Choice Results are at the bottom of the page. Goodluck!
Mind racing with dark thoughts, you swiftly guide Lorna and Gorrack into a nearby alleyway and out of the packed city streets. The incessant tolling of the bells above crashing down on top of you, while Honor Blades pound across the streets in full plate armor. The minotaurs seemingly gathering a large host by the gates no doubt in preparation for the coming battle.
Palms covered in a thin layer of sweat, you gaze about the deserted alleyway, unable to believe how quickly things have turned, Ice eye's warning flashing through the back of your mind, begging you to save his people. But all you can think about right now are the thousands of glowing campfires you saw in the swamps, reminding you of what was awaiting you out there. And no matter how you try to reason your decision, this was simply not your fight.
Facing your companions, you whisper loudly enough for them to hear. "We must leave the City and quickly."
The hard planes of Gorrack's face stiffen with a dark scowl at the thought of fleeing battle, while Lorna brushes her fingers lightly through her honey brown hair. Her lips pursued thoughtfully as though digesting your words. "And how do you propose we do that? The Honor Blades guard all the gates and I doubt very much they would risk the safety of the city to open them up for us."
For a moment you consider your options trying to come up with a solution to your problem, when you hear a deafening crack that seems to come from every direction. The pavement beneath your feet breaking apart into tiny fragments as the familiar noxious stench of the swamp envelops you. Roots burst up from out of the ground. Thick heavy vines shoot up the sides of buildings, their limbs emerging out of the land to rise up high into the air like frail fingers seeking the sun. The very ground trembling as the stone pavement is quickly replaced with muck, mud and dirt. And if that was not enough, swamp trees the size of towers erupt in the middle of the streets, tearing houses asunder and darkening the ground overhead with their size.
Hurriedly backing away from the destruction, you spin around and sprint back towards the marketplace, followed by the sound of loud cracks as more trees explode out of the pavement. Gorrack and Lorna not far behind you as you make a mad dash towards the only place that seems relatively calm, a grove of trees that surrounds a statue of Ice Eye's. The place undoubtedly guarded by enchantments.
Entering the grove, you feel a wave of peace wash over you, healing your wounds and flooding you with fresh strength. Ice Eye's steely blue gaze staring down at you with both sadness and regret. Filling you with a sudden wave of guilt that makes you feel uncomfortable.(+20 Health Points to each character.)
Angered by this inexplicable feeling of remorse, you turn away from the statue and watch the unfolding carnage, wondering if you should have least tried to help the Honor Blades, when your jaw drops open in shock.
Trolls in thick bark like armor pour out from the gaping holes in the stone pavements to assault the fleeing minotaurs with war clubs, axes and swords. The creatures tearing through the city streets like blood crazed fiends, howling their warcries.
Blood pumping furiously through your veins, you search for a way out of the city, all the while trying to appear inconspicuous, when a group of trolls commanded by a large bulky warrior with piercing red eyes, catches sight of your party and directs his warriors against you. The creatures let loose a cry so full of rage and hate as they charge towards you, their eyes filled with malevolence.
1. Help evacuate the citizens of Tarriel to safety?
It seems your life is fated to be full of rocky paths and treacherous decisions, the lives of hundreds resting in the palm of your hand, and although every part of you cries out to just run away and leave this place behind. You cannot simply leave these people behind, not while they are fighting and dying to protect their loved ones.
Face hardening at the grim realisation of what you are about to do, you let out a dry chuckle and swing around to face your companions. Lorna giving you a knowing look as if reading your mind, while Gorrack stares off towards the fighting with a ravenous hunger, blood dripping down from his eyes and white froth bubbling out of his mouth, his whole body taut with tension as if ready to spring forward.
Half smiling at his eagerness, you lean closer to him and whisper, "Kill."
Gorrack looks down at you with a grin, froth falling onto your shoulder, before bounding forward, his body rapidly transforming in size as his natural instincts seize control, the massive dark skinned orc smashing into the rear of the trolls to send dozens of trolls careening to the ground.
Madly laughing like a crazed fool, which is what you probably are at this point, you race after the big orc, spinning and slashing at the distracted ranks of the enemy. Arrows sprouting out of the necks of trolls that try to get behind you.
Oblivious to all else, you focus your attention on downing one troll after the next, your blade a blur of motion as you both attack and defend, accumulating cuts and bruises as you go.(-60 Health Points)
Parrying a powerful swing from a badly scarred troll, you cleave your blade into it's neck and grunt in annoyance when your blade gets stuck. The creature gurgling dark green blood from it's mouth, before collapsing and taking your blade with it.
Unarmed, you duck to avoid a strike from a second troll and slam a fist into the side of it's head, bruising your knuckles, before ripping it's mace out from it's fingers and twirling back into the fight. The minotaurs buoyed by your efforts, let out a primal cry of rage and throw themselves forward into the melee, driving the trolls back. The creatures taking countless losses beneath the axe of Gorrack on one side and a multitude of enraged minotaurs.
When at last the trolls fall back, you drop to one knee and gasp for each breathe, your lungs burning with effort and chest aching with pain. But it seems your fight has only just begun.
The few Honor Blades holding the city gates though they have given a good accounting for themselves have all fallen, leaving the only way out of the city in the hands of the enemy who have begun to rally and even greater war host behind them.
With more trolls appearing from outside the city gates, causing a chill to run down your spine at the thought you could have run head first into another troll war party.
The leader of the Minotaurs, quickly striding over to your side, offers you a hand. "I am Jarun, I thank you for your aid stranger, but it seems our only way out is blocked."
After offering your name back in return, you realise that the grizzled old warrior is looking to you for leadership, his pale blue eyes staring deep into your own.
Mouth dry, you lick your lips and gaze about the waiting denizens of Tarriel and feel your heart beat a little faster.
(You begin with a total of 236 minotaurs who are able to fight at your command, many of whom have barely trained with a real weapon. Your next few choices will decide how many live or die, their lives are in your hands.)
(Click here if you have selected Choice two for Scenario 8)
Spoiler: Spoiler
As you have joined the battle late, you begin with 178 minotaurs at your command.
Battle One
Choice 1. Attempt to retake the city gates and evacuate the people of Tarriel?
Spoiler: Spoiler
With precious little time to waste, you nod your head towards the gates. "The quickest path out of here is out through those gates. I'll take the lead, and you follow with your best fighters. Be sure to leave a rear guard behind to protect the little ones."
Jarun's lips tighten with worry as he turns his attention towards the gates where hundreds of trolls mill about, waiting for the order to move in. The beating of a drum and blaring of a horn sounding off somewhere in the distance.
Trusting in the veteran to obey your commands, you wave your arm for Lorna and Gorrack to join your side and tell them your plan. The big orc, his blood lust quenched for the moment, scratching the back of his head in confusion, but it is Lorna who speaks first. "You really have lost your mind haven't you? You want us attack those creatures head on?"
Smiling wryly, you nod your head. "There's no guarantees that there is another way out of the city. We're better off fighting here, rather than risk getting ambushed out in the streets."
Lorna opens her mouth to reply, before snapping it shut and whispering, "I hope you're right. Otherwise this will be a bloodbath." You and me both, you think.
With that last ominous thought in your mind, you stride over towards the head of the column and watch as Jarun joins your side with thirty hand picked warriors. Most of them fairly young with horns barely grown and a few grey furred warriors sprinkled in amongst them.
You'd hoped for more warriors like Jarun, but it seems these few would have to do. Hand tightening around the hilt of your blade, you walk forward towards the enemy. The trolls fanning out to either side to take advantage of their numbers, commanded by a hideous creature with glowing red eyes and crooked yellow fangs that protrude out from between torn lips. It's focus and attention drawn to you with a ferocious look that would have chilled the blood of any man.
Heart pulsing with the thrill of battle, you motion for the warriors to form up alongside you, their nervous glances flickering back and forth along the thickening lines of the enemy. Gorrack and Lorna flanking you to either side, and for a brief second you wonder if you should say a few words at least to bolster their confidence, before sighing and shaking your head.There was no more time to for words, only for actions.
Letting out a throaty growl, you charge forward, your feet smacking solidly against the stone as you race headlong towards the enemy. Your blade whispering out of it's sheath to slice into the neck of the nearest troll, before kicking it away and plunging further in. The rank odor of the trolls smacking your nostrils and clash of blades beating the air as the two forces collide against each other in a cacophony of steel. The ground shaking briefly beneath them in a thunderous collision.
Sweat dripping down your forehead, you counter a strike meant for your waist, and hack your blade through a careless arm groping for you, before taking a step back to survey the battlefield. Only then do you realise the danger you are in as more than half the minotaurs have been thrust backwards, leaving a widening gap that continues to grow to the left of your position. The trolls gradually engulfing the flanks of the minotaurs and cutting off their lines of retreat, while their commander wreaks havoc with his mace in the center of the field.
Heart sinking at the sight of so many fallen, you roar, "Fall back! Fall back! Fall back!" But the battle continues to rage on all around you with dozens of warriors being cut down to lie motionless upon the ground, their lifeblood pooling beside them.
Gripping the shoulders of those beside you, you try to spin them around and send them back, while hammering and slashing your blade in a fury to clear a path out. Your voice hoarse from shouting again, and again for them to fall back, but so few are able to hear your commands over the din of battle.
Jarun however must have sensed the danger they were in as well and let loose a howl that seemed to reverberate in the air, creating a brief moment of stillness, before the minotaurs pulled back together towards their original position. The grey furred warrior deftly wielding his greatsword to cleave a path straight through the trolls, allowing his people to escape out of the trap they had created for themselves.
With no other choice but to abandon the gate, you follow after them, shoulders slumped and heart heavy with the loss of so many lives.
(- 124 Lives lost, - 95 Health Points. Having failed to retake the gates, you now have no other option other than to seek another way out. Move on to Choice.2)
Choice 2. Ask Jarun to take you to another gate?
Spoiler: Spoiler
Directing your gaze northwards, you ask, "We need to find another way out of here. Where's the nearest gate?"
Jarun nervously rubs the back of his neck, before replying slowly, "The closest gate to us, besides this one is the silver gate on the far side of the city, but I fear it is too far for us to travel."
Biting your lips, you glance back towards the gate and see more trolls pouring through to join the war party gathering on the other side, the trolls for now holding their position, but that wouldn't last much longer. "We have no choice, we'll need to take that risk. Staying here will mean certain death."
Jarun's thick grey brows furrow into a frown, but he nods his head in agreement. The grizzled veteran briskly marching away to bark fresh orders to his makeshift force of Tarrielien citizens, forming them into a column with the children in the center.
With that part done, you take in a deep breath of fresh air, ignoring the thrumming beat of battle erupting off in the distance and try to clear your mind. Getting through the city would be difficult, but you have no doubt that these minotaurs would fight tooth and nail to see their young ones to safety.
The only thing left to do was scout the path ahead and pray that there aren't too many enemies ahead.
Battle Two
Choice 1. Send Lorna to scout the path ahead? (Lorna is both agile and quick, with skills in magic and bowmanship.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
As the column of refuges proceeded deeper into the city, Lorna slipped out ahead of them. Her companion's words reminding her of the responsibility she had to those that trailed behind her. But what had her mind spinning was the way the mercenary had commanded her to do so, like he had been in charge all his life, without even a hint of hesitation and fear. "Lorna, I need you to the scout the path ahead. Make sure you're not seen, and hurry. We do not have much time." It was as if the warrior she had known long ago from the fortress of Stonefold had become someone else entirely and she did not know whether she liked it or not.
True, he had kept them alive for this long, but who knows what lurked within that mind of his. She wished she could trust him to do what was right, but there some things he'd done along the way that had made her question whether he truly wished to be free of the demoness. He was an enigma, and yet he was also their best hope of ending the lives of two of the most powerful demons they'd ever come across, creatures that had been fighting a war in the shadows for centuries. However she knew the time would come, when she would need to pick a side and she hoped she would ready for it.
Brushing aside a stray hair that had fallen into her eyes, she re-focused her attention on the path ahead. The streets crowded full of vines, branches and newly grown trees with no signs of the trolls that had invaded the city, but something definitely seemed off.
Slowing her walk to a crawl, she crouched down, sliding the bow off her shoulder and continued down the eerily quiet street. The nearby houses shattered apart to expose their insides, and boom of battle raging somewhere outside the city.
Sticking close to the shadows, she crept forward hoping to gain some answers before turning back, when she caught the strong fetid stench of the swamp. The distinctive smell growing much stronger with each step she took.
Wrinkling her nostrils, she scanned the street for the source of the stench and had to snap shut her mouth in surprise at the sight of a fairly sizable force of trolls gathered in a nearby alleyway across from her. The distracted creatures seemingly entranced by a glowing green seed that throbbed with energy and life.
Unsure what to make of her discovery, she cautiously began to back away in the hopes of avoiding detecting, when she felt something hard strike the side of her head. (Lorna - 120 Health Points)
Head ringing, blood streaming from a wound to her skull, Lorna tried desperately to cast a spell that would protect her from the next blow that would most certainly come to finish her off, when everything went black...
~*~
Minutes passed by in complete silence, and there is still no word from Lorna. You'd hoped she would be back by now with news, but now you're worried something may have gone wrong.
Biting your lips pensively, you pace back and forth trying to think on your next course of action, when Gorrack abruptly growls angrily and starts off down the street after her.
"Wait! You don't know that she is in danger. You could be risking your life and hers if you go after her like this."
But even as the words fall from your lips, you instinctively know that you're in the wrong, causing you to sigh heavily and mutter, "Very well, we'll do it your way."
After whispering a few commands to Jarun to find a secure location to wait for them, you chase after the big, lumbering orc and quickly catch up to him. Gorrack barely glancing in your direction as you join his side. "So what's your plan exactly?"You ask.
Gorrack grunts, "Kill everything."
"Sounds like a plan,"you reply dryly.
The big orc's gaze flickers briefly towards you, before snorting his nostrils and continuing on down the street, his battleaxe ready in hand.
In the quiet that seemed to grip the city, you hear the faint rustling of footsteps and hushed whispers behind closed doors. The few survivors of the city, hunkering down to wait for the Honor Blades to show up, who for reasons you still can't figure out have yet to make appearance.
Scanning the nearby alleyways for danger or any sign of Lorna, you wince inwardly at the gruesome sight of what looked to be the remains of several minotaurs, their blood splattered across the alleyway, and bodies torn to pieces like rabid animals had been at them.
Among the bodies, you recognise the slim form of Lorna and almost let out a gasp of fear, your chest tightening in pain as you rush towards her side.
Collapsing on one knee before her, you roll her over onto her back, all the while hoping and praying she was still alive. Gorrack loomed over your shoulder with a look of sheer desperation, his brow furrowed in dismay.
You check her for wounds, but besides the lump on the side of her skull she seemed to be completely intact with no other injuries that you can see.
Breathing a huge sigh of relief, you look up. "She's alive, but badly weakened. Looks like she took a hit to the head. We'll need to carry her back."
Gorrack shakes his head roughly from side to side. "No, I will carry her."
You open your mouth to argue with the orc, but decide against it. They needed to get back to Jarun as quickly as possible and get the people moving again. They had spent way too much time here as it is.
Nodding your head in agreement, you let Gorrack gently pick up the small elven woman in his huge arms, the pair of you quickly retracing your steps, your head constantly on a swivel to make sure there weren't any trolls on your tail.
It seemed strange that the trolls would leave Lorna there unconscious and alive, but that was a question for another time when Lorna was able to answer them. Nearing the end of the street, where you had last seen Jarun, you feel a ominous twist inside of your gut at the familiar stink of death that invades your nostrils. Pools of drying blood, smearing the stone pavements before you.
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Drawing your blade, you press on ahead, one hand covering your mouth, and soon come upon grisly scene of blood and guts, trolls and minotaurs alike lying about in the middle of the street in what looked to be a recent battle.
Holding up your arm for Gorrack to stay back, you step over the mutilated corpses of the dead, before following the trail of bodies. And even though a part of you knows what you're about to find, you try to keep a flicker of hope alive, wanting and needing to find any survivors that were still alive.
Eventually you reach a large red brick house with it's heavy oaken doors smashed inward. Heart beating like a drum, hands slippery with sweat, you step carefully inside the doorway and almost immediately keel over from shock, your stomach emptying out it's contents onto the floorboards. All around you hanging upside down from the rafters of the building are the lifeless corpses of the minotaurs that you had tried to save, their throats slit open to pour out their blood onto a huge green seed that lay in the middle of the room. The seed growing larger and larger in size each time a drop of blood touches it's rigged exterior, somehow fueling it.
Slowly rising back up to your feet, you hear Sarsonel's voice slither inside of your mind with renewed urgency. "You are in great peril warrior, the seed of my brother will consume all life in the city and you along with it, if you do not destroy it, but beware it is incredibly powerful." (Choice continues below with Lorna options.)
(Only click this option if you have chosen Lorna to scout. Do you wish to destroy?)
Spoiler: Spoiler
(At any time you may choose to give up and flee, by clicking the flee option.)
Angry and frustrated over your failure to protect the minotaurs, you take a step towards the pulsating seed, and feel an incredible surge of pain sweep over your body that intensifies with each step that you take.(- 50 Health Points) The seed exuding waves of sheer malevolence that slams into you, trying to thrust you back.(- 70 Health Points)
By the time you even come close to the seed, you feel like your whole body is being boiled alive, your skin flayed apart piece by minuscule piece. (- 80 Health Points)
Unable to withstand the sheer agony, you collapse to your knees and try to crawl forward on all fours, while a thousand tiny knives stab into every inch of skin. (- 100 Health Points.)
Screaming until your lungs can take anymore, you try to focus on why you are doing this, the faces of all those people that you'd seen in the streets. The priestess, the novice, Jarun, the Honor Blades who had sacrificed their lives, Gorrack and lastly Lorna. (- 120 Health Points)
You burn their faces into your mind and push yourself to keep moving, until at last you kneel before the seed and bring your blade crashing down with all your strength. The seed splitting open like a rotten watermelon, it's anguished screams drilling your mind as it dies, warm blood spraying across your cheeks.
Aching all over, you lay there panting for god knows how long, when you hear footsteps coming up from behind you. Too exhausted to do anything besides twist your head around, you look behind you and let out a hiss of relief at the image of a pale faced Lorna up on her feet, leaning against Gorrack. The big orc easily holding her up. The pair of them staring around the room with open mouthed horror at the gruesome scene.
"Glad to see you're finally awake."
Lorna shakes her head as though trying to wake herself from this god awful nightmare and asked, "What happened here?"
Too mentally drained to explain everything, your reply simply. "It's a long story, one I will have to tell later, but for now we need to get out of here."
Lorna shakes her head again. "Are you able to move?"
You nod your head in reply, although you're not entirely sure that is true, but I guess there was only one way to find out.
Grunting with effort, you haul yourself back up, your legs still shaking beneath you and together make your way back out into the city streets, which strangely enough have gone quiet again.
Head bowed down in thought of all the lives lost, they continued towards the silver gate. Gorrack all but ready to kill anything that moved, but fortunate for them everything was eerily silent.
With no one to slow them down or obstruct their path, they made easy progress through the city and soon came upon the silver gate, a massive slab of metal that had been burnished to the point that it appeared like silver, the gates already flung wide open.
You walk out of the city gates and feel an enormous weight that you'd been carrying on your shoulders finally drop away. And while a part of you wonders what had happened to all the trolls, you're just glad that you have finally made it safely outside.
Battlefield Results
None
-236 Lives lost
Companion Reputation, (- 5 Gorrack is not pleased by your actions. 0 Lorna is neither pleased nor displeased by you actions.)
Loot
None. While traveling, you learn that Lorna had been knocked unconsciousness by falling bits of debris, when she had been pulled to safety by friendly minotaurs, only to be attacked by a pack of trolls that had left her for dead along with her saviors, solving at least one mystery.
Side Quest Completed
(Only click this option if you have chosen Lorna to scout. Do you wish to flee?)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Panicking, you race back the way you've come. Gorrack's head whipping up at the sound of your approach. "You find them?"
Nodding your head, you urge Gorrack to keep moving and explain to him what had happened to the minotaurs, while making your way towards the silver gate, when you hear a thunderous explosion come from behind you, an immense Hearth Tree erupting out of the center of the city, it's limbs stretching out to blanket the land in shadow.
Terrified by what this could you mean, you start to sprint, Gorrack running behind you until finally you reach the silver gate and get the hell out.
Battlefield Results
None
-236 Lives lost.
Companion Reputation, (- 5 Gorrack is not pleased by your actions. 0 Lorna is neither pleased or displeased by you actions.)
Loot
None. When Lorna eventually wakes up, you learn that she had been knocked unconsciousness by falling bits of debris, when she had been pulled to safety by friendly minotaurs, only to be attacked by a pack of trolls that had left her for dead along with her saviors, solving at least one mystery.
Side Quest Completed
Choice 2. Send Gorrack to scout the path ahead? (Gorrack is a powerful warrior able to battle his way out of most situations.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
With the scent of blood still lingering in the air, Gorrack strode deeper into the deserted streets. The hunger that always seemed to burn inside of him like a unquenchable flame quiet for the moment as he shifted his gaze back and forth across the broken down buildings. Thick heavy vines crawling up the side of homes, and roots covering the ground before him.
Hands shifting along the rough wooden haft of his battleaxe, Gorrack dimly studied his surroundings, if only to keep his mind away from the darkness that lurked within him. The pulsating sense of evil that pervaded his mind, lying dormant for now, it's craving for flesh, sated.
Cursed with a unnatural hunger at a young age, Gorrack had learned long ago to control the ravenous hunger inside of him, although there were days when he rued ever listening to Kalgromar the elder of his village.
Chosen to help defend his home, Gorrack and a few others had been sent into the wilderness to re-learn the old ways in order to battle the Ogrekans, who had been waging war upon them for generations. Monstrous beasts from the far south that showed no mercy or remorse in their endless war against them.
Fueled by rage and quick to anger. It had taken meeting Lorna to open his eyes to the truth of what he had become. A slave to some demon lord, who slowly fed upon his soul in exchange for power. It was why, he had chosen to leave his home and hunt down these demonic beings that had disguised themselves as gods, and why he would do all in his power to protect Lorna from the dangers of this world. But he could never truly protect her from himself, not when the hunger was at its fiercest. At those moments he was more animal than orc.
So when the mercenary had asked him to scout the road ahead, he had gladly accepted, although he did worry about leaving Lorna in the hands of a mercenary. No matter how much Gorrack wanted to trust the warrior, he could not. He'd seen enough of mercenaries in his lifetime to know that none of them could be trusted, and this one especially. The warrior had far too many secrets that he kept to himself.
Still, Gorrack preferred this plan over having Lorna scout the path ahead. He did not doubt her skills as a warrior, but a place like this required strength, not subtly.
Feet crunching upon shattered pavement, Gorrack strode through the densely populated street, weaving his way in among the tangle of branches. The battle that been raging off in the distance, dulling down to a throb.
Smoke blossoming in the air, Gorrack believed he must be nearing the other side of the city, when trolls burst out from doorways and nearby alleyways to surround him. The hulking tree like creatures rushing towards him with blood splattered armor, screaming their devilish war cries.
Adrenaline rising at their presence, Gorrack felt the bubbling rage inside of him begin to reawaken, strengthening his limbs and flooding him with fresh energy that caused him to let out a deep throated growl that rumbled through his chest.
Red spots spinning across his line of vision, he leapt forward to meet them,his battleaxe scything forward, parting them as easily as the sea as he waded in among them. The dumbfounded creatures no match for his strength or speed as he smashed them to ribbons, the skill drilled into him as a youth on full display. (Gorrack - 80 Health Points)
Bloodied and reeling from his ferocity, the trolls fled like wild rabbits, however Gorrack would have none of that. Hungry for more blood, he chased after them, hacking down one after the after,until he could find no more.
Blood still pumping furiously through his veins, he gazed down upon the broken bodies of the dead and felt the craving for flesh grow inside of him.
Mouth watering at the intoxicating stench of blood, he almost leaned down to feast upon the dead, before tearing himself away and slamming a fist into his chest to settle himself down. He was not an animal. He would not bow down to this sickness. He could not let it win.
Strengthening his will, Gorrack gradually felt the hunger inside of him ease, but he knew it would be back, and it would be that much stronger since he refused to feed. But that didn't matter much to him right now, right now he needed to keep his mind on the task at hand.
Mind finally beginning to clear of the fog, Gorrack turned back the way he had come, trying to remember how he'd gotten here, when he noticed a strange green light in the adjoining alleyway.
Feet moving instinctively, he walked towards the source of the glowing light and found a large green seed throbbing with life and energy,exuding a kind of evil that felt similar to the darkness he felt inside of him.
Neck hairs stiffening, he snarled and raised his battleaxe to destroy seed, only to be held in place by invisible tentacles that wormed their way through him, telling him to turn aside and leave. He tried everything to break it's hold over him, but whatever controlled his hunger was somehow linked to the seed and refused to allow him any closer.
Snarling like a wounded boar, sweat dripping down his back, he tried to remember the incantation Lorna had taught him to help control his hunger, the words stumbling out from between his lips. "Fire to light the darkness, flames to cleanse the soul, by the hand of the Lighbearer give me your strength."
As the last words escaped his lips, he felt the tentacles that had spread across his body vanish, causing him to lurch forward in surprise.
Using the momentum, he brought the battleaxe crashing down to split the seed in two and felt a wave of pain wash over him as the death throes of the creature resonated within him, dropping him to his knees.( Gorrack -100 Health Points)
When he could move again, he stumbled back up to his feet and slowly made his way back through the city streets, feeling somehow lighter. (Choice is continued below.)
(Only click this option, if you have chosen Gorrack to scout the path ahead?)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Having spent the past hour or so being harangued by Lorna for sending Gorrack instead of her, you can't help but expel a huge sigh of relief upon seeing the large orc warrior return unharmed from his quest. Unfortunately this doesn't stop Lorna from shooting you another dark scowl, before rushing to Gorrack's side to tend to his many wounds, which no doubt she'll blame you for.
Sighing heavily at the thought of having to face another tirade from the stubborn elf, you wait for her to finish tending to the orc, before sidling up towards him. "How's the path ahead?"
Gorrack smiles grimly. "A few tree skins, but nothing we cannot face."
Smiling back in relief, you pat Gorrack on the shoulder, before turning to call out to Jarun. "Get everyone up and moving again, I want to be out of the city before nightfall."
Jarun lets out a grunt of acknowledgement, immediately sets to work reforming the column with the young ones excitedly chatting away in the center. Gorrack quieting them with a disapproving glower, before re-taking his position by your side at the head of the snake, much to the chagrin of Lorna who wished Gorrack to take it easy and rest. But there was simply no way to rest, not while they were all in danger.
With everyone gathered together once more, you set a relaxed pace through the city streets, before picking up the pace again as the suns begin to sink lower in the sky.
Meeting little to no resistance, you come across dozens of minotaurs hiding in their homes, who alerted by the sound of your approach come out to greet you warmly. The column of people steadily growing thicker and thicker. By the time they neared the silver gate at least another fifty minotaurs had come out to join them in the hopes of getting out of the city. However there were still no signs of the Honor Blades, which seemed odd considering they would never abandon the city without good cause. (+ 56 minotaurs)
Nearing your goal, you can almost breathe again, when Lorna presses a finger to her lips to quieten everyone down and points towards the east where you see hundreds of trolls gathered not far from the silver gate.
Stiffening instinctively, you freeze in place, only to realise that the trolls have yet to spot you, the creatures seemingly too busy executing half a dozen or so Honor Blades that had been captured, their gleaming silver armor coated in dust.
Waving your arm back the way they'd come, you get everyone back into the safety of the nearby buildings, before creeping over to Jarun's side. The hardened minotaur warrior, scratching his chin and squatting down beside a tree. "We'll need to do something about them."
"What do you suggest?"
Jarun licked his lips, before gazing off towards the gate. "We could either split up our forces in two, with the smaller force striking the enemy, while the rest escape, or use the advantage of surprise and throw everything we have against them. Both options will mean a lot of lives will be lost."
Battle Three
(Click here if you wish to send a group of volunteers to distract the enemy, while the rest escape.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
It's a tough choice, but considering how far the odds are stacked against you, you decide it would be better to not risk everything in an all out attack.
The grey haired warrior easily able to read your expression, gives you a small tired smile. "It is really is the only way, any of us will come out of this alive. I will stay behind and lead the attack, while you get everyone to safety."
You open your mouth to protest his decision, but the warrior only holds up his hand, his steel grey eyes softening for the briefest of seconds. "These my people and my city. Giving my life for theirs would be a great honor. Now take your friends and go. Get my people to safety."
Hard struck by his words, you feel your chest swell with both admiration and respect for the brave noble warrior, but also a sense of frustration that you were not able to save them all. You briefly consider trying to convince the old minotaur to come with you, but judging by the look in his eyes, you doubt that would even be possible.
Shoulders slumped in resignation, you bow your head in respect to the minotaur's wishes, before moving off to speak with Lorna and Gorrack who sit a few paces away from you spying on the enemy.
Gorrack glanced up at your approach, his flame colored eyes flashing red with hunger. "Shall we fight?"
You shake your head sadly from side to side. "Jarun will lead a small group to attack the trolls, while we get everyone else out of here."
Disappointment flickers across Gorrack's face, the big orc reluctantly nodding his head, his expression becoming thoughtful. Lorna to your surprise, gives you a commiserating look as if understanding your pain, before patting you on the arm and moving away to spread the word.
With nothing left to do, but to wait for Jarun to make his move, you crouch down beside Gorrack to keep an eye on the trolls. One of the creatures a massive troll with huge arms stood in the center of circle beating the life out of a Honor Blade that had been stripped of his armor. The young warrior barely able to withstand the pummeling he was receiving at the hands of the monstrous creature, the trolls surrounding the pair hooting and laughing with glee.
Face burning with anger and shame, you feel a fire burning inside of your chest that grows hotter with each second that passes. You'd never wanted to be a leader, yet you'd been chosen to lead once again. And now, their blood would be forever on your hands.
Fists clenched by your sides, you watch as Jarun appears out from within the midst of the people, their tears and well wishes flowing freely as they parted open to let them through.
Standing up, you feel Jarun's gaze upon, the minotaur smiling broadly as though he had no care in the world. The small group charging out to face the trolls, their lungs filling the air with a cry full of joy that was mimicked by those around you, your own voice lifting up to join theirs as they slammed into the rear of the enemy. The trolls reeling back in shock at first, before closing in around them.
Bowing your head in farewell, you race across the open ground to the sounds of dying screams and clang of metal.
Battle Results
None
-48 Lives lost
Companion Reputation, (+2 Gorrack is pleased by your actions. +1 Lorna is pleased with your actions.)
Loot
Having escaped the city, you part ways with the surviving minotaurs who reward you with gold, and name you, "Friend to the people of Tarriel."(To calculate the amount of gold you received, multiple four by the amount of survivors you've evacuated out of the city.)
Side Quest Completed
(Click if you wish to throw everything you have against the minotaurs.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
With a savage smile upon your lips, you say "Then let us attack them! I've had enough of running and hiding."
Jarun chuckles with amusement, before replying, "Agreed, there is no honor in fleeing from the enemy. Victory or defeat we will face our foe."
With the decision made, you stride over to speak with Lorna and Gorrack who sit a few paces away from you spying on the enemy.
Gorrack glancing up at your approach, his flame colored eyes flashing red with hunger. "Shall we fight?"
You nod your head in reply and quickly recount your plan to them, while your eyes drift over to count the number of trolls massed by the gates and estimate at least a hundred of the blasted creatures. Not large odds, but with so many inexperienced fighters among their number it would be close run thing. Hopefully with surprise on their side,they could turn the battle swiftly in their favor.
Having heard the entire plan, Lorna abruptly stands up, her face flushed red with anger. "And what of the children? Will you abandon them here to defend themselves? Have you even thought about what will happen to them? Have you?!"
She shoves you a step back almost causing you to fall, her fingers glowing with a bright blue light.
Blood boiling, you open your mouth to argue with her, when you realise that she might be right. You hadn't really thought of what would happen to the young ones when you were gone, but that was assuming they would fail and you were certain they would not fail. You would make sure of it. Still it might be wise to leave a few warriors behind to ensure they made it safely out of the city.
Holding up your arms, you reply softly, "You're right, I had't really thought of what might happen to the children, but we can't run away from this fight. This is only way, all of us get out of here alive."
Lorna gives you a brittle laugh, her eyes still burning with anger. "You truly are a fool."With that she brushes past your shoulder to speak with Jarun.
(Lorna will not be joining you in this fight, she has decided to stay behind and guard the young ones.)
With nothing left to do but wait for the signal to strike, you draw your blade and move your finger along it's edge, checking it's sharpness.
When at last, Jarun reappears by your side, you can feel his fear and trepidation at what might be the end. The people of Tarriel standing stiffly behind him in loose ranks, shuffling their feet and casting nervous glances towards the enemy.
Clenching your fist to still your quivering hand, you nod your head towards Jarun and together step out from the shadows of the street. Gorrack smiling eagerly as he hefted his battleaxe. Lorna watching nervously from behind, her gaze burning into your neck.
Once out in the open, Jarun signaled his warriors to fan out, before filling his lungs and releasing a powerful cry that thrummed through the air, his people joining his voice to theirs, causing the hairs on your neck to stand up.
And like a tidal wave they surged forth across the open ground, the trolls whirling around in shock as you slam into them from behind, your blade carving a bloody path of death alongside Gorrack, who butchers one enemy after the other. The deafening cries, screams and clash of weapons shattering the silence as the the battle rages all around you, ebbing and flowing. Blood, guts and limbs spraying across the air as the two forces hack and slash at each other.
Caught within the press of bodies, you try to press forward, your blade a blur of steel, when you come face to face with a monstrous troll that blasts you back with a single swipe from his mace. The blow knocking the wind right out of you and leaving a gap hole in lines of the minotaurs as the ghastly beast tears right through them, flinging minotaurs about like they were nothing.
Ribs badly hurt, you gingerly get back up to your feet to try and put an end to the creature, when Gorrack cries out, "This one is mine." The big orc, having been knocked down as well, scrambles up from the ground to charge the hulking troll, his body transforming in seconds before smashing into the great beast. The pair of warriors battling each other with heavy strikes that resound through the air, before the dark skinned orc clobbers the troll with a blow that crushes the beast's skull.
Victorious, Gorrack releases a resounding roar to the sky, before throwing himself forward once more onto the enemy, his huge form bobbing in among leaving behind a swathe of destruction.
Back handing a troll that tries to come at you from behind, you lurch forward clutching your chest to re-join the fight.( Choice continued below.)
(Click here if you have more than 200 minotaurs.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
With the advantage of surprise,numbers and the loss of their leader the trolls soon fold before you. The creatures scrambling to get away from the minotaurs who chase after them, hunting them down like animals.
With victory in your grasp, you let out a cry of relief that is soon joined by all those around you.
Battle Results
-50 Health Points
-38 Lives Lost
+ 4 Honor Blades Saved
Companion Reputation, (+2 Gorrack is pleased by your actions. - 2 Lorna is displeased with your actions.)
Loot
Parting ways with the surviving minotaurs you are rewarded you with gold, and the title, "Hero of Tarriel."(To calculate the amount of gold you receive, multiple four by the amount of survivors you've evacuated out of the city, including the Honor Blades.)You also receive a ornate greatsword from one of surviving Honor Blades, the blade is called Sunder - 30 damage.
Side Quest Completed
(Click here if you have less than 200 minotaurs.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
But even with the death of their leader, you soon realise it's going to take a lot more to defeat the trolls who gradually press the minotaurs back, isolating Gorrack who wounded and bleeding profusely from dozens of wounds is slowly being surrounded.
Numbers dwindling rapidly, you try to ignore the throbbing in your side and focus your mind. Using everything you have, you throw yourself forward and attack relentlessly, your arms burning with effort from each swing as you slowly drive the trolls back.
Growling and snarling like a rabid animal, you fight your way through them, the minotaurs rallying around you, until at last you break free of throng and spin around to cut at the flanks of the enemy. The trolls eventually breaking and running.
Breathing harsh and ragged,you survey the piles of corpses and a part of you dies. They had victory, but the cost was heavy.
Battle Results
-107 Health Points
-76 Lives lost.
None of the Honor Blades survived.
Companion Reputation, (+2 Gorrack is pleased by your actions. - 2 Lorna is displeased with your actions.)
Loot
Parting ways with what was left of the minoaturs, you continue travelling south-east.
Side Quest Completed