The Masterplan
4-player skirmish map
*marked as unbalanced
THE STORY
Hard times have befallen the Crusader lords in the Principality of Antioch. Overrun by Muslim forces, many of the knights and foot soldiers have either fell to the sabre or left the dry lands of the Levant and returned home to Europe. With Saladin's army growing in size, it seems that the initial work done by the Crusaders in reclaiming lands from the Muslims is on the verge of collapse. With a breakdown in communication, a radical approach is required.
Disillusioned by the defensive approach the Crusaders have now adopted, you have mustered what men you have and have marched into the desert in search of raw materials and a site for a new fortress. Why not let others fight to the death, let others suffer heavy losses, whilst you quietly, secretly and quickly build up your own army capable of taking any city, town or castle you wish? Thus unfolds The Masterplan... even though you know such a move would draw anger and cries of heresy by the leaders of the European states, let alone the papacy. Using the rise of Saladin's army as a detraction, you slip out of the city of Antioch unnoticed under a star-lit sky. Moving inland some 40 miles, you discover the perfect site... albeit a difficult land to build on. In a bend of a small river lies a healthy outcrop of iron ore, perfect for forging new weapons. Yet stone here is difficult to find and your small scouting parties have located only one small stone outcrop which would provide sufficient quality building material.
There are four possible sites that would allow a new castle to be built. But which site to choose?
With trade still open to other Crusader castles, as well as those Muslim held cities, you may yet be able to trade sufficient raw materials.
But all is not what it seems. You have been followed into the desert and The Masterplan may not be as secret as you had wished...