Genso Suikoden: Total War, Proposal

[SSJPabs]

I love the Suikoden universe, it has a lot of politics and war naturally and during discussion of whether or not a MMORPG was feasible I thought about how well it would work to make a total war mod. This is only a basic proposal so don't expect anything out of it as I'm using it primarily as a learning experience for now.

So I've begun a little project in my off time--I'm going to attempt to create a Suikoden total conversion for Kingdoms My strength is scenario writing but I'm slowly learning map creation and modeling. I've been modding text/script files, the game map and textures for a year including creating unique units (some of the Santiago units in the GUAM) so I have some idea of what this would involve. Eventually if it gets off the ground I'll ask for help but for now I'm sticking with unit and faction descriptions. This is hampered by the fact that I never played either S2 or the Suikogaiden games but we'll see about remedying that. This is probably a ridiculous project that will never get finished but I thought I'd give it a try and any suggestions or critiques are welcome.

I've written basic scenarios for all the playable factions but only sketched out units for Harmonia and Grassland factions (24 units a piece, about 20 unique units for each of them, though Harmonian units are all based very heavilly on Kingdoms units). There are of course some liberties taken (i.e. Hugo is the "faction leader" of Grassland) but I'm trying to balance the feel of world with gameplay. I'm going to try and incorporate at least some of the Runes and True Rune bearing faction leaders (Sasarai, Chris, Hugo) are nearly immortal. I'd like to include more playables especially Nagarea, Zelant, Armes and Gaien but there's just too little information on them right now and doing to much is the kiss of death. In fact Nagarea and Zelant may only appear as invading horde type factions and Kanakan and Kamaro will work more like Norway does in Teutonic but more aggressive. Culture wise I'm looking at the Britannia system where Harmonia has its own culture, the Grasslanders and Islanders have their own culture and the rest share. Any suggestions or critiques are welcome but please note that I'll be upgrading my computer big time in the next few months so serious work probably won't start until then, one of the main problems will be mapping, there are various ideas of what the lesser known parts of the Suikoden World looks like and I disagree vehemtly with some of the major maps out there.

PLAYABLE FACTIONS
1. The Grasslands
2. Northern Outland Tribes
3. Republic of Tinto
4. Zexen Confederacy
5. Knights of Camaro/Kamaro/Camelot


Non-Playable Factions
1. Republic of Dunan (Greenhill)
2. Kingdom of Holy Harmonia

Sample Grassland Scenario:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Grasslands

Excellent light infantry, and missile troops. Lacks heavy cavalry and armored heavy infantry.

The Grasslands stretch from the Mountains west almost to the coast. Under the endless sky, the 6 clans of the Grasslands have fought each other as often as outsiders--until now. After the successful conclusion of the Second Fire-Bringer War and under the banner of the resurrected Flame Champion, the Grasslands are more unified than ever seeing themselves a singular people with a shared history and culture... unfortunately the Border Wars they fought with Tinto and Zexen 5 years ago have made them realize they must change their ways still more or be crushed by warring powers. An effort, spear headed by Karayan Clan Chief Lucia and Lizard Clan Chief Dupa was launched to establish a much more centralized government, centered on the Flame Champion, Hugo of Karaya, Lucia's son, and the immortal bearer of the True Fire Rune. Locating its new Capital at the Sindar Cermonial Site in the center of the Grasslands, the mission of the Flame Champion and his new Fire-Bringer is to preserve the freedom of the Grasslanders even if that means conquering their neighbors.

The easiest path for the Grasslands is into the northern outlands--cousins of the Grasslanders but more primitive they present easy prey. But their lands are vast and empty gaining them might net the Grasslanders territory but money, manpower, resources to wage war--these things are not to be found in the north without serious investment that Hugo may not have time for.

To the east beyond the difficult mountains lies the mighty Harmonia. Recently defeated in the Second Fire-Bringer War, the Holy Kingdom will not easily lose again to the Grassland savages and the mountains present a formidable barrier. Another option in the south east is Caleria; while belonging to Harmonia Caleria is a rich trade city as the primary crossing point between east and west north of Island Nations. Isolated from Harmonia and always willing to follow profit, they may be amenable to a new set of masters.

To the northwest lies the Kamaro Freestate. In many ways conquering the Free Knights of Kamaro would net the Grasslanders much: strong castles, a base to recruit and train soldiers in their ways. But Kamaro's strength has always been in defense and it may be too much for a young land known for its light warriors to subdue.

To the west lies the Zexen Federation, the Ironheads, traitors to the Grasslands. While Hugo and Knight Commander Chris might have a personal friendship both will stop at nothing to strengthen their homeland. Unable to match their heavy troops and powerful cavalry, the Grasslanders have never been able to subdue the Zexens--but if they can storm the Brass Castle and remain unified under Hugo, they may have a chance to finally win a war against the Zexens.

To south beyond the Milit Forest lies a region fought over in the recent wars between Zexen, Tinto and the Grasslanders. It has rich farm lands and a coast ideal for trading settlements but is largely undeveloped. If the Grasslanders could seize and hold this land they would gain much, but the key word remains if. They could not do it in the recent war and Tinto and Zexen would stop at nothing to keep them from it or each other.

However Grassland decides to proceed Hugo of Karaya knows that unless the Clans work together the Grasslands will be remembered only in stories or song...

Faction Leader: Hugo the Flame Champion, bearer of the True Fire Rune
Starting Generals: Lucia of Karaya, Dupa of Great Hollow, Sgt. Jordi, Franz of Carna

Settlements:
Karaya
The Great Hollow (Castle)
Duck Clan Village
Chisha
LeBuque (Castle)
Alma Kinan
Milit
Serenia (Holy Site: Enables Fire-bringer Units)
Ceremonial Site (Holy Site: Enables Adept Rune Sages)

Units:

Infantry Units
Grassland Militia
Grassland Spear Militia
Duck Halberdiers
Chishan Infantry
Tribesmen (Peasants)
Karayan Swordsmen
Mantor Pikemen
Lizard Clan Grides
Fire-Bringer Heavy Infantry (Requires Serenia)

Missile Infantry
Militia Archers
Rune Sage
Master Rune Sage
Adept Rune Sage (requires Ceremonial Site)
Chishan Archers
Carna Hunters
Karayan Archers
Alma Kinan Crossbow-women
Fire-Bringer Heavy Archers (Requires Serenia)

Cavalry
Karayan Cavalry
Chishan Lancers
Heavy Chishan Lancers
Griffon Riders

Missile Cavalry
Karayan Mounted Archers
Mantors

[SSJPabs]

Dragging up this post because I finally had time to make some progress on the map. I'm going to be placing major settlements first but there will probably be more towns and such that are not in the games or the manga. I also decided to limit the scope to the area of Suikoden 3 because it's my favorite Suikoden, and to make things less complex.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[kkchen88]

i LOve GENSO suikoden from episod 1, is all about WAR WAR WAR. dam nice