|
Author |
File Description |
Awkward Syntax (id: ArthurKing02) |
Posted on 08/12/03 @ 12:00 AM
File Details |
Ruleset: |
TS Standard Rules |
Map Size: |
X-Large |
Playable Races: |
Some |
Surface Levels: |
2 |
Difficulty: |
Normal |
After a long productivity drought, I finally finished this. It's called the Isle of Stars. In this map, you can play as one of two empires, or three other sides that are caught up in the conflagration.
The background
The Isle of Stars is a moderatly large island south of the Eastrealm Kingdom. Inhabited by Elves and Dwarves for centuries, aside from occasional raids from Lizards and Orcs who dwell in the swampy jungles, the place was peaceful. Then two empires came. They had heard that there were large quanities of various metals in the mountains, and perhaps more...
The first empire to arrive was the Arcanian Empire, which is made up of Light-worshiping, self-righteous Highmen. The Westrealm Empire followed shortly after. The Westrealm is largely made of men, but ruled by men with a taste for conquest and possessing a bit of a purist streak.
However peaceful the first meeting might have been, relations soon soured. At first it was mild, simply name calling, obscene gestures, walk-outs, things like that. The bickering soon heated up, though.
Seventy-five years ago, the Eastrealm made an important discovery, and word got out. However, most were either not foolish enough to go "claim-jump" in Dwarven territory, or too drunk to listen...
The Eastrealm simply discovered what the Dwarves had known for centuries, the existance of mithril in the mountains surrounding the Illothan Valley. A mine near the otherwise-unimportant mining villages held quanities of the metal. Other mines had similar, but smaller, veins. A deal was struck between the Eastrealm and the Dwarves. The Eastrealm does not encroach too far into the Illothan Valley, where most of the mithril is, and the Eastrealm can operate some of the smaller mines.
Then, relations between the Arcanian and Westrealm Empires went from bad to worse. An Arcanian envoy was found beheaded, and a Westrealm diplomat mysteriously disappeared. The Eastrealm then grew paranoid. As did the Dwarves and Elves. Should war break out between the two, it could easily spread throughout the entire isle. The Eastrealm delivered warnings to both sides, cautioning both to respect Eastrealm neutrality. They also steped up diplomatic relations with the Dwarves. Not trusting the Eastrealm and fearing the Westrealm, the Elves turned to the Arcanians. The Westrealm, however, knew something the others did not. Goblins lived under the isle, waiting for a time where they could rise up and take over. Because they had similar aims, the Westrealm allied with the Goblins, though there is not doubt that both regard the other as overtrusting fools...
A Brief geography lession
The Isle of Stars gets its name from the Starflower, a strange plant that glows and twinkles like a star at night. The north is rugged mountain terrain, largely dominatd by the Windstorm Mountains and the Illothan Valley. Dwarves have occupied both for centuries. There are two forested islands across the Mistwood Chasm, tunnels leading under the chasm lead there, as monsters there make sea travel dangerous, if there were any way of building a shipyard, anyways. The forest there is called the Mistwood Forest, it gets its name from the thick, obscuring mists that are all around. Swampy jungles lie in the southern half, inhabited by vicious Lizardmen and Orcs. They frequently raid nearby Halfling farms near the shire of Blackrock Vale.
A strange burning mountain lies near, it is called Mount Bloodstone. No one knows why it is called that, but it is said to be the only volcano, dormant or active, on the Isle. Whether it is anything more is unknown to all but a few scholars in various libraries...
The setup
You may play as Highmen, Azracs (Westrealm), Humans, Elves, or Dwarves. The Goblins are fixed at CPU Emperor.
This map can be played with any mod.
The playable sides have their own advantages. The Westrealm has a large army. The Eastrealm has reinforcements from the mainland. The Elves have the inital advantage of concealment. The Dwarves and Arcanians are just so far removed from everything.
It can get very interesting if the Goblins betray the Westrealm, or vice versa... If your assault force is down there, I'd concentrate on the Goblins, as they would be very difficult if they decided to venture past their natural defenses... (Poison Plants, which could pose a bit of a problem...)
For some reason, when I played this, the Independants were replaced by Azracs. I don't really know why.
Lord Ben, aka ArthurKing02
E-mail me if you have any comments or questions.
ben124cu@ameritech.net |
Author | Comments & Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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Daemon Zrat |
Posted on 08/20/03 @ 12:00 AM
Map looks and plays like its unfinished. What's up with that? Bare bones scenery, nothing fancy in the item selection of in the way of heros, just the same ones as what's in the main game. (I'll admit there are a few added heroes, but nothing special)
The only part of the map I really liked was the story! it sucked me in and made me download the map. Mistake! |
kasper921 (id: Kasper921) |
Posted on 01/04/04 @ 12:00 AM
All i wanted to say, has been said, except that it was a pity you didn't finish your mod for it. It would make it A LOT better. |
vinson98 |
Posted on 04/21/08 @ 07:22 PM
Thought it was pretty well done although much to easy. |
HGDL v0.8.2 |
Rating |
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3.2 | Breakdown |
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Playability | 3.5 | Balance | 2.5 | Creativity | 2.5 | Map Design | 3.0 | Story/Instructions | 4.5 |
Statistics |
Downloads: | 1,420 |
Favorites: [] | 0 |
Size: | 61.40 KB |
Added: | 08/12/03 |
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