Last Stand of the Golden Guard

Last Stand of the Golden Guard is one of the split quests in Second Human Book, the other is End of the Ironfist.

## Background

Should you chose to follow the path of King Gardon Bloodclaw, he will prepare his forces for the final battle between them and the Golden Guard. His forces, with all their abilities are now poised to end this, as Renald Van Durce's death can unify the humanity against the Demonic threat that looms the continent.

## Opening

King Gardon Bloodclaw and Vail were on the cliffs, the King remarked that even with Black Dragons, the fight against the Golden Guard will be tough, they allied with Dwarves, Paladins and even Royal Army Dissidents, Lord Brian the Fallen just assured him that if he put down Renald, he will win and Vail never saw the High Lord fight. Gardon just says that if they unify their powers, Renald will fall.

Brian reported that the Golden Guard were outnumbered, but defenses are strong and defenders are willing to fight to the last. The base was divided into Zarin Hammerfall's and the Dwarves in the north with Flors de Yutub, Renald Van Durce's base in the south and Marin's who guards the cannon. Also, the dissidents under Sir Jay Bubblerino and Sir Praxeus Braelon was in the vanguard. Vail says that their allies established bases outside, and Lord Bryan enhanced the defenses with Shadow magic. Gardon wants them finished once and for all.

## Quest

### Main Quest:

* Destroy the three bases within the fortress of the Golden Guard.

Description: The time has come. The final battle between the Ironfist and the Golden Guard. While both sides were betrayed by the Emperor, neither trust the other enough to work together. The cannon constructed by Lord Marin is the only weapon capable of stopping the Demons. The Ironfist has to destroy the Golden Guard to take control of it before the Golden Guard can use it against them.

## The Battle

The Ironfist and their allies Royal Army and Elven Army built a defensive position on their base, then chose what ability they needed in Leadership Boni. They also built defenses around the irreplaceable Shadow Towers. Then Gardon and his followers built up a strong force to repel any attacks. Should you give Marin lumber, he will constantly send Destructors and Prides of Humanity periodically to attack the Ironfist on the blind spot. So, a counter to them, Ironfist relied on the Black Dragons and Black Drakes to repel them. Then Marin sent the Lord of the Sky, a large airship. Gardon had a hard time destroying it, but they did, and they looted a Necklace of Immunity from that monstrosity. Then they pushed on, passing through wrecked Ironfist outposts near Gold Mines in the center. They rebuilt it and made it a resource gathering base. The Royal Army Dissidents under Sir Jay Bubblerino, Paladins under Sir Praxeus Braelon, Dwarves under Flors de Yutub and Horgar Whitebeard, and occasional Golden Guard force sent to destroy their enemies, but with strong defenses and a counter, the Ironfist and allies destroyed them. The Royals under Harmos and Toraes, Undead Splecir Nexus under Saphira Whisperwind and Elven armies under Salana Woodhunter/Larine the Exile are also sending their forces against Renald Van Durce.

Using the chaos, Gardon then took out firstly, Sir Praxeus and his followers and their base was destroyed. Then, after waiting for fresh troops, they built a bottleneck on the river and the accessible islet in it. Then when they are finished, they used another allied wave to crush Sir Jay Bubblerino's base, ending the pesky Paladin's almost infinite Divine Shield exploitation. Gardon then built a forward base in the ruins, and also another defensive belt on the fortress gate. With Black Dragons securing the spot, they also were used to destroy the Artillery Tanks, towers and defenders on the fortress walls. Then, after replenishing their troops, they attack. They firstly killed Saint Sanara and her followers in the gate, then chose who they attack first: The Dwarven Kingdom base under High King Zarin Hammerfall and the Runepriest Horgar Whitebeard on the right flank, or Renald Van Durce's Templars on the left. Attacking the Templars was quite hard, as zealous soldiers of the Golden Guard cannot go down without a tough fight. But they fell and Renald was killed. Attacking the Dwarves can cripple the offensive power of the enemy. Pushing through the midgets is also hard, with their technologies against the Ironfist's persistence, the latter won and the Dwarven base was crushed. Then, after replenishing their forces, they pushed on towards the Purificator, destroying the remaining Castles and crushing Marin's base and capturing the tower.

## Aftermath

King Gardon kills Renald after the duel. He forced the Golden Guard to surrender, and asks Marin how to control the cannon. The Engineer wants Renald's body in exchange, so that Brian never use his Shadow and the Undead reanimate him. Gardon accepted.

Zarin was taken prisoner. Before he was let go, he declared that all Human/Dwarf deals were off then leaves the area. Vail thinks regretting the deal, but Thanok assured her otherwise.

## True Story

* There is an additional duel among Gardon, Brian and Praxeus with their respective units after you crush the outer bases. Upon being defeated, Praxeus was about to be killed by Cora Redfist but saved and teleported away by that Demoness Nysara. This will allow you to attack the inner fortress.
* Lord of the Sky is positioned at the entrance of the inner fortress instead of being close to your main base, should you choose to do the side quest in Lords of the Golden Guard. There's no dialogue when you encounter it this time.
* Van Durce's children are featured, whose one of them (Edward) dies for charging forward cuts off any possibility of two sides reconciliating. Flavius fights valiantly only to be crushed by an airship, while the rest escapes due to Van Durce's order.
* The epilogue adds a new scene, eventually leading to Gardon and Larine going out, with a soldier preparing strong wine, possibly doing the same act from the end of Lord of Shadows.
* The Swamp Dragon King appears in this mission, taunting Thanok about their era was on the rise.
* The aforementioned charge was earlier. You have to gather your troops, as you cannot make defenses in time.
* The Elven Army there was renamed to Larine's New Order.
* The Undead Splecir Nexus allied base was replaced by Rohir Nexus.