README FILE for "The Fall of Beleriand" Scenario

THE FALL OF BELERIAND (Version 1.0)
By Johan Thelander
Based on the Book "The Silmarillion" by J.R.R Tolkien



REQUIREMENTS

Multiplayer Gold is needed to run this Scenario.



INTRODUCTION

This scenario is based on Tolkien's book "The Silmarillion". It's recommended that you have read it before you play the scenario. If you haven't read it you can try the scenario anyway, it might still be enjoyable. The year is F.A. 455 and the War of the Jewels has been going on for centuries. You are the High King of the Noldor (The High Elves who have returned to Middle-Earth). The War of the Sudden Flame is upon us. You will command the Noldor forces of the houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin. The scenario will end in 589 if neither Morgoth nor the Noldor has been defeated by then.



HOW TO WIN

To win this scenario Morgoth has to be defeated. This happens when a civilization captures the City of Angband. The easiest way to do this is to let Erendil build his ship Vingilot and sail to Aman. There he will speak to the Lords of the West and ask for their aid. Then you'll get lots of great units, ships and last but not least: Tulkas, who is a nuke unit which is probably the only unit able to kill Morgoth.
But there are lots of things to do before this happens...

There are several "missions" to complete before you can go to Aman. These missions can only be completed by special units:

Beren - The first among these special units is Beren. In F.A. 460 you will get him. He will appear south of Dorthonion. His special ability is to make paradrops. The first thing to do is to get him to the border of Doriath. There he can make paradrop from a watchtower (airbase) and jump over the otherwise impenetrable Melian's Girdle. In Neldoreth forest you can see a light (a unit called Maiden) this is where Beren should go next. Jump to the next watchtower (over the impenetrable unit called Woods) and attack the light. Then Lthien will appear west of Doriath.

Beren and Lthien - To get Lthien's hand Beren has to steal a silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. To do this he needs Lthien's help. Lthien is an air-unit and can't be attacked. Move them together and let them end their turns on the same square. This way they have a great chance to get through all perils and reach Angband. When you are there you have to attack the Light-unit east of Angband (DON'T try to attack Angband). Let them be on the same square when Beren takes the silmaril. Then FLEE!  (Don't mind if they are killed by Carcharoth, they are meant to be).

Dior - When Beren and Lthien have completed their task they will settle on the island of Tol Galen in Ossiriand. You'll get a new unit: Dior, their son. His mission is to get into Doriath and to Neldoreth (like his father he is able to make paradrops). Go to the same place where Beren first met Luthien and attack the new light (this represents his wife Nimloth). Then their daughter Elwing will be created at the Mouths of Sirion. When his task is completed you can use him as a normal hero unit.

Tuor - Tuor will appear at Vinyamar in Nevrast in F.A. 495. His task is to go to Gondolin and warn Turgon. Stay in Gondolin until a light appears outside Gondolin. Attack the light and Tuor will marry Idril. Then their son Erendil will be born.

Erendil - Erendil should escape to the Mouths of Sirion as soon as possible. If he is too slow he risks to get killed in the assault on Gondolin. Run to The Mouths of Sirion, build him a ship, and let him make an amphibious assault on the light nearby (on the small island at the Mouths of Sirion). Then he will marry Elwing (The light won't appear until Dior has married Nimloth) and they will build the great ship Vingilot. Erendil should board Vingilot and sail to the Blessed Lands. You'll find Aman in the south-west corner of the map. Attack the first light with Vingilot and attack the second light (in the mountains) with Erendil (amphibious you know).

At last you can board the white ships of Aman and sail to Middle-Earth.
Now the last war begins: The War of Wrath!



RULES

The CIVILIZATIONS - There are seven civs:
The TRIGGER civilization is only being used for game functions.
The SINDAR are the Gray Elves of Doriath and other elves who are not of Aman. 
The NOLDOR are the Houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin. Play as this civ ONLY.
The OATH-TAKER civ is the rest of the Noldor. That is the Sons of Fanor.
The EDAIN are the Human civ in Beleriand.
The NAUGRIM are the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost.
The FORCES OF DARKNESS is the ENEMY.

UNITS - Most important is that you have read the information on the special units above (Beren, Lthien, Dior, Tuor, Erendil). All important units can be found in the civilopedia. Here are a few other notes on some units:
SETTLERS are created by events. You have to build a city at once. Don't move.
If the cities are built in a different order (than that in the City.txt) here are the city names: Tol Galen (The city on the island in the river), Isle of Balar (On the island in the ocean), Mouth of Sirion (The city in the delta (should be called Mouths of Sirion but that is too many characters)), Arvernien (The city in the fields on the south coast).
BEREN should get Lthien in Doriath and then steal a silmaril. If he is killed (not by Carcharoth) you are in big trouble.
LTHIEN must follow Beren.
DIOR has to marry Nimloth.
TUOR has to attack the light (Idril) outside Gondolin.
ERENDIL is needed to get Vingilot and to sail to Aman.
If any of those heroes doesn't complete his/her mission you will never get help from Aman (and you will probably be defeated).
HUAN THE HOUND will appear when Beren meets Lthien. He is destroyed after attacking and my advise is to use him to "kill" Sauron.
TRIN is very special. First he is fighting for Doriath. Then he will be an outlaw and might attack anyone. Finally you will get him. Then his name is Trin Turambar and he is destroyed after attacking. (Tip: Use him for Glaurung)

IMPROVEMENTS - They don't play a big role in this scenario. Gardens, Arenas and Feast Halls are happiness improvements. City Walls don't increase the defence values, they only protect the population. There are no Barracks at all - units gain veteran status from experience in battles. Improvements can also be found in the civilopedia.

WONDERS - Like city improvements wonders are not very important. Their biggest purpose is to give atmosphere to the world. Check the civilopedia for more info.

ADVANCES - There are not many advances to research. Here is a list:
Rebellion - Outlaws (Partisans) will be created when a city is lost.
Navigation - All your Naval Units have their movement increased 1 pt.
Medicine - All your Gardens makes one more citizen content. (Medical herbs)
Refuge on Balar - Gives you a refuge on the Isle of Balar.
The Noldor begin the Scenario researching Rebellion.

TERRAIN - There are many differences from the usual terrain. Most terrain has a new look and there are a few new terrain-types. Most important of the changes is the impassable terrain. All mountains with lots of snow are impassable. This terrain cannot be entered.

SPECIAL RULES - No pollution, No government switching, No tech from conquest and NO DIPLOMACY.



CREDITS

First of all I wish to thank J.R.R. Tolkien for his great book. Second I wish to thank Brian Reynolds for his Scenario: Dagor Bragollach--"Battle of Sudden Flame", which has inspired me a lot. Other scenarios that I have learnt much from are Harlan Thompson's "The Lord of the Rings" and Michael Jeszenka's "The Sword of Shannara". Great works!
Unfortunately I can't credit all material I've used in my scenario. It is taken from so many different scenarios and gif-collections on the web so I can't remember them all. Though I won't list them I wish to thank all of you whose previous works I've used for the scenario. Thank you!



CONTACT

If you have any comments or questions - please send a mail to j_thelander@hotmail.com

You can also check out my Civ-page at http\\:www.geocities.jolciv.com if you want the latest version of the scenario or want to find other civ-stuff I've made.

/Johan