Escape from the Burning Village

Lore & Background

The raid on Skalitz occurs during a period of intense political upheaval in Bohemia, years before the Hussite Wars (which began in 1419). Sigismund's forces, including hired Cumans, carried out punitive expeditions against villages suspected of supporting his rival, King Wenceslaus IV. Skalitz was not strategically vital but fell victim to this violence, illustrating how ordinary civilians suffered amidst the power struggles of nobles and foreign mercenaries.

For Henry, the event represents a loss of identity. He is stripped of his home, family name, and social standing overnight. The fire that consumes the village symbolizes the end of his old world, forcing him to rely on wit rather than strength initially. This trauma becomes the driving force behind his later actions as he seeks justice and redemption.

Historically, such raids were common in the early 15th century, where mobile forces targeted settlements to secure resources or punish perceived enemies. The game uses this specific incident to humanize a large-scale conflict.

In Their Own Story

Smoke choked the air before the first scream pierced the dawn. Henry woke not to his father's hammer but to the roar of timber collapsing under fire. He saw the shadowed figures in their strange caps moving through the streets, axes raised against neighbors who had once shared bread with them. Hiding beneath the floorboards, he heard his father's final breath as the door splintered inward. The heat was a physical weight, pressing him into the dirt until the world above turned to ash.

Reader's Guide

The event begins when Hussite raiders invade the peaceful settlement of Skalitz at dawn, seeking supplies and vengeance. Henry, a young blacksmith's apprentice, discovers his father has been slain during the initial violent assault on their home. Forced to flee into the darkness of the family cellar, he waits in terror until the flames consume the rooftops above him. Emerging into the smoke-filled streets, he finds most villagers dead or missing amidst the chaos.

He encounters Hans Capon, a childhood friend who helps him navigate through the burning ruins toward safety. Together they attempt to reach Rattay Castle to seek protection from Lord Radzig Kobyla and his forces. However, their journey is fraught with danger as enemy patrols scour the countryside for survivors hidden in the woods.

Henry eventually makes it to the castle gates but faces suspicion upon arrival due to his ragged appearance and lack of official papers. This traumatic night marks the definitive end of his innocent life as a commoner. It forces him into a brutal world of war where he must learn combat, survival skills, and politics to reclaim his honor. The destruction of Skalitz serves as the primary catalyst for Henry's entire adventure throughout Bohemia.

Did You Know?

• Henry can pick up a sword from a dead guard or find other weapons during the escape sequence, meaning he is not forced to rely solely on stealth.
• The village of Skalitz remains in ruins throughout most of the game, serving as a visual reminder of this event.
• Hans Capon is not present in Skalitz during the raid and does not survive it—he was never there.
• This prologue establishes Henry's motivation for seeking revenge against those who destroyed his home.