New Play - DL Special Orders Clarifications

[Telrandir]

I'm underway with my first game and would like to better understand the DL special orders.

Special Order 599 seems very straightforward - a DL-only order that increases PC defenses by 3000 at a cost of 13,000. I suppose from the standpoint of context, that I'd like to get a sense of how useful this might be...

Special Order 787 is much more cryptic to me. As I understand it, when it is run, the DL is given information about a portal, a passage, and an artifact (Great Axe of Farin).

- What are each of these resources and what do they do?
- Contextually (new player) is this order well suited for early, mid or late game?


TYIA!!

-Tel

[kevindusi]

599 - as far as building defenses go, it's awesome, especially at your mountain capital (since your pop centers will defend at higher than state value). It's also a saving of 8k gold (5k gold, 9k food (which makes 3k gold)). Increasing defenses is generally only useful if you are going to do a lot of it, though. Once or twice and whoever wants to attack your capital is just going to bring an extra couple of brigades.

787 - Portal and passage will allow for movement across the map. Say from the top right to the bottom left (to attack those sneaky gnomes!). The axe will help you in combat. Since the axe has an immediate benefit, I'd suggest the 787 earlier than later.

[Ry Vor]

Biggest point is, don't enter "DL" on your orders, enter "DW".

[Hawk_]

Biggest point is, don't enter "DL" on your orders, enter "DW".

Additionally, the Axe will probably not be near you. In my game is was in the southern sands. To get the artifact you might consider working out a deal with one of the wizard kingdoms who need to hold a number of artifacts on turn 10 for their ESO.

Certain kingdoms with strong leaders are postioned well for artifact hunting and you might be able pay them to get it or let them hold on to it for a period of time.

The AN and RA are both examples of great artifact hunting kingdoms.

[Loric]

Southern Sands? That was unlucky. In G102 I divined the location early and it happened to be in the plains of the Eastern Stepppes.

[Yellowbeard]

Biggest point is, don't enter "DL" on your orders, enter "DW".

Additionally, the Axe will probably not be near you. In my game is was in the southern sands. To get the artifact you might consider working out a deal with one of the wizard kingdoms who need to hold a number of artifacts on turn 10 for their ESO.

Certain kingdoms with strong leaders are postioned well for artifact hunting and you might be able pay them to get it or let them hold on to it for a period of time.

The AN and RA are both examples of great artifact hunting kingdoms.

I guess I got lucky! In 103, it was in the Talking Mountains. In fact, only 2 squares from my capital.

[Telrandir]

Thanks for the help guys.

What is the difference between the Portal and the Passage?

[Hawk_]

Biggest point is, don't enter "DL" on your orders, enter "DW".

Additionally, the Axe will probably not be near you. In my game is was in the southern sands. To get the artifact you might consider working out a deal with one of the wizard kingdoms who need to hold a number of artifacts on turn 10 for their ESO.

Certain kingdoms with strong leaders are postioned well for artifact hunting and you might be able pay them to get it or let them hold on to it for a period of time.

The AN and RA are both examples of great artifact hunting kingdoms.

I guess I got lucky! In 103, it was in the Talking Mountains. In fact, only 2 squares from my capital.

2 squares from your capitol!?! Man was I ever cursed...

[Jumbie]

Thanks for the help guys.

What is the difference between the Portal and the Passage?

I'm curious myself.

[HeadHoncho]

Pretty sure that Portal is usually the one in Region 3. Passage is usually the one in Region 7.