Fort Dandrum/Script

The following text is an unofficial translation by fans. There may be stylistic differences with official sources and other unofficial translations.

Introduction

Breaking through the enemy's lines, the Liberation Army finally set foot on Imperial soil. Their invasion could now begin in full. However, there was no time to celebrate: Fort Dundrum, widely regarded as an impregnable defense against Thracian incursions, now stood before them. If they could not capture Fort Dundrum, the army would never reach Tahra in time...

Opening

(Inside Fort Dundrum)

Olwen: I've already told you, the enemy appeared out of nowhere to attack Fort Nowell! If you don't send reinforcements, General Largo is as good as dead! Just say the word, and I'll lead our troops to stomp out these invaders! Please, General Kempf...!
Kempf: You claim this enemy "appeared out of nowhere" to besiege Fort Nowell, but who exactly were they? Remind me: what was your assignment again? I'm just a lowly General of House Friege, and these little details escape me all the time. Ah, wait, it's coming back to me! Reconnaissance, wasn't it? But if your duty was reconnaissance, surely you'd come to me with more than "they just appeared!" Or are you such an incompetent soldier that you failed to gather even the slightest bit of information?
Olwen: I came here to warn you precisely because there was no time to do anything else! Listen to yourself! You're badgering me for needless details while our borders are under siege! Does it matter who the attackers are?!
Kempf: And what if this "attack" is merely a ploy to lure us away from the fort? Did you consider that, girlie? Fort Dundrum earned its reputation of being impregnable only because House Friege's 12th Battallion is here to guard it! Without them, the fort is mere stone and slate! If I don't have complete information on our enemy, I can't chance deploying the 12th Battallion. It would weaken our position!
Olwen: And what of General Largo?! Perhaps sending the battallion out is a risk, but he faces certain danger at this very moment!
Kempf: Bah, what's one or two old men in the grand scheme of things? Besides, how much time could he really have left, anyway?
Olwen: Wh-What?! General Kempf, even now, you... you...
Kempf: The glare you're shooting me is almost treasonous on its own - I've had men executed for much less brazen displays of disrespect. So before you back up that glare with equally traitorous words, let me warn you: you're very close to insulting the chain of command. It's amusing watching you squirm, I admit, but are you really willing to defy your superior officer, knowing what the Empire does to traitors?
Olwen: Tch...
Kempf: Is that it? You've got quite the mouth on you, but no spine to back up your words.
Olwen: ...
Kempf: You're a simple girl who got into Belhalla's military academy on the prestige of her blood, not the skill of her sword-arm. So naive, so oblivious to the way of the world... You're lucky to have a commanding officer as understanding as I. Don't worry. I never expected much of you: I know that your only real weapon is to go begging your brother for help.
Olwen: Wh-What did you just say to me?!
Kempf: Hm? Are you hard of hearing? I said that all you're good for is to go crying to Reinhardt!
Olwen: You...!
Kempf: Oh, how he must dote on you... Then again, Reinhardt's greatest skill is knowing how to lead women on!
Olwen: Hold your tongue! I'll not stand here and let you dishonor my brother!
Kempf: Hah! You dare to draw your sword on me?! You feeble-minded wench! Men! Seize Olwen and throw her in the dungeon for this act of rebellion!
Guard: Yes, General! Lady Olwen, in the name of the Empire, you're under arrest! Drop your weapon!
Olwen: Tch... General Kempf... How contemptible...

(The guard takes Olwen away, and they both leave through the northern exit)

Kempf: Hah! That should put the impertinent little girl in her place. And if his own sister is executed for mutiny, Reinhardt will no doubt be stripped of his rank as well! Oh, the look on his face when he hears of this will be quite the spectacle! Ahahaha!

(Fred walks north from Fort Dundrum's courtyard and approaches Kempf on his throne)

Fred: General Kempf! Explain yourself!
Kempf: Fred, my dear boy, you look different from your usual self. Is something amiss?
Fred: Don't play dumb! Why have you done this to Lady Olwen?! It's a violation of our military code to punish a subordinate over a personal grudge like this! You have a responsibility to overturn this! Please, sir, release her at once! Otherwise, I have no choice but to report this matter to Princess Ishtar!
Kempf: "Personal grudge?" Nonsense! Right where you're standing, Lady Olwen drew her sword against me, her superior officer! She meant to kill me!
Fred: Wh-What?! That's not possible! She... She would never...
Kempf: Alfred, since you're so well-acquainted with our military code, what's the punishment for turning your sword against a superior officer? Because I seem to recall that it's a crime punishable by execution...
Fred: ...So that's your goal, is it? Your cowardice knows no bounds...
Kempf: Be that as it may, as Olwen's adjutant, her duties now fall to you. I command you to ride forth and engage these invaders in her place. But be warned: this isn't merely an order, it's a punishment. You are not permitted to retreat for any reason! See the battle through, regardless of the outcome, or I'll have Olwen executed!
Fred: Kempf...! You're shameless!
Kempf: Hm? Did you say something? Eh, must've just been my imagination. Heh, heh, heh...

(Fred leaves Kempf and returns to the courtyard, joining the soldiers there and mounting)

(The battle begins)

In battle

(On turn 1, enemy phase - at Kempf's location)

Kempf: What's this...?! The enemy flies the banner of House Leonster! Are they being led by... a boy? Why, he can't be more than 14 or 15! I've got swords that are older than him! Ah, I see... That must be the wayward Prince Leif! First Olwen, and now Prince Leif marches right up to my doorstep! The gods are most generous today - this is my chance! All hands, her me: I've a plan for just such an occasion as this, but for it to work, you must lure the enemy inside! And don't be too obvious about it! Prepare to launch Operation Portcullis!

(The soldiers in the courtyard begin to move in random patterns, except for Fred, who will never move)

When Leif enters the courtyard

(At Kempf's location)

Kempf: Ahahaha! Those dullards actually fell for it! All right, men! Fire at will!

(Two Ballistae spawn, each above one of the stairways in the fort's bottom corners; also, six closed doors appear in the narrow passageways above and below the courtyard, three on each side)

If Fred is alive when Leif enters the courtyard, after the trap is activated

Leif: Do the holy-blooded knights of House Friege fight using such underhanded tactics?! When our forces met in Nowell Valley, I respected the honor with which your army conducted itself! It seems I was mistaken!
Fred: ...On behalf of my home, my honor compels me to agree with you. The crusader Thrud would not have fought using such treachery. This is all because of that fool of a man, General Kempf... This disgrace is his doing. As a knight, I'm loath to give my life in service of such a foul plan. You seem to be an honorable lad. I've self-control enough to not turn my sword against you if you can promise the same.
Leif: ...If you've no mind to fight, sir, then we have no reason to meddle with you. In fact, we may even be able to help each other - I'd wager the both of us have little energy to spare, now.
Fred: I... can agree to those terms. I've many things left undone. ...It's settled, then. We can both agree that our time is better spent devising an escape.
Leif: Very well. My forces will storm the castle's interior in short order. When that happens, you should make your escape to the south - we can take care of the gate ourselves. Are we in agreement?
Fred: We are. It appears I owe you quite the debt... I'm Fred, proud knight of House Stade. I would know your name as well, friend.
Leif: ...It's Leif. Leif of House Leonster.
Fred: House Leonster?! I.. I see... Well, Lord Leif, I believe we'll meet again one of these days!

(Fred becomes a neutral unit and starts retreating from the map, heading toward its southern edge, where Leif's forces initially spawned. Upon reaching that location, he exits the map)

Battle quotes

Fred gets attacked

Fred: You'd turn your blade on me in this situation?! What idiocy!

Fred dies

Fred: Olwen... I tried to save you... F-Forgive me...

Kempf is attacked

Kempf: Tch... So much for the "impregnable" Fort Dundrum...

On the enemy phase after Kempf gets attacked

Kempf: Ugh... What a joke...! I must flee this place, at least for the time being...

(Kempf warps out of the map, leaving the throne empty)

Ending

If the chapter has been completed in more than 30 turns, the courtyard event has not been triggered, or Fred has not survived

Dryas: Fort Dundrum has fallen, and not a moment too soon. We've little time to spare. Still, better to seize a fort slowly than to incur massive casualties doing so quickly. There's nothing left for us here - Fort Dundrum no longer has any strategic value. Ignore any enemies already in retreat. We must make for Tahra on the double!

If the chapter has been completed in less than 30 turns, the courtyard event has been triggered, and Fred has survived

August: Simply superb work, my prince! With Fort Dundrum's gates captured this quickly, it will be all but impossible for the enemy to escape! We cannot afford to rest on our laurels, however. This being an Imperial fort, I expect there are children imprisoned here as well. Let's make the most of our swift victory, and conduct a sweep of the interior! If indeed there are children locked up here, we must help them at once!