The Scenario is based on the city of Buhen with its suburb of Kor, located on the second cataract of the nile. The belly of stones refers to the nile between Behun and Kumma, which most of the time was unnavicable, making the Buhen-Kor area the transit point from land caravans to river craft for trade goods coming up from central Africa, Ivory, Luxury goods, etc... This also made it a frontier city initially under constant conflict.
To win the player must get trade industries up and running, potery, beer, luxury goods (costs are adjusted to make jewlery more profitable), and somtimes bricks. The victory criteria need to be met as soon as possible as enemy invasions get worse as time goes by. The two small Mastaba's represent general burial cemeteries, and the small oblisk represents the establishment of egyptian power. Try to meet the Pharoh's request as you will be rewarded with copper and trade routes. As with all military scenarios Seth's happiness will aid you greatly.
A lot of the design color I lifted from Lauren Haney's lieutenant Bak mystery series of paperback books which are set in the belly of stones and the Buhen area a few centuries after it's incorporation into the egyptian empire.
Good scenario, I had fun playing around with this. One positive criticism, why not do more with the little islands in the bottom of the river. Make some room for bridges or ferries and let us get some reeds, or wood or gold out of the effort. I spend time finding the hidden secret, but I guess there is none. I'd be the first to play this mission again.
Friend of the game.
