Saxon Burgh: A historical fiction "Ecovasion" scenario for Stronghold.
You are young and relatively minor Saxon eorldorman who has has achieved some minor victories over the Danes. You are both surprised and elated when in the fall of 779 A.D. you receive a summons to King Alfred the Great's court. Arriving late in the fall you hold audience with King Alfred and are given the important task of establishing a burgh at river ford and crossroads that are being used frequently by Danish raiders as of late. You spend the winter in King Alfred's court studying what maps and reports there are of the area and gaining what advice you can from the King's advisors and ministers. You use your time wisely and by spring have formulated a plan and an advance party is sent ahead with a few guards, workers and livestock to prepare the site for your arrival. You arrive at your new command on the first day of June in the year of our Lord 880. The rest is up to you..
In one word: “Wonderful!”
Sometimes in life, inconspicuous things attract your attention. Before I wrote this review, I was amazed, that nobody else valued such an exceptional map by “LCJr” until now. This map as the winner of the contest “Castles of Wood, Men of Leather”, is “a must” for every player, both beginners and veterans, and it deserves a proper review.
The author “LCJr” created an excellent and exemplary invasion-map, perfectly tuned concerning the timing and the dimensions of all evil events or increasing invasions that you will expect. Thefts, plagues, fires, and bandits are disarranging your economic development and the building up of your small colony. The most critical part in this scenario is to enclose your keep because of the continual deficiency of wood. Your woodcutters just will find a few trees spread over the map’s borders, so that it’s advisable to cut them down sparingly. There’s also an iron deposit far away on the Western border that is naturalistically integrated in an authentically modelled map-design. Your keep is located on a central plateau, surrounded by a landscape of a partially swampy or poor surface. You will find remains of ditches around the plateau and a few fragments of a wooden fort that you have to complete in the course of time.
Played on “normal” I just needed one attempt, but this map is very addictive and you always have to react upon all changing situations that will occur. All goals are achievable and it will be a real challenge close to the end, when the last invasion is over and the lack of wood requires all your skill and your abilities.
Indeed, I enjoyed this exceptional map and I absolutely can recommend it.
“LCJr” is a new talented map designer, full of sensibility for a perfect game’s sequel. I just wondered why I didn’t find more of his creations on this platform.