The Story
The following is a story titled "The Story", originally available on the official (now-defunct) 3DO website.
An uneasy peace has fallen upon Erathia. When the human king, Nicolas Gryphonheart, died, great battles were fought as the elves, hinterland tribes and other factions all made their moves to take advantage of the ensuing turmoil (This is all resolved in Heroes of Might and Magic III). Things have settled for the moment, and hopefully for a long time.
No longer consumed with running a war, Lord Markham has turned his attentions to other pursuits. Among them has been the organizing of a great contest. Scant as it is on information, his invitation has nevertheless proven an irresistible draw to a certain small, and slightly down on its luck, party of adventurers. Gathering their meager equipment, they board the ship provided by Lord Markham and set sail to Emerald Island, the site of this contest.