We began this mod with a Preview a looong time ago. We've continued to work on it since, in fits and starts, and we wanted to share the progress with you. Christmas is a great time, so we chose now. So, this is a Review of the mod, from beginning to now. There have been extensive reworks of sections that weren't what we wanted, and a ton of work has gone on separately. There's no way of showing everything that's been changed, done or anything else, but we are giving as much as we can of the mod. It's labour of love, hell and coolness. At the heart, we're simply amateurs, but we hope to give you something really special at the end of this. For now, you're going to get a breakdown of every faction. Have a look at what you like. There's interesting bits, some quite dramatically so, I guess.
Please also see the two UNITS & LORE PREVIEWS
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Lore &Unit Preview One
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=580569
Lore & Unit Preview Two
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=580570
Teamies and Thankses
The team as a whole is what matters, not who did what, but I will just list the people who still work on this, and peeps who have helped; the ones that are making this possible, or will be beginning their working the new year. The team is:
Me
The Holy pilgrim
Nekogenijalan
Willowran
Kaiser Leonidas
Bandit KS (Custom Settlement work and Artillery models)
AIkanar
Aradan
Danny X (He DOES merit an amazingly special Mention, as his map and his work ethic are incredible, and he likes Marmite)
T & D (models...REALLY weird ones too)
Legio
Auntie Mak (Makanyane)
Eothese (Mr Cuddles)
Cedric
Koultouras
Y2Day
Polycarpe
David93
legionaryCohort
Ethien
Hollowfaith
TWC Madman
Kolwen
King Kong
Dedward (Already Ded)
Undying Nephalim
Briarius
Borissomeone
Torvus
Beregond
Master Necromancer
TNZ
Even if they've only done a little bit, then they've helped along the way :smile:
People who have allowed us to access their stuff, even if we've used different bits and changed them, or fiddled with their hard work, which (trust me) is a very gracious and actually very personally difficult thing to do:
King Kong
Already Ded
Disgruntled Goat
Undying Nephalim
Eothese
Anyway, on with the Review, so we don't get bogged down into an Oscars type 'I'd like to thank my pet hamster when I was four years old for dying so quickly'...
The Beginning
The Creator was just a child, wriggling in the birthing sac that was the universe. He grew in many ways, and began to expand this empty universe, calling out in loneliness to the Void around him.
This longing for something more than just silence began to grow, and he cast about him for something to change this. In his mind, he thought about something that all children want...play things.
Stretching his mind, he reached into a part of him that he was unfamiliar with, and he created LIFE! From his mind, and then his body, the Celestial Dragons came, a painful experience but a miracle none-the-less. They had one unforeseen effect however. As all things that live do, they could procreate.
Each Father and Mother Dragon mated, and she would then lay eggs, whereupon she would become a fire herself, to bring these eggs whta they needed to survive. Each egg was a planet, each Mother became a Sun, and the tiniest piece of this universe was made.
The Child was aware of something wrong, however, and the sac of the universe was breached by something alien and hateful. The powers beyond, the Abyssal Powers sent through creatures that hunted these dragons down, killing all they caught, destroying galazxies, threateneing the whole survival of the Child's toys.
This affliction spread, but the Child fought back, crushing and killing the Abyssal beasts, but he knew he had to prevent the incursions of anti-reality. He looked upon his creations with sadness and began to bind his form into the walls of the universe, filling the holes and breaches with parts of himself. He lay dying once they were made whole again, and spent the last of himself laying laws - checks and balances to this universe of his, so that there was an order to things. He could never hold the Abyss out, but he could create laws that were binding, laws that gave rigid structure to everything he had made and gave his last sparks of life to create something random, that would either ruin or make whole his world. On each dragon's egg, he layered life, new beings, new growth, both to protect and harm these eggs, as there must be random elements to all creation, to all life there is no simple answer. With the last vestages of his failing lifeblood, he made such a grand thing, such an amazing thing. Billions of live were breathed into existence with his last, rattling breath
Within Dragondawn as a Mod, there are 26 factions, each unique and
each necessary - not just plaster to fill gaps.
You will find here an introduction graphic, to form a brief and hopefully interesting basis of every faction. That should allow you to find which ones interest you without having to trawl through tons of rubbish. This will be supplemented by in-game map shots for the factions. There may also be illustrations of battlefield magic, whether through screenshots or by actual videos of magic at work.
There WILL be a second re-preview tomorrow. For ease of use, this will contain the screenshots of units, and delve more into the lore of faction you voted for.
You will find that you can dip in and out of the factions. It's organised so you can avoid all but the basics or dig right in to a much greater view of factions that interest you personally. Please do take the time to have a good look around, and I hope the time the team has spent organising this for you is appreciated. They've worked SO hard.
DRAGONDAWN MAPS
THE WORLD OF DRAGONDAWN
A MAP OF THE TWO CONTINENTS WITH FACTIONS
THE FACTIONS
THE EMPIRE
The Empire is vast, and we have divided it into three separate Factions. They very much need to be separate, and each have their own character and unique units and characters. Playing them as one faction would be utterly impossible, simpley by keeping your eye on what was actually happening, for the least reason. They're big as it is, divided.
THE DRAGONTHRONE OF KADASANDRA
Kadasandra. The heart of an empire that spans two continents, split across five islands, built by Elohim, centred around a volcano that they used once to warm them as their Mother Sun did before they departed her Grace. Kadasandra is a vastly rich province, possessing much of the wealth of the empire, with only minimal direct interaction with the wars of the east and west. Kadasandra has an immense fleet, probably the greatest in the world, and a trading network that is just as impressive. A huge administrative machine focuses here, drawing trade and taxes in from across the world. Yet here they are beset by social problems that seem to most unsolvable.
Imperial Kadasandra is home to the Throne Dragons, Dragons that were born of mingled blood upon the death of the last of the True Dragons and the Emperor himself, upon their mortal wounding at Saden Fields.These Dragons are undeniably entwined with the Empire, and are willing to fight for the human who sits the Dragonthrone. Kadasandra's main forces consist of the most powerful warriors of both the East and West, and are invincible, yet should the empire start to fall, they may be held back against the defence of the Capital. The Emperor even has enough influence to occasionally enlist the aid of the monastic Knights of the Void Temple, warriors few in number but more dangerous than any other human warrior in any realm. The Dragonthrone is protected on either side by the richest and largest military powers in the world, but this also means that it is, itself, responsible, at heart, for the safety of every man, woman and child of those realms.
Now, however, even that might not be enough. The Imperial East teeters at the edge of a precipice, and threatens to fall beneath the sheer numbers of their enemies, a Lion mobbed by rats. The West is more stable for now, but the situation there is degenerating faster than can be imagined. The Imperial Fleet shall have to take sail again, and restore the peace of the realm with fire and sword. It's enemies are growing, and it allies diminish just as fast.
MAPS of IMPERIAL KADASANDRA
THE FIVE ISLES of the CITY of KADASANDRA
EASTWATCH
WESTWATCH
Bandit's take on the world of Dragondawn and its many many wonderful factions!
Bandit's Take on the Throne!
THE DRAGONTHRONE OF KADASANDRA
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Imagine being the senate of Rome in Rome total war 1 and being locked into an alliance with the other three roman factions. Now what is your first step in conquering the world? yeah no so easy is it? Thats the seat you will be handcuffed to if you choose to be this faction, So many enemies but all out of reach save by sea. The faction is rich but how rich will it have to be to support its extremely expensive and elite troops? So the options are a series of beach landings, will you go island hoping and stay a naval super power locking all other factions to the land? Or will the might throne make landfall on one of the main continents and so there enemies the real power of the emperor? Or is it a long game you have in mind? Watch your empire crumble around you and then snatch victory from your enemies and reshape the empire how you see fit?
The Eastern Marches of the Empire
The Eastern Empire is a powerful arm of the mightiest nation on the Dragon: Valerians Empire. Possessing huge swathes of land, the Eastern Empire is made up of several provinces, each with their own individual history, and each province supplying the Empire with powerful, unique warriors and immense wealth. The Eastern Empire is a golden nation.
Such power attracts friends -the Ilidiri and Khezdruli both count themselves as allies to the empire. However, such power also attracts enemies. The Mighty Diluvian war machine seeks to raze the empire to the ground. The slave masters of Ashapur, and the dark Federation council have warred with the Imperials for years. Wolfborn reivers raid the shorelines, and the Imperial East constantly skirmishes with the Bloodfed and their demons. The self-proclaimed Sun King has rebelled, and the East cannot spare enough troops to reconquer his lands.
MAPS of the IMPERIAL EAST
THE PROVINCE of SALADIR AND THE SEA of GRASS
NORTHERN DUINIR PROVINCE
TELMIOR and ACASARENA PROVINCES
Bandit's Take on the Eastern Empire
The Eastern Marches of the Empire
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
This is factions situation is best disturbed as one well trained, well funded, well armored knight verses about 30 peasants. On a larger scale this slice of the empire is in the same trouble that Byzantine faced in its long history lots of power, lots of money but no strong guiding will to bring down on its people and its military might. You have enemies all around you and plenty of potential gains or loses depending on your point of view. Which faction do you focus your mighty legions on? were do you stand firm and hold the line and who do you let have a taste of Imperial Steel? There are so many factions i want to play in this game and the Empire is near the top of the list. Such potential but on the edge of destruction.
Western Marches of the Empire
The air is changing. A branch of the empire so strong that only the Federation dared challenge it is standing on a precipice. Fractured relations between their allies will force the empire to take sides, and some friends already threaten to turn enemy. The Western Marches' forces are becoming stretched, and there is no telling what might make them snap like a twig in a storm.
The imperial east itself is under impossible duress, and the west must consider sending troops across the seas or risk a collapse of the entire empire.
MAPS of the IMPERIAL WEST
DRAGONSOUL, PRINCIPAL CITY of the WESTERN HEARTLANDS
KIRIS and TAICHONDRA PROVINCES
IMPERIAL HEARTLANDS
Bandit's Take on the Western Empire
Western Marches of the Empire
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The Situation for the Western Empire is a different story than the east, though they are at war they are so over repaired for it they can send parts of their legions over the east to help them out. That is only in the short term, Long term the political and military status quo is changing in the West and they very well may find themselves on the defensive and losing ground if they don't squash potential problems right away. Instability is rife not in the empire but inside its enemies which on the surface seems to be good news but the reality is what could replace your current enemies is far worse than what you as the player are facing now. So do you wait and play war or do you bring the hammer down and crush what could be a serious problem later?
THE DEMESNE OF MEN
Human are the greatest in number, variety and morale fibre. They are capable of base and heroic things, flawed and yet this flaw needn't be the negative it would seem. The Empire is an example of something 'good' on this world. There are others, beset by duress, almost broken, but they shine all the more for it. Great evil, ignorance and stupidity occupy the minds of men, but also the greatest, guileless, innocence; ideals and beliefs can flourish even amongst the pit of bile that some nations belong in, and they do.
ASHAPUR - Pavishate of the Silken Knot
[COLOR=DARK RED]Thin veils cover the vile coils of this society, called the Silken Knot, as this is the favoured weapon of assassins, used to strangle their victims. It is slave culture, fuelled by indenture and murder. All is pleasant on the surface, yet, underneath lies a bitter world of secrets, spies and poisons. Slaves are bartered for in open markets, yet the best are kept back by the Hawkmasks, the slavers, for the Padishars, the lords of noble houses. Each lord maintains a small army, which in turn are available to the High Pavishar; the desperate and paranoid man who rules in fear of a tightening knot. As the society lies in conflict, so does the religious world. The Godess of Death, Tsibi was once held above all others, for her benevolence brought comfort. A new cult has arisen; the Sythys CUlt, built about the worship of Sythys, known as the Serpent of the God Tree, for she drank of it's sap and gained massive power and knowledge. She still yet lives, as she is no god, just a vile serpent-creature that seems immortal. They fight under the shadows of every city or town, and Sythys has become entwined within the Pavishate's military, cementing power through an inability to ignore..reliance grows daily, and many Houses abandoned Tsibi in Sythys's favour.[/COLOR]
MAPS of ASHAPUR
CITY of SILK, PRINCIPAL CITY of ASHAPUR
CENTRAL and NORTHERN ASHAPUR
Bandit's Take on Ashapur
ASHAPUR - Pavishate of the Silken Knot
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
On the surface this Kingdom sounds and looks like a very busy culture and is rich in history and lore, however in its core there is a growing and expanding rot. The slaves of the kingdom continue to be pressed into action and assassination is the name of the game for the noble houses. However this violent nation keeps its borders secure against even the empire at the moment and have an abundance of targets Will you try to absorb and bring to heel the smaller nations that border the kingdom or will you try to put the empire in its place and lets its citizens taste what the life of a slave is? Though i am not totally in love with this faction it does have quite the varied possibilities in game how far can a slave nation go?
BADABASKA - The Hounds of the Moon
Badabaska is under siege, and has been for a thousand years, alive through tencity, their Bearhounds and the fortress-cities they call home. Their Han_Dinen descendants were rescued by the gods. They passed through a portal to the isle of Badabask, forged at the beginning of the world by the far-sighted Elohim. Lesser spawn of the Ghaurchlai, fuelled by terror and vengeance, followed them. They have been under siege for over a thousand years.
Now, it is a make-or-break moment for the Badabaskan nation. No longer can they sit under permanent siege -their numbers are falling, and the only answer is to destroy the Ghaurchlai, or die trying. So they shall make their final stand. Either the Ghaur shall fall, or the realm itself may fall to a great and terrible evil. Should they survive, Badabaska may turn it's attention elsewhere, perhaps to the Western federation, to reclaim the lands that once were theirs, or to break Descati and his ancient forces.
MAPS of BADABASKA
FORTRESS-ISLE of BADABASKA
HANABASKA and KADRABASKA
Bandit's Take on Badabaska
BADABASKA - The Hounds of the Moon
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Just like the Lian Elune, this faction starts squarely in the defensive poster when the campaign starts however they are in the best position yet to go on the offensive and push their foes off the islands and into the sea. This factions units have the added bonus to be self-supported so even though the economy is weak a large army is not out of reach. They will need to rally what is left of their nation and people to hold of the Ghaurchlai. It is a last stand and instead of hiding behind walls with the hope of survival they are going on the head long charge into the future or their doom. How will you play this last dance of a dying nation?
The Bandit Kingdom - Lands of the Beggar Prince
THE LANDS OF THE BEGGAR PRINCE/FOX KING
This small nation in the mountains is to outside a haven for all those who break oaths, laws, and throw aside their honor. To those few that live inside its border they find a chance at a new beginning. The Bandit Kingdoms reputation is a deception built but rival nations and kingdoms. The reality is far different. This nation is on the brink of becoming a republic and already gives its citizens great freedoms to lead their lives how they wish and practice tolerance. This alone fly's in the face of the Ashapur and the Iron fist of the Empire and this is why they work so hard to keep this kingdom has a rogue nation of murders.
Bandit's take on the Bandit Kingdom
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:I have gotten quite attached to this faction because of not only its possibilities but the rich history and treasures that lie inside its borders. This nation stands at a crossroad, does it become the conquering giant that it would be with armies of gnomes and elite 7th legion vanguards? Or does it patiently wait for foolish nations to come inside the web of mountains to never return? Do we grip down with an iron fist over the citizenry? or do we let the republic take hold and let the citizens explore a true form a freedom?
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The lore around a faction is almost as important as the simple stats in combat when i choose who i want to play as. I really cant wait to play as this faction in the future.
Cho Tetsu - Petals in Still Water
Cho Tetsu gathers the greatest martial skill out of all human nations. Living in three isolated Islands far in the west, the Cho Tetsu have the last of the Lindiri-Awakened plants, and worship them as gods, where the Lindiri sought to destroy their own creations. These flowers are the product of ancient magical tampering, and are incredibly powerful, having the ability to directly effect the world in a myriad of ways. Through the flowers, the Cho Tetsu learn and understand more about the world, yet are also constrained by values these Flowers inflict upon their society.
Now, times are changing. The Armies of Cho Tetsu have left their island homes in far greater numbers than ever before. The Emperor has called all of his lords to his banner and united his people, directing their everlasting game of war to the Principality of Steel, across the sea. Long ago the Cho Tetsu taught the Principality the game of war, but it was the Cho Tetsu who invented it, and it is the White Divine, the Supreme Emperor of Cho Tetsu, who means to win. There is a new empire expanding in this realm, and it has the potential to be every it as great as Kadasandra itself.
IMPERIAL CHO TETSU
CENTRAL ISLE
ELEVATED ISLAND VIEW
CHO NAGA - THE MAINLAND CONQUEST
Bandit's Take on Cho Tetsu
Cho Tetsu - Petals in Still Water
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
One of the powers rising in this time is the nation of Cho Tetsu, having been mired in an internal warfare for generations the Emperor of the Cho Tetsu has finally rallied his noble lords under his command and now leads them as a unified and battle hardened force with one thing on their minds, honor and glory won through conquest. This rising power has the pleasure of not being locked in a defensive poster nor having such a massive landscape to protect their strength is wasted guarding villages. They are ready to be just as powerful as the empire all they need now is a target and the guidance to find the killing strike. It will be interesting to try to tie in the past internal feuds in a newly unified nation and i look forward to see how this faction plays out on the big stage of the campaign.
The Fennweyr - Keepers of the Deepest Magic
MYSTERIOUS FENNS
The Fennweyr
Though at first glance these lands look like a mire or evil bog filled with savages and evil spirits that first glance would be wrong. Inside the borders of the Fen both human and spirit and even beast live in harmony and in peace. They work together and live healthy and prosperous, however it would be wise for any prince of steel or other kingdom looking upon them to take note of past events. No one has been able to truly breach the borders of the Fen and though they enjoy peace they are not unschooled in the ways of bloody remorseful warfare. History tells when the Fennweyr goes to war no one survives the experience. Time and the passing of Valerian has also only giving the Fen more power and a growing expertise in war. They are no longer disorganized tribes and beasts fighting savagely but well drilled and stand ready for any that may come to the borders with ill intentions in mind. The Principality of Steel is now a divided house and could be brought down by a concentrated war effort. The Empire however looms over the borders of the Fen and the eyes of the emperor could fall onto the Fennweyr despite ancient pacts. Should the Empire support the Prince, Fennweyr would suffer terribly.
Bandit's take on the Fennweyr
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
I would have to say this faction has that history feel like they belong somewhere on the British isle during the roman days fearing what could be in those dark forests north of Hadrian s wall. On the surface they are savages with a love of trees and smelly bogs but in reality they can fight anyone and anything as well as any seasoned fighter. They do however have a bit of a problem, they are surrounded by super powers, the empire and the principality of steel. Which giant do they choose to attack? The Empire may have 20 fronts to fight on but they have the man power to do so and possibly win. The Principality then? It seems the Principality of Steel no longer is the unified super power it once was. Inside its borders there are many voices calling for many things and even part of the Principality likes the Fen better than its own Steel Prince. Will you take advantage of this?
The Haladin - Bloodfed LOrds of the Iudruul
The Cimrai are the collective name of a number of isolated mountain clans, living within the Earthspine Mountains, in a society known collectively as the Haladin. In a great battle with invading Empire forces, one of the clans, the Iudruul, began tampering with dark magic - Bloodfed magic. With every fallen warrior their power grew, for the stolen dead have great power. They gained powerful abilities -using Malech, a black metal, they forged items that gave them the ability to fly, supernatural strength and enchanted weaponry that the Empire could not stand against, nor their own people of the lowland clans. That battle marked the beginning of a drastic change.
Now, the Haladin nobles rule from great mountain fortresses, high in the mountains, clinging to the rock like a feeding Vyre. Hundreds - thousands even - of the Cimrai clan-people living lower in the mountains vanish on a regular basis, to be sacrificed for the Haladin bloodfed rites of power. Twisted voices whisper along Haladin walls, filling the nobles with dreams of conquest and power. The lower clans are solid, strong warriors in their own right, but the nobles fight, allied with demons. Steel wings and magical weapons make the Haladin nobles a dark power that none can challenge. Where their bloodlines wer weak, they are seemingly strong, but the price may yet be known, as they bind Cthonae from the Abyss into their weapons and items, and feed them with their own blood.
And they want more. They need more blood to feed the dark voices that fill their heads with visions. They need more power, to try and placate their insatiable urge to do more, take more, become more. Not even in their meditations can the Haladin fully understand what they are meddling with, but one thing is for sure. The Bloodfed could create a shadow that will blanket the world in darkness, devouring even them in their ignorance.
THE HALADIN
EARTHSPINE MOUNTAINS
Bandit's Take on The Haladin
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The blood fed are a nasty group in one case and a very ignorant group in the other. The nobles dabble in blood magic killing their own people to gain power which calls forth a foe they know nothing of. The lower levels of society within the Haladin only know their masters have great magic and power on their side but dont know what they are actually up to. This makes for quite a internal setting, The player could possibly side with the lower tribes to save them from the abyss or you could go headlong into the darkness and take the planet with you. thats not even thinking outside the border yet! great foundations are ready to give rise to great power. There may be super powers around those borders but when it comes down to the battle their strength could be stolen from them before they know what death they are walking into.
The Iryn Thaan - The Windwakers and the Icekith
Once the Nation of Irynn Thaan was a great kingdom, Bethaladirn, moralistic, peaceful within it's own lands. Then came the Diluvian host of the Naugiri, in such numbers, from an unexpected quarter, and the Bethaladirni were forced to abandon their homes and flee to the north, where the cold snows and icy climate slowed the Naugiri approach. There they have endured since, in a mysterious city deep in ice found abandoned to the cold. Here, they became the Iryn Thaan, in the tounge of the Icekith.
They have tamed great snow beasts, and befriended powerful Ice Avatars and won the respect of the sleek snow leopards that call themselves the Icekith. A great army of the dead, the dead of a long lost northern empire fight for the fallen kingdom. No one knows why for sure. Some say sent by old human gods. The names of Blade and The Dawnrazor carry cries in the wind. The Dead call themselves the Windwakers, but they are Yaga Dai, sent form the Farstream to aid them. Most avoid the subject, and the Dead do not often show themsleves. Protected by the ice, the Irynn Thaan have held off against the Naugiri for a century.
Now, however, they seek to exact vengeance upon the Naugiri; they saw the defeat that the Empire, and others inflicted on the Naugiri, and hope burgeoned. The entire might of the Irynn Thaan and their mysterious, powerful, allies are on the move. Small is their nation but their army is woeful to the Naugiri. This time, it shall be the Diluvians who are sent fleeing in fear
THE IRYN THAAN
THE WINDWAKER ICE FLOES
Bandit's Take on the Iryn Thaan
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
THe Iryn Thaan are in a unique situation, They have set themselves in a powerfully defensible location that few would dream to assault and could attack out at their enemy called the Naugiri with little fear of a counter attack. The one thing that could stop this plan is they start the game with a powerful army but they have a manpower shortage to replenish they losses they could suffer. So if they strike they must do it quickly and against weak provinces to bolster there kingdom and start to churn out armies to finally crush their one and only target the Naugiri. The varity in this faction is what is most appealing to me, not just humans but also, Yaga dai, and the leopard folk that will really make for a rich and diverse army roster. I am looking forward to playing this faction and seeking some righteous vengeance.
Ilien - The Rose of War
Ilien has fallen far. Once she was the most powerful general in the Federation. She was loved, both by the people and her soldiers, who named themselves "Ilien's Roses" out of dedication to their leader. Then, she was betrayed by the very nation she loved so dearly, the nation she had fought to protect. She was crucified upon the walls of Strongpoint, the Federal Capital, a vast Iron-bound fortress. The great Ilien was arrested. She ordered her men to stand, as she could not imagine anything but a mistake; an explainable error, and they watched her led in irons from her camp.
Against her orders, her soldiers came to her rescue, 4000 of them appearing, taking her from the walls in a descisive surprise assault on the forteress. They fought the entire way back to her Ward. At the end, less then half of her rescuing forces made it home alive.
Now, Ilien has seen the true face of the Federation. She has seen the evil that infests the federations ruling council, and has suffered greviously by their command. People flock to her banner, and what land she holds is filled to bursting with refugees, running from an evil she only recently came to know. Now, Ilien's Host, though small in numbers and surrounded by enemies, is leading a full-scale liberating movement against the nation it used to fight for.
THE ROSE of WAR
WARD of ILIEN
Bandit's Take on the Rose
Ilien - The Rose of War
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
It seems the federation has made a grevious error not only did they try to kill their most popular general but now she has her own kingdom and Eolhim to boot. I will have to say this faction along with the lake kingdom faction hold my interest because they fight against what is clearly and simply evil and any bad guys. though her kingdom is at war with the western empire now that she is locked into combat with the federation there could possibly be peace or even an alliance. She is backed into a corner but is by no means going to be an easy kill, her army is battle hardened and loyal till the end.
The Federation - The Council of Nine
After Valerians Dragonthrone Empire, the Federation is the largest nation in the world. To their own people, world they hold a shining facade, an ideal image where every man and woman, no matter how rich or poor were equal in rights, and would answer to a single law. At their border a chain of mighty forteresses keep any foreigners out... and keeps any foreigner from teaching their dark reality to the people they oppress.
The Western Federation was bought from the Empire centuries ago. When the Boy Emperor was in power, his name was misused, and many in power gained vast wealth from this sale. Now, the Federation is an oppressive state. The people live in fear of the Councils Secret Police, and the Council rules, 9 people acting as a single totalitarian tyrant. The Council finances a powerful army, an iron fist of well-equipped troops who are highly disciplined and fight fanatically for the ideals the Federation pretends to uphold. These veterens are supplemented by the unwilling, by political enemies and prisoners collected by the secret police forced into military service to pay for their crimes. Expendable troops, who fight in droves, driven mad by council experiments and fighting with animalistic fervor and utter insanity.
Now, the Federation is under siege. On the West continent, the Federation is falling. Through their own paranoia, they lost their greatest general, and the Empire presses hard, as do other, darker foes. A weapon they never understood has turned against them, and Descati leads a massive host of Ghaurchlai from the Ward he was gifted, gathering at Hellspite. Chitkinnen also appear on the far western borders. The Federation will not let this stand. The west may well fall before so many enemies, but the east shall rise above the west...
THE FEDERAL COUNCIL of NINE
STRONGPOINT - CAPITAL of the WEST
CENTRAL LANDS of the WEST
CENTRAL LANDS of the EAST
Bandit's Take on the Federation
The Federation - The Council of Nine
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Though they may have been a nation forged on good ideals in truth this nation presses down its citizens and is strong only because it is feared. It may be wealthy and it may be strong but with the whole of the world beating at its door it will take murderous strength and will to survive everything thats happening. Being i like playing the good guys i look forward to crushing this nation, however it does have some points that are note worthy, its split like the empire and can field armies like the empire. It will just depend on how you move your chess pieces if it will survive the wars to come.
The Pawn Saints - The Principality of Steel
The Principality is aptly named. A feudal nation, with hundreds of steel-clad knights bringing armed retainers to fight for their lords. The Princes play at war, moving armies the way another would place pieces on a board. To a Prince of this nation, war is but the greatest strategic game of all time. In the History of the nation, only one prince has ever lost that game,and that was against Valerian -the Emperor himself, who bound the feudal nation to the Empire. The Principality has grown far more powerful since then.
However, it struggles within itself. The barons of the southeast hold much influence in the Queens court, and they cry for a secession from the empire, a move which would guarantee war. The Church of the Only has provided the Principality with Templars who claim they will ride for the prince, but whom truly seek only to convert his people to their religion. Much of the populace now screams for the blood of the 'impure' Fennwyr clans to the north. Finally, the Cho Tetsu to the west have sent soldiers across the sea in larger numbers than any before.
The Cho Tetsu taught the Prince his game of War 1300 years ago, and they are the Principalities greatest threat, but religious fervour makes the current Prince's 'pieces' harder to control, and internal politics might force a rematch between the leaders of the empire and the Principality. This Prince is immersed in the most difficult game he has ever played, and he means to play it until he comes out as the final victor, or until his foes burn down the board on which he plays.
PRINCIPALITY OF STEEL
THE CHEQUERED CITY
CENTRAL and EASTERN PRINCIPALITY
NORTHWESTERN PRINCIPALITY
Bandit's Take on the Pawn Saints
The Pawn Saints - The Principality of Steel
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The Pawn Saints are quite the nation, they are lethally strong with heavily armored knights and gryphons ready to do battle. On the flip side of the same coin however there is great instability within the kingdom now is this a sign of the kingdom and the prince losing his grip over the game of war? Or is this a game itself to draw in the princes enemies and crush them under his mailed fist? That is what makes this nation so interesting, its feudal and by a glance dis organized and ready to fall reality however will show that this is be design and is the standing rules of the game. Now the prince must keep the game going and show everyone that they have no idea how to even play war let alone wage a real one.
The Only Church - Followers of the One God
The Origins of the Only is shrouded in mystery. Their god is blind in the Deadpool yet can see into the physical world better than any other deity. His church is lead by Mallister Kadain, a man plagued by nightmares and shrouded by darkness.
The Church was gifted the Lake Kingdom in good faith, when corruption within their religious leaders was exposed to the empress. Since then, the Only has upheld a shining façade of religious hope for the Denizens of the Dragon. Now, however the church is riven by an internal civil war. 6 of the 9 church leaders, lead by Kadain are leading a war of purification against people whose human blood has been 'corrupted' by the blood of Ilidiri elves. They lead a disciplined army -best equipped forces in all of the known realms, devoted to their faith and willing to follow their church leaders to the death. Centuries of unused riches and unexamined artefacts lend his nation untold power, the reverberations of which are only just being felt by the rest of the world.
The Only Church is only focused within its own borders, at their internal civil war. Kadain has no ambitions for the rest of the world. Should he succeed in subduing the people of the Lake, however, the rest of the realm should fear, for anyone not of the faith is abhorrent to the Eyes of the Only. And what is abhorrent may also require purification.
THE CHURCH of the ONLY GOD
THE LAKE KINGDOM SOUTH
Bandit's Take on the Only
The Only Church - Followers of the One God
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The Only Church is a perfect example that any religion any where any time can become corrupted and turned towards war and conquest. That combined with blind zealous followers can turn a small cult into a massive army. The Only Church goes a step further now and has their own lands and nation now within the lake kingdom. Couple that with the church spreading its corruption to other nations reaching as far west as the Pawn Saints. Their power grows on a daily basis and they only need to crush whats left of Lian Elune to prove that they are a rising super power. However if they falter here they could lose all the progress they once had across the whole world. Only time will tell what fate waits for them.
The Sun King - Kingdom of the Salient Sun
The Kings of the Salient Sun have been in hiding for generations, keeping to their Palace in the mountains of the north. Here they bred what armies they could - Hippogriffs, Taurceni...many strange creatures, and guardians of the Deadpool, the entry to the world of the dead. Some in the kingdom knew of this, and many laid plans for the day a King would come with courage enough to free his people. Their youth were sent to fight for the Empire around the world; the 'Young Sons' becoming an integral part of their military. This is what allowed a rebellion to succeed. The Sun King came from the north, with the magic and mythic allies. Joined by Young Sons that has served their indenture in the Imperial Army, they assaulted the Imperial forces, capturing their garrison town. The survivors they expelled from the realm, as they were not murderers. From the south came the Rhuagh, the Ferakine cat-people, joined by the Moon Huntress Sect. A larger battle was fought, but the Sun King won this - a massive victory, and the end of Imperial occupation.
This kingdom is perhaps the broadest of all, allied to many strange creatures, and given a task; to protect the Deadpool from within or without. Such things bring them enormous promise for a future, but they stand alone. They peer at the world around them, and they see no immediate path. However, it is here that many eyes fall. The one ally they may find is in fact those they seceded from - The EMpire is sorely pressed, and the Sun King showed his mettle when he released their soldiers after defeat. They may well need each other just to survive.
THE KINGDOM of the SALIENT SUN
THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
THE CENTRAL KINGDOM
THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM
Bandit's Take on the Sun King
The Sun King - Kingdom of the Salient Sun
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The Sun King and his nation is one of the newest factions in the world and one of the more different. They have a very wide variety within there military ranks and the King's power is squarely set in magic and myth. This is a nation that is strong has a good base to work from and no real enemies or allies. Every road is open to them all they have to do is start walking. Natural allies could be found in the Bandit Kingdom and in time they could ever ride to the rescue of the Lake Kingdom Lian Elune. However their most direct ally could be the one they just won freedom from the Empire. All in all the most interesting part of this faction will be their army and trying to shape a strong standing force to deal with all the potential enemies.
The Wolfborn - Godslayers of the Wolver Isles
To be a Wolfborn is to be one of the Wolves of the Sea, and to live almost entirely by violence, to scrape what there is on the Wolver Isles into life is to live a very harsh way, screaming defiance into the freezing winds, little or no comfort is possible, yet none is wanted or needed from these fierce people. They slew a 'god' to claim the barren isles upon which they live as home -an act which has made their name heard all throughout the world. The Wolfborn. Godslayers. Their islands cannot support life, but they hold a deadly secret - remnants of the fallen god's magic that can meld man and beast into a powerful being they call a Wierd. The Wolfborn hunt with wolfweirds and bearweirds, and they befriend powerful creatures, some yet unknown to the rest of the world.
Fighting a wild sea every time they set sail, the Wolfborn way of life is to raid. They steal life from the shores of the Eastern Empire, filling their ships with food and slaves. They have never been an expansionist people, but now things are changing. The Cairn Witches see a new way; they dream of conquest, of forging a kingdom where the wolfborn no longer have to scavenge for food, a nation where no one dare challenge the might of the Godslayers. The Wolfborn have set sail, and this time they mean to stay.
THE WOLFBORN
WOLVER ISLES - GODSLAIN ISLE
WOLVER ISLES - CAIRN ISLES
Bandit's Take on the Wolfborn
The Wolfborn - Godslayers of the Wolver Isles
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The Wolfborn seem to be a combination of vikings and Germanic warriors up to this point they have survived from raiding and selling of slaves and doing lots of it. Now however with the world changing and the super powers of the world starting to fade it might just be the chance for the wolfborn to graduate from mere raiders to conquers. Now all they need to do is pick a target and try to take over. They must do this quickly however there massive navy is built for raiding not invasions so if they are caught at sea by a nation made for navy warfare they could find themselves in an early watery grave.
THE ELEINT
There are races older than Man, and they have a rich history and culture, for they have been many more years in the making. Many possess powers beyond men, magic, Channelling of the Ley that swathes the Dragon's Body. ALl are above the life of whims that holds men in it's sway, and most serve a higher prupose.
The Ildiri Elves - The Ilsithi Kingdoms of Heron and Swan
The Ildiri are the oldest races of this realm, outside of the Sun-given Elohim and the Celesti (who have mostly gone to evil). One of the most sophisticated of cultures, the 'high' elves keep mostly to themselves. The Ilidiri King maintains a large army, but the Ilidiri are not an expansionist people. The King would wish no evil threatened, no war happened, but he is no fool; he sees what is about to be unleashed, and is moved to action. This is much against his nature. He is, however a very skilled commander, supported many gifted commanders and warriors. The Kingdom split when the Khezdruli abandoned their lands, under treaty. His son was given charge of this new land, and for the first time in aeons, they expanded. The Swan Kingdom was forged, and the more adventurous left for it's shores.
His son, however, is of a different mould. Where the King's forces wield ancient magics and are not often seen afield - hidden in a mist of their own making- the Prince's army glitters and gleams in the sunlight -a thing of beauty. He attracts all manner of avatars to his banner, and the outside world is attracted to him and his land, entranced by preternatural beauty and hope. He involves the Ilidiri elves far more in the outside world than ancient tradition would suggest is wise. The Heron King, however, holds his military close to home. He feels Cthonae entering this world for the first time since they were trapped in the Dwarven Holts so long ago. Whilst the Prince dreams of honour and battle, and sees the glory, swathed in naivety, the Heron King remembers battle and it's horrors, and he remembers the death of Ithil, frail feather of the Ildiri.
THE ILDIRI KINGDOMS
KINGDOM OF HERONS
KINGDOM OF SWANS
Bandit's Take on the Lidiri
The Ildiri Elves - The Ilsithi Kingdoms of Heron and Swan
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The elven factions are one of the few factions that have there eyes on the bigger picture. The abyss is coming and they must be ready. What I like about this faction is they are in search of peace and calm but are as ready for war as any other faction on the planet though they mostly wish to avoid it. The faction starts split between the east and west. The traditionalist west and more adventurous east there are enemies and the two most available for attack are the federation and Ashapur. What will you do? wait for the Abyss so you can strike it down? Or try to change the course of the world in hopes of saving it?
'Eldest We' - The Weirdengroves of the Lindiri
The Lindiri are elves of the earth, elves of the Wilds. They mostly live deep within the Wierden Woods of Lindis on the eastern continent, a place full of tales mothers use to scare their children. A forest where even the trees walk, and the animals talk, and angry voices are heard. In the west is Ceryndir, named after Ceryn Halfdark, at the time of the Ghaurchlai Genocide. This small 'kingdom' is far less powerful than the deeply entrenched forest of Lindis, but it's dwellers are used to a harsher and less stable life.
The Lindiri only wish to be left alone, left in peace to tend their trees and herd their animals, their people travelling constantly across the world to fulfil their task on the Dragon. Their lives and kingdoms are under threat and this grows more. The Chitkinnen rats are constantly invading the Wierdenwoods - for vengeance against the suffering their Awakening caused. It is filled with madness, but then the rat-folk are psychotic at best, and they did most of the suffering to themselves. The Federation to the east holds the Lindiri in disregard, seeks to conquer their lands for their own, to strip it's resouces. There is a great beauty maintained in the Lindiri home woods, a beauty that they would fight to protect. Ancient Weirden Trees stand beyond 10,000 years old, and the God Tree itself dwells protected.
The Lindiri might be forced to go to war; they have recently destroyed a Federation army that entered their borders, no survivors returning to tell of running battles fought in darkened forests. The animals and trees of their home are naturally peaceful, but if angered then they are a powerful force to be reckoned with. Organised elven forces, clad in mail and bearing bows train together with mythical creatures and awakened Animists for a single purpose: War, to protect their culture and way of life. As with all Elient, they have knowledge of what the world is faced with.
THE LINDIRI
WEIRDENGROVES of LINDIS
CERYNDIR - THE HALFDARK
Bandit's Take on the Lindiri
'Eldest We' - The Weirdengroves of the Lindiri
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Out of all the elven factions the Lindiri are what i would consider the most scary. One day they are friendly and out going the next they could very well be seeking your throat depending on their reactions to what you would see as trivial. They have a beauty and a terrible strength to themselves just under the surface ready to break the facade and bring ruin upon anyone nearby. This eleven faction is also split between east and west but they are ready to destroy all factions coming because they have there eyes set on the larger picture they must be ready for the Abyss.
The Selediri - Kingdom of Silidis
Selediri Elves have the most skilled fighting force in all the realm; their speed is beyond anything man or elf can match, their athleticism graceful, beautiful, deadly . They live in great floating pyramidal cities, deep within a desert so hot it could bring others to their knees. There, Selediri can speak to any creature born of arid places, and hold the life they care for in the highest of esteem.
Despite all of their power, the Selediri are a people of extremes. They have a very strong moral sense, but this can lead them to see in simple terms; those of black and white. What is good is is to be cherished, and what is bad must be punished or be made to see it's own dark shadow. They will fight to protect the Dragon realm, similar to the other Elves, but they might also seek vengeance over the death of a single rare animal in their desert.Those who have fought the Selediri and survived have never forgotten. You cannot forget such a battle - no other race strikes with such precision, or fights with such skill. They are nigh unbeatable in physical terms.
Luckily for the rest of the world, the Selediri are still a peaceful nation. They will kill if it means protecting the life of the land, but they do not seek war. However, it is a delicate balance. The Ilidiri elves would be willing to see every race in the realm dead to save the Dragon, but it is the Selediri that might actually try to accomplish it. All they need is the strangest reason.
THE KINGDOM of SILDIRINE
THE CAPITAL AND WEST
THE EASTERN KINGDOM
Bandit's Take on the Selediri
The Selediri - Kingdom of Silidis
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The Selediri are the race of elves that i can see walking around their floating city fortress dressed in full combat gear during the summer. This part of the elven race as a whole is the first and foremost race you dont want to get angry at you. Though their forces at the moment may be small if you give them a reason they will muster and crush you before you could raise a sword. Then they would go back home and relax under the mother sun. Giving a good enough reason they could be spurred to clear out the whole planet and be justified in doing so however like the other elves they seek to protect what they have and live in peace. They are waiting for the real foe to show its face and once the abyss appears the mean to stamp them out before they can grab hold of the world.
The Rhysthari Lizardfolk - Tainthealers of Ispir
The Rysthari are caretakers of life. They are a lizard-like people, who isolate themselves deep within a swamp between the Western Marches and the Federation, swamps that few dare enter for tales of great monsters frighten all but the most foolhardy. They have unparalleled magical potential, and are by most believed to be a myth. Yet they remain and as many live beyond their borders, unknown, as live in Nidon Hal, their swamp home.
The Rysthari are seemingly the least warlike race in the realm. Their military has only ever been concerned with driving outsiders out of their swamps. Great behemoths- beings that even the Rysthari do not fully understand drive out any man, dwarf, or elf who manages to penetrate the swamps. The Rysthari are only concerned with healing the realm, having strong enough magic to directly heal the land itself, regrowing even the Ley Crystal deposits plundered by the Dwarves.
Now however, a taint spills into the world. Far to the East Cimrai mages meddle with a sickness that they do not understand. To the south, Ghaurchlai hounds ravage the land and seek the utter destruction of life itself. The pacifistic Rhysthari, who have never had a need to wage war might be forced to leave their homeland at once, leave the safety of their mysterious behemoth guardians to strike at the heart of the disease that is the Ghaurchlai. They may be forced to fight in order to heal and protect.
THE SWAMPS of NIDON HAL
NIDON HAL
Bandit's Take on the Rhysthari
The Rhysthari Lizardfolk - Tainthealers of Ispir
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The Rhysthari are a race with different priorities than the rest of the world, the elves will protect the great egg but if damage is done there is only so much they can do. The Lizardfolk on the other hand can come into any wound and heal it as if it never happened. The swamps they live in have always protected them and have kept them hidden however as the world changes they may be forced to take a more active role in healing the world and killing those who would harm it.
Naugiri Orcs - The Erutile Diluvians
The exact origin of the Naugiri is unknown to a very few - even the long-lived elves cannot explain their origin, but they wonder. They appeared from great cracks that tore through the earth, spilling into the light, where they found themselves amongst the human kingdom Bethaladirn, one of the most powerful kingdoms on that continent, which had stood against the mad jungle-Lindiri and the black-skinned warrior of Kalaiydan. Within months, the humans of that mighty kingdom has collapsed utterly, and a defiant war became a panicked exodus. The King of Bethaladirn fought a delaying war behind his people, until they were driven into the ice and could retreat no more.
Their entire society is bread for war, their powerful bodies fighting with discipline, supported by the raw magical powers of a more civilized goblyn breed. Powerful beings from deep within the earth follow, and join the Naugiri host. As men fell beneath their hosts, they found a way to more humans; their magics moved an entire continent west, to crash into the Imperial Province of Duinir. War was unleashed in an erratic flood, but they now have planned a better strategy, and are much more deadly.
The Naugiri will not stop until all that have wounded the land lay dead; man or dwarf. They have already eradicated every such being from beneath the earth, and the surface is to follow. Perhaps they were simply too good at their decreed task, or maybe the danger of the Haladin and their Cthonae drew them to the surface. Mankind are but parasites gnawing upon the realm itself. The Haladin must fall before they bring a great evil into the world, and the rest of mankind shall tremble, for they are to follow. This realm shall be cleansed.
THE NUAGIR LANDS
MAIN ERUPTION SITES
THE HALLOWED MOUNTAIN
Bandit's Take on the Naugiri
Naugiri Orcs - The Erutile Diluvians
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The great thing about this faction is they aren't just a bunch of savages arrayed in a horde set off to kill stuff cause its fun. They are here for a purpose they are organized and they are strong. They see the humans and dwarves as parasites and to save the world they must simply remove these parasites. The orcs are well armed with ley rifles and cannons and though their first assault was repelled this next one will be a success or they will all die in combat. There is no middle ground for the orcs you are hurting the world and must die or helping it and can live for now.
The Holts of the Khezdruli - Three Kingdoms of the Dwarves
The Khezdruli
These living creatures of stone, minerals, and metal are sentient and were born deep inside the dragon. However before they could fully develop the elves became aware of them and dug into the egg to find them believe them to bring great harm to the dragon inside the world. So before the Khezdruli could fully form they were brought into the world. They were taught by the elves to speak, build and to a degree defend themselves. However the Dwarves have a hunger that needs to be filled and they try to fill it with creation and consumption. They dug deep into the Egg and ravaged it pulling untold amounts of pure Ley and using it without regard to build greater cities and more gnomes. They built gnomes that ranged from small toy like creatures to massive mining monstrosities that could dig through any part of the egg with ease. This in time brought the wrath of the elves down on them and a great war broke out between the elves and dwarves. The battles were terrible this coupled with the dwarven mining brought the void into reality and then end nearly came for the egg and everything on it. The dwarves and elves had to combined forces to defeat the void creatures in the process the dwarves lost many of their city holts.
THE THREE KINGDOMS
ANGARECH
ARTHARTAR
KARURECH
Bandit's take on the Khezdruli
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:I would have to say this faction is one of my favorite factions in dragondawn. The different Cults inside the Khezdruli are deep and multifaceted. I cant wait to preview all of the traits and ancillaries to the TWC community each Cult has its own, King, Cult leader, General, Diplomat, Spy, Merchant. I could go on and on about the history and culture of the Khezdruli but it would make this preview not many pages long i had to restrain myself. The starting position of this faction is going to make this faction very hard yet very cool to play. Three separate mini-kingdoms and the player will have to choose which kingdom to start expanding from. Which enemy kingdom do you want to fight first? How are you going to deal with fighting on three or more fronts? which allies do you save? So many choices so little time.
The Khezdruli are a powerful race and are made more powerful by their creation the gnomes. The dwarves themselves are totally focused around melee infantry and clockwork crossbow armed marksmen. The dwarves have a sort of cavalry from the gnomes they build. Both dwarves and Gnomes are few in number they more than make up for it in thousands of years worth of experience and quality crafting. If you see a small army of dwarves don't think they will make an easy kill. On the flip side the play is going to have to deal with high upkeep and lower unit numbers compared to many other factions. The player is also going to have to deal with fighting from three separate kingdoms that are very far from each other.
Chitkinnen - Children of the White Sow
Ruled by the WHite Sow, the great Mother, and her consort, the 'King of Tooth and Bone', the Chtikinnen are a disastrously vile creation. When the Lindiri began to 'awaken' the animals, forging Animists from their numbers, they made first Chitkinnen. The use of the sap of the God Tree and subtle magics gave intellect to these creatures, and their immediate action was to seize their creators. They tortured them for years, attempting to gain every secret but many went mad and others withheld the truth. In the end, all the rat-folk achieved was a mess of often conflicting knowledge. They began to use this flawed knowledge and experimented on their own kind. The White Sow and her Nestmind Priests ruled the society, gifted with psychic abilities. They created a nightmarish world, where the least became food and experiments. Others were melded, savaged, mutilated, fed poisons that destroyed their bodies and minds.
Over centuries, they were disparate, and they fled through shadowed paths, colonising nests everywhere, but their vehemence was mixed with fear. Battles with the Lindiri saw thousands die, and many nests were eradicated, and the fear grew. They thought themselves weak, but were eventually driven to attack the humans they lives near and Under. In the Federal West they defeated and destroyed a settlement, an entire army, and they knew they were not as weak as they had believed. Now the Sow calls for war, her centuries long waiting ended, and thousands of her spawn will swarm into the world of man. In many places, they gather, and now they will use all of the hate, the madness, spite and murder to dominate the surface world.
Bandit's Take on the Chitkinnen
Chitkinnen - Children of the White Sow
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This faction is a bit strange which is part of the point of it. They use horrible experimentation on their own people to try to drive more power into their ranks. they are weak but strong in number and only grow bolder as their numbers increase. The other different part of this faction is they don't start with a nation of their own. They have to fight and take settlements in order to survive on the surface. Only time will tell if the other factions of the world will be too busy to give much notice to these rats and if they do give the rats time they very well could swarm across the whole of the world.
Cthonae - Blasphemy of the Abyss
Eselias Florient, High Priest of Isalap, written shortly before his sanity broke.
The Cthonae live in a sac, attached to the universe as created by the Child. Like a parasitic, pus filled bag, they cling to reality, feeding on what they can, but in the main part trapped to stare into a place that holds the key to the emotions they cannot otherwise feel; to them, the thought of feeding from a being's emotion is a wondrous thing, but they view that person's fear and pain with utter indifference. One type of evil is that which lies veiled behind an air of respectability, but the worst is the horror of true indifference. It is a thing most vile, and the most dangerous of all horrors exhibited by a truly sentient being.
The greatest amongst them simply float in the blackness they are trapped within. They know no light, vast, bloated, horrific to behold. Around them swarm their servants - thousands of lesser insanities, grooming, mewling over their masters, as they are crushed and devoured in it's wake, it's torpid drift unknowing of these insignificant beings; even if they registered them, they would not change, cannot change, for their waking dreams are of things so vast that it would break the universe. To it's irrefutable laws their minds are as alien as their forms, and cannot occupy the boundaries of reality itself.
In some ways the greeter Cthonae suffer, but they simply don't understand what it means to do so, and this is no concern to them, simply not registering at all. There are many powerful beings amongst their number. Some simply drift and feed on what they can sieve from the dark; others tear at each other, but some are aware of what is beyond and they hunger for it; they exist upon the simple though of breaching the divide and feeding from the wealth of it's life and emotion.
The Worm of Oblivion is one such being. Fastened to the sac of the Abyss, it's devours what it can of reality, but the sac heals swiftly, and it cannot progress beyond a simple suckling, like a parasitic foetus, malformed and disgusting by nature. There are others who show similar power, but he is the greatest of all. His size would allow him to curl around an entire planet, feeding from it, taking all life and matter without thought or even an awareness of the pain and fear of those it drains of life.
Others include Cthuguar the Shrivener, Anbaen - King of Purgatory, Kalacris the Prince of Torment, Cruach of Unfettered Slaughter and the Malfomer, the Breaker, known as Mirimazael. Below them are levels of servant beings, from the lowest, the Drunes and other, more unspeakable filth, rising to highest, which bear some semblance to the nature of their lord.
Cthonae desperately wish to break into reality, to taste reality, to suck emotion from the life forms they find, to savour what they take from, but they are never sated in this. At first, the lesser entities break through, for it easiest for them, they then create bigger cracks and holes in the fabric of the Universe, and bring stronger siblings through, eventually allowing the open maw of the god through, to either feed off the planet's life itself, or dragging the sleeping dragon back into the abyss, to suffer as nothing else could.
Bandit's Take on the Abyss
Cthonae - Blasphemy of the Abyss
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The Abyss is truly the bad guys the evil faction that has only one thing on its mind, consume everything and everyone. Why? why not? because we can? do they have a reason or any reason at all? It doesn't matter in the long run if the Abyss shows up they will attack and they will kill and any other faction is only giving two choices, fight or die. thats it that is all you get let the Abyss win and kill everything or fight them and send them back into the blackness they issued from. The wise choice for any ruler is to stamp out the abyss where ever it is found every single time.
Lian Elune - The Lake Kingdom
Lian Elune
The Lian Elune and its leader Anna Sanda are on the edge of oblivion. Pushed on all sides by the Church of the Only and those blind enough to follow them in a war of extermination. However as hope stands on the blades edge and her options seem to dim around her. The corrupt eyes of the Only Church want her and her people burned and a distance memory of the past. However, new whispers cross over to the armies of the Only, Not only does she have three of the True Eyes of the only church and Mistiriel elves but now it seems the folk of the Maerlemorde and even some of the remaining Eyes see her truth; they have brought what they can to aid her, but it is as nothing compared to the power wielded by the corrupted Eyes. There are whispers of Elohim and they have joined with Anna Sanda and her forces. The Corrupt eyes have also learned that in a recent battle one of their own has been killed. Though all is still grim for the Kingdom of Lian Elune there are forces at play in the background and very soon fresh armies will be ready to strike back for the freedom of the Lake Kingdom! For Anna Sanda!
THE MAERLEMORDE
LIAN ELUNE
Bandit's take on the Lian Elun
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
If you want to have your back against the wall and then jump straight into a fight with a well paid and trained foe this is the faction for you! They have elite troops but no where near the resources they need to field any more than they have now. This is however only the surface when it comes to this faction. The first guardians of the egg were the elves, then the empire and Valerian, now will it be these few upstart nations? The Bandit Kingdom and its City of Solace, The Rose of War, and Lian Elun the its besieged lady Anna Sanda? Will these small nations be the new protectors of the Egg? It seems the Dragon is making its choice and soon all will know. I really do enjoy having factions like these in the game that aren't just one dimentional blah "Calvary Faction" "Bow Faction" "Peasant Faction" "Tank Faction" These factions in our little mod are deep and dynamic. They may be one way at the start of the game but that one be the case later on as war rages.
The Ward of Descati - The Ghaurchlai Resurgent
When Ilien, the Rose of War, took war to the Empire, she moved swiftly. It was said that she wore purity like a flowering bloom, and her men followed her to death and victory. In doing so, she turned their armies back from the few miles of territory they had fought over for years. She beat them back, all the way to Saden, a fortress established after the Ghaurchlai were defeated. Still the ground bore the marks of the ichor of their kind. Here, the Federation made excavations, and the embers of the Ghaurchlai were stirred to life. Some say Descati came from here, as he marched for the Federation some months after, his flag a Federal flag, yet bearing the crimson Hound that his men rallied under. They were like shards of glass where Ilien was a Rose. Where he fought, men died in droves, as did their wives and children. Where Ilien had conquered and 'liberated', he conquered and slew.
It is known now of the events after. The Federation dug in the ice of Cara Hapa, and there they found the Ghaurchlai once more. Descati and his Hounds were ever to be seen, but new creatures were taken from the Ice, and they were given home in Hellspite, in Descati's Ward. His creatures murdered members of the Council of Nine, Shapestealers taking their forms. Five, he slew, enough to gain power. His whispers brought the Four from the East to Strongpoint, and here he engineered the arrest of Ilien, his greatest concern. With her capture, he was set to replace the others, but she was rescued, and the Four immediately moved to the East once more, to contain what news would be given voice there. He failed to stop them, and Ilien was freed.
He has now abandoned civility, abandoned subtlety, and his armies march under a different banner now. The Ghaurchlai are being drawn from the Ice, like a poison, and Descati's eyes, gleaming red in the depths of his helm, are set firmly on the Western Freedom Lands. Here, he can gain his dominion; no more the coercion and the puppeteers role. He intends to smash the strength of the Federation here and gain control. Ilien burns like a flame in his dreams, and he cannot rest with her alive. He knows he is unveiled, and moves with speed. Soon the hosts of the Ghaurchlai will move west, but the greater strength lie still under the ice of Cara Hapa. There were guardians there, and many died, but not all, and these people were wise in the history of his daemonic species. Assassins move under the cover of darkness, shadows that leap silently through the night. Soon the deaths will begin, and full war unleashed on the West.
THE WARD of DESCATI
HELLSPITE
THE ICE of CARA HAPA
Bandit's Take on the Ghaurchlai
The Ward of Descati - The Ghaurchlai Resurgent
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The Ghaurchlai are what is left of the celesti elves and it is a sad story. This part of the race of elves were captured and corrupted by the Abyss twisted into the horrors they are now. Many years ago they were used to by the abyss to try to destroy all life on the planet however they were defeated and in their defeat the hold the abyss had on them broke utterly and now this twisted race of monsters is free. However they still want to kill everything but that now includes the abyss as well and they among any on the planet have the best ability to do so utterly. If a portal to the abyss lay on their left and a village on the egg lay on their right they would be hard pressed to choose a target but in the end i believe they would dive headlong into the abyss and seek revenge for what it did to them. The Abyss would almost be destroyed in the process i am sure.
