Ok, I've been up way too long. As of a few minutes ago, I am declaring my first original Kohan map more or less complete. (If necessary, I may make some tweaks to balance the play after I get a chance to try it with real human players. Testing it against the AIs is a very difficult way to gauge balance, because they play so stooopidly.)

I'm tempted to upload it to the website to release right now, but I think I'll refrain for the moment. The current plan is to officially unveil the new map at the next semi-regular Wednesday evening Kohan challenge. (At which point I will simultaniously post it on this website, for any random wanderers who might be vaguely interested, but don't make it into irc that night.)

Until then, a little info to whet the appetites of Kohan-ites.

Map title: Wild Triangle.

Number of players: 3.

Size: 96x96.

Description: "Royalist and Council factions navigate through twisty valleys to compete for resources and face off against the Dark Overlord of the North."

Notes: This map is somewhat inspired both by Humblik's super-huge 3v3v1 map, and Yanthor's recent 3-way design where crusaders from the east and west sandwich a guari defender in the center. Though it is officially a 3-way free-for-all, it takes into account the frequent tendency of 2 players to unofficially conspire to gang up on the 3rd until he is wiped out or too weak to be relevant.

In this case, the Dark Overlord of the North is the strongest player, making him the obvious target for concerted attacks by the other two, both geographically and strategically. However, there are also strong incentives for lots of infighting between the Royalist and Council factions.

The bait consists of a lake at the southern corner of the map, surrounded by goodies. An independent Slaanri village at the southern tip is surrounded by a cache of lush resources. On the pennensula above it just out of range, are 2 khaldunite spires. In order to get to them, you must first destroy a nasty obstacle that is in the way, and settle another city to supply them. (Outposts are not allowed on this map. I have very good reasons for this. Short version: On this map, I think it will make for much more interesting gameplay.) Above the lake lies a Gauri Stronghold. Get it, and you also get a gold mine.

My theory is that these amenities, as well as other various tech and fun surprises scattered at strategic points, will be sufficient to entice the 2 smaller players into some skirmishes. However, both of them will also have to be watchful of the Ceyah player, whose empire will inevitably cross the desert and encroach upon both of them. (The Dark Overlord could also theoretically be vying for the coveted southern resources, but he's got that much more terrain to cross in order to get there.)

Anyway, that's probably enough description for now. We'll just have see how it plays.