EaglePrince

There where is challenge, there I come! Count on me. :)

Thanks, Chris! So, there is no way to use it in multiplayer so other would see your crest... As about the tutorial, I did know about that - there are some more suggested crests I could use, and there is always the option to make a new png file yourself. It's a pity that this thing is done this way in Stronghold 2... They could more similar to Stronghold Crusader - all of them have their own crests, only in different colors, and you to be able to chose which crest to use. :(

Hi, I wanted to ask you, if you know if it's possible to change your crest in Stronghold 2 in multiplayer? I am aware of that it is possible in singleplayer and in multiplayer as well, but I don't know if it's possible to make it visible to other players? I'm wondering does it work the same way as in Stronghold Crusader, where everyone can see my custom made face or crests in the multiplayer game?

Hm, I didn't know he is know as Charles of Tours as well. That's a pretty interesting choice, now I see you have a really nice username. :) As about visiting Europe - there will be time for that, I'm sure. :) It does look nice. :)

I think it would be more more accurate, if you extended the borders to Iberia. As about the south Italy - I am sure you know more about Franks than I do. :) Oh, and by the way, I never asked you... Is your name here Charles of Tours because of the Battle of Tours, or that's just because you live near it? I must add, that is one of my favorite battles from that period. EDIT: As about making something to glow, I am not entirely sure how to do it in Gimp - only I do know how to accomplish it in Corel PhotoPaint.

It looks really nice. :) Although I didn't know he rules south Italy, as well? This is what I was aware of. Nevertheless, on neither of those maps Francia didn't rule on territory where Serbia was. :cool: So I'm cool with all that. :D I'm just kidding about this one :) , but the signature is good looking. Only thing I am noticing is that the symbol of Carolus Magnus is black and in front of dark background. It's not visible so much, if it could be in a different color, it would be more visible. Also, instead of making it in another color, you can make it glow - that way it would be more visible. :) I'm not completely aware how to do in in Gimp, for example, but I guess you should place the symbol in a new layer, and than to place lighting at the background, after which you would set the layer of the symbol to be in front of all layers.

I will write some stuff, but I believe it will be in a separate topic. Only I'm not sure where to open this one, and to be relatively easy to find. Anyway, as it does not belong to Stronghold Crusader, Stronghold 2, or some specific game, I believe it will be in "off topic", and I shall add a link to this one in my Stronghold Crusader faces and crests tread, and in my "creating your own Stronhold 2 crests" which will be created by the time. Until I do it, I will just recommend Gimp as an excellent image manipulation program that is free, and you may ask me here whatever you want. I will be happy to help, if I know to do, what you are trying to accomplish. As about creating faces and crests for Stronghold Crusader, you may ask me about that in that tread. :)

It does look nice, Charles! Now I see, you don't seem like someone who could use some help. :) EDIT: This one smaller isn't too small at all. This way you also have some more space where you could add your username. Left of this picture, or something like that. :)

I'm glad to hear you're taking part in this as well, Charles of Tour! By the way, are you, Lords Chris, taking part in this competition too? I'm asking this, cause I see you've created a nice signature, you linked it to this tread, but didn't write anything yet. Also, I wanted to ask you... If someone could use it, I would write some advices or short tutorials about working with graphic programs? Only those parts that might be useful for created Stronghold Crusader faces, Stronghold 2 crests, and these banners... Although for some people who like to play around is the most important, and the most useful, only to know what program to use. Speaking about free programs, I would recommend Gimp. It's really a great program considering the fact it is free! Maybe a better thing, than making tutorials, would be starting a tread, where people might know that they can ask concrete question?

I believe it is pretty hard for someone to like things like steam. :/ Even without willing to mod the game, or anything else, it bothers me if I must have another program to play this game... It is unnecessary (to anyone except to them). I will try to find it in my city, I still find it is a better option. Thanks for your help.

Although people do say Steam complicates things, this thing does seem better for me, but only if there was only Stronghold 2 alone. Or at least if there would be Stronghold 2 and Stronghold Legends in one pack. If not, I will try to find in the store, where I bought some games before, in my city. If only they have it, or if they can order it for me. Thanks for hep. :) EDIT: Also, if I bought the game from Steam, would it then be possible to play in multiplayer from two PC's? Or, maybe I should ask my self, is it possible to install it at two PC's at all..? :/

Thanks! I will take a look at it there. Also, is there an option to buy Stronghold 2, but not to wait for this delivery? So I could pay for it, and download the game (dvd image file, or the two cd image files) at the same time? I hope there is an option for this.

Hi, as it is possible now to play Stronghold 2 in multiplayer now (at GameRanger), I wanted to ask you few questions... One is, where would you suggest me to buy Stronghold 2? And the other thing is, is it possible to buy Stronghold 2, and use this same copy on two of my computers? Also, is it possible to have a miltiplayer game from both those computers at the same time? Thanks in advance! Regards, EaglePrince.

Speaking about history, I like to know as much as possible. :) I'm glad you agree. By the way, nice banner - I guess it was a great fight.

I would like to apply for the competition with my signature. Country I represent is medieval Serbia! First will elaborate the signature itself. What you see at this banner are walls of Smederevo fortress - it was the last capital of medieval Serbia, until it fell during the invasion of Turks. In the background is the flag of Serbian Empire - one would say it is so similar to flag of Byzantine empire, and that is not coincidence, as Serbia was under great influence of Byzantine empire. I will tell something about rise and downfall of Serbian empire. Serbia reached its height of power during the Nemanji?i. The Serbian Kingdom was proclaimed in 1217. Stefan Du?an proclaimed the Serbian Empire in 1346. During Du?an's rule, Serbia reached its territorial, political and economical peak, proclaiming itself as the successor of the Byzantine Empire, and indeed was the most powerful Balkan state of that time. Tsar Du?an enacted the known Du?an's Code, an extensive constitution, and opened new trade routes and strengthened the state's economy. Serbia flourished, becoming one of the most developed countries and cultures in Europe. Medieval Serbia had a high political, economic, and cultural reputation in Europe. The Serbian identity has been profoundly shaped by the rule of this dynasty and its accomplishments, with the Serbian Orthodox Church who assumed the role of the national spiritual guardian. Before his sudden death, Stefan Du?an tried to organize a Crusade with the Pope against the threatening Turks. He died in December 1355 at the age 47. He was succeeded by his son Uro?, called the Weak, a term that might also apply to the state of the empire which slowly slid into a feudal anarchy. This was a period marked by the rise of a new threat: the Ottoman Turk sultanate which spread from Asia to Europe. They conquered Byzantium and then the other states in the Balkans. Later after that, Serbian lords, which were disunited attempted to stop the Turks, but they failed. The first great clash between Serbian lords and the Turks was battle of Maritsa. It was a devastating defeat to Serbian lords. The Serbian army numbered 20,000-70,000 men. Despot Uglje?a wanted to make a surprise attack on the Ottomans in their capital city, Edirne, while Murad I was in Asia Minor. The Ottoman army was much smaller Byzantine Greek scholar Laonikos Chalkokondyles and other sources give the number of 15000 men, but due to superior tactics, by conducting a night raid on the Serbian camp, ??hin Pa?a was able to defeat the Serbian army and kill King Vuka?in and despot Uglje?a. Thousands of Serbs were killed, and thousands drowned in the Maritsa river when they tried to regroup for counter-attack. Heavy armor became a disadvantage in the river water. After the battle, the Maritsa ran scarlet with blood. Those were on of the finest Serbian warriors, and one the reasons why Serbian army was defeated was that, Serbian lords, and Serbian army, were too confident... The aftermaths of the battle were that, Macedonia and parts of Greece fell under Ottoman power after this battle. The battle was a part of the Ottoman campaign to conquer the Balkans and was preceded by the Ottoman capturing of Sozopol and succeeded by the capture of the cities of Drama, Kav?la and Serrai in modern Greece. The battle preceded the later 1389 Battle of Kosovo, and was one of many in history of the Serbian-Turkish wars. The Battle of Kosovo, also known as the Battle of Kosovo Field or the Battle of Blackbird's Field (Serbian: ???????? ?????, ??? ?? ??????; Kosovska bitka; Boj na Kosovu; Turkish: Kosova Meydan Sava??), took place on St. Vitus' Day, June 15, 1389, between the army led by Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovi?, and the invading army of the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Sultan Murad I. The army under Prince Lazar consisted of his own troops, a contingent led by Serbian nobleman Vuk Brankovi?, and a contingent sent from Bosnia by King Tvrtko I, commanded by Vlatko Vukovi?. Prince Lazar was the ruler of Moravian Serbia, and the most powerful among the Serbian regional lords of the time, while Vuk Brankovi? ruled a part of Kosovo and other areas, recognizing Lazar as his overlord. The Battle of Kosovo took place in the Kosovo Polje, about 5 kilometers northwest of modern-day Pristina. After the battle the bulk of both armies were wiped out in the battle; both Lazar and Murad lost their lives, and the remnants of their armies eventually retreated from the battlefield. The Serbs were left with too few men to defend their lands effectively, while the Turks had many more troops in the east. Consequently, the Serbian principalities that were not already Ottoman vassals, one after the other became so in the following years. Furthermore, in response to Turkish pressure, some Serbian noblemen wed their daughters, including the daughter of Prince Lazar, to Bayezid. In the wake of these marriages, Stefan Lazarevi? became a loyal ally of Bayezid, going on to contribute significant forces to many of Bayezid's future military engagements, including the Battle of Nicopolis. Eventually, the Serbian Despotate would, on numerous occasions, attempt to defeat the Ottomans in conjunction with the Hungarians until its final defeat in 1459 and again in 1540. Smederevo (it walls can be seen on my signature) was the last capital of Serbian Despotate. Ultimately this city was surrendered to Turks by the last king of medieval Serbia, Stefan Toma?evi?. This is the map of Serbian empire. Some parts of this text were taken from different articles from Wikipedia. SUGGESTION: I also meant to suggest that we add some new additional rules for choosing the winner the for this competition. The rule would be the following: if one was the winner of previous month, next month he would have to have at least 50% more votes than the second competitor, in order to win. My motivation for this is that I don't find it interesting if one person wins this award almost every month. Also, the one who tells the idea for next month competition has more chances of winning, as we may assume that this one might already have an idea for his signature, at the time others are reading what is the next month theme.

Thanks, I will give them a try. :) As about the map - that wasn't an easy game, considering one could survive upcoming attacks. Although my they did not reach my lord, they were indeed damaging my economy, until I was able to repel all their attacks.

It seems interesting, I am going to give it a try. Already downloaded it. :)

Hi, I wanted to inform you that we will be able to play Stronghold 2 and Stronghold Legends from now at GameRanger. This is what I saw when I started Gameranger today - the same news can be read at GameRanger news. :) Huray! :D

I have created new faces after: lord Eddard Stark, Robb Stark, and prince Oberyn Martell (the Red Viper) from Game of Thrones, Thomas Marshal and baron William d'Aubigny from Ironclad, and Aragorn, and king Theoden from Lord of the Ring. You may have a look at them in my first post in this topic.

I have added few more faces into my collection, including one made after image of prince Oberyn - in honor of this great character from Game of Thrones! I have also showed here two of my older works - one is made after Persian coat of arms, and the other is made after Norwegian. If you would like to have shield made after your national coat of arms, and it is not on my website, or you did find it there, but you're not satisfied, feel free to write me here. Especially if I did something wrong. :)

That sounds like pretty hard mission, but I am gonna try. There is also a lot of luck in these games with outposts. If the first units produced from these outposts are knights and swordsmen, that you will surely be in a huge problem. In the other hand, of spearmen come out first, that you have some more time to prepare for other attacks. I believe the of of success would be to follow what's going on in the north, and see if swordsmen and knights are coming, so you could place some pitch before it is too late. It sounds nice, I'm looking forward to play that map, you're gonna make. As about high ground and other, I just have trust in you! I am sure you will make in such a way, that it will be fun to play. But if you ask me for some ideas... I was thinking about a map with marches in the middle, and having some players on high ground (medium level), and some in the low. I'm not saying you to make a map like this, but if you do create one, I know it would be way better than mine. :) Maybe we both make this one. :) I have just downloaded both your skirmish maps uploaded to Heaven Games. They look pretty cool. EDIT: I've just fought against the Wolf, Lionheart and Frederick, with Richards by my side on map Ivrkard. Wolf was in the north-east, Frederick next to him, and Lionheart in the west of Frederick. My castle was under pressure almost all the the time - I was the only one they were attacking. I have managed to survive these attacks, although they did manage to destroy some parts of my economy, and in one attack, they destroyed my granary. I was struggling with popularity, and although I had built inns, it took a while until I started taking taxes. Just after I built defenses good enough, Richard killed one of our opponents. After some time, Lionheart (the opponent) was weakened, as I sent some troops to finish him, but Richard was faster then me this time, and he killed him before me. The Wolf was the last standing enemy - I destroyed his outpost with knights, after what Richards and I both attacked him from two sides: me from the south, and Richard from the west. Soon we overcame his defenses, and he fell. This time I was faster than Richard! Some would say the game was easy, but surviving under those heavy attacks was not an easy task at all. :)

I have uploaded several more faces, and from now on, I will be posting images of them just like I was doing it on my website.

Could you tell me which crusader enemies did you fight against, and at which positions were they? And who was your ally, and how much gold did you start with? I guess six player map would be good - it would be easier to have powerful opponents, and they do not need to be too close to us. It is more interested when we teams are separated in different corners, just like in your previous maps, and I believe it would be harder to achieve in eight player map. As about this matter, I see you are more experience in making skirmish maps and scenarios. The only thing I am concerned about, is that those enemies would be rebuilding destroyed buildings, and they would be replacing lost troops on their walls. In the other hand, if this one was humans ally, than human could repair his walls and towers, and even rebuild them. As about lost troops - you could send some troops on this allies walls. How does he act when it comes to building farms, woodcutters, and other buildings outside his castle? Would he build them if necessary? Nevertheless, I do not doubt I would have a lot of fun making a map you suggested, and all I can think of in the beginning of the game is saving my life - it is indeed the latest phase of the game, when it comes to killing the opponents. :)

Saw it, played it, had an extreme time! First time I tried I had difficulties to start up my economy some parts of it being set to fire. Later tried to play again with 4,000 gold, but Crusader game. This time, for change, Caliph was attacking Lionheart first, so I made it! I trained some troops to protect my castle, and I sent troops some of my to protect Lionheart just in time. It was a pretty bad situation in his castle - it was all in fire, and Arabian swordsmen were walking inside of it destroying his economy (in those moments castle wasn't burning)... I sent my crossbowmen on his tower, while I also had to protect them from the swordsmen with my knight (I had those few knights from beginning). Once I defeated Caliphs troops there, I continued to send him some more troops just to ensure he will stay all right. Soon after, I and finished my castle, and as Caliph was sending lots of troops, I train some more knights to send them beyond Caliphs castles, to destroy the outposts. I trained about 30 knights for this task, although they weren't enough to destroy all three of them. In this first attack I destroyed two of them, the second attack was a failure, while the third one was successful, and I did make it to destroy the third outpost. Then it became easier, and all three of them fell one by one. It was a really interesting game. As about multiplayer - that is why can be better to play with more players, that way it can be more balanced. For example, I was playing with Charles and Iso, and while I was better at Stronghold Crusader, Iso was better at Stronghold. But that was making any problems, as we used to play on unbalanced maps, or free for all games, or we were able to make the teams to be balanced. Those free for all games were pretty interesting - especially in Stronghold, where one can make an alliance with someone else, and also he can betray his ally. It was possible you to attack someone, offer him to surrender, after you defeat his army, so he would continue to fight on your side. Unless he crosses you. This is why it was important not to put your self in a bed situation - if you attack your next opponent, and you lose most of your attacking army, he may take advantage, and switch sides, or simply desert you. I was making plans how to force Charles not to betray me, as it was real fun to him. :) As about this game on your new map - here are some screenshots. my caste Richard the Lionheart scores

There are 18 original faces that can be used in Stronghold Crusader and Stronghold Crusader Extreme, but if you edit faces.bmp file located in Stronghold Crusader folder, than you can also create two more faces of your own in addition to those 18 ones. This way I have created plenty of faces and crests that can be used in the game. It also works nicely in multiplayer, and I find it as a really great option - this way you can personalize how will other see you, and perhaps even remember you. Just like family crests were representing the knights in Middle Ages, this face / crest may represent you! Here you may take a look at some faces I have created! But that is just an overview of my newest faces, there are even more of them. There are plenty crests I have created being inspired by some national coats of arms, knight orders, dynasties, and some medieval rulers. If you're interested to take a look at them, you could take a look at my Stronghold Crusader faces and crests album. Right now, as you may see, I am creating some faces after images of some movie characters! Faces (each face image is a link to it's faces.bmp file you should download if you want to use it) As you may see in images above, I have also created faces after: lord Eddard Stark, Robb Stark, prince Oberyn Martell (the Red Viper), and king Stannis Baratheon from Game of Thrones, Thomas Marshal and baron William d'Aubigny from Ironclad, Aragorn, king Theoden, Gandalf the White, and Boromir from Lord of the Ring, and Balian of Ibelin, and kind Baldwin (the leper king) from Kingdom of Heaven. Shields Stronghold Europe shields: (each shield image is a link to it's faces.bmp file you should download if you want to use it) By the time, I will be creating more faces and crests, and I also plan to improve some of older ones, with which I am not satisfied at this moment, as I am able to make them better. Feel free to share any comments about these I have created, or any ideas as well! If you would like to have a Stronghold Crusader face created after any character will be happy to create it for you, and I would upload it into my collection - with your permission, of course.