As it had been announced by Abu-Bakir, the Portal of Time was opened exactly at noon, just when the Behemoth constellation was in the zenith. Many heroes had already arrived to the Academy campus, eager to multiply their glory by lending military aid, or just looking for an unusual adventure to partake in.
However, just as the bright essence of the portal shone in its beautiful iridescent glimmering, Warlord Grammith appeared mounted, rushed towards the portal and stood in front of it, obstructing the way. Grammith' mighty silhouette nearly covered the portal shroud completely, leaving only minor parts of it to be seen from afar.
"I thought I made myself clear to the limit, Abu-Bakir", he spoke determinedly, in a cold tone. "Last time when your meddling with time took place, I lost several entire groups of elite trained men. I personally!", he emphasized the word in every possible way, "put my skill, time and effort to train them, and now what? They are waging a war with the empire for many months, and we do not know so much as where they come from! What if we lose our heroes to that portal now, or rather to your avid interest in magical science? Without the regular forces and the heroes, who will protect the Empire?"
Abu-Bakir smiled, neared the warlord and fished a palm-sized crimson orb out of his pocket.
"I remember my promises, Grammith. This is the measure that will ensure everyone safe homecoming!
To prevent unexpected incidents on the other side of the portal, every hero should have one such orb with him or her," Abu-Bakir spoke to the heroes, holding the orb above his head. "They have no known side-effects. More than that, if everything occurs according to plan, you won't even need them, it is just a precaution, should an unforeseen circumstance arise", he nodded at his gremlin engineers, and the nimble creatures started rounding the heroes and giving each of them an orb.
"If you get lost, or cut off from the portal site, break this orb at the ground in front of you".
Abu-Bakir suddenly felt a tug on his mantle. He turned around and noticed a cerberus rubbing all of its three heads against his legs. The wizard knit his brows and tried to step away from the demon hound.
"The released magical energy of portinite will teleport you back to the portal site in the past, all you will have to do then is to step into it - and you're home... Oh... Bad doggy!.. Will you handle him already?!"
The cerberus heads sniffed and licked at the mantle, producing some funny yet obnoxious sounds.
"I am sorry, sir wizard", a demon ran forward and seized the cerberus by the leash, pulling him aside. "He is probably afraid I shall replace his pack with a knight crusader group or with a dwarven ursary detachment in the portal"
"Well, choose wisely, you will have a limited amount of crystals of time at first", Abu-Bakir gifted the demon hero with an advise, and added a portinite orb as a bonus.
With all explanations on the orb effects made, the warlord tempered and stepped away, assenting to the expedition and picking up the role in guiding the heroes.
"Heroes and Lords of the Empire,
the Portal will be sustained until January, 26th inclusive. Every lord of combat level 3 and above is welcome to lend their weapons in an exciting journey into the Past and assist the Academy research group by battling any hostile parties discovered there.
The portal is a sophisticated device that does not allow passing through it under normal conditions. A lord must power the portal, and power any creatures he or she wants to take along into this adventure, with Crystals of time.
Every time traveler will be credited with a starter lot of 350 Crystals of time.
The following limitations exist for all characters:
- Chosen talents have no effect;
- Faction skills and unique racial abilities have no effect;
- Only shop artifacts are acceptable to pass through the portal;
- Enchantments on artifacts have no effect.
Lords may not take their normal armies, instead, they may recruit any playable faction creatures they would like to accompany them in the Past: of one or more factions; basic and upgraded ones simultaneously, no limits. Each creature needs certain amount of Crystals of time to charge them. If creatures of different factions are recruited, their morale will decrease. The 'Hall of Unity' allows preventing the decrease in morale.
Magic spells will also not be carried over through the portals initially. By charging the portal with crystals, lords are able to access any spells of their interest, of any Magic school, at Expert level.
Abu-Bakir guarantees safe return of all lords and ladies, but for the sake of mental stability, limit the number of time travels by 7 per day (unused travels stack up and may be used on later days). Victorious time-travelers earn a good amount of skill points for their current faction, as well as some minor amount of gold. More importantly, every travel earns additional crystals of time that may be used to upgrade magic or to improve recruitment.
The Sentinels of the Past supposedly still count three neutral factions: Recalcitrant Tribes, Templars of the Sun and Amphibians. Study your enemy and remain vigilant; give the use of Crystals of Time enough thought, their clever distribution will be key to your success.
Remember! We are no aggressors no conquerors. Our expedition is purely in the interest of magical sciences. Only enter the portal after obtaining a portinite orb, and use it in case of emergency.
See you... earlier! Meet me in the past!"
Distribute crystals of time »»»
Enlist in battle with the Sentinels of the Past »»»
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