Chapters/Chapter 3: The Wardens

July 22th 2021 - October 7th, 8PM ET 2021

Act 1: Strange Machines
Introduction



Quincy Poisewax : Nice to see you again. You remember your old friend Quincy, don’t you? Resident magic expert and all that. Ah, what am I saying. Course you do.

The has been busy researching all of your findings these past few months. The, the , how it all started and how we can, by the Goddess, stop it one day. Things are… progressing. Slower than we’d hoped, but that’s research for you.

However, our has had some troubling reports of automatons in the Hollow Lands. Automatons, of course, being humanoid, magical, metal constructs. They seem to be, well, invading might be the best term? Securing old ruins, stockpiling artifacts, attacking any who come near. Typical invader behavior, I suppose. We have no idea exactly what they are, where they came from, and why they’re invading. Which is where you come in.

Investigate these automatons and report back your findings. Oh, and try not to get disrupted whilst you’re at it, okay?

Briefing

Quincy Poisewax : These automatons are magical constructs, I’m certain of that. But who created them? Where do they come from? We need to find out.

After Quest Completion

Quest 2

Quincy Poisewax : This is it! The Aegis Wardens … Looks like they were created by Banehelm scholars centuries ago. But why are they running amok now?

Quest 3

Quincy Poisewax : A magical workshop, under our noses this whole time! This must be where the automatons were first built. Looks long abandoned now, though.

Act 2: A Curious Awakening
Introduction



Quincy Poisewax : We finally have a name and origin for our new automaton neighbors. They’re called the, and they were created by Banehelm scholars centuries ago. Well, perhaps designed is a better term. Looks like Dustpool was contracted to actually build the machines.

The were created to protect Banehelm’s secrets, which explains why they have so much weaponry built into them. But they were ordered to be destroyed over two hundred years ago due to the Vow Mandate. Couldn’t have magical constructs running around after magic was outlawed, could we?

At the very least, we can assume that the were actually deactivated rather than destroyed. Which begs the question… how were the automatons awoken? I have a few theories, of course. Perhaps some nefarious scholars reactivated them. Or perhaps the Wardens didn’t reactivate at all, but rather came through a rift in time. Or perhaps the scholars went through a rift in time, and then reactivated—and I’m getting ahead of myself.

Once again, I need your help with some field research. Hopefully, it will allow us to learn why the have reactivated. Best of luck!

Briefing

Quincy Poisewax : It really is a shame. Think of all the good the Aegis Wardens could have done for our kingdoms if they weren’t banned by the Vow Mandate. Yet another wonder the Vowkeepers stole from us.

After Quest Completion

Quest 1

Quincy Poisewax : Well, that should do the trick. Now we’ll be able to pick up any arcane fluctuations that the Warden’s produce.

Quest 3

Quincy Poisewax : That’s it. The Spellstorm is empowering them. Which means that… Was it the Fracture that awoke them?

Act 3: Galvanized Goals
Introduction



Quincy Poisewax : Doesn’t seem like we have anyone in particular to thank for our new neighbors. The were awoken by the. The magical energy must have reactivated them somehow. Perhaps the fluctuation cycled their …

Ah, right, sorry. Back in the room. Let's review what we know so far. The were created by Banehelm in order to protect magical artifacts, secret knowledge, and the like. They were deactivated over two hundred years ago due to the Vow Mandate. Thanks to the and the ongoing, the automatons were reactivated and given an endless source of power.

But now we enter the crux of the matter. Why are the encroaching on the Hollow Lands? Why have they turned from defenders into invaders? As always, I believe our answer lies in further field research. With luck, the results should give us greater insight into the motivation. Or lack thereof.

Oh, and I should probably let you know, Thadius will be taking over operations while I continue my studies of the. After you’re done helping me, you’ll be reporting to him next. Good luck out there,.

Briefing

Quincy Poisewax : I wish we didn’t have to fight the Aegis Wardens. Think of what good we could do if they fought alongside us. But I could say the same about the Vowguards, couldn’t I?

After Quest Completion

Quest 1

Quincy Poisewax : This rune chip doesn’t look like anything I’ve researched. It’s been altered, somehow. Perhaps that’s why the Wardens now act so aggressively.

Quest 2

Quincy Poisewax : The Wardens were built to protect magical artifacts, so I suppose it makes sense they would continue to do so.

Quest 3

Quincy Poisewax : Oh, this is… not good. The Wardens’ intend to take over the Hollow Lands, but more than that. It looks like they intend to destroy it first. This is definitely not good.

Act 4: Under Surveillance
Introduction



Thadius Vanderun : I wish I brought fairer tidings for you,. But then, when has that ever been our fortune? Be it the Vowguard or the, conflict is our order’s steadfast companion. Would I rather it be peace.

Quincy’s latest research has proven what we feared all along. These, once bespelled to defend, now see all who enter the Hollow Lands as enemies. And so they seek to destroy us, kingdoms and all. Once again, it falls on us to protect what little remains of our homelands. The have claimed strongholds across the Hollow Lands, but they have also been known to ambush unsuspecting. The more we know about their movements, the better we can position ourselves. And so we must turn to rather unsavory sources.

We need you to locate the Vowguard’s surveillance pods so that we may keep a track of the movements. Only then can we begin our battle in earnest. Fair fighting,.

Briefing

Thadius Vanderun : I heard tales of the Aegis Wardens when I was a young man, but never had cause to fight one. What tactics to deploy, what weaknesses to exploit… I’m afraid I know just as much as you do.

After Quest Completion

Quest 1

Thadius Vanderun : Excellent work. The report states the surveillance pods are being held in Fernfall Garrison. Let us head there next.

Quest 3

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : The surveillance pods appear to be in working order. Good work, Breaker.

Act 5: Ward Off the Wardens
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : Those surveillance pods are an immense help to our efforts. The movements are as precise as clockwork, and just as easy to keep track of. Now is the time to attack.

I’ve fought more battles than I care to count, yet it never comes easier. Should I feel less, given our enemies are made of metal and magic? And yet I cannot find it within my heart to do so. War is never without sacrifice, never without sorrow. No matter the foe.

But we have no choice. We cannot allow what little we have left to be taken from us. We must protect what remains, and so. We fight.

You have your battle orders. To war,. To war.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : When I was young, I craved battle. To prove myself, to defeat the great evils of the world. What a fool I was. A wise man only wishes for peace, for it is only in peace that we may prosper.

After Quest Completion

Quest 1

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : These safeguard potions should hold us over for quite some time. My thanks, Breaker.

Quest 3

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : Is there no end to these Wardens? No matter how many strongholds we clear, there seems to be no end in sight. Where are their reinforcements coming from?

Act 6: Reboot and Rebel
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : You fought admirably, but there’s simply no end to the. Destroy one, and five more take its place. We must strategize. And for that, we may need to look in unexpected places for allies who can aid us.

For the first time since the have invaded, they have taken a prisoner. I do not know who this poor soul is, or how they caught the attention, but I mean to find out. With luck, this prisoner may even be willing to aid our cause.

I need you to mount a rescue operation. Investigate who the have captured and where they are being held. I have given command over to Avira for this assignment, so you will report to her once you succeed. Goddess guide you,.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : The Aegis Wardens have never taken interest in individual Breakers, much less taken a captive. What makes this prisoner so special in the eyes of the Wardens? Er… eye, I mean.

After Quest Completion

Quest 2

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : “WE WERE BUILT TO DEFEND, NOT DESTROY. WE WERE BUILT FOR PEACE, NOT WAR.” We? Is the prisoner... a Warden?

Quest 3

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Brilly : THANK YOU FOR RESCUING ME, HUMAN.

Act 7: The Brilstone Automaton
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : Good to see you again,. Ready for your next assignment?

With your help, our was able to rescue the  prisoner. Strangely enough, that prisoner was a decapitated automaton head. Not quite what I expected. Quincy has assured me that the machine is capable of logical thought, and, unlike the, is speaking with us. He even has a name. Brilly. Better than Brillford or Brilliam, I suppose.

Brilly claims to desire peace just as much as his kin desire war, and he’s agreed to join our fight. However, before our metal friend can aid us, he must be reassembled. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. The are currently guarding his parts within their strongholds.

We need you to search the strongholds and collect Brilly’s individual parts. Only then can we count on him as an ally.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : I am glad Brilly is willing to speak with us, I truly am. But sometimes it’s difficult to get him to stop. He’s fond of asking questions, and, unfortunately, Quincy is just as fond of answering them. I’ve had to seperate the two more than once.

After Quest Completion

Quest 6

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Brilly : THANK YOU FOR ASSEMBLING ME. THIS IS MUCH MORE PREFERABLE.

Act 8: Schematic Sabotage
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : Excellent work,. Brilly asked me to read you a note he wrote.

“THANK YOU FOR ASSEMBLING ME. BEING BROKEN APART IS NOT FUN. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, AS HUMANS SAY. PLEASE DO NOT BETRAY AND DISMANTLE ME ONCE MORE. WITH ALL CONSIDERATION, BRILLY.”

I’ll let that speak for itself.

Unfortunately, Brilly has little information on the current plans. But that’s where the  comes into play. Unlike you and I, the do not require speech to communicate. Their thoughts are connected to one another through their, allowing them to correspond seamlessly across great distances.

Though it has given the a distinct edge in battle up until now, we can now use the  to our advantage. With your help, Brilly should be able to access the > and uncover what the are planning.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : Brilly has been a model Order member. Does his chores without complaint, always there with a cheerful word. If only his kin had similar dispositions…

After Quest Completion

Quest 1

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Brilly : ACCESS COMPLETE. I MUST ACCESS OTHER NODES BEFORE I CAN ENTER THE COMMUNICATION NEXUS.

Quest 2

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Brilly : DEPLOYMENT FROM LUX VAULT. DEPLOYMENT FROM LUX VAULT. WAIT. WHAT IS IN LUX VAULT, AGAIN?

Quest 3

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : Strange. I’ve never seen devices like this before. I’d ask for a closer look, but there’s no getting past those barriers. Perhaps Brilly knows more.

Act 9: Delaying Doomsday
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : Thanks to your hard work and Brilly’s aid, we now have access to the communications. We now know how they plan to destroy the Hollow Lands.

The have built conductors to overload the  with vast amounts of, empowering its destructive force. No fortress, no city, no blade of grass will remain afterwards. There won’t be kingdoms left for us to reclaim.

I did question Brilly about those you discovered as well, but I’m afraid he knows little about them. They’re protected by barriers, so they must be important to the. But as for what they are and what their purpose is, we’ll have to investigate further.

For now, let us concentrate on the. We cannot allow the to be empowered and destroy what little we have left. I need you to seek out and destroy whatever conductors the have activated. Make all haste,. We’ve not much time.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : I suppose if the Aegis Wardens cannot claim the Hollow Lands, no one can. Or perhaps they don’t mind the idea of ruling over a desolate wasteland. What need for grass you cannot feel?

After Quest Completion

Quest 2

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : At last, we may breathe. Those conductors won’t be empowering the Spellstorm anytime soon.

Quest 3

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : Good work, Breaker. It seems the Wardens have grown desperate now that we ruined their plans. Pity for them.

Act 10: Final Rest
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : The have been destroyed, but it’s only a matter of time before the  rebuild them. They know not sleep, nor rest, nor peace. Should we merely continue fighting, I have no doubt it will be without end. A ceaseless war against endless enemies. We must staunch the flow.

To our good fortune, Brilly has finally discovered how his kin are able to reinforce their numbers so steadily. The come from deep within the earth, where the bulk of their forces still lie. They travel up into the Hollow Lands in devices known as. Though you have never heard the name, these devices should look familiar to you. They’re the very same you and Brilly investigated after he infiltrated the.

At first, I thought this a lost lead. The are protected by barriers, and we had not the means to dispel nor destroy them. But, thanks to the tireless work of both Quincy and Brilly, we have discovered a spell that can deactivate the barriers and allow us to destroy the conveyors.

I leave this mission in your capable gauntlets,. Destroy the and stop this war once and for all.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : A part of me wonders if Brilly knew about the deep earth conveyors all along. Perhaps part of him still struggles to rebel against his metal kin. Or… perhaps I distrust too much. It’s been a hard few years.

After Quest Completion

Quest 2

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : Brilly has informed us that the communication nexus has grown silent in this area. Now is the time for us to strike.

Quest 3

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : By the Goddess, you did it. The Wardens will no longer be able to bring reinforcements into the Hollow Lands. We can finally end this war."

Outro

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Avira Emberdane : It is done,. This war can finally come to an end. No more shall the invade our kingdoms. No longer must we fear losing what little we have left. And it’s all thanks to you.

But if this war has taught us anything, it’s that we cannot afford to be ill prepared. The echoes of the still ripple across the Hollow Lands, and we have yet to smooth its waters. We must continue to protect what remains. We must have faith that we will one day reclaim our homelands. For what else can we do?

And that’s why I’m forever thankful that we have such as yourself. Though the Keepers decry you, and the Vowguard hunt you, I know the truth. That it is the condemned who choose to keep hope alive. And for that, you have my endless gratitude.