[Campaign] Children of Destiny Part 1: Dusk Barons (or Remnants of Synthille)

[WinterSnow]

The first chapter of (hopefully) three campaigns in the spirit of the classic Warcraft 3 campaigns, but featuring custom races and items to feel like a new and unique experience. In this chapter you play as the blood-sucking Dusk Barons and follow the story of Olena after her exile from the Baron's heartland of Synthille.

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Playable Heroes​

Olena, Pariah

Luzis, Warlock

Rivek, Fallen

Plague Wave Deals damage over time to units in the target area. Lasts 10 seconds.

Enchantment Channeling. Slows down all nearby enemies and prevents them from casting spells.

Vampiric Kiss Drains health from a target unit and converts it to mana for the Pariah. Lasts 15 seconds. Gets cancelled if either the target or Pariah walks to far from the other.

Wraithform Olena turns into her Wraithform, regenerating health rapidly and gaining movement speed but becoming unable to attack. While in Wraithform Olena receives reduced damage from physical attacks. After fully recovering her health, Olena will revert to her physical form.

Soulblast Converts mana into pure damage to the target enemy unit. If the target is killed under the effect of this ability the Warlock will recover half the mana used. Each level increases the maximum amount of mana that can be used for this spell. Mana used will not exceed the target's remaining health.

Magic Missile With each attack, the Warlock sends out an extra bolt of chaos magic to attack a nearby enemy dealing bonus damage. At level three the Warlock will send out an extra magic missile. Magic missiles will not hit the target of the original attack.

Diligence Aura All allies near Luzis will slowly regenerate health and mana.

Invoke Chaos Channeling. Every two seconds the Warlock will cast Soulblast on a random enemy unit for no mana cost. If an enemy dies from this ability the Warlock will recover health and mana equal to the damage dealt by that Soulblast.

Fireball Rivek sends out a fireball that explodes upon contact, dealing damage to all units nearby. If the fireball does not hit a target after 3 seconds it will not explode. Fireball deals no damage to Rivek.

Dragonkin Whenever Rivek is attacked he gains a stack that grants 1 strength and 0,5hp/s for 10 seconds. Each level increases the maximum amount of stacks.

Undaunting Aura Whenever a unit under this aura receives a killing blow the damage will be reduced and redirected towards the Fallen. Damage will not be redirected if it would kill the Fallen.

Summon Avight Summons the phoenix Avight at a target point. Avight cannot attack but will deal spell damage to nearby units every second. Avight cannot damage Rivek.

The Dusk Barons Tech-Tree​

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Estate

Garrsion

Lumber Yard

Homestead

Watchtower

Altar of Twilight

Estate An estate is often the seat of power for a vampire looking to ascend the ranks of the Dusk Barons. From here they handle their affairs and conduct schemes to usurp or destroy potential rivals. Town-Hall for the Dusk Baron race. Beckons Servants and serves as a drop-off point for gold and lumber. Can upgrade to a Manor then Palace to unlock advanced upgrades and units. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Gilneas Town Hall by bakr The Gift Grants bonus health, health regeneration, and lifesteal to Phoenix Guards, Darkseekers, and Initiates. Build Requirements: Palace, Drainhall

Servant A helpless villager under the complete control of the Dusk Barons. Servants are expected to provide no less than their mind, body and soul to the whims of their master. The worker unit for the Dusk Barons. Harvests gold and lumber and constructs buildings. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Flagellant by Dionesiist

Garrison If the Dusk Barons find themselves at war, they'll force their servants from the fields to be 'trained' at the nearest Drainhall. Afterwards their decrepit husks, now completely enthralled, are stored in Garrisons waiting to be sent off to die for their baron. Beckons basic tier 1 army units for the Dusk Barons. Also contains research to upgrade Thralls and Hunters. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Gilneas Barracks by bakr Husbandry Enables the Dark Cultivation ability for Thralls. Duskbark Javelins Increases the attack range of Hunters. Build Requirements: Manor, Lumber Yard Mindcutting Greatly increases the attack speed of Hunters. Build Requirements: Palace, Lumber Yard

Thrall An unfortunate soul chosen to become an expendable soldier - but not before being sent to a Drainhall to be... 'trained.' Weak but durable frontline unit meant to soak up as much damage as possible. Can learn the Dark Cultivation ability. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Militia (Risen) by Ujimasa Hojo Dark Cultivation When this unit receives more than 5 damage it will heal a random nearby allied unit for half the damage received. Unlocked by: Husbandry

Hunter Once a Thrall leaves the Drainhall they are judged by the Moroiaice. Those judged to have not lost all their faculties are equipped with hunting spears and tasked with hitting targets from afar. Ranged attacker with a fairly strong damage output. Benefits from the Duskbark Javelins and Mindcutting research. Build Requirements: Lumberyard Model Source: Spear Thrower (Risen) by Ujimasa Hojo

Lumber Yard Throughout the night the sounds of saws can be heard across the smaller cities as residents try to ignore the frequent screams that cry out from the yard. Serves as a drop-off point for lumber. Also contains basic upgrades for the Dusk Barons. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Gilneas Lumber Mill by bakr Iron Weapons Increases the attack damage of Thralls, Hunters, Darkseekers, Dreadwains, and Phoenix Riders. Iron Armour Increases the armour of Thralls, Hunters, Darkseekers, Dreadwains, and Bloodcarts. Basic Equipment Increases the attack damage of Watchers, Madcaps, and Bloodcarts. Basic Hides Increases the armour of Watchers, Madcaps, and Phoenix Riders.

Homestead Lovingly called 'Bloodfarms' by the vampiric aristocracy, these houses provide warmth and protection for servants - and their blood. Provides food and slowly regenerates mana over time. Can use the Bloodmeal ability. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Gilneas Farm by bakr Bloodmeal Continuously heals a friendly organic unit at the cost of mana. Only one unit can be healed by a Bloodfarm at a time. Unlocked by: None

Watchtower The presence of these towers are often seen as the result of either luxury or extreme paranoia since nobody is foolhardy enough to dare attack a baron in their own territory. Most basic of basic defense structures. Has ridiculously high sight range during the night. Build Requirements: Lumber Yard Model Source: Gilneas Tower by bakr

Altar of Twilight The Dusk Barons pay respects to few gods, such as Byrheim or the Triad, but most notable is their reverance towards Xinia the Great. The Dusk Barons of Vaystas claim he was the first cursed by vampirism and that he represents all that a vampie should strive to be. This claim is widely denied by the other cults of Xinia. Altar for the Dusk Barons. Trains heroes and revives heroes. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Gilneas Altar by bakr

Nightspire

Atelier

Nightspire These grand towers house extensive libraries that are frequently used by aspiring warlocks or fledgling vampires. It is here that they learn an amalgamation of rituals, curses, and hexes that doubtless prove useful to their future endeavours. Beckons spellcaster units and contains upgrades for them. Moroiaice Adept/Master Training Improves the mana capacity and mana regeneration of Moroiaice and unlocks abilities for them. Build Requirements: None (adept)/Palace (master) Iniaite Adept/Master Training Improves the mana capacity and mana regeneration of Initiates and unlocks abilities for them. Build Requirements: None (adept)/Palace (master) Sanguine Rites Increases the attack damage of Bloodcarts. Build Requirements: Drainhall

Moroiaice Vampires who've begun to master their supernatural abilities but are still too weak to become lords. They'll spend most of their days studying in a Nightspire and their nights across cities prowling for victims. Supporting spellcaster. Initially knows Hunger and can be upgraded to learn Feast and Blood Haze. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Sorceress (Undead) by Ujimasa Hojo Hunger Increases a target ally's damage and grants lifesteal. Lifesteal stacks with other sources (such as The Gift). Unlocked by: None Feast Removes health from a target friendly unit to restore twice as much mana to the Moroiaice. This spell can trigger Dark Cultivation. Unlocked by: Moroiaice Adept Training Blood Haze Coats the target area in a layer of blood that blocks damage to all friendly units in the area. Blood Haze dissipates after blocking enough damage. This spell will not block damage directed at the caster. Channeling. Unlocked by: Moroiaice Master Training

Initiate A student of chaos magick that's has vampiric blood coursing through his veins, but has not been fully given The Gift. Wishing to become full-fledged warlocks, the initiates seek to learn and master spells that weaponise and control souls. Versatile spellcaster. Knows Fear and can be upgraded to learn Soulmend and Lesser Soulblast. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Acolyte (Ebon Blade) by Ujimasa Hojo Fear Decreases a target enemy's attacked speed drastically. Unlocked by: None Soulmend Briefly increases the life regeneration rate of all nearby allies. Unlocked by: Initiate Adept Training Lesser Soulblast Uses all of the initiate's mana to deal half of it as pure damage to a target enemy non-hero unit. If the target is killed the Initiate recovers half the mana spent. Unlocked by: Initiate Master Training

Bloodcart Armies march on their bellies and the Dusk Barons are no exception. When hunger strikes, a vampire lord will often feast upon the servants housed in these large cages which are enchanted to extract spare quantities of blood to serve as a weapon if absolutely necessary. Supporting siege unit that serves as a mobile Homestead. Can use Lade to extract mana from a Homestead and cast Bloodmeal to heal units while on the move. Benefits from the Sanguine Rites research. Build Requirements: Palace Model Source: Chariot (Kingdom) by Hoth Bloodmeal Continously heals a target allied unit at the cost of mana. Costs twice as much mana than Homesteads. Unlocked by: None Lade Takes mana from an allied Homestead and gives it to the Bloodcart. Unlocked by: None

Atelier The place of work for artisans in the realms ruled by the barons. It's here that living statues are sculpted and crafts enchanted by chaos magic are perfected. They are created here in the name of beauty and art, but in times of war they are put to more practical applications. Beckons mechanical units. Also contains upgrades for them. Build Requirements: Manor Model Source: Gilneas Blacksmith by bakr Dark Cloak Unlocks the Watching ability for Watchers. The Green Stuff Increases the armour reduction of Perforating Solution by 2. Shardsplit Unlocks the Shardplit abilty for Dreadwains.

Watcher Sculpted to perfection by artisans and given life by warlocks, adorn towers and palaces across Synthille to awe and amaze its citizens. Unknown to them, though, is that these magnificent constructs serve as spies for their masters and report their every action and spoken word. Light scout units that can act as anti-air. Can learn the Watching ability. Build Requirements: None Model Source: DarkwingBat skin by 67_chrome Watching Morphs into a ground unit but loses the ability to move. While Watching, the Watcher will turn invisible when not attacking. Does not auto-attack while Watching. Unlocked by: Dark Cloak

Madcap Initiates driven insane by their cursed blood. Flouting their fragile immortality, they fly towards enemies hurling lethal concoctions that melt away armour and flesh alike. Ranged siege flyer. Knows Perforating Solution that can be upgraded at the Atelier. Build Requirements: None Model Source: Apothecary by Ujimasa Hojo Perforating Solution Attacks decreases the armour of targets hit. Unlocked by: None

Dreadwain Operated by two warlocks, these massive machines are designed to instill fear to prevent any thoughts of treachery against the barons. Long-ranged siege unit. Can learn Shardsplit. Shardsplit Causes the Dreadwain's projectiles to split upon impact, sending smaller projectiles to attack all nearby enemies for reduced damage. Unlocked by: Shardsplit

Drainhall These impressive structures are always infested by vampires after nightfall. It is here that the high society of the Dusk Barons meet to revel in recreational balls or galleries while scheming against their peers. Whenever a servant is called upon to the Drainhall they gladly enter, believing to be embraced as one of the kindred. However, they quickly learn the true intent behind the invitation. Beckons Darkseekers and Phoenix Riders. Build Requirements: Palace Model Source: Cathedral by bakr

Darkseeker Insert the most flavourful of flavour texts here. Elite ground mounted unit. Knows the Nightborn ability. Building Requirements: None Model Source: Knight (Undead) by Ujimasa Hojo Nightborn Increases health regeneration and sight range during night. Unlocked by: None

Phoenix Rider The Varadine Guard of El-Ieer are famous heroes who patrol across the provinces to defend the people of the empire against bandits and monsters, asking for nothing in return. As a rite of passage to become a Varadine, they are given a phoenix egg to raise and protect until it reaches maturity. Only once their phoenix can properly summon fire will they be accepted into the order and the bond between man and animal endures for the rest of their lives. Elite flying unit. Has a strong anti-ground attack but weak against air units. Knows the Rekindling ability. Build Requirements: Palace, Varadine Guard Model Source: Spell Breaker (Dragonhawk Mount) by Ujimasa Hojo Rekindling When killed, the Phoenix Rider is revived as a Flaming Phoenix. Lasts 60 seconds. Unlocked by: None

The Missions​

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In Progress:

1. The Eldest

2. Beginnings of Discord

3. The Damned & the Cursed

4. Retaliation!

Create an army to eliminate a threat and frame your rivals.

Intervene in a political affair and capture an important prisoner.

Hunt down a spy and encounter a strange archer.

Defend against a dangerous assault using the cover of peculiar fog.

Barely Started / Not Started at All​

5. Vestiges of Empire

6. Checkmate

7. The Demon's Rage

8. Black Rose

Crush a formidable army formed by multiple enemies.

Claim the capital city, in the name of the Dusk Barons!

Stop a rampaging giant who's seemingly invincible.

Olena's destiny is at hand. Is she prepared?