It is your duty and your honor to serve and protect the Shattered Lands from the evil that pervades it. Although you are not searching for trouble, it tends to find you nonetheless. Your story begins as you journey through a mysterious portal from the Plane of Justice, and find yourself standing in the middle of a strange village in the Qeynos Hills. There appears to be something amiss as you see the guards are quite agitated and an alarm has been sounded. It appears there is a rather large and nasty Gnoll atop a nearby hill, and he is threatening the inhabitants of this quiet little village. And he is not alone. His name is Fippy Darkpaw, and he is determined to slay the villagers for violating his homeland. The guards of this town are in terror and fear they will not succeed. They beg you to help them with your battle expertise... to which you agree. After a devastating battle where many casualties lay all about, you have followed Fippy's trail as he cravenly ran from the field when he saw he could not win. He leads you into the lair of Neesrat the Orc Seer, who reveals that he was behind Fippy Darkpaw’s attack on the village. Filled with the confidence that only a misguided Orc can have, Neesrat sends his warriors against you with only the one thought of winning. Loss is unacceptable to an Orc, you see.

The orcs swarm over you, but you have experience and desperation on your side. The battle is bloody, for sure, but more theirs than yours. As you stand over the dying form of Neesrat, you feel the earth shake beneath your feet. You look up to find yourself staring into the eye of Droon the Cyclops, who was apparently quite fond of "poor wizard man", Neesrat. Droon looks to crush you beneath his giant feet, and as you look upwards to the sky and face your foe, you realize just how small you are in comparison. Cyclops, while not necessarily intelligent, are extremely difficult to prevail against. They are large and lumbering, and use their might as only a big, slow race can. Therefore, the battle is long and hard, and you have many close calls dodging the large creature's blows. Fortunately, your size is also a difficulty for him, as you are swift and not so easily caught. You finally outwit Droon, and after escaping him you move into a cave nearby. As you come into an opening towards the rear of the cave, you see the grisly sight of remains on the walls, floors, and in niches, creating a particularly frightening aura. As you look up, you see bats hanging from the ceiling, and before you can wonder about the nature of the cave, the silky voice of a woman welcomes you into her lair. "I am Syrina," she says. You feel the chill in your blood as you turn and face this new threat. You have entered the lair of a vampire, it seems, and you are uncertain that you will leave this place alive. Syrina invites you to stay, as if you have a choice in the matter, and reveals to you the hopeless situation you are now in. Curse those villagers and their begging for your help!

In the caves below Karana, you engage in battle against this undead foe. Healing herself when she draws your blood, the challenge is only beginning. Her minions come to life around you; what you once thought was merely the leftovers of her previous meals you discover are the grisly warriors of her horde. You are fortunate that you have the right of might on your side, for her hypnotic voice threatens to lull you into submission. After yet another long and harrowing battle, you prevail against your enemy in a mighty clash. Syrina finally succumbs to your sword, and you find your way out of the frightening caves and into the fresh air of the fields of Karana. Your attention is quickly caught by the sight of a lone, robed figure up ahead. While he appears friendly with his wave and a nod in greeting, you are cautious nonetheless.

Upon approaching the figure, you realize that he is marked with the sign of The Seventh Hammer, and you listen to his message. He has brought word from home of Droon the Cyclops' rage over your escape, and beseeches you to travel to Rivervale to face your enemy once and for all before continuing to Qeynos. The Tribunal is expecting this of you, and therefore you realize that to do less would be unacceptable. You change direction and eventually find signs of the big creature, following his footsteps to the raging center of destruction himself. The Cyclops sees you and issues his challenge, which you stand and face with courage. At the very least, you will uphold your oath to The Tribunal even if your death becomes part the bargain. After finally defeating Droon, you resume your journey to Rivervale. You find Firiona Vie at the local inn, and she is anxious to set out for Qeynos. Leaving the community and the safety of its haven behind, you lead Firiona back through Karana when you are suddenly besieged by two hounds of Chaos, the dual-headed creatures of Kesla the Sorcerer. The Iksar steps out from his hiding place to face you and threatens to take Firiona's life as a gift to his Master. While realizing that you are outnumbered, you know that you must protect Firiona at all costs. The hounds begin to circle...

Here begins the first chapter of Legends of Norrath: The Oathbound. Throughout this introductory part of the game, you are given a familiarity of the basics via an increasingly difficult set of opponents to conquer. However, you do not need to destroy the avatars themselves; you can work to complete four of the quests. The second encounter with Droon the Cyclops is optional, and therefore not required to unlock the next challenge. And only the last challenge has a requirement other than destroying the opponent's avatar or completing the four quests: protect Firiona Vie, who begins in play and without protection.

It's definitely a great story, where you get to be the hero and conquer a variety of enemies. They do become more challenging as you advance, but the real challenge is in defeating them in the various difficulties provided. There are 3 level settings: easy, medium, and hard. And you can challenge each with the different archetypes at the various difficulty settings, obtaining a reward each time you complete it the first time with each combination.

Next time we'll take a look at Chapter 2: The Black Burrow Ruse in the Oathbound Campaign, and explore some various tactics in game play. Until then... watch out for the raging Cyclops!

Maggie "AutumnKiss" Olsen
Senior Editor, ZAM Network