|
Author |
File Description |
von Schmidt |
Posted on 06/18/08 @ 07:19 PM
File Details |
Map Size: |
400x400 (Large) |
Difficulty: |
Hard |
The Accursed Marshes
Map type: Eco-vasion
Difficulty: Hard
Size: 400x400
Story:
Malcolm looked around him. He smiled. 'Lord of the Marshes.' What a great title. He couldn't wait until it was his.
He looked down from on top of his keep. There was Captain Julian. Malcolm couldn't tell if he was loyal to him or not. He needed loyal people for what he was going to do.
Malcolm was currently the lord of nothing more than a small outpost, sitting on the edge of the Accursed Marshes. He had been sent by the king to rule it. The last lord had failed to bring the king the resources he wanted, so the king had replaced him. Malcolm's smile grew bigger. He had been the perfect one for the job. He knew the king would chose him over the other man. Suddenly Malcolm frowned. The truth was that the king would have chosen the other. Malcolm knew it. But he couldn't miss this opportunity. He had been only a poor mercenary since his rich father had died, leaving all his land and money to Malcolm's older brother. Malcolm wouldn't lose this chance.
So he had killed his rival. Well, he hadn't killed him, he had hired an assassin to do it. He had hired Farid, a stupid Arabian. Very stupid. Malcolm tipped off the palace guards at the last moment while disguised as a poor farmer, then went and killed Farid after the Arabian had finished off his rival. He had looked like a hero, been treated like one, and was soon the Lord of this small place, known as 'The Accursed Outpost'. They called everything accursed because of those who lived in the Marsh. He would finish them off. He had to. That was his job.
* * *
There were four captains: Julian, Matthew, David, and Timothy. They were all loyal to the king. But that was not what Malcolm wanted. He wanted them to be loyal to him. They couldn't stay. He would replace them with his own men. But they would be too suspicious if they were just sent away. Besides, David knew. At least, Malcolm thought he knew. He would have to go before he told the others. But how? Malcolm couldn't get away with killing him in cold blood. No... but he could execute him. For what? Murder! Yes, Murder and thievery! Soon Malcolm's first enemy would never be able to talk, to tell anyone what he knew.
* * *
“Murder! One of the treasury guards have been murdered! The other is badly wounded! Five bags of gold have been stolen! Murder!”
Malcolm smiled. The first phase of his plan was going well.
“Bring me the injured guard!” commanded Malcolm. Soon the guard had been brought over and laid at Malcolm's feet.
“What happened?” questioned Malcolm, bending down.
“It was dark out... I saw a... a shadow... little... a little darker... it came... and... and killed my friend!”
The guard coughed and spat out a bit of blood, then continued with his story.
“It... it... turned to me... and...” The guard suddenly started coughing again, and spat out more blood. “It slashed my shoulder and... and chest... then st... stabbed me... in the stomach... but missed a little.... I... I lived... then it took some gold... I grabbed it arm... it turned... it was David!”
Everyone gathered around gasped. David? Captain David? He couldn't be serious! It must be a different David...
Malcolm smiled inwardly. Everything was going according to plan.
“Which David?”
“Ca... Captain... David.”
Malcolm stood, and turned to David. “You did this! You killed a guard, attempted to murder another, and stole five bags of gold!”
“That's a lie!” shouted David. “You can search my chambers, there is nothing there!”
“We'll see,” said Malcolm. He turned to his guards. “Men! Search the Captain's chambers!”
Malcolm was getting slightly worried. If the guard had failed to do this right...
“Lord Malcolm! We have found the gold!”
Malcolm sighed inwardly with relief. It was all fine. He turned on David, whipped out his sword and yelled, “You're a traitor! All traitors must DIE!” Malcolm stabbed David's heart, killing him almost immediately.
He turned to the guards. “Dispose of his body,” he commanded, then walked up to his keep.
Only three more thought Malcolm. Only three, and then I shall have all I ever wanted once the People of the Marshes have been killed and the king pleased.
* * *
Malcolm led his troops into the Accursed Marshes. He smiled. His plan had gone well. The guard had done everything he had asked of him, and the old healer's red dye had fooled everyone. The guard had died from his wound. Or at least everyone thought he did. What people don't know can't hurt them. And now he was leading his men into these marshes. If he was lucky the enemy's defenses wouldn't be too hard to get through, and their army too hard to kill. He would just have to wait.
He almost laughed out loud when he saw the amount of men he would have to kill or capture. This was the army the People of the Marshes could muster? This would be easy. Once he killed whoever was in charge, the rest would probably fall easily.
An old man wearing a black cloak and holding a twisted walking stick came over, followed by a few more men also in black cloaks, holding swords and shields. The old man looked up.
“What is you want?” he asked.
“Only a few things: some pitch, stone, iron, and land.”
“No.”
Malcolm drew his sword. “If you do not give me it, I'll kill you and everyone here, then take it all myself.”
The old man lifted his hands. Fifty archers appeared out of the trees.
“Put the sword back, fool, or you will be useful for nothing more than target practice.”
Malcolm slowly sheathed his sword.
“Now back out of these lands and never come back. The next time we see you, you will not be spared.”
Malcolm turned slowly, then suddenly whipped out his sword and stabbed the old man right through his face, shielding his own face with his shield. Fifty arrows went straight at his head. They slammed into Malcolm's shield, knocking him off his horse.
“Attack!” roared Malcolm. All of his knights raced at the archers, while the enemy soldiers screamed into the forest: “The high priest is dead! The high priest is dead! Kill all of the heathen warriors!”
Hundreds of enemy swordsmen swarmed out of the marshes. Malcolm's knights fought fiercely, but would soon be overwhelmed.
“Retreat!” yelled Malcolm. “Retreat! Back to the outpost!” His knights turned, riding back through the mountain pass. Crossbowmen jumped out the forest, firing into the bloody mass. And, as Malcolm rode back, he saw his chance. There was Matthew, right in front of him. And Timothy was not too far ahead. Malcolm raised his sword, and swiftly killed Matthew. Nobody noticed. Nobody except one. Julian saw it happen. And suddenly he knew what Malcolm was doing.
Malcolm rode harder. He couldn't miss this chance, this one chance. He raised his sword, preparing to strike.
“Timothy!” shouted Julian. “Timothy! Behind you!” Timothy turned and saw the blade. He raised his shield just in time. Malcolm's sword bounced off the metal.
“Men!” yelled Timothy. “In the marshes!” Timothy's band broke out of the wave, riding with him into the forest. Malcolm looked around with rage. He only knew one thing: kill Julian.
Suddenly an arrow hit his horse. It fell on top of Malcolm, crushing him. He looked up. Blood was covering his eyes; he could barely see. He couldn't move. He couldn't breath. He gasped for breath. Nothing came. Finally an enemy soldier come over and stabbed his spear through Malcolm's heart. Malcolm died then, never to become the Lord of the Marshes. Only the cruel, ambitious ruler of a petty outpost.
* * *
Julian looked out of the window of the keep. He was the new ruler of the Accursed Outpost, as the only captain to definitely be alive. He didn't know what to do. He turned to the other window and looked at the mountain range far to the northeast. Suddenly he knew what he would do. He would do what Malcolm had been sent to do. He would do it even better. And he would save Timothy, or if Timothy was already dead, he would avenge him. He would do it. He couldn't fail.
* * *
Zayn, the new High Priest of the Marshes, looked out of the ruined tower that was used as the high priest's chambers. Those fools that had come into his lands, had killed the old high priest, and had rode into the marshes killing those who got in their way would die. He would send word to Lord Shadi. Lord Shadi would send men to kill those heathens. And he, the High Priest Zayn, would also send men. Horse Archers to kill the knights that entered his realm, and knights to kill those that got away. The heathens would die before the end of the month, every last one of them!
_____________________________________________
Hey everyone, this is my newest map, the Accursed Marshes! You'll get a few large invasions and a ruined castle full of enemies to kill, and a fair amount of resources to gather. You'll have to deal with fires, bandits, diseases, failed crops and thieves. Hopefully it will be a challenge, if you need hints I can give you them, if it isn't hard enough I can update it. I hope the story doesn't have any problems as I used a new type of HTML tag. Anyway, have fun!
And thanks to
Artofmath and AZ ViTrAzhAs
for playtesting my map.
vSchmidt |
Author | Comments ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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AZ ViTrAzhAs |
Posted on 06/19/08 @ 04:56 PM
I think you're right posting this great mission in the economic section, the main objectives suggest this :) |
The Hitman |
Posted on 06/20/08 @ 03:23 PM
An ecovasion... Good idea, I believe that's another great and hardcore missions of yours :) |
von Schmidt
File Author |
Posted on 06/28/08 @ 07:09 AM
Thanks for your review Roshko! I'd like to know your strategy, to see how I could prevent it being used, or used as well. Anyway, I'm just wondering what part of the map you were talking about when you said the terrain suddenly ended.
The ramp was supposed to be perfectly straight like it was, but I guess it doesn't look too realistic :) I'll change it. And the rivers were supposed to be going underground, through the mountains or things like that.
Anyway, thanks for the great review, I hope you'll enjoy the new version of the map which I am planning to release soon!
vSchmidt |
Roshko |
Posted on 06/29/08 @ 03:36 AM
The terrain I was talking about was part from the right side to the middle. It suddenly changed and I didn't think it was that realistic. About the rivers I also thought that it was somekind of an underground cave system mate, but it just didn't look appealing to me. You understand it's just taste the curves and volumes of the banks were a bit off. However I really liked the map and don't mind the review I'll happily review your next one which I'm sure will be way better. So how would you like me to post the strategy. Here or via the e-mail. :D |
von Schmidt
File Author |
Posted on 06/30/08 @ 02:08 PM
emails good :) |
Roshko |
Posted on 07/03/08 @ 08:03 AM
sent ;) |
von Schmidt
File Author |
Posted on 08/05/08 @ 02:55 PM
Thanks for your review Sir_Milk :) |
HGDL v0.8.2 |
Rating |
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4.5 | Breakdown |
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Playability | 4.5 | Balance | 4.3 | Creativity | 5.0 | Map Design | 3.8 | Story/Instructions | 4.8 |
Statistics |
Downloads: | 2,098 |
Favorites: [] | 0 |
Size: | 754.04 KB |
Added: | 06/18/08 |
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