Lancer Dendra

As the commanding officer presiding over the Parapet, Lancer Dendra has long been the eye of security over Valc's trade with the Dwarves and the occasional Humans with which the Iron Division broker deals. Her role in keeping the Parapet running is important to her clan's relations with the Overworld, and so she is assisted by an aide who helps her with mundane matters and the general facilitation of the Parapet's management. Dendra and her aide are also in possession of the two keys required to operate Valc's outer Anti-Magic Ward which keeps their stronghold safe from high scale magic attacks.

After the construction of an elevator connecting Valc to Icepeak, the amount of trade and visitation the Dwarves have paid to the Parapet base have lessened considerably, the main function of the Parapet base now being the position, functioning and maintaining of the Anti-Magic Ward. However, this does not mean that the Parapet base runs without issue - damage to certain facilities such as broken water pipes and the growing restlessness of the garrisoned troops take much of Dendra's focus. Her distraction is highlighted by her Bag of Holding being stolen by a Human thief.

With a visit to Icepeak approaching in order to discuss further trade deals, Dendra also finds herself too overburdened to question Witch Chieftain-Adjunct Lith's orders to lower the Crystal Ward. The journal of Dendra's Aide sheds light on her negligence and offers Dendra the benefit of the doubt, but her decision to take Lith at face value would spell doom for many of her sisters, including the majority of the Parapet's soldiers.

*"Dendra didn't seem to care much. I believe she's going through a hard time keeping the base together, and now she's about to set off to the dwarven fortress".* - Dendra's Aide

Shortly before Dendra is scheduled to set off for Icepeak, a brawl erupts between Bear Warriors Udra & Griva, one violent enough to damage one of the reinforced glass panels in the Barracks. As the Lancer is about to discipline them, the circumstances of the scuffle uncover a note from the thief of the bag that she had lost a few days ago.

*"Seems like I can hardly have any silence around the base this week. Just as I was about to set off to the dwarven fortress to negotiate the further trades, I have to deal with Udra stirring another fight, this time with Griva. They've managed to crack up one of the windows inside the barracks but as I went to lay discipline, I've discovered something far more worrying - a note.*

*Hidden between a shutter and an iron panel, and written in Human language. Upon reading it, my expectations have been confirmed - my bag has been stolen! I've already tasked the Reavers to search around for other such notes, and devise a plan to ambush and root these rats out. I have a really bad feeling about this..."*

Despite two glaring breaches in the security of the Parapet having just surfaced, Dendra's schedule demands that she leave without addressing either, for fear of offending the Dwarves.

*"I know I should see to this matter by myself and try to find out where my bag has been hidden but dwarves are keen on punctuality so I'll have to leave now."*

Dendra leaves the Parapet in the charge of her aide, with whom she leaves a set of instructions. It would be the last time that she sees the Aide or any of the troops that she leaves in the defense of the Parapet.

*"Our two troublemakers have gotten into a fight again. This time, they've managed to crack one of the windows in the barracks... The crystal glass may stand up to its reputation, but we will still have to replace it. Make sure you make the right requisition next time the supply caravan arrives. I will be heading out to the dwarven fortress tomorrow to settle a few important matters. I barely have time to give those rowdy Bear Warriors their due punishment... their discipline seems to be as shaky as everything else lately. Nonetheless, I am counting on you to handle things until I return. Oh, and don't forget to patch up the leaking pipes in the inner courtyard, alright?"* - Lancer Dendra

Setting out on the Parapet-Icepeak road, Dendra's course is set along a tumultuous path. Although Dwarves are usually diligent in keeping their pathways safe and clear, Dendra has to trudge through snowy roads. Her journey is further delayed by a cave-in in which she loses her Crylance. As she gets closer to reaching Icepeak, the Lancer also attempts to contact Earth Mother Eva, only to find that she is not at her house.

*"The journey has been a mess. The road's been nearly entirely swallowed by snow, and many of the ice caves have collapsed, I've even lost my lance in a cave-in, and perhaps I would have lost a lot more if I hadn't shielded myself in time... It feels unnatural for the ground to tremble like this, and the Dwarves wouldn't normally slack with tending to the path to their fort. Perhaps Earth Mother Eva can shed some light on what's going on. I didn't find her at home, so she must be inside her grove. I'll spend the night here and pay her an early visit tomorrow since the dwarves are expecting me by noon."*

Using Eva's house to rest, Dendra wakes up the next day to find the Earth Mother dead in her nearby grove, a poisoned glass in her hand and signs of a mysterious corruption coursing through her skin. Noting the complex and severe effects of the poison, Dendra concludes that the Witches of Valc may be responsible for the concoction of this mysterious substance. Dendra buries Eva with respect and hastily records her plans on a ripped parchment, then leaves in haste towards Icepeak.

*"She's dead! I found Mother Eva laying by her tree, a foul glass in her hand. Her skin was rippling with dark veins and her tongue was violet... the dwarves are not capable of such treachery, and this poison looks far too sophisticated for the humans. The least I could do was bury her in the earth, so she may rest with her kin at last, but now I'm headed for Valc. Witch Chieftain Zura will have some questions to answer. And if you who did this returns here, you have my word that no hole will hide you from justice."*

Braving the rest of the unkempt roads leading to Icepeak, Dendra comes to the portcullis of the fortress only to find its inhabitants sick and debilitated, many of whom are elderly or otherwise non-combatants. Recognizing the early stages of a similar affliction to what befell Eva, Dendra's attempts to aid them do little to remedy their sickness. Dendra learns from the Dwarves that Lith had previously passed through Icepeak, and the Dwarves believe that she slipped something into their well. Upon learning this, Dendra storms to the elevator and descends to Valc, in order to confront Lith for her part in the poisoning of Eva and Icepeak's citizens.

*"Aye! T'was one of your witchin' sisters. Called herself Lith.*

*[...] Then one of yer Lancers showed up at the fortress. Aye, and she was fuming!*

*Said that she was going to burn that traitor alive, and rushed to the elevator!*

*She couldn't aid us. We tried everything to help the sick ones. Nothing halted the poison."* - Andrik

However, before Dendra can reach the Witch Clinic to confront Lith, she realizes that Valc is being swarmed by Cultists, who have seemingly taken advantage of the lowering of the Crystal Ward that she herself facilitated under Lith's orders. As a Lancer, Dendra is sworn to protecting the Crystal Heart, and so she drops the pursuit of Lith and instead rushes to the Lancer Temple to join the defense.

Once inside the Temple, Dendra assumes command of the Iron Division remnants, helping them hold the Eastern Antechamber for several days. Eventually, her desperation to protect the Crystal Heart under extreme pressure from Nithriel's forces causes her to call upon the powers of Earth to collapse as many entrances to the inner sanctum as she can. While this stalls the Cult's efforts to breach the Crystal Heart, it also cuts the remnants guarding the Eastern Antechamber off from those of the Western Antechamber, and they resort to keeping in contact via a magic crystal ball.

Zan's actions at the Parapet would prove crucial to the survival of Valc's remnants - The reactivation of the Crystal Ward prevents further reinforcements for the Cult from being teleported in, offering the survivors a fighting chance in defending the Heart from the Demonic invading force. At some point, Reaver Tiati also arrives at the Eastern Antechamber to inform Dendra of Zan's return. By this point Tiati had learned of Lith's betrayal of Valc and its allies and punished her with death, confirming her treachery as well as Zan's innocence.

Not long after Tiati's arrival, Dendra and the Eastern Antechamber lose contact with the Western Antechamber and a sizable contingent of cultists break off from the East side with Nithriel, leaving a large number of their ranks to harass and occupy Dendra and her remnants. Suspecting the worst, Dendra commands Tiati to investigate the Western Antechamber and to intercept Nithriel, whatever her intentions might be. By the time Zan links up with the Eastern Antechamber's defenders, Tiati has not returned from her recon mission, causing Dendra to fear for Tiati's fate. With Zan's arrival giving the remnants some much-needed breathing room, the Lancer takes the opportunity to brief Zan on their status and issue her a task.

*"Over here, Zan.*

*At last, you have arrived. I am Lancer Dendra and I've assumed command of the remnants here...*

*Tiati has informed me about your... unexpected return to Valc. She's also found out about Lith's betrayal and this Nithriel character that so eagerly wants to break us apart. Alas, we have no time to fret so I'll be brief.*

*Thanks to you powering up the Parapet ward, Nithriel's ability to teleport more cultists in has been severed, thus allowing us to hold the defense of this wing. Behind us lies the very Crystal Heart - which we shall die protecting.*

*In our desperation, we called for the power of the Earth, and collapsed as many entrances in the temple as we could. We bought time, but also blocked ourselves from reaching the defenders in the western wing...*

*That is the only other place to access the Heart. We used to keep in touch with the Lancers in there through the crystal ball but we've recently lost all contact. The cultists have so far focused on us...*

*But a few hours ago, Nithriel has vanished from the front line, leaving a handful of her minions to keep us busy here. I've sent Tiati to find out what she's up to, but she hasn't returned yet. I fear for the worst...*

*Yes, I need you to go find out what Nithriel is up to. It will not be an easy task, but you shall not be on your own. As a sergeant of the Bear Warriors, I shall entrust you with commanding your own squad.*

*Take along a few sisters to aid you, if you wish. You will also need this crystal key to gain further access. Now take whatever supplies you need, and get going. Find out what Nithriel is trying to do..."*

After issuing these orders, Dendra firmly tells Zan not to discuss whatever happened to the Campaign until Nithriel is thwarted, fearing for the morale of the troops and perhaps her own.

*"Oh, and one more thing...  we don't need to know what happened to the campaign, Zan. Morale is low enough already, and knowing that we might be the last of our kind won't help us now. Keep the story for after."*

If the player decides to skip Dendra's briefing, she will instead give a heavily truncated set of instructions.

*"Take a few warriors and find out what Nithriel is up to - she might try to break through the west wing!"*

Zan can talk to Dendra after she issues her briefing, where she will stress the importance of the task she's given the Bonebreaker.

*"I'd say Nithriel is trying to shift her remaining forces towards the western wing.*

*If the cultists are indeed pushing west, then the defenders across will need you to reinforce them.*

*You must hurry! If they manage to breach into the Heart we will be doomed*!"

After Zan defeats the Pit Lord Alpha and chases after Nithriel and the Crystal Heart, Dendra is ordered to return to her station at the Parapet. She finds her troops have been slaughtered to the last, including her Aide and the two Bear Warriors that had stirred trouble before her departure. Evidence suggests that the Parapet's troops had held out the strongest of any of Valc's outposts before being decimated, with as many Cultists dead as sisters fallen. Though her role is to ensure the functioning of the Anti-Magic Ward, she spends the majority of her time burying her sisters and meditating.

*"Lancer Dendra was ordered to return to her base and ensure the functioning of the anti-magic ward.*

*Her time split between burying her sisters and standing at the edge of the mountain. Watching. Waiting."*

During Zan's final battle with the Blue Baron, he employs a nightmare illusion of the Grove in an attempt to subdue the Bonebreaker, a glimpse into an underground dominated by the Demons in which the Iron Division is reduced to a handful of members living in a withered version of the Grove's Great Stump. Among the survivors is Lancer Dendra, who stands by one of the counters at the Earth Shrine on the bottom floor.

*"Zan! Over here!"*

She is happy to see Zan, but their reunion is interrupted by a knock at the main entrance's door.

*"Good to see you've regained your consciousness. It's been a while-*

*Oh, no. They're back already. Quick, gather our sisters here!"*

It appears that the Demons are using the Iron Division orcs as sacrifices, forcing them to gather up for selection and taking them one by one to their deaths.

*"Hey there, dearies! You know what we're here for, so don't try to delay the fun!*

*Come now, babes. The more you keep us waiting, the slower the sacrifice will be!*

*What's taking you so long? This isn't the time to put on makeup.*

*If you don't appease us soon, I'll have my lovely brute here open the door..."* - The Hellion at the door

Dendra asks Zan to gather her sisters by the Earth Shrine, seemingly having lost all hope of resisting the Demons and the fate that they have planned for the Iron Division survivors.

*"Why are you still here?! Go, we can't keep them waiting!*

*Please, Zan. We have no means of opposing them anymore. Just do as I say...*

*We can't negotiate with them! If we don't offer one of our own, they will kill us all!*

*Our sisters are upstairs. Gather them here at once!"*

After the death of the Baron, Dendra is one of the leaders who attends a ceremony in Icepeak where the traditional rites are performed upon the son of the Lord and Lady of Icepeak, marking a new future for the Dwarves. She also takes part in the council of the Lancers, as well as the leaders of the Castes in discussing the future of the Iron Division and the dangers that loom over their world still.