Wild Magic (The Elven Court Campaign) is the fifth chapter (Elven Court path) of The Elven Court campaign in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map from Wild Magic
"The time to strike against the Commonwealth approaches. The Empire still reels from the loss of their islands and their factories. As they gather their forces to reclaim lost land, I stand ready with our next advance into the Commonwealth. The Orc Sorcerer Groshak will lead a mission deep into the wild lands of Kaerunn."- Sundren of House Inioch
Introduction[]
Groshak's Orcs[]
Groshak helps fellow orcs at an arena
Groshak's clan had no Orc Sorcerer to tutor him, so he taught himself. Groshak believes he can master Kaerunn Province the same way he conquered his own unpredictable gifts--with sheer force of will.
The Orcs despise the Commonwealth. The Empire turns their sacred tribal rites into games. The strongest Orcs kill and maim each other in public stadiums for all citizens to cheer and gawk at. The losers, crippled by injuries, are driven from their homes in shame. The victor's reward is fame and treasure. Commonwealth noblemen increase their popularity by sponsoring champions and purchasing expensive equiment to tip battles in their favor.
The contest for chief, once fought with honor, is now a parade of pomp, blustering, scripted drama, and costumes meant to entertain rabid fans. Groshak's followers tell tales of how nobles rigged the battles with concealed healers hired to regenerate a popular fighter when he starts to lose.
As they share their struggles, my own prejudice dissipates. Orcs don't favor mindless brutality. They have a strong sense of honor. They will serve the Elven Court well.
Kaerunn Province[]
Activating a forgotten portal
Our plan is risky. With the help of Groshak's Orcs, we intend to restore an ancient wonder that will grant our troops rapid access to the heart of the Commonwealth Empire. Created by the Father-Giants, before the arrival of Elves, Teleportation Gates were used to travel vast distances instantly.
The Commonwealth has no regard for old things, sometimes even using the standing stones to create the buildings of their sprawling empire. But with time and ingenuity the Teleportation Gates can be repaired.
Remaining dialogue
Our maps indicate that a gateway in Kaerunn Province can be reactivated, allowing our forces access to the Commonwealth capital, Stronghelm City.
Kaerunn Province itself is a dangerous land. in the Age of Wizards, this land was rich. No single Wizard held the territory for long. The Wizards blanketed the countryside with so many enchantments that their erratic power can still be triggered today. Arcane monsters and outlaws roam the wilds, while the Commonwealth lords keep to their cities.
Taking this land will not be easy, but Groshak is eager to prove himself. The Orc exiles that the Commonwealth bullied and cast out will very shortly have their revenge.
Overview[]
Leaders[]
| Leader | Groshak | Colm | Sulthor | Awanesse | Drugal | Svengir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groshak the Sharp-edged - Orc Sorcerer (player, white/purple) | War | War | Neutral | War | War | |
| Colm the Lucky - Human Warlord (Orange/gray) | War | Peace | Neutral | Alliance | Alliance | |
| Sulthor Nightblade - Orc Rogue (Black/purple) | War | Peace | No Contact | Peace | Peace | |
| Awanesse the Custodian - High Elf Theocrat (Lilic/purple) | Neutral | Neutral | No Contact | No Contact | No Contact | |
| Drugal the Stout - Dwarf Dreadnought (Brown/white) | War | Alliance | Peace | No Contact | Alliance | |
| Svengir the Golden - Dwarf Rogue (Purple/blue) | War | Alliance | Peace | No Contact | Alliance |
Heroes[]
- Groshak the Sharp-Edged - Orc Sorcerer (Player)
- Sundren of House Inioch - High Elf Rogue (Player)
- Reskar Scapeshaper - Draconian Arch Druid (Player)
- Colm the Lucky - Human Warlord (Colm)
- Anya the Cityfeller - Human Dreadnought (Colm)
- Sulthor Nightblade - Orc Rogue (Sulthor)
- Yarati the Spellstealer - Goblin Sorcerer (Sulthor)
- Awanesse the Custodian - High Elf Theocrat (Awanesse)
- Drugal the Stout - Dward Dreadnought (Drugal)
- Tyrobur White Metal - Dwarf Theocrat (Drugal)
- Svengir the Golden - Dwarf Rogue (Svengir)
- Benham the Vicious - Dwarf Warlord (Svengir)
Cities[]
- Colm the Lucky
- Daleton - Human City
- Searidge Bend - Human City (Colm's Throne)
- Sulthor Nightblade
- Swamp Sydh - Orc Metropolis (Sulthor's Throne)
- Narm Bok - Orc Town
- Drugal the Stout
- Dhur Lavul - Dwarf City
- Rodgur - Dwarf Village
- Gunnar Boros - Dwarf Metropolis (Drugal's Throne)
- Svengir the Golden
- Darbar - Dwarf City
- Rumzug - Goblin City
- Girbok - Orc City
- Nimras - Dwarf Metropolis (Svengir's Throne)
- Begras - Dwarf City
- Gobros - Dwarf Metropolis
- Awanesse the Custodian
- Aeona Sigel - High Elf Metropolis (Awanesse's Throne)
- Independent
- Sterkhard - Orc Village
- Oroll - Goblin Outpost
- Mordgar - Orc Outpost
- Dirtcreek - Goblin Outpost
- Murkwater - Goblin Village
- Arpen West - Human Outpost
- Roaden - Goblin Village
- Thruundal - Archon Revenant Dwelling
Fortresses[]
- Drugal the Stout
- Dun Dur
- Independent
- Semluk
- Nubger
- Sontite
Outro[]
On the Verge[]
Sundren rallies the troops
Kaerunn Province belongs to the Elven Court. We need to advance now. Enemy armies are already scrambling to repel us from these lands. An army amasses here unlike any in the history of our people. We prepare for the assault on Stronghelm City.
Our human captives churn out weapons for our armies now. The Orcs apply a vigorous whip to their backs for revenge against the crowds of fans that mocked them and drove them out of their homes, all for losing a game.
Every footman marches with renewed vigor as word of our victory spreads. Memories once forbidden are told at every gathering. They speak of a time when all lands were the domain of Elves. My allies, like Groshak, cheer at the notion. Even races that once despised Elven rule now look forward to our final conquest. As we have done in Kaerunn Province, we will awaken the past and unlock forgotten powers in all lands of Athla. After so many immortal lives were lost, the time of Elven rule will be reborn.
Signs[]
"Keep off the grass" - Sign on the only fertile plain surrounded by blight, at the very northwestern part of the map. If the player steps on this patch, a Lightning Storm will be casted on said army.
"Kobold Cave" - Sign next to an underground cave near the Throne City of Svengir. If the player enters this cave, they will be swarmed by groups of Kobolds.
Storyline Walkthrough[]
Find the teleporter[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"We need to find the teleporter leading to the first near Stronghelm city. After we claim victory here we can use it to strike at the heart of the Commonwealth."
Sundren must survive[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Sundren alive at all costs. She must not fall!"
Reskar must survive[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Reskar alive at all costs. He must not fall!"
Once the player gets near the orange territory, a dialogue will trigger:
Colm: "Elven Court troops! How did they get into Kaerunn without us knowing?! To war men! Send messages to all our allies! We must push them back!"
Colm will declare war on the player
Defeat the Commonwealth[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"We need to eliminate all of the Commonwealth leaders in this region so we can safely amass our troops here and send them through the teleporter."
Defeat Colm[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Colm is a former mercenary leader who was granted a title and lands as a reward for the numerous battles he fought for the emperor's coin. He needs to be taken care of."
Once the player obtains the first city, a dialogue will trigger:
Groshak: "There is talk in the town about an inn to the north where Elven Court sympathizers come together. I should try to find it. We will need all the help we can get."
Once the player finds the inn at the north, a dialogue will trigger:
Swordsman: "So they were right, you're really retaking Kaerunn for the Elven Court? Great! I have a message for you: 'The cult of the dark brethren had a circle here: we can provide the lightning for your storm. To the east lies a High Elf city. Go there.' It's a bit cryptic, isn't it? At least the instructions are clear. This is all I know, good luck!"
If the player happens to stumble upon either the territory or army of Drugal and Svengir, a new quest will be given.
Defeat Drugal[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Drugal's wealth and power come from his heritage: his family has had a great deal of influence over the Emperor for centuries. It's time to put an end to their bloodline."
Defeat Svengir[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Svengir may look harmless and friendly, but he is not. He should not be underestimated. We must defeat him."
If the player happens to stumble upon either the territory or army of Sulthor, a new quest will be given.
Defeat Sulthor[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Sulthor has become well-known because of his active pursuit of peace between the Elven Court and Commonwealth, even now. This has severely weakened his position in the Commonwealth. We need to slay him. He will not stand idly by while we wage the war he tried to prevent."
When the player gets close to the blighted section at the center of the map, a dialogue will trigger:
Reskar: "Such a shame. These lands still feel the numerous battles the ancient Wizard fought here. The wounds run deep, and are not yet healed."
When the player gets close to any territory of Awanesse, a dialogue will trigger:
Awanesse: "Do not enter my city! The Commonwealth leaves me alone and so should you. I do not care for the world beyond my borders, you have nothing to fear. The only time I ever left this place was to attend The Mending, and I am not sure that was such a good idea.
When the player defeats Colm, a dialogue will trigger:
Reskar: "I have never liked people like Colm. Only taking care of themselves and never thinking about others. I'm sure we made Athla a better place by killing him."
When the player gets near the desert area to the west, a dialogue will trigger:
Groshak: "Hah, how do you like my leadership so far, Sundren? Impressed with my might yet? Our enemies will be crushed soon enough and then the whole Commonwealth will pay!"
Sundren: "You are a worthy ally, I am sure my father will bestow you with honors and lands to rule for the Elven Court."
If you tresspass Awanesse's territory only with Sundren, and head near her city, a dialogue will trigger:
Initiate: "Psst, hey! You want help right? Follow the river northeast of here to its source. You will find a teleporter there; enter it."
After getting the first dialogue trigger, if the player keeps nearing Awanesse's city, another dialogue will trigger:
Awanesse: "You fool! You come in here with your troops, bringing war to my neutral sanctuary! The deal was that I don't interfere with the world so the world doesn't interfere with me! My task here is of the utmost importance. Why do you think the Commonwealth tolerates me here? Go away!"
If you get near the teleporter located at the northeastern part of the map (after receiving the hint from the Initiate at Awanesse's city), a dialogue will trigger:
Groshak: "This must be the teleporter the Initiate spoke of. I hope this wasn't a waste of my time."
If the player gets near the chamber with the independent High Elfs, a dialogue will trigger:
Storm Sister: "Welcome! We Storm Sisters have kept this old Dark Elf chamber a secret for centuries, we knew it would be useful once more. We have prepared the ritual for you."
Groshak: "This will certainly be of great assistance to me! Thank you! Let us vanquish the Commonwealth together, sisters of the Storm."
The player will be granted control of an Eldritch Horror, three Node Serpents, three Phantasm Warriors, three High Elf Storm Sisters, and three High Elf Apprentices.
If you defeat Awanesse, a dialogue will trigger:
Groshak: "What is all this? It seems the High Elves perform some sort of complex ritual here everyday, but why? It's almost as if... Wait...,yes. Uh oh."
Three groups of one Archon Titan, one Archon Revenant Archer, one Archon Caster, and one Archon Revenant Infantry will appear around the Dwelling of Thruundal. From this moment, every third and fourth turn a new group of the previous will spawn from this location, and give chase to the player.
Once all hostile players have been defeated, a dialogue will trigger:
Groshak: "Great! The local Commonwealth leaders have been vanquished, and we have found the teleporter to Stronghelm. The invasion can now begin!"
Notes[]
- Svengir is the only leader who has a natural Pure Evil Alignment (-800).
- Awanesse is the only leader who will remain Neutral towards the player unless provoked.
- There is a Heart of the Glades on the northern part of the map, surrounded heavily by mountains.
- The teleporter on the northeastern part of the map will only activate if the player tresspasses on Awanesse's territory and gets close to her city in order to trigger the first dialogue.