Hello! In today's developer diary, we will show Arthas' expedition storyline, Frostmourne, and its unique mechanics.
Arthas' Expedition
When the Plague happens, Terenas II gets a message from the eastern lands. He may send someone to investigate the outbreak. The event chain is designed to be dynamic; if Arthas dies in childhood, Terenas or another king may send his trustworthy knight instead of the heir. But mainly, we will focus on the historical setup of the Third War.
As Arthas' journey begins, he won't be alone. A few characters may join Arthas’ Expedition like Jaina, Uther, Marwyn, or Falric. The participants will be visible on the Activity window. Moreover, you, as a player, may follow the prince if he likes you. Arthas' actions may have dire consequences but it's up to you to decide how far you want to follow the mad prince. This journey will be very Stressful so in the best case, you will return home with PTSD.
Soon enough the expedition will face a real threat: Kel'Thuzad and his undead minions. Like the Beyond the Dark Portal event chain, all the battles happen in events: any party member may be wounded, maimed, or even killed… Ominously, the undead won't touch Arthas, as if they have something planned for him.
Ultimately, the necromancer will die. His last words will guide Arthas to Stratholme where he has to stop Mal'Ganis and make his first important decision. The city is infected and you will have 3 options: Purge, Evacuate, or Quarantine.
The Purge: your soldiers enter the city and kill both the living and dead. This action will give a small chance of preventing the Plague in Stratholme, but the city will lose Development. Such an act will affect your Piety. Also, the expedition will suffer fewer losses. You may encounter Mal'Ganis and accept his invitation to Northrend. This option fits Callous, Sadistic, or Vengeful characters. Compassionate characters will abandon the prince here.
The Evacuation: your soldiers enter the city and save the few uninfected citizens. The expedition suffers hard losses. Though the city is plagued, the expedition will save a couple of thousand people. Eventually, you’ll find Mal'Ganis and may continue the event chain. This option fits Compassionate characters.
The Quarantine: your soldiers close the gates and don't let anyone pass. The expedition suffers medium losses. The city is overwhelmed by the Plague. Since no one enters the city, you don't meet Mal'Ganis and can't sail to Northrend. This option may fit the rest of the characters.
After Arthas makes his decision, his companions will be able to leave him if the decision goes against their traits. For example, kind characters like Uther and Jaina will quit if Arthas decided to Purge the city. Such "betrayals" will increase Arthas' stress.
If Arthas meets Mal'Ganis, he may chase the dreadlord to the arctic lands of Northrend. After this decision, there's no turning back for Arthas and most of his servants. It is in Northrend that their true destiny will unfold. Soon Terenas finds out about Arthas' venture and may send an emissary after him.
Upon arriving, Arthas runs into Muradin who tells him about the blade of Frostmourne, a powerful magical artifact of suspicious origin.
A few days after, if Terenas sends an emissary, the ships arrive to recall the expedition back to Lordaeron. There are 2 possible options: Burn the Ships, blocking a possibility to escape the frozen wastes, or Let them Run, allowing your companions to stay or return home.
Arthas – driven by mad visions, vengeance, and despair – takes the cursed blade. The blade knocks Muradin out of his consciousness. Arthas goes to kill Mal'Ganis and disappears in the snowfall to be reborn as the Lich King.
Frostmourne
As an interlude, let's talk about Frostmourne and its special mechanics. In addition to generic weapon modifiers like Prowess, Natural Dread, the cursed blade has special soul mechanics. Every character killed with it increases Frostmourne’s strength. Moreover, it allows the resurrection of the killed, changing their very personality. If the victim has traits like Just and Compassionate, they are replaced by vile ones: Cynical, Greedy, etc. Also, the wielder of Frostmourne hears Ner'zhul's voice endlessly so there is no way the wielder can refuse the Lich King's commands.
Arthas' Betrayal
If you were loyal enough to follow the mad prince into death's clutches, the mad prince will come for you. Arthas and his undead overwhelm your camp, killing everyone and resurrecting them as obedient servants to the Lord of the Dead.
Followed by his new death knights, he returns to Lordaeron. As he enters the throne room, he pierces his father's heart and orders the undead to cleanse the city from the living. A new era begins; Arthas surrenders the kingdom to Ner'zhul. All the lands touched by the Scourge join the new order under Arthas' command.
That's all for today! We will develop the Third War events further in the future. In the near future, we will focus on the Royal Court adaptation. As always, if you have any feedback, feel free to share it. If you like what we're doing, consider supporting us on Patreon. If you have free time and wish to bring the release closer, we would like to Recruit you. Event arts by Norbert Toth. Thanks for reading and thank you for your continued support! Until next time!
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This Looks Outstanding!!
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