Chess map — SoD

The Chess map is a small 36 by 36 single-level scenario for eight players, all of whom may be human, with no teams and every faction chosen at random. The author describes it as a difficult, chess-like composition, with the story left open to shift the way a good chess player's plan would, and with a large number of towns set in a fantastical setting. The terrain is mostly sand and lava, with grass covering the rest. Victory requires defeating all enemies, and a player loses by losing every town and hero. The map holds 35 towns, two heroes, and a sizable set of guarded stacks, including Azure, Crystal, Faerie and Rust dragon dwellings. Players will also find 26 mines, a seer hut, a timed event, and a few placed artifacts such as the Orb of Vulnerability and the Shackles of War.