The Rockshoal Isles is the fifth chapter (Torchbearer path) of The Commonwealth campaign in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map from The Rockshoal Isles
"While Sundren, my Torchbearer ally, moves with the dwarves to counter the Shadowborn forces embedded deep in the Commonwealth, my mission is to establish a safe have at the Rockshoal Islands.
We will need to raise a force so we can fight the secretive cult that breeds hatred and stop two empires from destroying the world." - Edward Portsmith
Introduction[]
The Rockshoal Islands[]
Ships arriving at Rockshoal Island
The move against the rival empires cannot be delayed. I've decided to accompany Sulthor to the Rockshoal Islands, home to a patchwork of small realms. This remote archipelago lies in contested seas between the Commonwealth and the Elven Court. They fiercely independent locals have resisted threats from both parties. If we make haste they may side with us.
An Orcish isle has sent a messenger to Sulthor claiming a blood-oath, demanding he give them aid. I have instructed Sulthor that the Torchbearers need to pursue diplomatic options, and we should try to avoid the traditional methods of Orcish conflict-resolution. Sulthor was insulted, claiming he's clever than the stereotype I hold.
The Rockshoal Islands are rich with resources for ship building. Fleets of vessels capable of securing the waters will be necessary to slow both empires. Refugees fleeing the war will be able to gather here. Strategically, controlling the seas will force the Elven Court and Commonwealth to move more slowly over land and delay their war. If we cna gather support among both sides of this conflict, it may be possible to convince them to follow a more peaceful solution.
Overview[]
Leaders[]
| Leader | Sulthor | Argula | Quoshka | Zerti | Rish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulthor Nightblade - Orc Rogue (player, black/purple) | War | War | War | War | |
| Argula Ironheart - Orc Dreadnought (Yellow/green) | War | Alliance | War | War | |
| Quoshka Roothealer - Dwarf Arch Druid (Brown/green) | War | Alliance | War | War | |
| Zerti the Sleek - Draconian Rogue (Blue/black) | War | War | War | Alliance | |
| Rish Kyan the Red - Draconian Warlord (Red/peach) | War | War | War | Alliance |
Heroes[]
- Sulthor Nightblade - Orc Rogue (Sulthor)
- Edward Portsmith - Human Dreadnought (Sulthor)
- Laryssa Mirabilis - Human Sorcerer (Sulthor)
- Argula Ironheart - Orc Dreadnought (Argula)
- Quoshka Roothealer - Dwarf Arch Druid (Quoshka)
- Satura the Dark - Human Theocrat (Quoshka)
- Zerti the Sleek - Draconian Rogue (Zerti)
- Emara the Slithering - Draconian Arch Druid (Zerti)
- Rish Kyan the Red - Draconian Warlord (Rish)
- Ida the Monster Mender - Draconian Sorcerer (Rish)
Cities[]
- Sulthor Nightblade
- Cilcrass - Orc Town (Sulthor's Throne)
- Popey Jun - Goblin Village
- Argula Ironheart
- Fashington - Human Town
- Baarston - Human City
- Fashlok - Orc City (Argula's Throne)
- Quoshka Roothealer
- Kirgentobe - Dwarf City (Quoshka's Throne)
- Gallberg - Human Town
- Sabury - Human Town
- Zerti the Sleek
- Waterin - HIgh Elf Town
- Nurthi - Draconian City (Zerti's Throne)
- Zekonesse - High Elf Town
- Rish Kyan the Red
- Stoxgari - Draconian City (Rish's Throne)
- Severos - High Elf Town
- Makrelan - High Elf Village
- Independent
- Fozzar - Orc Village
- Zighah - Draconian Village
- Rivik - Goblin Village
- Untora - Draconian Village
- Burrowa - Dwarf Town
- Islawa - Goblin Village
- Spelberg - Human Village
- Guldur - Goblin Village
Fortresses[]
- Sulthor Nightblade
- Mirreck
- Independent
Outro[]
Safe Haven[]
A safe haven for refugees
The Torchbearer banner waves proudly in the winds over the united Rockshoal Isles. Innocent refugees, abitious profit-seekers, freedom-fighters and even scoundrels flock to our standard. Admittedly some dirty work was necessary, but we are a nation formed in the image of the ideals once held by the original Commonwealth.
With Laryssa's help, I have published a protest about the Emperor, publicly challenging his divine right to rule. His greed has proven him to be a false god. The whole of the Commonwealth is in an uproar about my leaflets. Little by little, the Empire's citizens question the infallibility of their Emperor.
Remaining dialogue
Some have even started questioning the justification for war.
Merlin brings word from Sundren. She was impressed with Sulthor's creative work obtaining another homeland for the Torchbearers. She has secured a place for our people as well in a defensible corner of the realm.
I wish I had time to relish these wondrous days, but Sundren informs me that the Elven Court is moving against Stronghelm City, despite her best efforts to slow them. Within a few days, the whole Blessed Continent will be bathed in blood. The Torchbearers must act.
Storyline Walkthrough[]
Sulthor: "So these are the Rockshoal Isles. Famed for the independence of their inhabitants. Things will soon change now that both the Elven Court and the Commonwealth have set foot here. They both vie for supremacy over the seas. I must not let that happen."
Sulthor: "My spies have told me about a dam at one of the cities of Rish Kyan, the Elven Court Draconian. That dam is the only thing between the city and the big water reservoir to the north. By blowing it up, we will surely flood the city. This is an easy way to weaken him. It may even be possible to pin the blame on someone else..."
Sulthor: "Though we probably can just eliminate all the others in the area and take the isles by force, it might be smart to try and get one of the others to join our side. Not only will our quest to take the Isles be easier, but the Torchbearers will be stronger overall."
Sabotage the dam[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"Sabotage the dam north of one of Rish Kyan's cities and flood his lands."
Raze the watchtower[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"By blowing up the Watchtower, the dam will break. If the dam breaks, the whole land will be flooded."
Reach the dam unseen[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"Reach the dam without Rish Kyan seeing you. If the catches you on his land he will surely suspect you of blowing up the dam."
Gain an Ally[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"Gain at least one ally on the Isles"
Note: In order to get good standing with a Leader, you can offer a Peace proposal with Open Borders from your part. If this does not work, try giving them gifts (mainly Gold) until you reach around 900 points (which at that point you should be able to easily offer Peace and Alliance). Better Peace probabilities are with either Quoshka or Rish.
Conquer the Rockshoal Isles[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Build up an army and Conquer the Rockshoal Isles. Leave only allies alive."
Laryssa must survive[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Laryssa 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 uses the undeground assasins to go near a group of assasins on the water on the northeastern side of the map, a dialogue will trigger:
Assasins: "Hey you! You are Sulthor's guys aren't ya? WHat are you guys doing down here?"
If the player chooses the option "Who are you?", additional dialogue will be given:
Assasins: "Us? We are just some specialist troops. Rish Kyan doesn't seem to appreciate our tactics, so the oaf exiles us. He ordered us out through the cave south of here and told us never to return! I had a girl there, at the dam, curse him! I will never see her again."
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "None of your business", the dialogue will end.
If the player chooses the option "Do you want revenge?", additional dialogue will be given:
Assasins: "Revenge? How? What are you planning to do?"
The group of assasins will join the player.
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "Not our problem", the dialogue will end.
If the player uses the Watchtower to uncover the underground cave exit that is near the Watchtower near Rish's territory, a dialogue will trigger:
Sulthor: "That cave over there should lead us to the dam."
If the player approaches the underground cave exit that is near the Watchtower near Rish's territory, a dialogue will trigger:
Sulthor: "Now that we have reached the cave leading to the dam, it's a good idea to decide whether we want to try and pin the dded on someone else. We could dress the army that will raze the watchtowere in Zerti's colors and kill them on the spot. That way, there is a chance Rish Kyan will suspect Zerti instead of us."
If the player chooses the option "Yes, kill the army", additional dialogue will be given:
Sulthor: "We are going to take the gamble and dress up and sacrifice the army destroying the dam. Let's hope Rish Kyan will not see through our ruse."
Blame the sabotage on Zerti[]
- Duration: No turn limit
- Difficulty: Medium
"By dressing some troops in Zerti's colors and leaving them behind at the dam, Rish Kyan might blame the act of the sabotage on Zerti. This will lead them to mistrust each other and may even lead to war."
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "No, not worth it", the army will survive the Watchtower's raze.
When the player razes the Watchtower after choosing the "Yes, kill the army" option, a dialogue will trigger:
Rish Kyan: "What is this? What has happened? The dam broke! Who is responsible for this? If I find out who did this, I will break their puny necks!"
Sulthor: "How do yo know there even is someone who is responsible? Maybe it was an accident, or it had a natural cause. You should have your troops search the site to make sure it was a deliberate action before you throw wild accusations around."
At the second turn after razing the Watchtower when blaming the sabotage on Zerti, a dialogue will trigger:
Rish Kyan: "You were wrong Sulthor, it was no accident. My men found proof, and it was Zerti! Troops wearing her colors were found at the dam. How could she betray me like this!?"
Rish Kyan will declare War on Zerti.
If the player chooses the option "Offer help", additional dialogue will be given:
Rish Kyan: "Many thanks Sulthor. I will gladly take your offer for help! I need a trustworthy man beside me. Let's take care of Zerti together! She won't get away with this betrayal!"
Sulthor: "Well, that went even better than expected. I offered my help to Rish Kyan and he gladly took it, not suspecting a thing."
Rish Kyan will be at Peace with the player.
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "Do nothing", the conversation will end.
After four turns have passed between the conversation with Rish, a dialogue will trigger:
Sulthor: "It seems that even after the loss of one of his cities, Rish Kyan is still strong. Maybe he would be a good addition to the Torchbearers."
If the player chooses the option "Yes", additional dialogue will be given:
Sulthor: "Rish Kyan, may I ask you why you are still loyal to the Elven Court, even though they destroyed one of your cities? Isn't it better to fight for a nobler cause, with trustworthy allies? I can offer you a place in legend, among the Torchbearers. This way we can get back at Zerti together, and you will pave the way to the future!"
Rish Kyan: "I do not know why I still feel loyal to the Elven Court. Maybe you are right. Maybe I should join you and become a Torchbearer. I think I will. Thank you, Sulthor."
Quoshka: "What? Why would you forge an alliance with that Elven Court scum?!"
Rish will form an Alliance with the player.
On the other hand, if the player chooses the option "No", the dialogue will end.
If the player forms an Alliance with either Commonwealth leader, a dialogue will trigger:
Rish Kyan: "So you ally with Commonwealth usurpers? A foolish decision!"
Once all enemy leaders have been defeated, a dialogue will trigger:
Sulthor: "These lands now belong to the Torchbearers. We will rule the seas!"
Notes[]
- Sulthor, Edward, and Laryssa Hero Points are reverted to their base values.
- It is not obvious that the player is able to make Peace or send Gifts to some of the Leaders in order to gain favour with them, and possibly an Alliance. This means that the other side will remain at War with the player (thus, only having to eliminate two Leaders instead of four).
- A direct approach is with Quoshka for the Commonwealth, or Rish for the Elven Court. Simply offer Peace and Open Borders, and gain favour with Gold Gifts until you reach enough standing to ask for an Alliance.
- A more methodical way is to follow the quests to raze the Watchtower at the Dam, by going up from the Underground (going from the top will not trigger the event required to blame Zerti for the destruction).