Posted on 10/19/16 @ 10:42 PM

File Details
Map Size:	160x160 (Tiny)
Difficulty:	Hard
Made with version:	1.2
Minimap:

Black Wolf the Wizard

by Timballisto

Story

It was a cold, sunny day in early autumn when Lord Haukr heard a report in his hall of some shepherds being chased out of Dalr Úlfanna, up in the mountains which overlooked his village. Seeing wolves in a place whose name meant "Valley of the Wolves" was not unusual of course, but the shepherds had apparently brought back tidings of their presence in alarming numbers, as well as displays of abnormally aggressive behavior, and chose to flee with their flocks, fearing for the safety of their animals and for themselves. On the following nights, the chilling cries of the wolves could be heard on the winds coming down from the crags of the mountains, and the shepherds did not dare to re-enter the valley the rest of the year.

Not more than a week later, the cattle began to fall ill. The stricken cattle all perished within a short couple days, depriving Lord Haukr and his subjects of a vital source of food. Although there was adequate food already for the winter, the people were worried, if not frightened outright. The pallor of the animals seemed unnatural, even considering the disease, and the behavior of the cows had become more and more unnerved and restless until they simply fell over dead on the ground.

A courier from Jarl Rognvald arrived as the chill of autumn began to deepen into the fierce, biting cold of winter. Lord Haukr had heard tales told by his neighbors of a cruel wizard by the name of the Black Wolf. He had lived in a broken circle of stones about a week's travel north, the decrepit remains of an ancient sacrificial site, halfway up a barren mountain, and he made a nuisance of himself by attracting wolves, scarring the landscape with fire, his plaything, and spreading disease to those living near him. Haukr had never much concerned himself with the stories. The courier now in his court reported that the Black Wolf had become a much more serious threat. The wizard's powers had never been strong enough to cause anyone's death, until recently.

Geirshólmr had been stricken by a plague which killed almost half the inhabitants. Villages for miles around were reporting the quick death of their cattle herds at the hands of a strange ailment. Wolves were increasing in numbers all around and within Dalr Úlfanna, and large packs were attacking stray peasants, even those travelling in groups. Many had been carried off and ripped to pieces.

The source of these woes, the courier said, was to be found in Dalr Úlfanna. The Black Wolf's continued studies in the dark arts of sorcery had enabled him to raise a tower there as his place of residence, which itself was ensconced in a newly-risen stone circle which he imbued with protective magics. Surrounding this small but formidable stronghold he had spread wards to destroy trespassers, and magical fountains to enhance the killing abilities of the wards and his servants.

From this place of strength, he could reach leagues around him with his spells and spread misery, death, and fear. His influence with the wolves also grew, and they reinhabited the old iron mines, from which they had been cleared in the not-too-distant past. And now, also for the first time, he was not working alone. Vagabonds and the ill-fated were being drawn to his promises of riches and powers of their own in exchange for acting as his soldiers, his hands in the places where he could not wander, outside the stones; the rest of the world having rejected them, they received the wizard's offers heartily. The wizard's power growing slowly, he would become harder and harder to reach, until one day, he would cover the valley in fire, and then none could approach him...

Map Notes

The rest of the story can be found in the download! This is a puzzle map, originally made for a tiny map contest which never took off. You will have to find out how to gain access to the other areas of the map in order to kill the wizard. Also beware of the wizard's traps and invisible wards, he has scattered them across the map. The wizard's hired men will try to kill you as well.

I have beaten this map on Normal. For the first attempt that is the difficulty I'd recommend. Also, try to solve the puzzles as quickly as possible, they take quite a bit of time to get through.

Good luck, and thanks for checking out the map!