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| Author |
File Description |
| UnikUnok |
Posted on 09/04/08 @ 04:49 AM
| File Details |
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| Map Size: |
400x400 (Large) |
| Difficulty: |
Hard |
Minimap:
 |
Somehow you had succeeded. Arriving at Harlow Manor from Ramel to support the Revolution had required the utmost resolution. Marching down the coast under the watchful eye of the frigate Percival’s cannons, you had achieved that arduous task. You arrived in the “Old Country” with time to prepare for the inevitable attack of the King’s army. Ramel, with its ruined “SK-eye SCRAY-pers” spoke more of the long dead Ancients and the “Abomination that caused Desolation” than this place. Yet, it was in the “Old Country”, as it had been taught by the teachers of thy youth, that what remained of that long ago age still lurked. As the “Free Seventh”, what your army had now come to be called, marched southward all evidence of said ancients had rapidly vanished. Indeed, the untamed land had looked like any other. That was until the day of the “Rale-way-Stay-shun”.
On that day the dense forest, which for weeks had been your constant companion, began to give way. Thick Pine stubbornly yielded to the Oaks and Maples of a more temperate climate. Most of your troops had reveled at the good fortune of an easier trek and pleasant temperatures. You, who remembered well the fairytales of thy youth wondered increasingly if the tales about the ancients were true. As you traveled on towards the sea and reached the fringes of the “Old Country”, strange objects began to appear out of the undergrowth. Most were unrecognizable lumps of rust or stone but here and there, a strange or fascinating object would turn the heads of the entire army as it marched by.
A rusted box had been one you remembered. Although weathered, to the point that its bottom had fallen out, it was surprisingly intact for its age. Short and squat, it sat on four tiny metal legs. Two had long ago crumbled away along with the bottom and now the box listed drunkenly to one side. A bluish hue of its long faded enamel still permeated here and there through the heavy rust that coated it. Although badly battered and dented, its rounded top still possessed a small door with a handle. Many of your men pulled the door down as they walked by. A few made comments like “Nice to meet you” or Anybody home?”. Some got laughs, others didn’t. Despite the millennias the door clapped back after each pull. Amazingly still doing the job it had been designed for long after its designers were dust. Some of your younger officers had been intrigued with an emblem stamped into the metal of the door. Knowing you could read the “Ancient Tongue” they inquired its meaning. Obligingly you sounded it out for them, “YOU. - ESS. - Mayel”.
A short time after the metal box, the trees abruptly cleared. There before you was a site that none of your men had ever seen. Directly in front of you was a large ruined complex. Upon closer inspection you could see it was made of a substance you had seen everywhere at Ramel. The Ancients used it like water, today its secret was lost with time, “CON-creete”. A ruined building on one half of the site said nothing obvious about the complex’s purpose. An old rusted sign was separated from the ruins by one of the strangest sites you had ever seen. Two thin rusted steel beams ran parallel to one another. Every few feet an ancient, rotted piece of wood connected the two steel beams. Looking North-West, the beams ran all the way to the Harlow River where they abruptly stopped. Although the beams ended, small crumbling stone islands picked up where they left off spanning the river to the other bank. Facing South-East, the beams ran to a bizarre and obviously un-natural hillock. Eroded earth had exposed what looked like a concrete cave with its roof caved in. From this cave came not only the beams but also a stream that now ran aside the steel all the way to the Harlow River.
Stephan, your trusted lieutenant came up beside you. “What a strange site M’lord. Have you ever seen such a thing?” You were about to reply no when a memory stopped your tongue cold. After a short pause you answered Stephan’s query with “The little engine that could”. Stephan looked quizzical for a moment and than said “An engine sire?” You told him of the ancient book tucked away in the library of your father’s castle. On its faded, yellowed pages you had seen simplistic drawings of strange steel beasts that ate coal and belched smoke. These beasts had run on magic roads called “TRANE-tracks”. In the book, you remembered those tracks and they now stood in front of you as real as your army. Stephan looked rueful, almost reproachfully at the tracks. You smiled and said. “They matter not old friend. They will be of no use to us in the coming battle”. He smiled back and the tracks were forgotten. “What of the sign sire?” Stephan said. You read the faded text upon it out loud. “TWO BALL - tea - Moore AND aw-al POINTS SOW-th”.
Crossing the small stream that ran from the Concrete cave, you and the Free 7th finally came to Harlow Manor. This magnificent manor house was astounding. Although several families now called it home, it had once been the house of a single family! Around the Harlow “E-stayte” As was the ancient word for a sole families lands, a thriving community had flourished. Fortunately, this community was sympathetic to the revolution and with the sacrifice of their livelihoods had set your trap for the Kings army. One so devastating it would turn the tide of the war back in favor of the Revolution. With days to spare the preparations were set for the Kings attack. You and your men had rested and ate well at the massive house. At night, while you, your officers and some of the community elders sat around the gargantuan fireplace in the Mansion’s main room, a strange sound could be heard from the nearby Harlow’s Wood, a howling of sorts.
You asked the elders about the source of the sound. Apprehensively, they explained of beasts they called “wear-wolves”. How these wolf-men came down from the “Old Country” sometimes and took lone travelers. How they seemed to have a taste for human flesh. When you inquired on how they could know such a detail as their tastes, their patriarch, an old man they called Marcel, snapped “cause we come to were they been a’night before. Find a horse all saddled and untouched like. Meybe’ a little spooked of sorts but sound. ALWAYS they be no rider, just blood and itty bits.” “You’ve seen them?” you asked in reply. Marcel simply looked at you. Finally, he mumbled a bit of some ancient children’s rhyme. One you knew from your youth. “All the King’s Horses and all the Kings Men could not repair the damage within.” Marcel had mumbled more to himself it had appeared so you replied “The Abomination that caused Desolation”. “Aye” Marcel said brightly “trig you are then. So’s them things ya’ hearin. Awful trig they are. They sense a battle to come. Come a battle, come corpses ta’ feast on.”
That battle would come the following afternoon. During the morning, you had wandered about the expansive estate marveling at all the wonderful buildings. As you walked around the manor proper, you came to a cornerstone of the great stone pile. Upon it, you spied the carvings of some ancient, you stooped to read them. ‘This stone laid by Sir William Harlow of Baltimore in the year of our Lord 1794 A.D.’. You stood up momentarily shocked. 1794 A.D., the date was simply not possible. currently, the year was 1297 A.D. - After Desolation! How could this be? It was the crows that garnered your attention. Plumes of the dark scavengers erupted from Harlow’s Wood and into the bright, late, Summer Sun. Voicing there disapproval loudly as the King’s army approached.
Author’s Notes:
This map is only guaranteed for play with Stronghold Warchest. You must at least have the V1.2 patch installed on your computer. The patch is free and available at this site.
This map has been listed as a Siege but will play in Stronghold as an Invasion. My reasons for doing this are first, the map truly is a siege and was designed as one. You will find it has no scripting or eco-goals and that the action is most definitely designed in the same manner as many of my other maps which are all sieges. Secondly, a weird uncontrollable and untraceable victory glitch occurred. I was able to eliminate the glitch by playing the map as an Invasion.
As with most of my maps, your objectives appear on the launch page. They have been scripted to appear a certain way and have a bizarre appearance in the editor because of it.
Difficulty Setting:
Your Skill - Setting
Rookie - Easy
Veteran - Normal
Elite - Hard
Legendary - Very Hard (or Hard without burning the Wheatfields)
Hints/Tips
* You will need to destroy all enemy units including engineers to obtain the victory page.
* Due to the stunning victory your forces achieved at Ramel, all friendly troops have a 10% combat bonus.
* You will find Harlow’s Wood has no traditional Keep, Harlow Manor is the Keep and is where you will find the Lord. Understand, the Manor House is indeed that. Well garrisoned but ultimately an ornate, unfortified structure.
* Ship cannons/catapults have 200 shots each and 6 cows overall. Ship also has 2 ballista. Fire Away!
* You will have partial control over the Harlow Estate. Namely the Granary and the Marketplace. As mentioned above, you will also have the ability to light the wheatfields as a means of defense. Keep in mind, such a large, open fire will be difficult to control! Collateral damage is to be expected if you choose this option and are not careful.
* Funds can be gained to build shields.
*Intelligent Catapults, similar to those in Crusader, will move into position slowly but fire quite accurately!
* ‘Werewolves’ are represented by wolves. Be wary, for these decrepit beings possess some rudimentary intelligence and will mount their own concerted attack on Harlow Manor. At the time I made this map a tutorial explaining how to get wolves, bears, rabbits, and deer on a Siege map was written and posted here :
http://stronghold.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forum/display.cgi?,action=ct&f=4,3074,150,all
* Tutorials on how to create the unique buildings found around the estate can be found at the following links :
http://stronghold.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forum/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,3081,150,all
http://stronghold.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forum/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,3078,150,all
http://stronghold.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forum/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,3088,150,all
http://stronghold.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forum/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,3080,150,all
http://stronghold.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forum/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,3086,120,all
http://stronghold.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forum/display.cgi?action=ct&f=4,3125,90,all
Harlow’s Wood is Chapter 10 in The Saga of The Seventh, it may be very difficult for players new to Stronghold. Try an earlier chapter!
The Story thus far….
Wynn Avegen
Southern Cross
Ambush at Manathma
The Cumberland Downs
Henn Dommen
The Battle at Andolin
The Vierville Draws
Saint Lo
Ramel
Harlow’s Wood
The Heligoland Bight - coming soon!
...Also related ‘The Interlude’ Battle of the Solomon Sea. |
| Pages: [1] 2 » Last » | | Author | Comments & Reviews ( All | Comments Only | Reviews Only ) |
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| Fintrollx |
Posted on 09/05/08 @ 05:10 AM [Edited on 09/05/08 @ 11:48 AM]
|
| The Hitman |
Posted on 09/05/08 @ 07:07 AM |
| The Hitman |
Posted on 09/05/08 @ 08:02 AM |
UnikUnok
File Author |
Posted on 09/05/08 @ 05:10 PM |
| The Hitman |
Posted on 09/06/08 @ 05:57 AM
Awesome map, far too hard for me however ;]
[Edited on 09/06/08 @ 06:00 AM]
|
UnikUnok
File Author |
Posted on 09/06/08 @ 06:09 AM
Don't give up!
- Try the map on Easy
- Amass as many of your troops as you can at the entrance to Harlow Manor.
- Set all troops to a Defensive Stance.
- Re-read the Hints/Tips for extra clues.
- Have fun![Edited on 09/06/08 @ 06:13 AM]
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| Fintrollx |
Posted on 09/07/08 @ 03:00 AM
I think this map is really playable only problem i had was the lag becouse of the big fire and massive enemy forces. but i can't lower the score for the map becouse of my computer. so really that was the only problem (for me) but i think this map is really playable even if you have finished it. it took me two times on normal to finish this but i will going to try this with hard difficulty next time, the balance is good and that fire + the catapults + enemy force movement makes this map really playable; the player has to think his moves, what i did was to put my forces close to king on aggressive stance, when the massive enemy force arrived i putted the fiel on flames (really cool!) that i ordered my catapults to fire enemies marching on the field, i also shot few cows which really made massive destruction, i fought with my forces so i kept my troops out of fire but i fought in the edge of between fire and safe area so the enemy was brutally slaughtered to fire! catapult rocks smashing their heads, fire burning their skin, and my deadly weapons piercing them + i took the crossbowmens from the ship to make some huge devastation against enemy swordmen it really help also. so as an conclusion it was really fun to make a stand over there, i was so outnumbered but won in the end really fun. this is what really is a good stronghold map, ohh and did i mention after the enemy attacking forces were killed i had to gather my wounded forces and go finish them once and for all to have my victory!
Balance: 5
I think the balance was pretty much perfect.
i think i had the right strategy to fight against enemies so i managed to win this with 83%troops lost on normal difficulty. without the right strategy this map is definetly not easy, that is what makes this a really playable map.
Creativity: 5
As your all maps i've played are all one of the most creative maps ever made this game like in this one: no actual keep, a custom made REALLY good looking mansion, the wheat fields (they can be set to VERY long lasting fire, what's more cooler than that?!), the ship with catapults, ballistas in outposts without a tower, the railroad and rail station, the river area on the left corner. it is just crazy full of things what you can't see with other map makers.
Map Design: 5
really, really realistic landscape. the buildings look amazing, the ship. it is just perfect, it's hard to say more here becouse there's nothing i could say was done 'not-good'
Story/Instructions: 5
Long detailed, good story + really good instructions for player; hint's and tips + authors notes etc..
Additional Comments:
This is another map which only proves again to me why you are my favourite map designer :) |
UnikUnok
File Author |
Posted on 09/09/08 @ 10:57 PM
For an added challenge, try to beat the map without lighting the wheat fields. I myself have only been able to beat this on ,Very Hard WITH lighting the wheatfields.
Dag-nammit no HTML
[Edited on 09/09/08 @ 10:58 PM]
|
Ilmarinen
(id: Cilibinarii) |
Posted on 09/14/08 @ 10:45 AM
Loved it, looking forward to see more of your work; your map design skills exceed all limits! The Manor House baffled me, the Rale-way-stay-shun shunned me, the eyecandy bakeries in the middle of the stockpiles were incredible. The wheat fields dazzled me. Everything actually baffled, shunned, dazzled me. Really, this scenario deserves a 50/5.
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| Dragol |
Posted on 09/17/08 @ 06:37 AM |
| Pages: [1] 2 » Last » |
 
HGDL v0.8.2 |
| Rating |
|---|
| 4.9 | | Breakdown |
|---|
| Playability | 5.0 | | Balance | 4.5 | | Creativity | 5.0 | | Map Design | 5.0 | | Story/Instructions | 5.0 |
| Statistics |
| Downloads: | 3,626 |
| Favorites: [] | 1 |
| Size: | 929.29 KB |
| Added: | 09/04/08 |
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