Vadimus1986 (Death) lose Dragjen (Stronghold), Lezkandra 217

Report.

1. Exploration.
During exploration, I encountered Lezkandra again, and again with a strong force. Considering the previous game with Barbarians on this map, I set an additional goal to try to develop them in magic as much as possible, and definitely have one as a Ranger (considering the previous game with Shnurov, where one of the reasons for the loss was precisely his absence - i.e., in swamps, cursed lands, etc., where the opponent passed in one turn, sweeping away my scattered armies, I was dragging and gathering them for 2-3 turns).
2. My game proceeded according to the planned scenario, and all the tasks I had set were gradually progressing. The biggest disappointment was when, after entering a portal, instead of the expected city with Life, Order, or Nature magic, I saw my second Barbarian city. I didn't expect such a setback after a good development of my heroes in these schools of magic. I've played on this map many times, and this is the first time this has happened.
However, the books, scrolls, and altars earned in battles helped. I was playing against Death, so I additionally took a Life Mage and developed him to Master. The opponent wasn't in a hurry to meet me, so I decided to slowly make my way to his territory. After two escapes from the battlefield (barely managing to escape from the neutrals) and back, I broke through to the other side. The opponent turned out to be determined and decided to take a second city, despite the fact that I warned him about the opening of a passage between us and the strong defense of the city, which could lead to losses before the decisive battle. But he took the risk, and as a result, I captured his almost empty city and saw his small army nearby. There weren't enough turns for the final battle, and that was probably a good thing, as it wouldn't have been interesting. Assessing the balance of power, the opponent retreats to his first city for a new army.
Next, the scheme: he retreats - I follow him, while also studying some more spells in the altars and gaining experience.
3. Battle. I managed to catch up quickly, again thanks to the Ranger.
- I have: 5 heroes, levels 15-19, including a Nature Warrior - level 19 (with a Robe of the Magi), a Paladin - level 19, a Paladin - level 15 (Amulet of Death, Regeneration, Greater Healing), a Ranger - level 16, a Battle Mage - level 15 (Grandmaster, Teleportation, Berserk). I also took 5 Thunderbirds because of their movement speed.
- He has: a Marshal - level 14, a Shadow Mage - level 11, 9 Devils, 13 Poisonous Creatures.
In principle, the battle ended with the use of "Berserk" on the Devils and teleporting the Nature Warrior into the enemy's ranks. All the opponent's magical attacks were ineffective, and the melee attacks and ranged attacks only damaged my Battle Mage and destroyed one Thunderbird.
The game took place in a friendly atmosphere, which was very pleasing. Everyone played to their full potential, and the only thing that spoiled it was the terrible connection in "Hamachi," where we had to wait 30-40 minutes for each turn.