Thanks to Royce and Vasuki, we were able to sweep straight down into the elven village of Sanil, bypassing the dangers and traps of the enchanted forest that protected them. They were shocked to see humans after their long isolation, but they warmed to us quickly when we made it clear that we were no fans of Harmonia. One of the largest structures in the village is a huge memorial to elves who have lost their lives, and most of those deaths date back to a Harmonian attack from over a hundred years ago. The victims included young children – it was a massacre that drove the few surviving elves into hiding, where their numbers have remained low and they’ve tried to keep out of Harmonia’s way.
After leveling our weapons to 7, buying some new armor and a turkey, and obtaining the recipe for stir-fry, we made our way to the house of the elven leader, old Xavier Matthews. After a long-winded account of our adventures from Harold, Xavier agreed to help us and open the floodgates as long as we promised to keep it off the record to prevent retaliation from Harmonia against the elves. The elves were not yet ready to declare open war (though it was hinted that they might find their confidence once our castle reaches Level 3).
The flooding of the Harmonian castle of Lorin went off without a hitch, and we followed the assault with an army battle in a nearby field. Priest Major Lena Suphina and her arches were in charge of the castle, but their forces were joined by Harold’s brother Henry and Royce’s rival Felicia as well (dragon included). We split into our units and began the first army battle of the game with enthusiasm. Happily accepting the responsibility of ordering people around, Harold directed us in the most efficient manner to wipe out the Harmonian forces, and we did not lost a single unit. Felicia was defeated first, followed by Henry, who both swore revenge and retreated. Finally, we were able to surround and quickly subdue Priest Major Lena Suphina, who surrendered to us in order to spare her troops.
We don’t know much about Priest Major Lena yet (Xander’s investigation is in the works), but Harold did know that she used to be the Vice-Commander of the Temple Guards, one of the highest military positions in Harmonia. Something happened to slap this major demotion on her, relegating her to a remote outpost, and whatever it was left her with no warm feelings towards the Holy Empire. We offered our friendship, and with nowhere else to go, Lena joined forces with us. According to Caesar, her troops swell our numbers by about a third, a major victory for us. (How many times can I say “major” in a paragraph?)
Two other pieces of news were waiting for us back at Liberty Castle. For one, Caesar informed us that Omir Fort is currently under attack from the Camaro Knights, who continue to make life hell for Harmonia in the west. This is a great opportunity for us to take over the northern lands while Camaro and Harmonia fight amongst themselves, so that by the time Harmonia ends the battle, their problems will have only just begun. “War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them all they want.” – William Tecumseh Sherman
Secondly, and of more immediate concern, there is an epidemic sweeping through Lorin Village near the castle that our forces just liberated. A woman came to Liberty Castle to beg us for help, for though they already ordered the medicine they need, it was stolen by pirates along the way. By the time they can obtain more, the death toll could be catastrophic. When we come back next time, it will be up to us to retrieve it. For the howling orphaned babies!
Recruited: Lena Suphina
3 Investigations: Dalton, Lena Suphina, Xander
