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The Escape of Hernan Cortes

From the creator of the award-winning Tristan & Iseult, The Last Neanderthal, Haiku of the Ronin, and Children of a Dying Sun.

Montezuma is dead and the city of Tenochtitlan has risen against you. As Hernán Cortés, lead your conquistadors out of the massive and hostile capital during La Noche Triste. When you win, choose a different conquistador to be your lieutenant and see if you can escape with more gold and fewer losses!

The Forgotten DLC Required
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Gameplay
- Choose from one of four famous conquistadors to define the character of your army based on their historical personas (See Lieutenant System below for more information)
- Low visibility night-time combat
- How well you do determines Cortés' place in history. Play multiple times to see if you can match or surpass El Capitán General himself!
- Three difficulty levels (Teniente, Capitan, and Caudillo)
- Every Spanish unit is a named actual member of Cortés' expedition (using Bernal Díaz del Castillo's memoirs as a reference)
- Spanish units have been altered to emphasize the disparity between the Spanish and Aztec:
*Armored units (condottieri) are sturdy but move slowly
*Metal swords and bullets inflict great damage
*Cavalry are very quick but unarmored horses make them vulnerable
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Lieutenant System
Your choice of second-in-command defines the character of your army based on each famous conquistador's historical persona.

Each lieutenant provides different bonuses, different starting bonus units, and slightly different dialogue. Your army also earns experience from kills and are upgraded based on your lieutenant's specialty (at 250 and 500 kills).

Pedro de Alvarado (boosts infantry: Tracking/Squires researched; condottieri +25hp; experience benefits condottieri) was Cortés' second in command. Called 'Tonatiuh', or Red Sun, by the natives for both his red hair and his feiry disposition, it is believed Alvarado's appearance influenced the native associations of the Spaniards with the god Quetzalcoatl. Alvarado was feared by the Mexica and known for his cruelty and brutality. On 20th of May 1520, Alvarado, ostensibly to preempt a coming attack, had his men slaughter thousands of Mexica celebrating the Toxcatl festival at the Templo Mayor. At scenario start, Alvarado is with Cortés in the palace.

Incited by your teniente Alvarado's ferocity, your Spaniards have killed 250 warriors! Your rodeleros eagerly charge into the native throngs! (condottieri +3 speed)

Alvarado's mercilessness against our heathen foe inspires your infantry to push and stab even when struck so that they swat away the enemy's blows like so many mosquitos! (condottieri +1 armor)

Diego de Ordaz (boosts archers: Ballistics researched; archers +2 range; experience benefits archers) was the grizzled veteran of the group at forty years old, having participated in the earliest expeditions to Panama and Colombia. Unskilled at cavalry tactics, he was talented in the employment of archers and cannon and served in that capacity. In 1519, he climbed the volcano of Popocatépetl, a feat that impressed the Spaniard's native allies. Besieged in Montezuma's palace, Cortés dispatched Ordaz to scout a route out of the city. At scenario start, Ordaz is away from the palace but returning soon.

The disciplined firing of your gunners and archers under Ordaz' experienced eye has sentenced 250 enemy warriors to hell! Your archers have become better shots! (Spanish archers +4 attack)

Ordaz has taught the archers techniques he learned in Panama to better protect themselves against the Mexica weapons and tactics. (Spanish archers/gunners +25 hp)

Gonzalo de Sandoval (boosts cavalry: Bloodlines/Husbandry researched; experience benefits cavalry) at twenty-three was one of the youngest officers in the expedition and among the most popular. An excellent horseman, he was known for his courage and concern for his men. Bernal Díaz del Castillo would describe him as 'not highly educated, but a simple man; neither was he covetous for gold, but only for fame and to be a good, strong captain.' At scenario start, Sandoval is somewhere in the city.

With every courageous charge and cry of '¡Santiago!'', Sandoval inspires your cavalrymen to weather the storm of enemy spears and arrows. (cavalry +25 hp)

Sandoval's fearless example inspires your cavalrymen to drive their steeds harder, galloping into battle. (cavalry +2 speed)

Cristóbal de Olid (gold, weaker enemy wonders, native allies +20hp, experience provides unique events) was raised in the household of the governor of Cuba, Diego Velázquez, and was in many ways the prototypical conquistador: resourceful and very ambitious yet quarrelsome, Olid was by his nature a rebel. His disputes with other conquistadors, notably Pedro de Alvarado, were well-known and fractured the Spaniards' solidarity. Nevertheless, due to his ties to powerful men and his own skill, he remained an important ally to Cortés. At scenario start, Olid is somewhere in the city.

The enterprising Olid has somehow obtained Mexica warriors willing to kill their countrymen for Cristo y España! (3 Elite Jaguar Warriors appear at the palace)

Fortuna smiles on us! The resourceful Olid has somehow managed to convince the Aztec nobles to consider a ceasefire! (Aztecs ally for 120 game seconds)
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Discussion at Age of Kings Heaven[aok.heavengames.com]