First things first....this is my first ever design !!
The Stronghold 'Real Castle Competition' inspired me and Beaumaris stood out as a wonderful castle to try and emulate, for reference to the real thing look here - http://www.castlewales.com/beaumar.html
The story -
Beaumaris, the ultimate stonghold....supposidly !! Located on the south east shoreline of Anglesey, Wales.
When Longshanks (Edward I) visited Anglesey in 1283 he had designs on the site being the capital of Wales. Longshanks was not a man to be messed with, after his attempts at the conquest of Scotland and the capture of William Wallace he gained a respect that not many others could equal. He assigned 'Master James of St George' who had many years experience in castle building both in Wales and on the continent the task of construction. So in 1295 four months after Madog ap Llywelyn (the leader of the Welsh revolt) was quelled construction started. The site name was to be 'Beaumaris' which is French-Norman for 'Fair Marsh' as the land was relatively flat, marshy and with very little natural protection. This castle had to be impressive!!
The project sped along at a breathtaking pace and in the first year alone some 2600 men were engaged in its construction,but !!.....Despite being planned on such a grand scale, by 1298 the funds for building Beaumaris had dried up. The king was increasingly involved with works in Gascony and Scotland. So, Longshanks has left the project and the oversear of all things concerened with construction to you Sire !!
Oh dear sire!! time is dragging on and word has got back to Longshanks...he is not best pleased with you...Constuction has dilly dallied and it is now 1330 !! also it widely percieved that you have prioritised incorrectly... what is the point of having stables and a chapel with little else ?? Longshanks has earased your name from the favoured list and banished you from all trade because of your own foolishness. However, Longshanks is feeling rather generous today !! You have one last chance to proove yourself. If you are to get back on terms with the king you must make available a large consignment of goods by the year 1343 .... do you think 13 years is a long time sire? ... we shall see....
There are whispers that the largest volume needed is that of the black gold.... pitch, you must also use the forest wisely but there is also another thorn in your side. Over the years Madog ap Llywelyn has regrouped and is determined to make you life hell !!
Great fun map, rudely interupted by constant bandits! Only joking - they add a whole new aspect to the game as getting in wood is hard to begin with. This map was too hard for me, but I am going to replay (I am determined to win on NORMAL. On my second attempt I had 52 more pitch to go and 12 iron to go (having just completed stone!). So I would say more a map for experieced players. I think this map would have played very well as a long invasion. There is plenty of room inside the castle and it would be great fun to try and defend it against a huge army and loads of siege equipment. Just an idea. The map is well designed - good castle work but some of the countryside is a bit plain and simple hence the 3 for map design. The map is also pretty creative - good goals and interesting stuff with the bandits. The storyline is very good, good notes adn nice to see a minimap - almost a 5 so good stuff! Overall a very playable and fun eco map - a real challenge!
peter2008
Posted on 04/02/09 @ 08:39 PM
In an impressive and huge castle, people almost hide. Even on very hard I did not have a very high population.
Instead, bandits appear in highest numbers and do lot of damage, above all among the wood cutter's huts and the pitch rigs. The lack of the market really hurts. On the other side, I found it relaxing not to have to aim for gold.
For oily pools you have to search carefully. The eponymous pitch is requested in quite a high amount. Could get it in barely before the end of the time limit, and only with a -5 fear factor.