An Age of Empires Campaign

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Note: This campaign requires AoE version 1.0B

Thirty-five centuries ago, Assyria rose from obscurity to create a vast empire. Experts in demolishing walled cities, legendary for their ferocity on the battle field, Assyrians created the first true empire.

The Rise of Assyria campaign is for people who want a challenge from single-player games of Age of Empires. I'm distributing this as "donationware" campaign: download it, play it, and if you enjoyed yourself, send me whatever you think it's worth -- a buck, five dollars, ten marks, a pound sterling or two. Even a nice "thank you" letter or e-mail is fine. Author contact information can be found here.

Here's what you get with Rise of Assyria:

Seven historical scenarios (summaries below), complete with introductions and hints.
Eight custom enemy personalities; seven unique strategy files.
Assault cities; defend against enemy invasions; win against impossible odds!
Large armies and challenging victory conditions.
Based on events from Assyrian history.
The first in a series of historical campaigns. Coming soon: Assyrian Glory and Athens Ascendant.

The Scenarios

Egyptian Gold

By the 14th century BCE, strong Assyrian kings were asserting themselves. King Ashur-nadinahhe II (c.1392-c.1383) obtained support from the Pharoah of Egypt, in the form of gold. Assyria's neighbors, however, were less than pleased with the situation. Your forces must move the war chest (containing Egyptian Gold) into the city of Ashur. A river bars your path; flares highlight the only two shallow crossings.

Revolt

By 1340 BCE, the Assyrians were extending their influence and creating an empire. Assyrian King Ashur-uballit I (c.1354-c.1318) began his reign as a vassal to King Tushratta of the Mitanni -- that, however, would soon change. Allied with King Suppiluliumas I of the Hittites, Ashur-uballit revolted against Mitanni rule. The revolt must destroy a critical Mitanni military outpost, with the aid of the Hittites. Your goal is to capture the Mitanni military leader and to confiscate the Mitanni war chest containing their defense plans.

Babylonian Backlash

Babylon continued to be a thorn in the side of Ashur-uballit's son, Enlil-nirari (c. 1326-1318). In this scenario, the Babylonians have built a base near a lightly-defended Assyrian rivertown. As the Babylonians attack, the Assyrians must flee for their lives - and then retaliate.

Consolidation

By the early 13th century BCE, the Assyrians are consolidating their emerging empire. They came into conflict with the Kassites, a people allied with Bablyon. King Adad-nirari has ordered your forces to build a new base in the south, blunting Kassite advances. Meanwhile, the Kassites, lead by King Nazimaruttash, have begun building their own base...

King of All

After defeating the Mitanni and coming to terms with the Hittites, Adad-nirari turned his attention to the east, where mountain tribes continued to harass the Assyrian frontier. Calling himself "King of All", Adad-nirari orchestrated many huge building projects, to prove his greatness and impress Assyria's enemies. A group of Mannaeans, a people in the eastern Zagros Mountains, have grown too powerful for Adad-nirari's taste. He has commissioned you to build a new governmental and religious center, demonstrating Assyrian dominance.

Water Trap

After subduing a rebellious province, the army of King Shalmaneser I (c.1263-c.1234) find itself cut off from its only water supply by the forces of Shattuara II of Hanigalbat. With no hope of reinforcement, Shalmaneser's forces must fight their way through Shattuara's blockade.

Righteous Patricide

Tukulti-Ninurta (c. 1233-1197) followed in the footsteps of his father, Shalmaneser, expanding the frontiers of the empire and making Assyria a great power. He enslaved the Hittites of Anatolia, and subjugated Babylon. When the Babylonians revolted, Tukulti-Ninurta ransacked and looted their temples - an act of sacrilege condemned by his own people and priests. Estranged from his capitol and religion, Tukulti-Ninurta built a new city on the Tigris River. His own sons, however, turned against him, and laid siege to his new city.

Here's how you contact the Author:

Scott Robert Ladd (aka "BlackDouglas")
P.O. Box 617
Silverton, Colorado
81433-0617 USA

srladd@frontier.net