A general born to rule

The first campaign and new discovery

Marcus Returns to Valorcrest

After concluding his initial diplomatic talks with the Dark Elf Queen, Marcus made his way back to Valorcrest. The journey was filled with thoughts of the challenges that lay ahead, but also of the opportunities. He had always been a man of action, a strategist at heart, and the promise of building something greater than himself kept his mind sharp and focused.

As he arrived back at Valorcrest, Marcus couldn't help but smile at the sight of the bustling village. It had come a long way from its humble beginnings. The streets were alive with activity—workers constructing new buildings, traders exchanging goods, and villagers going about their daily tasks. It was a far cry from the barren, struggling settlement it had once been.

He made his way to Sam's office, the place where countless plans were drafted and decisions were made. It was no surprise to Marcus that Sam was already deep into his work, surrounded by maps, blueprints, and lists of resources. Marcus had known Sam for a long time, and he recognized the familiar determination in his friend's eyes—the same determination that had always driven him to take the lead in their endeavors.

Sam looked up from his work as Marcus entered, a smile spreading across his face. "Back so soon? How did it go with the Dark Elves?"

Marcus nodded, taking a seat opposite Sam. "It went well enough. The queen is cautious but open to an alliance, provided we deal with a region to the north that's been overrun by darkness. She mentioned that none of her people have returned from there, so it seems like a formidable challenge."

Sam leaned back in his chair, considering this. "Did she give you any specifics on what this 'darkness' might be?"

"Not exactly," Marcus replied. "She mentioned a taint, but it could be anything—monsters, bandits, or something worse. I'm taking a group up there to scout it out and see what we're dealing with. We need the Dark Elves on our side, so this is our chance to prove ourselves."

Sam nodded in agreement. "I'll back you up with anything you need. We've got resources and manpower to spare, so don't hesitate to ask."

Marcus appreciated the support but knew this was something he needed to handle himself. "I'll keep you informed. For now, I'll take a look at that letter you sent and see what else needs to be done."

After going over the letter and the detailed plans Sam had laid out for Valorcrest's continued expansion, Marcus couldn't help but be impressed. Sam had always been a visionary, and his plans to build up the kingdom's economy and military were sound. But first, they had to secure the region to the north.

The Northern Campaign: Clearing the Darkness

The following day, Marcus gathered a group of scouts and a small escort of soldiers, armed with muskets and flintlocks. The trek north was uneventful at first, with the land gradually becoming more desolate and overgrown as they ventured deeper into the region. It was clear that this place had been left untouched for years, perhaps decades.

As they approached the heart of the darkened region, the first signs of trouble became apparent. The forest was eerily silent, and the trees were twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the ground beneath their feet was littered with the remnants of what had once been settlements.

The first encounter came swiftly. A group of wild wolves, their fur matted and their eyes glowing with a feral light, lunged at them from the underbrush. The soldiers quickly took aim and fired, the crack of musket fire echoing through the trees. The wolves were no match for the disciplined volley, and within moments, they were dispatched. But as the last wolf fell, a larger, more menacing beast appeared—the pack leader.