Elven Factions Re-Development

[Louis Lux]

High Elves

The elven military is divided into three branches:

Homeguard

These are the elves protecting and keeping watch over the elven lands. They're composed of your average Third Age elves, while more skilled than the human militias they're nowhere near as mighty as the warring elves of the first age.

Sword Quendi
Bow Quendi*
Nórëtirno* Warriors
Nórëtirno Cavalry

*Quendi means all elves or even elf commoner, Nóretirno means homeguard

Army

These are the professionally trained elves. As expected they have the best equipment for war and are among the deadliest units of middle-earth. The barracks event is needed for recruitment.

Eldarinwë* Spearmen
Eldarinwë Swordsmen
Eldarinwë Archers
Eldarinwë Lancers

*Eldarinwë means elven, in particular the elves of the great journey

Specialists

These are the elves specialized in a specific tactic or weapon, they're only available in traditional elven population centers. Since they rely on tradition it is necessary for the Kingdom of Lindon to be restored, which is achieved by conquering ancient elven lands and guilds. With the exception of the Smiths they are not as heavily armed as the Eldar but make it up with skill.

Lindon Longspears
Mithlond Nobles
Imladris Riders
Eregion Smiths



What does this mean in relation to how elves currently work? For one thing the player won't be able to spam heavily armored troops (eldar) early on, for better troops in the early game the player will have to work at restoring the Kingdom of Lindon. Infantry will be scarce so the player will be forced to rely mostly on archers which are more easily available.

Silvan Elves (WIP)

-Silvan archer (bow and sword)
-Silvan spearmen (spear and shield)
-Silvan wardens (throwing spears and shield)
-Mounted wardens (bow and sword)

Heavy Silvan Units (no changes)

Local units unlocked through event (AoR)
-Mirkwood Rangers (bow and sword)
-Lorien Sentinel (bow and pole arm)
-Forester (two handed axe)
-Elvenking Warriors (dual swords)

Renders

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Concepts

Sword Quendi

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Nórëtirno Warriors

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lindon Longspears

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Eregion Smiths

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mithlond Nobles

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Imladris Riders

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Sworn Arqueni

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Thanks

Jean=A=Luc, Bilwit and Aikanar. For their work, ideas, teachings and support.

Team

Louis Lux - concept art, skinning
Jean=A=Luc - unit concepts, balancing, descriptions
Yarrum - modelling
Baron Samedi - scripting
alreadyded - modelling
Lu bu - modelling

Credits

King Kong
Disgruntled Goat
Shredder
bilwit

[Beorn]

I have to say I like the overall concept

As for ideas, I have benn planning for a while to redo the Elven factions for Ruins of Arnor, too, with the help of Squeaks and koultouras, so as to fit in our timeframe.
Maybe my concepts aren't much fitting in the vanilla TATW timeframe, but I'll post them when I'm back from school later, if u want.

[Baywatch]

This sounds great, I'm looking forward to seeing it completed. I unfortunately wouldn't be of much help, otherwise I'd gladly offer it. Anyway, best of luck to you.

[Beorn]

Also, is there a list with which units will remain unchanged, which will be totally new and which already existing will have a new "concept"?

[Chris Nihilus]

-Silvan archer (sword and dagger)
You mean Bow and Dagger ^^

Good idea, by the way. I maybe have some suggestions, i'll write them later.

[Louis Lux]

-Silvan archer (sword and dagger)
You mean Bow and Dagger ^^

Good idea, by the way. I maybe have some suggestions, i'll write them later.

thanks, it's actually bow and sword.

Also, is there a list with which units will remain unchanged, which will be totally new and which already existing will have a new "concept"?

The units that will be changed the least are the eldar and heavy silvan troops. Units that won't suffer many changes in design are:
Eregion Smiths
Silvan wardens (forest wardens)
Mirkwood Rangers
Lorien Sentinel (bilwit's sentinel skin)

For the rest I have a vague idea of what I want, I can send you what I have researched if you want.

[Shocked]

Basic Units - High Elves

-High elven archers (bow and dagger)

I love everything in this, except for the part quoted why can't it be a sword instead of a dagger?

[Louis Lux]

I love everything in this, except for the part quoted why can't it be a sword instead of a dagger?

I wanted to make a distinction between the bowmen and swordsmen, besides it will be just a bit smaller than the swordsmen sword.

[Ellin Athinaios]

Nice, this looks very promising! Just one thing - if you want it to be by the book, don't give the swordsmen these curved movie-swords, but longswords. (You could also give it to all other elven units with a sword...)

[Shocked]

Nice, this looks very promising! Just one thing - if you want it to be by the book, don't give the swordsmen these curved movie-swords, but longswords. (You could also give it to all other elven units with a sword...)

What about long curvy swords?

I wanted to make a distinction between the bowmen and swordsmen, besides it will be just a bit smaller than the swordsmen sword.

Ohh ok yeah that sounds good

[Beregond]

Will you consider adding grey cloak to Lorien Sentinels, Louis? like in the books

and great project you're starting and finally revealed some info

[Pyrosh]

I have concept art for Mirkwood, I have one unit that I called, nobles of Mirkwood with two handed sword. All my units for Mirkwood are addpated to fight in forest, therefore, only one unit have shield, the others have two swords, knive and sword, two knives and lance with two tips. I have to remake some draws but I think that one or two are decent.
And I have to say that I´m happy to be yourself who made this, your work in the heroes is impressive. Good luck mate

[Varjon]

Very interesting overall concept, I agree that some Elven units must be reworked because rosters of Elven factions feel kind of disconnected and they are not as polished as for an example Mordor and Gondor. Units were made by several different people and during different time periods so it's no wonder.

[Louis Lux]

Nice, this looks very promising! Just one thing - if you want it to be by the book, don't give the swordsmen these curved movie-swords, but longswords. (You could also give it to all other elven units with a sword...)

I'll keep the movie's look, but I won't have just one type of sword. The best would be to have a slightly different sword design for each unit to show their uniqueness, feel free to post image references for weapons.

Will you consider adding grey cloak to Lorien Sentinels, Louis? like in the books

and great project you're starting and finally revealed some info

The silvan basic archer unit will be based on Haldir and his pals when they meet the fellowship (they are wearing grey garments).

[Beregond]

yep, Louis! I'm glad that this lore unit will fanilly make it into the game!
have a biiig rep!!

[Pyrosh]

The silvan basic archer unit will be based on Haldir and his pals when they meet the fellowship (they are wearing grey garments).

this is the only pic with total body hehehe

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

And for other swords

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[koultouras]

u should also consider frome's skins and body part additions or new weapons blah, blah, blah
available for this LL, if u eventually decide that u need anything dont even bother asking me!!!

[Quixotry]

The elves are not the warmongering powerhouses some believe them to be in the Third Age. They are described as fading, but what does that mean? For me this means that they feel a great deal of detachment, they feel that this is not their place anymore, and a lot of them have already left middle-earth. So the elves are few, scattered and not looking for a fight.

I agree with this in relation to the High Elves, but I believe that the Silvan Elves in general intended to remain in Middle-earth (though they were certainly 'fading'). After Smaug's demise, Thranduil was able to quickly raise an army of around a thousand spearmen, mainly (as I remember it) in pursuit of treasure. I'm just wondering, will the Silvan Elves' rosters rely on the reunification of Mirkwood as much as the High Elves rely on Eregion and Lindon?

Nonetheless, this is a great idea. I've always been slightly...uncomfortable...with the elven factions, though I enjoy playing as them. I can't offer any help in relation to scripting or modelling, but would be happy to help with descriptions etc. if it is needed. Otherwise, good luck!

[Beorn]

@Louis PM sent.

[Narf]

I approve. + Rep.