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Swords and sandals crusader

Swords and Sandals Crusader campaign gameplay.

eGames.com's Swords and Sandals: Crusader is a mix of fast paced arcade combat and RPG strategy.

Gameplay[]

Featuring particle weather and spell effects and a huge variety of army and game types, Swords and Sandals: Crusader takes off where Swords and Sandals 2 ended, as the battle against the undead Emperor Antares intensifies.

The game features eight leaders to fight against, each with unique armies and powerful new colossi, a Campaign mode with 41 missions across 9 chapters and leveling up crusaders up to 50 levels with powerful new spells, army upgrades and battle skills.

The upgrades available throughout the game are limited to certain levels as the story progresses (starts at Level 3, and progresses 1 level per Chapter). The improvements offered are:

  • Mercantile: Ability to manage your treasury. Every point you add to this skill gives an extra 10% income each turn.
  • Armourer: Improves the quality and toughness of your melee troops' shields and armor. For every point added, your Light, Heavy and Cavalry troops' Health will increase by 1.
  • Weaponsmith: Equips your melee with more powerful and vicious weapons. For every 2 points added, your Light, Heavy and Cavalry troops' Damage will increase by 1.
  • Heal Army: For every point added, you can heal a wounded soldier's health by two points during battle. Using this ability costs 50 Command Points.
  • Offensive Tactics: Improves your melee soldiers' fighting technique and skill. For every 2 points added to this skill, your Light, Heavy and Cavalry troops' Attack will increase by 1.
  • Summon Critters: If you don't want to lose valuable soldiers, let the critters of the world do your dirty work for them. Each point you add to this skill will summon more and more critters to rush your enemy with. Using this ability costs 100 Command Points.
  • War Drums: Powerful tool to demoralize the enemy. Each point added to this skill saps 20 command points from the enemy leader during battle, and reduces the enemy army's morale when the drums play (morale reduction does not work against the Death Imperium).
  • Defensive Tactics: Improves your melee soldiers' ability to survive on the field. For every 2 points added to this skill, your Light, Heavy and Cavalry troops' Defense will increase by 1.
  • Raise Dead: The dark powers of necromancy allow fallen warriors to be raised from the dead. For every point you add, 4 Light Infantry troops can be summoned to fight again as ghosts, up to a maximum of 50 Light Infantry troops. Those who survive are kept after the battle is over.
  • Leadership: Each point invested in this skill adds 10 Command Points to your starting and max values (minimum is 100). It also grants you the ability to boost your army's morale by one Leadership point. High morale means more damage in attacks. Using this skill during battle costs 50 Command Points.
  • Airstrike: Devastating aerial attacks from your airborne forces. The higher this skill, the more airborne forces are summoned, and the more damage is done. Using this ability costs 100 Command Points.
  • Archery: Adding points to this skill ensures your archers pull their weight on the field. Each point increases your archers' Damage by 1.
  • Fear: Conjures up a powerful phantasm to strike despair into your enemies. The more powerful this spell, the higher the morale of your enemy needs to be, before they flee in terror (does not work against Death Imperium). Using this ability costs 100 points.
  • Colossus Mastery: The Colossus is far and away the most powerful unit in your force, but it is even more fearsome under a powerful master. Adding 2 points to this skill increases your Colossus's Health by 50 and Damage by 1.
  • Siege: Attacking and defending castles can be very costly to your army. Increasing this skill means you lose less troops during a siege, and can knock down castle walls faster.

Characters[]

  • King Lionel IX of the Kingdom (Good, Noble & Measured) - King Lionel of Phaetor is a wise, fair man, who seeks to bring peace and stability to the lands of Brandor. Beloved by his people, his rule is just, his mercy great and his courage unquestioned. The Kingdom and its allies now stand in the way of their greatest threat, the undead Emperor Antares, and his most feared Death Empire.
  • Bors the Mighty of the Sons of Frost (Neutral, Belligerent & Measured) - In the grand spirit of "Let's make do with what we have..." did the Sons of Frost appoint Bors the Mighty their leader to conquer the world. The blue-skinned Sons of Frost are a nation of a hundred barbarian tribes, exulting in battle and the call of adventure. A shrewd opportunist, but poor tactician, Bors seeks to take advantage of the chaos sweeping the land. He sees the south as a land ripe for the picking, a realm of weaklings to be relieved of their wealth and farmland.
  • Arglaxx of the Beast Force (Evil, Savage & Aggressive) - Arglaxx was once Battle Master of the Arena at Eldor Hath until Emperor Antares was toppled. Fleeing to the lands of Taj Brandhir, in the south, he quickly rose an army of animals, mercenaries and vicious beast men, seeking to take advantage of the chaos in the realm. Arglaxx is a fierce fighter, great tactician and inspiring leader. If he has a fault, it is his overconfidence and the unpredictable nature of his simian troops.
  • Lord Celen of the Iron Republic (Neutral, Pragmatic & Defensive) - Lord Celen Helmgard is a brutal and violent man, once an ally of King Lionel. In a recent coup, he seceded from Kingdom rule and established the Iron Republic, under the socialist pretences of equality and community. However, the republic under Celen's stewardship has become as self-serving and bitter as Celen himself, traitors scrambling over barren lands and limited resources. He seeks to overthrow both the Kingdom and the Empire.
  • Sir Belgrave of the Templar Church (Good, Pious & Defensive) - Commander of the armies of the Templar Church, Sir Belgrave Rhykier is fearless in battle, honorable to a fault and a powerful Knight. He lives and fights by a strict code of honor. Drakondier is a Kingdom ally, a solid and stalwart champion for a unified Brandor, free from tyranny and slavery. The Templar Church is the spiritual heart of the realm, and if it falls, many believe all hope is lost.
  • Baron Wolfgang of the Free States (Good, Wily & Measured) - Baron Wolfgang, General of the Free States of Braxis, is a charming rogue and a skilled politician, although his struggles with the bottle are well documented. A dear friend of King Lionel, he is a loyal and trustworthy ally of the Kingdom. A bold and brave, if somewhat unorthodox, leader, he fights to defend the basic rights of freedom for every citizen of Brandor.
  • HeChaos of the Legion of H (Evil, Tyrannical & Aggressive) - What superlatives can possibly be added to the legend of the nefarious HeChaos the Scourge? He is a madman and a tyrant, in control of a legion of fanatical supporters. More than once has he waged war on the realms, and though he is vastly overconfident, his underhanded tactics have seen a great many cities fall in his wake. The Legion of H is loosely allied with Antares and the Death Empire.
  • Emperor Antares of the Death Imperium (Evil, Ruthless & Measured) - The terrifying Emperor Antares was once ruler of the mysterious southern lands. He was defeated in combat at his arena, but dark magic has allowed him to rise from the dead, his only apparent goal to destroy all life on Brandor. Antares commands a soulless fighting force made up of gladiators who died in combat in his brutal colosseum. The undead never retreat from battle, fear nothing and will not stop until Antares's dark plan is realized.

Plot[]

The action takes place in the land of Brandor, a land that is rebuilding after Emperor Antares's constant sieges, shortly after the emperor had been slain by the protagonist of SaS2. One plot disadvantage is that the story is not linear, but leader-centered, this way, the real plot is presented in the first two chapters, second half of the third, and the last two chapters (we will instead present all plots at once, guiding ourselves after the chapters).

Chapter 1: Lion of Phaetor[]

'With a mighty blow, the Emperor Antares was slain.

The impossible had become the possible. A man, a gladiator without fear, slew the dark tyrant two years ago to this day. With his defeat, his Colloseum collapsed into ruin in the dark lands of Eldor Hath. Long feared and hated for his enslavement and tyranny, his death sent a wave of joy across the realm of Brandor.

No longer would innocent men be sent to their deaths in his Colloseum, no longer would his merciless attacks on the southern lands terrorize the people of the realm.

Or so it was thought.

Our story begins far to the north, where good King Lionel, noble lord of the Lion Kingdom overhears rumours of skeletons rising from the grave and great armies marching across the moors at night. Donning his battle armor, he seeks to learn more.'

Rumours that Antares is back reached King Lionel's ears who, after efforts of augmenting and preparing an army, goes on a journey to find out more. (because, as mentioned in the game, Emperor Antares had been defeated with a lot of effort and many allies in the past, and Lionel needed to know if to rally everyone againist Antares again)

After sieging Taj Brandhir and interrogating Arglaxx, who seemed to prepare Antares's comeback, King Lionel heard the four words that confirmed all of his suspicions: 'Emperor.....Antares.......has........returned!'.

Chapter 2: Swordhand of the Knight[]

The Beastlord's word echo long into the night. Antares has returned.

The news is dire. Antares waged war against the Kingdom many years ago, and it was only with the combined might of many allies that he was defeated. How he has returned from death is a mystery, but it does not bode well. King Lionel, unfamiliar with the dark arts of necromancy, seeks council with his allies the Templar Church. Upon his arrival at the Holy City of Drakondier, however, Lionel walks into a storm. High Marshall Galrin, head of the Templar Church, has died and the knighthood has erupted in chaos as rival factions and families fight for control of the Church.

Our story continues with Lionel's childhood friend, Sir Belgrave Rhykier, an ambitious knight, as he makes his claim for power.

Chapter 3: Baron of Wishful Drinking[]

Thousands and thousands of skeletons pour from the catacombs.

For now, thankfully, these skeletons are confined to the pages of the books Sir Belgrave has discovered. As he and King Lionel pour over the tomes seeking clues as to Antares' whereabouts, our story turns to the east and the port city of Braxis, center of the Free States.

Somewhat incredulously, Baron Wolfgang, notorious rogue and drunkard and former prisoner in Antares' arena, has risen to General of the Free States. Due to long peace in the realm, the Free States have enjoyed great prosperity.

Until now, that is. HeChaos of Eddengarth, an old rival of Wolfgang's, has started stirring up travel in Free States lands. Baron Wolfgang sobers up and springs into action.

Chapter 4: Heart of Tempered Steel[]

The traitor flees into the night.

With King Lionel's attention focused squarely on the south, one of the Lion Kingdom's most influential lords, Celen Helmgard, has attempted to usurp power in his absence.

Although his coup is thwarted, Helmgard is undeterred. Gathering many loyal followers, he flees Phaetor in the night and vows to start a new Republic, free of the archaic constraints of the monarchy. This is where our story continues.

Chapter 5: Thawing of the Frost[]

The last of the snowflakes evaporates into the morning sun.

With the winter over and the great mountain pass of Suul's Gateway clear, Bors the Mighty and his Sons of Frost army begin their slow attempt to return to power.

Little more than a few dozen families, the clans of the Sons of Frost have been decimated by Kingdom forces and have waited long to exact their vengeance. Gathering his most loyal warriors to his side, Bors begin to plot.

Chapter 6: Age of Beasts[]

Arglaxx looks out into the shiftless deserts of Taj Brandhir.

Again and again his Beast Force has been defeated by superior Kingdom troops. The Iron Republic has become a formidable enemy, and the Sons of Frost have risen in the north. Two years have passed since Arglaxx fled to the desert lands after delivering the corpse of the slain Emperor to the dark priest at Eddengarth. Due to the vast incompetence of HeChaos, it was many months before Antares could be resurrected. The delay has set the campaign back greatly, key battles have been fought alone and without the support of Antares and the Beast Force is deeply wounded.

Our story continues with Arglaxx receiving battle orders from Antares. Finally, the dark wars have begun.

Chapter 7: The Scourge of Eddengarth[]

The Scourge of Eddengarth paces back and forward, fuming silently.

Betrayed by both Arglaxx and Emperor Antares, the Legion of H now stands alone. No stranger to treachery, HeChaos is particularly devastated by the fact he didn't get the chance to betray the Emperor first. Unravelling a large campaign map in the war room, he gathers his few sane generals and begins to plot his revenge. First Arglaxx, then that fool King Lionel, and finally Antares must fall.

If a darkness must return, HeChaos figures, it should be my darkness.

Chapter 8 Harvester of Souls[]

The fallen gladiator stares out across the moor with lifeless eyes.

At his side, numbering in the thousands, are the re-animated souls of those who died in combat at the Arena of Eldor Hath. For years and years, men bled and died under the cruel sun for the entertainment of the masses, but upon death they could not rest. For Antares has risen them from their tombs. His purpose is simple, to destroy all life on Brandor and move on to the next world.

Our story shifts in focus again as Antares continues to sweep across Brandor and moves in on the heart of the Kingdom at Phaetor.

Chapter 9: The Battle for Phaetor[]

Lionel, Belgrave and Wolfgang ride out of Phaetor.

Lionel's cunning plan to move the strength of the Kingdom allied armies to the more defensible Phaetor at the expense of Drakondier and Braxis has proved your salvation. Although the battle still stands on a knife edge, still there is a chance of victory. Archangel Sandalphon still. Three great armies of the Kingdom are now one. They ride to defend their people against the great and terrible threat of Emperor Antares.

Your enemies are numerous and strong. Cruel Lord Helmgard, Bors the Mighty and Arglaxx circle the city like vultures, their armies strengthened by hundreds of lawless mercenaries taking advantage of the chaos in the realm. HeChaos, whilst greatly weakened by Antares, still seeks vengeance against the kingdom. And Antares himself rides to meet you with the sold of a thousand gladiators at his command and pure hatred in his soulless eyes.

The Battle for Brandor will be decided this day. For the Glory of Suul, for the free peoples of Brandor, for valor, put on your sandals.

For you are crusader.

Strategy and Tactics[]

Invest a lot in Fear.

Also, the Raise Dead spell is a VERY effective way to keep your light infantry soldiers and protect your provinces from sieges and attacks.

Quotes[]

When Losing in Survival Mode[]

King Lionel[]

"Friend Lionel, the Kingdom's betrayal cuts the heart of the Templar Church deeply. You have fallen far from Suul's grace."

- Sir Belgrave's response in defeating King Lionel

"Lionel, our states were once steadfast allies... and more importantly, we were drinking companions! Get thee to a tavern, and nurse your wounds."

- Baron Wolfgang's response in defeating King Lionel

"Lionel... you are a weak monarch and history shall remember you as but a mere footnote in the rise of the Iron Republic."

- Lord Celen's response in defeating King Lionel


"Men were not born to be peaceful or diplomatic, King Lionel. They were born to die in glorious battle. Such is the way of the Sons of Frost."

- Bors the Mighty's response in defeating King Lionel


"Good King Lionel, the age of beasts is upon you. Look, and tremble under your new Simian overlords."

- Arglaxx's response in defeating King Lionel


"Lionel, you once called me a fool. And now, as I stand wearing your crown, dividing up your Kingdom amongst my men, know that you were conquered by a fool."

- HeChaos the Scourge's response in defeating King Lionel


"Thou shalt make a prized addition to my collection of fallen heroes, Lionel. Thy citizens will know that thou didst suffer greatly at my hands."

- Emperor Antares' response in defeating King Lionel


Sir Belgrave[]

“Sir Belgrave, do not forget the real might of the Templar Church is in the common Kingdom soldier's sword arm. Do not turn from the light again!”

- King Lionel's response to defeating Sir Belgrave

“Ahh, Bel. All those days spent in prayer when you could have been out wenching. Regrets, eh? Life's full of them.”

- Baron Wolfgang when defeating Sir Belgrave

“Sir Belgrave, look at you. A pathetic husk in shattered armour. Your religion has made you weak. You should have joined the Iron Republic while you had the chance.”

- Lord Celen when defeating Sir Belgrave

“You chose to worship the wrong deity, Sir Belgrave. We draw our strenght from the old gods... that is why we crush.”

- Bors the Mighty's response in defeating Sir Belgrave

“Amongst the humans, you were one of the few I could call noble, Sir Belgrave. It has been an honour to defeat you.”

- Arglaxx when defeating Sir Belgrave

“Knight Belgrave, bound by the constraints of a petty god. You had a prayer book in your hand when you needed a sword. Chaos will not be kind to your soul!”

- HeChaos The Scourge's response in defeating Sir Belgrave

“How easily the Templar Church didst fall. Know this, Sir Belgrave. Soon I shall have thy god Suul in chains. He shall watch as I raze thy church to the ground.”

- Emperor Antares when defeating Sir Belgrave


Baron Wolfgang[]

"Wolfgang my friend, you have truly fallen off the wagon. I too am fond of a drink, but not to the point where I am attacking friends and losing my entire army!"

- King Lionel's response in defeating Barong Wolfgang


"Wolfgang of Shackleford, get yourself together old friend! You reek of brewery and are not fit to dress yourself, let alone run the entire Free States."

- Sir Belgrave's response in defeating Baron Wolfgang


"Your vices have finally caught up with you, fool Wolfgang. You are the very reason drinking alcohol is banned in the Iron Republic."

- Lord Celen's response in defeating Baron Wolfgang


"Your men are soft and weak, Baron Wolfgang, because you drink sweetened wine and ale like girls. In the north, we drink mead mixed with the blood of the ox and the gristle of the snow leopard. Glory to the Sons of Frost!"

- Bors the Mighty's response in defeating Baron Wolfgang


"Baron Wolfgang. You are a rogue, a swindler and a lecherous womanizer. You would have made an excellent soldier in my legion. It's a shame you have a courageous heart."

- HeChaos the Scourge's response in defeating Baron Wolfgang


"What is that foul stench on your breath, Baron Wolfgang. It avails my senses. Get away from me, lest I rip out your arms."

- Arglaxx's response in defeating Baron Wolfgang


"Wolfgang of Shackleford... I remember thee from my gladiator's stable. Thou were a laughing stock then as now. Kneel, and thou shalt serve me in undead sobriety for eternity."

- Emperor Antares' response in defeating Baron Wolfgang

Lord Celen[]

"Treacherous Lord Helmguard. They day you betrayed the kingdom, you make yourself an outlaw. You shall hang from Castle Conodier's highest wall before the day is out."

- King Lionel's response in defeating Lord Celen

"Godless heathen, treasonous scum. The day you rebelled against the Crown and the Church was the day you signed your death warrant."

- Sir Belgrave's response in defeating Lord Celen


"You know your problem, Celen? You have a girl's name. A little girl's name. You'd suit pigtails and a dress."

- Baron Wolfgang's response in defeating Lord Celen


"You are a fine warrior, Helmguard. But you lack spirit. That is why you fail."

- Bors the Mighty's response in defeating Lord Celen


"Celen Helmguard. You know there has only been one for one murderous tyrant in Brandor. And he is me!"

- HeChaos the Scourge's response in defeating Lord Celen


"Helmguard, you are a brutal man without conscience. Few will grieve your passing"

- Arglaxx's response in defeating Lord Celen


"Helmguard... traitor to a Kingdom, murderer and despot. Thou shalt make a fine general in my undead army."

- Emperor Antares response in defeating Lord Celen


Bors the Mighty[]

"Bors. You and your barbarians have long tried to usurp power from my grasp, but no more. Your days of warmongering shall end with you in chains."

- King Lionel's response in defeating Bors the Mighty


"Heathen barbarian devil. You turn away from Suul's teachings and woship false idols. You shall stand before Suul and be judged."

- Sir Belgrave's response in defeating Bors the Mighty


"What are you going to do little, Bors? Have a cry? Go on then, sulk. Go sulk in a corner."

- Baron Wolfgan's response in defeating Bors the Mighty


"Did you think you could stand in the way of the Iron Republic, Bors? Your primitive people have barely even discovered the wheel!

- Lord Celen's response in defeating Bors the Mighty


"Bors the Mighty? Bors the fool! You have all the tactical skill of a Shi-Tzu puppy."

- HeChaos' response in defeating Bors the Mighty


"You are rash, impetuous and careless with your troops, Bors of Warmhaven. Soon my beast army will call your lands home."

- Arglaxx's response in defeating Bors the Mighty


"Know this, Bors of Warmhaven. Do not think the Sons of Frost will be spared my wrath. Reckless violence hath sealed thy doom."

- Emperor Antares' response in defeating Bors the Mighty


HeChaos the Scourge[]

"HeChaos, long have you been a thorn in the Kingdom's side. Today is a great day... for today Brandor was rid of your evil. Vale, HeChaos of Eddengarth"

- King Lione's response in defeating HeChaos the Scourge

"Neferious lunatic. You would happily see this world plunged into Antares' Darkness, and for what? Money gained from the blood of innocents. Vale, Hechaos of Eddengarth. Suul have mercy on you."

- Sir Belgrave's response in defeating HeChaos the Scourge


"HeChaos, you old devil. I remember when you were but a jester in King Lionel's court. You weren't funny then, and even now all you bring to the table is sorrow. The curtain calls, the tomatoes have been thrown."

- Baron Wolfgang's response in defeating HeChaos the Scourge


"Look at you, HeChaos... a sniveling rat of a man. I see lunacy in your eyes. You would try to bring down the Iron Republic with your meddling ways. And for that, your life ends here."

- Lord Celen's response in defeating HeChaos the Scourge


"HeChaos, you're not fit to lead a legion. Even a murderous legion. You treat your men worse than dogs and you have the look of a coward. In the frozen north, we would have thrown you to the wolves as a child"

- Bors the Mighty's response in defeating HeChaos the Scourge


"HeChaos, warmonger, tyrant. This you should know. A great war leaves the country with three armies - an army of cripples, an army of mourners, and an army of thieves. Ponder this in your last moments."

- Arglaxx's response in defeating HeChaos the Scourge

"Scourge of Eddengarth, I knew thou wouldst fail me given enough time. There are no pacts between lions and men."

- Emperor Antares' response in defeating HeChaos the Scourge


Arglaxx[]

"Malevolent creature. Behold, your warmongering has brought the full might of the Phaetor upon you."

- King Lionel's response in defeating Arlgaxx


"I've gotta ask... what exactly are you? A dog, a bear? A badger?"

- Baron Wolfgang's response in defeating Arglaxx


"Damn beast, you will be purified in the flames of Suul's light."

- Sir Belgrave's response in defeating Arglaxx


"I spit on your kennel, Lord of dogs."

- Lord Celen's response in defeating Arglaxx


"Where I come from, animals serve their masters. You shall learn from the whip and the rod."

- Bors the Mighty's response in defeating Arglaxx


"I hate every ape I see, from chimpan-A to chimpan-Z. You'll never make a monkey out of me."

- HeChaos the Scourge's response in defeating Arglaxx


"Arglaxx, thy heart is full of malice. I sense much rage in you. If thou might have tempered it, thou might have been a powerful ally. Now serve in undeath."

- Emperor Antares' response in defeating Arglaxx


Emperor Antares[]

"Your reign of murder is over, Antares. Never again shall my people cowl before you. Soon you will just be another faceless shade wandering in the underworld. History will not remember you."

- King Lionel's response in defeating Emperor Antares


"The Templar Church has stood against you before, Antares. We did not fail then, we have not failed now. Suul have mercy on your hollow soul."

- Sir Belgrave's response in defeating Emperor Antares


"Remember me, Antares? Locked away in your gladiator dungeons for years? Payback's a bitch, Antares. Baaam, takedown!"

- Baron Wolfgang's response in defeating Emperor Antares


"The Iron Republic is made from sterner stuff than Kingdom or Legion, Antares. We will not be made into the undead. It is you who have failed... soon your very name will be forgotten."


"You think the cold of the grave scares us, Antares? We are the Sons of Frost, born from ice and forged in sleet. We will not be enslaved."

- Bors the Mighty's response in defeating Emperor Antares


"Ah, friend and ally Emperor Antares. What you must realize is that an allience with a madman is hardly worth the parchment it is written on. I'll see you in hell!"

- HeChaos the Scourge's response in defeating Emperor Antares


"I served you without question for years, Antares. Your treachery and cruelty to my beastmen does not bear forgiving. When I am through with you, you shall wish that death would embrace you."

- Arglaxx's response in defeating Emperor Antares

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