[Campaign] Legacy of Azenn

[Tuneful]

After seeing and playing through Turnro's "Adventures of Rowan the Wise" I made the decision to get serious about making a real blizzard style campaign.

My goal is to produce a polished campaign that is fun to play, with an exciting and immersive story. This campaign occurs during the 30 year gap between Beyond the Dark Portal and Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. I was very dissatisfied with some of the directions that Blizzard took with the storyline, some missed opportunities in this time period, for certain. I felt like there would be potential in making a campaign about Azeroth (The Kingdom) during the post Second War period and the fate of the Alliance. Some people may find interesting references to Tides of Darkness/Beyond the Dark Portal in my work.

My take on the story may grate on the nerves of some purists, if that's you, please have an open mind. I'm looking for feedback from the community.

Campaign Info

Campaign: Legacy of Azenn

The Story

In the aftermath of the Second War, the once grand Alliance begins to falter. Old tensions, laid aside by the threat of the Horde, surface once more. Though the great danger is past, new trouble threatens the war-ravaged lands of Azeroth. New champions must rise in the wake of the martyrs of the Dark Portal. Lordaeron remains resolute in its call for unity, but the nations of Stromgarde and Gilneas, as well as the elf kingdom of Quel'thalas, decide to go their own way...

In the southlands, Azeroth begins to rebuild. The legacy of great warriors like Lothar and Turalyon lives on in the enduring pact of friendship between Lordaeron and Azeroth. Vast quantities of resources were needed to rebuild the destroyed kingdom, and the ever-charitable King Terenas made sure that Lordaeron would do its part. The guardsmen of Elwynn Forest, under the command of Ingram Locke, watch over the battle hardened peasants as they work for a better tomorrow...

Even with the bulk of the Horde scattered, the need for warriors to fight the orcs has not waned. Alwyn, Knight of the Silver Hand and veteran of the Second War, answers this call. The Silver Hand, ever vigilant and loyal to the crown of Lordaeron, continued to uphold justice and defend the populace. Together with a battalion from the shores of Lake Lordamere, Alwyn tirelessly hunts the last pockets of orcish resistance in the Redridge Mountains. Striking out against the orcs with the legendary Hammer of Azenn, Alwyn wields this holy relic in the Light's name.

Alwyn is not all that he appears, however. He guards the secrets of an ancient prophecy, one which holds the fate of Azeroth in the balance. A dark shadow begins to spread over the land, heralding the return of an ancient foe which may spell the doom of all humanity...

Features (so far)

• 10 Playable Maps, 3 Interludes and an Epilogue
• Blizzard Style gameplay
• Modified heroes, spells and abilities
• Modified human tech tree that reflects the era
• Immersive and compelling storyline
• Explore Azeroth, Khaz Modan and parts beyond
• Clean and polished presentation

Playable Heroes

Alwyn, Paladin of the Silver Hand
Commander Ingram Locke, Soldier of Azeroth
Zanaeus, Envoy of Nethergarde
Rell Ironsight, Dwarven Mountaineer

Villains

Gargaz Grimsight, Orc Chieftain
Lurr Bloodboil, Warlock of the Shadow Council
Zarigoth, Fiend of Twilight
Councillor Gorek, Death Knight of the Third Circle


Minor characters

Army of Stormwind

General Tedmund
Marshal Dorian
Sergeant Galis
Corporal Manley

Dwarves

Sergeant Ironhand of Dun Maraz

Savage Races

Tan'zil, Troll Warmaster
Grol, Ogre Mage
Graka Nak, Ogre Warlord

And many more...

Campaign Progress

Key:Complete|Being worked on actively|Not being worked on

Story - 90%
Techtree - 15%
Heroes and Spells - 15%
Art - 1%

Map List

Chapter One: Elwynn Forest - 75%
Chapter Two: The Shadow Resurgent - 10%
Chapter Three: Jailbreak - 25%
Interlude: The Vision - 95%
Chapter Four: Departure - 50%
Chapter Five: Summervale Isle - 10%
Interlude: The Gathering Storm - 0%
Chapter Six: Lakeshire - 10%
Chapter Seven: Breakout at Northshire - 0%
Chapter Eight: Into the Mountain Halls - 0%
Interlude: Tipping Point - 0%
Chapter Nine: Once More Unto the Breach - 10%
Chapter Ten: Depths of Fire and Nightmares - 1%
Epilogue: Blood of the Martyrs - 0%

Media

More screenshots coming soon!

Warning: Alpha, names and locations may change

Screenshot 1

Pumpkin farm in Elwynn Forest

Screenshot 2

Elven village

Screenshot 3

Marsh in the Khaz'Modan wetlands

What are some things you would like to see in a campaign addressing this time period?

 

[Chaosy]

While I dislike the blizzard-like campaign theme, the idea overall could be neat.

Unique character names and the story seems rather well made.

I am surprised over the lack of attention this is getting.

 

[Tuneful]

Hi Chaosy! Thanks for the post May I kindly ask you what does not appeal about Blizz-style campaigns? Doing some audience research

 

[Chaosy]

1. Warcraft 3-ish terrain is really bad. While this isn't a critical issue, it's still affecting the impression you get while playing. With that said, it doesn't need to be full HD stuff, but something inbetween. A good example is this map:

http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/...downloads&search=rpg&mmr=4&r=20&d=list&page=3

The terrain isn't super advanced at all, it's actually rather plain and semi-empty, but the models just fit perfectly together. (WoW rips)

2. the gameplay is super onesided. Obliterate the enemy base. This worked in wc3 because they had some unique missions as well. Culling of Statholme is my favorite one. Another unique mission is the one before Arthas becomes the lich king and has to capture those pillars. Yet another one is the first undead mission in the TFT campaign where you have to defend on 3-4 fronts while clearing the map at the same time.

edit: another good terrain example is Runes of Magic (which was removed from the hive so I can't find it!)
However this gameplay video shows the terrain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_OOC4zsrgo

 

[Tuneful]

I think I see what you mean, indeed that does look pretty sweet. Definitely some food for thought.

Is it only the terrain that's bothersome, though?

 

[Chaosy]

terrain and gameplay. I mentioned both in my other post

 

[Tuneful]

D'oh! I'm sorry, missed that one

Yeah, it's unlikely that this campaign will be mostly "destroy the base" - in fact, I'd rather have missions like those be a reward than the main thing

 

[Heinvers]

That's kinda nice for a Blizz like terrain

It reminds me of the RoC Human campaign, I like it.

However Chaosy raises a valid point here, keep working on it though.

 

[Tuneful]

Hello Heinvers, thanks for dropping in

Yes, RoC human campaign was exactly what I was going for

 

[Tuneful]

Quick update, been doing a lot of terrain, design and dialogue work. Here's an early screenshot of a mission that takes place in the Redridge Mountains. Evil magic has angered the rock golems...

Screenshot

 

[Chaosy]

Pretty clean. I highly suggest you change tree model to something more HD though. Trust me, it truly do wonders.

 

[Tuneful]

Spent some time delving thru the models section, not seeing any hi res autumn trees...

 

[Tuneful]

Update 1/21/15

Hi everyone!

I'm going to start posting once a week (Wednesday or Thursday) with progress updates and maybe screencaps, if I have gotten far enough...

A lot of my work on the campaign this last week has been, in order of amount of work done:

story boarding, dialogue writing and character development, level design, ability/roles for playable heroes, and terraining

I have some fears about transferring this thread into map development because I don't have sexy tables and graphics like the ones in there do just yet, anyone have tips?