The roads are average; from the Castle, the respawn unfolds in a thin spiral for a whole day's journey. Underground. No Haste in the guild. But they gave me a good starting army (100 skeletons), harpies for speed-up, a wealthy Nagash, and clues along the road. Actually, I was counting on a restart from my opponent, but it didn't happen.
On day 112, a candle gives an overview that shows a couple of chests and a peasant external dwelling in the next zone. There are many roads, which is pleasing. A couple of skeleton external dwellings—overall, it's playable.
Then began a rather slow advance along average roads. Only by the end of the week did I reach the Inferno village in my nearest treasure zone. There were a couple of clues and a necro-cloak. Claudius leveled up Necromancy and got Earth and Air. On 116, he learned Slow in the village and replenished mana. On 117, he returned home and headed toward the first Hive. By exchanging all resources, I set up Knights in the Stronghold.
On 121, I bring 75 peasants (there were 2 external dwellings) and buy a new hero. There's no money for more. In the end, it results in 200 skeletons, 3 liches, 5 ghouls, and a dozen zombies. I take the first clue for silver pegasi. It turns out to be 8 wyverns; I lose the liches and some skeletons. I run back to the treasure zone.
On 122, Claudius doesn't make it anywhere, Nagash grabs the cloak and a scroll, which turns out to be a Town Portal. Pity there are no resources... Also recovered a sword +2+2. On 123, I enter the second clue for great bulls, which turns out to be maximum. Fast combat tore them apart perfectly.
On 124, I take naga-banks of 2, bring in growth; Nagash grabs the last clue for great ifrits and gets another 8 wyverns. Not bad. Claudius bursts into the most central zone, where he destroys the green AI hero. Total: 4 liches, 275 skeletons, 28 wyverns, and 5 knights—decent. Stats are higher than my opponent Tamika's, which is also pleasing. The only problem is absolutely nothing for speed. Put that aside.
Then from the central zone, I penetrated through a portal to the swamp AI. A Dragon Utopia was found there. Spent a day taking Pandora to 2nd level magic + Ramp AI. On 127, I grabbed the utopia; it didn't give much.
Next, I burst into another treasure zone, where I visited the library and took a couple of naga-banks. Slowly built the Mage Guild, and by this time, reached the 4th level.
Just as I was about to portal back to replenish mana, a clue (4 wyverns) and a utopia are unexpectedly found nearby. I take it—a tier 3 one, very good: hat +4+4, boots +2 to all, and a 5th magic hat. Simultaneously, Nimbus on a second front finds speed boots.
Right then with Dimension Door I recover necromancy boots, and over the next couple of days, I fix up the army. At the end of the week, I decide to take my opponent's capital, as he seems much weaker according to the tavern.
On 137, I fall slightly short, and then I am unexpectedly ambushed. Archangels, birds, wyverns, just slightly fewer skeletons than me, a very unpleasant elixir, and a disgusting red orb. In general, they dismantle me with almost no losses; out of frustration, I even missed the moment to pay them off. However, continuing to play with ghostly chances for a draw and near-zero chances for victory wouldn't be cool.
Thanks for the game.
Осень-Зима 2013-14.