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VLAD TEPES DRACULA
MANUAL
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 1997 by ComputerHouse
The software and the associated manual are protected by National and International Copyright laws.
All rights reserved. They may not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or
reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form without prior consent, in writing, from
ComputerHouse. The user of this product shall be entitled to use the product for his / her own use. But
shall not be entitled to sell or transfer reproductions of the software or manual to other parties in any way,
nor to rent or lease the product to others without permission of ComputerHouse.
Uses Smacker Video Technology. Copyright © 1994-1997 by RAD Game Tools, Inc.
EPILEPSY WARNING! READ THIS BEFORE PLAYING ANY COMPUTER GAME
A very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light
patterns or flashing lights. Exposure to certain light patterns of backgrounds on television screen or while
playing computer games may induce an epileptic seizure in these individuals. Certain conditions may
induce undetected epileptic symptoms in persons who have no history of prior seizures of epilepsy. If
you, or anyone in your family, have an epileptic condition, consult your doctor prior to playing. If you
experience any of the following symptoms while playing a computer game: dizziness, altered vision, eye or
muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary movement, or convulsions,
IMMEDIATELY discontinue use and consult your doctor before resuming play. It is recommended that
you take 10 minutes pause each hour of play.
QUERIES
If you should find either the program or the documentation unsatisfactory in any way, don’t hesitate
to drop us a line detailing in full the reasons for your dissatisfaction. This will help us to avoid repeating
any similar problems in the future. Opinions and complaints should be sent to the Game Development
Department at ComputerHouse.
PUBLISHER:
DEVELOPER:
ComputerHouse GBG AB
Phone:
+46 (0) 31 - 3314110
Fax:
+46 (0) 31 - 3314433
World Wide Web:
http://www.computerhouse.se
ComputerHouse constantly looks for talents in game development.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
copyright ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Epilepsy warning! Read this before playing any computer game ............................................................. 2
queries..................................................................................................................................................... 2
Publisher: ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Developer:............................................................................................................................................... 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................. 4
GETTING STARTED ........................................................................................................................................ 5
system requirements................................................................................................................................. 5
installation............................................................................................................................................... 7
troubleshooting........................................................................................................................................ 7
TECHNICAL SUPPORT...................................................................................................................................... 8
online support services............................................................................................................................. 8
GAME STRUCTURE .................................................................................................................................. 9
MENU ..........................................................................................................................................................11
Engage ...................................................................................................................................................11
Load .......................................................................................................................................................11
Save........................................................................................................................................................12
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................12
Options ...................................................................................................................................................12
Exit .........................................................................................................................................................13
THE BATTLE STATION ...........................................................................................................................14
THE BATTLEGROUND..........................................................................................................................14
The map..................................................................................................................................................14
The mouse...............................................................................................................................................15
The Command panel ...............................................................................................................................15
OnLine help ............................................................................................................................................19
THE COUNCIL ..........................................................................................................................................20
The Map of Valachy................................................................................................................................20
Resources ...............................................................................................................................................20
The Command tabs .................................................................................................................................21
Time and Date ........................................................................................................................................23
THE SEAL of Dracula.............................................................................................................................23
Quick help ..............................................................................................................................................23
THE ARMY................................................................................................................................................24
Swordsmen..............................................................................................................................................24
crossbowmen...........................................................................................................................................24
Knight.....................................................................................................................................................25
Juggernaut..............................................................................................................................................25
Catapult..................................................................................................................................................25
Cannon ...................................................................................................................................................25
Spies .......................................................................................................................................................26
CONSTRUCTIONS ....................................................................................................................................27
Bridges: ..................................................................................................................................................27
Watchtowers: ..........................................................................................................................................27
Fortifications:.........................................................................................................................................27
Strongholds: ...........................................................................................................................................27
Opening/Closing Gates:..........................................................................................................................28
CREDITS .......................................................................................................................................................29
Please do NOT MAKE ILLEGAL copies of this software .........................................................................30
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INTRODUCTION
”In the dark ages of the fifteenth century, the Turkish army invaded the shores of Valachy. Their bloodthirsty swords
struck deep into the heart of the land, which soon became a western outpost under the Turkish sultan. A loyal nobleman
was placed on the throne, and the people suffered under his cruel regime.
But in the deep forests of the Transylvanian Mountains, a small number of freedom fighters were struggling to recapture
their country. They were led by the former ruler of Valachy, count Vlad, furthermore called Dracula.”
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GETTING STARTED
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Computer:
Dracula requires a 100% IBM PC compatible computer, with a 486DX4/100 or better processor and
at least 8 MB of RAM. It is recommended to use at least a Pentium 100 processor for maximum
enjoyment. If your system has 32 MB of RAM, Windows will automatically cache graphics and sound to
minimise loading time.
Operating System & DirectX:
Dracula is designed for Windows 95. It will work on a Windows NT system. Beware, however, that
Dracula will run much slower on a system that uses Windows NT. This is due to the fact that Windows
NT is more protective of the system than Windows 95.
Windows needs DirectX to be able to run Dracula. DirectX 3.0a is included on the Dracula CD. You
are not required to install DirectX if you already have any version of it (even Direct 1.0 will do). Take
note that DirectX 5 currently won’t run on Windows NT, use 3.0a instead.
You often get faster graphics and sound with the latest version of DirectX. Be warned though, that
many people have experienced severe problems when installing different versions of DirectX. Some to
the degree that reinstallation of Windows 95 was necessary. If you already have a working version of
DirectX, and you don’t wish to take any risk by installing a later version, don’t bother.
Controls:
A keyboard is required. A mouse is strongly recommended if you do not wish to use the Windows
Accessibility options (see your Windows 95 manual for further help).
Disk Drives:
A hard drive and a CD-ROM Reader are required to play Dracula. If you don’t have DirectX on your
computer, 5 MB will be taken to this purpose. There are three different installation options ranging from
0 to 80 MB of hard drive space.
Graphics:
Dracula requires a DirectDraw compatible graphic card. We strongly recommend using a local bus
video card (PCI or VLB) with at least 2 MB of Video RAM.
Sound:
Dracula supports any DirectSound compatible sound card. We strongly recommend using a 16-bit
sound card. If you wish to enjoy the original music during the game, you need to have your CD-ROM
audio cable connected to you sound card, and Windows correctly configured for playing audio
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CDs (Red Book Audio). Windows 95 will usually take care of this when you install a new CD-ROM
drive. All the original music in the game will play on a regular hi-fi CD player (just make sure you skip the
first track, unless you enjoy the sound of white noise).
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INSTALLATION
Just insert the Dracula CD-ROM into your CD-ROM reader. The installation program will start
automatically. Click ”Install and play Dracula” to start installing. You will be asked if you wish to add a
Dracula shortcut to your start menu.
In the event that Windows 95 AutoPlay does not work on your system, you should install Dracula by
clicking on the My Computer icon, followed by Dracula (your CD-ROM Drive) and then Set-up.
The installation program will start and let you install Dracula. You can choose between three different
installation options:
Full installation: This is the recommended configuration for all computers. This will install
approximately 80 MB on your hard drive.
Typical: you need at least a double-spin CD-ROM and about 25 MB of hard drive space to run this
configuration. All cinematic will stay on the CD.
Minimal: This is the way to go if you have at least a fast eight-spin CD-ROM, and don’t have much
hard drive space. The game will run entirely from the CD-ROM. The loading times will of course be
longer than full installation.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The game won’t start.
Close all programs (including the Microsoft Office Toolbar) that run in the background. There are
some background program (like anti virus programs) that are known to interfere. Make sure you have
some free disk space on your main drive, you need at least 20 MB. Make sure that DirectX is properly
installed and working. If it is not, contact your graphic card and/or sound card manufacturer and/or
Microsoft.
The game just stopped and kicked me back to Windows.
This will occur if your computer receives a network message that takes priority focus. WinPopUp is
one program that can crash Dracula. Make sure you close ALL programs before starting Dracula.
Bad memory management may also cause it. Make sure that your hard drive has much free space, and
that it is not fragmented (use Microsoft Defrag or similar program).
The game pauses occasionally.
This is due to the fact that Windows 95 simulates memory on the hard drive when not enough
physical memory is available. The only way to minimise this is to use at least 32 MB RAM.
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TECHNICAL SUPPORT
ONLINE SUPPORT SERVICES
ComputerHouse provides upcoming news, latest versions, updates, product demos, reviews and more
on the World Wide Web: http://www.computerhouse.se
8
GAME STRUCTURE
The game of Vlad Tepes Dracula consists of two different components, the Council where you take
care of administration and the Battle station where you direct your troops and oversee defence.
The first mentioned is meant to symbolise the council of Vlad Dracula, from where you have to
survey the twelve counties of Valachy. Here you can raise buildings, manage productions, train units and
direct the movements of your troops.
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When attacking, or being attacked, you’re automatically moved to the Battle station of the game. In
the Battle station you’re given the opportunity to lead your troops on the field in combat. You’ll battle
against your enemy on the strategically important points of the counties of Valachy.
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MENU
ENGAGE
Click here to begin a game. If you already are in a game you will be questioned if you wish to
Continue, Start a new game or return to the main menu.
LOAD
This will take you to the load screen. Just select one slot and click ok to load. You will then be taken
back to last position of the saved game.
Shortcut for ok is Enter. Shortcut for Cancel is Esc.
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SAVE
This will take you to the save screen. Just select one slot, enter a name and click ok to save. You will
then be taken back to where you we’re last.
INTRODUCTION
This will play the intro cinema for you. Press a key to stop playback and return to menu.
OPTIONS
SFX
This will set the volume on all sound effects.
CD-Audio
This will set the volume on all the background
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music.
Brightness, Colour and Contrast
This is the control to adjust if your monitor won’t display the way you would like.
Game speed
Set the correct game speed if you feel that the game runs too fast or too slow. If you maximise the
speed, be aware that you might experience choppy game play, due to slow hardware performance.
Scroll speed
This controls how much the view is moved when you use the arrow keys for example.
Default
This will reset all values. Shortcut is D.
EXIT
This will end the current game section.
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THE BATTLE STATION
THE BATTLEGROUND
This is where you can view your troops on the battleground, at the strategic point of the chosen
county. It’s important to find the advantageous points on the battleground, and bring them under your
dominion. For example, guarding mountain passes, bridges, and forest paths increase your ability to
effectively defend your county from incursion.
THE MAP
When you first reach an enemy county, it will be covered with black areas. These blackened areas of
the map represent unexplored terrain. To reconnoitre the ground you must explore it with your troops.
The brightly-lit areas are those within eyesight, while the darker, shaded parts of the map represent the
terrain that has been explored but are currently out of sight. You will only be able to see enemies within
the brightly-lit areas.
If you check the survey map when you attack an enemy province for the first time, it will reveal your
target. After you have defeated / conquered your main target, other targets will be lit on the map in
descending order of importance.
You won’t see any blackened areas if you own the county you are visiting, or if you have sent spies
that have reported the map to you.
If you wish to scroll the view, just move the mouse cursor to any screen border, and the map will
scroll accordingly. You may also use the arrow keys. An alternative is to press the ALT key and then
move the mouse cursor.
The reference points for the borders between
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the different counties is marked with a border post,
it looks like an old road sign made of crossed planks stuck in a pile of stones. It is a good idea to post
troops at these border posts from where you anticipate the next attack.
THE MOUSE
The game cursor reacts in various ways, depending on the conditions. If the cursor is placed over a
Dracula soldier the game cursor becomes a selector. A click with the left mouse button will start select
mode. If the button is released without changing cursor position, the soldier right under it will be
selected, while all other soldiers will be deselected. If you instead move the cursor, a rectangle will be
drawn. When the button is released, all Dracula soldiers within the rectangle will be selected, and all
others will be deselected. This also works in conjunction with SHIFT – Add, and CTRL – Inverse. If you
click the right mouse button, all your soldiers will be deselected.
If you have selected some soldiers and then click in an empty area on the map, the selected soldiers
will try to walk there. Take note of the fact that there are two different walk modes, Formation walks and
Assemble (or Non Formation) walks (see 18).
The health points of selected soldiers will be shown as green bar at the bottom of the selection
rectangle. If the map area you click on contains an enemy, your selected soldiers will try to attack the
enemy. Note that the selected troops will release themselves from the formation when they attack.
THE COMMAND PANEL
This panel consists of five different components: The survey map, the command icons, the mode
icons, the walk toggle icon and quick help.
The Survey Map:
This map will give you an overview of the actual county (only, of course, the parts that have been
discovered). Dracula’s units are shown as small blue figures, seen from above, while the Turkish units
have a red colour.
If you point the mouse cursor somewhere on the survey map, click the left mouse button and drag
the mouse, the view of the large map will change accordingly.
If you have selected some troops, click somewhere on the survey map, then release the left mouse
button without moving the cursor. Now all your selected soldiers will execute the default action.
The Command icons:
You can use these icons to give orders to the selected soldiers. Remember though that there exists
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default actions if you just click on the map. The shortcut to each icon below equals its first letter. The
icons are:
Walk:
After clicking this button, click on a point in the battleground where you’d like your selected soldiers
to walk to. See Walk Toggle for further information (page 18).
Attack:
After clicking on Attack, choose an enemy you’d like your selected troops to do battle with. If no
enemy is found in the selected area, the attack command will become a Walk-movement.
Stop:
By clicking this button, you order your selected troops to stop whatever they are up to, and stay
where they are.
Guard:
After clicking on Guard, choose a point on the battleground that you’d like your selected troops to
guard. Note that your soldiers won’t leave the spot, even when they are being attacked.
Patrol:
After clicking this button, click on a place on the battleground that you’d like your selected soldiers to
patrol to. Your troops will continually patrol between that spot and the spot they came from.
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Flee:
When clicking this button, you order your selected troops to flee in the direction where they are least
threatened.
Manoeuvre:
After clicking on this icon, you’re able to create a movement/attacking-scheme of points for the
selected troops. A Tip: Use the shortcut M to select the points of the scheme, and Backspace if you’d like
to delete the latest chosen point. The manoeuvre will start when you press Return/Enter. An effective
strategy against castles could be to assign different groups to numbers (see quick help), assign each group
to an attack-scheme and then simultaneous execute the manoeuvre / attack.
Leave:
When clicking on this icon, a dialogue box will be shown, to ask you if you are sure. Press Y for yes
or N for no. If you answer yes, your army will flee to the territory they came from. There is a great risk
that some of your soldiers will die during the escape. That is the price you will have to pay. Remember
that you can always come back later and give the Turks what they deserve.
The Council icon
This button will only be shown if you have chosen to inspect the county from the Council. If you
press this button, you will be taken back to the Council.
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The Walk Toggle icon
This button will toggle between formation walk and assemble walk. Formation walk will force all
soldiers to keep their position relative to each other. Assemble walk will force all soldiers to walk directly
to the point you click. Formation often has an advantage when moving over large areas. Assemble walk is
often preferred in battle. The shortcut for this icon is the Space bar.
The Mode icons:
These three icons gives you the chance of deciding which state of mind the actual soldier will have.
These states are only active when you’re not leading your soldiers by yourself! E.g. they won’t act
depending on their modes if you have them selected. This setting defaults to Normal for all soldiers.
Coward:
The soldier prefers to flee rather than fight e. g. he will always run away if an arrow hits him or if he
receives some damage. When selected, the soldier will have a yellow dot in the upper left corner of its
selection rectangle.
Normal:
This is the default mode. The soldier will flee when he receives heavy damage. When selected, the
soldier will have a blue dot in the upper left corner of its selection rectangle.
Berserk:
The soldier will attack any enemy in sight, regardless of whether he’s outnumbered or not. He will
fight to the death. His attack strength will increase a bit, and his defence strength will decrease just as
much. When selected, the soldier will have a red dot in the upper left corner of its selection rectangle.
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Quick help
This area will show a short description of the icon you point your mouse cursor to. It also shows the
shortcut for that icon, if available, between the lesser than and greater than signs (e.g. Walk <W> means
that the shortcut for Walk is the key W). If you click here with the mouse cursor, or hit CONTROL-H
you will be taken to the online help.
ONLINE HELP
This is a short form of the manual that can easily be accessed within the game. To manoeuvre in the
text you use the arrow up and down keys to scroll, and page up and page down to scroll one page at a
time. You can also use the mouse. Move the cursor to the bottom part of the screen to scroll down, and
to the top part to scroll up.
Always look at the help at least one time, as it contains all obscure shortcuts that you might wish to
use. To exit, just hit the Esc or click the left mouse button.
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THE COUNCIL
THE MAP OF VALACHY
The land is divided into twelve counties, each of which produces a different amount of resources.
The brown shaded parts are subjugated to the Turkish army, while the unmodified parts belong to
Dracula.
There is always an active county that is highlighted on the map. Any instructions commands or
otherwise will take place and be carried out in this in this is the county. This is done through the current
tab (see the Command Tabs below). You can select the active county by simply clicking the left mouse
button. It is also possible to change the active county with the arrow keys.
When double-clicking on one of your own counties (or pressing ‘I’ on a highlighted county), you’ll
inspect the Battle station of that area. This gives you the opportunity to rearrange your troops before an
attack, or reconnoitre the ground.
Blue arrows on the map symbolise Draculas movements.
RESOURCES
This area contains information about the collected wealth of your realm. Beneath the pictures the are
two digits. The above represents the actual amount you have collected, while the lower digit with a sign
represent the each months income or cost. It also shows a graph of the development in progress. There
are five different resources: Gold - yellow, Grain - brown, Building material - green, Recruitable men
- blue and Army - red.
You can click on the picture that represents the resource, to toggle the graph on/off.
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THE COMMAND TABS
By choosing the desired tab, you’re able to manage the following subjects:
Training
With this tab you’re able choose what kind of military units you’d like to train. The units are the
following: Swordsmen, Crossbowmen, Knight, Juggernaut, Catapult, Cannon and Spies (for more
information about the army, see page 24). The available assortment depends on which level of armament
you have achieved (see page 23).
You will take over the troops that your enemy is training in a specific county if you conquer it.
When training a unit, make sure you’ve highlighted the correct county, since the chosen unit will
appear at some strategic point in the selected county.
The tab of training also gives you some important facts about the proficiencies of the units, as
follows:
Cost: the price in gold.
Time: how many weeks/turns it takes to train or build the unit.
Damage: the value of damage that a successful attack of the unit causes.
Accuracy: the sureness of aim.
Armour: the value to subtract from the enemies attacking points.
Stamina: the amount of attacking points the unit can stand before it dies.
Swiftness: how fast the unit can move.
Fire range: how far the attack of the unit reaches.
All units cost one grain per week to maintain. If you should not have the required amount of gold,
your troops will start deserting you.
Movements
This tab shows you the stationed troops in the highlighted county. If you wish to move to or attack a
county, just select any troop by clicking on them. If you move your mouse cursor over a nearby county,
the cursor will change into a sword. This means that the move is valid. Just click to move. If yourself
govern that bordering county, you’ll just accomplish an ordinary movement of troops. If, on the other
hand, it belongs to the enemy, the move is automatically turned into an attack.
An arrow on the Map of Valachy always indicates a movement of troops.
It is always possible to cancel a movement before you confirm this week’s orders using the seal of
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Dracula. To cancel any moving troop, just click on the troop.
The Space bar can be used to select/deselect all troops. The same effect is achieved by clicking the
right mouse button in the movements’ rectangle. Backspace will toggle the all the selections.
Fig.1 - free,
Fig.2 - selected,
Fig.3- moving.
Constructions
In this tab you’re able to control the repairing, upgrading and building of different military
constructions. You can only raise one building per county at a time. The actual types of building will
always bee seen in the Window of Construction.
You will take over the constructions that your enemy is building in a specific county if you conquer
it. The contents of this tab are the following:
The Survey Map:
This map gives you an overview of the highlighted county. The buildings in the area are shown as red
symbols. When selecting one of the modes Repair, Upgrade or Build (see below), the possible buildings
will be shown as yellow symbols.
Repair button:
When clicking on Repair, the damaged buildings of the county will be highlighted. If you move the
mouse cursor over a symbol, you’ll see the price for repairing the building under The Icons of Cost.
When clicking on the symbol, you’ll be executing the reparation.
Upgrade button:
When clicking on Upgrade, the Icons of Architecture will be activated. If you select one of the icons,
the buildings on the survey map will be highlighted, if they are available for upgrading to the actual type
of building. If you move the mouse cursor over the highlighted building, the price of the operation will be
shown under the Icons of Cost. When clicking on a highlighted building, the upgrade will be executed.
Build button:
When clicking on Build, the Icons of Architecture will be activated. If you select one of the icons, the
possible locations where you can build the construction in the county will be shown as highlighted
buildings. If you move the mouse cursor over a building, the price of the operation will be shown under
the Cost icons. When clicking on it, the building will be executed.
Remember that any operation can be cancelled before you use The Seal of Dracula, by clicking on the
hourglass that appears over the Repair/Upgrade/Build button.
Information
This tab gives you information about a selected county. To access facts concerning an enemy
territory, you need to have spies in the area (for more information about spies, see page 26).
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There are three different types of information:
Resources:
These are Gold, Building Material, Grain and Recruitable Men. The numerical data is put in
terms of the income of the resources in one week. Note that these facts only consider the highlighted
county, in contrast to the area of Resources always seen in the Council.
Army Units:
These are Swordsmen, Crossbow men, Knights, Juggernauts, Catapults, Cannons and Spies.
Here you’re simply shown the number of stationed troops in the county.
Constructions:
These are Bridges, Towers, Fortifications and Strongholds. This area gives you the number of
constructions built in the highlighted area.
Administration
There are two kinds of administrations that affect the properties of units and buildings, respectively.
Armament
Represents the skill and technical level of your military organisation.
Architecture
Represents the skill and technical level of your qualified architects and engineers. The higher level
you have achieved in these ranges, the more possibilities you’ll get.
To upgrade these domains takes a lot of money and time. The precise amount is shown above the
upgrade button.
TIME AND DATE
This area tells you what year the game is set in, and how many weeks/turns have passed that year. At
the start of the game you’ll find yourself in the first week of the year of grace 1456.
THE SEAL OF DRACULA
By pushing the Seal of Dracula, you’re confirming all orders given for the current week, and
automatically move on to the next turn. At the beginning of the next week, you’ll be informed about what
has happened. All soldiers heal a bit each week.
QUICK HELP
This is similar to the quick help in the Battle station (see page 18).
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THE ARMY
The army consists of several different units, which are available according to the level of Armament
(see page 23) you have achieved. Each of them will be upgraded one step at a time, which happens
automatically when reaching the right level of Armament.
The price for training one unit depends on its value, but the weekly payment for the units is the same
for all except juggernauts, catapults and cannons. The weekly price is one Grain. The types of units are
seen below:
In the heat of the battle, it can be advantageous to know that all units with distance weapons will
receive 25% better hit chance when the target is within half the maximum range.
A soldier that survives a long time and performs well gets a veteran award, which means that they
become more accurate and inflict higher attack damage.
Units that get severely hurt will walk slower.
SWORDSMEN
These men-at-arms are often simple farmers or scoundrels, who fight for bounty more often than out
of patriotism. When you’re training swordsmen, you’ll do it in troops of five men, and likewise when
you’re executing a movement of troops (note that in the Battle station, you’re able to move soldiers
individually).
The swordsmen are of course not as harmful or fast moving as the knights, but they are on the other
hand more flexible and can move in smaller spaces than their mounted companions. Furthermore, they
are quite cheap, if you consider that one unit of five swordsmen costs as much to support, as does one
knight.
CROSSBOWMEN
These men are much like the Swordsmen; maybe a little bit more sophisticated. This unit is also
trained and is moved in troops of five men (on the movement tab of the Council section of the game).
You’ll soon find the men with crossbows very useful, for keeping knights and swordsmen at a
distance, and to be sentries of the watchtowers and stationed on the walls of the strongholds.
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KNIGHT
The knight is most often a nobleman, who fights to obtain privileges for his own family. He gets paid
by the acre and does not have to pay taxes (nevertheless, he demands an ordinary payment five times
bigger than the swordsmen do).
The strength and the speed of these mounted warriors are indispensable in the heat of battle.
JUGGERNAUT
It’s easy and cheap to build a juggernaut, but it has some weak points, compared to the Catapults and
the Cannons. To begin with, you can only use it for breaking through the gates of fortifications and
strongholds, but not for crushing through stone walls. However, until you’ve reached the higher levels of
Armament, which give you the option of building catapults and cannons, the juggernauts are a must.
CATAPULT
Compared to the juggernaut, the field of application of the catapult is much wider. You can use it for
destroying stone walls, as well as gates, and of course you can assail enemy troops with the devastating
rocks of the catapult.
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CANNON
The qualities of the cannons are the same as for the catapults, apart from some advantages. For
example the rate of fire is much higher, and the same goes for the swiftness. Its firepower is also a step
more effective. There is one disadvantage, though; the technology of gunpowder isn’t that well developed
yet. Especially at the first level of the cannons, there’s a risk that the cannon will explode. Keep your
troops away from it, in case it does.
SPIES
These undercover agents are never seen on the battleground. You should send them into an enemy
county, to gain information about its resources, its military forces and buildings, and its terrain. The
higher the level of your spies, the more accurate the information you’ll receive.
When you have produced a spy, just move him into an enemy county. It is then possible that you’ll
receive a message, a week or so thereafter. Depending on how many spies you have and how good they
are, you may gain information. The information is available in four levels: Resources, Army, Buildings
and even a Survey Map. When gaining a Survey Map, you will automatically be shown the stationed
enemy troops on the minimap in Battle mode, when you’re attacking the actual county.
The Information and Construction tabs will automatically change, so that you can view the gained
information if you select an enemy county where you have spies.
It is important to keep sending new spies if your old ones get caught. You won’t decrease your gained
level of information as long as you still have spies in the province, but you will lose it all if they all get
caught.
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CONSTRUCTIONS
You’ll soon find the raising of buildings very important, not only from a military point of view, but
also in other ways. To begin with, the impact of a great stronghold on the population of a county is huge.
It’s easier to collect taxes and recruitable men, because of the fact that when you build a fortification or a
stronghold, you engage an administrative staff. The bigger the building is, the greater the increase in
income of resources in that county. It will also be easier to find enemy spies in that area.
The first time you enter an enemy province all buildings will have their roofs on. The roofs will
disappear and reveal all enemies within when you place a soldier in the entrance. During an attack it can
be to your advantage to place soldiers that you wish to spare in a house, since the walls are impassable.
It’s easy to climb the castle walls. Just click on the spot you wish to go to. All soldiers will see and
shoot further when on the walls or a tower.
The different types of buildings are the following:
BRIDGES:
Can be built from wood or stone, and in different sizes.
WATCHTOWERS:
These constructions are indispensable at strategic points on the battleground. You can station four
sentinels on each tower.
FORTIFICATIONS:
Can be built in different sizes.
STRONGHOLDS:
Like the fortifications, but more powerful. The walls are larger, and give you the opportunity of
stationing soldiers on them. You can also choose to build a moat around the stronghold.
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OPENING/CLOSING GATES:
To open or close the gates of a fortification or a stronghold, you first need to deselect your soldiers
(easily done with a right mouse click) and check that no soldier is standing in the way of the gate. When
this is done, you simply click on the gate to open/close.
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CREDITS
Game Design:
Per Simonsson
Peter Pettersson
Ola Olsson
Erik Möller
Project Leader:
Peter Pettersson
Art Director And Lead Artist:
Per Simonsson
3d Artwork:
Jan Almqvist
Artwork:
Mikael Riesebeck
3d Cinematic Artwork:
Jan Almqvist
Anders Hejdenberg
Lead Programming:
Peter Pettersson
Erik Möller
Additional Programming:
Ola Olsson
Björn Winckler
Göran Wallgren
Sound and Music:
Calle Hansson
Executive Producer:
Mikael Östberg
Historian:
Lasse Petersson
Voices:
Jim Georgiades
Calle Hansson
Per Simonsson
Tomas Backman
Screamer:
Erik Möller
Cover Artwork:
Per Simonsson
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PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ILLEGAL COPIES OF THIS SOFTWARE
The software you are using was produced through the efforts of many people: designers, artists,
programmers, distributors, retailers, and other dedicated workers. The costs of developing this and other
programs are recovered through software sales. The unauthorised duplication of personal computer
software raises the cost to all legitimate users.
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