Siege of Dead Mountain

Siege of Dead Mountain is a quest in Second Undead Book.

## Background

After the battle between the Undead Nexus and the Blooddrinker Legion either ends in sealing Ornasion or Aridon the Watcher's "death", the Souleater Legion arrived and took over the invasion, forcing the Dead to fall back all the way to the Dead Mountain, and sealed it.

The Demons, confident after their enemies are weakened enough to beat them in full force, pushed all the way to Kerrel.

## Opening

An Eredar Diabolist says to Urshan that they cannot push towards the Undead due to their numbers, the Demonlord never cared for numbers, they must take the Dead Mountain or die trying. Hesrathion, Kersidar's confidante, arrived. Urshan asked for reinforcements, but the Souleater Legion chose to send it to fight the Salrian Army. Then, told the Demonlord that he must defeat the Undead with all he has, or he will find another to make the task, after telling him that if he was not on the right side of the Darkblade Legion, he will not be on the position he has. The Demonlord obeyed, and the Dreadlord left some of his men to observe him.

Ornasion was welcomed by Saphira Whisperwind and Rahandir Drakeskull, then told him that the Master sent him to assist them in defending the area, and to initiate himself. The Undead Dreadlord asked them for the situation. Rahandir says that his former friends are attacking the Mountain, they repelled it, but the Demons are besieging the mountain area. They have to stall time, so that Krom the Immortal can cast a spell to block the mountain passes. But Ornasion made this clear that the Demons attacking them are not his friends, and a bunch of cowards and traitors, and his followers are all gone. Rahandir says that he must build his forces to launch a counter-attack while the duo build a defensive area. The Dreadlord says that an avalanche cannot stop the Demons. But they have other plans, via using the tunnels (should you save them), saved for a latter date. Then Rahandir says that he can control the Kezzar Nexus, made from Demons and Demon Slaves. Ornasion then declared that his forces can defeat both Demonic Legions and left the duo. After he left, Saphira asked Rahandir that is it awkward to work with a Dreadlord after Largoth's betrayal. The Undead Lich has no qualms for it, as the Dreadlord in their ranks is an Undead, and no chance of betrayal, even if he wanted to. But the duo was contemptuous on the newest warrior their Master reanimated.

## Quest

### Main Quest:

* Find and Destroy all Demon Gates of the Darkblade Legion (6).

Description: The Demons of the Darkblade Legion are besieging the Dead Mountain. The Undead plan to halt their attacks by causing an avalanche. This of course only is a temporary solution but for the time being, it would be a wise move to gain more time. However, first they want to deal with the invaders. Ornasion was tasked to deal with this himself.

### Side Quest:

* Defend the Northern Black Citadel of the Splecir Nexus (Purple).

Description: The base of the Splecir Nexus north of Ornasion's base holds the only ground entrance to the Dead Mountain. Rahandir and Saphira are in charge of it and defend the mountain. Ornasion must make sure that their base must be intact if he wants to defend the mountain. Then again, if the base was destroyed and Ornasion won the battle, he'd prove his superiority over the other two at the eyes of Aridon. Rahandir and Saphira will not die permanently anyway so it might be worth the risk...

## The Battle

Ornasion had built his base, despite the absence of Spirit Towers for him to build. But he has a very ingenious plan, to build Necropolises and upgrade it to Black Citadels and use it as a very fortified Spirit Tower. Then, he built up a basic defensive force to compensate the slower attack of the Black Citadels. Then, he had to deal with a stranded Demon Count on his base, killing off his harvesters. He killed and looted the Demon Count.

Then, he placed his forces on the front of the Splecir Nexus base, erecting Necropolises, then fully upgrade it to Black Citadels, while holding any Demon attack waves. Then, after finishing the defense, they moved on, eliminating any Demon and Demon Slave sentries and attack waves. Then, they encountered the first set of Darkblade Demon Gates, and a battle was ensued. Despite casualties, they managed to destroy the gates and build up a forward base in the area. They also rescued some Survivors of Lor, remnants of Lor's army, who willingly joined the Undead. They were later on supplied by several Undead Nexus sending their share of assistance.

Then, after regrouping and replenishing the ranks, they charge upon the Demon Slave base nearby, after repelling its attack wave. They crushed it and built up a defensive outpost in the area. Then, after replenishing the ranks, they went to a path where the Demons are converging for a major offensive, which Ornasion crushed, following the survivors to find the last set of Demon Gates hidden in a large forest cover. After waiting for reinforcements, they attacked and crushed the last set of Demon Gates.

## Aftermath

The Demons have been beaten back. Ornasion looks at Urshan's corpse, saying to him that if he was not killed, Erganoth will do it in his stead, because he chose the wrong side. Then he tested his new power upon him, reanimating the Demonlord. Urshan was confused, but the Dreadlord wants him to face Aridon.

Aridon thanked the Undead Dreadlord for doing his task, and added Urshan to their ranks. Then he asked Urshan that if the Demons has surprises besides the attack. The Undead affirmed: The Souleater Legion will use a spell to decimate the Dead Mountain. But Aridon has to seal the mountain permanently and tasked Ornasion and Haran'tel-kazor to obtain the first artifact, deep into the Dead Mountain. But the Watcher says that they spare at least 1 guardian on the process.

Meanwhile, Hesrathion was with 2 other Dreadlords, Isillion and Gashgaroth, one of them reported that Urshan fell in battle. He was unmoved, but says that he relieved what really happened to Ornasion is. Then commanded Isillion to go report to Erganoth, then Gashgaroth asked why did he lie to Urshan about the Salria attack. Hesrathion says that Kersidar is good at military strength, but he has the tactics. And he wants leverage against Ebira's influence, investigating what she really intends to do, but on the meantime, they will fight this war in his terms.

## True Story

* Tremalon, a leader of the Rasi, is added as a new playable hero. Lady Meya and Kazardius are present as well.
* Ornasion now has some of Zirr Nexus' units as ranged units and spellcasters.
* Demon Slaves have the first unit with new appearance, Legionary.
* Lady Meya is somewhat both charming and in odds with Ornasion regarding mortals.
* The Demon Count behind the trees in your base now turns into a Deathlord upon being killed.
* Letting the Splecir Nexus' Black Citadel be destroyed now only affects Aridon's evaluation towards Ornasion in the end.
* Hesrathion and his lieutenants' ambitions towards the conquest of Human lands and cautions towards Ebira's machinations are more clear.
* Reinforcement waves are updated with new units and dialogues. Zirr Nexus' reinforcements have been replaced by Ardoz Nexus'.
* Leadership Boni mechanics, previously exclusive to Humans, were first introduced, with two for Ornasion (attack damage for Kezzar Nexus' units) and Tremalon (mana for spellcasters) respectively.