The Dark Hordes - Resurrection Project

[KameRamen]

Important Notice

I have made many changes and updates to the campaign, but I have decided that they were too significant and have reverted the campaign to its original state. Accordingly, I have reuploaded it to the 1.18 add-on server.

Going forward, TDH will be divided into the following two:

The Dark Hordes: Original version. Released as an add-on, basically no changes other than porting.
The Dark Hordes Revised: Revised version, including improvements made previously. Eventually, I will consider suggesting it for the mainline. Future development will focus on this.

TDH Revised is in preparation at this time and has not yet been released. The development thread is here.

Perhaps these would be confusing. I really apologize for this, as the cause was flawed in my initial planning. However, these are necessary decisions to respect the original. I ask for your understanding.

[Ravana]

Since it doesnt have gamebreaking errors you are allowed to upload it. When you decide to do it is up to you.

[KameRamen]

Since it doesnt have gamebreaking errors you are allowed to upload it. When you decide to do it is up to you.

Thanks. I just uploaded the campaign to the server.

[holypaladin]

Adding the fight and rematch with Elynia to part 2 as the most important scenario. She should corner Gwiti in the final scenario and become Lady of Light. Doing so will match the Project-Ethea timeline.

Maybe better choice would be to make him live in times of Eastern Invasion where he becomes together with his brother students of lich. That would make a deeper backstory to campaign.

[KameRamen]

Adding the fight and rematch with Elynia to part 2 as the most important scenario. She should corner Gwiti in the final scenario and become Lady of Light. Doing so will match the Project-Ethea timeline.

Maybe better choice would be to make him live in times of Eastern Invasion where he becomes together with his brother students of lich. That would make a deeper backstory to campaign.

Thanks. It sounds very interesting as an idea, but it would require a change in the story's fundamentals.

[Lord-Knightmare]

I would like a satisfactory ending to the TDH at the minimum if possible.

So, far over the years, we have had 3 attempts at the TDH:

• TDH (unofficial): found inside the TDM project addons. I did not like this one.
• The Dark Rising: Was okay in terms of plot and ending, but the maps and scenarios really needed some refinement.
• Innocence: I found this to be like some try at stitching plot elements from TDH and DiD into one work, and the second last scenario copying the layout of ATS1's triad room. It started off okay, but the plot copying left me disappointed.

I sincerely hope your attempt is better.

Adding the fight and rematch with Elynia to part 2 as the most important scenario. She should corner Gwiti in the final scenario and become Lady of Light. Doing so will match the Project-Ethea timeline.

1095 YW
Orcs attack the fortress of Erzen - a battle ensues.
Brothers Gwiti and Nati Ha'atel use their magic skills to raise former enemies and deceased allies for help on the battle-field. The result is catastrophic for their side, and the battle is lost.
Gwiti and Nati are banished from the continent. The Dark Hordes I begins.
1096 YW
Gwiti Ha'atel takes over the Tower of Kaleon searching for the Tome of Crelanu.
1097 YW
Gwiti Ha'atel finds Crelanu's book.
Gwiti Ha'atel withdraws to the mountains, fleeing from Lord Aretu's army. The Dark Hordes I ends.
1099 YW
Gwiti Ha'atel launches a surprise attack on Wesnoth. The headquarters of the Council of Archmagi are completely destroyed and everyone inside is slain.
Elynia is called upon by the remaining members of the Council of Archmagi to pursue and defeat the necromancer.
Elynia confronts the necromancer but she is fatally injured. Gwiti leaves the battlefield assuming her dead.
Argan, an outsider of unknown origins with an advanced knowledge of dark magic, finds Elynia and saves her from certain death.
1100 YW
Elynia finds Gwiti Ha'atel again in the Estmarks, and takes on him for the second and last time.
Elynia uses the power of Light for the first time to win the battle, and defeat Gwiti, who casts a curse upon her with his final words. Eye-witnesses would spread the word about the events of that day, referring to the elf as the "Lady of Light".

Oh, so the ending would be the the main character dying to Elynia in the end? Ah, okay. Bummer. I thought he would survive somehow, weakened but still existing. Possibly taking a millennia to recover his former power.

[KameRamen]

I would like a satisfactory ending to the TDH at the minimum if possible.

So, far over the years, we have had 3 attempts at the TDH:

• TDH (unofficial): found inside the TDM project addons. I did not like this one.
• The Dark Rising: Was okay in terms of plot and ending, but the maps and scenarios really needed some refinement.
• Innocence: I found this to be like some try at stitching plot elements from TDH and DiD into one work, and the second last scenario copying the layout of ATS1's triad room. It started off okay, but the plot copying left me disappointed.

I sincerely hope your attempt is better.

The unofficial version was a bit corny (I lost interest in playing it pretty early on). As for The Dark Rising, I didn't know it existed, so I'll test play it next time.

As the drafter, I am also responsible for the failure of Innocence. Because, with the exception of the first three scenarios, I left the development and adjustment to Ishichan and did not provide any significant help. Ishichan seems to have lost his motivation along the way.

Oh, so the ending would be the the main character dying to Elynia in the end? Ah, okay. Bummer. I thought he would survive somehow, weakened but still existing. Possibly taking a millennia to recover his former power.

If it is not necessary to follow the Project-Ethea, there is no problem with adopting the original plan. This is under consideration and I am seeking broad input on this. In addition, since I will start with minor changes, no significant story updates will be added all at once.

[Lord-Knightmare]

I see you mention difficulty adjustment a few times.

I dont think campaigns should be skill-locked by absurdly high difficulty. Rather there should be catering for all skill level players...or most of them.

[KameRamen]

I see you mention difficulty adjustment a few times.

I dont think campaigns should be skill-locked by absurdly high difficulty. Rather there should be catering for all skill level players...or most of them.

Thanks, I had almost forgotten a bit about that. I'll keep that in mind.

[Elvish_Hunter]

Here's some information that may be of your interest.
Until a few years ago, we had a project called Wesnoth-UMC-Dev that tried to centralize and put under version control (SVN, in this case) add-on development. Nowadays, most add-on development has moved to individual repositories on GitHub, but the historical content of the project is still available.
The Dark Hordes was one of the add-ons that were part of the project, and its code is still available here: https://sourceforge.net/p/wesnoth-umc-d ... rk_Hordes/. This specific version has two more scenarios, called Return to the Northlands and An Orcish Coup, as well as the map for a twelfth scenario, called Assault on Alduin.

[KameRamen]

Here's some information that may be of your interest.
Until a few years ago, we had a project called Wesnoth-UMC-Dev that tried to centralize and put under version control (SVN, in this case) add-on development. Nowadays, most add-on development has moved to individual repositories on GitHub, but the historical content of the project is still available.
The Dark Hordes was one of the add-ons that were part of the project, and its code is still available here: https://sourceforge.net/p/wesnoth-umc-d ... rk_Hordes/. This specific version has two more scenarios, called Return to the Northlands and An Orcish Coup, as well as the map for a twelfth scenario, called Assault on Alduin.

I really appreciate it. The link you provided had some great material. I found some additional texts about the story and the plan. This will be very useful for future development.

[KameRamen]

The repository is available on GitHub.
<https://github.com/kameramen0106/The_Dark_Hordes>

[KameRamen]

Important Notice

I have made many changes and updates to the campaign, but I have decided that they were too significant and have reverted the campaign to its original state. Accordingly, I have reuploaded it to the 1.18 add-on server.

Going forward, TDH will be divided into the following two:

The Dark Hordes: Original version. Released as an add-on, basically no changes other than porting.
The Dark Hordes Revised: Revised version, including improvements made previously. Eventually, I will consider suggesting it for the mainline. Future development will focus on this.

TDH Revised is in preparation at this time and has not yet been released. The development thread is here.

Perhaps these would be confusing. I really apologize for this, as the cause was flawed in my initial planning. However, these are necessary decisions to respect the original. I ask for your understanding.

[Lord-Knightmare]

You can release both in a single add-on.
No need for duplicate entries.

One addon folder can have many campaigns, each having its own distinct binary path, maps, macros, campaign define macro and scenarios folder. Or, you can even try and add subfolders for each campaign and just the paths there.

I like the option of having both available for comparison so I can judge properly. Good initiative.

[KameRamen]

You can release both in a single add-on.
No need for duplicate entries.

One addon folder can have many campaigns, each having its own distinct binary path, maps, macros, campaign define macro and scenarios folder. Or, you can even try and add subfolders for each campaign and just the paths there.

I see, that is an excellent suggestion! I will positively consider it.

I like the option of having both available for comparison so I can judge properly. Good initiative.

Ah, it is such relief to hear you say that. Honestly, I was not sure if this decision was the right one. But this allows me to focus more on development, thanks.