This is a hard assignment set in the North Yorkshire moors AD50, northern pronince, medium map. It is a peaceful assignment with military activity included to cause problems with finance, labour and land allocation. A legion of javellins and one of legionaries wil take care of the local action but more may be required for empire duty. There is plenty of trade, farmland and fishing.
The map is fragmented by rivers with space for three big housing blocks one of which must be a patrician block to achieve the required prosperity.
The value of exports decreases every year and wages increase creating a need for tax income. There are frequent varied small requests for goods at reduced favour.
Playability: 4
Everything works. One negative point: If one has not built the bridge before the first attack comes in, one is forced to restart or to wait until the army, and the second one following on the same spot, leaves again (while no immigrants come, of course). I think this is not so good. I do not know, if you wanted that to happen, when you say: ..."with military activity included to cause problems with finance, labour and land allocation."
Balance: 3
The space was a bit rare, but all over it was not hard to win. In the end the years ran on 100%, waiting for prosperity. The attacks stopped surprisinlgy early and were no problem, as the description says. The price reduces were good and necessary at this Empire-Point, otherwise the player swims immediately in deep money.
Creativity: 4
Nice idea with the splitted land by rivers. Perhaps the farmland could have been a bit less. Only one entrypoint for enemy armys is lucky for the player, one is concerned there might be more and far more dangerous ones. Trees at the end of the map could have been placed to signal the player, it is as safe as it was in the end. But perhaps the excitement is also something good.
Map Design: 4
The map looks beautiful with the routes of the water, the rivers look naturally.
Story/Instructions: 4
To me a backgroundstory is not that important, so 4, although there is no one. The instructions are well written I think.
Additional Comments:
Thanks for having once created that map.