The mystery of Varian's disappearance has been solved! To keep him away from the battle in Roydin and out of your way as you rebuilt the main keep in Herrick Uthensvar, the king sent him on vacation to the seaside.
Callista by the Sea - jewel of the empire, the favorite family vacation spot of lords and ladies, merchants and peasants alike, and the most beloved tax base of the king. This town has all the amenities for the entire family: hotels, restaurants, miniature golf, pony rides, a petting zoo, a playground, a swimming pool for those who might find the sea a trifle chilly, and dancing bears. Ah yes, the dancing bears. Apparently Varian enjoyed the dancing bears so much that he demanded some as pets, but as with most things, he quickly lost interest and abandoned them. Now they are roaming through the town, scaring away the tourists. It's even been rumored that wolves from the neighboring hills have returned, in the absence of people. The king's revenues have decreased, and he is most displeased!
You are to secure the town from the wild beasts, making it safe for the tourists and workers alike to return. The king wants his revenue back, and to do that, the people will have to be happy and spending money in the tourist traps. You'll have to work fast, because once the people learn that you have come to their aid, they are likely to descend quickly upon the town!
(Note: this map is probably somewhere between easy and normal - if you leave the hovels in place and play it at normal, you'll probably find it more challenging!)
Funny map. So nice a seaside promenade but so inconvenient for concentrated farming.
Was a thrill to discover that wood trading is restricted. Nevertheless, a usual strategy works well here.