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[Let's Play] Fantasy General
Kane Red Robe
Master of MagicArcanusRegistered User regular
Master of MagicArcanusRegistered User regular
The year is 1996, 2 years ago Strategic Simulations Inc. released Panzer General to critical acclaim and massive popularity among pc using wargame enthusiasts. One year ago SSI released Allied General to much the same response. This year, they released another game, in the same mold as the previous two games that had garnered so much success but trading World War Two for a fantasy setting, it was promptly totally ignored by the vast majority of the world. Nonetheless, Fantasy General, as it was aptly titled, was really freaking rad, and no one played it, so we're going to do that now.
I would put the opening cinematic here, but apparently I can't get it to play with sound, and the only one on Youtube is in German (FG was pretty popular there as it didn't involve Nazis). The gist of the story is that the world of Aer was a great generic fantasy place until the Shadowlord, who is a pretty obvious Sauron clone, appeared and conquered it in a brutal war. It's been a little while since then and La Resistance is finally starting to get rolling, headed by a mysterious and enigmatic "Council of Five." Let's check in on them shall we?
*******
You stumble into the torchlit cave chamber, rumors were flying that tonight, here, some mysterious "Council" was going to launch the war of liberation against the Shadowlord. You don't know too much about the Shadowlord, born and raised on Keldonia, the barren wasteland that it is after the war, but you know well the thugs employed by Dragga, the Orc King who rules this continent in the name of the Shadowlord. It seems the rumors were correct, as you are not the first to stumble into the room, already a number of seats facing a raised table are occupied, some by folk you recognize. At the raised table sit five cloaked and hooded figures sit, behind them stand three imposing figures. As you take your seat an old bearded and robed man appears from a side wall and whispers to the central cloaked figure and moves to stand behind with the other three.
The central cloaked figure stands, "Thank you all for coming, Archmage Krell has informed me that his wards are complete, so anything that takes place here should be immune to the magical scrying of the Shadowlord and his minions at least. As you may have already guessed, we are the Council of Five. I apologize for the anonymity of our dress, but we must remain unknown to the Shadowlord's agents for this to work; for the time being, you may refer to me as Une. We are here today to make one final decision before setting out to liberate Keldonia, and the rest of Aer from the grasp of the vile Shadowlord and those he has placed to control Aer in his name. A decision we felt was too important to make without some sort of popular input. We have gathered the funds and resources to support a small strike force that should be able to overwhelm Dragga, but we must decide who shall lead this force, and how it shall be organized. Standing behind me," Une gestures at the four figures behind the table, "Are our prospective generals. My fellow councilors have searched long for heroes willing to raise the banner of freedom, and these four have answered the call. I shall let the councilor who secured their service make the introductions." With that Une sat, and the cowled figure to his left stood.
"Thank you Une. Most of you are probably already familiar with Lord Marcus," The new figure gestured at one of the four in the background who stepped forward.
"Lord Marcus served in the war as a front line commander and has since then honed his skills by selling his blade and that of his company to the highest bidder. Which happens to be us at the moment. Marcus is an experienced commander who specializes in infantry tactics, as well as general training regimes. Given that we will be starting nearly from scratch, being able to impart some experience to our forces before embarking into combat will be priceless I believe." The figure sat and another stood.
"While I am certain Lord Marcus is an experienced commander, I am leery of placing the fate of Aer in the hands of a mercenary. To that end, I have contacted Knight Marshal Calis and he has agreed to lead our forces if we so desire."
"You might have already met the Knight Marshal at some point, as he is one of the few remaining Sun Knights of Keldonia, and fought with them during the war. Since then he has roamed this very continent leading the last of his order in attempting to aid those in need and harass Dragga's forces wherever they are found. The Knight Marshal is a cavalry specialist, and as a Sun Knight can inspire greater courage from his troops, and indeed, make use of healing magic to aid his forces."
The fourth councilor stood, "We all respect Calis' courage, but I do not think an idealist is suitable for the challenges ahead. I have secured the promise of the Sorceress Mordra, who feels that her independence is soon to be threatened by the Shadowlord."
"While it is not well known, Mordra did aid in the war against the Shadowlord, albeit by indirect means, displaying a cunning that has left her lands unconquered, and a cunning I feel we could well use. Mordra can command beast forces to strengthen our armies, and indeed conjure them out of thin air in preparation for combat. In addition she can either heal her beast units or inflict her enemies with a virulent plague via her sorcery."
The last councilor stood. "Meaning no offense to Mordra, but if we are going to hire a magician to lead our forces, why settle for a second stringer? Archmage Krell has already pledged himself to our cause and is willing to take up combat duties himself.
"The Archmage is one of the headwizards at the Academia Arcana in Ra, and although the college is increasingly threatened by Aelcar the Shadow wizard, many of the mages there are willing to join our fight thanks to Krell's efforts. Archmage Krell can command magical troops, and cast a number of offensive spells, and unlike Mordra and Calis, he isn't limited to one spell per combat."
As the last councilor sits the one known as Une stands again, "No need to get testy Goh, all the commanders have their strengths." With that he turns to you and the rest of the audience, "So there we have it, four possible generals, but only one can assume overall command, it is up to you to determine whether we shall go with the experience of Lord Marcus, the righteousness of Knight Marshal Calis, the bestiary of Sorceress Mordra, or the arcane might of Archmage Krell. Please cast your votes now."
Episode 1, Organizing an "Army"
Episode 2, The Battle of the Scarlet Plain
Episode 3, The Battle of Hoaroot Forest
Episode 4, The Battle of Cynehelm Valley
Episode 5, Onward Brave Arcadians
-Episode 5.5, Number Crunching
Episode 6, Battle of the Vale of Sorrow
Episode 7, The Battle of the Caerovian Peninsula
Episode 8, The Battle of Broken Fang Pass
Episode 9, The Battle of Cape Havoc
Episode 10, The Battle of Sundered Plains
Episode 11, The Battle of Drake Forge Valley
1st Arcadian Volunteers Roster
Active Duty:
The Narrator
Lost
Forever Zefiro
Teriferin
TheOtherHorseman
Malkor
Elvenshae
Bluntly
Alfred J. Kwak
elliotw2
Lord_Asmodeus
Basil
Smaug6
Skulkraken
stopgap
Reserve:
Arrath
Igel
Darian
Casualty List:
Devoutly Apathetic; Battle of Hoaroot Forest; Goblin
Xtarath; Battle of Cynehelm Valley; Goblin
a_m_a_t; Battle of the Vale of Sorrow; Skeleton
Chrono Helix; Battle of the Vale of Sorrow; Skeleton
-SPI-; Battle of Broken Fang Pass; Apprentice
RedThorn; Battle of Broken Fang Pass; Skeleton
UrQuanLord88; Battle of Broken Fang Pass; Ogre
Zombiemambo; Battle of Broken Fang Pass; Ogre
Smug Duckling; Battle of Cape Havoc; Wolf Rider
WotanAnubis; Battle of Cape Havoc; Wolf Rider
Astale; Battle of Sundered Plains; Skeleton
Wheezer; Battle of Drake Forge Valley; Goblin Archer
hamdingers; Battle of Drake Forge Valley; Goblin Archer
deadlyrhetoric; Battle of Drake Forge Valley; Goblin Archer
Ed321; Battle of Drake Forge Valley; Goblin Archer
Ferrosol; Battle of Drake Forge Valley; Skeleton
Kane Red Robe on
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Posts
Archmage Krell always seemed to make the most of the setting, but I always sucked with him.
That sounds interesting, I vote him too.
I want to see those animal and insect units in action.
I've only ever tried the demo for this when I was a kid, and I liked what I saw.
Because c'mon now, he's the motherfucking Wizard.
Each general gets one unique hero during Keldonia, and Knight Marshal Calis' is an order of magnitude better than the heroes the others get. I usually play as Calis for that reason alone, (plus I love cavalry charges), but I'm willing to play as whoever you guys vote for. At the moment that looks like Krell, which is fine, he's a lot of fun since he gets to drop fireballs and the like on people.
Purely on the basis that his costume is the closest we will see to a wizard in a pimp hat.
Steam: Drokmir
I like beastly women
Streaming 8PST on weeknights
Seconded. Let's go with Lord Marcus and his mercenary minions.
Weird coincidence, I found this game in a drawer yesterday. Are you running this in dos box? Other than no sound for the cutscenes - any other issues?
http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198006524737
Yes, and no. Voice acting works, and so do sound effects, music does not, which sucks, because the game has really good music (which I will be linking to youtubes of as they come up), but it is entirely possible those issues derive from me being terrible at setting up DosBox than anything.
Also, thank you for voting for Calis, he is my favorite general, and I was getting a little sad there.
:^:
I had to decide between either Sorceress Mordra or Lord Marcus. The art and description for both really encapsulate that 80s-90s fantasy vibe.
Sorceress Mordra clinches it with the troop roster, though.
+ if he is the guy I am thinking of you get a knight on a bloody dragon! how can you resist that?
Steam
XBL - Foreverender | 3DS FC - 1418 6696 1012 | Steam ID | LoL
Never underestimate the power of an irate elm.
So you want Kayne to die horribly?
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Lord Marcus: 2
Knight Marshal Calis: 7
Sorceress Mordra: 8
Archmage Krell: 8
Polling will be closed when one commander reaches 10 votes, or I get bored, whichever happens first. In case of a tie the council will cast the deciding vote (for Calis probably). Poor Marcus, so unloved.
Archmage Krell, your newly chosen commander steps forward.
At first the Archmage's call is met with silence, but then you surprise even yourself by standing, "Beggin' yer pardon yer Mageship. I didn't vote for ye, an' all, but by damnit, Keldonia is me home, and I'll be damned if I let ye free the place without a little local help."
For a moment there is silence, and then, to your amazement, a cheer breaks out and several more folk stand up and volunteer. Folk you've known all your life, stolid peasent folk and neighbors all, you see the faces of your neighbors and friends; Devoutly Apathetic, Xtarath, a_m_a_t, Chrono Helix, -SPI-, RedThorn, UrQuanLord88, Zombiemambo, Smug Duckling, WotanAnubis, Astale, Wheezer, hamdingers, deadlyrhetoric, Ed321, Ferrosol, Lost, Forever Zefiro, Teriferin, TheOtherHorseman, Malkor, Elvenshae, Bluntly, Alfred J. Kwak, elliotw2 and many others are all standing and cheering and yelling. You take a moment to reflect on the odd naming practices of the folk of the Arcadian area of Keldonia, oh well.
*******
The day passes in a flash, and you find yourself the next morning in a band of your fellows approaching the location the Archmage gave for his base camp with your makeshift weapons in hand and your belongings in a pack on your back. You climb to the top of a hill overlooking the clearing the Archmage specified and see... nothing, the clearing is empty. You all stop in consternation, was it a trick? A dream? A vague muttering starts somewhere behind you and your shoulders slump. Just as you are about to turn and head home Lord Marcus' imposing figure strides out of the clearing, appearing out of thin air, leaving a vague rippling in the image of the clearing behind him.
Amazed, you follow the Warlord into the clearing and as you enter suddenly the camp appears before you, a floating suit of armor turns it's empty helm towards you and the Warlord and nods, then resumes staring out of the camp.
Lord Marcus strides off and you let out a quick sigh of relief, that fellow is intimidating as all hell, probably why he got so few votes. The slingers are indeed happy for the company, seems they are shepherds from around the city Krell comes from. In addition to the slingers, there is a group of Light Cavalry picketed nearby, but they stick mostly to themselves. On the other side of camp there appears to be a grove of particularly gnarled trees, and a herd of Unicorns grazing nearby. Wandering through the camp absentmindedly are a couple strange looking fellows in robes with wands, and the air warriors are ever present on the perimeter of the camp. After a bit of set up and chat with the slingers you wander over to the command tent where the four commanders are discussing matters.
and the Scarlet Plain:
I am of the opinion that the Scarlet Plain, while likely, slightly more defended, will give our troops a better opportunity to gain experience through combat, and quite frankly, we can take it easily."
I have linked the artwork for each unit to the first time it is mentioned in the story, if you guys want, I can inline them instead. Also, your input as to research, what we should buy and who should get the Wand is welcome. I have outlined the plan Krell and Co. will go with if there isn't a consensus from the audience. It also happens to be probably the best plan, but don't let that stop you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOTKA0aGI0
Jokes aside, this looks to be a rather epic LP already. Nice Episode 1.
Streaming 8PST on weeknights