Faction - Lanayru Province

[UndyingNephalim]

Lanayru Province

Main Color: Navy Blue
Religion: Goddess Acknowledgement
Culture: Civilized
Rival Factions: None
Cordial Factions: Zora Dominion

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Abilities:
- Quick Learners: The open minded mentality of Lanayru Provinces means their soldiers learn and adapt faster then most soldiers. As such Lanayru soldiers rank up faster then those of other empires.
- Rupee Miners: Lanayru Province sits on top of the largest Rupee Veins in all of Hyrule. As such all economic bonuses are increased in the campaign for Lanayru Province.
- Aquatic: The Zora of Lanayru Province are able to travel over any body of water.
- Fashion Obsessed: Soldiers in Lanayru Province prefer to wear comfortable and stylish clothing rather then professional grade armor into battle, and as such are usually more frail in combat.

How to Unlock in Campaign: Complete a short Campaign as the Zora Dominion or a Long Campaign as any faction.

Centuries ago the Hylians progressed north of their Kingdom and arrived at the northern shores of the land where they met communities of Zora. Rather then force the Zora out through conflict, these Hylians made peace and began to coexist with the Zora. This peaceful relationship grew quite far over time, and before long many Hylians were taking Zoras as mates and creating hybrid offspring of both peoples. When word of this reached both the Kingdom of Hyrule and the Zora Dominion, both races were appalled and considered the act an abomination. Laws were enforced and the inter racial marriages were banned from there on out. Regardless of these restrictions, the modern day Zora of Lanayru are remnants of those half breed ancestors, and throughout the ages Hylians and Zoras have managed to give birth to hybrids under the noses of enforcers. Unlike pure blooded Zoras, the Lanayru Zora display pupilled eyes and usually adorn fins along their heads. Because of the unnatural Hylian mix the head fins are as unique as fingerprints for each Zora. Lanayru Zora skin color also varies widely, those that inherit more Zora traits tend to be more blue like pure blooded Zora, while those that inherit more Hylian traits tend to be more reddish or pink in hue. Regardless of the peace between those of Lanayru, the Hylians, and the Zora, the pure bloods of both races look down upon those of Lanayru. Members of both races that wish to live with the lovers of the other race also tire of being repressed by authority. Unrest in Lanyru is growing, and in secret they are preparing an army should they need to win their right and independence by force. Because Lanayru is technically not a nation in its own right and falls under jurisdiction of both the Kingdom of Hyrule and Zora Dominion, the military force of the area is largely assembled in secret and is composed of mostly volunteers and hired soldiers. Because Lanayru sits on some of the largest rupee mines in Hyrule, the rising rebellion is able to fund a vast army with ease. Unfortunately because their cause only applies to those tired of being repressed, their army is mostly composed of young and untrained hopefuls who have seen little or no war. Despite this, one should never scoff at an army composed of individuals who fight for the right to be with their loved ones, and the fierce desire for independence only makes their armies all the stronger.

Lanayru Province Unit Roster

Standard Units
Conscripts
Coral Lancers
Coral Archers
Coast Riders
Ocean Guards
Guardian Maidens
Battlecrabs
Archer Battlecrabs
Arurodas

Defensive Emplacements
None

Siege Weaponry
Coralmold Ballista

Command Units
Veteran Captains
Veteran Generals

Agents
Lanayru Trader

Heroes/Bosses:
Queen Rutela
Prince Ralis
Laruto
Aydia
Spirit of Lanayru

Special/Other Units:
Maidens of Grace


Conscripts



Common everyday civilians fueled by a need to change the state of the Province, Conscripts are cheap and easy to field in large numbers. Armed with coralmolded swords, Conscripts only have basic fighting skills and prefer to wear comfortable attire currently in fashion rather then military grade armor. They may not be the best sword fighters in the land, but the well funded and eager front line troops of Lanayru Province more then make up with their unmatched determination.

Coral Lancers



For hundreds of years of the Zora have harvested the versatile substance known as coralmold to create their form fitting clothing and armor. The Zora of Lanayru however have found a way to change this rubbery material into components as hard as iron. Wielding lances grown from the coralmold, these soldiers are the first line of defense against an enemy cavalry charge.

Coral Archers



Stationed at outposts all along the northern coast of Hyrule, these archers have grown and cultivated their own breed of Coralmold to fashion their bows and arrows. While not as accurate or fast as traditional arrows, the wickedly sharp tip and peircing power of Coralmold heads can tear through armor much easier.

Coast Riders



While in the past the beaches of Lanayru Province proved to be unsuitable for the horses imported from central Hyrule, the Zora eventually took in the abandoned stock and began to train them to work in the environment. Now several generations later the horses of Lanayru Province are well suited for the muddy and soft landscape of the northern coast.

Shore Sentries



Lurking in the oceans and waterways of Lanayru Province are the Sentries, guardian watchmen whom eliminate threats before they tread too far into the heart of the Province. Armed with two fin blades implanted into their arms, these Zora can pop out of nowhere and surprise an enemy before they know what hit them.

Ocean Guard



At one time these individuals were professional Gyorg hunters, replacing the fins on one arm with a solid coralmold plate to hold off their biting attacks. Now with war on the horizon these hunters put their shielded arms to use as frontline defense in armies. Armed with not only a spear but their shielded arms, the Ocean Guard can hold off most charges from trampling over their forces.

Guardian Maidens



The personal guards of Zora royalty, the Guardian Maidens are sworn into absolute service to the Queen. Their fins removed and replaced by bladed curves, the Guardian Maidens only know how to fight and die for their masters. It is rare to see them outside of the Lanayru capital, and their presence in any army usually means a matter of paramount concern is at stake.

Arurodas



While adults of these arachnid creatures are impossible to domesticate, many game hunters in Lanayru pride themselves over stealing unhatched eggs from Aruroda nests and taming the newborns as pets. As Arurodas get older their more violent tendencies surface, making them prime candidates as beasts of war. While not particularly fast above the ground, Arurodas can burrow and tunnel underneath the battlefield, which makes them ideal for surprise attacks as they surface in the middle of an unsuspecting army.

Archer Battlecrabs



Armed with the same menacing claws and stone-like shell, Archer Battlecrabs have the added firepower of a Coralmold Archer riding on their backs. While difficult to tame, these heavy cavalry double as both a powerful melee unit and ranged attacker.

Coralmold Ballista



Crafted from a blend of wood and coralmold grown in Lanayru Province, these siege weapons are able to unleash bolts unto their targets. While primarily designed to punch a hole in an enemy gate, a well aimed shot can impale a line of soldiers almost instantly.

Queen Rutela



The sovereign ruler of Lanayru Province, Queen Rutela has devoted her life to restoring the place of the half-blooded Zora with the pure-bloods. Despite her actions the pure blooded Zora still look down on those of Lanayru Province. Despite her kind demeanor and calm voice, Rutela is unforgiving to those that oppose her. In a fight she'll sooner snap the neck of an enemy soldier then let them lay arms on her.

Prince Ralis



The son of Queen Rutela, Prince Ralis for the most part has been sheltered from the world by his mother. As an act of defiance he secretly has volunteered as a soldier in Lanayru's newly established army. Because of his small size he prefers to ride on horseback, and despite his young age he's proven to be a fairly decent swordsman in a fight.

Laruto



At one time a well known Gyorg Hunter, Laruto gave up the sport and went into seclusion for some time. Now actively serving Queen Rutela as an ambassador for Lanayru Province, not much is known about Laruto or what happened to her during her years of absence. Still sporting her fin blades from Gyorg hunting, Laruto uses them to great effect when forced into a confrontation with an enemy army.

Aydia



The daughter of a Hylian mother and Zora father, Aydia's parents were put under trial by the Dominion and Kingdom of Hyrule and sentenced to prison for crimes of perversion. Aydia was left orphaned for many years of her life where her hatred for both empires grew. Now an accomplished swordsman, it was Aydia who started the Conscript program and proposed that Lanayru field an army to defend themselves from the eventual persecution of their pure blooded neighbors.

[quenya]

who's Aydia?

[nintendo64isking]

might i suggest an increase in the range of the coral archers to about the same range as perhaps the lizalfos bows at least, at this point in time they feel quite unnecessary due to this limitation in range

[Mjolnr839]

might i suggest an increase in the range of the coral archers to about the same range as perhaps the lizalfos bows at least, at this point in time they feel quite unnecessary due to this limitation in range

i agree. quite a few archer/mage units seem like they have rediculously short range to me.

[Duke Serkol]

So I've been thinking back of these helmet design from Hyrule Historia:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

and the idea came to me: why not make these regional variants for the coral lancers?
Basically, in most regions you can recruit the regular coral lancers as they are now (top right helmet in the artwork).
However, if you recruit from a territory around or in Death Mountain range, you get the Goron shaped variant that comes with a different weapon more suitable to fight enemies with rock hard bodies (some kind of pickaxe?)
In other specific territories (probably those of the Zora Dominion since they live at the source of Zora River) you would get the frog variant which is more capable on land than the standard Coral Lancers and Ocean Guards.
Lastly, in arid territories, like the desert, you would get the helmet on the bottom left (allegedly used to pray for rain). These units would be more akin to the Zora Domain's healers in that they have the ability to raise the stats of other units to counterbalance the averse effects of fighting in arid territories.

What do you guys think?

[PaulH]

I think opening the can of worms that is regional differences is not the best idea, as far as I know, you would need to make each of these variants a completely separate unit and there is a maximum number of unit types you can add (500, I think, and I expect Neph must be crawling up to that number), but once you give one unit type regional differences, people will be clamouring for other units to get this too.

Those helmet designs would be better put to use for Model Variation on the current Lanayru units, or to be used on new Lanayru units.

In my opinion.

[Duke Serkol]

But I thought there already were units you only get in certain territories in the current version of the mod.
I mean that's what these variations would ultimately be, right? all new units that just happen to have something in common with ones obtained in other regions.

[PaulH]

There is a difference between having a specific type of unit only available in certain regions, and having regional variations of the same unit type. Instead of playing as a unique or varied unit that is only available in certain places, it is instead a clone regiment which has a different hat on, which is ultimately a waste of the maximum unit counter. I do think it is a great idea to make use of those other helms, but not to give units regional variation, but instead to improve the random appearances of current units or for brand new unit types.

[Apani]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Okay, visually they're stunning, but why no shields again? Even a militiaman could afford one, yet in this game they're depicted as something only the elite classes can get.

[Drazule]

Specifically in this case, the Lanayru would rather be fashionable/comfortable than armored for...reasons.

Holding a heavy shield in one arm would go against the unit's description of "prefer to wear comfortable attire currently in fashion rather than military grade armor", but would coincide with their description as "well funded"

[UndyingNephalim]

Ehhh, I guess it doesn't excuse at least having a buckler. I might give them bucklers and have their upgrade just give them larger/better shields instead of the shield being the upgrade itself.

[Apani]

You know what always struck me as odd about Lanayru? That they're willing to give their lives for their cause, but they're not willing to change their wardrobe when that could very well save their lives. Remove their fins? Perfectly fine. Wear armour? Clearly they'd rather die.

[Drazule]

Its why I love the Aquamarines so much.

[Apani]

Because those at least have an armour of some sort?

[Drazule]

Yeah, Fully scaled with the heavy leather looking vest over it.

[Cielo the Pachirisu]

I would say armor is probably more expensive to get than a shield. IRL, non-noble soldiers usually erred for a shield when they used one-handed weapons, whereas for a very long time many of them only ever bought cloth armor gambesons with a few bits of metal for protection. This was the case until about the 1400s when armor started getting cheaper as blacksmithing became more advanced.

...but they still need shields. Personally as a medieval military history fanatic, I find the sheer number of one-handed-swords-only soldiers to be disgusting :u. But it is fantasy, so I'll let it slide!


....but seriously, more shields for the poorer troops.

[Apani]

Fantasy does not justify what's illogic. Phisics may work differently in Hyrule so that a woman can behead a pigman in a single sword strike, but things still have to mantain an internal coherency in order to be believable.

Anyhow, looking at the Kingdom of Hyrule, you see that they're advanced or rich enough to provide chainmail armour even for the most basic militiamen. And we know that Lanayru is one of the richest places on Hyrule and that its population descends in half from hylian immigrants (who would've likely carried the smithing technologies over), so the Lanayru government could afford the same armour that hylians have if not better. And aquamarines make it clear that they're also capable of producing metal armour so comfy that you can swim in it. So why don't they give one to every soldier? Maybe Queen Rutela is greedy and frivolous and would rather spend the treasury on fancy parties than on properly arming the guards, but that would leave their immense riches free for targeting by all sorts of bandits and pillagers, so she needs well equipped militias almost as much as the Kingdom of Hyrule does. Only explanation is that everybody in Lanayru is fashion-obsessed to a suicidal extent and other soldiers just think they look bad in iron armour. That said, I doubt lanayrus would be able to survive for long against pureblood zoras ad hylians in these conditions.

[Cielo the Pachirisu]

I completely agree.

But anyway. Bottom line, above anything else, the 1h-only infantry need shields. It just makes practical sense.