For hundreds of years the people of lushland had lived in peace. The great cliffs that surrounded the entire island had proved a good defence. And only the bravest of sailers would dare try to land on a small slither of beach that opened in to the vast forests and mountains. For the waters were treacherous and deadly. Huge foaming spouts of water and massive 30 feet waves… but it was not to last…
First the air got colder and and the waters warmer . Then new trees started growing and old ones just dying. Finally all was calm… Including the waters that had protected them for so long. Soon ambitious lords and knights were landing trying to gain the best land. Soon you could not walk 3 miles without seeing some battle or skirmish. And with The lords and knights came pirates and outlaws looking for more towns and ports to loot.
The people of lushland sat back and pretended it wasn’t happening and tried to live as normal.. And that was when the outlwas arrived… They burned the houses and salted the crops. Farms were destroyed and whole villages were sacked. Exiles started practicing black magic.
The calm and beautiful land of lushland had become a battlefield…
But after years of hiding a man of noble blood came to aid the people. His mother the former Queen of lushland had dyed of old age and it was only her will that had kept him out of action for all this time. But now was the time to act.
The man decided to start at the coast and one of the few beaches that had become a gate way for outlanders. You are this man.
As you marched you saw many signs of the altered world. villages were nought but piles of dark rubble and mighty cathedrals were now crumbling memories of a land destroyed. Your target was a small estate in the woods. You had chosen it because of its easily defensible position and abundant resources. to get there you would have to cross the river scaroth.
One of your few companions sighted a tower. You ordered one of you men to climb it. He reached the top and gasped in shock and terror. Before any of you could react he fell with a cry. you rushed to his motionless body and saw a large throwing axe protruding from his chest.
You rushed up the tower and peeped over the top of the parapets. What you saw made you gasp. just down the hill there was a viking settlemnt. With more haste you made your way across the shallows of Scaroth. You followed a short path until it opened into a wide clearing.
To your surprise there was already a keep there. You decided to look around. Inside dead bodies littered the floor. They had no visible marks.
Witchcraft one of your men hissed. And sure ennough we turned the next corner and there they were. they were bent over and you could hear slurping. Without thinking you charged and dispatched all three of them. On the floor there was the body of a baby. All mangled and twisted...
It took your men 4 days to clear the castle, after they finished you decided you needed some workers. Secretly you sent your men to the neighbouring estate. Only eight joined your cause but the rest said they would help if you came back better equiped. you marched back to the keep now the war had really begun.
After you arrived back you sent your men on a scouting party beleiving the trees would cover you while they were away. You were right. But the soldiers never returned...
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For the Funnest possible game play these positions.
The Hawk to start in the tree estate.
The Queen to start in the stone estate.
Olaf to start on the barren hill estate nearer the plain.
you have to start on the foresty hill estate nearer the sea.
Start as freeman
You do not have to do this layout its just I find it the best if you want a fun match.
Have fun!!!
This map has been the labour of these last three weeks and i have put more thought and effort into this than any of my other maps. I am open to comments on this and if you have the slightest problem let me know.
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Here is a list of my other maps with links
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The river icesee
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=1038
old version of river styx
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=516
Helms deep (kingmaker)
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=885
old version of Blood mountain
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=649
Old version of obsidion
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=534
The river icesee
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=1038
helms deep (custom war)
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=851
The trapped marsh
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/sh
owfile.php?fileid=707
The reapers keep
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=695&f=&st=0&ci=
Playability: 3
Most areas worked well, however the top left estate that has the bandit camp is completely unaccessable. (It is actually a section of the castle estate)
Balance: 3
It was pretty easy. Every castle estate has a very narrow choke point that can easily defend your whole country.
Creativity: 5
Very creative and detailed. I liked the six central plains estate layout and design. The beach estate was also cool. Great source of Iron, but a long trip from your castle.
Map Design: 3
Again, see playability and balance.
Story/Instructions: 5
Nice job on the story and instructions. I played as you suggested, and despite it being very easy to defend myself, I really enjoyed the overall game.
Additional Comments:
With some minor adjustments, this map could score much higher. Overall, very fun and worth the download.