Heroes of Etheria is the fourth game in the Warlords turn-based strategy series, combining classic turn-based strategy with real-time strategy tactics as you attempt to conquer towns and provinces and destroy your foes.
Try out Warlords 4 in this playable demo.
In the year 1032 HET, Prince Mordaine, the exiled Dark Elven Noble, researched and cast a spell of power that ultimately failed, killing him and unleashing a magical backlash of energy upon the world. These devastating events became known as The Sundering and they passed into legend almost 3000 years ago.
Today, although most of the peoples of Etheria know that The Sundering occurred, few (save the Elves) actually know what the exact cause of it was. The name Mordaine has not been spoken or heard of amongst humans for centuries.
However… One Dark Elven mage, Aravein, had spent the last half of her life learning all that she could about not only these momentous events, but also the Prince who caused them. It became an obsession with her until finally, having consulted with the most vile creatures from the nether planes, she went quite mad.
In her madness, Aravein discovered what she thought was a flaw in Mordaine’s original spell – a spell to summon powerful Daemon Lords into the realm of Etheria. Aravein believed that Mordaine’s mistake was to try and summon 4 powerful Daemon Princes, when instead he should have tried to summon a horde of Lesser Daemons – tens of thousands of them.
And so Aravein went into hiding, researching this new spell – vowing to cast it and bring the whole of Etheria under her control. She summoned Daemons, and set them in charge of her Orkish minions. Then she sent them forth, plundering Libraries and Mage Towers, all the time searching for answers to questions that nobody had dared ask for 3000 years.
In her quest for this dark and powerful knowledge, however, Aravein made two mistakes:
Firstly, she made a powerful enemy.
And secondly, she left behind a single clue...
Features:
Warlords IV is a unique blend of roleplaying and turn-based strategy gaming. The game centers around your Hero, who plays a pivotal role in the success or failure of your military and economic efforts. Warlords IV is set in the troubled land of Etheria. Old foes such as Dwarves, Elves, and Orcs have resumed their ancient hostilities, and the Undead legions of Lord Bane have returned. The Knights continue their quest for dominance, and the unquiet whispers speak of the Empire, a race even more evil than the Undead.
The Heroes of Warlords IV show their mastery of sword and sorcery in the tactical combat system. Casting spells, smiting foes, or boosting morale of shaken troops, Heroes can turn the tide of battle. Players may grow and develop heroes from battle to battle, gaining in abilities and skills, and accumulating magic items and treasures.
Warlords IV uses an enhanced version of the Warlords Battlecry II terrain engine to bring the splendidly rendered landscape of Etheria to life. Special spell effects will illuminate the detailed tactical battlefields, while war machines wreak death and destruction on city walls.
Warlords IV will feature a new dynamic campaign with a diplomatic system to allow alliances and betrayal to play their part in the campaign story. Control of a province confers desirable and lucrative bonuses on the owner, and nobody will wish to see either their enemies or their allies get too strong.
Warlords IV players will need to make judicious decisions on the economic front. Should they build new cities, upgrade existing cities or armies, teleport much needed reinforcements to the front, or spend their gold making new armies and replacing the inevitable casualties of battle?
Features
Persistent Heroes for full roleplaying flavor.
Fully dynamic and resourceful campaign with diplomatic system.
Detailed Tactical Combat system for field and siege battles.
Detailed Warlord and Leader unit development.
Upgrade paths for Cities, Spells, and Units.
Expanded experience-based magic system with strategic and tactical spells.
Classic, resourceful Warlords AI opponents.
Ten unique sides.
Automated resource gathering.