Slaying a False God is the fifth chapter (Commonwealth path) of The Commonwealth campaign in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map for Slaying a False God
"After the Emperor received my news about the Shadowborn, he retired his court to the seclusion of his country palace in Bisançon, thinking it safe from spies and assasins. Meanwhile the Elven Court took the Sapphire Islands, breaking Commonwealth dominance over the seas. While Emperor Leonus fails to act decisively, the High Elves take advantage of our lethargy. Something needs to be done."
Introduction[]
Cracks in the Commonwealth[]
A civil war is brewing in the Commonwealth
The Emperor's popularity wanes. He must sense that the Empire crumbles beneath him. I will act before he grinds it to dust.
Dwemus will serve me quite well. I can't simply depose Leonus. I must kill the Emperor's image in the heart of all duty-bound citizens. Meanwhile Sulthor will attempt to disable our common enemy on his own, using the subtle tools of stealth to cripple the Emperor's defenses.
The Emperor's decadence blinds him. I wonder if he knows I'm coming for him or if he just expects a pleasant weekend convalescing in the luxury of his palace.
This is precisely why I must act. Nobles relax while the poorest of Commonwealth citizens are pressed into service to die for an Empire that refuses to suppress the most rebellious factions in the land. The Elven Court and their Shadowborn seek to plunder my peaceful people.
It is time for the Emperor and his agents to retire. Permanently.
Overview[]
Leaders[]
| Leader | Dwemus | Sulthor | Colm | Wazuhl | Baradir | Leonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwemus Strongmouth - Dwarf Theocrat (player, yellow/orange) | Alliance | War | War | War | War | |
| Sulthor Nightblade - Orc Rogue (Black/purple) | Alliance | War | War | War | War | |
| Colm the Lucky - Human Warlord (Orange/gray) | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Wazuhl the Jagged - Goblin Warlord (Red/yellow) | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Baradir the Bald - Dwarf Warlord (Brown/crimson) | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Leonus Degrance - Human Dreadnought (Blue/yellow) | War | War | Alliance | Alliance | Alliance |
Heroes[]
- Dwemus Strongmouth - Dwarf Theocrat (Dwemus)
- Sulthor Nightblade - Orc Rogue (Sulthor)
- Colm the Lucky - Human Warlord (Colm)
- Wazuhl the Jagged - Goblin Warlord (Wazuhl)
- Yamani the Liquid - Goblin Sorcerer (Wazuhl)
- Baradir the Bald - Dwarf Warlord (Baradir)
- Tyrna the Explosive - Dwarf Dreadnought (Baradir)
- Leonus Degrance - Human Dreadnought (Leonus)
- Ambor the Missionary - Human Theocrat (Leonus)
Cities[]
- Sulthor Nightblade
- Nirrack - Orc Village
- Thurrok - Orc Town (Sulthor's Throne)
- Wazuhl the Jagged
- Hindur - Goblin Village
- Azarog - Goblin Village (Wazuhl's Throne)
- Colm the Lucky
- Colmaine - Human Town (Colm's Throne)
- Baradir the Bald
- Tortel - Dwarf City
- Morgron - Dwarf City (Baradir's Throne)
- Leonus Degrance
- Angelast - Dwarf Village
- Spagg - Orc Village
- Hunnington - Human Metropolis (Leonus's Throne)
- Refellax - Draconian Village
- Idilis - High Elf Village
- Independent
- Balladon - Human Village
- Hizzan - Draconian Outpost
- Xion - Draconian Village
- Adduin - Dwarf Village
- Rimmobe - Dwarf Outpost
- Falington - Human Village
- Falenne - High Elf Village
- Tirron - Human Village
- Rachor - Dwarf Outpost
- Tarroine - Human Village (Razed)
- Aris - High Elf Village
- Amere - Dwarf Outpost
- Garba - Goblin Town
- Bim Faen - Fey Dwelling
Fortresses[]
- Leonus Degrance
- Gausaçon
- Droisaçon
- Emperor's Hold
- Colm the Lucky
- Arroc
- Wazuhl the Jagged
- Jog
- Baradir the Bald
- Pallart
- Independent
Outro[]
The Coronation of Edward Portsmith[]
Edward as the new Emperor
Leonus was weak because he ignored his duty and permitted conspirators and traitors to thrive under his rule. I won't make that mistake.
For my coronation, Dwemus anointed my head with oil, placed Leonus's crown on my head, and laid the sacred vestments upon my shoulders. I am the Emperor of the Commonwealth by law.
I've ordered any known Shadowborn agents executed. I vow to fight every enemy of my people. We will use mana fuel, sword, magic, and any other means neccesary to stop the Elven Court. They embody the illness that has infected our own nobles: the notion of privilege from birth. They believe that because they were born into ancient families they're entitled to rule, pretending to possess secrets of wisdom only they can comprehend.
They may have their ancient ways and dark magic but we have a higher power, a destiny that pushes us to ultimate victory, so a new age may dawn.
Signs[]
"Gates of Bisancon" - Sign just outside of the first fortress.
Storyline Walkthrough[]
Sulthor: "Dwemus and Edward, good luck! I have sneaked in and settled here. This is a good position to flank our enemies and weaken their defenses. I will see to it that our goal will be reached from the north."
Defeat Leonus's Generals[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Leonus is guarded by three of his Generals. Dispose of them to get to Leonus!"
Defeat Wazuhl[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Wazuhl needs to be dealt with."
Defeat Colm[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Colm needs to be dealt with"
Defeat Baradir[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Baradir needs to be dealt with."
Defeat Leonus[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"The time has come to take down Leonus and unmask him once and for all as a failure instead of a god!"
Valery must survive[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Valery alive at all costs. She must not fall!"
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 Sulthor, the following dialogue will trigger:
Sulthor: "What is the meaning of this? Are you planning something?"
If the player declares War on Sulthor, the following dialogue will trigger:
Sulthor: "So you were planning something! You will not get away with this betrayal! You shall die for this like the rat you are!"
When the player nears the border of Leonus's territory, a dialogue will trigger:
Orc Guards: "Stop! Nobody enters without the permission of our Emperor Leonus!"
If the player chooses the option "Let us through!", additional dialogue will be given:
Orc Guards: "If you will not leave, you will leave us no choice but to attack and kill you!"
When the player eliminates Wazuhl before approaching Leonus's territory, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Defeat Wazuhl" quest):
Sulthor: "Wazuhl has been slain, well done. Now that one of his lackeys has fallen, Leonus will fear you, and justly so. His downfall is close as well!"
When the player nears the border of Colm's territory, a dialogue will trigger:
Colm: "Stop! What is it that you want here, Dwarf?"
If the player chooses the option "To negotiate", additional dialogue will be given:
Colm: "To negotiate? About what? What could you possibly have to offer that is of any importance to me?"
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "Your life", additional dialogue will be given:
Colm: "Haha, your threats do not scare me! I will crush you like the bug you are"
If the player chooses the option "An alliance with Edward", additional dialogue will be given:
Colm: "Why would I want an alliance with Edward? What is he going to do? Overthrow Leonus and become the new Emperor? Ha! You don't stand a chance against him!"
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "Your Head.", additional dialogue will be given:
Colm: "Haha, puny dwarf! You will pay for this with your life!"
If the player chooses the option "With your help, we do!", additional dialogue will be given:
Colm: "So, you need my help to overthrow Leonus? You've got courage asking me this Dwarf, I'll give you that. My help does not come cheap though. What do you offer?"
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "Just wait and see!", no dialogue will continue.
If the player chooses the option "Leonus's palace", additional dialogue will be given:
Colm: "Your words are tough, but what of your deeds? Show me that you have the strength you claim to possess. Burn either Azarog or Morgron. Only then will I know that you are worthy of my help."
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "A place at Edward's side", additional dialogue will be given:
Colm: "I have served Emperor Leonus for many years and you expect me to throw all that away for a place beside Edward? You are wasting my time, Dwarf! Die!
Raze enemy targeted city[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"Colm has asked you for proof of your strength. You need to burn down either Azarog or Morgron. Do this and Colm will become your ally."
Colm will be at Peace with the player.
Note: This quest will not be granted to the player if Colm is dead.
When the player razes either Azarog or Morgron for the quest, an event will trigger:
Colm: "I must admit I doubted whether you had it in you, but you did. I will keep my word and join you in your war against Leonus."
Colm will forge an Alliance with the player.
When the player eliminates Colm before approaching Leonus's territory, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Defeat Colm" quest):
Sulthor: "That was the last we will ever see of Colm. Leonus is close now! Press onwards!"
When the player eliminates Baradir before approaching Leonus's territory, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Defeat Baradir" quest):
Dwemus: "Baradir is no more. It is only a matter of time before the last of our enemies fall!"
When the player gets closer to Leonus's Throne City, an event will trigger:
Sulthor: "Stop right there, Edward. I cannot let you become the Emperor. You do not understand, you would lead the world to ruin, just like Leonus does. I will stop you both, or die trying. I am sorry it has to be like this."
Defeat Sulthor[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Sulthor has betrayed us! He wants to stop Edward from becoming the Emperor. We cannot allow this! We need to defeat Sulthor."
When the player eliminates Sulthor, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Defeat Sulthor" quest):
Valery: "Conspirators and traitors matter little if they fail. Sulthor seems to have been contacted recently by a tiny group of conspirators, the so-called Torchbearers, and has been convinced to join their cause. They think so highly of themselves but are no nobler tha the Shadowborn or the Elven Court.
If the player stumbles upon the holding cells while exploring the underground area, an event will trigger:
Prisoners: "Help us! Leonus locked us up in here! Get us out and we will help you!"
Free the prisoners (-1/3)[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"Leonus has captured Nymphs in his underground dungeon. Free them, and they will join your army."
Once the player frees all Nymphs, the following dialogue will trigger:
Prisoners: "Thank you for freeing us. We'll repay you by helping you in your war against Leonus!"
When the player eliminates Leonus while Sulthor is alive, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Defeat Leonus" quest):
Dwemus: "The corrupt Emperor has been overthrown! Now to take care of the remaining fools!"
When the player eliminates Leonus after Sulthor has been eliminated, or eliminates Sulthor after eliminating Leonus, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Defeat Leonus" quest):
Dwemus: "Leonus is gone and his crimes have been exposed to the public. The people are behind you. They will follow a true leader who is destined to do justice. Come and claim your crown, Edward."
Notes[]
- Sulthor will be wearing and holding all the items the player has previously given him until his last appearance.
- Dwemus and Edward Hero Points will be reverted to its base values.
- While Colm makes an Alliance with the player after this quest, he does not make one with Sulthor.
- Sulthor won't proceed further into Baradir's territory, but will conquer anything before it.
- Colm will only proceed into Baradir's territory, but not into Sulthor's territory.