[Endoperez]

There is a tutorial. It comes with the demo. You can find it from under Game Tools, but you also need to read (and perhaps print) the text file describing what you are supposed to do and why. I think the tutorial file is in the \doc\ folder of your main demo folder; it's in the manual of the full game.

You should be able to research in the demo. To be able to order a mage to research, you need to have a mage in a province with a laboratory. Your starting province has a lab, and you can recruit various mages from there. You can see what you are researching by choosing Magic, then Research from the buttons in the right.

You have to research construction before you can build most items. Some paths can't build any items before research in Construction. Others, like Nature, can forge few weapons. Earth can forge simple weapons, shields, helmet and armor.

There are only three kinds of buildings: fortresses, laboratories and temples. Anyone can build a castle, but they take time and are quite expensive. To build a lab, you need a mage, and for a temple, you need a priest. Speaking of priests: appoint a prophet. Usually, you want to have a prophet from very early, and thus appoint your starting commander a prophet. Some nations might want to choose a tough commander, or a strong priest, to make a prophet, but your starting commander will do in most cases. Script your prophet to cast spells, and he can Smite your enemies (it does nice damage) or boost the morale of your troops.