Chain of Command

Chain of Command

Year

1325 AE

Storyline

Personal story

Chapter

Getting the Band Back Together

Location

Hero's Canton
(Black Citadel)
Tela Range
(Plains of Ashford)

Level

10

Race

Charr

Choice

Blood Legion

Preceded by

Fury of the Dead

Followed by

Time for a Promotion

API

71

Loading screen in first instance

“

Defeating Duke Barradin cost many soldiers their lives, especially in your warband. Your legionnaire, Urvan Steelbane, has ordered you to report in. Steelbane's always had it in for you, so he'll likely try to make you a scapegoat for all those casualties.

— In-game description (first part)

“

Legionnaire Steelbane was furious after Smokestead, and he's decided that you're his scapegoat. He's already ordered you beaten and given you demeaning cub duty. If you can't prove your worth, you may never get back on his good side.

— In-game description (second part)

Chain of Command is part of the personal story for Blood Legion charr characters who have completed the tutorial Fury of the Dead. It is followed by Time for a Promotion.

Objectives

Report to Legionnaire Steelbane at the Black Citadel.

• Meet your warband at Hero's Canton.
• Report to Legionnaire Steelbane.
• Defeat Steelbane's soldiers.

Steelbane assigned you to demeaning cub duty.

• Retrieve the supplies.
• Defeat the Flame Legion and the Blood Legion traitors.
• Speak with Elexus Shredskin.

Rewards

Click here to edit the reward data

All professions

• 2,641 
• 50 
• Leather Bag (8 Slots)
• Bag of Loot (3)

Profession-specific

• One of the following: Chainmail Gauntlets, Ringmail Gauntlets, Scale Gauntlets
• One of the following: Rawhide Bracers, Marksman's Bracers, Studded Leather Bracers
• One of the following: Cloth Gloves, Linen Gloves, Velvet Gloves

Walkthrough

Once you have received the initial letter, go to the Hero's Canton—your home instance—in the Black Citadel.

Report to Legionnaire Steelbane; but be ready for a fight. You will first be attacked by two Steelbane Warband Members, then three, and finally the veteran Cerosi Breaksteel. This will possibly be your first encounter with the downed state, which is normally entered when your health is depleted. Your sparring partner will quickly revive you and you should deal with the hostile charr as required.

After the cinematic, travel to Tela Range in the northwestern part of Plains of Ashford. When ready, enter the instanced version of the area to do battle alongside your sparring partner and Elexus Shredskin in fighting off both Blood Legion turncoats and Flame Legion soldiers. Once finished, talking to Elexus will complete the mission.

NPCs

Allies

Hero Canton

Charr

• Chosen sparring partner:
  • Clawspur
  • Dinky
  • Euryale
  • Maverick
  • Reeva
• Cerosi Breaksteel (turns hostile)
• Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane
• Rage Steeltongue (turns hostile)
• Steelbane Warband Member (turns hostile)
• Blood Legion Spectator
• Standard Home instance NPCs

Tela Range

Charr

• Blood Legion Soldier (dead)
• Elexus Shredskin
• Iron Legion Captain (dead)
• Iron Legion Engineer (dead)
• Iron Legion Marksman (dead)
• Quartermaster Laris (dead)

Skritt

• Skritt Forager (dead)

Foes

Flame Legion

• Blood Legion Soldier / Blood Legion Turncoat
• Flame Legion Axe Fiend
• Flame Legion Bladestorm
• Flame Legion Recruiter
• Flame Legion Shadowblade
• Flame Legion Stalker
• Flame Recruiter Prathar

Objects

• Cannon

Bundles

• Cannonball
• Boulder

Dialogue

Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane URGENT: Report In Immediately What happened out there? While you were grandstanding with Rytlock Brimstone, the members of our warband that you left behind suffered near-total losses. This mess is all your fault! I'm in charge, and I'm taking steps to replenish our numbers. If you expect to have a future in the Blood Legion, report to me in the Black Citadel immediately. —Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane

At Hero's Canton

Approaching sparring partner:

Clawspur: At least you made it. I think we're the only ones left.

Dinky: You made it. But I think we're the only two left.

Euryale: At least you made it. I think we're the only two left.

Maverick: We're the only one left I think. Lucky we made it out.

Reeva: At least you made it. I think we're the only two left.

Talking with your sparring partner:

Clawspur: I knew you'd make it. You've always been the best of us. But I'll miss 'em...the others.

Dinky. Euryale. Reeva and Maverick. What happened to us out there?

After you went in, Steelbane split us up. Different objectives. The others were cut down like wheat. I got to higher ground.

I've got another question.

Sure. What now?

(Same three questions as previously)

Duty calls. Time to go.

Don't worry. We'll get through this.

What's Steelbane's problem? Why's he taking it out on me?

He's always been a jerk. Command made him worse. He blamed the warband for not being the best, but it was his fault. Bad leadership.

I've got another question.

I'll make this right. I promise.

What about Howl? He was our warband's lieutenant. Did he die, too?

Nobody knows. Howl was in the crypts when Barradin collapsed 'em. You dug out. He didn't.

No body? Nothing at all?

Not unless that trinket he'd found magically teleported him to the Shiverpeaks. He's rubble.

I've got another question.

We should move on. We have a duty to do.

I've got another question.

Duty calls. Time to go.

So do I. C'mon. Let's get back on task.

Dinky: Empty bunks. Empty rooms. Why'd our whole warband have to die? Didn't they like it here anymore?

Clawspur. Euryale. Reeva and Maverick. What happened to us out there?

Steelbane happened. After you went in, he split us up. I saw the others die. I'm going to miss them, <Character name>. You'll stay with me, though. Right?

Can I ask you something else?

Yeah. Go ahead. I'll try really hard to remember more.

(Same three questions as previously)

Let's move out.

All the way, Dinky. I'll always be here for you.

What's Steelbane's problem? Why take it out on me?

He's never been a good leader, but we made up for it. Like the way bacon makes up for broccoli. Now he's got no bacon. I'd be mad too.

Can I ask you something else?

Steelbane's a legionnaire. They get paid to snarl.

What about Howl? He was our warband's lieutenant. Did he die, too?

I forgot about Howl! Oh, wow. I bet the rocks got him! He was in the crypt when it crumbled and sunk. Yup, rocks got him, or he'd be back by now.

What do you mean the "rocks got him"?

What that big ghost died, the whole catacomb crumbled. Anything inside it was pre-buried. That sucks. He was going to give me that shiny amulet he found when he died, too. he promised.

Can I ask you something else?

Time to get back to work, Dinky. Thanks.

Can I ask you something else?

C'mon. Let's get back to task.

They liked it plenty, Dinky. It just didn't like them.

Euryale: Unacceptable! I'll murder those ghosts, And then Steelbane! And then the ghosts again!

Dinky. Clawspur. Reeva and Maverick. What happenened to us out there?

It was Steelbane! Stupid, self-absorbed dolyak-face—after you went in, he split us up. Dinky went down first, then Reeva was surrounded. I tried to help her, but I was too late. I was too late...

I need to ask you another question, Euryale.

Sure. I'll try to calm down and give you a straight answer.

(Same three questions as previously)

Let's go. Duty calls.

I'm here, Euryale. You're not alone.

What's Steelbane's problem? Why's he taking it out on me?

Steelbane? Steelbane doesn't care. He's already growling that all this is your fault. I'll kill him if he doesn't shut up.

I need to ask you another question.

We'll make it. I promise.

What about Howl? He was our warband's lieutenant. Did he die, too?

Howl? Lost in the fighting, when the crypt went down. Caved right in on him. Bravest of us all. Or the stupidest. Sometimes they're the same.

Lost? Didn't they recover the body?

Nope, nothing. Not even that shiny rock he was always playing with. You remember the one? Lost it to me in our last card game, and wouldn't give it up. Stinker.

Can I ask you another question?

No more musing on the dead. Let's move on.

I need to ask you another question, Euryale.

C'mon. Time to get to work.

We can make this warband great again. And we will.

Maverick: So many in our warband killed. I tried to tell them, "Watch me. Fight like me. Be like me." I guess it just wasn't enough.

Dinky. Euryale. Reeva and Clawspur. What happened to us out there?

It was Steelbane! I told you I should have been legionnaire. He split us up, like a moron, and that got them all killed. There's only one of me, you know? I can't be everywhere!

I've got another question for you.

Hey, I'm all ears. Handsome, well-brushed ears.

(Same three questions as previously)

Come on. We've got a job to do.

I'm glad you made it, Mav. You and me. We'll fix everything.

What's Steelbane's problem? Why's he taking it out on me?

Careful. If you ask me, Steelbane's looking to pin the blame on someone. Make sure it's not you. Or me. Definitely not me.

I promise.

What about Howl? He was our warband's lieutenant. Did he die, too?

Howl? Lost in the fighting, just like the others. I saw him charging into the crypt like a madman—but he never came out. Then the whole thing collapsed. Good way to go, really.

Collapsed? He was trapped in there?

"Trapped" would imply he lived. He didn't. I imagine he's in the Mists now, looking down on us, wearing that crazy amulet he loved, and laughing at us.

I've got another question for you.

C'mon. We've got a job to do.

I've got another question for you.

Come on. We've got a job to do.

Forget about Steelbane. If he's a problem, we'll solve it.

Reeva: You're here! You're all right! I was so scared. Now that you're back, I feel like I can almost go on. But what do we do without the others?

Dinky. Euryale. Clawspur and Maverick. What happened to us out there?

Steelbane gave us orders that sent us everywhere. He was trying to do too much, we couldn't handle it all. The others... When we saw what was happening, Euryale told me to run. The last thing I saw was the ghosts cutting her down.

I've got another question, if that's okay?

It's okay. I can handle it. Go ahead and ask.

(Same three questions as previously)

Let's go, Reeva. We've got our duty to think about.

We'll make it if we stick together. Everything will be fine.

It's Ok, I can handle it. Go ahead and ask.

What's Steelbane's problem? Why's he taking it out on me?

He's always been a stick-in-the-tail, but now he's a terror. He got blamed for the mess out there, and for the deaths, and I think that broke him.

As long as we get to rebuild our warband, he can blame whoever he wants.

How about Howl? He was our warband's lieutenant. Did he die, too?

Oh, poor Howl. What happened to him was the worst of all. After you defeated the big ghost, the whole crypt collapsed - with Howl inside it. I tried to dig for him, but it was no use.

He was buried by the rubble? There's no chance he got out, like I did?

I wish, but no. The collapse was too bad. I kept hoping that silly good luck charm would save him, but in the end I guess it really was nothing more than a shiny piece of glass.

I've got another question.

Come on, we've got a job to do.

I've got another question.

Let's go, Reeva, we've got our duty to think about.

We'll rebuild this warband. You'll see.

Cinematic with Cerosi Breaksteel:

Cerosi Breaksteel: Well, look who finally came back. When Steelbane gets done with you, you'll wish you died with the rest of your warband.

<Character name>: As if I cared what you think. Who are you, and why are you breathing at me?

Cerosi Breaksteel: Cerosi Breaksteel. Steelbane recruited me along with the others to rebuild the warband.

<Character name>: Wait, what? He's recruiting without asking us?

Cerosi Breaksteel: Yeah, because you're dead, remember? And probably better off that way. Report to Steelbane in the barracks, quick, or you'll be in for a beating.

Cinematic with Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane:

Rage Steeltongue: Legionnaire! Looks like some sewage just floated in from the battlefield.

Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane: You? You get my best soldiers killed, and then have the nerve to stand there, stinking up our barracks with your cowardly musk?

<Character name>: I got them killed? Tell me something, boss. Who's in charge of this outfit? Who was giving the orders? You.

Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane: Watch your tongue, soldier, or I'll have it removed for insubordination. Rage, teach this piece of waste how to address a legionnaire.

Rage Steeltongue: With pleasure.

During the fight:

Rage Steeltongue: Prepare to bleed.

Cerosi Breaksteel: Look! Another corpse that doesn't know it's dead. I thought only humans were that stupid.

Rage Steeltongue: Get them! Kill them all!

Talking to your sparring partner during the fight:

Clawspur: No talking! Time to kill!

Right!

Dinky: He's got my tail. He's got my tail!

On it!

Euryale: This is what I love to do! Kill 'em all!

For the warband!

Maverick: Not in the face!

Keep fighting!

Reeva: Help!

I will!

Cinematic after the fight:

Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane: Stand down! All of you, stand down—now!

Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane: So, you fight your own warband better than you fight the enemy? Go on, get out of my sight while I figure out what to do with you.

Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane: There's a load of supplies over at Tela Range. Bring them to me, double-time! It's the only job you're fit for. Screw this up, and I'll use your hide as a doormat. Understood?

<Character name>: Understood...boss.

Talking with sparring partner again before leaving:

Clawspur: Tela Range, then? Stupid Steelbane. We get the drudge work, he gets the glory.

We do this by the book. If Steelbane steps full out of line, then we act. Not before.

Fine. Let me know when you change your mind.

Can I ask you another question? (same as before)

Let's get moving.

Dinky: Guess we're headed out to Tela Range, then? Stupid Steelbane. He's nothing but a big supp-liar. Get it?

We do this by the book. If Steelbane steps full out of line, I'll act. Not before.

I suppose you're right. At least until you're wrong.

Can I ask you another question? (same as before)

Ready. Let's move out.

We'll rebuild this warband, Dinky. With or without Steelbane.

Euryale: Gah, Tela Range? I hate that place! It looks like hell and smells like Rata Sum sewage. What's Steelbane trying to do, kill me slowly?

We do this by the book. If Steelbane steps full out of line, then we act. Not before.

There has got to be a way to kill him sooner than that. Please?

I wish we could, but regulations say no. Can I ask you something else?

Let's get going.

We'll rebuild, and we'll remember the fallen. Now come on. We've got a job to do.

Maverick: Guess we're headed out to Tela Range, then? Gah, another long march out, long march back, blah blah blah in the middle. Not very heroic.

We do this by the book. If Steelbane steps full out of line, then we act. Not before.

Fine. We save the heroics for later. But you be sure to give me a five minute head start before you start shooting things.

Let me ask you something else. (same as before)

Let's get going.

Reeva: Have we ever been to Tela Range? It sounds familiar. Then again, maybe I'm mixing that up with a kind of pastry.

We do this by the book. If Steelbane steps full out of line, then we act. Not before.

Good. If we just follow the rules, then we can't be the bad guys. That means something, right?

Let me ask you something else. (same as before)

Let's hurry up and move on. No more musing on the dead.

Speaking with other NPCs before they leave the instance:

Cerosi Breaksteel: You got lucky. Don't expect it to happen again.

Lucky? Ha. If you want to test my luck, just give me a reason.

Rage Steeltongue: You win this time, but it won't happen again.

You're right. Next time, I'll kill you.

Tela Range

Approaching your sparring partner:

Clawspur: Supply runs. Steelbane must hate us as much as we hate him.

Dinky: This is stupid. Supplies go in the supply depot. Why can't we just leave them there?

Euryale: I get more of this cub duty, and Steelbane's going to need new teeth.

Maverick: Supply runs are so beneath us. Especially me.

Reeva: I get more of this cub duty, and Steelbane's going to need new teeth.

Speaking to your sparring partner:

Clawspur: Steelbane can blame us all he wants. It'll just get him dead sooner.

It may not come to that. Maybe he'll be more reasonable once he calms down.

Dinky: Everyone's dead, and we get cub duty? That's like being punished twice...and a half.

I don't like it either, but let's just get it done and get out of here.

Euryale: I can't stand it. Steelbane's got us by the snout hairs and he knows it. Can't we just take him out?

Let me have a little chat with him, and then we'll see.

Maverick: Who's Steelbane kidding? He's benching us. Us! I swear, that legionnaire wouldn't know a good thing if it stabbed him in the throat.

Don't give me any ideas. Let's just finish what we came here to do.

Reeva: This is crazy. It's humiliating. I'm a soldier, not a marmox.

When we get back, I'll see if I can talk some sense into Steelbane.

Cinematic approaching the supplies:

Flame Legion Recruiter: The rest of your warband defected voluntarily. Don't be stubborn.

Flame Legion Recruiter: Why fight for Blood when you can cook for Flame Legion? Females have it easy with us.

Elexus Shredskin: You want me to desert and join you so you can demote me to fry cook? Please. I've killed a hundred males twice your size.

Flame Legion Recruiter: Fall in line or fall on a blade. I don't care which.

<Character name>: No luck trolling for recruits on a pig farm? You Flame Legion stiffs must be desperate. I came here for supplies, but this is a lot more fun.

Flame Legion Recruiter: If it's fun you want...recruits! Let's send Blood Legion a message. Bury these idiots, and destroy those supplies while you're at it!

Speaking to your sparring partner during the fight:

Clawspur: That's it. It's killin' time.

Let's do it.

Dinky: I'll get that one! You take that one there.

Ready!

Euryale: I'm fighting here!

Right!

Maverick: Maulin' the enemy!

Me, too!

Reeva: Can't talk. Fighting.

Right.

Between waves of Flame Legion Soldiers:

Elexus Shredskin: Still want me to cook for you? Here, have a steaming hot bowl of death.

Elexus Shredskin: If I kill enough of you males, maybe your females will take over again!

Clawspur: Enemy contact!

Clawspur: Engage pursuit!

Dinky: Hostiles inbound!

Dinky: (roar) This is what I live for!

Euryale: Enemy contact!

Euryale: Engaging pursuit!

Maverick: Enemy contact.

Maverick: Engaging pursuit!

Reeva: Enemy contact.

Reeva: Hunt them!

Flame Recruiter Prathar: Very well. You have my attention.

Flame Recruiter Prathar: As it should be!

After defeating the Flame Legion charr:

Elexus Shredskin: I knew this soldier. Best quartermaster in the legions. Whatever you needed, he had it.

Speaking to your sparring partner before speaking to Elexus:

Clawspur: Good fight. Good soldier, that Elexus. Canny.

I agree.

Dinky: She fought ten times harder than most charr! I like her.

I'm impressed, too.

Euryale: Seems that soldier's got somethin' to say. Should talk to her. She fought well.

I think I will

Maverick: Hey, that Elexus is all right. As long as she realizes I'm the top dog, er, charr around here.

I'm sure she'll figure that out fast.

Reeva: I like this Elexus. She fought well! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

It's recruitment time.

Cinematic with Elexus Shredskin:

Elexus Shredskin: My whole warband deserted for the promise of power. Never thought I'd see something like that.

Elexus Shredskin: I have nothing left but my life. If you'll have me in your ranks, it's yours.

<Character name>: We need soldiers, and you can clearly handle yourself in a scrap. Welcome to the warband.

<Character name>: Just be warned—my legionnaire is going to drown us for losing those supplies. I hope you can swim.

Elexus Shredskin: Don't worry. I can hold my breath for a long time. I'll take punishment over death...or being a gladium. Lead on.

Talking to Elexus Shredskin:

Elexus Shredskin: I owe you one. But you should know that I'd have done the same for you. No hesitation.

(if chose "I've got another question for you"): What can I answer for you, sir?

These are only the first Flame Legion we'll be killing together. Hope you're ready.

I'm readier than I've ever been. Point me at a thing, and it dies or I do!

I've got another question for you.

Excellent. Let's move out!

Glad to have you aboard, Elexus. You're going to be an excellent addition.

Thank you, sir. My warband wasn't the easiest bunch to get along with in the best of times. I'm grateful for a chance to serve with a better crew.

I've got another question for you.

We're glad to have you.

Why did your warband turn traitor like that?

We lost half our number in the attack on Smokestead. Afterward, there was a lot of resentment against the tribunes. I think they just lost their spirit.

I've got another question for you.

You need a warband, we need more members. Everybody wins.

You said you'd have been a gladium if I didn't come along?

It's true. No warband...out on my own until another warband took me in or I died. This is a much better deal.

I've got another question for you.

You need a warband, we need more members. Everybody wins.

Let's move out. It's time for you to see your new home.

Speaking to your sparring partner:

Clawspur: Great. The only thing worse than Steelbane: the Flame Legion.

What are the Flame Legion doing here?

Treacherous zealots probably snuck in, this close to the citadel. They're looking for soldiers and slaves.

Good thing we got here and helped Elexus, then.

Why did he say Elexus couldn't fight if she joined the Flame Legion?

Because the Flame Legion are idiots. They keep their females in the pantry. Stupidest thing I ever heard.

Heh. Well said.

Do you think Steelbane knew the Flame Legion would be here?

If he did, that would make this a setup. Watch your back.

I will.

If Steelbane's recruiting, then so am I. Let's go tell him the news.

Dinky: Elexus is going to join our warband? That's great!

What are the Flame Legion doing here?

I hate those guys. Always setting things on fire and commutting treason. Sheesh. They're worse than Steelbane—but only a little.

I'm just glad we were here to help Elexus.

Why did he say Elexus couldn't fight if she joined the Flame Legion?

Oh, yeah. The Flame Legion hates females. I used to, too—when I was five.

Heh. Good one.

Do you think Steelbane knew the Flame Legion would be here?

It's possible. He's crazy like that.

You make a good point.

I can't leave her out here—and besides, we'll need all the help we can get.

Euryale: Smart idea, recruiting Elexus. She's knows how to dish out the hurt. Still, Steelbane won't be happy about it.

What are the Flame Legion doing here?

I can't stand those guys. They are always trying to sneak into the citadel and cause trouble.

Well, they managed plenty of trouble today. Let's get out of here.

Why did he say Elexus couldn't fight if she joined the Flame Legion?

Because the Flame Legion is crazy. They think female can't fight. Guess I showed them.

You sure did.

Do you think Steelbane knew the Flame Legion would be here?

If he did, then this was all a setup. Seems like a lot of strategic thinking, for such a tiny mind.

True. Let's go see what he has to say for himself.

It's getting harder and harder to care what Steelbane thinks.

Maverick: Wa-hoo! That's my kind of supply run. A pile of bodies and no supplies to have to lug back.

What are the Flame Legion doing here?

Who knows. They sneak into the citadel all the time, causing trouble. They're like lost dolyak.

Bit more dangerous than that, I think.

Why did he say Elexus couldn't fight if she joined the Flame Legion?

Because he's stupid, or insane. Take you pick. The Flame Legion hates females. I have no idea how they make more Flame Legion.

Maybe that's why they're so desperate to recruit.

Do you think Steelbane knew the Flame Legion would be here?

Nah. No way. I mean...no. Couldn't have. Nope. (sigh) Okay, you're probably right.

Yeah, I thought so, too.

The fun will be over when Steelbane hears about it.

Reeva: That was a mess. I'm glad Elexus wants to join us after losing her whole warband, but shouldn't we have asked Steelbane first?

What are the Flame Legion doing here?

They're the worst. Constantly trying to attack the citadel, sneaking around in Ashford. I hate those guys!

Good thing we got here and helped Elexus, then.

Why did he say Elexus couldn't fight if she joined the Flame Legion?

They don't let their females fight. I think they're afraid they'll rise up and take over the whole silly cult.

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Why deny your army another sword? Pfft.

Do you think Steelbane knew the Flame Legion would be here?

You don't think...no! He wouldn't dare!

He might. When we get back I plan to have a chat with him.

Let him be mad. He's already got a lot to answer for.

My story

“ I returned to the barracks. Legionnaire Steelbane blamed me for the casualties we'd suffered in Smokestead, and ordered his new recruits to rough me up. I won the fight, but now I'm on supply runs and other cub duty until further notice. I went to Tela Range to collect supplies for Steelbane and found Flame recruiters bullying a fellow Blood Legion soldier. I helped her fight them off, but the supplies were destroyed in the process. Now I have to report back to Steelbane empty-handed. — My story

Previous text

I spoke with Scout Fursta Farhunter and helped the Legions in Ashford.

I returned to the barracks. Legionnaire Steelbane blamed me for the casualties we'd suffered in Smokestead, and ordered his new recruits to rough me up. I won the fight, but now I'm on supply runs and other cub duty until further notice.

I went to Tela Range to collect supplies for Steelbane and found Flame recruiters bullying a fellow Blood Legion soldier. I helped her fight them off, but the supplies were destroyed in the process. Now I have to report back to Steelbane empty-handed.

---

Charr storyline