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Overview

Game Description

Complete the following objectives and present the completed writ to Kafus Thunderaxe in Bordinar's Cleft.

• Gather Evidence from Valdarin, the Record Keeper
• Interview Hugo Heartsworn at Heartsworn Keep
• Incite Champion Frosthammer at Frosthammer Gate
• Interview Commander Flintstrike
• Convince Kafus Thunderaxe to Consider the Proposal
• Diplomatic Declaration to Bordinar's Cleft

Walkthrough

Interview Petitioner Imladras about "Old Alliances" to be offered this quest. You will also be offered the quest Old Alliances when you complete this Parley.

Visit Valdarin the Record Keeper in the Arcane Sanctum and Interview him about "Ancient Documents".

Travel south west to Southwatch and Interview Lord Hugo Heartsworn in Heartsworn Keep about "Let's Talk about Numbers", and then up to Frosthammer's Stand where you should Incite Hampion Karak Frosthammer about "Whose War are You Fighting?".

Head to Bordinar's Cleft and meet Commander Garidon Flintstrike at Crossroads Watchtower. Incite him about the "Three Wars."

Then enter Bordinar's Cleft and Convince Kafus Thunderaxe about "A New Era".

Hail Kafus Thunderaxe again for your reward.

Dialogue

Petitioner Imladras

Petitioner Imladras says, "Perhaps you could be of some use to me."

You ask, "What is it you are looking for me to do?"

Petitioner Imladras asks, "What do you know about the Cartheons?"

You say, "Not much. They were an empire from across the seas, they were the ancestors of the thestrans."

Petitioner Imladras nods, "They were once allies of us high elves. Powerful allies."

"What exactly is this all about?" you ask.

"If the Cartheons could be negotiated with, we could put an end to this war and put things back how they were before the cataclysm," says Petitioner Imladras.

You ask, "But the Cartheons are dead. All that remains are the undead hordes in the west."

Petitioner Imladras says, "They are not mindless by any stretch of the imagination."

Petitioner Imladras continues, "The Thestrans are their relatives, through them we can rebuild the old alliances."

"Are you certain that the Thestrans are so eager to return to the Cartheons?" you ask.

Petitioner Imladras says, "The Thestrans may not have a choice. Whether by our actions or inactions the Cartheons will overpower the Thestrans if they desire it."

You say, "So your though is to prevent a great loss of life, and simply preempt the coming bloodshed with a call for a peacful acquisition of Thestran lands back into the Cartheon Empire."

"Precicely," says Petitioner Imladras. "This war has dragged on for long enough. The dwarves have suffered greatly, the Thestrans are so outclassed that they have called as far as the barbarians of Halgarad and the vulmane for aid."

You say, "The situation does sound very dire. I suppose peace really is the only option."

Quest Offering

"Rebels," says Imladras with a strong does of venom.

"That's all the Thestrans really are, rebellious vassals, and now they have peace loving high elves and the catastrophe ridden dwarves fighting their rebellion for them. Well, it stops now."

"Gather facts and support and present a declaration to Kafus Thunderaxe in Bordinar's Cleft proposing that the Carteons, the rightful overlords of the Thestrans, be negotiated with for peace and to establish lucrative trade with that glorious empire."

Valdarin the Record Keeper

You say, "Valdarin, I require records from the time before the cataclysm."

"Can you be more specific?" asks Valdarin, a hint of annoyance in his voice at your rather vague request.

"I need maps of the old Thestran lands, back when they were an outpost of the Cartheons," you respond.

Valdarin furrows his brow in though. "I'm not sure how many of those survived the cataclysm, or how many were kept here rather than at the Lyceum of Ingolas."

You respond, "Anything and everything you have. Maps of old Cartheon territory, documents of lords and families, even the names of the senators if you have them."

"Even if I were to find these things," begins Valdarin, "what good are thye to you, if I might inquire?"

"There are those in the royal court who believe that the undead Carteons are simply trying to retake the lands of their empire, and the Thestrans are for all intents and purposes, rebels," you say.

Valdarin nods with a deep understanding. "Pursuit of this will only lead to a weakening of our alliance with the Thestrans."

You nod as well. "Perhaps the alliance with the Thestrans should have ended after the Orc and Golbin wars. Perhaps the high elves should look to their ancient treaties with the Cartheons as more binding than new ones forged with rebels."

"And perhaps the Cartheons are not the allies we once had," adds Valdarin.

"Listen, Valdarin. I am aware of what may or may not be the case at hand, but what I need now is what once was," you say rather harshly.

The old elf nods to you. "I can tell that if I refuse this request, I shall only find the high guard doing the searching for me." He sighs heavily. "Times have changed so much these past three-hundred years, perhaps returning to the alliances of the old days will be for the best."

You smile. "Thank you, Valdarin." You pause and add, "And rest assured that the Eternal Rose will never let darkness fall upon her people."

Valdarin displays a genuine smile. "I do, <Player Name>. It is the only thing that lets me find solace in this dark times."

"Let Nurae will benefit from your work here today," you say. "I shall see to that."

Lord Hugo Heartsworn

"Lord Heartsworn!" you announce, as you nod to the lordly knight of Targonor.

Lord Heartsworn looks to you and asks, "And who is this that requires my attention so?"

You reply, "I am <Player Name>, friend of the high elves of Leth Nurae and on mission of diplomacy into your lands good sir."

"Well met, <Player Name>. Let's get to it then, how can I be or service to the elves?" he replies.

"The elves are seeking information regarding the holding of Southwatch. They wish to know the situation here," you say.

Hugo says dryly, "If the elves were here, like we've requested, then they would know, now wouldn't they?"

You bow slightly. "As you rightly know, the elves have their own battles that must be fought."

"Don't we all?" answers Hugo, losing interest in the subject of elves.

"Of course we do, but I wish not to get into the particular logistics of the high elves. What I would like to know are the numbers of defenders here in Southwatch," you say.

"Not enough," says Hugo nonchalantly, looking to the door. He turns to you and smiles, "And at the same time, far too many."

You say, "I'm not sure I follow."

Hugo says plainly, "Food, my friend. The soldiers need food and the road to Tursh is dangerous. Our soldiers suffer as much from food shortages as they do from Carteon crossbows. Neither sleeps."

"Food, my lord, is something Leth Nurae may be able to offer you," you quickly cease the opportunity. "If you can get me numbers, then I can work on getting you food from the elves, the best your men have ever tasted."

"With the added bonus of a morale boost as well," says Hugo with a smile. "I have tasted elven wine and it is to be cherished. I shall get you the numbers you need."

You add, "And can you have the list divided by race? Dwarves and halflings have different tastes beyond just peaches you know."

Champion Karak Frosthammer

Karak Frosthammer says, "My orders are clear. Our defense here at the wall must hold at all cost. Here we stand: stone and mortar, flesh and bone."

You say, "I'm curious why you and your brave warriors are dying for a war that isn't your own."

"Pah!" spits Frosthammer. "The undead came to our gates, not the other way around!"

"Are you certain of that?" you ask. "Isn't it more likely that the Cartheons saw the dwarven alliance with the Thestrans as an aggressive move?"

You say, "Think about it: the Beranid Downs, Old Targonor, all of that used to belong to the Cartheons, before the cataclysm."

Frosthammer snorts. "Them undead aren't Cartheons, so far as I'm concerned. They're walking corpses bent out our destruction, nothing else."

"I believe otherwise," you say. "Consider why the Carteons have stopped at southwatch, or at the gates of Bordinar's Cleft. If they were invading, they would have done so."

"So you think they're just recovering their old land back?" says Frosthammer. "Then whe are the Thestrans fighting them?" They used to be part of the Carthoen Empire themselves, you know."

You say, "The Kingdom of Targonor is a land of rebels ruled over by an unjustified king. The Cartheons are simply aiming to stomp out the rebels and recover their lands. The King of Targonor doesn't want that to happen."

"The Cartheons are only a thousand years too late," says Frosthammer. I'd say that makes their claim on Thestra null and void."

You say, "Sounds like the dwarven claim on Dargun's Tomb is null and void as well then."

Forsthammer scowls. "That's different!"

"Listen Frosthammer," you should him the numbers provided you by Lord Hugo Heartsworn. "These numbers don't lie. The Thestran are letting the dwarves die. There are ten times these numbers in New Targonor."

Frosthammer scans the parchment and his frown deepens. "Cursed Thestrans! Dargun's Tomb falls, and no one aids us! We fight kobolds, and no one aids us. We fight the Cartheons, and the Thestrans use us as shields!"

You say, "Not so loud. This is not the time or place to lose one's temper, you have troops to command. All I ask is that you remember what we discussed here and when things change, you will know what to do."

Frosthammer says, "You should show this to Flintstrike, outside of Bordinar's Cleft. Tell him I sent you. He will be able to help you more than I."

Commander Garidon Flintstrike

You say, "With Frosthammer's blessing and on behalf of the elves, I, <Player Name>, wish to speak plainly with you about the situation here in the Cleft."

Flintstrike makes no change to his expression. "Speak then, elf friend, and know that what we discuss will not leave here if you wish it."

You nod. "Thank you, I would like that." You pause to gather your thoughts.

"The elves see that the dwarves fight three wares, and see that as a great burden that your people should not have to carry," you say.

Flintstrike narrows his eyes slightly. "Three wars? Nay, we fight only two, friend. Your counting seems to be off."

You smile. "The Cartheons and the Kobolds are indeed two wars most see, but the elves also see that the dwarves fight a war in their hearts, the same war the elves fight."

Flintstrike nods slowly, gathering the understanding of your words. "Aye, we long to return home. To Dargun's Tomb."

"The high elves cannot return home, for Leth Vereal was washed beneath the waves," you pause briefly. "But the dwarves can return to Dargun's Tomb."

"How?" asks Flintstrike, "We can barely fight off the foes we have already. Travelling east to fight giants and gnolls sounds mad."

You say, "The Kobolds will always be your enemies, but the Cartheons understand the offer of peace."

Commander Flintstrike ponders this. "Were we to have our brothers and sisters back from Southwatch, the dwarves could make quick work of the kobolds..."

You say, "And with Cartheon help, the home of your ancestors could once again be your own."

"The Flamehamemrs will never ally with the Cartheons, the alliance with Targonor is too important to them," says Flintstrike.

You show Flintstrike the documents you carry. "The Kingdom of Targonor obviously thinks differently of the situation. Ten times the number of troops in Southwatch sit idly in New Targonor."

Flintstrike reads over the numbers and says, "Find Kafus Thunderaxe and tell him what you have told me. He will know what to do."

Kafus Thunderaxe

You say, "Kafus Thunderaxe. Frosthammer sends his regards and his blessings are upon my words to you this day."

Kafus grunts. "Speak then, friend of Frosthammer."

"I come to you with an offer of an idea of peace. That a new alliance between dwarves and elves should be pursued."

"There already exists an alliance between elves and dwarves, Mordebi," says Kafus. "Though, since the elves refuse to adhere to the defense treaty and man the walls of Southwatch, I can see your confusion."

You nod. "The elves are simply fighting the wars they belong in, Thunderace, the ware that threatens their home."

Kafus smiles, "And the dwarves fight two such wars. I'm glad we can agree that the elves are not as sturdy or strong as their dwarven allies."

"But you are winning neither war, master dwarf. Indeed, against the Cartheons, you should not even be aiming for victory," you say.

"Are you suggesting that Bordinar's Cleft cannot defeat the Cartheon undead?" shouts Kafus.

You hand Kafus the documents you have collected and say, "No, I'm saying that with this evidence, you will come to understand that the truth of the matters that afflict the elven and dwarven people give you only one true path."

Kafus looks over the documents for some time and he says, "You are suggesting that we ally with the Cartheons and turn on the Kingdom of Targonor... Interesting."

"The people of Targonor are subjects of the Cartheons, they just don't know that yet. And while those two great nations fight, it is dwarven blood that gets spilled." You ask, "How is that right?"

You say, "By all accounts that justify the Cartheon invasion of the Kingdom of Targonor, the elves possess the same for the incursion of the Thestrans into our territory."

"And with this war ended, we dwarves could concentrate on stomping out the Kobolds once and for all," says Kafus with a smirk.

You smile. "With this alliance forged, the dwarves could retake their homeland of Dargun's Tomb."

Quest Completion

"Though I have learned to be wary of the honeyed lies of elves, your words do sound particularly promising."

[Continue]

Kafus seems to appreciate a mental image of his own glory. "I could lead the excursion to take back Dargun's Tomb. I would be a hero for all time! Songs would be written about me... I might even have a stout bearing my name!"

Parleys

Petitioner Imladras

Name: Petitioner Imladras Level: 150 Station: Noble Title: Old Alliances Conversation: Interview Presence Needed: 150 Cards Played:

Valdarin the Record Keeper

Name: Valdarin the Record Keeper Level: 150 Station: Academic Title: Ancient Documents Conversation: Convince Presence Needed: 150 Cards Played:

Lord Hugo Heartsworn

Name: Lord Hugo Heartsworn Level: 150 Station: Noble Title: Let's Talk Number Conversation: Interview Presence Needed: 150 Cards Played:

Champion Karak Frosthammer

Name: Champion Karak Frosthammer Level: 150 Station: Soldier Title: Whose War Are You Fighting? Conversation: Incite Presence Needed: 150 Cards Played:

Commander Garidon Flintstrike

Name: Commander Garidon Flintstrike Level: 150 Station: Soldier Title: Three Wars Conversation: Incite Presence Needed: 150 Cards Played:

Kafus Thunderaxe

Name: Kafus Thunderaxe Level: 150 Station: Clergy Title: A New Era Conversation: Convince Presence Needed: 150 Cards Played: