An ancient and hidden assassins training school has been discovered by the crusaders, but they don't seem to care that it exists. The assassins take the time to prepare for a seige, when the crusaders will realize how stupid they are to let this school exist....
So I was bored and decided to put this map together. I was actually playing a skirmish, but there was a lull in the battle ( a HUGE lull), so I moved my merc tent outside my castle walls, and started build a little traing ground around it. I became even more bored, and decided to make a whole map out of it. So, here you are, enjoy. I might make an invasion version, tell me if that sounds good. 10 votes for an invasion and I'll make it.
A map like this is close to being eye-candy but is more about the interesting trials assasins have to go through to become the rank they have.While I could not construct a castle around such a small and resource less area I held on for a while using the scanty oasis and made a few other tests for them like a lion pit (herded lions into a cage area).
Balance: 3.5
There are no resources other than oasis (very little of this)that I noticed so that takes a solid 1.5 out with the fact there is not very much symmetric evidence in the map but it seems to me that unbalanced maps are usually more fun but having each player with the same resources (like in a skirmish or invasion)is mostly a good idea and will earn you score in reviews.
Creativity: 4
You did put thought into the attractions on this map and the front area with the killing pits made it feel like a hidden fortress as the description says.There could have been more tests and trials for the assassins but I feel that you put sufficient and creative tests to the point where you deserve a 4 :).
Map Design: 3
There wasn't very much in landscaping for this map but the main point is the assassin training exercises anyway so that only kills a 1.0 score to be fair,if you make another map like this on the same subject it would be interesting for you to include some of these examples but in different looks like the canyon part being in the center or something like that.(1.0 of your score goes to the nice canyon area)
Story/Instructions: 3
There was a short story to your map and yes,the Crusaders were mainly focused on taking Jerusalem so they probably would have ignored a camp like this if everybody hid for a while.
For inspiration for stories you might want to read a few novels or historic accounts of life in the desert at the time of the Crusades,just a suggestion.
Additional Comments:
This map is interesting and I often look back at it since it gives me a few ideas of my own like the times I wanted to make horse races after reading the map design article on it.
Overall,this map was a good download and I would enjoy seeing more creative maps such as this from the map maker.