MAGELLAN'S MAP SUBMISSION

Map Name:	The Cabal
Map Filename:	thecabal.mx2
Map Version:    1.2  (last updated 01/08/98)
Map Maker:	Timothy Duncan
Dedication/Purpose: For the Necromancer's Handbook 
		    Homepage


E-Mail Address:	tduncan@haverford.edu

Map Type:	Singleplayer EXPERT 1H3C

Map Desc.:      An epic tale of Good and Evil and 
		Sadistic Humor

Special Win:	Find the Sphere of Negation

Special Loss:	Lost Hero ShadowMaker

Special Other:	None

A Special Note on Difficulty:  I had a hard time choosing
a difficulty setting for this map.  Only the end portions
of the map qualify as expert, so I almost rated it tough
instead, but after a final run through I decided it 
probably does deserve an expert rating, if only because
it takes a long time to beat.  Now, if you cheat a little
and look in the editor or use the 8675309 cheat to look
at the map, you may be tempted to call this map 
impossible when you see some of the armies walking about,
particularly at the end of the map.  To you I say, "Just
keep the map objectives in mind."  You are not expected
to beat all the heroes on the map; in fact I'd be hard
pressed to say it is possible to do so.  Oh yeah, and it
IS possible to beat all those steel golems in the 
beginning - don't underestimate the importance of your
several skeletons :)  Finally, my usual Dimension Door
speech applies here - it'll ruin the map if you use it.

All Human Sides
Completely
Play-Tested:	Yes

Special Thanks to Don Riale and Al Mytko for testing.

Have you played all of my maps??  
Email me for a checklist! tduncan@haverford.edu

Special Tip for those who are stuck!?  Blind is an 
absolute must.  Paralyze makes things almost easy.  So
build up those 2nd and 3rd level guilds!

Extra Special Note:  I REALLY tried to keep the supplimentary
text files out of this one, but alas, my long-windedness
got the better of me.  The good news is that there's 
only one journal entry.  You'll be told in the map when
to read it.  The journal entry is in THIS text file,
just below here.  So with out further ado, here it is:

THE JOURNAL ENTRY

	The battle lasted nearly four days, but in the
end your undead hordes proved too much for the iron-clad
humans led by the traitorous DarkSword.  Mr. Bones ate
his fill of humans (and don't ask what is the fill of a
bone dragon), and along with his other skeletal companions
turned the front ranks of the human army into a mess of
severed limbs and corpses.  The morale of the enemy was
incredible, however, and they managed to strike back 
hard during the daylight hours, using their holy powers 
to obliterate hundreds of your zombies and other ground
forces.
	Despite their valiant defense, your legions of 
the walking dead were just too numerous for the knights
to have a decent chance at victory.  After what seemed
like months of heavy fighting, pieces of the knights'
lines began to collapse.  Some of the swordsmen and 
pikemen had simply seen to many of their comrades get
hacked to pieces by the mindless undead and just dropped
their weapons and ran.  Other parts of the line ran out
of reinforcements and broke under the strain of the 
onslaught of your armies.  Whatever the reason, DarkSword's
armies began to crumble, first in trickles and then in
torrents, until eventually their entire division was
scrambling and fleeing in sheer terror.  If you had a 
heart, you'd swear it was broken with happiness.
	Seeing that the enemy was routed, you returned
to your temporary chambers of strategy, some poor peasant's
home - don't worry, he isn't alive anymore, so there's
no reason to have to return it soon.  Zak came promptly,
offering you a crystal chalice filled with deep, red 
wine.  You took the proffered goblet and drank deeply,
savoring the crisp taste.  Even a vampire tires of the
same drink all the time.
	It wasn't long before your officers came to the
hovel, carrying with them a badly beaten but still 
conscious DarkSword.  The traitor whimpered and pleaded
with them to let him go or kill him, but they simply
cackled and hissed.  They tossed him roughly on the 
ground and stood by to observe.  You angrily bade them
depart, which they did reluctantly, leaving only you and
him in the room.  DarkSword was on his knees, staring 
at his bloody hands.  He was deliberately ignoring you.
	Clenching your teeth, you stood up and walked
around the table.  Still he did not look at you.  So you
reached out a hand and took hold of his chin, forcing 
his eyes to meet yours.  It pleased you to see genuine 
fear in his eyes.  "So, once again you call me master.
Only now I'm pissed," you sneered, causing him to flinch
in fear.  Letting go of his chin, trusting that he was
wise enough to continue looking at you, you continue, 
"Why did you do it?"
	"I was given an offer," he replied tentatively.
	"And by whom?" you asked, bemused.  "And for 
what?"
	DarkSword was silent, and looked at his feet.
Enraged, you whipped out a hand, raking razor sharp 
nails across his cheek.  The knight gasped and fell 
backwards.  "Do not take your eyes from me again, or I
shall feed my servents one of your legs."
	"Luvalot promised me that I should have your 
place if I cooperated against you," the knight stammered.
	"You are a fool to put trust in him.  Have you 
no brains?"  The plot made sense, however.  As the youngest
member of the Cabal, DarkSword was still human.  A human
has a brain, and a brain could never be trusted.  You 
never knew what kinds of things were hidden in it; no 
self-respecting necromancer wanted a brain among his 
followers.  It was an invitation to disaster.  What was it
that old Valonvir used to say.. "Brains are to be eaten,
not trusted."  How true...  obviously, Luvalot saw 
DarkSword as a weak link, and he was right.
	"Forgive me, my Lord.  Please, I..."
	"Shut-up, you mindless twit.  You know I won't 
forgive you.  Your defection has caused me all kinds of
grief.  The Cabal has been broken apart, our holdings
destroyed.  Luvalot now raises an unbelievably large 
army against us.  What am I to do?"
	"I know how Luvalot can be defeated.  He is not
invincible," the knight said, suddenly opitimistic.
	"Oh, and how is that?"
	"There is a magical artifact, an Orb.  It negates
the holy bonuses of the gods.  With it, nobody shall 
stand against you!"
	"And where is this orb?" you asked, genuinely
interested, though playing it off dubiously.
	"Luvalot entrusted it to a magical guardian, and
protects it with nearly half his army."
	"Silly man," you reply, "Think you that I can 
defeat even half of that man's army?  It would be foolish
for me to try.  I am just recovering from near eradication
and you would have me march into the thick of the enemy.
Think you me a fool?  Is this some further ruse of yours?"
	"No, please.  I only want to help.  There is a
way," the knight begged.
	"Then how do I defeat this army and this mighty
guardian?" you ask, still feigning anger.
	DarkSword replied, "DarkKitten is being held in
the castle to the north.  Free her - She can take you to a 
place where you can learn how to gain access to the grave
of the Ancestors. Recruit of them - they can help you 
get by the holy legions.  As to the latter, I think you 
must only speak the password to dispel the guardian.
	"What's the password?" you asked.
	"It's YLOH, the ancient word of valour."
	You smiled, and stood up.  "You are pathetic,
DarkSword.  Why I thought to let you have admittance in
our Cabal in the first place is beyond me.  You don't
even have loyalty to the men for which you turned traitor.
If you hadn't told me the answers I seek, I may have let
you live.  You would have at least demonstrated some
redeeming qualities.  But as I see it, you've turned
traitor twice, and that makes you worthless.  Rest assured,
though, your body won't go unused."
	DarkSword's features bent up in worry, and he
stood, reaching for a sword that wasn't there.  "But..
please.." he stammered.  "I made a mistake.  Human's 
make mistakes."
	You laughed and returned to your chair and wine.
"Yes, DarkSword, they do make mistakes.  And that's why
they die."
	You signalled mentally for your servants, and they
came almost immediately.  "Please," you said, taking a
sip.  "Escort this human away from me and show him why
the Cabal does not look favorably upon traitors."
The servents all smiled and hissed in glee.  Clawed 
hands grabbed hold of the traitor necromancer and hauled
him, screaming, out of the room. From across the hall 
you could hear the punishment being carried out.  The 
screams lasted a few minutes only, and then died out 
with a last gurgling shreak.  The sounds of tearing and 
splitting and cracking and splashing and munching and 
belching followed soon, and all the while you sat, 
sipping your wine, a satisfied smile on your face. "What
a fine vintage," you thought.
	Suddenly, Zak came running into the room, covered
with fresh blood.  A human forearm, half eaten, was clutched
in his hand.  The zombie smiled at you and said, "MMM..
me wish more people were traitors.  They taste good."
You laughed and bid your zombie bring you a piece.  Looks
like DarkSword's body would go unused afterall.  A skeleton
only works if it is in one piece.

The END of Journal Entry One!

Comments/Questions?  email tduncan@haverford.edu