The Arabians have beaten the crusaders very fast and easy, but two old adversaries have not been dispatched yet. Pig, duc Truffe, the ruler of PiggyLand has collected a big army but didn't use it wisely, so long wars have weaken him and he started a conflict with Wolf, lord Greyback. He had bite to Greyback very strong, but Wolf, duc Volpe has arrived to revenge the Pig. And you are in the crossroad of their big batle. Use the terrain and hieight advantage to beat the infidels.
Marshalling the Lair is a well-playable invasion-map that is characterized by several waves of “ups” and “downs”; continuously increasing invasions right from the start are alternating with peaceful phases where you have to stabilize your economy and to weaken the Pig’s fortifications step by step. It is advisable within these more peaceful intervals to strengthen your position with square or round towers, manned by ballistas and numerous Arabian archers. Therefore, you will be able to repel all forthcoming assaults. Your economic development starts next to the keep on a small plateau. By building up an efficient food production line and by taking a few steps to raise your popularity, it will cause more gold for your treasury chambers, necessary for your military projects. The invasions generally are challenging, but in the course of time, it will be easier to resist the enemy’s hard attacks, assisted by some trebuchets and catapults.
I was just a little bit surprised after having killed the Pig (Blue Lord), when suddenly “Victory” appeared on the screen. I suppose that it was the author’s first intention to eliminate the Wolf (Black Lord), too. However, it seems to be a scripting error to me, because the Wolf’s castle can be preserved and it isn’t a part of the victory conditions.
By the way, that small troop of hostile soldiers, waiting on the northern coast, inactively remained there till the end.
Optically the best part of the map is the Wolf’s Castle, located in the northern areas of a mostly superficial map. The iron and stone deposits simply put on the dessert’s ground look unnatural. The signpost, which is placed in the midst of the iron resources, makes it impossible to mine iron ore efficiently. I personally don’t like it if the workshops and farms aren’t filled by craftsmen or farmers right from the start of a scenario. I think the “convert-a .sav-file into .map-file-trick” would help to avoid that “little optical flaw”. Overall, I subjectively have the impression of a provisional design.
Well, the story is short and not spectacular and it explains with meagre words what you will expect in this scenario. On the whole we’ve got an enjoyable map here, with a focal point on combat and bloodshed.