#Helledryn is just said to be tough gal but we don't actually ever get to see her do the tough stuff

[snarksandsarcasm]

Styx: Shards Of Darkness

Sorting The Shards Into A Useful Picture

SoD features A LOT of events, quite a few characters but not so many clear motivations and even less connected boss fights. As with the MoS timeline, I will rather present a cohesive explanation of what happened, filling in some blanks and trying to connect things in a more satisfactory way.

After the fall of Akenash, Styx made his way down the mountain range and rivers towards the more temperate climates of the lush but wet city of Thoben. He arrived there mere months after the incident and has stayed there ever since. 

Day 1 - Early Evening

Styx completes a small job for Ephron and heads out to meet him and settle the deal. 

After Ephron leaves, a CARNAGE squad has Styx surprised, but instead of killing him, their leader Helledryn offers a deal. She wants the scepter given to human Ambassador Arsidi in exchange for quite a few bottles of Amber. Styx accepts. He will join the Ambassadors airship and deliver the scepte to Helledryn, who is following behind on her own private airship.

Styx has been in Thoben for decades and has earned himself a reputation for being an excellent thief and assassin that doesn’t ask to many questions. Helledryn has thus come to hear about him, possibly via Ephron, and decided to engage his services.

Ambassador Arsidi collects resources from Thoben, a trading hub in the region, about once a month. He has been here already, but his men return to grab a delayed delivery. Styx uses that chance to hop onto that airship (via a box) and join the main vessel. (Alternatively: Styx triggers an alarm upon his approach to the airship which then leaves immediately. He instead nicks a small transporter airship and follows the larger vessel.)

Day 2 - Morning

After making his way onto the main vessel, Styx finds the Ambassador dead hidden inside a cupboard. Without concern he proceeds to the scepters location. 

Arsidi shows up and inserts a pure Quartz into the scepter. Styx’s attack fails and Arsidi shapeshifts into his true form, dark elf Djarak. They have a short confrontation that ends with Styx being thrown out of the windows, Djarak turning into a human guard and blaming a goblin to have taken the scepter. 

Styx admits defeat and retreats, using a small air balloon to join Helledryn’s ship nearby. Djarak remains on the airship as Ambassador Arsidi.

Same Day - Afternoon

Styx failed his assignment. But considering he now has a personal score to settle with Djarak, he is happy to make up for his mistake and help Helledryn further (with additional favours charged, of course).

We learn that Helledryn is interested in politics (and its effect on her career) and knowing what goes on before everyone else will put her at a distinct advantage. The scepter served as invitation to a secret summit held inside the walls of Korrangar by Lyssril, their leader.

So Styx is dropped off nearby and makes his way inside. He forges the expected incoming vessels to include Helledryn’s ship and secures a general entry pass, provided to all foreigners to Korrangar.

Once inside, Helledryn proceeds on her airship to a mooring place, while Styx has a first look around to find out more about Djarak.

Styx learns that Djarak was expelled, but again seen a couple of days ago inside Korrangar. The other elves despise him openly and display their general hatred towards foreigners and their willingness to kill

Our goblin is at the right time at the right place and witnesses a very special ritual: “The Glorious Blood”. Under the eyes of Lyssril, their leader, and Maolak, their high priestess, the two most accomplished male warriors fight each other to death. The winner is being sacrificed to Lakima, a large mysterious underground critter.

Before Styx returns to Helledryn’s airship, he comes by an Amber storeroom. He learns that Lyssril provides her people with a daily dose of Amber and that those who refuse to take it, are being ostracized, punished, expelled or even killed for their disobedience. Djarak falls into this category. Amber allows a shared mind, one that Lyssril aims to exploit and steer in any way she likes. Styx wonders where the Amber comes from, since they are still on human territory and Akenash’s Amber production has stopped 45 years ago. 

Coming back to “home”, Styx and Helledryn rest for the night. 

Day 3 - Morning

It is the day of the Ambassadors summit. Helledryn has under some sort of pretence managed to find out who was invited to the meeting: Mahrlok (and his son Arkail) for the orcs of the South, the dwarf Ambassador. and several human Ambassadors, notably from the two biggest kingdoms under the human Empire, Catfish and Solares, the latter being represented by Aaron Barimen (not yet known to Styx).

Djarak has initially taken on the form of Ambassador Arsidi in order to get in but thanks to Styx’s meddling with various entry passes, Arsidi is forced to stay outside the Sanctum. So Djarak takes over the Catfish Ambassador instead for the summit itself. Styx will do some digging and find out who it is, so that Helledryn can flush him into Styx’s direction.

To allow Helledryn access into the Inner Sanctum, the place of the summit, Styx steals a special pass (that even Kastesil have to carry if they want access) and a female guard uniform that will allow her to pass off as a dark elf.

Upon reaching the outer Sanctum, Styx passes the items over to Helledryn. She managed to get that far when other outsiders are nearly killed for trespassing. We are not told how she achieves this, but she might have some Amber on hand to do a little bit of convincing here and there (easy enough on an Amber addicted population), use stealth herself or simply violence to get past an obstacle.

The Sanctum houses the Catfish and Solares embassies. Eavesdropping on the elves leads Styx to the dead body of the Catfish Ambassador. With that information he returns to Helledryn.

The summit starts. Lyssril demonstrates how the scepter with a crystal of pure Quartz can serve as magical weapon against the Green Plague. The energy of the Quartz has an effect on the Amber creature, freezes it and forces it to do anything the wielder of the scepter commands. She offers the Quartz scepters to the people of the continent for free and invites them to use it to catch goblins alive. She further promises to buy those goblins from them with gold. She does not explain why and the summit ends the moment Helledryn tries to get Djarak in disguise to come outside. Djarak knows he has been spotted, reveals himself and tries to assassinate Lyssril. Her bodyguards stop him, injure him and force him to retreat.

Djarak’s injury bleeds and he leaves a trail behind, which Styx follows. They have a small confrontation during which Styx manages to steal Djarak’s small Quartz necklace. With that in his hands, Styx is satisfied and leaves without any further action. 

Both, Styx and Helledryn, return to her airship and Djarak goes back into hiding.

Helledryn states her confusion over the nature of the summit but she must have anticipated something of this kind. Styx rightfully suggests she ponders over her future career options.

Day 4 - Morning

Having seen the demonstration of the Quartz at the summit, Styx is greatly interested in that power and he uses his alchemistic skills to have a look at Djarak’s necklace. It may be smaller, but radiates more power than that of the Quartz scepters. Consumption of it’s finely ground powder allows Styx to develop his skills greatly. Djarak revealed that they mine it below Korrangar, so Styx ventures down there to get some more Quartz.

After going through the barracks of the mining operation, he stumbles into Lakima, the worshipped critter the elves sacrifice their very best warriors to. Somehow this giant creature takes Quartz crystals and imbues them with their improved magical powers to subdue Amber creatures. 

Because Styx has no sense of self-preservation, he takes on Lakima and kills her. Her death is very soon discovered by the elves, and because Styx cannot keep his mouth shut, they are now looking for a talking goblin. 

Styx returns to Helledryn, ready to go home with the Quartz he has secured for himself.

Same Day - Afternoon

The death of Lakima has put all of Korrangar on alert. It is not so much directed at the foreigners but they do feel an even rougher side of the elves as they already have. Helledryn warns Styx that he cannot stay on her airship. The elves have put everyone on lockdown and all airships are thoroughly searched. He needs to be smuggled out. She heard that the Korrangar goblin prison is connected to Wildoran by the foot of the Korrangar cliff. If he was to blend in with the other rakash, Helledryn can in elven disguise assist him with his gear. 

So Styx ditches his his clothes (except for his underwear), lets himself be delivered to the elves, thrown into prison and starts his way home.

Styx learns that pure Quartz crystals are installed throughout Korrangar for the Quartz weapons to be recharged and he decides to take each and every single one of them. Even stark naked.

Day 5 - Morning

In Wildoran, Styx has two options to return to Thoben. Use the Thoben airship that happens to be moored here, or have a boat deliver him back. Dropping by the airship he learns that the airship captain is in prison and that he lost his ownership title to another guy. Styx drops by the prison and finds out that the captain is Ephron. The dealer started to sell goblins to the elves and delivered his first batch to Wildoran two days ago, but got himself in prison after an “argument” over a lost game of cards. If Styx can recover his ownership letter for his airship (and free him from behind bars) he would be happy to take Styx back to Thoben. 

Even though Lyssril only offered the scepters to the other peoples two days ago, she has for some time now, bought goblins from hunters everywhere. If goblins can make easy money this surely is being spread around. Helledryn, earning her money and career as goblin slayer and not goblin seller, must have noted this. After all, the increase of freelance hunters cause less goblins to be slayed by CARNAGE, decreasing her income and career prospects. This is the reason of her taking such lengths to get into the summit.

Styx steals the ownership papers from Ephron’s playing partner and returns with Ephron on his airship to Thoben. (Alternative: Styx ignores Ephron and simply grabs the drunken Captain he played against and drags him to his (water) ship for a forced ride back home to Thoben).

Once back in Thoben, Styx returns to his old ways, cursing Helledryn for not showing up with her promised Amber.

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3 Weeks Later

Day 1 - Evening

Helledryn had to leave her airship in Korrangar but managed to leave regardless. Making her way back to Thoben took her quite some time as she had to take the land route there. She had left her squad and resources in Thoben, but by the time she returns, Grab-Jack and Arlock preferred to deal goblins with the elves, deserting CARNAGE. Bringing the Quartz weapons to Thoben in the last three weeks allowed them both to take over the Thoben Guild. The other members of Helledryn’s CARNAGE squad joined serving under them. However, the locals have found Helledryn to be an impressive woman and wonder where she went and agree how much better a leader she’d be compared those two idiots.

Helledryn manages to meet Styx in his hideout, after contacting Ephron again. She reports to Styx about the lost loot, herself angry and drunk. No more CARNAGE job for her, no more people to command and a dept to a speaking goblin who she would have killed without hesitation 4 weeks prior to all this.

Styx is pissed also. He ventures out to kill those two traitors and hopes to convince Helledryn to take on the Guild leadership.

Both, Grab-Jack and Arlock have enemies of their own, that with a bit of deliberate interference by Styx, end up doing the dirty work for the goblin.

Upon his return to his hideout, Styx finds Helledryn unconscious and tied. Before noticing the presence of the two dark elves, he gets knocked out himself. 

Day 2 - Early Morning

He remains unconscious until he is back in Korrangar, where he is being tied and hung up inside the chambers of the Rite Of Passage. His blood will be spilled for the victors of this ritual.

The Rite Of Passage marks the beginning of adulthood for the young Kastesils. When coming to age, they must go through a series of bloody and possibly lethal trials, that will test their strength, agility, faith and so, before they are accepted as worthy adults. The Elders, quite literally the older generation, are present to not just oversee the young ones. but to also test their reactions and defense. They kill any unsuspecting young one unless the young one fights and strikes the killing blow first.

Styx is released from his bound state by a knife thrown at the rope. He cannot see who it was at this point and to find out he will need to open the large gate and leave this area. So he follows the young ones and goes through each trial in order to open the gate. 

In one trial, Styx finds Helledryn. She does not need rescuing from the cage she is in, however, she asks if Styx could take care of a large troll in the vicinity, which he does. She reminds the goblin that her airship is still moored in Korrangar and so Styx leaves her behind to proceed. 

After completing the trials, Styx opens and sneaks through the gate. He is being awaited by none other than Djarak, the shape shifting dark elf. Styx does not trust him but has no choice but to listen to him and form an alliance. They retreat to Helledryn’s airship, still moored in the same spot.

Djarak informs Styx that Lyssril can control creatures of Amber. It is not clear how she does so. Styx is an exception due to his advanced training and experience, however, she can sense his location. That is why he was found in Thoben. This becomes a problem for Styx, as he really values his privacy and freedom. 

The dark elf explains further that the fragile coalition between dwarfs and dark elves have allowed Lyssril to advance her schemes. Mining the Quartz, catching the goblins, securing the Amber… it was all possible due to the support of the dwarfs. To take Lyssril down, it is important to break that allianz. He suggest to have the dwarf ambassador killed in such a way that the elves are to blame. Styx agrees.

Djarak does more research on his own, regarding Lyssril’s large reserves of Amber to supply all her people with.

Styx leaves to find Maolak inside the Sanctum and steal her sacred ceremonial dagger. 

The Ambassadors of Catfish and Solares are still housed in the Sanctum and it is there that Styx runs into Aaron Barimen again. After letting Aaron go in Akenash, he now corrects his mistake and kills him here.

On the way to the dwarf embassy, Styx comes by the orc embassy and witnesses Mahrlok berating his son, Arkail, for having needlessly smashed an elf’s head. 

Since the dwarf Ambassador is always surrounded by his bodyguards, Styx decides to lure him out into a more secluded area with a fake offer of cheap Quartz. They meet there, Styx kills him and leaves Maolak’s dagger behind.

Styx pilfers a paper in dwarf language about some sort of machine and shows it to Djarak upon his return.

(Not shown in the game) Meanwhile, Helledryn has managed to get out of the cage as she told Styx. She manages to take over one the guards again and dress as a dark elf to sneak out via the prison - Wildoran route. She reaches there the next morning.

Day 3 - Morning

Djarak has had a look at the paper and tells Styx that it is a machine that can produce Amber. Styx has heard the dwarfs talk about a machine as well when he was out the day before. The dark elf wants to destroy it so that Lyssril has no more Amber to subdue his people but Styx is against it. He loves Amber. Djarak swears on the power of Quartz and promises Styx that he would be free from the need to consumer Amber if he only embraced it. So Styx reluctantly agrees to help destroy the machine, sitting below the prison of Korrangar.

First, he will need to find himself some explosives strong enough to create such destruction. Djarak knows where to find them: dwarven made, in Wildoran.

Styx has little trouble collecting three bombs in Wildoran. The dwarfs have already heard of the death of their Ambassador and are leaving Wildoran, ready and eager for a war. 

Back in Korrangar, by the prison, Styx places the three bombs in strategic locations in order to destroy Lyssril’s Amber resources: One by the underground connection to Wildoran to stop new rakash from coming in, one by the laboratories, so that the blood Amber drawn cannot be distilled or further distributed to smaller, consumable portions, and one in the heart of the Amber reserve itself. 

While Djarak looks at the destruction as a way to free his people from Lyssril’s authoritarian rule, Styx’s heart bleeds at the loss of Amber.

Since the death of the dwarf Ambassador just about 24 hours ago, the elves killed all dwarves inside Korrangar. All foreigners, namely the Ambassadors and their staff in their newly established embassies, have left. And among them, to the disappointment of the Kastesil, Lyssril with her bodyguards. Many lament the lack of her soothing thoughts and fear she betrayed them, that Djarak was right after all.

The exhausting day ends and Djarak and Styx return to Helledryn’s airship for some rest.

(Not in the game) Helledryn being separated from Styx and officially out of his dept, takes whatever airship or boat to return to Thoben.

Day 4 - Early Morning

Styx congratulates Djarak on his stupid plan: Free the elves by creating a war. Djarak defends his position, claiming that his people are strong and prefer death over slavery to a dictator and he confirms again that Lyssril has left Korrangar. Styx thinks he better do the same before the dwarfs appear to stomp down the whole cliff. Djarak is eager to join. He does not reveal to Styx why, but it seems likely that he wants to pursue Lyssril instead of being caught in the war on the ground. Styx agrees. He doesn’t say why either, but considering that Lyssril is still alive she may still be able to sense him and that means no freedom just yet. Thus working with Djarak or assisting him means faster results.

Strong, sudden rumbling of the ground catches their attention. Assuming it is the dwarfs, they hurry to get the airship out of Korrangar.

They find the exit blocked, however, by a large stone golem. A gift by the dwarfs, that is now destroying the city from the inside. Whatever the deal between Lyssril and the dwarfs was, it does not appear to have been very solid and the dwarfs feared betrayal and thus, took some preventive measures.

Djarak suggests shooting it with the two ballistas installed. Styx one, Djarak one. Styx doubts for a moment but lets himself be convinced. He leaves the airship, reaches his side within a couple seconds and shoots at the golem, exposing his energy core in his chest.

Looking over to Djarak, Styx sees him being covered by falling rocks. With a curse and a sigh Styx takes it upon himself to fire the second ballista also. 

I makes his way over, collecting some more precious pure Quartz on the way. 

When he attempts to fire the ballista he notices that it has been booby-trapped. The golem makes an attack but Styx evades and fires again. Successfully this time. The golem falls and opens up the passage to the outside. 

To Styx’s surprise his airship moves on its own! He hurries to jump on board.

Outside of Korrangar, Styx drops down onto the deck and makes his way towards the wheel, to find Djarak alive and well standing by it. Styx readies his small crossbow and points it at the dark elf. “Djarak, this is the last time you are going to bug me.”

THE END

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(Not in the game) Helledryn managed to reach Thoben. She follows up on her men, learns that Grab-Jack and Arlock are dead and that the Guild is currently in turmoil over its new leadership. Having earned some respect upon her visit before engaging Styx’s services, she seizes the opportunity to take over. Thus becoming the head of the Thoben Guild for many years to come. 

(Not in the game) Styx manages to find Lyssril and Maolak and kills them both, to permanently regain his privacy.

(Not in the game) Djarak returns and leads the remaining people of his into a new era. I think the dwarfs let go of the elves after their defeat at their secret present.