Charles of Tours

, the idea reminds me a bit of Age of Empires II, but I am terrible at conventional "base building real-time strategy" games like AoE2. However, AoE2 does not offer the same castle building experience as Stronghold, and the combat is very different (I am not really a fan of it, to be honest). The title that [user]Lord_Chris] has put up reminds me of the Empire Earth franchise and the game called Rise of Nations. Again, I feel like these have far less emphasis on actual castle building, which is basically the placement of walls to block passage to enemies, without providing a height advantage. The closest thing to your idea that I can think of is an oldie called Warrior Kings: Battles. It has the typical non-Stronghold wall building style, but fortifications are still highly valuable because the game is in a fantasy medieval setting where the player can branch off into one of two tech groups: one in which powerful knights and angelic warriors can be used, the other where the focus is on swarms of weaker infantry with the occasional demon thrown in for good measure. The game also has formations for your numerous types of units to take. As you can tell, I am rather fond of this title, despite how few people (it seems) play it. :) Just a note: the original Warrior Kings (not the standalone Battles edition) has an error relating to modern sound systems, where the game lags (runs very slowly) in between music tracks. WK had a campaign map like Stronghold 1 where you could see where you were going but could not choose where, but WK:B has a campaign mode where you choose where to go. Also available are the base building skirmish games and a battle mode where your pre-selected soldiers fight it out on an empty field.

You can use either the small or large map size if that's what you mean. But if you're asking about not filling the map entirely, I suggest you come up with a suitable "filler" like a massive forest or mountains. Hope that helps. :)

Thanks for the entry, @Lord Vetka! :) EDIT: I also noticed @Nigel's submission. I'll look at both today. Already we have a competition! :D

The new due date is Saturday, March 7th 2015! I've decided to advance it in case those map makers out there need more time, as there have been no submissions yet. :)

Ooops, typed the wrong thing. :lol: Thanks Chris. :)

I am glad there is much positive feedback with this idea already. :D Yes, please! :) Lord Chris and I will be the judges (since I am the game master of sorts, and it is his castle after all!), so we will be the only ones not submitting. Completely custom, but you should probably feature a river and a nearby town. Small or large, whatever you desire. If by next week I receive reports that you mapmakers are unable to meet the deadline, I can extend it by another week (two if you complain A LOT), but I'd rather get the Adventure up and running sooner rather than later. :)

Your Duke calls upon the service of the best castle designers and engineers of Stronghold Nation to construct a fortress worthy of his excellence! In English ... @Lord_Chris and I have decided that, instead of drawing up a map in a paint program for the "Adventures in the Duchy of Riverbourne," we would host a map-making competition. The two of us will decide upon the best map created, and that will be used as the basis for this adventure and subsequent ones.

Some of you may be interested why the Adventure thread has been closed. The reason for this is to pause and draw up Riverbourne Castle. I have created (or, will create - if you are a quick reader) a competition topic about this. If you are interested, you can participate, even if you are not a part of the Adventure! :)

So far I like how the characters have added to the plot without changing it entirely. Keep up the good work. :) @@Lord_Chris, I would like to discuss the setup of your castle with you, before you draw a map for the adventurers. Also- remember that it is still night-time. ;)

Isaiah - character approved. :) Since we are still near the beginning of the adventure, you can join us with an appropriate introduction of your character. ;)

This is different from the map on SHH. I have this on my (non-Steam) copy of SH1 that came with the "Stronghold Collection" edition. Thanks for mentioning the "User Created Map" bit, because I was looking under the wrong letter all along. :) I'll give it a play and give you an update if I find anything worthwhile that might help you. :)

The three knights notice the shadows around them growing longer as the sun creeps more quickly behind the horizon. Faint glimpses of the moon and stars can be caught, as crickets begin to chirp their sweet songs.

To verify that it's the same map, could you take a screenshot of the minimap? Thanks. :) EDIT: I have the map from SHH, so @Nomekopadam only needs to put up the screenshot of the map he has. Just thought I'd clarify. ;)

In a quiet valley that rests in a secluded corner of Britain, the smell of musty peat beckons local peasants home to Castle Riverbourne. The castle is a standalone keep in the Norman style, surrounded by thatched hovels that parrallel a zig-zagged, well-trodden dirt trail that leads southward to the Azure River. The clear blue waters give life to scores of fish who patrol the wide current, providing full bellies for inhabitants and travelers alike. Today is a unique day, as three lone adventurers have answered Duke Christopher XII's plea for assistance in management affairs. Little does he know that these knights may very well thwart the forces that will soon assail his duchy and his claim to rule. These knights come from different roads, perhaps even different corners of the world, looking for justice, and some meagre payment as well! A day before the adventurers arrive, while the duke is planning a minor banquet, a caravan from the lands of Asturias arrives. The peasants spend their pittances of earnings on products of dubious quality. The merchants wear exquisite linens and are surrounded by guards with scimitars and bows. The peasants ignore the appearance of their guests in order to examine their wares. "Hear me, good people of Riverbourne! I am Alonso the Wise, for I can create and provide miracle elixirs. Behold my table, filled with such magical antedotes, available for varying sums of dinars." "What's this one?" "That will make your flatulence smell of roses! Ten dinars for a bottle!" "And what's this?" "A salve to rub on bread and cure scurvy, available for twenty dinars!" "Does this yellow one do anythin' special?" "Aaah, yes my friend! A very special potion from the realm of Hindustan! Pour it in a body of water, a lake, a well, a sea - and fish will spring forth into your very baskets!" "How much for that one?" one asks. "I've got thirty dinars!" says another. "Thirty-five!" "Forty!" Alonso strokes his goatee and twirls his midnight mustache with his long fingers, realizing that these fishermen would give up a limb for a pouch of coins from selling fish. "Oh, my friends, you cannot expect me to run a charity. For a phial of that liquid, I can take no less than one-hundred dinars." The crowds groan and shuffle away, as the mustached merchant shouts, "I will be here only for a week! Buy now during this one-time opportunity!" Meanwhile, a guard informs a duke of the day's happenings around the podium the traders have set up by the river, surrounding it with their colorful tents and banners. One particular tent in the midst of them all is larger than the others, and a grim-looking Spanish guard stands at every one of its eight posts. Somewhere in the distance, the adventurers enter the Riverbourne Valley. The faint smell of peat enters their nostrils, but they are still some hours away. Night is starting to fall, and they will have to choose whether to press on in the dark or rest until morning. [OOC:] If you want to make short remarks like this without posting in the Conversation forum (for example, explain your thought process / problem solving) then use the "OOC" tag like I did here. It stands for "Out Of Character" - these comments come from you, not your characters. This is still only available for the players, as it should accompany a roleplay post, and longer stuff should go in the Conversation still. :)

@Nigel: Interesting name history. To the due date: I'd rather have a set date, but if more people sign up during the adventure then I will invite them (probably by PM or Steam) to join at proper times. For example, if the adventurers are resting in a tavern, maybe a new guy (or gal) walks in and joins their quest. :D

Brother James Goodwin - character approved :)

New update: character application due-date has been pushed back 'til Wednesday, 28 January 2015. The adventure will still begin on the 30th, however!

Hm, a Saxon named Charles ... I think my ancestors would find that amusing. :lol: I like the cast of players so far. Hopefully other people *ahem* will think about joining. :)

Sir Charles Loring - character approved. :)

It is a forum-based role-playing game. You create a character and you act out his part. Imagine a movie or a Broadway show where there is no script, but the actors simply interact with each other and whatever situation the director (me) puts them in, while they are in-character of course. :) For example, if you are ambushed by bandits in the middle of the forest you could try to run, fight, give them your gold, or come up with a creative solution. If your character has an aggressive personality, he would probably choose to fight the bandits, but you must make that choice for him. I hope this makes sense. :/ Applications for this adventure due by Sunday, 25 January 2015 - Adventure begins Friday, 30 January 2015!

Julian Palaiologos - character approved. :)

Duke Christopher XII - character approved. :)

Since this is the first Adventure on this website, I'd like to make some quick notes. With the blessing of @Lord_Chris, I have made published this idea for you all to participate in. "What is an Adventure", one may ask. If you remember, Stronghold-Knights had Quests. These will operate in a similar manner. For this Adventure I shall act as the Game Master, a referee of sorts. All of the other players will take the role of characters in a medieval setting. Here, I can answer questions, and eventually publish the starting date of the Adventure and when Character forms must be submitted in order for a Character to participate in that adventure. Non-adventurers may comment on the story here, offer historical research related to the setting if they wish, or offer ideas for when the party of adventurers are in a tricky situation, especially with mysteries and puzzles. Have fun! Applications for this adventure due by Wednesday, 28 January 2015 - Adventure begins Friday, 30 January 2015!

Hear ye, hear ye, all lords and ladies seeking honor, glory, and riches! His Grace, the Duke Christopher XII of Riverbourne, seeks adventurers worthy of upholding his ancestral claim to these lands. Before travelling to his realm, he asks that all applicants provide certain information to discern whether they are suitable bodyguards. Please copy the form below and post it to this bulletin if interested: Review the following rules before posting your submission! Posts that violate these rules are subject to being deleted or edited! 1) The content of this roleplay should be suitable for those who are 13 years old. 2) Your character is still a human, although he is superior to your typical foot-soldier. He may have mastered some skills and talents already, but he isn't a superhero. 3) Your character starts with no titles or lands, and his starting possessions should reflect that. He may have an ancestral sword, or a crossbow he stole from a guard. He may be awarded council positions or other roles by the Duke. 4) One's backstory must explain why he wishes to serve the Duke. If your current character is of the same dynastic house as your previous, he may have inherited your previous character's possessions and titles. 5) Please have only one of your characters be active during an adventure, and try not to advance the plot too quickly or spam posts. 6) Only accepted adventurer characters may post in the Adventure threads, however the Conversation thread of the related Adventure may be used by all. You may use it to comment, or discuss the party's next action. Edit 1 on 1st June 2015: Got rid of the 3 posts per day rule because it was a bit silly. The action has been lively the past few days so I figured I'd remove the cap.

Glad to see you on here, Aleks! :D Darn, he finally found my secret on how I can pop up anywhere unexpectedly with reinforcements ... or pizza. :P