posted 04-04-03 02:21 PM EDT (US)
To be able to start the game I require at least 8 WL players to sign up, but more players are very welcome. If exactly 8 or 16 players sign up, the first round will count towards the Ladder, since the game will be played as a Cup, with quarter finals, semi finals and a grand finale between the two best players. If the number of players interested end somewhere between 8 and 16 there will have to be a qualifying round, with the best 8 players earning a spot in the quarter finals. This qualifyling round will not count towards the ladder. If this situation occurs, I will then explain in detail how the qualifyling round will be played. Lots of different scenarios can occur depending on how many players sign up.
Since the game is a blind game, I will not participate for obvious reasons, but I will administer all the games, start them, make the turn log threads etc.
Moments of glory and joy often don't last very long. In the land of Kirunia the forces of good and neutrality once worked together and cleansed to lands of the evil forces of undead, orcs, goblins and dark elves. They drove the forces back to the underground, believing them to be destroyed for good. For ten years there has been peace and harmony all across the land. Now, relations are starting to deteriorate as there has aroused some sour feelings among the kingdoms.
It all started at the annual spring festival held at Sir Robinald of the Highmen. All of the other former allies were invited, i.e. the humans, elves, dwarves and the halflings. The elven princess Alyria has always considered herself the most beautiful heir of all thrones in Kirunia, and her pride is well known across the land. Now things didn't turn out better at the spring festival that the dwarven princess Daina made a remark over Alyria's ears, and pointed it out to her that pointed ears are not pretty at all.
Alyria was outraged by this remark and immediately responed with the words: "Big talk from such a diminutive person like yourself. Double your length and I shall consider speaking to you again."
The elven king Ahron and the dwarven king Torian were both shocked by their daughters' stories and got into a dispute with each other over how a princess should be properly treated.
Things did not get better when Sir Robinald's daughter, princess Jeana, exclaimed that no race in the world could match the beauty of a highman princess, especially someone as stunning as herself. The pride and foolishness of the three princesses nearly led to violent acts, and if it had not been for the interferance of the halfling king Burrowfoot, surely someone would have drawn steel that night.
After this sad evening, relations were never the same again between the former allies. The bloodsworn alliance has been broken, and all are now watching their borders suspiciously. There has even been rumors of war, but luckily that has not happened yet.
The ten years of peace have made all the former allies a bit unalert, and the armies have not had proper training in years. Now this is starting to change, since you cannot trust your neighbours anymore. The peaceful years seem to be ending very soon. All because of the foolish pride of a princess.
Some notes about the map:
This map is very challenging in a PBEM game, but I think it could offer some trouble in a single player game as well. It is constructed for leaders OFF, because it would simply be too easy to get exterminated otherwise. In game tests I was attacked by the AI pretty early in the game, and you should be prepared for some unpleasant surprises. A tough struggle to stay alive awaits you. I hope you will enjoy it and Good luck! You will need it.
If you are interested in joining this challenge, please sign up here and state your email address. The races played in the game will be randomized by me, and the setup of the game will be:
Leaders: OFF (You start with three heroes)
Customization: OFF (The map is constructed for specific magic spheres)
Exploration: ON
Allied victory: ON (You will be at war with your human opponent from the start though.)
Map size: XL with one underground level
No Free moving or Wind Walking ships
Follow the AoW Heaven etiquette and don't abuse posses or dominate.
Since this is a Wizards Ladder challenge supported by
Races available are
1. Blacksmith_Tony - Here I will keep track of the challenge as it proceeds: Game 1 - Game 2 - Game 3 - Game 4 - Game 5 - Game 6 - Game 7 - Game 8 - Game 1 - Game 2 - Game 3 - Game 4 - Game 5 - Game 6 - Game 7 - Game 8 - This game will be a default victory because Walky is unable to continue playing. A free slot in Quarter Final 4 will be awarded to Elvons Game 1 - Game 2 - Game 4 - Game 1 - Game 2 - [This message has been edited by Dan Petersson (edited 07-05-2004 @ 04:10 PM).]
2. Sprout -
3. Eriksson -
4. GillB -
5. Sleet -
6. unicorn77 -
7. Jaheira -
8. OnePoorHalfling -
9. Terryn -
10. heavykaragh -
11. Hoplosternum -
12. Nojd -
13. Thorongil -
14. jaricus -
15. chef -
16. Scorpi0 -
17. Walky -
18. Jayhawk -
19. Elvons -
20. Emperor_Bone14 -
21. enginerd -
22. Ill Frog -
23. crowclaw -
24. Cay -
Round 1
Round 2
Quarter Finals
Game 3 -
Semi Finals
Final Game
The Champion is ELVONS!
PS. I would like to thank Cay for his ideas, comments and support for this challenge. Also, thanks to Ladyhawke and Ralph who helped me with game tests. DS.
Itīs nice to be important, but itīs more important to be nice. 
