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Revise early portions of the new manual, improving content and usage.

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Eric S. Raymond 2007-09-17 23:07:57 +00:00
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@ -12,59 +12,69 @@ deadly host against whom none can stand! Choose units from a large pool
of specialists, and hand pick a force with the right strengths to fight
well on different terrains against all manner of opposition.
Fight to regain the throne of Wesnoth, of which you are the legitimate
heir, or use your dread power over the Undead to dominate the land of
mortals, or lead your glorious Orcish tribe to victory against the humans
who dared despoil your lands. Wesnoth has many different sagas waiting
to be played out. You can create your own custom units, and write your
Wesnoth has many different sagas waiting to be played out. You can
battle orcs, undead, and bandits on the marches of the Kingdom of
Wesnoth; fight alongside dragons in the lofty peaks, elves in the
green reaches of the Aethenwood, dwarves in the great halls of Knalga,
or even merfolk in the Bay of Pearls. You can fight to regain the
throne of Wesnoth, or use your dread power over the Undead to dominate
the land of mortals, or lead your glorious Orcish tribe to victory
against the humans who dared despoil your lands.
You will be able to select from among over two hundred unit types
(infantry, cavalry, archers, and mages are just the beginning) and
fight actions ranging from small-unit ambushes to clashes of vast
armies. You can even create your own custom units, and write your
own scenarios – or even full-blown campaigns. You can also challenge
your friends – or strangers – and fight in epic 'multi-player'
fantasy battles.
Getting Started
---------------
Welcome
~~~~~~~
The World
~~~~~~~~~
The Land of Wesnoth is generally divided into three areas: the northlands,
which are generally lawless; the kingdom of Wesnoth and its occasional
principality, Elensefar; and the domain of the Southwest Elves.
The known portion of the Great Continent, on which Wesnoth abides, is
generally divided into three areas: the northlands, which are
generally lawless; the kingdom of Wesnoth and its occasional
principality, Elensefar; and the domain of the Southwest Elves in the
Aethenwood and beyond.
The Kingdom of Wesnoth lies in the center of the land. Its borders are
The Kingdom of Wesnoth lies in the center of this land. Its borders are
the Great River to the north, the Lower Hills in the east and south,
the Green Swamp to the southwest, and the Ocean to the west. Elensefar,
a once-province of Wesnoth, is bordered by the Great River to the north,
a loosely defined line with Wesnoth to the east, the Bay of Pearls to
the south, and the ocean to the west. There is no government of the
Northlands. Various groups of orcs, dwarves, barbarians and even elves
Northlands. Various groups of orcs, dwarves, barbarians and elves
populate the region. The northern and eastern borders are not defined, the
southern border is the Great River, and the western border is the Ocean.
As you travel around the land you will encounter peaceful villages
where you can heal your troops and obtain a good income to support your
army. You will also have to cross mountains and rivers, either on foot
or mounted, push through forests, hills and tundra, or brazenly cross
open grassland. In each of these areas different creatures have adapted
to live there and can travel more easily and fight better when they are
in familiar terrain. In the hills, mountains and underground caves orcs
and dwarves are most at home. In the forests the elves reign supreme
while in the oceans and rivers mermen and nagas control the
Over the land are scattered villages where you can heal your troops
and gather the income required to support your army. You will also
have to cross mountains and rivers, push through forests, hills and
tundra, and cross open grassland. In each of these areas different
creatures have adapted to live there and can travel more easily and
fight better when they are in familiar terrain.
The Creatures
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The world of Wesnoth contains several races that have joined forces into
different factions. Here, Elves and Dwarves fight side by side against
Orcs and Humans. In most campaigns, you will mostly control units from
one faction, but often you will have a recruit list with units mixed
in from other factions, and will not have some units from a faction
available. Basically, your recruit list is determined by the plot of
the campaign, not by a predetermined ruleset.
In the world of Wesnoth there dwell humans, elves, dwarves, orcs,
drakes, saurians, mermen, nagas, and many other races yet more obscure
and wondrous. In accursed lands walk undead and ghosts and specters.
Each has adapted to particular terrains. Humans inhabit primarily the
temperate grasslands. In the hills, mountains and underground caves
orcs and dwarves are most at home. In the forests the elves reign
supreme. In the oceans and rivers mermen and nagas dominate.
Sometimes factions make alliances with others, so you may face more than
one faction in a scenario.
For game purposes, the races group into factions; for example, orcs
often cooperate with trolls, and elves or dwarves with humans. Some
other factions reflect divisions within human society -- loyalists
vs. outlaws, for example. In most campaigns, you will control units
drawn a single faction. But sometimes factions make alliances with
others, so you may face more than one faction in a scenario.
Finding Your Way
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@ -125,7 +135,8 @@ Preferences::
Credits::
Click this button for a list of major Wesnoth contributors. You
may find most of them at irc.freenode.org:6667 on #wesnoth.
will often be able to reach them in real time at at
irc://irc.wesnoth.org/#wesnoth[irc.freenode.org:6667 on #wesnoth].
Quit::
Click this button to close Wesnoth.
@ -142,12 +153,13 @@ There are two basic ways to play Battle for Wesnoth:
Campaigns
^^^^^^^^^
Campaigns can take a long time to complete. Typical campaigns have about
10-20 scenarios. The main advantage with campaigns is that they allow
you to develop your army. As you complete each scenario, the remaining
units at the end are saved for you to use in the next scenario. If you
choose not to use a unit at all during a scenario it is carried over to
the next, so you don't lose units you don't use.
Campaigns are sequences of battles with a connecting
storyline. Typical campaigns have about 10-20 scenarios. The main
advantage with campaigns is that they allow you to develop your
army. As you complete each scenario, the remaining units at the end
are saved for you to use in the next scenario. If you choose not to
use a unit at all during a scenario it is carried over to the next, so
you don't lose units you don't use.
The campaign is the primary form in which Wesnoth is intended to be
played, is probably the most enjoyable, and is the recommended way for