Scenario Design
    Story Elements

Part 3: Setting up a Start-Up Message

Let's say when the game starts, you want to give the player a longer rundown on the background or story behind your map, or maybe you want special instructions or a different storyline for each player. You can do this by creating a Message Event for each player in the scenario.

The message event will show up in the events log on the lower left of the screen, with the text and designated picture to the right of the events list.

Note: Due to its potential to cause the game to crash, the Tutorial Message event was removed from the Shadow Magic list of events. Because of this, it is not possible to make a popup window that displays over the map viewscreen, as was typical of AoW1 scenarios.

The Gathering o forth and unite the elves of the forest. Tell them to bring news of the movements of our foes. The dark elves can not expect travel unseen while we watch the forest with many ancient and trained eyes. We know of the many passages used by the dark elves in their underground lair. Even the passing of the few stray goblins from the North has not gone unnoticed -- we have watched as they pass through the destroyed cities of the far Eastern shores. We have seen the riches to the North and the West, yet we have many riches of our own -- stored up riches of elven warriors and of gold. We know also of the archons to the South who have build an outpost. They have recently fought the orcs to the West, but can they be trusted? It is sad that many immortal souls shall soon see this land no more. It is well that we should go so that others may linger longer. Let us strike swiftly and seal the fate of our enemies before they know of our coming!

Above is a sample event script for setting up a start-up message. This event is triggered by a "New Turn" event for the player, which will occur on day 1. To learn more about setting up scripts, see the Section III: Scripts - How to Make and Use Them.

Next, consider adding short message events, Part 4.