Hello fellow Scenario Design Forum forumers and guests! I am finally putting together the showcase that I've been planning so that each of you can learn more about my upcoming project.
As many of you may know, I've been working on this scenario for quite some time and I am on the verge of finishing it. Within the next two weeks (depending on test results), this scenario should be available for you all to download. Perhaps you might be asking why you might want to download this particular scenario. Well, this thread is dedicated to showing the uniqueness of my scenario. Thus, I will tell you about it, and you may decide for yourself if it is something you might enjoy playing.
First, I will begin by explaining the purpose of this map and why it was created. After that, I will provide a brief storyline to explain when this event occurs in the book I'm writing. Then finally, I will provide full-map screen shot of the scenario which points out various locations on the map. These locations are crucial elements for understanding this map. (There will also be sections for eye candies, cultures, and unit specifics. This scenario was created for my own pleasures. I did not intend for this to be a public download until after I realized how great this scenario really was. The original purpose for creating this scenario was to provide a visual, interactive illustration for the Battle of Yüsmouth, a very big battle that occurs in my story. (It's actually the first The goal I was trying to accomplish by creating this scenario was to obtain visual inspiration by "living" the battle that I describe in my story. Up until this big event, my story tells the reader about the creation of the universe, the world, and all living things. The world that I have created is called Elorien, and its inhabitants are of a wide variety of animal and plant life. Some of the gods who created Elorien had certain passions for creating new things, and so those few created the intelligent beings of the world. The main intelligent beings were the Elorienkin, Fraerek, Ortroverns, Aurogs, Miomen, Ongjakas, Aerohans, Dwarves, Amatzyk, Glongrodi, Ogmi, Kentauroi, and Satyroi. ( Now for the actual story that explains where Yüsmouth is on the timeline. Prepare to use the (Please note that I want to make this storyline brief. Thus, it will not have the impact that I have created by writing it, in detail, in my book. So think of this as a brief summary.) When the troops arrive home, not all of them grieve the king’s death, for he was evil-hearted. However, because Bystivir’s son, Boslodimir, was assumed to become king, they could not celebrate the king’s death with a feast, like the one they had desired. Boslodmir was also evil-hearted and he sought revenge on Rolkiham. He declared that his father had been assassinated; thus, that was his reason to continue fighting the war against Rolkiham. The Grekorian High Council would not correct Boslodimir, however, for they feared him. The people of Grekor did not want Boslodimir to become king. Many of the soldiers were tired of the endless fighting and actually desired peace. They had only fought because it fed their families. What they needed was a benevolent king who desired economic prosperity, not imperialistic warfare. So the people of Grekor appointed the High Council and begged them to promote Thaenor, Bystivir’s brother--Boslodimir’s uncle--to lead their nation. Even the High Council knew that it could be done, and it would be mutiny. And it Boslodimir knew he no longer had the hearts of the people, but he knew that he must win it back. He sought revenge on Rolkiham for “murdering” his father, and on Thaenor for stealing his throne. To get his revenge, Boslodimir had to have power, and so he appointed his loyal servant, Dargnorri to speak to Merecidor about a proposal. His proposal was that if they could help him win the throne of Grekor, he would promise them a second man-nation ally. This proposal would tickle the fancy of the Ortroverns of Merecidor because they feared the power of allied man-nations. Thus, if many man-nations were to form alliances, they would grow in power as one race, whereas if many man-nations were at war, they would never have time to prosper, for they would be at constant battle. At least, that was the way the Ortroverns pictured man-nations. If Grekor became an ally of the Ortroverns, the Ortroverns believed that they would grow more powerful; and they sought to someday grow more powerful than any other race or culture. So Boslodimir’s proposal was accepted. His plan for the Ongjakas and Ortroverns of Merecidor to help him win the throne of Grekor was not supposed to be obvious. In fact, what Boslodimir planned to do was, first, keep the alliance between Rolkiham and Grekor from becoming established; then second, assassinate Thaenor and somehow blame it on the Rolkiham peoples. Meanwhile, Rolkiham’s king, Rorek, accepted Thaenor’s proposal for an alliance. However, Rorek was a bit jittery for rushing into establishing an alliance, for he did not fully trust the Grekorians. Therefore, he proposed that his daughter, Aislynne, and Thaenor’s son, Hernegus, be wed as a means of binding the nation’s alliance. Thaenor agreed, as did Hernegus and Aislynne--they, too, sought peace between their nations. Within the next few days, Aislynne prepared to travel to Grekor for her wedding. She brought with her many supplies, a few of her maidens and servents, and an a small squad of fighting soldiers--two of which were her cousins Arvirid and Aafolyth. Arvirid is a commander of some of the Rolkiham infantry divisions; he is very skilled with the sword. Aafolyth is the royal messenger of Rolkiham and rides the fastest horse in Elorien. His presence is necessary for extracting Aislynne if the Grekorians planned an ambush. Boslodimir knew that Aislynne was making her way towards Grekor, so he paid the Glongrodi, a race of goblin-like creatures, who lived in Daeia Forest, to ambush the convoy. He established important terms with the Glongrodi for them to capture Aislynne and kill or capture any of the soldiers who were protecting her--they were And so it was that Aislynne’s convoy was attacked as it passed through Daeia Forest ( When Hernegus realized that Aislynne’s convoy was late, he began to worry. After an hour of waiting at the gates of Decia, he ventured out into Daeia to seek his fiancé. He decided to venture out even after his father warned him not to. His father did not want Hernegus to leave because they were both in the middle of a feast with the High Council. Leaving the feast before the king was finished eating was strictly forbidden, but Hernegus left anyway, deliberately defying his father. Hernegus was right to worry, however. As he made his way across the Benditiguan River and into the forest, he saw the convoy and the captives sitting in the dirt, surrounded by both Glongrodi and men. After his first glance, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head and lost consciousness. A few moments later, he awoke with a headache, and noticed that he was tied up and resting beside the captives he had seen. He also noticed that the Glongrodi were no longer there, but instead, only men dressed in strange armor were guarding them. He didn’t recognize the men as Rolkihamish Arivird somehow managed to break free from the ropes. When one of the guards noticed his attempt to escape he drew his sword in an attempt to slay Arvirid, but Arvirid, being the better soldier, fought the guard barehanded and won. He then took the guards sword and began fighting the other guards. The distraction allowed the other captives to free themselves and aid Arvirid’s fight. The result, of course, was victory for the Rolkihamish soldiers. After the captured soldiers freed themselves, they decided to flee to the forest of Eliadia. Eliadia was the only place that guaranteed them safety because: one, Rolkiham was now further away than Grekor, and the soldiers feared that the Glongrodi might try to ambush them again; and two, while they were captured, they overheard one of the guards talking about Boslodimir winning the throne “tonight.” So the soldiers took one of the wagons from the convoy, loaded it up with the injured soldiers (including Hernegus), and made way for Eliadia. On their way to Eliadia the company met a young man who was making his way toward the Daeia Forest. The young man was Marlayne, Hernegus’ loyal servant and squire. He was venturing into the forest in hopes of finding Hernegus. Upon learning the situation that the company was in, Marlayne had no choice but to join them on their way to Eliadia. Meanwhile, Boslodimir’s hired mercenaries, who had met up at the captured convoy before the soldiers escaped, wore the clothes and armor of the Rolkiham soldiers and led a small attack on a village just outside of Decia. The small force torched a few homes and farms before fleeing. This was part of Boslodimir’s plan, for it was designed to make the Rolkiham people appear hostile. Also, while the small force was torching the fields, Dargnorri entered the king’s chamber and served Thaenor a mug of mead. Thaenor drank it cheerfully, not knowing that it contained poison. Within a matter of minutes, Thaenor died. Before Dargnorri left the chamber, he placed a cloak with the Rolkiham national symbol sewed on it. All of this was done according to Boslodimir’s plan. Now the people of Grekor would want the revenge he sought on Rolkiham. When the company arrived in Eliadia, they told the Elorienkins, who inhabited the forest, there situation. The Elorienkins humbly proposed that the company stay within the safety of their forest until the matter was resolved. They would not aid them in combating the Grekorians to resolve the conflict, however. While they were in Eliadia, Hernegus was treated by the aid of Erwin, a female Elorienkin who specialized in magically healing. When Hernegus was revived, Lanlace, the magistrate of Eliadia, referred him to see Ambrosia. Ambrosia was the Oracle of Elingrad. Only humans could go to see her. Any other race that entered the forest of Elingrad would become damned. The Elorienkin who live in the forest of Elingrad are not allowed to leave. If they do, they will die. Similarly, the Ortroverns, Glongrodi, and Fraerek will die upon entering the forest. Before Hernegus left to see Ambrosia, he finally got the chance to meet Aislynne. They immediately connected upon meeting each other. Hernegus told Marlayne to protect Aislynne with his life if anything were to happen; thus, this shows a bit of foreshadowing of a big event to come. Meanwhile, Boslodimir’s hired mercenaries made their way back to the convoy in Daeia. Upon discovering that the guards, who they had left to watch the captives, were dead, they became furious and complained to Boslodimir. This was of no surprise to Boslodimir, for a guard standing watch on the North East keep that night saw a wagon making its way toward Eliadia. Boslodimir was already making plans to pursue the captives, and slay them. However, he did not know how to address the issue to the people of Grekor, so he permitted Dargnorri to lead a few legions of his mercenary army in secrecy. (A legion is composed of 1000 troops.) Five mercenary legions came from Merecidor, prepared to attack Eliadia. The purpose of eliminating the captives from the convoy was to ensure Boslodimir’s place on the throne. If the captives made their way back to Rolkiham, the Rolkihamish people would come up with a way to get the truth out to the Grekorian public about Boslodimir’s devious plans. When Boslodimir addressed the nation, he did so in grief--although fake. He pledged allegiance to Thaenor and he apologized for his outcries during Thaenor’s coronation. By showing his “remorse” to the people, he was able to win their hearts back for battling the Rolkihamish people. The people followed him and believed that he knew what to do. (Boslodimir’s explanation for the five marching legions of Merecidorian men outside of Decia was that they sought to fight the Eliadians. When the Grekorians asked Boslodimir to protect the Eliadians, who were allied to all nations, he said that he could not do this because Rolkiham was preparing to attack them--a lie--and that fighting both the Rolkihamish and Merecidorians would bring their nation to hell.) When Hernegus first met Ambrosia, she told him of the five legions of Merecidorians who were making their way into Eliadia. She could see everything, for she was an oracle. However, Hernegus was confused, for he did not yet know that his father had been murdered, nor did he know that Boslodimir had assumed power over the throne. All he knew is that his nation had been attacked and that someone might have been trying to prevent the alliance between Grekor and Rolkiham. Ambrosia, would not give him specific information. Instead she spoke in riddles and only confused Hernegus. But confusing him got him thinking. He assumed that the Skirmish in Daeia had to have been planned by someone evil, but he did not want to believe that it was his own cousin. Meanwhile, the five mercenary legions from Merecidor took Eliadia by surprise. They brought huge catapults that launched pots full of flaming oil and set the forest aflame. Many Elorienkin died before the actual legions entered the forest to fight them. So Lanlace told the company: Arvirid, Aafolyth, Marlayne, Aislynne, and the other soldiers, to head for Yüsmouth to prepare for their defense. So the company and many of the Elorienkin people fled to Yüsmouth while the forest of Eliadia was being obliterated. When the company entered Yüsmouth, the dwarves who lived there accompanied them. As soon as the dwarves received word of the attack, they began their preparations for defense immediately. They gathered oil to boil, to pour on the heads of the assailants; they brought out their ballistae siege engines; and they began suiting up in armor. A little while later, the rest of the Elorienkin entered Yüsmouth and began taking their positions on the high walls of the fortified mountain. They were prepared to take on the five mercenary legions of Merecidor. During the battle, Hernegus is speaking to the oracle. He learns about the outcome of the battle before it even occurs, and he must prepare himself for it, for he will soon play the biggest role in the story. He will be given the burden of bringing peace back to Grekor, and punishing his cousin Boslodimir for his evils. Now I leave the story up to you to finish. When you play the scenario, you will determine the outcome of the battle. The true outcome will be revealed in my book, which I hope to finish within the next decade. First, view the As many of you may know, I came up with the Water Tunnel eye-candy. They appear in this map. Here are the screen shots, again: - And the tunnel entrance can be seen here with before and after pictures. I decided to make the entrance have a waterfall too, which meant creating an icecap. I got this idea from fellow forumer, Alexandergreat3. - And finally, I have also come up with the mountain cave. I got this idea from my water tunnels idea, and it proved to be a nice effect. The purpose of the cave in my scenario is that you can retrieve a relic if you slay the beast who dwells within the cave. - Other eye-candies that I have added in my scenario are the gate of Yüsmouth, the main walls, and various mountain transions--you’ll see. Here are the descriptions of each being, or culture: (See Here I will discuss the changes of some of the units. I modified some of the units (with triggers) in order to mold them to fit my needs for the map. First I will discuss the availability of units and buildings for player one. Player one is Norse, so that means all of the Norse’s tech tree is available. However, as player one, you may not build any more longhouses, hillforts, towers, markets, temples, walls, armories, or docks. You are also forbidden to build wonders or titans. There purpose for this is to keep the player playing defensive. If player one was allowed to build anything, then he or she would assume control of the map; thus ruining the purpose. The purpose is not map control, it’s defense. You’re living a battle that exists in a story that I’ve written. Do not fret though, for limited building does Norse units that have been modified: Atlantean units that have been modified: Egyptian units that have been modified: In this section, I will discuss certain features that this scenario has. Some of those features may seem like flaws, so I will discuss some of them, too. - Dwarves: 80 Although you start in the Mythic Age, you will still have plenty of upgrades to research, and because you are at the home of the dwarves, they provide you with cheaper technologies and an extra line of armory upgrades. Here are a few hints and tips that I can provide at this point. However, and this is quite obvious, these tips won't help you until you actually have the scenario. Just look at this section as another way of preparing you for the action. It is hard to rate my own work. Especially since I am quite modest. However, I shall provide such a rating anyway because it may or may not point out some of the benefits or flaws that I have not yet come across. Just two more weeks, folks, and this scenario will be in your hands. And for those of you who don’t already know, I am affiliated with Woad Creations. If this scenario goes well, Woad Creations may help me create a campaign that tells the entire story up until Yüsmouth, and hopefully even after. I will announce in about two weeks when this scenario has hit the download section. I hope I got the attention of some of you. Thanks in advance. [This message has been edited by Halo (edited 11-29-2003 @ 10:11 AM).]
- The Purpose and Goal
- The Storyline
- Map Locations
- Various Eye Candies
- The Cultures
- The Characters
- Unit Specifics
- Scenario Specifics
- Hints and Tips
- Self Rating
- Closing
The story begins in the heat of battle on a fortified hill located between Daeia Forest and Rolkiham (Rolkiham is where Rolkeim appears on the map--that name was changed)--the Rolkiham people defend from an attack led by the Grekorian king. During this battle, the evil king of Grekor, Bystivir, orders his army to push up the fortified hill of Forcinyan. He almost takes the hill, until suddenly he has a stroke. The death of Bystivir causes his troops to lose their morale, for it appeared as a very bad omen to them. Thus, they retreat from Forcinyan and return home to Grekor.
This is where the forest of Eliadia and Feddek meet. There is no other entrance to Feddek other than Yüsmouth.
This post is where the dwarves of Feddek keep watch for trespassers. If trouble comes into Yüsmouth, the dwarves will alert the Main Stronghold so that everyone can prepare for an attack.
This hill served as a outpost for archers long ago, during the first battles ever fought in Yüsmouth, but because the position can be so easily overtaken, it has earned the name Suicide Hill. You can use this position to post some of your archers--all archers, cheiroballistas, and ballistaes earn additional pierce attack when fighting from atop the hill.
This is obviously the most important part of Yüsmouth. If the gate is destroyed, your troops will have hell trying to defend the Main Stronghold. So defend the gate as long as you most possibly can.
These walls are great fortifications of Yüsmouth. Placing archers along the walls provides an additional punch behind the built-in towers. (Note: Nothing can get through the walls, for they are solid rock--built by the dwarves long ago.)
This is the most crucial point of Yüsmouth. Whether the gate is destroyed or not, the Main Stronghold is where the battle ends. If the Main Stronghold is taken, Yüsmouth is taken--remember that.
The Summit of Feddek is where most of the dwarves live. Yüsmouth is only the gateway to Feddek. There might be times during battle when small armies of dwarven warriors come to Yüsmouth’s aid.
The pond within the fortified mountains will provide you with a way of healing your injured troops. Be sure to keep an eye on the health of your three main heroes--you will not get them back if they die! The pond may serve as an additional objective element--this has not yet been decided.
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The once evil king of Grekor. Dies from a stroke during the battle that occurs in the introduction of my book.
The king of Rolkiham; father of Aislynne; and lives as a peacemaker.
King of Grekor; brother of Bystivir. He desires peace.
The son of Bystivir; nephew of Thaenor; and cousin of Hernegus. He is vengeful and evil hearted.
The main character and hero of the story. Prince of Grekor; nephew of Bystivir; son of Thaenor; and cousin of Boslodimir.
The Princess of Rolkiham; daughter of Rorek and fiancé of Hernegus.
The loyal companion of Hernegus. Skilled with medicine. Member of the royal council.
A commander of the Rolkihamish infantry divisions. Assigned to protect Aislynne. He is very skilled with the sword.
Rorek’s royal messenger. He is skilled with horseback riding; and he is the fastest rider of the lands.
The loyal companion of Boslodimir who allies Grekor with Merecidor and Valdor. He is related to the Ongjaka tribesmen.
The guardian of Cryxibus and benefactor of all who come to seek her wisdom. She is known the the Elorienkin as the Oracle.
An Elorienkin hero who decides to help Hernegus on his quest. He is the only Elorienkin in the world that has the ability to enter and leave Elingrad without facing death.
An Elorienkin hero and lover of Lanlace who decides to aid Hernegus on his quest. She is notorious for her magical healing.
The magistrate of Eliadia who decides to aid Hernegus on his quest. He sends Aislynne, Marlayne, Arvirid, and Aafolyth into Yüsmouth when a strike against Eliadia begins.
The foritified mountain of Yüsmouth has been around for centuries and its resources are starting to run low. However, there are plenty of resources across the map. As you can see in the screen shots, wood is the most prominent. There is also plenty of animals to hunt and plenty of gold mines to discover.
I have created new relics! Such relics include: Golden Net, Sacrificial Slab, Fangs of a Khieron Beast, etc. You may find some of these relics in point blank sight, while others may require more initiative to obtain.
Some of the units and building have building limits in order to maintain balance. I want this scenario to be accurate, but I also want it to be fun. I believe that even if there are building limits for some units and buildings, you will still have fun. Here is a quick list to all of the available units and buildings, and their limits (note, anything not listed either has not limit or cannot be built; most buildings cannot be built):
- Houses: 10
- Town Centers: 2
- Farms: 15
- Citizens: 6; Cannot Retrain
- Hero Citizens: Unavailable
- Hero Arcus: 30
- Military Barracks: 3
- Counter Barracks: 3
- Palaces: 1
When you begin the scenario, your company will enter the gates of Yüsmouth and make their way up to the Main Stronghold. When they enter the Main Stronghold, Yüsmouth will become yours to control; however, you will not own the walls or towers. After that, you will be given about three to five minutes to prepare for battle. Thus, you will be able to research technologies, gather resources, and train soldiers until the battle begins.
Your heroes cannot heal on their own, so you must occasionally bring them to the Pond of Yüsmouth so they can heal. Your heroes will have very high hitpoints, so they will last as long as a titan would in standard AOM games.
The pond provides you with a way of healing your units. It may also serve as an objective element--this has not yet been decided.
There are unique relics placed throughout the map that provide you with many bonuses. After relics have been garrisoned, they will vanish into the depths of your temple, but their effects will still remain.
When you begin, you'll need to gain as much information as you can about the map around you. There will be crucial resources to gather outside of the fortified mountain.
This is the hardest category to rate myself in since all of the triggers aren’t finished. I must wait until testing until I can give this a proper rating. However, want I’ve tried to accomplish is creating a map where the players must establish a decent economy to last them through the phases of the battle. So far, I give it a three.
I’m trying to keep this map as balanced as possible. I want the player to feel challenged when he or she plays this map, but at the same time, I don’t want player one’s units being overpowered. Therefore, the tweaks I gave them are fair. As for the building limits, that was a tool I used for keeping the scenario balanced in the sense of offense/ defense. I don’t want a player to assume map control. I have to give this at least a four.
The time I spent just coming up with such a battle is creative enough! I put a lot of thought into what units should obtain what bonuses, what units would resemble which soldiers or cultures in my book. Also, the new innovations of eye-candy is a plus for this scenario. I know I had to give it more beef.
I personally feel like I did a good job designing the map. In fact, the map design took the longest time, which usually does. Much of the map is accessible and provides the player with places to gather resources or set up ambushes.
Providing a good storyline for the players is also difficult especially since: one, this is not a campaign; two, no one likes reading storylines like the one I’ve provided; and three, this scenario only illustrates a single event within a story. It is almost impossible to tell the story with just one scenario, but I’m trying to make it less confusing with the use of cinematics. I have to give this a three.
Not bad, I guess, but when I finish it completely and it is released, I expect it to go up by at least ten percent.
PS: During the Summer I was working on a similar project.
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