Tightening the Noose

**Tightening the Noose** is the 3rd mission in the Empire Campaign.

## Plot

Alric do Rei fight his way to Margoth. On the way, he meets new allies...

## Quests

- Alric must survive
- Guide Dunehelm to Margoth
 Description

## Hints

You start only with Alric and a few units. First, you have to go to the north, where you have to avoid some Ogres. Two of them can be killed with rocks on a cliff (you are advised to do so). Afterwards you meet Dunehelm Bellangere for the first time. Together with him you have to dispose of a larger troop of Beasts. To the east, there is a Winter Amulet and to the west, there are some treasure chests and a healing rune. Then, you have to go underground.

You should first head east, where you emerge near a neutral Temple and get two Priests for the first time. Then, you can head underground for the west. A few skeletons wait there and afterwards, you reach the village of Rivos. As soon as you have repaired all the burning buildings, you should destroy the small Beast camp to the east, otherwise, there will be attacks every once in a while from this direction. There is an Arena and four treasure chests.

The Beasts attack relentlessly from the north. You have to build a small army and deploy it right in front of the Beast base to the north. Then, you can send Dunehelm into the base. He can destroy it almost on his own. When you have destroyed the southern part of the base, you can occupy the Trebuchet and destroy the northern half of the base with it. Then, you just need to get to the beacon and the mission is completed.

## Mission details

* New tech
	+ New units: Priest
	+ New buildings: Temple, Watch Tower, Stone Keep
	+ New upgrades:
		- Blacksmith: Iron Arrow, Padded Armor
		- Scout Tower: Upgrade to Watch Tower
	+ New spells:
		- Alric do Rei: Decree, Protective Shell
		- Priest: Heal, Bless
* Champions: Alric do Rei, Dunehelm Bellangere, Finn Barra (Captain)
* Neutral hostiles: Tunnel Rat, Scavenger, Bone Warrior
* Enemies: Ogre, Warrior, Berserker, Goblin Hunter, Witch, Boron, Totem
* Neutral structures: Trebuchet
* Items: Treasure (9), Healing Rune (1), Winter Amulet (1)
* Starting units: Alric do Rei, Captain, 3 Swordsmen, 2 Pikemen, 4 Elven Rangers
* Recoverable units:
	+ 2 Priests
	+ Rivos base with 4 Peasants and a Watch Tower
* Starting resources:
	+ 400 gold, 200 wood, 100 gems when the player reaches Rivos (initially 0/0/0)
	+ Collecting all of the 9 treasures will net the player 1125 gold and 675 gems

## Trivia

* This is the first mission featuring crossbowmen with 2 passively standing by the entrance to Margoth along with a bunch of other allied soldiers.
* The lone enemy Berserker is in the enemy's "minicamp" to the east of Rivos.
* Technically, Upgrade to Stone Keep is also a new upgrade in this mission but it's already researched when you get control of Rivos base.
* Alric's fire attack can be used to fell trees in order to get to some otherwise unreachable areas (though there isn't anything of interest there).
* Winter Amulet allows you to spawn DIre Wolves in any area that's been "discovered" (i.e. Fog of War removed), such as on river ice, which can apparently be walked on.

## Dialogue

> *Two weeks later*
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> *Alric and his companions are within reach of Margoth Castle.*
> Opening Cutscene
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*Captain*: It is not long now, my lord. Margoth is within reach at last.
*Alric do Rei*: Let us hope we've not tarried too long. The Beasts will not wait for us, Captain.

> During the mission
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*Alric do Rei*: We are too late! The Beast Tribes are already upon Margoth.

*Captain*: Look to the mountains. A Cloister!

*Alric do Rei*: Hidden from plain sight...

> [Encounter with Ogres]
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*Captain*: Ogres, my lord! We cannot take them!

*Alric do Rei*: We need to find a way around them, Captain. These lands are riddled with passages, tunnels dug during the Rage. Perhaps...

*Alric do Rei*: Margoth is closed to us from this direction. We must find another way.

> [Dunehelm's party reached]
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*Captain*: My lord!
*Elf Ranger*: To arms!

> Dunehelm Cutscene
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*Dunehelm Bellangere*: My lord! Your help is well received. We were in need. The Beasts fight with a ferocity we have not seen.

*Alric do Rei*: So we have noted. I am Alric do Rei, noble sir. We are glad to have arrived in so timely a fashion. Would we had been here sooner.

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: We had word that the Council had sent a Mage to us. We set forth from the Keep in hopes of meeting you. Margoth is besieged and their patrols control the countryside. We sought to intercept you - then this. We were expecting a larger force, High Lord.

*Alric do Rei*: Do not despair, Sir. I have...other means with which to meet our enemy.

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: So be it.

*Alric do Rei*: Now Margoth...you were saying it is besieged?

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: There are...tunnels my lord, underground passages into Margoth.

*Alric do Rei*: Then you must lead on, sir. By what name may I call you?

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: I am Dunehelm, my lord. Second Mark of the Garrison Command.

*Alric do Rei*: Well, SIr Dunehelm, consider yourself bound by honor and tradition to the Council of Mages and in service to Noran. Let us quit this place. Take us to Margoth.

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: We must stop the Goblins! They will bring reinforcements!

> [Entering the first true dungeon of the game]
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*Alric do Rei*: We tread lightly here. Form up. Stay close! Be mindful of traps.
*Elf Ranger*: Sir Dunehelm, ahead, a way out!

> [Monastery dialogue]
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*Priest*: You are met in peace, warriors of Noran. I am the Abbot of this Abbey.

*Alric do Rei*: The Beast Men...they have not harried your Chapel?

*Priest*: This is Holy Ground, Mage.

*Priest*: You have wounded. Let my brothers tend to them. It is the least we can do.

*Alric do Rei*: With gratitude, Reverence.

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: This is not good. That was the only direct passage to Margoth. The southern passage is open, but it leads to the village of Rivos.

*Alric do Rei*: How close to the keep is this Rivos?

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: Some ways, High Lord. But there is some chance that the invaders have already sacked the village.

> [Rivos reached]
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*Dunehelm Bellangere*: To me, men! We must defend this village! On our lives!

> Rivos Cutscene
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*Dunehelm Bellangere*: What news have you of Margoth?

*Peasant*: It is besieged. None have breached the forces of the beast men. Kobolds, Goblin-kind!

*Peasant*: The machine, old bones. Tell them about the machine.

*Peasant*: The beasts are constructing some demonic device. We have seen it spit fire and rocks that have shattered walls, destroyed entire homes!

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: Siege Engines.

*Alric do Rei*: They have truly come to destroy us, Dunehelm. Very well. We shall show them of what we are made. This village must be fortified and rebuilt! We'll not leave a ruin for them to gloat over.

> [Waves of enemies start attacking]
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*Swordsman*: To the hills! A horde!
*Dunehelm Bellangere*: Let them come. Make ready, men!

> [Trebuchet reached]
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*Alric do Rei*: Although this contraption is slow, it will serve us well against the walls of Margoth should we need to take it by force.

> Ending Cutscene
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*Alric do Rei*: We...are through.

*Dunehelm Bellangere*: It was hard fought, my Lord. An expensive venture.