Captain Somer
I've heard the news from up north.{^n}{^n}I am at a loss for words about what happened to Ulgrim. I never thought that smug bastard had it in him to pull off such heroics.{^n}{^n}I'll be raising a glass tonight to your conquest.

We still stand a fighting chance!
There is still a chance Ulgrim is alive.
We all mourn the loss of Ulgrim.
Don't worry about Homestead. I have things here under control.{^n}{^n}Focus on the Necropolis.

Take care.
Don't just stand there. I'm sure there's something you could be doing.
Goodbye.
What is it?
I have some questions.
Well, go on then.
So why do you hate Ulgrim so much?
Hah! That's a bit blunt, but true. The First Blade, or rather, Ulgrim as he calls himself now, has a bit of a history with the Black Legion.{^n}{^n}Most famously, I suppose, was the time he executed a Black Legion captain for taking no prisoners during a civilian uprising. We had no direct orders to capture the rebels but the... more efficient route our captain chose seemed to strike a chord with Ulgrim. I find it rather ironic though given his line of work.The emperor was displeased with the First Blade's actions, but no formal punishment was ever deemed necessary, which did not sit well with my superiors.
I have another question.
What is the First Blade of the Emperor?
The First Blade was the emperor's most trusted spy and assassin; a master of the darker side of politics.{^n}{^n}All knew he existed but at the same time none would dare suggest that the emperor would resort to such methods.

Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Can you tell me more about the Black Legion?
What would you like to know about us?
Tell me about the Legion's history.
The Black Legion, like its history, is a dark and conflicted thing. During the Time of Troubles, when the empire was pressed by war on three fronts, refugees overwhelmed the capital and political dissent among the noble houses threatened to tear the government apart, thousands were imprisoned for political reasons, petty crime or just vagrancy. The prisons were overflowing and the military was crumbling for lack of recruits. I'm not sure anyone can remember who but someone, probably some bureaucrat, came up with the novel solution of sending the prisoners to fight on the front lines and supposedly win absolution.{^n}{^n}Most were unfit for battle and simply served as cannon fodder, shielding the regular units' advance, but some survived and did, indeed, win their freedom. Many more deserted though and eventually wound up back in prison. The empire corrected these imperfections though with the aid of the Luminari, who devised a process to essentially imprison the human will itself; mentally binding people into the service of the empire. They created a name, insignia and ritual to reinforce this desire to serve and thus was born the Black Legion.The detachment from personal life, unwavering sense of duty and unparalleled experience in the front lines of the harshest battles killed off the unfit and forged whoever remained into one of the most elite fighting regiments in the known world. The title "Death's Bannermen" was not handed out lightly. In time, because of our guaranteed loyalty and proven effectiveness in combat, we became the favored legion of the emperor himself; often at odds with the Erulan military high command and feared by the noble houses.{^n}{^n}You may be wondering now whether I've gone through the mental conditioning I spoke of and the answer is yes. I'm conscious of it all, I know I've been conditioned to be a loyal soldier but that knowledge doesn't change the feeling and I'm not sure it even matters. We are now what we are and, in all honesty, I can't say it is for the worse.{^n}{^n}I was a spoiled and deluded girl once. Heiress to one of the great houses of Erulan. I ended up in the legion due to my own and my family's betrayal of the empire and since then, my eyes have been opened to the larger world and I have found a true purpose. At one point, many years ago, my uncle abducted me from the legion, attempting to liberate me. In the end, I escaped and returned to duty. Despite the horrors I've seen, the spartan life and endless toil; the legion is like a drug that, once tasted, can't be quit.

I'd like to ask about something else.
That isn't something you usually hear about the Legion.
Well, most people can't stomach the truth.{^n}{^n}It is what it is. It's a harsh world and the empire had many enemies, both mortal and supernatural. The emperor and his predecessors did what needed to be done to survive and Erulan flourished until the Grim Dawn. Now we struggle on in a world worse for its passing and can only hope to some day recapture that glory.

I'd like to ask about something else.
I'll keep it to myself.
That's quite a history.
Tell me about what happened in the capital.
What I remember most is the screams. Innocents being slaughtered by the thousands. Rifts opening up all over the place and spilling out fiends unlike any mankind had ever seen.{^n}{^n}It wasn't a battle. It was a massacre. Most of the imperial forces still stationed within the capital did not survive the initial attack. Many more fell while trying to flee from the doomed city.{^n}{^n}The Black Legion's Commander Tarkis stayed behind to rally a defense while we made our retreat. It was a noble sacrifice and one I will never forget.

I'd like to ask about something else.
Sounds horrible.
I'd like to ask about something else.
Actually, nevermind.
What can you tell me about Creed?
Inquisitor Creed worked for the Luminari, investigating and dealing with supernatural threats to the empire. It was he who first discovered the Aetherial conspiracy but, alas, not in time to stop it.{^n}{^n}Creed gathered trusted allies instead and laid the foundations for whatever human resistance exists today. The Black Legion survived the Grim Dawn largely thanks to his intervention. Since then he's been helping to coordinate our resistance and providing valuable insights into the nature of our supernatural foes.
How does he know so much about the Aetherials?
I wouldn't say he's an expert; no one is. The Aetherials were largely unknown until the Grim Dawn. That's part of the reason they succeeded so well in infiltrating and defeating the empire.{^n}{^n}However, Creed is one of the few surviving people who had experience with them before the Grim Dawn and, apparently, he was able to find some references to them in old texts stored in the vaults of the Luminari. We still learn new things about them every day though and they continue to find ways to surprise us. We're still not entirely sure where they came from...
I have another question.
Goodbye.
I have another question.
Goodbye.
What can you tell me about Fort Ikon?
Fort Ikon has withstood generations of warfare. It was originally constructed centuries ago during a drawn-out conflict with another human nation, long since conquered by Erulan.{^n}{^n}The Fort is our northern bastion, a beacon of the empire's strength.
Tell me about that war.
I'm not exactly a historian, but I'll give it my best shot.{^n}{^n}The North Wars as they came to be called were waged over the disputed lands beyond the Asterkarn Mountains. The area was rich in resources and provided ample farmland, so it proved to be a point of contention between the two great nations. Neither side would relent ownership of the territory, and so it came to war.{^n}{^n}The conflict dragged on over twenty six years before we finally pushed them back. That was not the end of the bloodshed though. Years later, the northerners returned with another army, intent on retaking the region. The final exchange marked one of the bloodiest days in the Empire's history. It was also one of the first campaigns undertaken by the Black Legion. Back then, we were still unproven, only a few battles under our banner; but the Legion proved to be a force to be reckoned with. That same year we marched all the way to their capital, and crushed them. That was the end of the North Wars.
I have another question.
Goodbye.
I have another question.
Goodbye.
Forget it.
Nothing. Goodbye.
I've already informed Creed of your recent actions. He is most eager to speak with you.{^n}{^n}Show him what you've shown me. He needs to see this.
I will speak to Creed at once.
I will deal with this later.
Who is the inquisitor?
Inquisitor Creed is one of Erulan's chief exterminators of the occult and the strange. Incidentally, he was outside the capital during the fall as he was tracking down just how deep the Aetherial corruption ran.{^n}{^n}Creed has played a critical role in the Legion's activities after the Grim Dawn, coordinating assaults and providing insight on the enemy.
I will speak to Creed at once.
I will speak to Creed another time.
How does he know so much about the Aetherials?
He has it on good authority. Now stop it with the questions and go speak to him immediately!
I will speak to Creed.
I can't right now.
Why do you have such a grim look on your face?{^n}{^n}What happened out there?
Karroz lies dead, but I found some disturbing information on him.
Let's see it.{^n}{^n}*Captain Somer is silent as she reads through the cultist's notes*{^n}{^n}I'll be damned. If the bastards pull this off, we may as well slit our own throats. This scenario is well beyond my pay-grade, or would be if I were getting paid. You will need to bring this to Creed's attention immediately.
The inquisitor?

Have you tracked down the target?
Karroz lies dead.
Good, we can finally reconvene with our forces to the north.{^n}{^n}Did you find anything on him that may help us uncover the reasons behind the cult's activities?
Actually, there was a tome.
Well, bring it here then. Any bit of intel will be tremendously useful.
I'll be right back.
Actually...I'll be right back.
Have you tracked down the target?
Where should I be looking for Karroz?
Karroz, the Sigil of Ch'thon, is at the Darkvale Gates, to the north of Sorrow's Bastion.{^n}{^n}Do not underestimate him. You do not get that high in the ranks of the Cult of Ch'thon without making some disturbing deals with the devil.
I'll be careful.
Not yet.
When the Legion was forced to abandon the Capital, we made Fort Ikon our new base of operations. It's an old fortress to the far north once used to protect the trade routes leading through the Asterkarn Mountains.{^n}{^n}However, when we began marching south, we encountered immediate opposition from both the Cult and the Aetherials. Many of our men were killed, pincered between two opposing armies, and we were forced to retreat towards Homestead. The Aetherials now control the area known as the Conflagration, but the Cult of Ch'thon has taken residence within the Darkvale Gate, effectively cutting us off from our forces to the north. With the Cult's frontlines battered and their sacrifices freed, I believe it is now time to advance on their main position.{^n}{^n}Karroz, the Sigil of Ch'thon, the name has come up several times, including a recent bloody interrogation. We have no idea if he is the head of the entire Cult or if he is merely a pawn in someone else's game, but one thing is for certain: he is at the Darkvale Gate. I need you to infiltrate the fortress and take out their leader. Lay waste to the Cult's followers, let nothing stop you in reclaiming our bastion!
It will be done.
I won't do this.
I have already killed Karroz. I found some disturbing information on him.

I am told that Lisandra and a couple others have returned safely from captivity, all thanks to you. We thought they were as good as dead after they disappeared in the Blood Grove.
The cult must be stopped.
I could not agree more. We've been cut off from Fort Ikon long enough.
What's our next step?

Stop wasting time. The longer we wait, the more Chthonians will be at the cult's command.
Where is the Cult of Ch'thon entrenched?
You will have to venture out beyond Sorrow's Bastion, to the north of Homestead, and search the cultist camps. Rescue any survivors before the Cult of Ch'thon can use them as sacrifices.
I'm on it.
I'm on it.
I was going to have you interrupt the cult's supply of sacrifices, but with Lisandra's recent return, I'm beginning to think that you can be in several places at once.{^n}{^n}Good work there. We cannot afford to have the cult summon additional reinforcements from the void. The next priority though, that's a bit tougher.
What is it?

My scouts have reported back from the lands to the north. The situation is far worse than I ever imagined. The Cult of Ch'thon is on our doorstep, and in great numbers. Worse still, they've been capturing farmers, travelers, even my own soldiers and using them for their blood rituals.{^n}{^n}We cannot risk the cult bolstering their forces with Chthonic beings. I need you to venture out beyond Sorrow's Bastion to the north and search their camps. Rescue any survivors before the cultists can use them as sacrifices.
I will rescue the prisoners.
Sorry, I cannot right now.
What can I expect out there?
Terrors from the void, crazed humans hell-bent on harvesting your blood for their heathen god, unspeakable dark rituals. The Cult of Ch'thon is a despicable group of degenerates that needs to be wiped out.{^n}{^n}I would not ask this of you if I did not think you capable. Will you stop the sacrifices?
I will rescue the prisoners.
Sorry, I cannot right now.
There was much commotion reported in the area around the Gruesome Harvest, I trust you have good news?
The abomination has been destroyed.
I see your reputation is well earned. The Legion thanks you for your service to the emperor.{^n}{^n}With the Aetherial threat crippled, we can now turn our attention to the Cult of Ch'thon.
I'm eager to get started.


We will speak of this another time.
I hope I didn't make a mistake by sending you.
Where are the Aetherials?
They are in an area we are calling the Gruesome Harvest. You'll know why when you see it.{^n}{^n}You will have to go through the Infested Farms and the Rotting Croplands to the west of Homestead.
I'm on it.
No, you have not.
I see you've returned. Changed your mind about serving the Legion?{^n}{^n}Or would you rather sit back and enjoy some of Ulgrim's 'fine' soup?
Where do you need me?
The Legion is split on two fronts. To the north, we have the Cult of Ch'thon. Nasty bastards keen on turning all of us into a puddle of blood for their rituals. I have my best men out there right now, scouting ahead. The cultists are amassing in great numbers, and I'd like to know why.{^n}{^n}There is a more pressing issue, however, and this is where you come in. Ulgrim says that you are experienced with fighting the Aetherials. That's good. You'll need all your skills for this one. Far to the west, beyond the Infested Farms and the Rotting Croplands, there is an area teeming with Aetherials that we have started calling the Gruesome Harvest. It is a fitting title as the Aetherials have been gathering corpses, animal and human alike, in order to conduct their sick resurrection techniques upon them.{^n}{^n}The barn there has been giving off a blinding aether light nonstop for the last few days and nights. That is, until today. Whatever they are working on, it must be nearly finished. And knowing the Aetherials, it's something monstrous.{^n}{^n}We can't risk the Aetherials discovering that we know about their creation. I need someone to sneak in there and destroy this abomination before it even has a chance to wreak havoc upon my people. We'll only get one shot at this, so I want someone who has experience dealing with Aetherial horrors to handle this mission.{^n}{^n}Will you be my champion?
I will track down this abomination.
I am not risking my life for this.
I've already slain the abomination.
I see your reputation is well-earned. The Legion thanks you for your service to the emperor.{^n}{^n}With the Aetherial threat crippled, we can now turn our attention to the Cult of Ch'thon.



Hope the campaign goes well.
What about the Dermapterans?
Been talking to Douglass? Look, I'd love to solve all the world's problems, but unfortunately I do not have the troops to send them out on a bug hunt.{^n}{^n}Douglass and the other farmers will just have to accept it for now. Perhaps later, once the Aetherials and Chthonians have been dealt with, then I can think about sending some men out to the fields to clear out this infestation.
What did you need from me again?
Very well.
What's the Black Legion?
You are joking, right?{^n}{^n}We are the imperium's most infamous if not elite legion; conscripted from criminals and political outcasts and tempered in the front lines of the empire's most brutal wars. The only regiment of the emperor's legions that has survived the massacre in the capital, if you could consider the losses we suffered surviving.{^n}{^n}I'd love to tell you our history, but I really have more important matters to attend to. Such as the mission I need you for. The question really is, are you up to it?

Not interested in heroics.
Not interested in heroics.
I'll skip the pleasantries. Ulgrim tells me you're one tough slith and right now that's what I need most.{^n}{^n}Will you fight for the Black Legion?
Where do you need me?

What's the Black Legion?
You are joking, right?{^n}{^n}We are the imperium's most infamous if not elite legion; conscripted from criminals and political outcasts and tempered in the front lines of the empire's most brutal wars. The only regiment of the emperor's legions that has survived the massacre in the capital, if you could consider the losses we suffered surviving.{^n}{^n}I'd love to tell you our history, but I really have more important matters to attend to. Such as the mission I need you for. The question really is, are you up to it?

Not interested in heroics.
Not interested in heroics.
I hear you've dragged Ulgrim's sorry ass out of Deadman's Gulch. Good work.{^n}{^n}Come see me later. Perhaps we can put your skills to some use.
I take it you don't like Ulgrim?
Let's just say Ulgrim and the Black Legion have a history.
I...see.
I'll think about it.
Welcome to Homestead. We could definitely use more capable hands around here.{^n}{^n}If you find yourself back out there and run into a smug smartass by the name Ulgrim, tell him he's late, as usual...
I have some questions.
What is it?
Can you open the gates?
Nobody's going through those gates until I've received Ulgrim's report.
I have another question.
Very well.
What is the situation here?
I'd tell you that I've dealt with worse, but I'm not sure that's true. The situation here is about as bad as it gets.{^n}{^n}We have Aetherials and the Cult of Ch'thon on our doorstep, few supplies, no heavy weapons and barely enough men to keep it all together.
I have another question.
Sounds rough.
What can you tell me about the Black Legion?
What's there to say that isn't widespread public knowledge. We are a band of criminals, misfits and political outcasts conscripted into the service of the empire. Yet, as an army of expendables forever in the front lines of the empire's harshest wars, we've been forged by iron and blood into one of the most elite fighting groups in the known world.{^n}{^n}We suffered significant losses in the Grim Dawn but thanks to Creed's warning, we fared better than others and we're not done fighting yet.
I have another question.
Thank you.
Is that Inquisitor Creed?
Why, you've heard of him?{^n}{^n}Yes, Inquisitor Creed has been working closely with the Black Legion after the Grim Dawn. His insight on the Aetherials has helped keep all of us alive so far.
I found evidence of his presence in Burrwitch.
Yes, grisly business with Warden Krieg. Creed barely escaped with his life.
I killed the Warden.
If that's true, then you have my respect.
I have another question.
Goodbye.
I have another question.
Goodbye.
I have another question.
Thank you.
Nevermind.
Goodbye.
