This is the game design that takes place in medieval times. It is like a combination between Age of Empires and Age of Mythology. There are four civilizations, the Germans, the Danes, the British, and the French. Each culture has a chose between two folk heroes each age. Each hero grants you a Monster, or myth unit, a unique tech and a special power.
Little Red Riding Hood Castle Age Freishütz Imperial Age Lohengrin Marsk Stig Castle Age Havelock the Dane Imperial Age Holger Danske Nimue Castle Age Roland Imperial Age Jean d'Arc Guinevere Castle Age Taliesin Imperial Age King Arthur Melee Units- Man-At-Arms Pikeman Halberdeer Sergeant Champion Doppelsoldner (German Unique Unit) Hirdman (Danish Unique Unit) Scottish Mercenary (British Unique Unit) Gothic Knight (German Unique Unit) Vikingr (Danish Unique Unit) Footknight (British Unique Unit) Teutonic Knight (German Unique Unit) Ranged Units Skirmisher Crossbowman Arbalest Cavalry Archer Arquebusier Hand Cannoneer Throwing Axeman (French Unique Unit) Longbowman (British Unique Unit) Lancer Rider Knight Paladin Cavalier (French Unique Unit) Chevalier (French Unique Unit) Siege Weapons Mangonel Onager Trebuchet Battering Ram (Danish Unique Unit) Ships Trade Ship Transport Ship Galley Galleon Fire Ship Cannonship Longship (Danish Unique Unit) Economic Units Merchant Priest Monk Town Center Dock Barracks Archery Range Stable Blacksmith Church Foundry Siege Workshop Castle Market
The four ages in Lore are the same as the ages in Age of Empires: the Dark Age, the Feudal Age, the Castle Age and the Imperial Age. Each age, starting with the Feudal Age, you pick between two folk heroes. The requirements for advancing each age are: a barracks for the Feudal Age, a Church for the Castle Age and a castle for the Imperial Age.
There are four civilizations in Lore: The Germans, the Danes, the British and the French.
History: Germany was not a united nation until the 1800s, when Bismarck united them for the first time. Before this, Germany was a league of warring tribes including the Teutons, the Gauls, the Celts, and the Goths.
In the Game: The Germans have a weaker economy, with no economical bonuses at all. But German infantry is stronger than infantry from other races, and their Town Centers and Towers have greater arrow range and attack.
Unique Units: Doppelsoldner, Gothic Knight, Teutonic Knight
History: Up into the 11th century the Danes were known as Vikings, together with Norwegians and Swedes, colonising, raiding and trading in all parts of Europe. Many archaeologists and historians believe that the Vikings even made it as far as America. They travelled from Scandinavia to Iceland, then further to Greenland and then finally America. At various times the King of Denmark has ruled parts of England and Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, France especially Normandy and parts of the Virgin Islands, Tranquebar in India, parts of the Baltic coast and what is now northern Germany.
In the Game: The Danes have a slight farming bonus, but their main power is naval. Their Longships are the strongest ships in the game, and all Danish ships are stronger, faster and cheaper than their counterparts in other races.
Unique Units: Hirdman, Vikingr, Longship, Battering Ram
History: By the sixth century, the French had successfully gained control of the Rhine River Valley. In the middle ages, the British and the French were locked in the Hundred Years War from 1337 to 1457.
In the Game: The French are best at the rush strategy. They can build Castles an age early, and their villagers gather resources faster. Unfortunately they weaken in later ages, so it is best to strike as soon as possible.
Unique Units: Throwing Axeman, Cavalier, Chevalier
History: The British were descended from Celts that settled Ireland, England and Scotland. During the middle ages, the British were locked in combat with French, and under assault from the Vikings.
In the Game: British clergy units are weaker and they cannot get Foundries, but they make up for this by having highly superior infantry, cavalry and archers. All Blacksmith techs are cheap, and the Imperial age troops which are expensive to other races, such as the Trebuchet or the Champion are cheaper to the British.
Unique Units: Scottish Mercenary, Footknight, Longbowman.
Each age, starting with the Feudal Age, you can choose between two folk heroes for each culture. Every folk hero grants you a monster (like a myth unit from Age of Mythology), a unique tech and a special power.
Feudal Age
Brunhilde
A mighty female warrior, one of the Valkyries, and a heroine from the German epics, especially in the Nibelungen saga, in which she is a Icelandic princess. She defied Odin and in punishment he imprisoned her within a ring of fire on earth, decreeing that there she would remain until a brave hero rescued her. Siegfied (Sigurd) braved the fire, broke her charmed sleep, and fell in love with her. He gave her the ring, Andvarinaut, unaware of its curse. Eventually she kills herself when she learns that Sigurd had betrayed her with another woman (Gudrun), not knowing he had been bewitched into doing so by Grimhild.
Monster: Erl-A malevolent goblin which preys on children. Can feed on the corpses of dead villagers, healing it.
Unique Tech: Ride of the Valkyries-Cavalry are faster and have higher attack.
Power: Ring of Fire-Cast to make a protective ring of fire around one of your buildings.
Another nursery story by Charles Perrault (Le Petit Chaperon Rouge), common in Sweden, Holland, Germany, and France. The story tells of a little girl, wearing a red riding hood, who brings cookies to her grandmother who lives in the woods. When she arrives there, her grandmother has already been eaten by the wolf and the girl suffers the same fate. In the finale, a huntsman arrives and slits open the wolf, thus restoring Little Red Ridinghood and her grandmother to life, but that is a later German addition.
Monster: Poltergeist-An invisible trickster which can fling enemies great distances.
Unique Tech: Pickling-All units cost less food.
Power: Black Forest- Summons a few Black Forest trees.
Hans Heiling
Hans Heiling (Jan Svatos in Czech) is a legendary person from German stories of Loket castle and town in Sokolov county (today's Czech republic). Hans's Heiling was a foundling. His mother, the water nymph Oharka from the Ohre river, gave him the power to command spirits and taught him how to master magic. Hans Heiling became quite rich and powerful and also ordered spirits under his command to build a great city. The granite rocks above the Ohre, named Hans-Heiling-Felsen (Svatosske skaly), were believed to be ruins of this city. When Hans Heiling discovered that he could not achieve common human happiness even with his supernatural powers, he refused them and soon after died fighting a bear.
Monster: Ogre-A giant wielding a club which he uses to gore enemies.
Unique Tech: Ohre Granite-Buildings have higher hitpoints and armor.
Power: Castle-Creates a free castle instantly
"Free-shooter." A legendary German marksman who entered into compact with Samiel, the Black Huntsman of the Wolf's Glen. This satanic spirit give him seven charmed balls, six of which were to hit unerringly whatever the marksman chose as his target. The seventh, however, was to be deceive and hit whatever this spirit wanted. A variation of the story tells of a fowler who could never hit a single bird. He sold his soul to the Devil in order to become a Freischütz. The Devil was to return in seven years, but must always be able to name the animal at which the fowler was shooting. Failure to do so would nullify the agreement. After that day, the fowler never missed a target. When the seven years had almost passed, he confided in his wife and they came up with a way to cheat the Devil. She stripped herself, daubed her whole body with a thick syrup (molasses), and then covered herself with feathers. She then hopped about in a field where her husband was talking to the Devil. The Devil told him to fire at the bird, but the fowler first asked him to name the creature. Obviously, the Devil could not and vanished with a whiff of brimstone. The opera Der Freischütz, by Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826), was based on this legend and first produced in Berlin in 1821.
Monster: Kobold-A enchanted villager unit. A flying goblin which can build and gather resources.
Unique Tech: Charmed Bullets-Your ranged units have higher accuracy.
Power: Feral-All animals on the map go wild and attack everything for about two minutes.
Sigurd
Sigurd (Siegfried) was the greatest hero in Germanic legend, and central character of the Saga of the Volsungs. He was the foster-son of Regin, who sent him to recover a fabulous hoard of gold. Regin's father Hreidmar had first acquired this treasure, which once belonged to the dwarf Andvari. To get their hands on the gold Regin and his brother Fafnir had then killed Hreidmar, but Fafnir wanted the treasure for himself and turned into a dragon to guard it.
Regin wished to possess the treasure which his brother guarded, and to this end forged a great sword for Sigurd, but it broke the first time it was tested, and Sigurd had his father's sword reassembled and re-forged, and Gram stood every test. By cunningly stabbing the monster from underneath, Sigurd succeeded in slaying Fafnir, thus gaining both wealth and wisdom (by licking the blood of the slain dragon), since Fafnir was said to have understood the language of birds. When he realized that Regin intended to kill him for the gold, Sigurd slew him before carrying it away himself. Sigurd then went to free the Valkyrie maiden Brunhilde, who lay in a magical sleep, cast there by Odin, for daring to rise above his wishes. But Brunhilde had sworn only to marry the man who could ride through the fire that surrounded her dwelling. Gunnar wanted her, but could not perform the feat, but Sigurd in Gunnar's shape did so. Thus Brunhilde agreed to marry Gunnar.
Monster: Lorelai-A beautiful maiden who can lure units closer to her. Any unit near her is slowly killed.
Unique Tech: Language of Birds-All units have greater LoS
Power: Earthquake-The ground underneath your opponents' cities crumble, destroying most of their buildings
The keeper of the Holy Grail in German myth. He must keep his identity and history a secret. His wife, the Princess of Brabant, insists on questioning him and breaks the spell and Lohengrin is borne away by a great swan. Further treatment can be found in the 13th century German romance Lohengrin. In Richard Wagner's opera, it is explained that the Grail gives it's guardians magical powers that depend upon them maintaining their anonymity.
Monster: Doppelganger-A spirit which can become any enemy unit in its LoS.
Unique Tech: Holy Grail-Knights, Teutonic Knights, Gothic Knights and Monks all have increased speed and armor
Power: Ressurect-Brings back one unit from the dead. Can be used several times.
Feudal Age
King Waldmar
The hero of a cycle of Danish ballads of the 14th century. These ballads deal with King Waldmar, his queen Sophie, and Tove, his paramour. King Waldmar was a popular king indeed.
Monster: Alfar-A mythic archer unit which is sort of like an Elf.
Unique Tech: Sagas-All technologies are cheaper, unique technologies more so.
Power: Charisma-For a short time, your Villagers and Militia have high attack and speed.
The hero of a sequence of Danish ballads. He was a champion of the people against Eric, a tyrannous king.
Monster: Nisse-A household spirit which can gather resources.
Unique Tech: Dragon Heads-Ships train faster.
Power: Rebellion-Turns a group of enemy units chaotic.
Niels Ebessen
The hero of a cycle of Danish ballads from the 14th century. The theme of the ballads are his heroic deeds and how he rid the country of foreign oppression by killing the infamous German Count of Holstein in 1340.
Monster: Mermaid-A sea maiden who can sing, protecting all units in an area around her.
Unique Tech: Undersea Palace-Mermaids are upgraded to Royal Mermaids, which have increased speed.
Power: Veil-Turn an army of your units invisible.
A hero of medieval romance. Havelock was the orphan son of Birkabegn, the King of Denmark. When he was just a little boy, Havelock was cast adrift on the sea through the treachery of his guardians and the raft bore him to the coast of Lincolnshire. There he was found by a fisherman called Grim who brought the boy up as his own son. Havelock eventually became King of Denmark and of part of England. He suitably rewarded the old fisherman for all he had done, and with the money the fisherman built Grim's town or Grimsby.
Monster: Colbronde-A giant from Danish legends. Smashes enemies with a tree club.
Unique Tech: Grimsby-All ships are cheaper and are built faster.
Power: Flooding-Water pours down on enemy cities, damaging units and buildings.
Beowulf
About one thousand to twelve hundred years ago, an unknown author put pen to paper and transcribed an epic that had already been circulating for about two centuries. The work which he wrote was a sweeping Anglo-Saxon tale entitled "Beowulf." It is the oldest piece of English literature extant today, though it nearly did not make it here; it was almost destroyed by King Henry VII along with the monastery in which it was housed. A library fire threatened to take in 1731 before it was finally put in the British museum in 1753, where it remains today. Beowulf is an epic poem that simply chronicles the adventures of its namesake, as he battles various and sundry fell beasts. It is divided into three major parts, or battles: Grendel, Grendel's mother in the lake, and the dragon. The beginning of the poem details the trials and tribulations of Hrothgar, king of the Danes; his beautiful hall Heorot is besieged by the demon Grendel. When Beowulf hears of this, he comes straightaway to Heorot and battles the monster, ultimately ripping its arms off. The resulting celebration is cut short when Grendel's mother, in a frenzy of grief, kills several of the revelers. Beowulf then follows her to a lake, where he descends into the depths and battles her with a sword he finds there, killing her. The third part of the tale jumps forward many years. Beowulf is now an ageing king of his people, and a dragon is enraged and begins to ravage the land. Good king that he is, Beowulf meets the dragon in battle, defeating it but receiving a death-blow in turn. The funeral of this great hero marks the tragic end of the tale. One of the most remarkable facets of Beowulf, and one of the reasons for its popularity, is its use of kennings, or extreme personification. For example, rather than use the term "ocean," the poem would use "swan-road;" rather than "water-churning boat," "foamy-necked floater." This makes for an extremely interesting read, as many things are referred to in a roundabout way.
Monster: Grendel-A giant and formidable monster which is slower, but has high attack.
Unique Tech: Hrunting-Vikingrs and Hirdman have higher attack.
Power: Frenzy-Sends your troops into a battle frenzy, increasing their attack and armor, but taking them out of your control.
Holger Danske is normally regarded as a Danish national symbol. He is first mentioned in literature as one of the French king Charlemagne's warriors in La Chanson de Roland from around 1060. In this Chanson he is called Oger le Danois, his name being the only link to Denmark. In the later epos La Chevalerie d'Ogier de Danemarche (1200-1215) he is portrayed as the main character and is described as a son of the Danish king Gudfred (d. 810), an enemy of Charlemagne. His first appearance in Nordic literature is in the saga Karlemagnússaga from the latter part of the 1200s, which in the main consists of passages translated from French texts. His name here is given as Oddgeir danski. This saga was translated into Danish during the 1400s and thereafter Holger Danske became part of Danish folklore with several accounts in the Danish Chronicle first published around 1509. The Danish national writer Hans Christian Andersen in 1845 wrote the fairytale Holger Danske, where he is described as sitting fast asleep in the casemates of the Castle of Kronborg, with his beard having grown into the table in front of him and his sword in his lap, prepared to wake up to action in case of Denmark being threatened from outside forces. Today his statue can be seen in the casemates of Kronborg as described by Hans Christian Andersen.
Monster: Snow Queen-A woman made of ice riding in a sledge of snow. Can freeze enemy units.
Unique Tech: Shower of Ice-Archers have greater range and armor.
Power: Snow Storm-Ice blankets the map, freezing units and damaging buildings.
Feudal Age
Pharamond
In the Arthurian romances, a Knight of the Round Table, said to have been the first king of France and have reigned in the early 5th century. Pharamond was the son of Marcomir and father of Clodion.
Monster: Questing Beast-A beast persued by King Pellinore. Looks vaguely like a giraffe.
Unique Tech: Chivalry-Your Chevalier, Cavaliers, Sergeants and Halberdeers have greater attack.
Power: Battle Cry-Your soldiers cry out and have greater attack for a minute.
One of several ladies known as the Lady of the Lake or the Dame du Lac. There are many variants on her name from text to text - Viviane, Eviene, Niviene; other places she is Nimue or Nina (as in Wordsworth). In Malory, she is the companion to a previous lady and takes over in that role. Also in Malory, she is the one who bestows Excalibur upon Arthur and receives it back from him in the end. She is in the barge that bears Arthur to Avalon. She also travels with Merlin, who has fallen in love with her, through Brittanny and Cornwall, learning his arts but never consenting to be his mistress.
Monster: Croquemitaine-Sort of a French bogeyman. Used to frighten children. Can "frighten" enemy units, stunning them for a few seconds.
Unique Tech: Apples of Avalon-Monsters have higher attack and cost less.
Power: Quicksand-Creates a patch of quicksand which traps units
Ban
Father of Lancelot. First named in the Vulgate Lancelot. He is the sage king of Benoic in western France. Ban is defeated by his foe, Claudas of Berry, dying while Lancelot is but an infant. For this reason Lancelot is taken to be raised by the Lady of the Lake.
Malory creates in Ban an early ally of Arthur in his struggles to consolidate power against rebellious vassals. Lancelot is himself made lord of Benoic. "Benwick" claims Malory, is the name of a real city, possibly Bayonne.
Monster: Bicorn-A disgustingly fat creature which feeds on unfaithful men. Can eat enemy villagers.
Unique Tech: Fervent Prayer-Monks can convert enemy monks.
Power: Tithes-Grants you a steady income of resources.
Historically, the marquis of Brittany Roland was a Frankish seneschal (or commander) in Charlemagne's service, who was killed in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass by the Basques on 15 August, AD 778. Contemporary accounts mention him only once, namely in a brief note in Einhard's Vita Caroli Magni, a biography of Charlesmagne. It took several centuries for him to become a "pop icon" in high-medieval minstrel culture.By that time, folklore had significantly embroidered his tale: He was said to have been the nephew of Charlemagne, but had been brought up by his mother (the Lady Bertha) as a beggar, living in a cave near Sutri, Italy. At the age of 12, he was told the truth and acknowledged by Charlemagne.he legend growing around Roland had turned his life into an epic tale of the noble Christian killed by Islamic forces, which forms part of the medieval Matter of France. Roland's tale is retold in the eleventh century poem The Song of Roland, where he is equipped with the Olifant (a signaling horn) and an unbreakable sword named Durandal. See Orlando for his later history in Italian verse, leading to the epic Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto. In the Divine Comedy Dante sees Roland's spirit in the Heaven of Mars together with others
Monster: Chichevache-A pathetically thin creature which feeds on unfaithful women. Can eat enemy villagers.
Unique Tech: Seneschal-Sergeants are stronger, faster, better.
Power: Healing Spring-Creates a spring which heals allies.
Lancelot du Lac
Lancelot (Launcelot) -- named du Lac ("of the Lake"). Undoubtedly the most famous of the Knights of the Round Table. While outwardly a model of chivalry, he is an internally torn and ultimately flawed being. He does not appear in any Welsh material nor in Geoffrey of Monmouth and no convincing model is evident. He may have derived from Irish or Breton myth. He is first introduced by Chrétien de Troyes and substantially enlarged by the Vulgate cycle. Malory furthers his prominence. Lancelot is the son of the King of Benoic, Ban. He is carried away from this province of western France, by the Lady of the Lake. She raises him and presents him to Arthur's court upon his eighteenth birthday. His marshall prowess and inward nobility are soon apprehended by all. When not on the Quest, he meets with the Round Table and participates in the tournaments, often victoriously. He makes his home the northern castle of Joyous Gard, possibly Bamburgh, at the location of a British fort named Din Guayrdi. Perhaps his most recognizable role is that of paramour to Arthur's queen, Guinevere. Though the Queen's treatment of him at court is aloof and disdainful, according to the tenets of courtly love, their love runs deep and is lasting, though stormy at times. Their love is also integral to Grail legend. While Lancelot is the guest of the Grail-keeper Pelles, Pelles contrives magically to have the knight sleep with his daughter Elaine in the guise of the Queen, whom he has led Lancelot to believe is in the area. Lancelot sleeps with Elaine and the result of their union is Galahad, the chosen Grail-knight. Upon reaching manhood, Galahad comes to court and many knights set forth on the Quest for the Grail. Lancelot himself is denied the Grail because of his aldultery. Ironically however, it is that love that conceived the knight that attains the Grail. The love affair with the Queen is not unknown to the court who observe a silence on the subject until it is forced into the open by Mordred and Agravain. Arthur is forced to order the Queen's execution, for her infidelity is tantamount to treason. The attempt is made at Carlisle according to Malory. Lancelot and his men charge in to rescue her. In the ensuing fight, many knights are killed and Lancelot slays Gareth, the youngest brother to Gawain. Lancelot then carries the Queen off to Joyous Gard. This effectively splits the Round Table and, while the Queen is returned to her husband, Lancelot leaves with his followers to found a rival court in France. Arthur pursues with an army but peace is never restored. Gawain overtly foils attempts at armistice due to his hatred of Lancelot for killing his brother. Arthur returns home upon Mordred's revolt and after Gawain dies, a recociliation becomes possible. Lancelot arrives too late, after the final battle and the departure of the King. The errant knight takes his leave of the penitent Queen and retires to the hermitage in Glastonbury with the other survivors where he dies after paying for his sins. His body is removed to Joyous Gard for entombment.
Monster: Gargouille-A dragon like monster which breathes water instead of fire.
Unique Tech: Joyous Gard-Castles are cheaper and have higher hitpoints.
Power: Storm-Unleashes a mighty storm of lightning and rain.
St Joan of Arc (French: Jeanne d'Arc) (January1 1412–30 May 1431), also styled the Maid of Orléans (Pucelle d'Orléans), is a national heroine of France and a Saint of the Catholic Church. At just 17 years of age, she commanded the French royal army. She convinced King Charles VII to drive the English out of France, and he gave her authority over the army in the siege of Orléans, the Battle of Patay and other engagements in 1429 and 1430. Those campaigns enabled the coronation2 of Charles VII. As a result, he awarded her family with ennoblement. The Burgundians captured and delivered her to the English, who selected clergymen to find her guilty of heresy. John, Duke of Bedford had her burnt at the stake in Rouen. In 1920 Pope Benedict XV canonized her in recognition of her innocence3 as found by an earlier appeal after her death. Her posthumous reception history is a lengthy one: she was revered by the Catholic League in the 16th century, embraced as a cultural symbol in French patriotic circles since the 19th century, became an inspiration to Allied forces during the First and Second World Wars and an official Saint to Roman Catholics since the early 20th century; currently being a focus of considerable interest in the Republic of Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom and United States. Many people therefore regard Joan of Arc as a notable woman of valor, vigor, and faith. Joan of Arc's campaigns were responsible for a revitalization of Charles VII's faction during the Hundred Years' War.
Monster: Ankou-The flaming spirit of death. A towering figure made of fire which wields a shining scythe of steel. Can chop off the heads of enemy units.
Unique Tech: Maid of Orléans-All cavalry have higher armor and speed.
Power: Crusade-All of your units train almost instantly, and have high attack when they do for five minutes.
Feudal Age
Friar Tuck
Friar Tuck is a priest from old English folklore, and as legend describes, he was slightly pudgy. Armed with a sword, bow, and merry temperament, Friar Tuck was one of Robin Hood's best known men. He helped Robin with his missions and/or schemes. But even before he and Robin met, he was known as one of the best swordsmen/archers in the land. When Robin first came across Tuck, he didn't know the identity of the fat friar. They were near a river, so Robin threatened the friar with his bow, bidding the priest carry him across. But when they reached the other side, Friar Tuck quickly drew his sword, and forced Robin to carry him back. They started fighting with their swords, but Robin realized this was the friar he'd been seeking. So Robin asked the monk to join his company, and Friar Tuck agreed. Tuck was also the first of Robin's men to meet the king, Sir Richard of Lea, disguised as a black knight. He was also beaten by Richard in a duel of sport, and only when the shocked Robin saw Tuck fall did he realize who the black knight was.
Monster: Goblin-A small, wrinkled demon which can regenerate hitpoints.
Unique Tech: Friar's Habit-Monks and Priests are cheaper.
Power: Ceasefire-For two minutes, no one can attack.
Arthur's queen. According to Giraldus Cambrensis, the inscribed cross from the royal grave at Glastonbury named her as Arthur's second wife. Nothing is known of this first wife. Since the only surviving drawing of the cross only depicts one side and, presumably, any allusion to the queen was on the other, the claim of Giraldus is unverifiable. Those who believe Arthur died and was buried at Glastonbury generally accept that Guinevere was buried with him. By the hand of Geoffrey of Monmouth, Guinevere becomes a beautiful lady with a Roman heritage, raised in the house of Duke Cador of Cornwall. Little else is said until the end of Arthur's reign when she betrays the King by becoming the lover of the usurper Mordred. However, while the two are in battle, she runs away to Caerleon and enters a convent. The recurring theme of her entanglement with men besides her husband, whether by consent or abduction, has many variations. When kidnapped, she must be saved. On the archivolt in Modena Cathedral is a depiction, maybe pre-Geoffrey, of Arthur rescuing the queen. He must do it again in Caradoc's "Vitae" of Gildas, this time the queen having been abducted by King Melwas of Somerset. When connected to the theme of infidelity later, the rescuer becomes not her husband but Lancelot. These depictions might arise from a misinterpretation of the traditions of Celtic queens. A Celtic queen, like Medb of the Irish saga Tain Bo Culainge, was the equal of her husband in power and wealth. She also had affairs without reproach. Medieval writers could not have seen this free and equal behaviour as anything but stubborn infidelity. Their altered social perceptions would have precluded any true understanding hence Guinevere has since been cast as the unfaithful woman.
Monster: Noggle-A horse which can run over land or water. Good against Cavalry.
Unique Tech: Summer Queen-Farms are cheaper and Villagers farm faster.
Power: Seduce-Convert one enemy unit.
Robin Hood
A hero of a group of English ballads of the late 14th or early 15th century. Robin hood was portrayed as an outlaw who lived and poached in the royal forest of Sherwood, in Nottinghamshire, and Barnsdale, in Yorkshire. He robbed and killed those who represented the power of the government and the Church and he championed the cause of the needy and oppressed. His band of comrades included Little John, Will Scarlet, and Friar tuck.
Monster: Jack-in-the-Green-A giant figure made of wicker and leaves.
Unique Tech: Merry Men-Archers are faster and cheaper.
Power: Walking Woods-Brings a stand of Trees to life, turning them to powerful monsters.
Once there was a witch named Ceridwen, and she had two children. The one, her daughter, was as beautiful a child as you could ever hope to see; the other, her son Morfran, was so ugly, ill-favored and stupid that he sickened everyone who saw him. Ceridwen was grieved that Morfran was so horrible, and resolved by her magic arts to make him into such a great bard that no-one would mind his ugliness. She began to cast a great spell. Many were the plants that she cast into her cauldron, many the incantations said over it. An old blind man named Morda was set to keep the fires burning beneath it, assisted by a young boy, Gwion. The Cauldron of Wisdom and Inspiration must be kept boiling for a year and a day, and then the first three drops from it would impart ultimate knowledge to the one who drank them. But the rest of the liquid would be deadly poison. Long labored Ceridwen, roaming far to find the rare and exotic herbs she required, and so it chanced that she fell asleep on the last day of the spell. The boy Gwion was stirring the brew when three drops flew out onto his thumb, and they were scalding hot, so that he thrust it into his mouth to stop the burning. Instantly, he had the wisdom and inspiration of ages, and the first thing that occurred to him was that Ceridwen would be very angry. He ran away from the house of Ceridwen, but all too soon he heard the fury of her pursuit. Using his new magical powers, he turned himself into a hare. She turned into a greyhound bitch, and gained ever more on him. He came to a river, and quick as thinking became a fish. She became an otter. He leapt from the water, and in the middle of his leap became a bird of the air. The witch Ceridwen became a hawk. In desperation, he looked down and saw a pile of wheat. He dived, landed, and as it scattered he turned into a single grain. Then she landed and became a hen, and pecked at the grain until she had swallowed Gwion. Soon after, Ceridwen found herself with child, though she had lain with no man. When she realized that the baby was Gwion, she resolved to kill it, and Morfran wanted her to also, in revenge for his not becoming a bard. In due course, the babe was born, and Morfran would have slaughtered him on the spot, but the mother said no, because it was the most beautiful child ever seen. But she took him and, sewing him in a bag, set him adrift on the ocean.
Monster: Hag-An evil witch who flies through the sky on a broomstick and burns enemies with a magic lantern.
Unique Tech: Cauldron of Wisdom-Monks convert enemies faster.
Power: Sleep-Cast to lull several enemy units into a deep sleep.
Merlin
Enchanter, wizard and prophet who oversees Arthur's conception and birth, enables his ascension and acts as high counsel to the King in the early phase of his reign. Geoffrey of Monmouth is responsible for the Merlin known to literature today. His name, "Merlinus," is a latinized adaptation of the Welsh "Myrddin" - the name of a late sixth century northern bard reported to have the gift of sight who predicted a Celtic uprising. A series of Prophetiae Merlini were written by Geoffrey first and then incorporated into the Historia Regum Britanniae, where he attempts to give weight to his semi-historical character. Geoffrey borrows the story of the "child without a father" from the Historia Brittonum (9th century). A young prophet is brought to Vortigern as a sacrifice but saves himself by displaying feats of magic greater than those of the King's sorcerers. Geoffrey changes the name of this youth to Merlin from "Ambrosius," claiming that this was another name for him. In Geoffrey he is birthed by an incubus and has no human sire. Found at his birthplace, the town later called Carmarthen, he is brought before Vortigern before whom he reveals two underground warring dragons symbolizing the Britons and Saxons. The Prophetiae ensue. He is pictured as a youth instead of a boy savant. Geoffrey knew little at the time about the person of whom he wrote besides his name and reputation. He places Merlin a full century earlier than his Welsh model and, in a greater anachronism, has him oversee the construction of Stonehenge. He also casts the spell that allows Uther to impregnate Ygerna with Arthur. Geoffrey returned to Merlin around 1150 in his poem "Vita Merlini" where, having expanded his knowledge of the original bard, he tells Myrddin's tale and attempts unconvincingly to reconcile the dates with those of the Historia. Prominently featured is Ganeida, sister to Merlin and prophetess in her own right. The Historia however, remains the model for the romancers even though in it Merlin never has any contact with Arthur despite hints to the contrary. He begins to assume a larger role with Robert de Boron. The necromancer is now said to be Devilspawn born with the goal of opposing Christ by the formation of an evil prophet. His mother's virtue is responsible for thwarting this black purpose and the powers bestowed by Hell are turned to the good. de Boron and his Vulgate followers echo Geoffrey by placing him again in the 5th century and including Merlin's dealings with Vortigern and Uther. His deeds are also increased. He is now responsible for the making of the Round Table for Uther as a replacement for the table upon which Joseph of Arimathea placed the Grail. He lives to see Arthur born and sees to his care with a foster family. Lastly, he creates the test that will ultimately prove Arthur's royal birthright, the Sword in the Stone.
Monster: Faerie-A sprite which flies around. Is invisible. Has a special attack where it has an instant kill, but then is visible for ten seconds.
Unique Tech: Sword in the Stone-Footknights and Longbowmen are stronger against Monsters.
Power: Illusion-Creates an illusionary army of warriors.
Yep, its the King himself.
Arthur - King of Britain and focus of the legend started by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Following medieval practice, he portrays Arthur in contemporary terms but he places Arthur's reign shortly after Britain's separation from the Roman Empire during its final period in western Europe around 410 CE. Geoffrey frames Arthur as a British messianic figure so common in Late Roman antiquity- a "World-Restorer," or Restitutor Orbis - the king who, binding the wounds of internal strife, would defeat the barbarians and destroy all enemies reestablishing peace and ushering in a golden age. While Europe and a collapsing empire never found its savior, a recently Roman Britain does in Geoffrey's delightful fiction. What's important is that his conception of an age of peace based on a salvation from disintegration endures on down through Malory and the romancers though they never touch on the real problems of the period.
Monster: Fire Drake-A giant flaming dragon of death.
Unique Tech: Round Table-Knights and Paladins have much higher armor, hitpoints and speed.
Power: Camelot-Transforms your Town Center into Camelot, a mighty fortress.
The units in Lore are just like the units in other Age of games. They cost resources to train at buildings and are upgraded by technologies at other buildings. Nothing new here.
Militia
The basic miltary unit. Villagers can transform into them for a cost.
Available-Dark Age
Trained At: Barracks
Good Against: Villagers, Wild Animals
Weak Against: Archers, Cavalry
A more advanced infantry unit. Better against infantry.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Barracks
Good Against: Infantry
Weak Against: Archers, Cavalry
Anti-cavalry melee unit.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Barracks
Good Against: Cavalry
Weak Against: Infantry, Cavalry
Anti-cavalry melee unit.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Barracks
Good Against: Cavalry
Weak Against: Archers
Castle Age infantry unit. Stronger against archers.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Castle
Good Against: Archers
Weak Against: Cavalry
The elite melee unit. Fights with a two handed sword.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Castle
Good Against: Archers, Cavalry
Weak Against: None
Light infantry unit wielding a two-handed sword.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Barracks
Good Against: Infantry, Cavalry
Weak Against: Archers
Heavier infantry unit which wields an axe.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Barracks
Good Against: Buildings, Infantry
Weak Against: Cavalry
A levy from the Scottish territory. Fastest infantry in the game.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Barracks
Good Against: Villagers
Weak Against: Archers
A powerful and slow knight wielding a giant blade. Almost resistant to archers.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Castle
Good Against: Buildings, Archers
Weak Against: Cavalry
A mighty warrior that regenerates hitpoints.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Castle
Good Against: Infantry
Weak Against: Archers
A warrior that is good against monsters.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Castle
Good Against: Monsters
Weak Against: Infantry
The most expensive and powerful infantry unit in the game.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Castle
Good Against: Siege, Infantry, Buildings
Weak Against: Cavalry
Bowman
Basic Archer unit.
Available-Dark Age
Trained At: Archery Range
Good Against: Infantry
Weak Against: Archers, Cavalry
Counter-archer unit.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Archery Range
Good Against: Archers
Weak Against: Cavalry
Powerful archer. Has a fast firing rate.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Archery Range
Good Against: Infantry
Weak Against: Archers, Cavalry
Most powerful basic archer unit. Fires a crossbow.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Archery Range
Good Against: Infantry, Archers
Weak Against: Cavalry
Mounted Archer unit.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Stable
Good Against: Infantry, Cavalry
Weak Against: Archers
Basic gunpowder unit. Has a 20% chance of exploding everytime it fires.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Foundry
Good Against: Buildings
Weak Against: Infantry, Cavalry
Advanced gunpowder unit. Has a 10% chance of exploding everytime it fires.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Foundry
Good Against: Buildings
Weak Against: Infantry
Powerful ranged unit. Throws two axes at once.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Archery Range
Good Against: Infantry, Cavalry
Weak Against: Archers
Has a longer range than any other unit in the game.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Archery Range
Good Against: Infantry, Cavalry
Weak Against: None
Cavalry Units
Scout
Weakest cavalry. Not really intended for combat.
Available-Dark Age
Trained At: Town Center, Stable
Good Against: None
Weak Against: All
Counter-cavalry cavalry unit.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Stable
Good Against: Cavalry
Weak Against: Infantry
More powerful cavalry unit.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Stable
Good Against: Infantry
Weak Against: Archers
Stronger cavalry unit. Good against monsters.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Stable
Good Against: Infantry, Monsters
Weak Against: Archers
Most powerful cavalry unit. Period.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Stable
Good Against: All
Weak Against: None
Better than the knight.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Stable
Good Against: Infantry, Cavalry
Weak Against: Archers
Ultimate French cavalry. Can beat the Paladin.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Stable
Good Against: All
Weak Against: None
Scorpion
Good siege weapon. Slightly faster, with lower attack.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Siege Workshop
Good Against: Buildings
Weak Against: Infantry
Siege Weapon. Longer range but lower attack.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Siege Workshop
Good Against: Buildings
Weak Against: Infantry
Siege Weapon. Slower, with shorter range, but higher attack.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Siege Workshop
Good Against: Buildings
Weak Against: Infantry
Biggest, best siege weapon. Cannot be moved without being packed up.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Siege Workshop
Good Against: Buildings
Weak Against: Cavalry
Unique Siege weapon. Garrison troops inside to raise its attack.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Siege Workshop
Good Against: Buildings
Weak Against: Infantry, Cavalry
Fishing Ship
Like a villager on water. Gathers food from fish.
Available-Dark Age
Trained At: Dock
Good Against: None
Weak Against: All
Like a merchant on water. Trades between docks.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Dock
Good Against: None
Weak Against: All
Used for transporting units over water.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Dock
Good Against: None
Weak Against: All
Basic military vessel.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Dock
Good Against: Ships
Weak Against: Ships
More powerful military ship.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Dock
Good Against: Galleys
Weak Against: Fire Ships
Suicide ship which can easily sink enemies.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Dock
Good Against: All Ships
Weak Against: All Ships
Ship with cannons on board. Has a 20% chance of exploding everytime it fires.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Dock
Good Against: Docks, Galleons
Weak Against: Fire Ships
Most powerful ship. Faster, stronger and better.
Available-Imperial Age
Trained At: Dock
Good Against: Cannonships, Galleons
Weak Against: Fire Ships
Villager
Used for gathering resources and building.
Available-Dark Age
Trained At: Town Center
Good Against: Nothing
Weak Against: All
Trader. Travels between markets gathering resources.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Market
Good Against: Nothing
Weak Against: Wild Animals
Unit with good LoS that can heal.
Available-Feudal Age
Trained At: Church
Good Against: None
Weak Against: All
Clergy unit that can convert enemies.
Available-Castle Age
Trained At: Church
Good Against: None
Weak Against: All
Buildings in Lore aren't different from Age of Empires buildings.
Center of all civilization. You start out with one.
Trains: Villager, Scout
Available-Dark Age
Water based building.
Trains: Fishing Ship, Tradeship, Transport Ship, Galley, Galleon, Fire Ship, Cannonship, Longship
Basic military structure.
Trains: Militia, Man-at-Arms, Pikeman, Halberdeer, Doppel Soldner, Hirdman, Scottish Mercenary
Available-Dark Age
Trains archers
Trains: Bowman, Skirmisher, Crossbowman, Arbalest, Throwing Axeman, Longbowman
Available-Dark Age
Trains cavalry
Trains: Cavalry Archer, Scout, Rider, Lancer, Night, Paladin, Cavalier, Chevalier
Available-Feudal Age
Researches techs which upgrade human soldiers.
Available-Feudal Age
Clergy building.
Trains: Monk, Priest
Available-Feudal Age
Trains gunpowder units. Required to make gunpowder units such as the Cannonship.
Trains: Arquebusier, Hand Cannoneer
Available-Castle Age
Trains Siege Weapons
Trains: Mangonel, Onager, Scorpion, Trebuchet, Battering Ram
Available-Castle Age
Advanced Military Structure.
Trains: Sergeant, Champion, Gothic Knight, Vikingr, Footknight, Teutonic Knight
Available-Castle Age
Allows you to exchange resources or tribute.
Trains: Merchant
Available-Castle Age
These are the civilizations I couldn't find enough stuff about, but would like to add eventually:
-Dutch
-Japanese
-Chinese
-Turks
-Russians
AoM Civ Plans by Me- from Ainu to Zulu
Ainu Zulu Lore Æsir Java Etruscans Slavs Norse Persians
Welsh Hittites Iroquois Koreans Minoans Mongols Spanish
Download the Slavs. Do it now!
[This message has been edited by skystrider (edited 09-11-2005 @ 11:42 AM).]