S3: Witchmire (Scenario Design Flow)

[knyghtmare]

Landar and Kalenz pursue the Blackcrest clan to a nearby location outside of Wesmere, where they find the elven hostages. They are surprised to find a swamp and after some spying, discover that the Blackcrest clan is allied with saurians (Clan Earth-becomes-clay). They discover that the shamans have made some blood sacrifices from the elves as well to boost their magical powers. Landar and Kalenz free the hostages and either wipe out the orcs or simply retreat. Either way, more orcs arrive at the end of the scenario, prompting them to return to Wesmere and go back to the Ka'lian.

Recruits: Archer, Fighter, Scout, Civilian

To my current understanding, the scenario is based like this:

• Precall 2 (3 on EASY) veterans
• Scenario start: a scout (Huraldur) arrives with some reinforcements (player can now recruit Scout and Civilian now).
• As per story reason, Elf Civilian female cannot advance to Elvish Shaman.
• Brief cutscene of Landar yet again defying orders and adamantly firm in rescuing the hostages.
• Kalenz is dubious but accepts to help Landar (he too wants to rescue the elves trapped, waiting to be sacrificed)
• First objective: move Kalenz/Landar to the keep in the middle, once at the keep, reveal the scenario map. They witness a shaman sacrificing an elf civilain. This infuriates them and the rescue begins.
• There are cages, north and south with saurians at their keeps (heavily guarded to discouraged attack), but hostage rescue is very possible, keep guards wont interfere.
• Orcish keep is also heavily guarded. Orcish leader is one of their High Sorceresses (needs a name)
• Player objective: Rescue a set number of hostages before turn runs out (10/12/14: this might change).
• Apart from saurians, player has to resist the orcish attack force at the lower right corner.
• Hostages are AI Controlled Elf Civilians and will flee towards Wesmere on spawn.
• We show a header message on upper left corner on hostage rescue count.
• After turns run out, (And you rescued enough hostages), more orcs will arrive.
• Landar/Kalenz gives retreat order.

Extras:

• Wondering if hostages should be periodically dragged and sacrificed...might be too gore...

Thoughts? @nemaara @AnekronCZ

[knyghtmare]

Follow up:

Military might comes from their ability to bloodlust their troops.

I wonder if Blackcrest orc units should all get this buff.

[nemaara]

Your outline looks good. Small things:

1. Turn limit should be relatively low. It should be a quick yet brutal and difficult scenario. I expect most people will lose some units.
2. All blackcrest warriors (not shamans) should probably get bloodlust. You probably won't fight shamans but might get sight of them. There aren't that many warriors (esp not compared to whitefang) but bloodlust makes them really strong.
3. I think implying the sacrificing with like a sacrifice pit should be good enough.
4. Some interactions with fleeing civilians could be nice.