上古纪元#开发日志#8#三巨头的实力和阿尔瓦尔条约

来源：https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3105440/view/530966980715348154

As one of the most beloved factions, the Warlock/Dungeon town was a natural fit for our story. When we first looked at Jadame, we saw the variety of monsters it has to offer that have always been associated with Dungeon, who claimed the continent for themselves and formed their own kingdoms. This gave us an opportunity to create a unique faction that would be as close to its traditional lineup as possible while letting you explore a new story.

作为最受欢迎的势力之一，术士/地牢与我们的故事自然契合。当我们第一次看到贾达姆时，我们看到了它所提供的各种怪物，这些怪物一直与地下城有关，它们占领了这片大陆并建立了自己的王国。这给了我们一个机会来创建一个独特的势力，尽可能接近其传统阵容，同时让你探索新的故事。

If you were to ask us how to describe Dungeon throughout the series in two words, it would be “Power” and “Misfits”. As we return to the world of Enroth, we once again have a chance to define what these powerful warlocks represent. Drawing upon the rich lore of the continent of Jadame (particularly from Might and Magic VIII, where we have first seen it), the Alvar Pact is a yet another take upon the Dungeon faction, representing those often seen as monsters forming an alliance with the red-skinned dark elves, who were condemned in the past for their pragmatic way of life — together they wish to project their strength onto the continent through diplomacy, mercantile power and military treaties, a twist to their previous means of acquiring prestige and renown.

如果您要问我们如何用两个词来描述整个系列中的地牢，那将是“力量”和“不合群”。当我们回到恩洛斯世界时，我们再次有机会定义这些强大的术士代表什么。借鉴贾达姆大陆的丰富传说（特别是我们第一次看到魔法门八），阿尔瓦尔条约是对地牢派系的另一种诠释，代表那些经常被视为怪物的人与红皮肤的黑暗精灵结成联盟，他们在过去因实用主义而受到谴责——他们希望通过外交、商业力量和军事条约将自己的力量投射到大陆上，这与他们以前获得声望和名望的方式有所不同。

Featured in every installment of Heroes of Might and Magic series since its conception, the powerful Warlocks and mighty Overlords have been a staple among the playable towns. However, each game within the series defined them differently:

自英雄无敌系列诞生以来，强大的术士和强大的地下领主一直是可玩城镇中的主角。然而，该系列中的每款游戏对它们的定义都不同：

• Servants of Lord Alamar and King Archibald from Heroes I & II were individuals that desired power and amassed creatures that shared their vision;
• 英雄无敌一和二中的阿拉玛和阿基巴德的仆从是渴望权力并聚集与他们有共同愿景的生物的个体；
• The Warlords of Nighon from Heroes III believed the strong deserve to crush the weak and ruled from within the depths of their tunnels, hoping to one day claim Antagarich for themselves;
• 英雄无敌三中的尼贡军阀相信强者应该打败弱者，并在他们的隧道深处进行统治，希望有一天能占领恩塔格瑞；
• In Heroes IV the Chaotic Sorcerers and Thieves lived among the swamps of Axeoth and united the miscreants of a new world under their banner, intent on carving out their own realm;
• 在英雄无敌四中，混乱巫师和盗贼生活在阿克梭的沼泽之中，他们将新世界的恶棍们团结在他们的旗帜之下，一心想开辟自己的王国；
• In the world of Ashan the powerful and brooding Dark Elves allied themselves with dragon goddess Malassa and the Underworld, their story depicted through Heroes V, VI and VII.
• 在亚山世界，强大而忧郁的黑暗精灵与龙女神马拉萨和地下世界结盟，他们的故事通过英雄无敌五六七来描述。

但这对于上古纪元的游戏玩法意味着什么？
But what does that mean for Olden Era’s gameplay?

A unique faction skill: Triumvirate’s Strength: Once per round, the hero can activate one of the three Expert Stances in battle. They grant bonuses to different attributes.

独特的派系技能 —— 三巨头之力：每回合一次，英雄可以在战斗中激活三种专家姿态中的一种。它们会为不同的属性提供加成。

• Minotaur Stance: Increases the hero's Attack. Only one Expert Stance can be active at a time.
• 牛头人姿态：增加英雄的攻击力。同一时间只能激活一个专家姿态。
• Elf Stance: Increases the hero's Defence. Only one Expert Stance can be active at a time.
• 精灵姿态：增加英雄的防御力。同一时间只能激活一个专家姿态。
• Dragon Stance: Increases the hero's Spell Power. Only one Expert Stance can be active at a time.
• 巨龙姿态：增加英雄的法术强度。同一时间只能激活一个专家姿态。

Triumvirate’s Strength will be unique to Dungeon heroes only, as one of their starting skills. When activated in battle, this will provide a bonus to the chosen stat for a whole round, having the ability to swap to another when a new round begins. These bonuses pack a punch in the early game and will give dungeon heroes a lot of tempo in taking on some tough-matched opponents.

三巨头之力将是地下城英雄独有的技能之一，是他们的初始技能之一。在战斗中激活后，该技能将为所选属性提供一整轮奖励，并能够在新回合开始时切换到另一属性。这些奖励在游戏初期非常有效，并会让地下城英雄在与一些实力相当的对手交手时掌握节奏。

This uniqueskill is not the only addition though, as Dungeon units will also have fighting styles that act like an ability during battles. These styles will come at a cost, for instance, damage reduction, but will provide significant effects to their standard attacks.

不过，这项独特技能并不是唯一的新增内容，因为地下城单位还将拥有战斗方式，这在战斗中就像是一种能力。这些战斗方式需要付出代价，例如减少伤害，但会为其标准攻击带来显著效果。

As an example, troglodytes will have the option to fire a Long Reach attack without melee penalty:

举个例子，穴居人可以选择发动远程攻击而不受近战惩罚：

• Fighting Style: Viscous Spit - Attack Modifier - Performs a Long Reach attack, which deals -50% Damage. Doesn 't require Focus Charge to use.
• 战斗方式：粘稠唾液 - 攻击修正 - 进行远距离攻击，造成平时一半的伤害。无需使用集中充能即可使用。

Medusae can turn their ranged attack into an AoE, potentially dealing much more damage to stacked-up units:

美杜莎可以将其远程攻击转变为范围攻击，从而可能对扎堆的单位造成更大的伤害：

• Fighting Style: Arrow Barrage - Attack Modifier - Hits the target and all creatures adjacent to it, dealing -50% Damage. Doesn't require Focus Charge to use.
• 战斗方式：箭雨 - 攻击修正 - 击中目标及其相邻的所有生物，造成平时一半的伤害。无需使用集中充能即可使用。

Our goal was to combine the Pact's narrative aspect with the faction's gameplay. As Alvar is all about cooperation and working together to avoid a malady, it is reflected in their heroes having access to special stances that temporarily boost their stats to empower their army, whilst their units utilise the unique fighting styles to handle any challenge thrown against them. By combining these two elements, we hope that Dungeon players will always have an ace up their sleeve and a way out of a tricky situation.

我们的目标是将协议的叙事方面与派系的游戏玩法结合起来。由于阿尔瓦注重合作，共同努力避免弊病，因此他们的英雄可以使用特殊姿态，暂时提升他们的属性以增强他们的军队，而他们的部队则利用独特的战斗方式来应对任何挑战。通过结合这两个元素，我们希望地下城玩家总能找到出路，摆脱棘手的局面。

We’ve heard your feedback about adding Beholders/Evil Eyes to the lineup. However, the story established in Heroes of Might & Magic III and in Might & Magic VI and VII reveals that they were created by the Warlock Agar who hasn’t been born yet during the time of our events. As we are dedicated to staying true to lore and to the roots of our factions, we came up with a unit that fills the same role of a ranged unit with no melee penalties as the Eyes did in Heroes of Might & Magic III.

我们听到了您关于将眼魔/邪眼添加到阵容中的反馈。然而英雄无敌三、四、七中的故事表明，它们是由术士Agar创造的，而他在我们活动期间尚未出生。由于我们致力于忠于传说和派系的根源，我们想出了一个单位，它可以充当远程单位的角色，并且没有近战惩罚，就像英雄无敌三中的邪眼一样。

It took us a little bit longer to reveal them, as they were not present in our first Dungeon faction reveal (it takes a long time to renovate the Theatre of Glaives!) — but you may have seen them recently in our Recap video. However we would like to showcase them once more; as the Infiltrators embody dark elven penchant for subterfuge and political intrigue, the Dancers combine their grace and love for the arts with combat expertise.

我们花了更长的时间来揭示他们，因为他们没有出现在我们第一次地下城派系揭示中（翻新剑刃剧场需要很长时间！）——但你可能最近在我们的回顾视频中见过他们。然而，我们想再次展示他们；渗透者体现了黑暗精灵对诡计和政治阴谋的偏爱，而刃舞者则将他们的优雅和对艺术的热爱与战斗专长结合在一起。

However, that’s not all. Even though our friend Kelarr is still missing, we found this message between him and one of his friends about Dungeon. Let’s have a look, shall we?

然而，这还不是全部。尽管我们的朋友克拉尔仍然失踪，但我们发现了他和他的一位朋友之间关于地牢的这条消息。我们来看看，好吗？

Tormald, 托马尔德，

It is my hope that this note, attached to one of my next letters, will answer your questions about the subterranean Alvar Pact. We may discuss it in more detail once you pay me a visit, friend, but until then this should satisfy your curiosity.

我希望这封附在我下一封信中的便条能解答你关于地下阿尔瓦协议的问题。朋友，你来拜访我后，我们可能会更详细地讨论这个问题，但在此之前，这应该能满足你的好奇心。

The name of the Pact draws its origins from the surface city where it was signed. This old town began as a haven for misfits shunned by their brethren for choosing to follow paths of enlightenment, ability and magic deemed dark by the First Elves they hailed from — relying on pragmatism, sedentary lifestyle and mercantilism over traditionalism, mysticism and more temporary nature of their ancestors’ settlements. Slowly but steadily, these renegades turned their home into one of the most important places of political power and cultural significance in Jadame. The Dark Elves built Alvar centuries ago and to this day comprise the vast majority of its populace. The city can be called the heart of a mighty empire, although not one built by warfare or defined by borders. The dark elvenkind, while quite adept in the ways of both might and magic, excel in the arts of commerce and diplomacy, which provide them much influence across the continent. Alvarian Merchant Guild has dealings with many different peoples and communities from nearly all corners of Jadame, trading in both material goods and knowledge.

协议的名称源自签订协议的地面城市。这座古老的城镇最初是被同胞排斥的异类的避难所，因为他们选择追随被他们来自的初生精灵视为黑暗的启蒙、能力和魔法之路——依靠实用主义、定居的生活方式和重商主义，而不是传统主义、神秘主义和他们祖先定居点的临时性。这些叛徒缓慢但稳步地将他们的家园变成了贾达姆最重要的政治权力和文化意义场所之一。黑暗精灵在几个世纪前建造了阿尔瓦尔，至今仍占其人口的绝大多数。这座城市可以称为一个强大帝国的心脏，尽管它不是通过战争建立起来的，也不是由边界定义的。黑暗精灵虽然非常擅长力量和魔法，但在商业和外交方面也表现出色，这为他们在整个大陆提供了很大的影响力。阿尔瓦利安商人行会与来自贾达姆几乎所有角落的许多不同民族和社区都有业务往来，既进行物质贸易，也进行知识贸易。

More recently, this overland trade empire slithered its way below. One particular dark elf was instrumental in this. Caspair Silvertongue belongs to the ranks of Patriarchs, elite dark elf warrior mages, and has become one of the leaders of the Pact. Skilled in covert operations — be it obtaining information or eliminating opposition — he has earned the title of Spymaster of the Merchant Guild. At home in the shadows, the Patriarch spent much time studying those who dwell inside the mountains and below the plains of Jadame. Him and other like-minded dark elves found that they could benefit greatly by allying themselves with these creatures.

最近，这个陆上贸易帝国悄悄地向下方蔓延。一个特殊的黑暗精灵在其中发挥了重要作用。卡斯帕尔·银舌属于族长行列，是精英黑暗精灵战士法师，并已成为协议团的领导人之一。他擅长秘密行动——无论是获取情报还是消灭反对派——他赢得了商人行会间谍头目的称号。族长生活在阴影中，花了很多时间研究那些居住在山中和贾达姆平原下方的人。他和其他志同道合的黑暗精灵发现，与这些生物结盟可以为他们带来巨大的好处。

Thus, about a score of years ago, a historic pact was sealed between the dark elves of Alvar, the Stygianscale dragons from the Garrote Gorge’s mountainous caves, and us, minotaurs of the Ravage Roaming herd. The alliance, named the Alvar Pact after the city where it was formally established — and sometimes Triumvirate of Alvar — is dedicated to facilitating economic, cultural and military exchange between these three peoples. While not exactly a nation, the various settlements and fiefdoms — both on the surface and below — that find themselves under this alliance’s protectorate are sometimes referred to as Alvarian to signify their allegiance to the Pact.

因此，大约二十年前，阿尔瓦的黑暗精灵、来自加洛特峡谷山区洞穴的冥鳞龙和我们这些流浪狂魔牛头人签订了一份历史性的协议。该联盟以其正式成立的城市命名为阿尔瓦协议——有时也被称为阿尔瓦三巨头——致力于促进这三个民族之间的经济、文化和军事交流。虽然不是一个真正的国家，但在这个联盟的保护下，各种定居点和封地——无论是在地表还是地下——有时被称为阿尔瓦里亚人，以表示他们对该协议的效忠。

The aforementioned Caspair Silvertongue represents dark elves and the Merchant Guild in the Triumvirate of Alvar. While not the head of the guild, the Spymaster’s station in the dark elf society is arguably no lower than that of the high guildmaster. Among other things, the might of Caspair’s subterranean allies has helped protect the guild’s operations and defend dark elven towns and villages from the likes of barbarians or Regnan pirates on many occasions.

前面提到的卡斯帕尔·银舌代表阿尔瓦三巨头中的黑暗精灵和商人行会。虽然不是行会的首领，但间谍大师在黑暗精灵社会中的地位可以说不低于高级行会长。除此之外，卡斯帕尔地下盟友的力量还帮助保护行会的运作，并多次保卫黑暗精灵城镇和村庄免受野蛮人或雷格南海盗的侵扰。

The frighteningly majestic Amelchia rules over several flights of dragons, collectively known as Stygianscales. The Dragonqueen hails from Garrote Gorge, though a few of her subjects live in other parts of Jadame as well. The might of her warriors and experience of her great wyrms is an enormous boon to the Pact. While dragons are deservedly feared by many Jadameans, those aligned with Alvar are secure from being devoured by Stygianscales or any dragons closely allied with Amelchia.

威风凛凛的阿梅尔奇亚统治着几支龙群，统称为冥鳞龙。龙女王来自加洛特峡谷，但她的一些臣民也生活在贾达姆的其他地方。她战士的威力和她对巨龙的经验对协议团来说是一个巨大的恩惠。虽然许多贾达姆人都害怕龙，但与阿尔瓦结盟的人不会被冥鳞龙或任何与阿梅尔奇亚关系密切的龙吞噬。

Last but not least, the one who represents our brethren in the Alvar leadership — Balthazar the Second has worked hard to live up to the name of his father, the founder of our fair labyrinthine city. He had only recently inherited the title of Herdmaster when the Pact was sealed, and the years that followed were all but uneventful for him as a ruler. Under his guidance, Balthazar Lair continues to thrive and, in some ways, has become an even stronger bastion of civilization in Ravage Roaming. I look forward to personally giving you the tour of the Lair when you finally have the chance to visit Jadame as the mazefolk always welcome foreign minotaurs.

最后但并非最不重要的一点是，代表我们阿尔瓦领导层同胞的人——巴尔萨泽二世一直努力工作，不辜负他父亲的名声，他的父亲是我们美丽的迷宫城市的创始人。在协议签订时，他刚刚继承了牧群大师的头衔，而随后的几年对他作为统治者来说平淡无奇。在他的领导下，巴尔萨泽巢穴继续繁荣发展，在某些方面，它已成为流浪之地更强大的文明堡垒。当您终于有机会参观贾达姆时，我期待着亲自带您参观巢穴，因为迷宫民总是欢迎外国牛头怪。

Dealings with subterranean races have led the dark elves to start making extensive use of caves below Alvar and other settlements. Military forces are housed within the underground districts of Alvarian towns. Overlords of the Pact can swiftly and stealthily reinforce the surface fiefdoms of Triumvirate from within our elaborate Dungeons.

与地下种族的交往使黑暗精灵开始大量使用阿尔瓦和其他定居点下面的洞穴。军队驻扎在阿尔瓦里亚城镇的地下区内。协议团的领主可以从我们精心设计的地下城中迅速而隐秘地增援三巨头的地面封地。

Now the Alvar Pact and the Merchant Guild have managed to do what may have saved Jadame from the growing threat that I alluded to in my previous letters. Just about a month ago, the Winter Armistice, proposed by the Triumvirate, was signed. This agreement stopped hostilities between several of the continent’s major powers, and thus paved the way to finding a solution to the current crisis.

现在，阿尔瓦条约和商人行会已经设法拯救了贾达姆，使其免受我在之前的信件中提到的日益严重的威胁。大约一个月前，三巨头提议的《冬季停战协定》签署了。这项协议停止了大陆几个主要大国之间的敌对行动，从而为找到解决当前危机的方法铺平了道路。