The Liberation of Skalitz

Lore & Background

During the attack, the village is set ablaze while its inhabitants sleep. Henry barely escapes with his life after discovering his parents dead in their home. He flees to Radzig's castle, but the lord survives the subsequent siege and appears later as a key character. This sequence establishes the brutal reality of the war and strips Henry of his social standing, forcing him into a desperate struggle for survival.

Reader's Guide

The Liberation of Skalitz serves as the inciting incident for Henry's journey, triggered by the escalating Hussite Wars in Bohemia. On a cold January morning, raiders descend upon the peaceful village while Henry sleeps, forcing him to flee into the night. Players have limited agency here; survival depends on speed rather than combat skill during this initial chaos. Upon reaching Lord Radzig's castle, Henry witnesses the brutal siege firsthand. The player must navigate the burning structures and avoid detection by enemy soldiers. Failure to move quickly results in death or capture, though the narrative ensures Henry escapes into the woods regardless of minor delays. This event strips Henry of his status as a blacksmith's son, leaving him homeless and desperate. Ultimately, this tragedy propels Henry toward Talmberg, where he seeks refuge with Sir Divish. The loss of Skalitz defines his motivation for revenge against the Hussites later in the campaign. While the prologue is linear, it establishes the stakes: the player must adapt from a naive youth to a capable warrior to survive the political turmoil engulfing the kingdom.

Did You Know?

• The fictional village of Skalitz is based on the real silver-mining town of Stříbrná Skalice (or simply Skalice).
• Henry's father was a respected blacksmith before the raid destroyed his forge.
• This event takes place in 1403, well before the Hussite Wars began in 1419.
• Sir Radzig Kobyla survives the attack and plays a key role later in the game.