The Protectors of Etheria is a stand-alone mod of the game Warlords Battlecry 3 (i.e. it can be run without having the original game installed - 100% free full game). It is an improved RTS/RPG game with new campaigns, quests, terrain, units, items, heroes, modding features and more. Beta versions available for download!
More game play options for the upcoming 0.8.6 TPC version.
(You now have the option to prevent Heroes from changing their items in-game)