Editing Catherine's Charge

{{TErow| 1 | Opening|Following the initial invasion of Eeofol, you ran into the elite force of Kreegans known as the Fist of Unholy Might.  These battle-hardened regiments pushed you back clear across the border and now threaten to push deeper into Erathia.  It is here, in the [[Contested Lands]] that lie betwixt [[Erathia]] and [[Eeofol]], where you plan to make your stand.  Digging in until reinforcements can arrive is your plan and quite possibly Erathia's only hope.<p>Should you fail or be defeated, Erathia will forever know emptiness, despair, and shall suffer an eternity of darkness.  May the blessings of the Temple of Light be upon you and those who serve under your command.</p>}}

{{TErow| 6 | An alert|A scout comes racing to your camp bearing a message.  He bows deeply before you and presents a scroll from [[General Morgan Kendal]]. His trembling fingers release the rolled parchment into your hands as sweat beads on his brow.  This is not good news he brings.<p>"My Queen, I regret to inform you that the dark forces of Eeofol have broken through our eastern lines.  I have failed you, but I swear to you on the grave of your beloved father that I shall fall back and protect Steadwick from these foul creatures." -- Morgan</p>}}

{{TErow| 10 | A Second Message From Kendal|A rider enters your camp carrying a message scroll that bears the seal of General Morgan Kendal.  You accept the scroll from the rider, break the seal, unroll the parchment, and peruse its contents.<p>"Pray pardon my Queen, but I must bring you grave news.  Recently I have been witness to the strangest of occurrences.  A town of odd architecture simply appeared from thin air.  It had roofs like tulip bulbs made of bronze, brightly colored tent cloth everywhere, and the walls were guarded by elementals of all types.  Since that first sighting, I have seen several more similar citadels dotting the countryside.  I do not know the nature of these towns, nor do I know if they are hostile.  Perhaps they might be persuaded to join us in our fight; perhaps we shall need to guard against them.  I do not believe anyone in this region can remain neutral for long." -- Morgan</p>}}

{{TErow| 15 | Good News at Last|A runner leaps off his steed in a hurry to bring urgent news to his Queen.  You take the message scroll from the smiling runner and unfurl it.  The note is smudged from water stains, but legible.  Reading it brings some much-needed light to your soul.  Good news at last has come.<p>"My dearest [[Catherine]], I have amassed a sizeable force outside [[Steadwick]].  It will take some time to reach your position, as we will be first shoring up the eastern front.  I plan to meet Kendal's army somewhere near Killian's Wake and push back those forces plaguing him there.</p>Once that task is completed and the Kreegan troops are routed, I shall bring our combined forces to your aid.  You must hold out my love.  Erathia's fate depends upon you holding the region.  I will see you again.  That I swear." -- Your loving husband, [[Roland]]}}

{{TErow| 21 | A Message from Lucifer|Pacing across the field, you wrack your brain for a way to make sense of this insane war you are waging.  For what purpose could Lucifer be engaging in such insanity?  What was there to gain from this?  The answers to such questions will not come easily, nor without a heavy price attached.<p>As you ponder these and other matters, a timid monk clears his throat quietly to announce his presence.  Spinning on your heels to face the sudden sound, your flame colored hair frames your face in such a way as to bring fear to the poor cleric.  He shakily informs you that a crystal shard has been delivered moments ago with express instructions that it be shown to you immediately.  Fearing it is a trap; the mages in your council choose to study it.  Finding no magical traps or spells to harm their Queen, they show it to you.</p>A demonic face appears from inside the shard as soon as you approach.  The face is bearded, horned, and has glistening sharp teeth.  A wicked grin is firmly in place which rapidly becomes a sneer as it speaks.<p>"Ah, the famed [[Catherine Gryphonheart]], or should I say Ironfist.  Seems a much more appropriate name for you.  In case you did not know, I am [[Lucifer Kreegan]], King of Eeofol and Bringer of Doom.</p>I hope you realize your efforts to engage me are fruitless as was proven by my pushing your pathetic invasion back nearly to your own capitol.  You cannot win against the might of my armies or the power of my secret weapon.  This day shall see the end of your precious [[Antagarich]], [[Enroth]], and all that I survey.  Prepare yourself for oblivion Catherine, Queen of Erathia, for it is coming soon."<p>With that, the image fades out and you are left alone with the threat hanging in the air.  Muttering something about madmen, you go back to your planning session and prepare for the coming battles.</p>}}

{{TErow| 62 | A Letter from Roland|As you continue on your quest to exact revenge on the followers of the mad [[King Lucifer]], your rage grows.  The shadow that covers your soul threatens to engulf you fully, but a small light flickers when another runner arrives, haggard but smiling.<p>"My dearest [[Catherine]].  I am truly sorry I have not written, but I did hear you had received word of my injury.  Let me assure you there is nothing to fear.  The injuries I received were not severe, nor should you have been burdened with being informed of them.</p>I received the injuries when we finally met up with [[General Kendal]]'s forces.  A large army of demons and hellhounds had been guarding a pass and we needed to punch through.  I led the charge but received some minor wounds as a result.  I killed the thing responsible, fear not.  All is well, as I hope it is with you and your campaign." -- [[Roland]]}}

{{TErow| 72 | Catherine Sends For [[Gelu]]|The forces of Eeofol have proven to be mighty indeed.  As such, daring plans and cunning tactics are going to be needed to win this conflict.  You summon one of your most trusted runners.  You have need of a different type of soldier for the plan forming in your mind.<p>The Forest Guard has been acting as Erathia's eyes and ears for generations, perhaps now it is time to employ them for a different purpose.  Quickly scribing a note on a piece of parchment, you send word to [[Gelu]], the [[Forest Guard]]'s captain, to undertake a special mission for you.</p>}}

{{TErow| 90 | Nicolai|In the long months since you left Enroth, your days have been filled with strife, terror, grief, and triumph, yet you have never lost sight of what is important to you, your son Nicolai.  Your thoughts drift now to him, as your worry for him, for he is alone in Enroth and has been ever since you were summoned home to Erathia and Roland was taken captive on the Night of Shooting Stars.  Only the knowledge that Nicolai has the aid of Wilbur Humphrey, Roland's appointed Regent, consoles your aching heart.  You miss your son terribly and desire greatly to return home.  Perhaps when this war is over and peace finally settles on the land of your birth, you can return home to your son, even if for only a little while.}}

{{TErow| 112 | Catherine's Speech|You call your troops before you.  Their morale is low and all are exhausted from the constant fighting and marching.  You sit astride your steed, noble and proud in appearance, and ride to the top of a small rise.  There you thrust high the banner of Erathia and speak.<p>"It has been one hundred and twelve days since the minions of this [[King Lucifer]] have invaded our land.  We have held out bravely so far, but the true test of our courage and prowess is yet to come.  [[King Roland]] and [[General Kendal]] are currently battling to save the eastern border, while we defend this region from Kreegan forces.  However, we do battle with a powerful foe.  The abominations we face in this conflict are hideous and fierce warriors, armed with potent elements of magic.</p>You have done well, my warriors, and I ask that you continue to do so in the fights to come.  This will not be easy, but I promise you we will win, for we are of Erathia.  We defeated the combined forces of [[Deyja]], [[Eeofol]], and [[Nighon]] before.  This is only one third of that triumvirate.  Fight on my warriors, for not just Erathia, but all of Antagarich depends on our victory here."<p>You sit tall and proud as the cheers of your men rise to meet you.  You smile, knowing the coming fight, while difficult, will be won.  You are confident of that.</p>}}