Menace Below

Menace Below is a quest in Second Human Book.

## Background

After repelling Demons, Renald Van Durce sent Sir Praxeus Braelon to deal with the Dwarves, and enlist them as allies against their enemies.

## Opening

Zarin Hammerfall and Horgar Whitebeard are talking about what to do against both Goblins and their ancient enemies, the Lords of Coal overrunning their outposts with their huge numbers when Sir Praxeus Braelon and Paladins arrive, at the same time, Councilor Birram and Elites come to the same thing: enlist the Dwarves as allies in the future.

The King heard both sides, but chose to join the Golden Guard side, fearing their race fall the same fate as Elves under Ironfist, either way, sent them away.

## Quest

### Main Quest:

* Find and destroy the base of the Lords of Lava (Coal).

Description: The ancient enemy of the Dwarves' ancestors, the eternal enemy is knocking on the very doors of the Dwarves' home. They came closer to the Golden Tunnels than ever before, closer than any Demon army. With the help of the Golden Guard, Zarin must throw them back into the fiery deeps the spawned from.

* Destroy the base of the Goldaxe Clan (Yellow).

Description: A clan of Orcs and Goblins is invading the tunnel systems that lead to the home of the Dwarves. In the past few months, the greenskins have taken a lot of Dwarven treasures. They must not be allowed to progress any further.

## The Battle

Both the Dwarves under Zarin and Horgar Whitebeard and Sir Praxeus has to decide what ability is good in the Leadership Boni. Then they built a strong defense in all pathways leading to their base, also having a mobile one to intercept and repel any attackers. Then, they built up a strong force to deal with anybody from either the following: Burning Destroyers, Kindling Failures, Acolytes of the Flame, Disciples of Fire, Goldaxe Clan and Progaderas the Smoking and the Lords of Lava. They first took out the Burning Destroyers, took the Gold Mine and built a resource base there, while repelling the attacks from other factions. Then, several of Renald Van Durce's reinforcements arrive, with Cleavehand's Revenge Golems in the mix. Then, they used the reinforcements and new forces attack the next group. After destroying the next one, which was persistently scattered on the West, now it is time to go North. Building strong forces, the combined Dwarves and Golden Guard attacked the Goldaxe Clan Goblins who were operating in the tunnels. Despite the Goblins have strong defenses and stronger units, they were overrun and defeated. Then they built a base on the ruins. Finally, the last 2 factions were on their grasp. They initially attacked the Purple one, after replenishing their forces. Then after destroying that force, they finally have to deal with the Lords of Lava themselves.

The trio not only have to deal with the Kobolds, they also have to deal with Progaderas the Smoking and his Fire Golems. They fought them, and defeated both the Lords of Lava and Progaderas, despite heavy casualties.

## Aftermath

The mines are regained by the Dwarves. They agreed to join the Golden Guard, but first, they want explanation from the Bastion.

## Note

Should you kill Progaderas the Smoking in the infighting, he will reappear again after appearing on the Order of the Flame's headquarters, assisting the Lords of Lava with much Fire Golems and Fire Elementals.

## Interlude: Last Talk

King Gardon Bloodclaw was invited by his uncle Renald Van Durce for a parley, for the last time. The High Lord wants his nephew to rejoin him in a crusade against their new enemy: the Emperor himself, who betrayed them both. Gardon, betrayed by his own uncle, disgusted by his uncle's actions, declined as he not trusted his uncle anymore after what he did to him. So the High Lord had no choice, but to warn his nephew that next time they meet, it is in the fields of battle, and whoever wins, they continue their respective plans, Gardon with defeating the Demons, Renald with using the cannon to defeat the enemies, then turn back to fight the Emperor.

Then, you can choose either to side with Gardon or Renald. Former, you will fight the Golden Guard/Followers of the Holy Bastion/Hammerfall. Latter, you will fight against Ironfist/Seabright's Elite/Knights of Kome/Elven Army/Royal Army.

## True Story

* The Goblin Federation has been replaced by Aspirants of Heat, another Kobold clan.
* The reinforcements have been updated: Initial Golden Guard reinforcements led by a Justicar, Lord of the Sky from the top-north corner (should you give Marin enough lumber in the previous mission), then Hammerfall Dwarves, Stonelord Dwarves in the main base and another Golden Guard reinforcements comprised of Templars.
* Gardon is even more criticized with harsh words by Zarin Hammerfall.
* In the epilogue, Praxeus is puzzled by Zarin's questioning the conflict between Golden Guard and Ironfist, which is also supplemented by Horgar telling the relatively peaceful disagreement between Hammerfall and Bloodstone Dwarves.
* The castle in the main base is renamed Frontier Castle, which if destroyed can make you lose.
* There are some Nerubian and Salamander creeps which will give you Assassin Blade and Spider Ring.
* Progaderas the Smoking was treated as the god of the Kobolds.