Archibald's General

"Excellent work my general."

- Archibald complementing his general on a victory against Roland's rebellion

The role of Archibald's General is one of two playable roles in the 90's fantasy war game Heroes of Might and Magic 2, the other being Roland's General. While Roland's campaign will put the player in the role of a noble and just general fighting to end the tyrannical reign of Archibald Ironfist, Roland Ironfist's evil brother, if the player decides to fight for ARchibald, he/she will play as murderous warlord. Since this wiki is about antagonists, this page will focus on the events in Archibalds campaign, aka the evil campaign

Prelude to the Sucession Wars
The War began when Lord Ironfist, King of Enroth passed away, leaving behind two sons, Roland a good, kindly and honorable man, and Archibald, a not-so-good man. Enrothian traditions dictated that the heir to the throne would be decided by the Royal Seer, Archibald, fearing he would not be chosen as king, arranged for the seer to be assasinated and appear to have died in a boating accident. The seer had a number of sucessor's, bur Archibald arranged for them to be assasinated as well. Archibald framed Roland for the murders and issued a proclamation against his own brother. Roland had to run away for his safety, leaving Archibald with no political rival, making him King. When Roland discovered that Archibald had become King, he formed a rebellion.

The General comes
Into the frey stepped an unidentified individual who inlisted in Archibald's military, eventually becomming general of the entire army. Archibald first instructions were to force the loyalty of the barons nearest his caste by conquering them.

With the Barons nearest Archibald forced to sumbit to his rule, Archibald sent his minion to conquer various Barbarian tribes to the north, hoping to force them into service.

The Battle with the Barbarians was a success, but Archibald was forced to make a decision, Roland had formed an alliance with the Dwarf King, at the same time, he also received a plea for help from the Necromancer's guild who were being besieged by the Wizard's guild, allied with Roland. The player can choose to either shatter the Dwarven Alliance, or rescue the Necromancer's guild. If the dawraven alliance is shattered, the Dwarf King calls the general Dwarf-Bane and hopes that he/she suffers in hell upon death. The King of the Ogres however is impressed by this and pledges loyalty to Archibald. If the Necromancer's guild is rescued, the Nercomancer's send their undying loyalty to Archibald and send their undead armies to aid him.

The Moral Choice
"General, this is Roland, your rightful king. I have a proposal for you. Come and fight on my side. You and I both know that you are wrong to work for my evil brother. It must gnaw at your conscience to know that you serve an unjust usurper, and for what reward? Money? I can give you money too. I offer not just riches, but honor, duty, and purpose. Come join me and serve the cause of justice. Now, what say you?"

- Roland, giving Archibald's general a betrayal offer

Archbiald then ordered his general to crush 2 Barons who had defected to the rebellion, after receiving the orders, the genral was contacted by Roland who offered the general a chance to betray Archibald and serve Roland. The general rejected the offer, and with the aid of two of Archibald's allies, crushed the Barons.

On the flip side however this act can also be done by Roland's General, for in the good campaign, Archibald offers that character a betrayal offer to. If Roland's general accepts, he/she becomes the Archibald's General this page is about. The player playing the evil campaign can also accept Roland's offer.

The Final move
"My pet necromancer overheard your conversation with my brother. You chose wisely. My brother doesn't stand a prayer of winning this war, and your head would have joined his on the chopping block. But don't fear. If you continue to serve me well I will reward you with an Earldom at my brother's summer palace. Now to business. The peasants that plow my fields are staging a rebellion directed by Roland's men. I am directing you to put this rebellion down and capture the leaders of the rebellion. I am sending lord Corlagon to aid you in your fight."

- Archibald commenting of his general declining Roland's offer

With the victory over the barons, Archibald congradulated his minion on decling Roland's offer, and ordered him/her to crush a peasent rebellion lead by Roland's men. When the peasents were crushed, Archibald then moved his forces to conquer the rural lands surrounding Roland's summer palace, and gave his general the optional mission of recruiting the Dragon King to his cause. Should the player decide to take that mission, Archibald's dark armies will be reinforced with Dragons.

After more successful conquerings and an optional search for the ultimate artifact, Archibald and his general then proceeded to besiege Roland's ummer palace. Despite a valiant defense, Archibald's army of orcs, monsters and undead proved to much and Roland was defeated.