this map is actually pretty standard considering its structure and not so complicated like other new map suggested here, ie: the wonderfull clock, sky and canyon maps by thescottishalien, but i would like to add a different factor to this map: fear.

if any of you played Dune2 back in the days (those who havent done so: well, it aged really badly, but still worth the look if only for historical reasons, as this probably one of the earliest ancestors of DemiGod ) you may remember the dune worm, shieh hulud which wandered the sand dunes and devoured units which failed to stand on the safety of the rocks. i really loved that idea, the constant need to worry where to walk, wether that worm would turn the tide of the battle by swallowing my devestator tank camping right outside the enemy's base, or maybe with just a little luck, would actually unintentionally help me by eating the enemy's rocket launcher.

i think that demigod could use such a factor so i created this map and the neutral creature that would accompany it:

the Swamp:

this was once a sacred altar  hidden in the depths of the jungle, populated by shamans and warrior kings, as this altar contained many powerfull artifacts, it needed a proper defence, after the spears and axes of its inhabitants failed to protect it against the waves of gold and magic looters, their head shaman felt that they needed to take some extreme steps..

he rounded up all of the empire shamans and witches and with their combined force they created this place perfect defence: the stalker.

 this creature is the perfect hunter, moving in packs of about 5 creatures, they were to swim underwater stalking their pray from below, and when the right moment was to come, they leaped outside and slashed the poor victims.

it all went well for a while, the creatures taking the head shamans commands did not attack friendlies, and were deadly effective against the barbarians, abit too effective. soon after, the word was spread, every tribe, empire and cult knew that those who come near the altar doom to die and there is not enough gold and magic in this place to justify walking blindly into the stalkers teeth's, the shamans were delighted so they could perform their worship uninterrupted.. but when a stalker get no food, the stalker takes no orders. this was a simple fact the shaman didnt take into consideration. obviously, the stalkers killed everybody in the proximity of this altar and for hundreds of years, no one came near it. untill now. 

i am thinking that this creature, if even possible to program into the game, would be a real pain in the ass early game, swiming randomly in the water near the islands and below the bridges, he would take several factors into consideration while performing an attack.

factors to increase the chance of being jumped by the creature:

low health - a demigod with health below its half, will be more likely to being attacked.

low armor - demigod with no armor more likely to being attacked.

walking alone - demigod who walks alone more likely to being attacked. portal creeps will lower the odds a little bit and summoned minions will lower even more.

slow moving - demigod with slow moving speed more likely to get attacked.

the creature will be able to attack the creeps until they reach the cata's.

i want to restrict it so it cant attack inside the islands, only on the outskirts of them and on the bridges. the pack contains 5 creature and if 3 are killed in the battle, the rest will flee into the water and take the time to regenrate..

i am thinking that this creature need something along the foul grasp on inital attack and then regular dps..

the creatures that gets killed give xp, but not gold.

well, thats all for now... i would love to hear your opinions here. especially more techincal stuff, like, how many DPS will it have, how much health will it have, how often will they attack and so on..