Knights & Mages (The Illustrated Edition) Read online

  Knights & Mages

  The Bretunian Tactics

  Kindle Edition

  With Illustrations

  (Version 1.2)

  Thomas Lim

  My manuscripts

  TACTICS ANTHEM: The First Book of Lore [Paperback]

  Tactician & Camelot Compendium [Kindle]

  Swamp of Nightwatch: Camelot’s Armor of Light Part I

  (Graphic Novelette on Amazon Kindle)

  Relevant Kindle titles by Lady Antiva

  Knighthood: The Camelot Prophecies Vol 1

  Dragonlord: The Camelot Prophecies Vol 2

  Mercenaries: The Camelot Prophecies Vol 3

  Camelot Tactician

  Artifacts: Armor of Light Quest #2

  Artifacts II: Armor of Light Quest #3

  Coming Soon

  Shard of Galahad: Armor of Light Quest #4

  Guildmaster: The Camelot Prophecies Vol 4

  Night’s Pentagram: Camelot’s Armor of Light Part II

  (Graphic Novelette)

  © 2012 Camelot Hobbies. All rights reserved.

  www.camelothobbies.com.sg

  Author Website:

  http://www.tactics-anthem.com

  Facebook Fanpage:

  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Armor-of-Light-Tactics-Anthem/216339255065200

  Related Free-to-Play Online-game of this Property:

  www.tacticsanthem.com

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Greetings!

  The Camelot Tactician

  Bretunia

  Mercenaries

  Magical Arts

  Knighthood

  * * * * *

  Greetings Adventurer!

  I would like to introduce you to Lady Antiva, the new Makidon Guildmaster, who is the co-author of this manuscript. Lady Antiva has spared no effort researching into the Lore of Camelot and of Bretunia to aid me in putting this volume together. I have her to thank for assembling the Tactics used in the Torpann Camp, where Master Skeentip has been keeping watch on the trainee Tacticians.

  You can identify Lady Antiva from afar. She is entrusted with the Guild Fellowship Staff, a tall slender rod of gold metal, encrusted with complex runes, impeccably carved, some small enough to cover with a finger yet more complex than a spider’s web. The top of the Staff is curled into a fanciful hook, a symbol of unity and brotherhood. Write to her at [email protected] and I am sure she will be happy to share her travel notes, drawings, sketches and previews with you!

  The Camelot Tactician

  Excerpt from ‘The Prologue’ …

  Welcome to the world of Tactics Anthem, where duelists pit their skills in order to scale the ranks of the Tactician. Here in Bretunia, you can stand apart or delve right into the thick of the action.

  The constant barking of dogs at the back of the alley roused Gareth from his slumber. The tactician-in-training was not particularly happy. He shook his head vigorously, trying to clear away remnants from his dreamscape where he stood battling a ferocious fire-spouting red-dragon alongside his hero, Sir Gawain of Camelot. There, just moments ago in his dreamland – he was the legendary Sir Gareth. Here, he was a nobody – at least for now. True – he had passed the initial trials and could pass-off as a Junior Tactician; but in this trade – one needs to attain the rank of at least a Section Tactician and be enrolled in the Tactician’s Guild to be of any weight. That – you sighed, is still eighteen months away, and it remains to be seen if you will be bequeath with a credible minion section and strong Tactics.

  This is how your story and journey started. Let us observe how a typical Tactics Anthem battle takes place for you – the account being scribed in Tactician: Tactics Anthem Chronicles.

  “I will duel you - Ginerawa.” You bellowed. “If I win, you will leave tomorrow this place at first dawn. And if I lose, know that I shall be back again within a week to challenge you again. Ginerawa the Durn leader laughed. “So it shall be. Let us begin!” Within seconds, your section had readied itself, and so had the Durns.

  Taking some paces backwards, both of you retreated behind your respective sections, and with a shout, Ginerawa launched the first volley. “Enrage!” Every nerve within you instantly became energized, and raising your staff, you belt out “Nullify” – and the rain of what seemed to be a blanket of air daggers froze midway, and clanked harmlessly on the field. Ginerawa seemed surprised that you managed to negate his opening tactic rather effortlessly, and decided to end the tactics phase, and enter the combat phase instead.

  “Star Trio – deploy!” the Durn leader commanded. Five warriors rushed forward, three skilled scouts and two adept rangers – only to be stopped by your star deployment “Starburst” – brilliantly bringing the first tactics turn to a close…

  The Durn battle is certainly a most challenging full-blown Tactics duel. Ginerawa masterfully wielded a vast range of tactics, each offensive spell threatening to crush your section.

  You parried and dodge, and soon began to be accustomed to the rhythm of this duel.

  You managed to turn the tide around the fifteenth turn, and using a few calculated (and lucky) moves, forced the Initiative by deploying your Solo Red Master Warrior. That done, you set up two Duo deployments in quick succession… finishing Ginerawa off with a fatal “Dragon Star” deployment.

  Tactics Anthem is a new generation of online trading-card battle system. Its revolutionary gameplay uses a twin-deck duel mechanism and focuses heavily on battle formations over the conventional attack strength of an individual creature. Set amidst the conflict post King Arthur and Morgana in Bretunia, see the game world come alive, as you walk the streets of Camelot. Gameplay is simple and yet challenging to master, with fantastic replay value. The twin-deck battle system allows you to build unique strategies, which, up until now, has never been possible. With no scores or points to keep, winning is a matter of deploying your entire minion hand into victory across the opponent’s battlefield. You can play the game for free at:

  http://www.tactics-anthem.com

  We shall now examine the 100 Tactics commonly used by Tacticians in Bretunia, and also examine the beautiful isle that many have chosen to dwell - a land valiant warriors and mercenaries alike, have seen it profitable to die for, by reading the accounts that have been carefully researched for us by Loremaster Porthios, Chief Librarian of Castle Camelot…

  * * * * *

  Greetings!

  It is an awesome task for even I, Porthios - chief scribe and LoreMaster of the King’s Library to fulfill. What started out as a simple Lore Journal has now evolved to become ‘The Lore of Erets’. The Liege Cador wishes the book completed before the next spring - but our Highness did not lived to see the beauty this autumn heralded. In fact, he passed on without even seeing the first draft. King Constantine bids me to publish the manuscripts in sections for fear it may never be completed. Frankly, I find his lack of faith rather unwarranted...

  The grey clouds are forming east of Camelot. The nights are fast becoming chilly - too cold for my poor old bones to handle. Only the light of the candle accompanies me through this, yet another weary night. Prince Uriel’s un-announced departure three morns ago has left his majesty badly shaken. The questing knights have not returned. Queen Variana has since reported to be ill beyond remedy by the Imperial Physicians. The bleakness darkens into abysmal night.

  Yet I labor on - these manuscripts shall be the first entries in this ‘Lore of Erets’. I owe Lady Yvenne, the Bretunic Makidon Guildmaster a debt of gratitude for her help rendered in compiling these first sections. I rest my thoughts in the comfort of knowing these writings shall outlive me to bring hope to generations to come...


  Dated this 15 day of the Crest Watch

  Porthios

  LoreMaster

  Bretunia - Introduction

  by Lady Yvenne, Makidon Guildmaster

  The Kingdom of Bretunia consists of many islands besides the Bretunic mainland itself. Although relatively small in size to a great many other mighty empires in the world, Bretunia exerts a political influence out of proportion to its diminutive size.

  Few in the world now would not recognize the name of Bretunia’s current reigning monarch, King Constantine Pendragon, or his illustrious predecessors, in especial King Arthur Pendragon, whose valiant exploits are legendary. Long has Bretunia been called to use her diplomatic skills to appease wars or her battle skills to aid the brethren.

  Politics aside, however, Bretunia is a beautiful land of its own merit. The capital city of Camelot, within which the Royal Family’s own Castle Camelot stands, is the jewel in the eye of the scabbard. Like all major Bretunic cities, Camelot is a center for trade and industry; but, more importantly, it is also the major center for learning. Veteran tradesmen of all kinds gather within Camelot’s high walls to school young aspirants; every year thousands graduate from the various guilds and spread out over the land to educate others. The most powerful Guildhouses in Bretunia are the Fighters’ Guild, the Mages’ Guild and the Makidons’ Guild. These control the numbers and education of hundreds of thousands of young scholars all over Bretunia. There is, admittedly, a great deal of rivalry among the Guilds; but I am pleased to say that, in times of trouble, this animosity is put aside for worthier causes, and the three Guilds function as a single indomitable entity to protect Bretunia’s interests.

  This concludes my introduction. There are however a great many other wondrous sights in Bretunia, which I will leave for my more eloquent colleague and friend, Lady Makidon Antiva, to tell you.

  * * * * *

  Bretunia - Camelot

  by Lady Makidon Antiva, Senior High Guildsman

  My dear friend and Makidon Guildmaster Yvenne has, no doubt, filled you in on a few glorious facts about our capital city of Camelot; its great ambition to train the scholars of tomorrow, for one thing; perhaps also the fame and majesty of its resident overseer, King Constantine. It fills me with great joy that I am given the task of unveiling the rest of our fair city to you.

  And now that the polite noises and silly diplomatic tip-toeing are over, let’s get down to the interesting parts, shall we?

  Camelot is the largest city in Bretunia. Although it has no port of its own, three small port-towns do all their business transactions and administration in Camelot. Camelot accepts several hundred sailors from all over Bretunia - indeed, all over the world - into her embrace every day. Sailors, might I point out, are not solely seamen. Being a seaman is an occupation - being a sailor is a way of life. Centered on this way of life are certain inevitable traditions; which businessmen are too happy to cater to, and sailors too happy to follow.

  First up on the list are the taverns. Most of Camelot’s taverns are situated along the main road leading from the southeast gate, which faces the sea, the ports, and the hundreds of potential customers who have languished at sea quite alcohol-less for whole days. The inns and taverns boast such inspiring names as `The Hearty Harlot’ and `The Lusty Wench’. All these serve the usual selection of ales, meads, beers and watery wine, give or take an ounce of ditchwater.

  Of course there is also the red-light district. Although the taverns and inns are more or less situated quite conveniently to take advantage of impromptu midnight customers, the real bargaining goes on in the dark alleys between the pubs and taverns. Although soldiers have raided this area time and time again, this does not seem to hinder profits in any way.

  The sailors and their traditions, however, are not solely profitable only to obvious parties, but also - strangely enough - the Fighters’ Guild. The Fighters’ Guild apparently earns an undisclosed percentage of its yearly takings through hiring out bouncers for the taverns. Fighters, after all, tend to wander about a great deal; but wandering does not feed a man well, and showing certain fractious customers the hard side of the pavement close-up pays rather better than waiting for the odd damsel in distress to happen along. Of course, the Knights of Camelot are an exception.

  Aside from the three main Guildhouses of Mage, Makidon and Fighter, there are other smaller Guilds which keep Camelot running - the Guild of Shipwrights, Guild of Armorers, Guild of Animists and Guild of Merchants most notably. There are also Guilds which do not have or need a Guildhouse - the Guild of Thespians and Guild of Bards are the largest of these, and doubtlessly the most mobile of all. For a brief period of time there was also a underground Guild of Assassins, but it soon died out.

  Literally. (It is said that these high-ranking Guild members were far too talented for their own good).

  Camelot is populated by merchants and laborers alike, and both are treated with equal respect by each other. This rather surprising state of affairs apparently stems from a certain hobby among the rich which involves shabby disguises, fake wigs, and a lot of shambling around town with a score of bodyguards following surreptitiously behind. A local tavern owner puts it best - “Ye jist nivver know iffn’ ye’re throwin’ out a bonny-fyde bum, or a rich ol’ fogey jist wantin’ a nite on th’ town. Next thing ye know, th’ whole buggered Royal Army might jist come knockin’ on ye door.”

  * * * * *

  Bretunia - People and Times

  by Sir Andores, Splitspar Knight of the Order of Camelot

  First allow me to point out that I am Lady Makidon Antiva’s youngest brother - which just goes to show you how many eager volunteers Lady Yvenne had for the enviable job of describing Bretunia and her lovely people. Not to say that there are no good people in Bretunia - oh, certainly not. Merely to say that actually telling people about them requires one to have a nice thick suit of armor, a war-axe, and ten years of intensive battle-training to back one up. (See the family resemblance?)

  But now that I’m committed, let’s plunge into this lovely land we call Bretunia. Bretunia has a fairly simple culture - grab a moral, hang on to it, and hurl verbal abuse at anyone who doesn’t share it. Arguments abound about everything - whether women who wear hats are sinning, whether so-and-so is a witch because he has a wart on his left eyelid, whether a decent girl should go around with (gasp) less than thirteen petticoats in her skirts, whether it is blasphemy to sneeze in the temple while the priest is saying the Evening Prayer... and so on.

  Currency in Bretunia consists mainly of coins in different sizes and of different metals. The lowest denomination is a copper coin, a hundred copper coins make up a silver coin, and ten silver coins can be exchanged for one Tactics Coin. Ten Tactics Coins equate one gold piece. After gold pieces just comes more gold pieces; when you have too many gold pieces they are melted into ingots at the Royal Treasury to be re-minted, and all the wealth you’ve saved in that treasury is accounted for by a great deal of paper and a lot of sleepy clerks. It’s not hard to see why there aren’t many banking merchants in Bretunia. The exchange value on jewels, however, depends on the quality of the jewel, or the number of knives being pointed at your throat. Generally a good, fair-sized diamond brings in a thousand gold pieces, or the lives of most of your family and the promise not to burn down your house.

  Bretunians measure time by a simple calendar. One trice is as long as it takes for a person to say `OW!’ after you step on his foot. (There’s an interesting theory of how that was invented, but need we say more?) Ten thousand ‘OWs’ make a watch (roughly equivalent to a watch or 3 hours); there are four watches during the daylight hours and another four at night. The duration of these watches are also affected by the seasons. Dawn is approximate 6am, and other watches are known commonly given the following names :

  Daylight : Dawn, Morn, High Noon, Wane

  Night : Dusk, Twilight, Midnight, Crest

  The years are reckoned by major events in Bretunia and do not correspo
nd exactly with other time-computations of other kingdoms. A century ago, it was the Age of the Pendragons, and before that, the Age of Chivalry spanning almost a millennium. Since the common-folk all over Erets do not generally care about how historian dates the passage of time, amongst themselves, they communicate dates in seasons and years, referring to them as five years ago, next Spring or generically, “Some years ago/from now!”

  * * * * *

  In any case, modern time is ascribed beginning from the year of the birth of The Anointed One, the first Prophet of Elohim; presently it is the year 1512 (Anointa Annum). Years before that timely birth are counted backwards, by (Before Annum). The Anointed One heard The Lord Elohim speak to him at the young age of thirteen, and from then on spread His Holy Name coast to coast among the Bretuns. The Anointed One was falsely accused and put to death by the authorities of the time, and the eyes of the Bretunians were opened, ushering the Age of Grace.