Have you possibly installed the latest script fix or the sally fix on top of the Spoils Of Victory submod? I know that SOV changes the script and traits files, so it might not be compatible.

You say you've played it successfully earlier. Have you made any changes to your system since you last played, such as new hardware or drivers, new antivirus etc?

The files that the validation tool picks up on as changed don't seem important. Still I don't know about the two first ones, here are the files as they are in my installation (rtw/data).

descr_surface_fire.txt:
Code:
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;
;;  Siege engine fire
;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;


effect burning_engine_smoke
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke3.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		1.8, 1.4
		age_range       		2.1, 14.2
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 2
        fade_time				0.25
        die_size				1, 1
		colour     				255,255,255
		alpha_max	   			255			 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-1, 1
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					0	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	10000		; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

;;;;;;; MIDDLE TOWER EFFECTS ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect fire_siege_tower_01
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke2.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		1.8, 11.4
		age_range       		0.1,0.24
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 15.4
        fade_time				1.8
        die_size				0.5, 0.1
		colour     				235,235,235
		alpha_max	   			114		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.24,0.24
		acceleration			0,5,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					180	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,2.4,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	250			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_02
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke3.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		0.5, 16.4
		age_range       		1.0,1.4
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 9.6
        fade_time				2.5
        die_size				0.1,0.5
		colour     				210,200,200
		alpha_max	   			140		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					70	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

;;;;;;;;;;;;;; BALLISTA EFFECTS ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect fire_siege_tower_03
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke2.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		2.5, 3.4
		age_range       		0.14,0.54
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.8,1.4
        fade_time				1
        die_size				0.2, 0.01
		colour     				215,215,215
		alpha_max	   			120		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.54,0.54
		acceleration			0,5,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					50	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,-0.25,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	100			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.9			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_04
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke4.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		0.2, 5.4
		age_range       		1.0,2.4
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.1, 1.8
        fade_time				1.8
        die_size				0.1,0.2
		colour     				245,225,225
		alpha_max	   			180		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.14,0.14
		acceleration			0,1,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					10	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,-0.3,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	250			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_08
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke3.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		0.1, 4.4
		age_range       		0.3,0.4
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 5.6
        fade_time				1
        die_size				0.1,0.25
		colour     				210,200,200
		alpha_max	   			140		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		acceleration			0,0.5,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					2	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}


;;;;;;; ONAGER EFFECTS ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect fire_siege_tower_05
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke2.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		2.24, 5.4
		age_range       		0.1,0.2
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 2.8
        fade_time				1.5
        die_size				0.5, 0.1
		colour     				235,235,235
		alpha_max	   			114		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.24,0.24
		acceleration			0,6,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					30	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,-1,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	250			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_06
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke4.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		5, 10.4
		age_range       		0.5,0.7
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 7.6
        fade_time				2
        die_size				0.1,0.25
		colour     				220,200,200
		alpha_max	   			255		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		acceleration			0,1,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					5	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_07
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke3.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		5, 10.4
		age_range       		0.3,0.4
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 5.6
        fade_time				1
        die_size				0.1,0.25
		colour     				210,200,200
		alpha_max	   			140		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		acceleration			0,0.5,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					1	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

;;;;;;; RAM EFFECTS ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect fire_siege_tower_09
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke2.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		2.5, 5.9
		age_range       		0.05,0.15
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 2.8
        fade_time				1
        die_size				0.5, 0.1
		colour     				235,235,235
		alpha_max	   			114		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.24,0.24
		acceleration			0,8,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					30	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,-1,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	250			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_10
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke4.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		5, 6.4
		age_range       		0.5,1.4
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				3.5, 5.6
        fade_time				1
        die_size				0.1,0.25
		colour     				220,200,200
		alpha_max	   			255		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		acceleration			0,1,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					10	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_11
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke3.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		5, 10.4
		age_range       		0.3,1
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 5.6
        fade_time				1
        die_size				0.1,0.25
		colour     				210,200,200
		alpha_max	   			140		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		acceleration			0,0.5,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					1	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

;;;;;;; LADDER EFFECTS ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect fire_siege_tower_12
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke2.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		2.5, 5.9
		age_range       		0.05,0.15
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 2.8
        fade_time				1
        die_size				0.5, 0.1
		colour     				235,235,235
		alpha_max	   			114		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.24,0.24
		acceleration			0,8,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					30	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,-1,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	250			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_13
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke4.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		5, 10.4
		age_range       		0.5,0.7
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 7.6
        fade_time				2
        die_size				0.1,0.25
		colour     				220,200,200
		alpha_max	   			255		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		acceleration			0,1,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					5	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_14
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke3.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		5, 10.4
		age_range       		0.3,0.4
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 5.6
        fade_time				1
        die_size				0.1,0.25
		colour     				210,200,200
		alpha_max	   			140		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		acceleration			0,0.5,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					1	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

;;;;;;; HELIOPOLIS TOWER EFFECTS ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect fire_siege_tower_15
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke2.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		2.2, 14.4
		age_range       		0.1,0.24
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 15.4
        fade_time				1.8
        die_size				0.5, 0.1
		colour     				235,235,235
		alpha_max	   			114		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.24,0.24
		acceleration			0,5,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					180	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,2.4,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	250			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_16
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke3.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		2.5, 20.4
		age_range       		1.0,1.4
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 9.6
        fade_time				2.5
        die_size				0.1,0.5
		colour     				210,200,200
		alpha_max	   			140		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					70	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	400			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

;;;;;;; SIEGE TOWER EFFECTS ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect fire_siege_tower_17
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke2.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		1.8, 11.4
		age_range       		0.1,0.24
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 15.4
        fade_time				1.8
        die_size				0.5, 0.1
		colour     				235,235,235
		alpha_max	   			114		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.24,0.24
		acceleration			0,5,0
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					100	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,2.4,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	150			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}

effect fire_siege_tower_18
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke3.tga

		sprite_origin			0.1, 0.1
		sprite_size				0.9, 0.9
		size_range      		0.5, 16.4
		age_range       		1.0,1.4
        grow_range	 			1, 1 
        vel_range				0.5, 9.6
        fade_time				2.5
        die_size				0.1,0.5
		colour     				210,200,200
		alpha_max	   			140		 ; maximum alpha value
		spin_rate				-0.04,0.04
		
		emitter tri_surface
		{
			density					30	     	; how many particles per second
			offset_from_surface		0,0,0		; offset from surface to emit from

			emitter_falloff_dist	300			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5			; 			
		}
	}
}


;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;								SIEGE FIRE EFFECT SETS												 ;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect_set engine_fire_middle_tower_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fire_siege_tower_01	
		fire_siege_tower_02
	}
}

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect_set engine_fire_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		burning_engine_smoke	
	}
}
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect_set engine_fire_ballista_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fire_siege_tower_03	
		fire_siege_tower_04
		fire_siege_tower_08
	}
}
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect_set engine_fire_onager_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fire_siege_tower_05	
		fire_siege_tower_06
		fire_siege_tower_07
	}
}
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect_set engine_fire_ram_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fire_siege_tower_09	
		fire_siege_tower_10
		fire_siege_tower_11
	}
}
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect_set engine_fire_ladder_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fire_siege_tower_12	
		fire_siege_tower_13
		fire_siege_tower_14
	}
}
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect_set engine_fire_heliopolis_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fire_siege_tower_15	
		fire_siege_tower_16
	}
}
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect_set engine_fire_siege_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fire_siege_tower_17
		fire_siege_tower_18
	}
}
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;



descr_arrow_trail_effects_final.txt:
Code:
;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Arrow trail effects.
;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

effect default_arrow_trail
{
	type ribbon
	{
		alpha_max	128	  ; Alpha value at start of trail
		alpha_min	10	  ; Alpha value at end of trail
		fade_start	100	  ; Distance to start fading out.
		fade_end	200	  ; This should be the same as the max lod distance in the effect set.
		head_width	0.1	  ; Width of the ribbon at arrow end
		tail_width  0.01    ; Width of the ribbon at the tail end

		texture	    data/textures/arrow_trail.tga
	}
}	

effect_set default_arrow_trail_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		default_arrow_trail
	}
}

effect small_arrow_trail
{
	type ribbon
	{
		alpha_max	128	  ; Alpha value at start of trail
		alpha_min	10	  ; Alpha value at end of trail
		fade_start	100	  ; Distance to start fading out.
		fade_end	200	  ; This should be the same as the max lod distance in the effect set.
		head_width	0.1	  ; Width of the ribbon at arrow end
		tail_width  0.01    ; Width of the ribbon at the tail end

		texture	    data/textures/slingshot_trail.tga
	}
}	

effect_set small_arrow_trail_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		small_arrow_trail
	}
}

effect large_arrow_trail
{
	type ribbon
	{
		alpha_max	196	  ; Alpha value at start of trail
		alpha_min	64	  ; Alpha value at end of trail
		fade_start	100	  ; Distance to start fading out.
		fade_end	200	  ; This should be the same as the max lod distance in the effect set.
		head_width	0.15  ; Width of the ribbon at arrow end
		tail_width  0.015 ; Width of the ribbon at the tail end

		texture	    data/textures/arrow_trail.tga
	}
}	

effect_set large_arrow_trail_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		large_arrow_trail
	}
}

effect fiery_arrow_trail
{
	type ribbon
	{
		alpha_max	255	  ; Alpha value at start of trail
		alpha_min	128	  ; Alpha value at end of trail
		fade_start	100	  ; Distance to start fading out.
		fade_end	200	  ; This should be the same as the max lod distance in the effect set.
		head_width	0.5	  ; Width of the ribbon at arrow end
		tail_width  0.1   ; Width of the ribbon at the tail end

		texture	    data/textures/arrow_fire.tga
	}
}	

effect_set fiery_arrow_trail_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_arrow_trail
	}
}		


effect fiery_boulder
{
	type projectile
	{
		model		models_effects/fireball.cas
		fade_time	0.01
	}
}

effect boulder
{
	type projectile
	{
		model		models_effects/boulder.cas
		fade_time	0.01
	}
}

effect boulder_dust
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke0.tga

		size_range      1.0, 1.5
		age_range       0.1, 0.5
	    grow_range		1.1, 1.6
		velocity   		0.0, 0.2
		colour     		87, 87, 74
		alpha_max	   	14			 ; maximum alpha value
		
		emitter distance
		{
			density			2 	     ; how many particels per meter
		}
	}
}

effect fiery_boulder_smoke
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke0.tga

		size_range      2.0, 2.5
		age_range       0.5, 1.5
	    grow_range		1.5, 1.8
		velocity   		0.0, 0.2
		colour     		87, 87, 74
		alpha_max	   	90			 ; maximum alpha value
		emitter distance
		{
			density			1 	     ; how many particels per meter
		}
		
		fade_time		0.1		
	}
}

effect boulder_explosion_01
{
	type explosion
	{
		; main explosion
		model 				models_effects/explosion_dirt1.cas
		anim_time			0.4
		max_scale   			2
		max_particle_scale 		4
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.6		
		

		; debris
        debris_model                             models_effects/debri02.cas
        debris_num_particles     0
        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 20
        debris_emit_angle        70              ; degrees
        debris_time_bias         0.9
        debris_velocity_range    5.5, 30.5
        debris_scale_range       0.4, 1.5
	}
}

effect boulder_explosion_02
{
	type explosion
	{
		; main explosion
		model 				models_effects/explosion_dirt2.cas
		anim_time			0.9
		max_scale   			5
		max_particle_scale 		7
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.34		
		

		; debris
        debris_model                             models_effects/debri02.cas
        debris_num_particles     0
        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 20
        debris_emit_angle        70              ; degrees
        debris_time_bias         0.9
        debris_velocity_range    5.5, 30.5
        debris_scale_range       0.4, 1.5
	}
}

effect fiery_boulder_explosion
{
	type explosion
	{
		; main explosion
		model 				models_effects/explosion.cas
		anim_time			0.9
		max_scale   			3
		max_particle_scale 		5
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.6		
		

		; debris
        debris_model                             models_effects/fire_debri_01.CAS
        debris_num_particles     10
        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 15
        debris_emit_angle        50               ; degrees
        debris_time_bias         0.9
        debris_velocity_range    15.5, 20.5
        debris_scale_range       1.4, 3.6
	}
}

effect fiery_boulder_dust_explosion
{
	type explosion
	{
	; dust explode
		model 				models_effects/explosion_dust.cas
		anim_time			1.7
		max_scale   			3
		max_particle_scale 		5
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.6

		; debris
        debris_model                             models_effects/fire_debri_02.CAS
        debris_num_particles     20
        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 15
        debris_emit_angle        50               ; degrees
        debris_time_bias         0.9
        debris_velocity_range    10.5, 15.5
        debris_scale_range       1.4, 4.6
	}
}

effect fiery_boulder_dust_explosion2
{
	type explosion
	{
	; dust explode
		model 				models_effects/explosion_dust2.cas
		anim_time			9
		max_scale   			6
		max_particle_scale 		10
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.6

		; debris
	        debris_model                             models_effects/debri02.cas
        	debris_num_particles     0
	        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 20
        	debris_emit_angle        70              ; degrees
	        debris_time_bias         0.9
        	debris_velocity_range    5.5, 30.5
	        debris_scale_range       0.4, 1.5
	}
}

effect fiery_boulder_dust_explosion3
{
	type explosion
	{
	; dust explode
		model 				models_effects/flame_explode.cas
		anim_time			.7
		max_scale   			1.5
		max_particle_scale 		2.5
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.9

		; debris
        debris_model                             models_effects/fire_debri_02.CAS
        debris_num_particles     20
        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 15
        debris_emit_angle        50               ; degrees
        debris_time_bias         0.9
        debris_velocity_range    10.5, 15.5
        debris_scale_range       1.4, 4.6
	}
}

effect boulder_dust_explosion
{
	type explosion
	{
	; dust explode
		model 				models_effects/explosion_dust.cas
		anim_time			1.7
		max_scale   			2
		max_particle_scale 		4
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.6

		; debris
	        debris_model                             models_effects/debri02.cas
        	debris_num_particles     0
	        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 20
        	debris_emit_angle        70              ; degrees
	        debris_time_bias         0.9
        	debris_velocity_range    5.5, 30.5
	        debris_scale_range       0.4, 1.5
	}
}

effect boulder_dust_explosion2
{
	type explosion
	{
	; dust explode
		model 				models_effects/explosion_dust2.cas
		anim_time			7
		max_scale   			5
		max_particle_scale 		9
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.6

		; debris
        	debris_model                             models_effects/fire_debri_02.CAS
        	debris_num_particles     20
        	debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 15
        	debris_emit_angle        50               ; degrees
        	debris_time_bias         0.9
        	debris_velocity_range    3.5, 7.5
        	debris_scale_range       1.4, 2.6
	}
}

effect ballista_arrow_impact
{
	type explosion
	{
	; dust explode
		model 				models_effects/explosion_dust.cas
		anim_time			1.7
		max_scale   			2
		max_particle_scale 		4
		scale_time_bias			.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.6

		; debris
	        debris_model                             models_effects/debri02.cas
        	debris_num_particles     0
	        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 20
        	debris_emit_angle        70              ; degrees
	        debris_time_bias         0.9
        	debris_velocity_range    5.5, 30.5
	        debris_scale_range       0.4, 1.5
	}
}

effect_set large_arrow_explode_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		ballista_arrow_impact
	}
}

effect_set fiery_boulder_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_boulder
		fiery_boulder_smoke
	}
}

effect_set boulder_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		boulder
		boulder_dust
	}
}

effect_set fiery_boulder_explosion_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_boulder_dust_explosion3
		fiery_boulder_explosion		
		fiery_boulder_dust_explosion
		fiery_boulder_dust_explosion2
	}
}

effect_set boulder_explosion_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		boulder_explosion_01
		boulder_explosion_02
		boulder_dust_explosion
		boulder_dust_explosion2
	}
}


;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
; Fiery arrow
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;


effect fiery_arrow
{
	type projectile
	{
		model		models_effects/flaming_arrow.cas
		fade_time	0.01
		sort_for_speed
	}
}

effect fiery_arrow_no_additive
{
	type projectile
	{
		model		models_effects/flaming_arrow_noadd.cas
		fade_time	0.01
		sort_for_speed
	}
}

effect fiery_arrow_smoke
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke0.tga

		size_range      0.8, 0.4
		initial_size	0.3, 0.4
		age_range       0.1, 0.2
        grow_range	 	1, 1
		velocity   		0.01, 0.9
		colour     		55, 50, 47
		alpha_max	   	100			 ; maximum alpha value
		batched			
		sort_bias		15
		die_size		0.3, 0.4
		fade_time		0.1
		system_radius   20
		max_particles   1500
		
		emitter distance
		{
			emitter_falloff_dist	500			; distance in meters to reduce emission over
			emitter_falloff_bias	0.5
			
			density			2 	     ; how many particels per meter
		}
	}
}

effect fiery_arrow_explosion
{
	type explosion
	{
		; main explosion
		model 				models_effects/flaming_arrow_impact.cas
		anim_time			0.5
		max_scale   			0.5
		max_particle_scale 		2
		scale_time_bias			0.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.4

		; debris
		debris_model                             models_effects/debris.cas
        debris_num_particles     3
        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 5.8
        debris_emit_angle        50               ; degrees
        debris_time_bias         0.97
        debris_velocity_range    4.5, 6.5
        debris_scale_range       0.1, 0.3
	}
}

effect_set < 3 4 > fiery_arrow_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_arrow
		fiery_arrow_smoke
	}
}

effect_set < 2 > fiery_arrow_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_arrow_no_additive
		fiery_arrow_smoke
	}
}

effect_set < 0 1 > fiery_arrow_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_arrow_no_additive
	}
}

effect_set < 1 3 4 > fiery_arrow_explosion_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_arrow_explosion		
	}
}

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
; Fiery Ballista
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

effect fiery_ballista
{
	type projectile
	{
		model		models_effects/flaming_ballista.cas
		fade_time	0.01
	}
}
effect fiery_ballista_smoke
{
	type particle
 	{
		texture			battlefield/fire/smoke0.tga

		size_range      1.0, 1.5
		initial_size    0.6, 0.8
		age_range       0.1, 0.2
        grow_range	 	1, 1
		velocity   		0.0, 0.9
		colour     		55, 50, 47
		alpha_max	   	100			 ; maximum alpha value
		emitter distance
		{
			density			2 	     ; how many particles per meter
		}
	}
}
effect fiery_ballista_explosion
{
	type explosion
	{
		; main explosion
		model 				models_effects/flaming_arrow_impact.cas
		anim_time			0.5
		max_scale   			1.2
		max_particle_scale 		3.5
		scale_time_bias			0.9
		alpha_time_bias			0.4

		; debris
        debris_model                             models_effects/debris.cas
        debris_num_particles     7
        debris_lifetime_range    2.2, 5.8
        debris_emit_angle        50               ; degrees
        debris_time_bias         0.97
        debris_velocity_range    6.5, 8.5
        debris_scale_range       0.2, 0.5
	}
}

effect_set fiery_ballista_trail_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_ballista
		fiery_ballista_smoke
	}

}

effect_set fiery_ballista_explosion_set
{
	lod 1000
	{
		fiery_ballista_explosion		
	}
}



X 1 Install RTW and EB once again, from scratch
X 2 Install using 7-zip rather than installer (your way should have worked)
X 3 Download a map.rwm file and place it in eb/data/world/maps/base (requires both the disaster and Oppida permanent fixes)
X 4 Add -nm to the shortcut
X 5 Delete some interfering files that Vista hides in its bowels
X 6 Run the validation tool to diagnose the problem
X 7 Install the fixes linked in my sig
X 9 Using RTW Gold? Try to uninstall everything and do not install BI
X 10 Got an ATI Radeon X700 graphics card? Apparently some setting called "Support DXT textures format" is creating problems. Try to change this setting for the driver called "Support DXT textures format".

That leaves _ 8 Add more swap space in Windows, and other technical measures you can take. There's a link there telling you how to do it. Please ask specific questions if there's something you do not understand.