You are Mouse, the ogre. Although raised by humans you found yourself in service of the dark elven queen - and with her blessing you have embarked on a quest to purge the corruption plaguing the very world you live in.

You are not alone. Your mission is shared by an eclectic band of companions:
-Phineous, the sophisticated orc of culture.
-Smutkin, the formerly depraved bard who took your mission for his own
-Sparky, the formerly warped imp that was, by touch of holy power, transformed into something else
-Tithe, the diminutive yet vigilant gargoyle
-Chloe, the shadow of the queen sent to safeguard you and your mission.
Your band has since grown with additions no less colorful:
-Elle, the royal courier who has since sworn herself to your quest
-Harriet and Janet, the twin scouts you've rescued from the mercenaries
-Diana and Minerva, twin golems you've freed from their questionable service to the old order
-Her majesty queen Olga Discordia, the dark elf ruler turned exile after the Beast possessed her minions into mutiny
-Mercenary princess, Maia, seeking to confront the man she loved
-And quite literally in spirit, a fragment(?) of the goddess Laurentia you had wrestled from the clutches of darkness (and in doing so, likely forced the enemy's hand to the desperation he was showing...)

And on top of that, a group of thirteen penitent mercenary men, turned into unholy abominations by a dark ritual, but purged of its taint when Sparky healed them. They seemed earnest about their intent to atone for atrocities they had committed even with their lives, prompting you to bring them along so that they get their chance.

Which may be only moments ahead, as you find yourself facing off against a sizeable troop of mercenaries, commanded by Hicks, a faithful lieutenant to commander Vult himself, and a dangerous adversary in a single combat as you've already had the chance of assessing. Back then, his prowess proved a threat, but not quite a genuine challenge. You wonder if he's grown in power since then.

Even in the momentary quiet carried over from the eerie circumstances that drew your two companies into the imminent confrontation, emerging in a sunny glade in the midst of a foggy swamp, you could feel the dull thrumming of the pulsating darkness resting in the background. You were nearing its place of power for sure, and the mercenaries opposite of you showed confidence to reflect this - nowhere as grotesque as the experimental beasts you've participated in purging some two days ago, these took form of statuesque, chiseled strength. Instead of failed savage experiments, the men standing against you were likely finer samples of what Beast had to offer.

"...you can't possibly believe you have a shot at winning?" The mercenary lieutenant asked smugly.

Whether he wanted to gloat or was actually curious, if he was willing to talk before engaging in violence, you were willing to oblige.