Map Information. 

Map Name: Spiritmongers (Spiritmongers.h4m) 
Map Maker: Humakt The Ruthless 
E-mail Address: Thunder@heroescommunity.com 

Map Type: Multiplayer, 4 Human Or Computer 
Map Size: Medium (with underground) 
Map Difficulty: Advanced 
Game Version: HOMM4 Standard 
Map Version: 1.0 
Language: English 

Special Win: Standard 
Standard win/loss: enabled 
Special Loss: Standard 
Special Other: Cooperative 

Playtesters: Risto Salama at risto.salama@edu.hel.fi  

Description: King Abhelz was a powerful ruler alive, his kingdom was thriving and rivals fleeing. When he finally died at an old age, he realized that he was not permitted to have the peace his soul has long been lusting for. Instead, his spirit continued to exist and struggle. 

He knew not what to do or where to go in this world of mystery. But there was one thing he knew. 

He was hungry. 

Notes for Players:

There are two teams in the map. Blue and Green versus Orange and Teal. Players cannot be of Death alignment.

Capitals
Blue: Spirit Fortress.
Green: Spirit Haven.
Orange: Spirit Prison.
Teal: Spirit Citadel.

Spirit Leaders

If this option is choosen, every action Spirit Leader (starting heroes) do will function as it would in Positive Energy. If Spirit Leader is not present in the army, the action will function as it would in Negative Energy. Green and Orange start both with two Spirit Leaders while Teal and Blue start with only one.

If Spirit Leaders are not choosen, then the player has an option to choose between Positive and Negative Energy.

Positive Energy

When the player combats with neutrals the killed neutrals (except undead and naval creatures) will spawn in your ally's town, regardless if your ally controls that town or not. If player controls one of the four neutral towns, then one of the upper towns will enjoy a sizable increase in population every two weeks. If the owner is Blue or Green, then the populations of Spirit Haven will increase. If the player is Orange or Teal then the populations of Spirit Prison will increase. Furthermore, if the player owns spirit mine, then holder of one of the upper towns will be given 14000 gold every two weeks. This town will be Spirit Haven if owner is Blue or Green. If Orange or Teal then the town is Spirit Prison.

Negative Energy

When the player combats with neutrals the killed neutrals (except undead and naval creatures) will spawn in your enemy's ally's town, regardless if your ally controls that town or not. If player controls one of the four neutral towns, then one of the upper towns will enjoy a sizable increase in population every two weeks (one week's worth of creatures, which is only half of what it is in Positive Energy). If the owner is Blue or Green, then the populations of Spirit Prison will increase. If the player is Orange or Teal then the populations of Spirit Haven will increase. Furthermore, if the player owns spirit mine, then holder of one of the upper towns will be given 7000 gold every two weeks. This town will be Spirit Prison if owner is Blue or Green. If Orange or Teal then the town is Spirit Haven.

Essence

The player will be given Essence Tokens for every won battle versus neutrals (except undead), the amount ranges depending on the level of creatures. This Essence can then be used to increase the experience of your hero (one Essence Token, to purchase random artifacts (150 Essence to purchase Relic and 100 Essence to purchase Major) or to get through the Essence Guardians (they demand 50 Essence).

Essence given in battles.
Level 1 Creatures: 2 (worth 200 EXP)
Level 2 Creatures: 5 (worth 500 EXP)
Level 3 Creatures: 10 (worth 1000 EXP)
Level 4 Creatures: 20 (worth 2000 EXP)

Essence can also be bought from Essence Gardener. She will sell 100 Essence Tokens for 20000 gold.

AI Removal
In the beginning of the map, the player may have an option to remove computer players. If so, and there are three human players, one of the human players (the one with no ally) will start with two towns and three heroes. If there are only two players, both players may start with two towns and three heroes (if players are Orange and Blue or Green and Teal), or then there will be only one of the layers available and no access to another. If players are Blue and Teal then only underground layer is accessible, if players are Green and Orange then the layer is the surface one. In one layer game, the neutral creatures killed will go directly to your starting town in Positive mode and in Negative to your enemy's town. 

If AI is not removed then the computer players will be given boosts. If the map is played in single player, to the ally AI will be given less bonuses than to the other computer players. Computer players will be given more boost in higher difficulties.

Quest Huts and other Important Stuff

Temple of Sacrifice: Functions like Altar of Sacrifice, but only creatures can be sacrificed for experience. The sacrificed creatures will then spawn in one of the upper cities. If the sacrificer is Blue or Green then that city is Spirit Haven. Else the city is Spirit Prison. The sacrifice can be made only once. There are two Temple of Sacrifices in map, both are under the ground.
Laborers of Spirits: Pay 5000 gold, 10 wood and ore to have the fort and city hall constructed in one of the upper cities. Green's and Orange's starting towns start with no buildings.
Strange Hut of Eerie Voice: This hut will give Seaman's Hat if the player owns two of the four neutral cities. It will give Grail if the player has managed to gain control all four of the neutral cities. The hut is located in underground as are all four neutral towns. Note: Only one Seaman's Hat and Grail can be gained per player. The quest hut won't become obsolete if only one of the players have completed its quests.
Black Oracle: Grail and 20000 gold. Location of X: Valley of Spiritless.
Green and Yellow Oracles: Sword of the Gods and Adamantine Shield. Locations of X: Blue island and Teal island.
Gates of Charity: Each will block the path to one of the four neutral towns. The gate demands 10000 gold and bunch of other resources. Those resources will then be given to your enemies.
Gate Guardians of Accomplishment: Blocks the path to the two-way teleports, whichs connect the surface and underground layers. In order to pass this gate, the player must own two of the four capitals. The gates will be removed if more than 4 months have passed.
Blue Island: If Teal or Orange invades the island, both Green and Blue will be given sizable amount of resources and 20 Angels will spawn in the Spirit Fortress. 
Teal Island: If Blue or Green invades the island, both Orange and Teal will be given sizable amount of resources and 20 Angels will spawn in the Spirit Citadel. 
Drinker/Eater of Spirits: This two heroes are located in the Valley of Spiritless. They will join your forces if you let them kill enough creatures to gain a level. Since their level is 20 already, that means quite a lot of creatures need to be sacrificed (depending on the difficulty). If you choose to kill the heroes, you will gain the artifacts (except Tome of Death) they control, but you have to kill them without heroes.

List of Banned Artifacts (many of them may still be found in the map):
Angel's Blade.
Amulet of the Undertaker.
Boots of the Crocodile.
Boots of Travel.
Demonary.
Equestrian's Gloves.
Fireproof Boots.
Logbook of the Master Sailor.
Necklace of Charm.
Sandwalker Sandals.
Sextant.
Seaman's Hat.
Snowshoes.
Statesman's Medal.
Surefooted Boots.
Tome of Death.
Campaign Artifacts.

Banned Skills: Necromancy, Charm and Diplomacy.

Game version 3.0 is recommended. Some scripts will not function correctly or at all in earlier game versions.