Map Name: The Thunderstorm
Map Author: Stalin
Author's E-Mail: brian_conaway@yahoo.com
Playable Races: Orcs/Dark Elves
Unplayable Races: Dark Elves (Traitorious Stormlords),
Humans, High Men, Elves
Map Size: Large
Levels: Surface+Undeground
Difficulty: Difficult/Impossible
Spheres: 7
Leaders? Starting Level: Player's leader starts at
level 4, computers are at higher levels.
Map Description: This map is a continuation of the
Cult storyline, assuming that Talic remains with the
Dark Elves.  The player takes the role of Vortalis, a
minor Stormlord who declares loyalty to Talic after
Meandor flees and all hell breaks lose.  Talic assigns
Vortalis defense of the Valley of Wonders as the
armies of both the treacherous Stormlords and vengeful
humans swarm across the mountains.
Background Story:Emperor Joseph is dead, and the
Humans have been driven from the Valley of Wonders. 
The Keepers are nearly vanquished, and Inioch has died
once again.  The Cult of Storms has triumphed, but now
we are unable to restrain the maelstrom we unleashed.

Even as the High Men gather up portions of the now
headless Human Empire to reclaim the Valley of
Wonders, the Cult itself is disintegrating.  Meandor,
suspecting the treachery of the Stormlords, fled after
the sacking of the Human cities in the Valley.  His
premonitions proved correct; hapless Talic, the true
hero in the war against Humanity and the Keepers; is
facing a massive assault from the perfidious nobility
of the Cult.  Too cowardly to emerge from the cover of
the shadows during previous struggles, they now rush
into battle at the prospect of an easy victory and
absolute power over the entire continent.  These weak
fools do not understand that even if they win, they
will not be able to bring back order; the miserable
Stormlords are too weak to keep the lesser races in
check, much less quell the bickering and infighting
among themselves.  Their regime would collapse within
a decade, or at least become so powerless that the
Azracs would emerge from the searing deserts and annex
the Valley of Wonders.

I will not stand idly by while our last chance for
Elven hegemony is squadered.  I, along with a few
other Stormlords, have declared loyalty to Talic, the
new Elven Lord.  We will make our stand in the Valley
of Wonders, and hold out against the onslaught.  Our
chances at victory our slim, and Talic is despondant,
but he will not give in peacefully to the traitors. 
The mighty Orcs are loyal to Talic, and although the
timorous Goblins serve whomever points the sharpest
sword at them, I believe we may yet pull through.  I
have been assigned the defense of the northeast
approaches to the Valley of Wonders, where I must hold
off the Stormlords, as well as vanquish the Humans and
High Men who hold the fortress cities in the mountains
and are determined to retake the Valley.  There are
even remnants of the Keepers present, although at the
moment they are too scattered and weak to pose a major
threat.  If I succeed, Lord Talic will be able to sit
securely in his throne and restore order to the land. 
If I fail, the Thunderstorm will roar on, consuming
all in its path.

Author Comments: This should be quite a challenge. 
The best bet is to abuse the balance problem that
arises as your leader gains levels.
Author Hints: Try to find some of the secret items and
areas in the level!
