In the missions themselves (and stand-alone scenarios) you begin with a single city for each player, and a scattering of lightly defended neutrals. The game begins with an initial land-grab by all sides, as these neutral towns are secured and heroes explore nearby ruins. Exploring a ruin results in additional troops being granted, magical items for your hero, bonus experience for units, or a fat pile of gold. While armies are sent to capture cities, a hero's best use is to be sent around to scarf up as many ruins as possible before enemies get to them. Obtaining a town with a temple in its sphere of control will allow quests to be requisitioned - which amounts to task to explore a series of ruins for a grand treasure.