Retaking the Fringe

Liann

(Arrive at the Fringe. Talk to the leader of Golden Saints, Aurig Desha)

Xan's note: If Liann were the Duchess of Dementia, she will help a continent of Dark Seducer, led by Grakendo Udico.

Aurig Desha

Your Grace, a dark time has been thrust upon us. Passwall is under attack. We are outmatched and outnumbered. At first light, the spire at the center of town became active. Immediately, the area around it began to crystallize and change. Soon after that, the sky darkened and the knights came.

Knights? Tell me about them.
The Knights are relentless. They do not tire. They do not fear. And they do not stop coming. They appear out of nowhere at the base of the Spire. We kill five of them, five more come. We've lost too many of the Aureals already. I fear that we will not be able to hold the town for much longer.

The Spire? What is it?
You've seen the Spire in Passwall. It is believed to be a monument from times past but its true purpose appears to be more sinister. It appears to be a source of power for these invaders. A... portal, or some sort of gate. I don't know. If we cannot disable or destroy it somehow, I do not think that we can stop this invasion.

What can we do to stop this?
I have an idea how we might be able to stop them, but for now we must survive. I've been losing Aureals with each attack, and I'm down to nothing but men. We are pinned down here. If we lose, the Gates of Madness will fall. If the gates fall, the enemy will flood into the Isles. We will be helpless to stop them. But now that you've arrived, perhaps we can slow them down.

What must we do?
We cannot talk now -- we don't have very long until the next wave arrives. Even though I have served with these Aureals for centuries, as the Duke of Mania, it is your right to command the troops. Command them if you will, or leave it to me. Either way, make haste. Our time is short.

I trust your judgement.
I thank you for your trust. In your name and for the sake of the Shivering Isles, I shall not disappoint you. Inspect the battlefield and provide what aid you can to the troops. Speak with me when you feel that they are ready for battle. Form up! By the Staff, we will not allow this town to fall! Are you prepared for battle, Your Grace?

I am satisfied. Let us begin.
I imagine that we will not have to wait long, Your Grace.

Liann

(Summon Haskill.)

Haskill

Are you having trouble with the Obelisks, Your Grace?

Knights
The appearance of the Knights of Order heralds the beginning of the Greymarch. As Lord Sheogorath feared, our time grows ever shorter.

Do they have any weaknesses?
Although they are not composed of flesh as you know it, like any other enemy, they can be destroyed with sword and spell. Separate the meat from bone, and they will die. When they do so, their crystalline hearts often remain intact. These hearts are a source of power for the agents of Order. You may find them quite useful in certain situations.

Where are they coming from?
Unlike typical invaders, the Knights do not arrive by conventional means. Instead, they enter the Shivering Isles through conduits into this Realm. These crystalline obelisks have existed throughout the Realm for all of eternity. You will find they become more active as the Greymarch progresses.

How do we stop them?
Lord Sheogorath has never succeeded in doing so. They continue to grow in numbers until Jyggalag himself arrives. Their advance can be slowed. By destroying the obelisks, the Knights lose their conduits into the Isles.

(The knights arrive, fight them, destroy all of them wave after wave.)

Aurig Desha

Victory is ours... for the moment. We must discuss our next move. The spire is obviously their source of power. This battle will not end until we find a way to shut it down.

How do we do that?
I am not certain. But do not lose heart, I have an idea. The ruins of Xeddefen run under Passwall. The entrance to the south of the town has been sealed for centuries. One of my scouts reported that the ruins have been opened recently and a number of these Knights are now guarding the entrance.

Did you send the scout inside?
I did, and she did not return. I can only assume that she was caught and killed.

Tell me what you are thinking.
If we attempt to assault Xeddefen, Passwall will be overrun and we will lose the Fringe. Additionally, our forces are dangerously thin. We have no idea what opposition may await us inside.

So you are suggesting that I go?
Your insight is impressive. While we draw their attention here, you should be able to slip inside Xeddefen. Once inside, search for the source of the Spire's power. It must be underground somewhere. Once you find it, destroy it. Good luck, Your Grace. May the truth light your way through the darkness.

Knights
The Knights are relentless. We are the only thing standing between them and the total destruction of the Fringe.

Passwall
This town has stood on the edge of the Shivering Isles since they were borne from the mists of time. For our purposes, it serves as a defensible outpost. That is, against typical enemies who can know fear, intimidation, and hopelessness.

Spire
You've seen the Spire in Passwall. It is believed to be a monument from times past but its true purpose appears to be more sinister. It seems to be a source of power for these invaders. A... portal, or some sort of gate. I don't know. If we cannot disable or destroy it somehow, I do not think that we can stop this invasion.

(Locate Xeddefen, and enter it. Confront lots of Knights of Order. In one of the corner, meet Shelden.)

Shelden

It's... it's you! I remember you. What are you doing down here? How did you get past the Knights? When they attacked, I ran from Passwall. They didn't say a word, they just started killing! The screams! By the staff, you can't imagine the screams! Felas and I slipped down here thinking that we'd be safe. But, no! We landed right in the middle of them! Felas ran off with them and left me to die! Me! That ingrate! Disloyal cur! Imagine, leaving me here all alone!

They took Felas?
I didn't say they took him -- he went with them! I've heard his voice a few times around here. I think... I think he joined them!

Why haven't you tried to escape?
Every time I look for a way out, I get twisted around and end up back here. But I'm too smart for them. You seem to have no trouble, though. Look at you, barely a scratch! You'd be the perfect person to protect me!

It's very dangerous here.
This place is a nightmare! Knights everywhere, these priests, and whatever they've done to Felas! Listen. Those people in Passwall need me. Can you imagine how they'd ever get along if I died down here?

Um... Sure. Come with me.
I'll do what I can to help. I... I like to hurt things. Maybe I can hurt these damned knights.

(He takes the sword of one of the fallen Knight of Order.)

Liann

(Together with Shelden press deeper into the Xeddefen, and eventually discover the great Obelisk that is having its power amplified by the spire.)

(Collect some of Hearts of Order and use them to overload the Obelisk, but with this action, the whole ruins is collapsed.)

(While escaping the ruins, Shelden is trapped by a metal door, but eventually and miraculously, he survived.)

Shelden

I'm going to stay here and help rebuild this place. These fools need me.

Aurig Desha

I... I cannot believe it! You survived! We were certain that your light had been lost! I apologize for doubting you, Your Grace. You are a most worthy leader, perhaps the greatest warrior to ever hold the Seat of Mania. But I fear that our work is not yet done. The area is still overrun with Knights that were not destroyed in the spire. You should return to the Palace and speak with Sheogorath. Ask Him how He plans to defend this Realm.

Liann

(Go back to New Sheoth and talk to Sheogorath.)

Next: Rebuilding the Gatekeeper