Orleans

Lore & Background

The city became the focal point of a divine intervention that defied conventional military strategy. Joan of Arc, claiming visions from saints and angels, arrived not with a massive army, but with an unshakeable conviction that galvanized the French troops. Her presence at Orleans transformed a hopeless defensive posture into a series of aggressive assaults against the enemy strongholds, destroying the Bastilles and breaking the siege to restore morale across the fractured kingdom.

Reader's Guide

Orleans is more than a mere map coordinate; it is the narrative heartbeat of the Joan of Arc campaign. As the primary objective for players controlling the French faction, the city serves as the stage for one of history's most famous military reversals. Its role in the story is to demonstrate how leadership and morale can outweigh sheer numerical superiority. Players must navigate complex siege mechanics, defending against relentless waves while coordinating assaults on enemy fortifications surrounding the urban center. This location matters because it marks the shift from a losing war to a potential victory for France. Without the liberation of Orleans, the narrative arc of Joan's journey and the eventual coronation at Reims would never have occurred, leaving the kingdom in ruin.

Did You Know?

• While Orleans is a defining battle in the first campaign of The Conquerors expansion, the true climax and final scenario, 'The Coronation,' occurs in Reims, not Orleans.
• The city's defense relies heavily on destroying English Bastilles while fending off rams and trebuchets.
• In the game's narrative, the lifting of this siege was the catalyst for Joan of Arc's rise to prominence.
• Historically and in-game, Orleans is situated strategically along the Loire River.