The Land of the Vori

The bitter shores of the northern reaches did not greet Tarnum kindly. He made it ashore with only a small force, cut off from any support and surrounded by the stubborn Vori Elves. And to make matters worse, one of his own troops was plotting his death.

Scenario

Map description

Tarnum crashes on the icy shore of Vori land, only to learn that the Vori Elves have joined Gelu. He must defeat the enemy towns. All of Tarnum's skills, spells, and experience will transfer to the next scenario. Heroes are limited to level 12.

Starting options

Give +1 Attack skill to Tarnum
Give +1 Defense skill to Tarnum

Timed events

Day 1 - day 1
I sailed far into the north to the frozen lands of the Vori, but I found them waiting for me. I attempted to reason with the Vori, even told them about the prophecy linking the Sword of Frost and Armageddon's Blade, but they wouldn't listen. They consider Gelu - who is half-Vori - one of their own, and they too are smitten by his charisma. And perhaps they can never trust an Overlord. The Vori attacked, sinking two of my three ships outright. The Nighon forces are unused to sea battle, so they didn't put up much of a fight. I managed to escape, barely, but my ship was so damaged that I was lucky to make it to shore.
Day 6 - day 6
I am told there is a Magi somewhere to the south who can give me a vision of my enemy, allowing me to watch the movement of the Vori troops.
Day 10 - day 10
Another attempt to reason with the Vori has failed. I sent a messenger to the Vori who block me from following Gelu. I begged for their understanding, but nothing. Now I understand where Gelu got his blind stubbornness!
Day 15 - day 15
Something hit me in the shoulder, knocking me from the saddle. Pain shot down my left arm. By the time I came to my knees, I realized there was an arrow through my body. An Elf ambush? No. I looked closer at the barbed arrowhead protruding from my skin and realized no Elf forged it. Turning slowly, I found a Medusa slithering slowly toward me with another arrow notched in her bow. She smiled wickedly, hissed. It was a power play. In typical Nighon fashion, the Medusa was testing my strength as the leader and when I failed she would replace me. "You are Overlord no longer," the Medusa said. "I rule now!" I tried to lift my mace to defend myself, but my arms were going numb. I should've known the Medusa would lace her arrows with poison. Even though I couldn't truly die, in the eyes of my troops I would be dead, and it was too late for me to raise another army. Then a blast of magic struck the Medusa's bow, snapping it in half. She turned, only to be struck in the chest by three more brilliant beams. She collapsed, dead, and I turned toward my rescuers - Beholders.
Day 17 - day 17
It has taken me some time to recover from the Medusa's poison. In fact, I think I did die - as far as I am capable of death. Thankfully, no one noticed. The Nighons aren't known for their medical skills. This morning, I dragged myself out of my tent and over to the three Beholders who rescued me. Although Nighons only care about power and strength, sometimes that works to your advantage. Creatures such as these Beholders didn't save me from the Medusa because they thought I was a good leader. Nor were they motivated by compassion or loyalty. No, they were making a different kind of power play, and they expected me to repay them at some point. "You're walking again - good," said one of the Beholders. "I want to thank you all for helping me," I said. I had just the way to repay them too. "I'm in need of some personal guards who can act as advisors as well," I said. "They will be the leaders of my army. Do you know anyone who might fit such a role?" Of course, the Beholders recommended themselves.
Day 23 - day 23
Everywhere I go now, I travel with three Beholders - Neez, Zarm, and Kilkik. They seem to ignore me when I go into one of my 'fits'. Perhaps they don't care if their leader sometimes declares war on a tree and orders half his army to attack it. Or maybe I'm not the first insane leader they've had? But the benefit of always having them at my side is three extra eyes watching for ambushes from my own people. At least now, I can get some rest. The only people I have to worry about now are my own bodyguards.
Day 25 - day 25
Neez, the leader of my Beholder bodyguards, approached me during the march. When he talked, he kept his voice low and secretive. "Do you know the Medusa we killed when we saved your life?" "Of course! I have already repaid that debt." "No, not that. Her hatchlings are plotting against us all. Soon, they will attack," said the Beholder. "How many of them?" I asked. "Ten. Not good odds." "Are you sure?" I said. "Positive. I have a spy among the Medusas." "Then we'll have to do something about it, won't we?" I said, chuckling madly.
Day 28 - day 28
The Medusa hatchling sisters were secretly brewing a batch of poison for their arrows when we attacked. We caught them in a crossfire with Neez and Zarm on one side and Kilkik and me on the other. I drew back my bow, and using years of experience among the Elves, let my arrow fly. The Beholders followed upon my signal. Four Medusas died in the first moment of the ambush. Another three went down before they could reach their weapons. The rest put up a good fight, placing two arrows in Zarm's eye before we brought them down as well. Walking among the dead, I made sure the Beholders saw me smiling with satisfaction although on the inside I took no pleasure in killing my own troops. I couldn't wait to rid myself of this Overlord identity. Every action I take was for the good of the world, but I still feel like I am reverting to my old ways. I'm afraid that one day I will realize I enjoy being an Overlord.

Objects

Events

Location	Message
7, 16, 0	As you sneak across the snowy landscape, you find a group of Dwarves and Vori Elves leading several Beholders. The Beholders are blindfolded and chained together, probably being led to their deaths, so you mount a rescue. Guardians: 10 Dwarves, 7 Wood Elves, 7 Dwarves Contents: 8 Beholders