The Judge's Opinion - This is the most polished scenario [in the contest]. It is a fantasy scenario, not based on the novel or the historical Vlad. It does have vampires, however. It has attractive and consistent artwork, though somewhat bright and cheery for a vampire scenario. It demonstrates a mastery of ToT events and rules. The events are extensive and sophisticated. There is a strong focus on the tech tree as the backbone of the scenario. A coloured tech tree map is included. Game play suffers from the small map and weaker than advertised threat from the forces of the Necromancer. Much time is taken up just holding off the numerous barbarians while trying to research non-corrupt techs. Still, simply on it's technical merit, this scenario deserves a top spot.

This scenario requires the Patch 1.1 for Test of Time. If the patch is not installed you'll get an "Obsolete Format Message".

Short Intro

The Rise of the Necromancer, or Necrociv for short, is a high fantasy scenario designed for play using Civilization II: Test of Time. Under the leadership of the Necromancer an army of Vampyres invades the mythical world of Minaria. Your task as ruler of one of the three human nations is to defend your kingdom, thwart the invasion, and, if you can, lead an army into the Abyss and lay siege to the Vampyre stronghold of Zards.

Invasion of the Vampyre's homeworld can be accomplished by casting the Astral spell and building an Astral Jammer, a magical craft that carries your warriors and magi to the Abyss. You have 300 turns to cast the Astral Spell before the scenario ends.

In the early game, the human kingdoms have little defense against the deadly Vampyres. Learning the arcane arts of olde and exploration of the World of Minaria are the keys to survival. Knowledge will allow you to train units that can fight toe to toe with the worst of the Abyssal spawn.

Powerful vampyres and undead legions are not the only weapons of the Necromancer has at his disposal. His dark wizardry also gives him the power to corrupt kings. Once a monarch has started down the dark path of corruption he is destine to become a minion of the Necromancer. Corrupt AI players are likely to ally with the Necromancer and turn on their Minarian brethren. A corrupted human player can take sides as he chooses, but can no longer win the scenario.

As one of the Minarian nations the process of defeating the Vampyres is difficult but possible. I suggest adopting a three-phase strategy; Survival, Development, Counter-Attack. The tech tree is large and complex so I've created a tech tree poster.