Never Deal with a Demon is the eighth and final scenario of the Conquest of the Underworld campaign in Heroes Chronicles 
.
Campaign
Prologue
Never trust a Demon. Tarnum knew this, but he still fell into Deezelisk's trap. If he had been mortal, his story would've ended here, but Tarnum returned. This time, nothing was going to stop him from saving his only blood kin, Queen Allison, from the torture chambers of the Duke of the Underworld.
Scenario
Map description
Tarnum must defeat Deezelisk and all of his allies in order to rescue Queen Allison.
Starting options
- Give 20
Royal Griffins to 
Tarnum - Give 25
Sharpshooters to Tarnum
Timed events
  Day 1 - Day 1
|
| Treachery! What makes it worse is I suspected it all along and I still fell into Deezelisk's trap. I mourn the loss of my captains - all killed by the demon troops they commanded in our rescue of Rion Gryphonheart's soul. At least I was able to save his soul from Jorm's clutches. Who knows what happened to Mensor? Probably dead as well. What bothers me most is Allison's capture. I never should've let her agree to command Deezelisk's demon army in our battle against Jorm. They turned on her when I was distracted with Jorm and spirited her away to Deezelisk. I should've realized earlier than Jorm was never powerful enough to control so many demons in the Underworld. All our troubles, all our endless battles in this dark land must have been carefully orchestrated by Duke Deezelisk himself. I was attacked too, but the demons didn't realize I was immortal. I managed to slip away after they believed I was dead, and I returned to a Castle in one of the upper levels. With a small force, we've tracked the force that kidnapped Allison to this hidden layer of the Underworld and managed to build a small Castle in one its empty caverns. And I've sworn both as a Barbarian and as a Knight that Deezelisk will pay! |
| (2, 6, 0) Necropolis: Day 1 - Resources (every day) |
 Wood, +1  Mercury, +2  Ore, +1  Sulfur, +1  Crystal, +1  Gem, +2000  Gold |
 (4, 41, 0) Inferno: Day 1 - resouces (every day)
|
| daily resources Wood, +1 Mercury, +2 Ore, +1 Sulfur, +1 Crystal, +1 Gem, +2000 Gold |
| (8, 5, 1) Inferno: Day 1 - Resources (every 7 days)
|
| This is for the locked in computer player. Wood, +7 Mercury, +14 Ore, +7 Sulfur, +7 Crystals, +7 Gems, +7000 Gold |
   (9, 17, 0) Castle: Day 1 - resources (every day)
|
| Wood, +1 Mercury, +2 Ore, +1 Sulfur, +1 Crystal, +1 Gem, +2000 Gold |
| (26, 19, 0) Inferno: Day 1 - Resources (every day) |
| Wood, +2 Mercury, +4 Ore, +2 Sulfur, +2 Crystals, +2 Gems, +3000 Gold |
| (54, 57, 0) Inferno: Day 1 - resources (every day) |
| Wood, +1 Mercury, +2 Ore, +1 Sulfur, +1 Crystal, +1 Gem, +2000 Gold |
| Day 4 - Day 4 |
| I threw back the flap to my tent and froze. Standing there, a shimmering transparent image, was the soul of Rion Gryphonheart, looking much stronger than when I rescued him. Saying nothing, I entered and closed the flap behind me. "You're here to help," said Gryphonheart. His voice was barely a whisper. "I can see that. The past, as far as I'm concerned, is forgotten." "For me as well. I hold no grudge," I said, surprising myself because I truly meant it. "I beg you to help Allison. Deezelisk is tormenting her to get at me. He knows I won't leave as long as Allison is in danger, but neither is there anything I can do to help her!" "To get at you?" I said. "Why does Deezelisk hate you so much?" "Because he tried to take over Erathia and failed - a long story. To put it simply, I defeated his troops, blinded him, and sent him back to the Underworld!" |
| Day 6 - Day 6 |
| I can't believe it, but Mensor is alive! One of the scouts spotted a Prison not to far from here, but he couldn't rescue Mensor because a guard post blocks access to the jail. A rescue mission must be arranged, and quickly before these Demons puts another one of my friends to death. |
| Day 9 - Day 9 |
| Rion Gryphonheart returned last night with tears in his eyes. It must take a great pain indeed to bring such sorrow to a ghost. "I can't stand it anymore, Tarnum! She's in such pain, and all because of me. She's my daughter and I can do nothing!" Gryphonheart said. "She's strong, Gryphonheart, stronger than you think. Just stay at her side, give her your strength. I'll make Deezelisk pay for every day he touched her!" I said. My words seem to give Gryphonheart some courage. He even smiles. "I recognize that tone, Tarnum. When you want to be, you can be quite vindictive, can't you?" "Yes. Deezelisk has no idea how dangerous my anger can be, but he'll soon learn!" |
| Day 16 - Day 16 |
| My nights are wrought with nightmares, but not the ones the Underworld sometimes causes. These are my own fears as I imagine my niece, Allison, in the cruel hands of that Demon. Last night, I woke to find Gryphonheart sitting by my bedroll. He looked haunted and weak. "I've discovered that I'm able to protect Allison from some of the pain at least, but I'm on Deezelisk's ground - he's powerful down here. He knew I would try this. I realize that now." "What do you mean?" I said. He was making little sense. "I was the bait, Tarnum," Gryphonheart said. "Deezelisk ordered Jorm to kidnap me from Paradise so he could lure Allison down here. Allison's dream wasn't my cry for help - that was the work of Deezelisk. He knew if he tortured Allison, I would join with her soul to protect her, then he'd finally be able to destroy me." "Then he manipulated us from the beginning?" "Yes, and he's winning. I don't know how much longer I can last. When my soul becomes too weak, it will fade into nothingness - and then Allison will be alone with that cursed Demon!" I reach out to place a comforting hand on Gryphonheart's shoulder before I remember that he is no more solid than a soft breeze. "There is one thing Deezelisk didn't plan on." "What?" Gryphonheart said. "Me!" |
| Day 22 - Day 22 |
| A cave-in buried some of our supply wagons. It took some time to clear the tunnel for passage, but all that was found was the splintered wagons and dead drivers. It was probably the work of Deezelisk. Wood, -3 Mercury, -3 Sulfur, -2350 Gold |
| Day 29 - Day 29 |
| Mensor's interrogation of the captured Demons has turned up very little information about Deezelisk's whereabouts. Our prisoners are more afraid of the Demon Duke than my Captain of Information. If I still had the taste for torture, I would interrogate them myself and show them who they really should fear. But those days are gone, thankfully. All we've been able to determine is that Deezelisk's secret manor lies somewhere behind a Subterranean Gate. |
| Day 35 - Day 35 |
| Today, I remembered that the Ancestors sent me on this mission to save Gryphonheart's soul. It's been so long, and I've become so involved that I've accepted this mission as my own. So, what did they want me to learn? That vengeance gets you nowhere? That is obvious. My blind vengeance against the Bracaduun Wizards only disgraced me into my present state as the Immortal Hero. Allison's drive for vengeance against Jorm led her into a trap she should've seen coming. And I swear I'm going to make Deezelisk suffer for his attempt to gain revenge for the loss of his sight. |
| Day 41 - Day 41 |
| During one of those brief moments when Rion Gryphonheart was able to slip away from Allison, he searched the tunnels for a way to find Deezelisk. Nothing like having a ghost for a spy. Apparently, Deezelisk isn't easy to reach. In a tunnel far to the northeast is a Monolith that will take me to the Red Keymaster's Tent. Beyond the Red Border Guards lies a Subterranean Gate that will take me directly to the Demon I seek. |
| Day 47 - Day 47 |
| I have sent word through a fast rider to the lords of Erathia that I am in need of their aid. "Queen Allison has been kidnapped and we need reinforcements in order to rescue her. We fight a war against a terrible foe. So far, we've been able to hold our own, but soon we shall be overwhelmed. Please send what you can. Every moment Queen Allison is in the hands of this Demon she will be tortured. Please hurry!" |
| (14, 58, 0) Castle: Day 54 - Day 54 |
Reinforcements were quick to come. Those troops you have left behind to guard the way out of the Underworld have done an excellent job of securing their positions and are freeing up people to fight at your side now.  Pikemen and Halberdiers, 20   Archers and Marksmen, 10  Griffins and Royal Griffins, 10   Swordsmen and Crusaders |
| Day 59 - Day 59 |
| Rion Gryphonheart appeared in my tent once again last night but it took some time for me to notice he was there. His soul was so faint, barely discernable from the tent fabric behind him. After a while, he raised his head to look at me. He blinked twice, too tired to speak. Even without words, I understood. Soon, Gryphonheart's soul would be no more - and Allison would then die. |
| Day 62 - Day 62 |
| I received a message today that reinforcements will soon arrive. The nobles of Erathia have rallied to save their Queen from the claws of Deezelisk. The reports are sketchy, but the upper levels of the Underworld are under full assault and will soon be free of demon influence. In their anger, they're destroying every inch of this unholy land. |
| Day 73 - Day 73 |
| Deezelisk has had plenty of time to prepare for my arrival. I fear for both Allison and Rion Gryphonheart because the dead king hasn't visited me in quite a while and the last time I saw him his soul was fading before my eyes. Still, it shouldn't be long now. To keep Deezelisk from escaping, some of the ex-slaves who dwell on this layer built a guard post before the Subterranean Gate. They'll only allow me or one of my captains through. Soon, Deezelisk, it'll be over! I promise. |
| (14, 58, 0) Castle: Day 78 - Day 78 |
| More reinforcements have arrived, all anxious to help free their Queen from Duke Deezelisk. Not only have they brought troops, but over the past weeks several hidden caches of resources have also been discovered in the upper levels of the Underworld. These treasures will go a long way toward Deezelisk's defeat. Wood, +25 Mercury, +50 Ore, +25 Sulfur, +25 Crystals, +25 Gems, +80000 Gold Creatures: 100 |
Objects
Events
| Location | Message |
|---|---|
| 14, 33, 1 | For a generation, your people have lived in these dark tunnels, but you hear rumors filtering in from the Underworld. The Demons are in danger. Finally, someone has entered this cursed land. And you even hear a name whispered by the Imps. "Tarnum!" they curse. "He's the scourge on all us Demons, and it's that blasted Deezelisk who brought him here!" This Tarnum sounds like someone you'd like to meet. |
| 15, 38, 1 | You see many thatched huts ahead, a town in the middle of this darkness. Nearby, pale Peasants tend their sparse gardens. What are they doing down here? Your question is soon answered. "Greetings, sir!" says one of the Peasants. "Hope things are well with you. We haven't seen a human in more years than I can recall. But we knew someone would come for us some day." "How did you get here?" "Well, we're prisoners actually. At least, my poppa was. Long ago, the Demons sent us into this remote cave to mine for gold. When all the resources were mined out, they just left us down here to rot. The jokes on them though - we've managed to survive all these years!" |
| 16, 40, 1 | You can see that the Peasants have encouraged a few bits of shrub and flowers to grow here. There is even a large, wonderful tree in the center of the town. All together their efforts are commendable. Maybe you can recruit them. |
| 33, 46, 0 | At first you think it's an abandoned prison, but then you spot a man behind one of the barred windows. Although he's covered in filth, you still recognize your friend, Mensor. "Deezelisk lied to us!" Mensor shouts. "He plans to kidnap Queen Allison. I have managed to befriend the troops trapped in this dungeon and we've concealed a few items as well." He pauses for a moment and then roars, "Let me out of here so I can lop that treacherous Demon's head off!" You hurry forward to free Mensor and his companions. |
Towns
| Location | Color | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2, 6, 0 |
|
 墓园
|
| 4, 41, 0 |
|
 地狱
|
| 8, 5, 1 |
|
地狱
|
| 9, 17, 0 |  城堡
| |
| 14, 58, 0 |
|
城堡
|
| 26, 19, 0 |
|
地狱
|
| 50, 15, 0 | 城堡
| |
| 54, 57, 0 |
|
地狱
|
| 69, 17, 0 | 墓园
|
Colors
| Red |
Player |
| Purple |
Ally |
| Blue |
Enemy |
| Green |
Enemy |
| Orange |
Enemy |
| Pink |
Enemy |
Heroes
| Location | Color | Hero |
|---|---|---|
| 2, 7, 0 |
|
 Vidomina the Necromancer
|
| 4, 42, 0 |
|
 Olema the Heretic
|
| 13, 31, 1 |
|
 Trynn the Knight
|
| 14, 59, 0 |
|
Tarnum the Knight
|
| 15, 33, 1 |
|
 Norvan the Cleric
|
| 26, 20, 0 |
|
 Fiona the Demoniac
|
| 33, 36, 1 |
|
 Deezelisk the Demoniac
|
| 34, 45, 0 | 
|
 Mensor the Knight
|
| 54, 58, 0 |
|
 Nymus the Demoniac
|
Monsters
| Location | Type | Message |
|---|---|---|
| 14, 46, 0 |  Arch Devil
|
Our master has said not to let anyone pass. You do not scare us, we will fight to the very last! |
Quest Guards
 Quest Guard (8, 18, 0)
|
|---|
| Proposal Message |
 experience level 30 |
| Quest Guard (16, 33, 1)
|
| Proposal Message |
| We will only let Sir Tarnum through! Tarnum the Knight |
| Progress Message |
| The guards here will only let Tarnum pass. |
| Completion Message |
| You have found us! Do you want us to join your forces now? |
| Quest Guard (37, 37, 0)
|
| Proposal Message |
| The guards here say they will only let those who fly the Red flag pass. red |
| Quest Guard (50, 16, 0)
|
| Proposal Message |
| experience level 30 |
Epilogue
On the crisp winter morning when Tarnum was to be named the Queen's Protector, Allison searched the Castle for the man who had saved her father's soul. He was missing and resting on his bed was his freshly polished armor. The Knight who conquered the Underworld was never seen again.