Seals of Power is the third and final chapter of the Golden Realms in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map from "Seals of Power"
"Hushwick has activated the Seals and we have no choice but to try and take control of them ourselves. The power of the Seals is a terrible thing, but for it to fall into the wrong hands would be more terrible still!" - Ernest Thistlewood
Introduction[]
Barriers Between Worlds[]
The Prime Seals are activated, but not yet open
As we near the Prime Seals, Ham begins to explain a little of their history. There are soft spots in the world, places where the gap between this realm and the Shadow Realm is hin enough to breach. Seals were built on these spots by the wizard Merlin, and enchanted with spells to lock them in place. These Seals were bound to the Prime Seals in turn. As long as the Prime Seals remain inviolate, the lesser Seals will remain hidden, and the Shadow Realm and its power will be locked away.
Now that the Prime Seals have been activated, their guardians will spawn as a last line of defense. If they are overcome and if someone were to hold the Seals for long enough, then the Prime Seals will break open and grant the holder incredible power, albeit for a few hours. It will also reveal the Lesser Seals, making them visible all over the world, but that seem inevitable now...
There are many that want the Prime Seals opened. Some want to control them, others want to create a new passage from the Shadow Realm to ours. All want to use them for power or out of greed. All must be stopped. We must take the Seals and hold them for ourselves, no-one else can be trusted to do so.
Overview[]
Leaders[]
| Leader | Ham Binger | Yzzo the Rat | Groshak the Sharp-edged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ham Binger - Halfling Theocrat (Player, Yellow/green) | War | War | |
| Yzzo the Rat - Goblin Rogue (Orange/tan) | War | War | |
| Groshak the Sharp-edged - Orc Sorcerer (White/maroon) | War | War |
Heroes[]
- Ham Binger - Halfling Theocrat (Player)
- Ernest Thistlewood - Halfling Warlord (Player)
- Allie Thistlewood - Halfling Sorcerer (Player)
- Camille Moonflower - Halfling Rogue (Player)
- Yzzo the Rat - Goblin Rogue (Yzzo)
- Groshak the Sharp-edged - Orc Sorcerer (Groshak)
Cities[]
- Ham Binger
- Bingpost - Halfling Village (Ham's Throne)
- Thistlepost - Halfling Outpost
- Insidulis - Naga Dwelling
- Yzzo the Rat
- Jomun Gur - Goblin Town (Yzzo's Throne)
- Sunnicels - Goblin Town
- Fenraeis - Goblin Village
- Bloba Bray - Goblin Town
- Groshak the Sharp-edged
- Ihun Terkil - Orc Town (Groshak's Throne)
- Fogcrow - Orc Village
- Jay-el Pykkar - Orc City
- Krysso Pauprem - Orc Town
- Whyt-Nygh - Orc Village
- Independents
- Darxyn Ic - Human Town (Razed)
- Surgis Ombra Sorax - Archon Revenant Dwelling (Razed)
Fortresses[]
- Yzzo the Rat
- Feargus
- Independents
- Nume Tal
Outro[]
The Beginning of the End[]
The Prime Seals are opened
The Prime Seals stand open. Ham had the power to do what he wanted, yet he thought only of us. Ham destroyed our foes and created a safe place for the Halflings to live in. The energizing magic surge from the Prime Seals faded away soon after and the skies returned to normal.
However, the Lesser Seals are now revealed. There will be many who want a taste of such power, and many who will abuse it. The Shadow Realm will draw closer and closer each time a Seal gets opened. It won't be long until the first tears appear, spilling power into our world from the other side.
Ham fears that eventually, when the Shadow Realm is close enough, the old Wizard Kings might be able to return to this land. For now, I intend to give our soldiers time to celebrate our victory. We have fought hard.
The Return[]
Melenis' return
I was called from my bed Late last night, scouts had seen eerie lights hovering around the north-eastern Seal and dared not investigate without an army at their backs.
It was a balmy summer night, but the wind was cold as we approached the Seal. I thought I heard my mother's voice, but she's been gone for many years. My companions heard nothing.
The altar was awash with candles, a sea of flickering flames arranged in swirling complex patterns. The air seemed to shimmer like it was alive, the shadows forming figures and faces before melting away again. In the middle of it all,a figure, kneeling as if in prayer, whispering.
I opened my mouth to speak, and the figure turned to face me. It was Karl Hushwick, his skin pallid and grey, glowing eyes spilling sickly light over his tattered robes. He smiled at me. "She has returned. My Lady! She has returned!" and then he was gone. Our searches have found no trace of him, he has left these Isles. Whatever he and his Lady wanted here, they have obviously found it. We are safe, but I shudder to think about what we have unleashed on the world.