Alkonost is a small symmetrical, partially submerged aquatic arena. The center has multiple pathways for the flag carrier to take. It is best played 2v2 or 4v4 on objective, or 4-way FFA gametypes. Any higher than 8 players and it becomes ridiculously chaotic.
This B-Variant is what I consider to be better than the original in one particular way: tactics. You will not always find players in the higher parts of the level, since combat is more evenly distributed throughout the map itself. The origin for this map's name is the legendary Slavic seabird-deity named The Alkonost.
According to an article: The Alkonost is a legendary bird in Slavic mythology. It has the body of a bird with the head and chest of a woman. The name Alkonost came from the name of Greek demi-goddess Alcyone transformed by gods into a kingfisher. The Alkonost reproduces by laying eggs on the sea-shore then putting them into the water. The sea is then calm for six or seven days at which point the eggs hatch, bringing a storm. She lives in paradise but goes into our world to deliver a message. Her voice is so sweet that anybody hearing it can forget everything.
Let the storms begin!
