Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate

Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate is the first expansion pack to the turn-based strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic V. Like the original game, it was developed by Nival Interactive, under the guidance of Ubisoft. It was released on November 7, 2006.

Features
The expansion pack featured numerous improvements over the base game. The most notable content included was the addition of the new Fortress faction, composed of Dwarves, with exclusive access to runic magic (which requires resources instead of mana for casting). Three new campaigns, continuing the original game's storyline, were added, along with a selection of standalone scenarios. Fourteen new artifacts, three new creatures and additional campaign heroes were included, as well as the long-anticipated map and campaign editor which was not present in the base game (although it was added in a downloadable patch). Caravans (originally seen in Heroes of Might and Magic IV), simultaneous turns in the multiplayer mode, and a random map generator were also supplied. Finally, the Renegades - a sub-faction composed of seven non-recruitable creature types - were added, featuring prominently in the storyline.

Fortress
An underground kingdom of fire worshiping dwarves that are rivals of the Dark Elves over the land beneath the surface. Dwarven units can be enhanced with various runes at the cost of some resources.


 * Fortress' units: Defenders, Spearwielders, Bear Riders, Brawlers, Rune Priests, Thanes & Fire Dragons.


 * Racial skill: Rune Magic


 * Hero: Runemage

Simultaneous Turns
Simultaneous Turns works only until the first conflict. Because of the definition of a conflict (below), it is possible for simultaneous turns to end literally on the first turn of the game. As the manual states :

A "conflict" is a situation where players can affect each other. Since the game is essentially turn-based, any encounter between two or more players can cause a game mechanics failure. Conflict probability is estimated at the beginning of each turn. If conflict is possible, the game is permanently switched to the basic turn-based mode. All players receive a message confirming this.

Freyda's Dilemma
Godric has been stripped of his command and his daughter is put in command. Freyda has doubts about many of the decisions that Queen Isabel has made, including the promotions of several soldiers who seem more interested in killing than preserving the law. Isabel orders Freyda to take care of rebel troops within the Griffin empire who now see Isabel as unfit to rule due to her change in behavior as a result from her return from Sheogh. Freyda is needed to destroy two rebel camps. Freyda tries to talk to Archbishop Randell and Lord Caldwell but Laszlo and Alaric interrupt and Freyda, with no choice, has to fight. Freyda and Laszlo discover that the elves help the rebel and that villagers give them food and also that Queen Isabel has sent reinforcements which are trapped by the elves. After helping the reinforcements, Freyda and Laszlo destroy the two rebel camps.
 *  The Rebels


 *  The Suspicion

Freyda still has doubts and her loyalty is put to the test when Isabel threatens to hand her father (who has been locked away in a prison) over to zealous inquisitors if she does not fall into line. She and Laszlo are ordered to seek out rebels as well as reports that demons have started to appear, and that the two are connected.


 *  Duncan

Freyda is now ordered to take care of Lord Duncan of the Stag Duchy. There have been reports that he has the young prince hidden away somewhere. It is also rumored that he has an alliance with a dwarven outpost. Freyda however, decides to let him go to rally troops against Isabel.


 *  Negotiations

Following information that Duncan gave, Freyda must start negotiations with the dwarves who currently have custody of the young prince. Freyda successfully manages to contact Wulfstan, captain of the Dwarven garrison and friend of Duncan. However, Laszlo impatient with being ordered to stay behind, then attacks the garrison.


 *  The Choice

After escaping from the frozen lands of the Dwarves, Freyda sets out to free Duncan from the Red Haven prison and acquire a ship to take her to the city of Talonguard so she can free her father, Godric, before word of her betrayal reaches the Red Queen.

Wulfstan's Defiance

 *  The Border Zone

War has erupted between the Griffin Empire and the Dwarves who were once allies. Wulfstan is in charge of the garrison defending the border and is slowly losing. His brother blames him for the war saying that it was because he gave sanctuary to the young prince that Isabel is attacking them. Wulfstan manages to hold the Griffin empire for a short time.


 *  The Ambush

Wulfstan's brother has taken the young prince by force, killing soldiers protecting him as well as going to the king of the stone halls and declaring his brother a traitor, causing Wulfstan to be declared a deserter.


 *  The Guerrillas

An alliance has been made between the Stone halls and the Griffin empire, based on Isabel's promise to cancel the treaty she has with the dark elves and to let the dwarves attack them. Elsewhere, Wulfstan plans to disrupt the Stone halls by cutting off supplies and eliminating any reinforcements.


 *  The Brothers

Wulfstan now has to face off against his own brother who has managed to worm his way into the king's favor. Wulfstan's brother has lied, saying that Wulfstan still has the young prince in his company and uses this to take care of Wulfstan once and for all.


 *  Laszlo

It is finally time to take care of Laszlo the Butcher. Wulfstan now has the aid of Duncan who wants to take back his home. This will be sweet revenge for Wulfstan as it was Laszlo who started the war in the first place.

Ylaya's Quest

 *  The Spy

The clans that were once united by Raelag have again split into many waring factions, what is more disturbing is that old rituals are being practiced once again. Ylaya who is the keeper of the law for the Shadowbrand clan is charged by the Daughter of Malassa to find out what she can about these rituals which threaten all.


 *  The Break

Ylaya has been discovered and must head for Shadowbrand territory where she is safe. She is chased by those of the Soulscar clan who have been allies of the demons for ages.


 *  The Meeting

After consulting with the Daughter of Malassa, Ylaya searches for Raelag who has been missing since the war. She must find him so that he can once again reunite the clans and put an end to the old rituals. However she finds an unexpected ally.


 *  The Dragons

Ylaya has discovered that it is Biara who leads the Griffin Empire disguised as Isabel. Isabel has been with Raelag in his home within the caves of the dark elves. The dragons have abandoned the dark elves after hearing that their followers have gone over to the old ways. The only way to seek their help is to accompany a black dragon to the mating grounds of the dragons.


 *  The Decoupling

The time has come to put an end to the Alliance based on the workings of Biara, the usurper. All the heroes will need to settle differences to stop a common threat. While Tieru's ghost leads Raelag to the orc lands of Ranaar, Biara and Alaric are hiding there in an ambush, waiting to kill tresspassers and enemies. Raelag is never seen again, probably killed.

Patches
Patch 2.1 was released on January 30, 2007 and contained fixes to various bugs, balance changes and improvements to the map editor.