"The Baron Von Tarkin, ruler of the undead kingdom of Korresan, has grown weary - not of his own kingdom, but of the grandeur of the neighboring lands of the living. Out of envy, he has hatched a plan to conquer Channon, a kingdom of Life and a gleaming symbol of everything he has come to despise. They shall make a fine first addition to a new army of the dead."
Prelude to Invasion is the first scenario in the Death March (H4) campaign in Winds of War.
Information[]
"As a prelude to the invasion of Channon, Baron Von Tarkin must clear out the ancient barrowlands that lay along the northern border of Korresan. Their assorted treasures will be needed in later stages of the invasion."
Baron Von Tarkin sends his forces into Qassar, clearing out the Barrows and taking their treasures for himself. In the process, he also kills any of Mysterio the Magnificent's forces that dare stand in his way.
Strategy[]
Baron Von Tarkin starts out with a single Necropolis, and the Death Knight Krik at his side. Von Tarkin will bring Krik along to the next map, so he should be leveled up. There are two neutral Necropolises nearby; the closest is lightly garrisoned and should be captured quickly, the second is more defended and may be harder to conquer. There's also a neutral Academy town nearby, and a quest hut where he can trade 3000 gold and 20 ore for a dark champion.
There are four enemy Academy towns, and two paths they can take to attack: marching in from the north, or taking the ferry to the south. The southern path is guarded by neutral creatures, and a garrison filled with Von Tarkin's skeletons, so they are more likely to come from the north.
The Barrows are treasure-filled caves in the northeastern and northwestern corners, and only heroes can enter them, so they should be leveled up enough to fight without creatures. Any Necromancers that enter can use Necromancy for reinforcements.
None of the enemy towns are too heavily defended, and can be defeated quickly to allow Von Tarkin to concentrate on the Barrows. The problem is that there's a quest hut on the island in the center of the map, reachable through a portal on the northwestern shore. In return for an Amulet of Fear, a Wand of Animating Dead, a Hideous Mask, an Amulet of the Undertaker, and a Wand of Curses, he will give Von Tarkin a Dwarven Hammer, Dwarven Shield, and Ring of Protection that carry over to the next map. Each of the five artifacts can be found in a Barrow, but if all of the enemy cities are held when the last Barrow is visited (not cleared), the map ends - giving Von Tarkin no time to finish the quest. Leaving at least one enemy town alive is the only way to get the artifacts.
With the carryover artifacts in his possession, Von Tarkin can marshal his forces and march on the last enemies.