DESCRIPTION

As prophesied in the Book of Ages, you began your life simply, as a shepherd of sheep in the Fairfield Lowlands, near the idyllic village of Duskwood Forest. Even at the age of six, those around you felt your special countenance and observed your potential as you saved an entire flock from ravaging wolves. Then, one night during your twelfth year, you had an argument with your father who sent you back to the fields to tend the sheep. There, you watched helplessly from a distance as the demented Legion of the Fallen, the army of undead led by the evil Necros, swept down on your village, leaving complete death and destruction in its wake.

Desperately, you attempted to race back and help but your efforts were much too late. Once there, you were attacked viciously by a villager turned undead and forced to impale him with a burning pole to survive — but not before he scarred your face terribly with a slicing sword cut, another piece of the prophecy fulfilled. For the next ten years you wandered the land, banding with gypsies, thieves and mercenaries from whom you learned many skills — swordsmanship, deception, stealth and survival. Your reputation as The Scarred One grew and your exploits eventually became known to Necros himself.

During a fateful attack in the dead of night by a roving band of Ogres, you were helped by a blind hermit, Nomandi the Stoic, who soon after became your mentor in all things magical and arcane. After a peaceful period of time spent learning even more skills under Nomandi, the time finally came to strike off on your own. In a final twist of unkind fate, as you took your leave both you and your mentor were attacked by a ravaging band of the Legion. Mortally wounded, Nomandi begged your assistance to help him die normally, via a sleeping potion, rather than die of his wounds, thus becoming one of the undead.

You complied and now alone against the world, you, Drake, The Scarred One, set off to rid the world of the heinous Necros and his undead minions, the Legion of the Fallen.

In Crusaders of Might and Magic, you'll visit nine distinct environments throughout the land of Ardon, each rendered in fully navigable 3D. You'll meet allies including three factions of Crusader Knights, led by the warrior priestess Celestia and several factions of Dwarves led by a sworn companion in arms, Prince Dain Stoneheart. Obstacles to overcome include both enemy and neutral clans such as Dashers, Elementals, Ogres and the Glacial Titans — each with distinct and self-serving agendas.

Playing from a third-person perspective in either software mode or with Direct3D support, you'll encounter merchants and guilds, learn and utilize ten spells, each with three distinctive levels of effectiveness, weapons, shields, armor, potions and items to help you during your quest. Character attributes include such areas as strength, speed, intelligence, endurance, health, mana points, multiple armor classes, damage absorption, resistances and experience level.

Customizable keyboard controls plus limited mouse interaction combine to serve as the interface for the game. Crusaders of Might and Magic blends action with role-playing in the ever-expanding world of Might and Magic titles. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide