Exile III: Third Empire Army guard post

[Syaoran2001]

In the area around Blackcrag Fortress, there is a guardpost with a band of Empire troops called the Third Empire Army.  When you try to approach they say they're stationed there until ordered otherwise and won't let anyone pass.  If you try to pass they send wave after wave of troops after you.  Is there any way to get past them and into their compound?  I can't find anything about it on any of the walkthroughs.  I'm determined to access every part of this game and that's one area I haven't been able to figure out.

 

Also, while we're on the subject of Blackcrag, are you ever able to explore the whole castle?  There is a huge map, and when you visit Empress Prazac, she won't let you anywhere but the throne room.

[Randomizer]

Third Empire Army outpost can be explored a little bit more using the Orb to approach from the south over the mountains. You still get attacked, but it is a different group of soldiers. I think it's just there for some loot and experience, but not to explore.

 

Blackcrag Fortress has a really limited amount that you can see. Most of the place is off limits because not everyone supports the Empress negotiating with Avernum.

[Celtic Minstrel]

That kinda makes me a little curious about what it'd look like with Magic Map…

[Thaluikhain]

Didn't someone convert E3 maps to BoE?  Don't think they got them all, though.

[Randomizer]

If you save before using the Orb each time you can just move around to see the map section before you crash and die. That makes one fight at the Camp's south entrance. I don't remember there being anything to the east but mountains.

[Ess-Eschas]

Blackcrag Fortress does indeed have a full map in Exile III, as it does in the later games too!
 

Generally speaking, Jeff is very good at taking account of the Magic Map spell. If there’s an area you can see on the map, but you can’t get to, chance are it will be fleshed out to some degree. There are some pretty famous examples of this, of course, that tend to cause some consternation to players! Think, for instance, of these:
 

Spoiler

The places that come to mind are Erika’s inner sanctum, and the very heart of Sulfras’s Lair.

 

In terms of Blades of Exile, there have been a few projects to convert Exile III's maps into BoE format. A few of the individual towns were converted in utility scenarios – including a version of Blackcrag Fortress, fully fleshed out with items and people. There was at least one utility scenario which recreated the outdoors and the important towns.
 

It’s also worth mentioning Assault on Valorim. This scenario also recreates the outdoors, and a pretty decent chunk of the friendly towns, but in the context of a working scenario. In other words, the outdoors has been slightly changed, as have a good number of the towns.
 

It’s an interesting idea for a scenario, actually, even if the execution isn’t always perfect. It’s a little like a souped-up version of Exile III. The scenario begins with Valorim having already been mostly destroyed by monster plagues, and the party has to go through the ruins to try and find out a way to stop the monsters escaping through Blackcrag. It’s a little gloomy seeing a whole lot of descruction, but it’s an interesting concept!
 

Incidentally, Syaoran2001, if you wish to see all the game has to offer, here’s a little something else to experiment with. There’s a little lizard in Foot Emergence. Talk to it, and say this:
 

Spoiler

hoho

 

Also, be sure to get the second Alien Blade in Footracer!