with your machines!"
Edward: "What?! Treason?! How can you do this? You have sworn allegiance to the Commonwealth and taken a vow to uphold the Law! You do not deserve to live any longer!"
Valery: "There is an Elven village not too far from here, it's where I grew up. I'm sure they will assist us. These traitors will pay!"
Drugal declares War on the Player.
Gustav declares War on the Player.
Gustav forges an Alliance with Svengir.
Drugal forges an Alliance with Svengir.
Kill the traitors[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"This while thing was a trap! They conspired to kill me. I need to defeat Gorsmog, Drugal and Svengir! I must take it out alive with the mana fuel cell technology!"
Kill Drugal[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Drugal must be slain! That traitor cannot be allowed to walk around freely any longer!"
Kill Gorsmog[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Gorsmog must be slain! That traitor cannot be allowed to walk around freely any longer!"
Kill Svengir[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Svengir must be slain! That traitor cannot be allowed to walk around freely any longer!"
Once the player arrives to the Elven village to the north, a dialogue will trigger:
Elven Village: "Drugal and Gorsmog betrayed you, a trusted member of the Commonwealth! How could they?! They commit treason against the Commonwealth and the Emperor, and need to be punished! We will stand by you!"
When the player nears Svengir's Throne City, a dialogue will trigger:
Valery: "This must be Svengir's capital. I am eager to take it away from him!"
When the player nears Drugal's Throne City, a dialogue will trigger:
Valery: "This is Drugal's capital. That traitor may think it is well protected, but I'll show him otherwise!"
When the player defeats Drugal, a dialogue will trigger:
Valery: "Thus falls Drugal. Good riddance to a Dwarf who placed his own importance above that of the Commonwealth, who couldn't be trusted and had no honor!"
Once the player defeats the last leader, a dialogue will trigger:
Edward: "All the traitors are dealth with. We have demonstrated here that treason will only lead to ruin, and have cleansed the Commonwealth of lords who didn't deserve their position as leaders. We will be stronger for it."
Notes[]
- Players should avoid asking Gustav for assistance, as this will mobilize his troops near your cities, making it easier for him to capture your cities.