Turtling will be one way to go about it but not the only, I want there to be options like keeping other factions alive to use them as a meatshield later on. I don't know if there will be a best way to stay alive but I don't want there to be only one way. In the end Morgoth will conquer Beleriand for sure in the main campaign (after hundreds of turns and near when the Valar event happens if you do well). Custom campaigns will have different scenarios, even all factions starting neutral or at war for more open ended gameplay stuff. The main campaign will be very scripted in Beleriand and quite restrictive, but everything outside the Beleriand map will be unscripted and open ended.
These are the starting messages I am currently using but they are a WIP, I plan to use a lot of text from the books and paraphrase longer stuff heaps;
The Siege of Angband continues...
The Siege of Angband was the 400-year leaguer of the Noldor around the fortress of Morgoth in the early centuries of the First Age, which began following the Dagor Aglareb. The Noldor and their allies possessed insufficient force to assault Angband directly.\n\nIn the west Fingolfin and Fingon guarded the pass over Ered Wethrin into Hithlum from Barad Eithel, while Finrod and Orodreth held the pass of Sirion from Minas Tirith and Angrod with Aegnor held the northern slopes of Dorthonion to the borders of Aglon. In the east the Sons of Fëanor held watch; Celegorm and Curufin held the land between the rivers Aros and Celon, Maedhros had his stronghold on Himring while he guarded the Marches north of that hill and the plains between the rivers Celon and Gelion, Maglor kept watch over the northern hills of the river Gelion, and Caranthir in the shadows of Ered Luin.\n\nIt was during the Siege that Turgon's people left Nevrast to build Gondolin. Other Elven cities, Brithombar and Eglarest were also established by the Sindar on Falas, and Nargothrond, the realm of Finrod. The siege was incomplete, as Morgoth was still capable of sending out various forces of orcs to harass the elves, such as the attack of Hithlum; but the Noldor were grown strong enough, that these task forces posed no significant threat.\n\nAfter the defeat of Glaurung, a period called the 'Long Peace' begun. The Men of the House of Bëor entered Beleriand and were followed by the Haladin. Years after the Battle of Aglon Pass, the Forest of Brethil was given to the Haladin. A final band of Men, the House of Hador, came to Beleriand; they were given the lands of Dor-lómin.\n\nAfter four hundred years the Siege of Angband continues...\n\n\n
Doom of Mandos
'Tears unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the mountains. On the House of Fëanor the wrath of the Valar lieth from the West unto the uttermost East, and upon all that will follow them it shall be laid also. Their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them, and ever snatch away the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue. To evil end shall all things turn that they begin well; and by treason of kin unto kin, and the fear of treason, shall this come to pass. The Dispossessed shall they be for ever.'\n\n'Ye have spilled the blood of your kindred unrighteously and have stained the land of Aman. For blood ye shall render blood, and beyond Aman ye shall dwell in Death's shadow. For though Eru appointed to you to die not in Eä, and no sickness may assail you, yet slain ye may be, and slain ye shall be: by weapon and by torment and by grief; and your houseless spirits shall come then to Mandos. There long shall ye abide and yearn for your bodies, and find little pity though all whom ye have slain should entreat for you. And those that endure in Middle-earth and come not to Mandos shall grow weary of the world as with a great burden, and shall wane, and become as shadows of regret before the younger race that cometh after. The Valar have spoken.'
Union of Maedhros
Word has spread to us from the Union of Maedhros.\n\nMaedhros, son of Fëanor, perceives that Morgoth is not unassailable and yet believes that Morgoth would destroy us all, one by one, if we do not again unite, and make new league and common council. He implores us to trust not in secrecy and stealth to avail us against the Dark Enemy of the World. We must unite and assail the very walls of Angband should we ever wish to truely defeat Him.\n\nShall we raise a mighty host and march forth to join the assualt? Or trust that the Siege of Angband and our own defences will be enough?
Any help with writing is welcomed, feel free to post it in this thread even. Faction and Age specific ideas are always welcomed too. Making it feel as different from the other Ages is a main goal. I plan to run the ground textures through filters to make it all a bit more vibrant for the First Age and stuff like that. Every little thing helps, especially if it is easy.