Misc. Author Info: This level was an attempt to make something "different," so I'm not quite sure how well people will like it. I have only been able to play-test it in a two player game. I would appreciate any hints or tips "someone who knows" may have on how to improve it. As always, I would also appreciate reports on any critical things I forgot.
Description:
The Map
The Human and Orcish armies have fought for this territory since the horde crossed the Great Sea. The continuous warfare has taken its toll on the area as the ground became slick with blood. When the battle first began, it was restricted to the central island, but now the island has become a barren and resourceless land mass in the center of a swamp. The battle lines have shifted throughout the lengthy battle and chunks of human and orc walls stand here and there among the battlefield. To the north and south of the island are large land masses untouched by axe or pick.
Humans
Green - You have arrived to take charge of the standing army of the territory. After a messenger brought word that the army had depleted all of the islands resources you came aboard a transport with three knights, two archers, and a ballista.
As you look out onto human controlled territory for the first time you realize the full scope of the attrition that has virtually brought the fighting to a halt. As the battle lines have shifted, the troops were forced to build walls next to remaining orcish ones in order to save resources. When a soldier falls, the armor is given to another. New construction ceased a long time ago. The situation appears extremely grim, but you have been given authority to collect resources from the lands off of the island. You stop to ponder, thinking that if the Orcs are in as much trouble as the humans, as they must be with the armies at a stalemate, then your fresh troops should crush them.
You grin and call your second in command, "Commander, prepare to att---."
You are cut off as Orcish battle cries fill the air and the watchman falls from the tower, his last warning on his lips. As you order your troops to join the ranks of the defenders a fireball annihilates a portion of the wall.
Violet - You have been ordered to report to the island and construct a base in order to aid in the ending of the stalemate while achieving victory. You came aboard a transport with a lone peasant and sufficient resources to construct a town hall in the resource-rich area to the north. You travelled with an escort of a Lordaeron Battleship and a Lordaeron transport carrying six peasants. Unfortunately, fortune did not smile upon your fleet and an Orc destroyer sunk the Lordaeron transport with all hands. The Battleship managed to destroy the transport, but in the process ran aground. As far as you know, you are the only reinforcements the humans have. Violet is the color of the mages.
White - After your transport bit the liquid you managed to swim to shore along with two of the peasants. After sending word back to the allied forces, a group of gryphons on their way elsewhere dropped off a significant quantity of resources. With your transport destroyed, you must construct all of the buildings necessary to construct another one. Until you reach the land to the north, you will have no access to additional resources.
Orcs
Red - You were greatly dismayed at the sight of so many Orcs of your clan cowering in fear, but your fresh troops were eager for the sounds of battle. By putting the lazy peons to work in the southern peninsula you intend to remove the human stench from this place. But first, you launch an attack to bring fear to those human eyes...
Blue - So frustrating! Your forces together with Red should have crushed the humans, but when the peons could no longer find lumber, you watched helplessly as the battle lines shifted once again, leaving the humans within range of your Fortress. Your honor was tarnished when it was left to Red to save you. However, the Temple of the Damned remains standing, and with the arrival of a transport, you will send your pathetic peons south. Soon, your troops will gain honor with the slaughter of the humans. The Death Knights await their awakening...
Black - Two clans have been unsuccessful in removing the foul stink of the humans. You have arrived to increase the odds to three-to-one. Soon your forces will show Orcs everywhere what a slaughter really is. Having read the reports, you know that oil is not to be found near the island. However, you also know that the only oil patch in Orc controlled territory is in the lower left corner of the territory. You intend to use it to your advantage. Using this knowledge you have not brought any oil with you and instead brought more gold and lumber.
Hints:
1. Obviously you need gold and lumber in a hurry. Whoever you are, concentrate on getting one or more peasants/peons across the water and onto the northern continent if you are human, or the southern continent if you are orc. Once their, walk along the coastline until you find an opening in the trees allowing you to go inland. Find the mine and build a town hall. You may have to clear some trees first, especially if one of your allies built there already. The player's who own all of the towers to start out with should be allowed to build their town halls first, since they have to hold the line until the allies get built up.
2. Each side has only one oil patch with a large quantity of oil. The black and the white players arrived with no oil due to reasons of their own, hence they stand the most to gain from the oil patch. Each team must decide for themselves. Keep in mind that resources would be better spent if each player specialized in troops, magic, or naval units.
Additional Credits to: Blizzard Entertainment, who made Warcraft II; Players like you.
