3rd mission - The Blood-Dimmed Tide M&M: Heroes VI Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
It's time for a goodbye with an island
After defeating Lord Hiroshi we have to take his obligations. Previous Daimio obliged to defend Hashima against the necromancers- now it's Irene's task.
Main quest: The Wrath of Shalassa
Goals: conquer four holy villages before necromancers
Reward: 20000 XP, +2 to magic power, Evercold Icicle (water magic causes 20% damages)
Main quest is a constant chase with the time. First of holy villages (M9,1) is in necromancers hands from the beginning - next two will be theirs in few turns (M9,2 and M9,3). The only one we can take is this on the west (M9,4). We have to conquer it at the latest in the third week.
 Main problem is a lack of crystal.
|  We have to fight hard for it.
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Luckily, we have two heroes, and nearby our castle we can find lot of not-so-well protected resources. Quick collecting mines and resources is our main task in within few first turns. Of course, we have to care about our army - against necromancers we should go only when we recruited at least few Kenshi and lot of weaker units. Our problem is lack of crystal mines - so we have to use our resources wisely.
Well developed and armed, we can move west. After crossing the river, we meet two orcs (M9,5). Quest connected with them(The Means to an End) get activated as we start fighting with undeads. They're waiting a bit further (M9,6) - after short conversation we'll fight. Enemy's hero is powerful, but his army is not - if we heal our troops wisely and play offensive (fast attack), we will surely win. Now, the orcs we've met join us - we obtain quite strong hero with nice army.
After fight with undeads, way to the first village is free (M9,4) - we have to take it over ASAP and develop. When we recruit enough army, we can move further - but be careful, cause the enemy will try to conquer our cities and convert them (he always come from the whirlpool M9,7, and along the river).
 It's the closest holy village
|  Look out undeads raids
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Next part of a mission we can play brutal or wise. In the first case we can ignore orcs and their quest - nothing stands against conquering another two holy villages (M9,2 and M9,3) without their permission or help. But it's time consuming and exhausting way - it's much better to help barbarians.
When we possess both orcs cities, we should prepare to the final encounter with undeads. It's worth to do the quest The Tear of Asha in this moment - additional resources and units will be great support.
 Main necromancers residence on the island and the last holy village
|  Conquering it is quite challenging
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If we feel strong, we can move west - to the jaw of a lion (M9,1). You will see a necromancers fleet at the shore (M9,8) - we shouldn't fight them, but move straight to the enemy's city. The siege is a hard one, but we cared enough about our army and we should win. The crucial thing is sending Kenshi under the gate and healing them. We should also use Irene's abilities often.
 We have no chances with this fleet
|  Luckily, Shalassa's spirit will get rid of them
|
When we take over the castle, the Shalassa's spirit-messenger arrive. Irene asks him for the destroying enemy's fleet - and it will be done.
Main quest: The Harvesters
Goals: defeat necromancers
Reward: 40000 XP, Libram of the Prophet (+5 to magic defence, +50 mana, +5 to mana's regeneration)
This quest is connected with The Wrath of Shalassa. To complete The Harvesters we have to conquer not only all necromancers cities on the main island, but also theirs hidden base - on the northern-west edge of the map (M9,9). Its siege has to be done in a offensive way - enemy has a lot of shooters, so we have to burst into the castle ASAP.
Only eliminating all enemy's heroes and conquering all his cities ends this mission and all scenario.
Secondary quest: The Tear of Asha
Goals: find four parts of a moon disc
Reward: 30000 XP, Tear of Asha (it let build Shalassa's Frozen Breath)
Theoretically the quest is easy - we have to find four parts of a moon disc, combine them, and then look for the Tear of Asha. But in practice it's harder - those pieces are thrown all over the map, guarded by quite strong monsters. Their positions are marked below.
 Vampires on the east...
|  ... ghosts on the west...
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 ...ghouls on the south...
|  ... and a surprise on the northern-east.
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When we collect all pieces, we'll see marked Tear of Asha on the map - go there and pick up an artifact - the quest is done!
Of course, construct Shalassa's Frozen Breath - we can make it in a city with the capitol. Now you can enjoy additional money and units.
Secondary quest: The Means to an End
Goals: free the orcs prisoners
Reward: 30000 XP, +100 tears points, Bracers of the Freemage (+2 to magic power, hero gains chain lighting)
Orcs, we've met during our travel to the first holy city (M9,5), will ask us to re-gain their residences, taken by necromancers (M9,2 and M9,3). As a enemies of our enemies are our friends, we should help savages.
 We can take holy villages by the axe...
|  ... but it's much easier to help the savages.
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To do the quest, we have to find a mountain path to the north - that's where the prisoners are. After fight with not big troop of undeads (M9,10), we can choose: let orcs regain their residence (+50 tears) or join them to our army (+50 blood). First one is much better - barbarians retakes their city in the same turn (M9,3), which is one of the holy villages - and they give it to us.
The second orc's prisoner is a bit on the west (M9,11) - also guarded by elite undead's troop, and also offer us a city. When both troops are free, the quest is over.
 Barbarians can show gratitude
|  Even twice.
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Secondary quest: Smooth as a Millpond
Attention! This mission get activated after finishing The Means to an End!
Goals: convert all four cities on the main island
Reward: 30000 XP, +3 to might attack, +3 to magic power
This mission is linked with a betrayal - orcs trusted us and helped in our mission: if we want, we can stab them in the back and convert their villages (M9,2 and M9,3), but barbarians will revenge. Just when we enchanted the castles, the orc's troop attacks us (M9,12) - quite powerful, but beatable. During the battle not melee the cyclops, but shoot them down - they receive damages in its turn, so their counterstrikes are powerful. The rest of the army we should do in a way described in Tactics on the Battlefield.
 Barbarian hero wants our blood!
|  And he has nice army
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The quest is done only after converting all cities - including the necromancers residence (M9,1).
Others: Captain's Ghost
On the small island in the between of a map (M9,13) we'll find a ghost. It's a spectre of Haven's prince - he'll tell us his story, which is very important for full understanding the storyline of a Heroes VI.
Others: Guardian Helmet
Nearby necromancers residence on the south (M9,14) is a very powerful artifact- guardian helmet (+10 to leadership). To take it, we have to crush huge undeads troop, but it's totally worth it.
