This map combines the geography of Highland with some of the starting features of the ES@Hallowed map. Each player starts with a Monastary and two Monks (rather than 3 as in Hallowed - with 3 Monks per player I find that the relics are collected too quickly and the Monks are used early as an offensive weapon), and there are 10 relics per player scattered across the map. Economic development is quite different with these changes, as the early gold generated by your stored relics can be used to buy food and advance much more rapidly once a Market is built. There is generally more use of Monks and other gold-intensive units with this type of map. Walling the crossings may prevent the enemy from getting to the relics on your side of the map!
An extra alternative version - FortHighland-Relics - has the starting Fortress setup on top of the above map.
These maps do not have the random snow terrain possibility of the standard Highlands map.
The best civs for these maps are different than the standard Huns and Mongols, as these civs have poor Monks (fine for collecting relics but of little other value). The Aztecs may be best with their high hit-point Monks, but other civs with strong Monks are good too.
Several other \'Relic\' maps are being released - check the game sites for other fun maps to play!!
Lot's of fun playing this map.
Theme:
As the author wrote, it is a Highland map theme, however the presence of the monk and the monastery gives to this map another way of playing. The early recolection of relics is a main topic here and it could be the main strategy for the players.
Visual Appeal:
Fine. The placement of the resources is well balanced. Placing cliffs in a moderated quantity is good. However I feel that the map will look a little more real with more elevations and some alone trees on the green areas.
Playability:
Excelent. Maybe it will be one of my favorites.