I'll be doing a Sacrifice Speed Run if anyone is interested.  I've finished a couple of segments of this game.


Sacrifice Segment 1
EST Episode Completion: 5:32
Mission: Stratos
Taken to acquire the Lightning Spell and Braniac’s.
Search 4 haunts.  Went smoothly with little mistake.
Obtain Speed Boon from Stratos for completing mission with findings.

Sacrifice Segment 2
Estimate Episode Completion: 6:40
Mission: Charnel
Taken to acquire the insect swarm shield spell.
I have to defeat Abraxeus.  I create manalith’s along the way to get mana to me quicker and give Abraxeus farther targets to aim for while I aim for her altar.  Midway through I turn around to Abraxeus to take down her Storm Giant.  With Storm Giant defeat she can’t create another one.  Go to Abraxeus’s altar while taking down her manalith’s so she won’t have any mana transmitted to her by her manahoars to heal.  Desecrate her altar and mount a Slyph & Braniac defense to take her out.

Leaving Abraxeus with Storm Giant around is a mistake because it can take out your manalith’s easier.  Leaving Abraxeus with 2 or more manalith’s will help her survive the desecration and time to come in to stop it with her lightning spell.

Sacrifice Segment 3:
EST Episode Completion: 6:29
Mission: Persephone
Refuse Persephone’s help to acquire Mana Boon.
Taken to acquire Troll Summons.
I have to defeat Buta.  I take a straight diagonal path to Buta taking out his manalith’s with an army consisting of mostly Braniac’s and Trolls.  Have to do a lot of resurrecting here because his Bombard keeps killing my Braniac’s and I need them to pin down Buta as I desecrate his altar as Trolls pound him to the ground.  Made only 2 mistakes with spell selection during this segment.

Sacrifice Segment 4:
EST Episode Completion: 7:14
Mission: Charnel
Taken to acquire Animate Dead
Help Sorcha defeat Jadugarr.  Go straight forward and revive the blue souls of 4 fallen allies.  Create 3 manalith’s to get mana to me quicker.  Go to the left to take out a weaker side of the defense to get to Jadugarr’s Altar and desecrate it.  Teleport to Sorcha’s altar making sure my army is with me to takedown Jadugarr once and for all.  Version 2 does this much quicker.

Sacrifice Segment 5:
EST Episode Completion: 8:56
Mission: Charnel
Taken to acquire Dimension Rift Spell
A hard level to beat and gets harder afterwards.  I have to protect Astaroth for 6 minutes 45 seconds while I have to fight 2 wizards.  If Astaroth dies, then it’s game over for me.  I push my way to the right taking out Yogo’s & Abraxeus’s army while slowly heading toward Yogo’s altar to desecrate it.  In the end Astaroth saves me by killing Yogo after initiating the Desecration Spell.

Sacrifice Segment 6:
Mission: Charnel
Taken to acquire Wailing Wall Spell
Must take out Pyrodraulic Dynamo, Descrate Hachiman & Buta’s Altar
Still in Progress:
My plan of attack is to take down the manalith near Sorcha’s altar which will be met with confrontation from Buta.  Defeat Buta and take all his creatures souls.  Attack Buta’s altar with his limited forces hopefully not get assaulted by Hachimen then takedown Hachimen followed by the Pyrodraulic Dynamo freeing Sorcha

Notes:
Fraps cuts off after loading a new or loaded game after the title screen.  So I have to activate fraps again after the initial load to capture when the mission starts.  The title screen and mission segment are pasted together because of this cutoff.

EST Episode completion is the time it takes to complete the mission taking into account in-game scenes that can’t be skipped but dialogue that can.  What is not taken into account in the EST Episode completion is the time from the title screen to the end of the loading of a mission.  Loads at the beginning, end of a mission and the loading between story relevant events is not taken to account because of variable loads between that are never consistent.  I don’t take into account the time between when I hit escape to bring out the save/load screen to the end of when the saving stops.

Times here are estimated from the beginning of the loading screen before a mission to the ending of the loading screen after a mission.

Level 1 - Pyro - ~1:58

Creatures Summoned:
3 Spitfires
1 Cog

Spells Cast:
1 Speed Up
1 Fireball

Buildings Created:
None

This level was surprisingly fast with an easy cutscene skip. I originally went with Stratos' level 1, but this turned out to be up to 45 seconds faster. Charnel's level 1 is slowest. James is 2nd slowest. Persephone's is 3rd slowest.

As soon as the level starts I run forward and mash through the dialogue. When the dialogue ends, I run next to the open manafount ahead (so that I get a steady supply of mana) while ordering the Spitfire next to me to move up on the hills bordering the Daven Tree (forward from the direction you start the level). When I move close enough to the manafount, I stand there and summon and order creatures until the cutscene skip.

I summon my first Spitfire and order it to the same spot as the last Spitfire, and then zoom out my minimap a bit so that I can later order my creatures to places I can't see on the main screen. As the cooldown on the Spitfire ticks down, I order the Flame Minion by me towards the bridge past the village ahead and then activate its special ability to speed it up. I summon a 2nd Spitfire and order it to the same spot as the last two. I wait for the cooldown to finish and then summon a 3rd and final Spitfire and order it to the same place as the previous Spitfires; by this time the Flame Minion will have opened more terrain on my minimap, so I advance him along and make him pass the soldiers on the bridge. As he does that, I group my Spitfires on the minimap and then order them to move next to the Daven Tree via the minimap. The Flame Minion should aggro the soldiers on the bridge now (represented by a voice clip from the Druid), upon which I send him to attack the manalith shortly beyond the bridge. If the Spitfires are near the Daven Tree and the Flame Minion attacks something under Persephone (like the manalith), I get teleported to the Daven Tree where I join the 4 Spitfires. Because Eldred had never approached the bridge, it skips the cutscene there.

I mash through more dialogue, making sure to not ally with Persephone when the choice arises (it seems longer than staying with Pyro). After the dialogue, I group all the creatures on my minimap and order them to attack the Daven Tree (the Flame Minion can barely make it in time for extra damage). Then I cast speed up on myself (shortcut default is 'z') and run towards the Daven Tree. When I'm about 3/4 of the way there, I summon a cog and send it to attack the tree. And then I cast a fireball on the Daven Tree for my last spell of the mission. I mash through the last text and end the mission.

I think it may be possible to save time by doing different combinations of the spells and summons above (e.g., two fireballs and no speed up, or 2 Spitfires and 2 Cogs) or by allying with Persephone, but the latter seems unlikely to me.

Level 2 - James - ~2:25

Creatures Summoned:
2 Flame Minions
3 Manahoars

Spells Cast:
1 Desecrate
~5 Speed Ups

Buildings Created:
None

It's debatable that this is the fastest level 2, but it does give you Sirocco which makes the rest of the game faster so it's pretty much a given anyway. Stratos has a slow level 2, Persephone and Charnel have medium-paced level 2s, and Pyro could have a faster level 2, although it is difficult as well.

I run forward and mash through the dialogue. I order the Basilisk to guard Gammel and then order Gammel to move ahead to the edge of the hill ahead. I cast speed up on Gammel and then summon the 1st Manahoar while zooming out the minimap. I summon a 2nd Manahoar while redirecting Gammel via the minimap towards The Ragman's farthest manalith. Once I reach the crest of the hill and can see the manalith on the other side, I order Gammel to attack it.

I then create the 1st Flame Minion and order it to guard Gammel, activating the Flame Minion's speed ability. I summon the 3rd Manahoar and cast Speed Up on myself as I head in the same direction. I summon the 2nd Flame Minion and also order it to guard Gammel. Gammel should almost be finished destroying The Ragman's manalith; I let him aggro on The Ragman and his creatures without ordering him. I cast Speed Up on one of my Manahoars and then cast Speed Up on myself, passing the now-destroyed manalith and heading towards The Ragman's altar. I get close to the altar and cast Desecrate on the sped up Manahoar; I then direct the Manahoar to stand inside the altar as I head back to destroy The Ragman.

I gauge The Ragman's health on the minimap as I run back to him and try to keep him low on health, but not so low that he'll die before the desecration starts. If he's high on health, I cast another Speed Up on Gammel until The Ragman is banished.

The following cutscene takes a strangely long time; I choose the regeneration boon and end the mission.

The mission may be faster with just one Flame Minion, although it becomes more difficult to banish The Ragman quickly with less creatures to attack him.

Level 3 - Persephone - ~1:20

Creatures Summoned:
3 Manahoars

Spells Cast:
1 Teleportation
~2 Speed Ups
1 Desecrate
Possibly 1 Fireball

Buildings Created:
None

This is a short mission and one that I think is pretty optimal in my best segment of it. James' level 3 is a decent bit longer. Stratos' level 3 is the longest. Pyro's level 3 is medium-ish, and Charnel's level 3 is decently long.

I mash the spacebar and 'n' into the mission from the loading screen so that I can skip most of the text and summon a Manahoar during the dialogue. Persephone asks if I need help, I decline and then accept the regeneration boost. Right after the dialogue, I cast teleport on the manalith on my minimap (shortcut 't' for teleport), run towards the Troll, Thestor, and Sirocco, and direct the Manahoar I summoned to guard me. As long as I don't enter a certain area between my altar and the manalith I teleport to, Ambassador Buta's AI doesn't activate.

After the teleport, I group all my creatures on the minimap and direct them to move towards the altar, moving with them and calling the Manahoar to guard me again. I cast Speed Up on the Troll while directing Sirocco to attack the Bombard attached to the manalith. I summon a 2nd Manahoar as she does this. I summon a 3rd Manahoar after I crest the hill, while ordering my creatures to attack the Bombard attached to Ambassador Buta's altar (the Troll is a good back-up in case Sirocco has trouble pathing to the Bombard, which isn't uncommon when she's around altars. if I notice Sirocco getting hung up on reaching the Bombard, I redirect her to kill the Firefists while letting the Troll take care of the Bombard). I cast Speed Up as I approach Ambassador Buta's altar (it's dangerous around the Tickfernos, because they can sap the mana you use for a desecration before you're able to cast it) and quickly cast desecrate on one of my Manahoars while skirting around the enemies' attacks. If Sirocco has destroyed the Firefists already, I keep her around Ambassador Buta (who just remains stationary because of the teleport earlier) but don't have her attack him if the desecration is still far off. When the desecration is about to start, I order Sirocco to attack Ambassador Buta and hopefully he'll die as soon as the Sacrifice begins.

I think the enemies around Buta can prove to be more trouble than is readily obvious. The Firefists seem to target my Manahoars often, and a decently long hit from a Tickferno can make me wait much longer for my mana to reach 1000 again. If that happens, I summon a 4th Manahoar.

Level 4 - Stratos - ~2:00

Creatures Summoned:
1 Manahoar
Possibly some Melee units

Spells Cast:
1 Teleportation
1 Desecrate
~5 Speed Ups
A few Heals

Buildings Created:
1 Manalith

This level is the only level 4 where the Marduk cutscene is skippable. Other level 4s range from a bit longer to much longer. Persephone's is probably the next shortest, then James', then Charnel's, then Pyro's (which is relatively very long).

I mash through the dialogue, choosing "To battle" when Shakti prompts it (I'm not sure what affect this has on the battle, but Acheron seems more aggressive with it, which is probably a good thing). I group my creatures on the minimap and direct them to guard me; I then teleport with them to Shakti's farthest manalith (the one closest to Acheron's altar). This skips the Marduk cutscene and just generally gets me to Acheron's altar quicker. I cast Speed Up on Sirocco and send her to the farthest land I can see on the main screen to the left of the brown path (meanwhile I'm heading towards the empty manafount in the next dip forward), and then direct the two Manahoars to guard me closely (phalanx formation). I then cast Speed Up on me as I head to the manafount. I build a manalith here while moving Sirocco head on the minimap, aiming for the manalith next to Acheron's altar. I order her to attack this manalith about around the time I finish building my own.

After I finish building this manalith, I guardian the Storm Giant to it so that he can hopefully survive and distract Acheron enough that he doesn't come wandering back to his altar to disrupt the desecration. After I guardian the Storm Giant, I quickly cast Speed Up on myself and follow the path I sent Sirocco on (left of the brown trail) so that I can avoid Acheron's army and his Slime spell. I direct Sirocco to come back from the manalith she destroyed and attack Acheron while Speed Up's cooldown ticks down. I then cast the 4th Speed Up on me and approach the altar, where I summon a Manahoar to sacrifice quickly. I direct the Manahoar to stand by the altar and redirect Sirocco to attack Acheron (she can get tied up by Acheron's army easily here, and lose a lot of health as well).

If Sirocco is having no trouble attacking Acheron, I cast Speed Up on the Sac Doctor as it runs to the Manahoar.

If Sirocco is having trouble attacking Acheron, I cast Speed Up on her and re-order the attack.

If Acheron makes it back to his altar, I summon melee units to whittle down his health since Sirocco has a hard time pathing around altars.

This could probably be improved by not casting guardian on the Storm Giant, but I think this may be a vital step in dividing Acheron's army so that Sirocco isn't too encumbered and distracted. It's probably possible to do without the Guardian, but may be much more difficult.

Level 5 - James - ~1:00

Creatures Summoned:
None

Spells Cast:
5 Speed Ups

Buildings Created:
None

This is a very short level, especially for level 5. Persephone's is the next shortest (and it's comparably short if you use Sirocco), Charnel's and Stratos' levels are about even, and Pyro's level 5 is longest by a lot.

I mash through the dialogue and then start running toward the Pyrodraulic Dynamo while casting Speed Up on myself. I get Sirocco to follow behind, but not too closely. (without back-up mana, I can cast Speed Up 4 more times in total. I can get about 3 Speed Ups on Sirocco without having her retrace her steps if I get a certain lead on her). At about 2-3 seconds after the dialogue finishes, I send Sirocco to attack the Dynamo via the main screen. I cast a 2nd Speed Up on myself, and then I quickly cast a Speed Up on Sirocco while running in the same direction as her. As soon as the Speed Up ends, I cast another one on her. Repeat the process one more time for one more Speed Up. Sirocco will probably get hit by Pyromaniacs here, but this isn't too dangerous.

I crest the hill and get a direct line of sight with the Dynamo. It seems that if Sirocco approaches the Dynamo too head-on, she'll be constantly writhing from the attacks of the guards. If she approaches it too far in the back, it looks like the hitbox keeps her too far from actually doing damage to the Dynamo. I try to approach it roughly horizontally (in line with the Dynamo's left 'arm') so that neither happens. To do this, as Sirocco moves very close, I suddenly shift her path to the right so that she lines up near the arm, and then I reorder the attack. Mash the text and this ends the mission.

If Sirocco ends up too far front or back, try to make a wide redirection so that she moves towards it at a better angle.

Level 6 - James - ~6:30

Creatures Summoned:
~7 Manahoars

Spells Cast:
Many Speed Ups (in the 20s, as a guess)
Many Heals
2 Desecrations
1 Halo of Earth

Buildings Created:
4 Manaliths

Levels from here on are very restricted, and while certain levels may be faster under a different god, taking them would require taking longer earlier levels. Overall, this order comes out on top. Though, just for curiousity, Stratos' level 6 is the quickest (when done right, unlike my first attempt at it), James' is probably next, Pyro's and Persephone's level 6s are about the same, and Charnel has the longest.

I mash spacebar and 'n' as the loading screen before the mission ends so that I can summon a Manahoar as I skip through the opening dialogue. Afterwards, I send Sirocco and Gammel to attack the visible manalith to the right while running to the manafount in front of me. I direct the Manahoars and Boulderdash to guard me. I reach the manafount and start building; as I build, I group the Manahoars and group Sirocco and Gammel. After I finish building the manalith, I summon a Manahoar right before the cutscene with Faestus happens, saving time. After mashing through the text, I send Sirocco and Gammel to Sorcha's next manalith incrementally via the minimap; at the same time, I'm moving to the next manafount, using Speed Up occasionally while summoning more Manahoars. When Sirocco and Gammel reveal Sorcha's next manalith on the minimap, I order them to attack it. I move straight from the manalith I just built to Sorcha's altar, using Speed Up on myself and possibly a Manahoar while summoning enough Manahoars to use up almost all of my souls.

Cresting the slope before Sorcha's altar, I heal Sirocco and Gammel if applicable and send them after the more damaging enemies of Sorcha's army so that Sirocco doesn't die (if Gammel dies, he can be brought back with Sirocco's ability). Meanwhile, I arrive at Sorcha's altar. I cast desecrate on a Manahoar after using the Manahoars that catch up and the empty manafount as a mana supply. If all of Sorcha's army has died nearby, I send Sirocco after Sorcha to kill her during the desecration. I then send Gammel across the gap to the next peninsula. I start heading this way as well, since Sorcha is unlikely to cause any trouble or escape the desecration. Once Sirocco kills Empress Sorcha, I send her to attack the nearest Magnifryer. When I make it to the next peninsula over with Gammel, I cast Speed Up on him and send him over another peninsula to attack the manalith there. While he does that, I build a manalith on this manafount and direct Sirocco to attack the Magnifryer nearest to Gammel (Gammel can succumb to a Magnifryer beam much quicker than Sirocco). After I finish building the manalith I head towards the manafount surrounded by Magnifryers while directing Sirocco to destroy the final Magnifryer. Gammel and Sirocco should finish their tasks at around the same time, at which point I direct them to guard me.

Ambassador Buta generally arrives at this manafount just a bit later than I do. I send Sirocco to attack his Warmonger while Gammel attacks his Pyromaniacs. While they do this, I build a manalith on the manafount in the middle of the Magnifryers. If Sirocco destroys the Warmonger quickly, I direct her to attack Buta next; if Gammel destroys the Pyromaniacs quickly, I direct him to attack the Bombard next. After I finish building the manalith I heal up Sirocco and Gammel (or revive Gammel) and head to the left of the island as I approach Ambassador Buta's ultimate altar.

I send Sirocco and Gammel across the left side of the palm trees here towards the manalith to the left of the ultimate altar. I cast a Speed Up on Sirocco, Halo of Earth, and then follow up with many Heal spells as Gammel and Sirocco destroy the manalith and the creatures that have appeared on the right. If the creatures are aggro'd early enough, the Warmonger might walk right past Sirocco and Gammel and not be a problem for the rest of the mission. After Sirocco and Gammel had destroyed the manalith, I quickly went to it for a mana supply. Once I feel confident Sirocco has enough health to survive while hunting down Buta, I desecrate the altar and send her and Gammel out around the nearest Magnifryer. When Buta's located, I send them to attack him and he falls pretty quickly.

You can aggro the guardianed Phoenix next to Buta's ultimate altar into killing your Sac Doctor, so it's beneficial to keep the Phoenix out to the front of its manalith and away from the altar.

This mission could be improved a lot. I tried a route that involved ignoring the Magnifryers and attacking the Phoenix guardianed manlith and desecrating from there. I think that would, ideally, skip fighting Ambassador Buta's army, destroying the Magnifryer's and bending the path to his ultimate altar. Out of the ~5 attempts I made, Sirocco and Eldred both died before Buta I could start desecrating. Though it's possible and may lead this to being almost 5 minutes.

Level 7 - James - ~3:50

Creatures Summoned:
1 Manahoar

Spells Cast:
~3 Heals
1 Bombardment
1 Halo of Earth
~4 Speed Ups
1 Desecrate

Buildings Created:
1 Manalith

This is a short level 7. Persephone's level 7 is longer (it's the same map but with extra objectives), Stratos' level 7 is decently long, Charnel's level 7 is very long, and Pyro's is about medium.

I mash spacebar and 'n' as the loading screen ends so that I can spawn a Manahoar while the dialogue happens. I mash through the dialogue and direct Sirocco and Gammel to the peninsula that's behind my altar and to the left (assuming you're facing the altar from the manafount). I direct the Manahoars to guard me and I then run around to the peninsula I sent Sirocco and Gammel to (I leave the Jabbberocky by my altar to distract and divide Seerix's army so that Sirocco can attack Seerix without too much trouble). I direct Sirocco and Gammel to attack the manalith they've located via the minimap and cast Speed Up on myself 3 times as I make my way towards it.

After Sirocco and Gammel destroy the manalith, I send them further ahead to the manalith in front of Seerix's altar while building a manalith on the manafount they left behind. When they destroy that manalith I direct them by me as I move to Seerix's altar. I wait out of sight of the enemies until I can cast Bombardment. I target the group of Styx and cast it. After a few seconds, I send Sirocco and Gammel to attack the Styx while casting Halo of Earth and running in for additional damage. I Heal Sirocco a few times and then send them back to my altar if they have killed all the guardianed enemies here. I cast desecrate on a manahoar as soon as it's ready and then cast teleport back to my altar when it's ready.

If the Jabberocky aggro'd Seerix's army first, I send Sirocco and Gammel after her. If the Jabberocky hasn't aggro'd her army yet, I send him out to distract them and have Sirocco attack Seerix, accompanying her with a Speed Up.

Level 8 - James - ~6:10

Creatures Summoned:
~4-8 Manahoars
Possibly a Boulderdash

Spells Cast:
2 Desecrate
~5 Speed Ups
~5 Heals
Possibly a Halo of Earth
Possibly a Chain Lightning

Buildings Created:
1 Manalith

This is a quick and easy level 8, though I could see Stratos' level 8 (while difficult) be around the same time. Persephone's level 8 is difficult and long. Pyro's and Charnel's level 8 are easy but time-consuming.

I mash spacebar and 'n' as the loading screen ends so that I can spawn a Manahoar while the dialogue happens. I mash through the cutscene and direct Sirocco to the manafount across the chasm while retrieving the soul of the Gargoyle. I direct the Manahoars to guard me as I build a manalith in front of my altar; when Sirocco arrives at the manafount, I direct her to attack Abraxus' nearby manalith. I move down the right path, casting 3 Speed Ups on myself and summoning more Manahoars. After Sirocco destroys the manalith, I send her to attack either Abraxus or a manalith that she built across the chasm from my altar. I move past the manafount Sirocco left from the first manalith she destroyed and head for Abraxus' altar, not using many Speed Ups to conserve mana for desecration and a possible Halo of Earth. I begin desecrating Abraxus' altar with a Manahoar and send Sirocco after Abraxus regardless. If Abraxus' Storm Giant or Seraph move to the altar to stop the desecration, I cast Halo of Earth to kill them before they can interrupt the desecration. When Abraxus is banished, I send Sirocco to Acheron's closest manalith.

When this manalith is destroyed, I send Sirocco to Acheron's final manalith and follow her there. After Sirocco destroys the manalith, I send her after Acheron. I wait at the manafount for enough mana to desecrate the ultimate altar as I gauge Sirocco's health. Acheron will either move to his ultimate altar or in the opposite direction. I send Sirocco after him to end the mission.

This mission is almost all Sirocco the way I play through it. Abraxus is good at avoiding Sirocco though and Brainiacs might do considerable damage, so occasionally I summon a Boulderdash and play it safe instead.

Level 9 - Persephone - ~6:20

Creatures Summoned:
~6 Manahoars

Spells Cast:
~10 Speed Ups
~10 Heals
2 Desecrate
1 Bore

Buildings Created:
4 Manaliths

Level 9 is a very interesting set of missions. My route started out with James' level 9, but I soon found out that a mediocre Persephone level 9 beats a gold James' level 9 by around 40 seconds. Persephone is also pickable after James' level 8, so I started doing this one late in my attempts. Because of that, the ending isn't very reliable and may need some work done to make it fast and safe. Stratos' level 9 may be faster, but that requires a long set of missions before it. Pyro's level 9 and Charnel's level 9 have a similar map to Persephone's level 9, but Pyro's has more wizards to contend with and Charnel's is more difficult with no apparent advantages.

I mash through the dialogue at the beginning and then group Sirocco and the dragon while building a manalith at my altar. I send Sirocco and the dragon to the hill across from me to destroy the Stratos manalith there. I cross up and to the right with Toldor and Thestor, sending my Manahoars ahead of me so that they don't get caught up in the Cloudkill that I trigger. I go through the Cloudkill while activating Toldor's life shield and sending Sirocco and the Dragon to the right of Hachimen's altar. I move towards the altar while directing Sirocco and the Dragon to attack the nearest manalith. If one dies, I have the other revive them and then heal them before they attack the next manalith. I build a manafount on the one they revealed as they destroy the next manalith. I Heal Sirocco and the Dragon a bit after using the Desecrate spell on a manahoar, and then send them in the direction of my altar to destroy Hachimen. Hachimen usually isn't a problem to banish.

After Hachimen is killed, I send Sirocco and the Dragon ahead across the left of the "Idol to Ashur", all the while following and healing them. I build a manalith on the second manafount I encounter on this route. While I build this manalith, I direct Sirocco and Dragon to destroy any manaliths next to the empty altar up ahead. Once they're destroyed, I move closer to the altar to initiate the cutscene. I mash through the text. I cast Speed Up on myself and build a manalith on the second nearest manalith to Jadugarr's altar. I approach the valley Jadugarr's massive army is moving along and cast Bore ahead of him. I then cast desecrate on a Manahoar while directing Sirocco and the Dragon to attack Jadugarr at his altar. I try to distract the Silverbacks and Brainiacs.

This level has a really sketchy ending, and I wonder if there is a way to make it reliable while keeping it just as fast.

Level 10 - ~7:30

Creatures Summoned:
2 Dragons
Manahoars
1 Boulderdash

Spells Cast:
Many Speed Ups
Many Heals
1 Bore
Probably Grasping Vines
1 Chain Lightning
Probably Halo of Earth

Buildings Created:
8 Manaliths
1 Shrine

This level stays mostly the same no matter what level 9 you just finished (a few manalith guardians change, and maybe Marduk's army), so speed is largely just dependent on how good the spellbook you've acquired up to this point is. This run gives you an excellent bomber and 1v1er in Sirocco and the dragons, allowing you to take down the manaliths very quickly. You could also acquire Sirocco and James' level 9 creature the Rhinok if you routed a bit differently. Manaliths fall slower when you don't have extra dragons to back them up, but if you guardian a Rhinok to your altar at the beginning of the final mission, you can practically ignore Marduk as you go around destroying his manaliths; it won't be often that he'll kill that Rhinok beast (though Death is a fickle spell). Finishing with Stratos' level 9 doesn't give you Sirocco from what I know (even if you had her before), but it does give you the great skirmishers in the Silverbacks, allowing you to approach Marduk's army with just a Silverback and be pretty confident that you'll win. If you go into this mission with the spell Death and Silverbacks (a possible combination if I remember correctly), you may be able to pull off a strategy faster than the one shown below (let Death kill the manalith guardians, send low bombers to raze them all and the megalith while you keep Marduk low on health with Silverbacks). Regardless...

I mash through the cutscene and then send Sirocco to destroy Marduk's closest manalith. Meanwhile, I build a manalith at the left manafount, summon a Dragon, and direct the Manahoars to guard me. I build a 2nd Manalith on the next manafount and direct Sirocco to move back towards me when she destroys Marduk's nearest manalith. After finishing the manalith, I head to the open manafount but stop short so that I can direct Maduk and his army into a bottleneck in the little valley in front of the manalith. I cast Bore so that his army is in the center and follow up with a chain lightning so that he loses his locusts and their souls. After this, I summon another Dragon and send the 2 Dragons and Sirocco to Marduk's next manalith. I build a manalith at the current empty manafount and then follow Sirocco and the Dragons along this valley as they destroy Marduk's manaliths and I build my own on top. I build a shrine at the Phoenix guardianed manafount and convert 4 souls here. When Sirocco and the Dragons destroy Marduk's last manalith, I direct them to attack the megalith while teleporting to my altar.

At my altar, I summon a Boulderdash with the 4 souls and have it ready to divide up any of Marduk's remaining army. I mash through the cutscene of the destruction of the megalith and then send Sirocco and the Dragons to attack Marduk, only commanding one to attack at a time. I direct the Boulderdash to attack any level 5 enemy creatures and follow Marduk around to find a point where I can cast Grasping Vines on him. Marduk falls eventually.

I mash through the remaining text and the run is over.