Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Shadow of Death/Elixir of Life

Summary
Gelu has spent many months training to become a member of Erathia's Forest Guard. For his final test, he is tasked to assemble an artifact known as the Elixir of Life. He must find the artifact's four components to keep it out of the hands of the Necromancers. (taken from game itself)

Graduation Exercise

 * Win condition: defeat all enemies
 * Loss condition: Gelu is defeated in combat

This scenario is relatively easy (Normal difficulty). As start bonus, choose Sharpshooters (20). Gelu and other two heroes will transfer to the next scenario with their skills and spells.

Scenario objective: defeat enemy (only one, red banner)

First week
We begin with Gelu in northeastern corner of map. Near, to east, there are few Grand Elves (5); also, to south there are several Battle Dwarves (10); both join Gelu when approached. After joining, Gelu marches westward, arrives near a Sawmill and Centaur Stables, frees them and recruits Centaurs. Toward west there is a road blocked by horde of level 4 monsters; leave them in peace for now. Instead, Gelu goes south on road and in day 3 conquers Strongglen (of Rampart alignment), then goes eastward where flags Gem Pond, then southward until reaches a Water Wheel (visit it); near it there is Homestead (flag and recruit Elves in order to have as more Sharpshooters as possible). Towards south from pair Water Wheel - Homestead there is Red Keymaster Tent (visit it). Hire a secondary hero; he/she gives all Centaurs and Elves (if any) to Gelu, then he/she should go southward on the road, pass by crossroads (from here a path goes to west and another to south); our heor goes south, discovering an enemy town (Tormina, Stronghold alignment); near that crossroad there are Crystal Cavern (guarded by lots of level 2 monsters), Sulfur Dune (guarded by lots of level 1 monsters) and Learning Stone (+1000 experience points). Gelu, after visiting Red Tent, beats monsters guarding Enchanted Spring (east of tent), flags it and recruits Pegasi.

At week's end:
 * Gelu - level 4 or 5
 * Strongglen - level 1-4 creature generators, City Hall

Second week
On first day of week Gelu takes all available Centaurs, Pegasi and Elves (if enough gold) and goes to attack Tormina (on the way flags Sawmill near road), conquers it on day 3-4 (has level 1-5 creature generators built, but no Citadel) and beats any hero who might left town to regain mines (if wanted, could be a tactic to have gelu finish a day outside de town, but flagging some mines to attract enemy hero out of walled town). After conquering Tormina, Gelu flags Sawmill, Ore Pit and Alchemist Lab (last is in a "pocket" NE of town). At week's end is possible to appear 1-2 enemy hero, each with one week troops (level 1-5/6) and flag mines near crossroad between Tromina and Strongglen; if so, barricade that hired hero in Strongglen with all available troops and build Citadel; Gelu should reach and crush one of that heroes (with adequate tactics only few Centaurs will be lost).

End of week:
 * Strongglen - level 1-4 creature generators, Citadel, City Hall
 * Tormina - level 1-5 creature generators
 * Gelu (level 7; bought Ammo Cart from Tormina) - 25-30 Sharpshooters, 10-15 Centaurs, 15 Pegasi

Third and fourth weeks
Gelu beats that enemy hero left (if there is any); if appears another one from west, that too, being careful to not let Tormina be captured. Afterwards he takes all available army from Strongglen (Centaurs, Pegasi and Elves), marches south until crossroad, turns west, pass through a mountain gorge (well, something like; there is Ore Pit near road; flag it). Meanwhile secondary hero flags mines captured by red enemy. On day 4 Gelu (level 8; 8-9 artifacts captured from beaten heroes; 25 Sharpshooters, 15-20 Elves, 20-25 Pegasi, 50 Centaurs; Elves and Sharpshooters numbers may vary depending on how player decides to upgrade Elves to Sharpshooters) arrives in southwestern corner of map, where is Coldsoul (of Necropolis alignment) with level 1-6 creatures in garrison, attacks and conquers it. Next he goes on road to north, pass by Subterranean Gate (at east of road), arrives at Gladeroot (Rampart alignment; guarded by level 1-4 undead and level 1-2 Rampart troops; neutre), attacks and conquers it; near town is Light blue Keymaster Tent (visit it). In the center of map there is one Pandora Box; open it with Gelu; after warning, follows a battle with 5 Sultan Efreets and 5 Master Genies; kill them for +1 Attack, +1 Defense, +1 Power, +1 Knowledge and resources (20 crystals, 20 gems, 5000 gold); with this battle Gelu should reach level 10 (maximum permitted by scenario). Flag everything with two secondary heroes (to gain some levels too because will be transferred to next scenario). After secondary heroes flagged and picked everything (or at the same time), Gelu goes underground, turns north, arrives at Blindroot (Dungeon alignment), conquers it, then goes southward beyond Subterranean Gate, arriving at a fork of tunnels (one to southeast and one to southwest; in either should be the last enemy hero); go and smash him/her, claiming victory. Scenario should end in 4-5 weeks; secondary heroes should be at level 4 or 5. Advice: if we are offered Wisdom, Logistics or Earth Magic for Gelu, take it.

Cutthroats

 * Win condition: acquire Ring of Vitality
 * Loss condition: Gelu is defeated in battle

Valley of the Dragon Lords

 * Win condition: acquire Ring of Life and defeat all enemies
 * Loss condition: Gelu is defeated in combat

A Thief in the Night

 * Win condition: acquire Vial of Lifeblood form Vampire Lord Vokial
 * Loss condition: Gelu is defeated in battle