"Newcomer-2013. Winter"

Group D
01/03/2013 JustObserver (blue, Dungeon, Shakti, Shakti) def KOLONIZATOR (red, Rampart, Ivor, Ivor) 2sm4d(3) 131

Confirmed!
Due to the small size of my starting location, I had to act quickly and prioritize my objectives.

Week 1
I was given a small piece of land. My four heroes spread out: I found both mines, a Guardian of the Outpost, and guards for the upper and right locations (20+ Horned Demons, 50+ Wolf Riders). I decided to head north: I lost all my Centaurs. At the top, I found a Conflux (with a Rampart to the right). There were no free crystals, and not much gold.

Week 2
I bought Elves and Centaurs. I took the Gnome Treasury, broke through the right guard, and my scout captured my starting Castle. For some reason, I sent Ivor north (thinking I could visit the experience stones, capture the dwellings of Earth and Fire Elementals, and build them in my secondary Castle), but then Shakti arrived, attacking my scout Elleshar. He retreated, bought all the Elves in my secondary starting Castle, and killed the opponent's scout. The plan was to lure Shakti out of my secondary Castle, which he had already captured, and on day 131, buy troops (especially Elves) and defeat him in the open field before he received reinforcements (I already knew he had Minotaurs in the portal).

131
I bought troops. I still hoped that Ivor would defend my homeland. On the march, he killed a scout and almost reached Shakti. The plan failed. Now, the Dark Lord will receive reinforcements and give my troops no chance. He attacks, and a swift charge of Minotaurs destroys all the archers and causes panic. The Centaurs followed. Ivor fled. He left these lines in his diary:
"... Our vanguard could not resist the army of darkness. These fast, axe-wielding warriors crushed us. Darkness has engulfed our lands, but I believe that the day will come when we will drive out the invaders and build a new kingdom!..."