[FACTION PREVIEW] The Selediri
FULL FACTION PREVIEW: THE SELEDIRI
KINGDOM OF SILIDIS
SELEDIRI FACTION DETAILS: BASIS
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
WHAT ARE THE SELEDIRI?
The Selediri, simply addressed as their true name, are one of the elven races that began awakening from the conception of the Dragon's Egg in physical matter - so, when the planet/world was at it's youngest, the elves, as they originally were, were fully formed, but in a state of torpor - they were perfect, and ready for life, but the spark had to be provided - as with the egg itself, that was given by the Mother Sun; her Elohim came to wake the elves into life. The Selediri were said to have been the hardest to awaken, but, once awake, also the hardest to keep under control.
The Selediri are the Elves with domain over the dry places, the places where heat brings others to their knees - the most difficult charge of all - to keep healthy something that, of it's very nature, fights against this. They are thoughtto be cold blooded, as they often sun themselves, basking in the heat, behaving in similar kin to the lizards and creatures of the places they oversee. In one sense they carry the burden of both Ildiri and Lindiri, but constrained to arid places, or simply places where life has the hardest fight to survive. Their optimism is said to be endless.
WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?
The Selediri, as with all elves, have two forms; a 'natural' one and a 'Glamour' form; a form designed to appear how others would be more comfortable seeing them, as it would never have suited for the caretakers of the world to appear ferocious or fearsome in any form, save when specifically desired. This is kind of similar to a translator for languages, in that it allows them to meet with other races in similar form and the two can then find immediate common ground.
Their natural form is a simple humanoid, but they appear to be jumpy, almost nervous, brimful of energy that will scarcely rest. They seem as though they are made of very dense liquid - there is a 'skin' but it is not utterly opaque. Beneath this skin are the bones, which are formed of an incredibly tough but hollow rock growth, and the organs, which are formed of vegetation - to filter their fluids are strange red and orange growths and there are Pumice type substances acting as other organs - they do not follow a human pattern of organs, but have their own - they approximate in the same way, if not in the same number and position.
Their eyes are piercing, yet stunning; like endlessly churning liquid pools that change from shade to shade of the colours of fire....many colours that shine at their perfect hue and luminosity. This form is not weak; it is instead rather strong, but physically they probably aren't as strong as humans in some ways, but are blindingly quick, a blur when at full speed, dashing between positions like flitting shadows. Like lizards, they are capable of incredible movement speed, are incredibly strong and their minds are strange to most, filled with spiritual questions, for they are the most curious of all races. However, much like lizards, they tire quickly, and, like all that are detrimentally curious, they get bored of all things, save one - the spiritual art of combat. The Selediri are, without doubt, the most skilled artists of war that could ever have been conceived; yet they are most notably flawed.
In their reactive/defensive form, they appear as human in form, with completely normal skin tones - a form they call 'blooded'. Their eyes shine and follow similar colours to their natural form. The darker skinned areas are usually deeper shades of fire in appearance; so you get find their darker skin areas are deep reds and their hair is often blonde or a very burnt sienna colour. They seem solid, opaque, comfortable looking to the eye, and intensely captivating; where the Ildiri are a thing of unnatural and distant beauty, the Selediri are a thing of captivating, desirous, wonders. Their charisma is legendary, as their nature is to laugh and play tricks, but they have a darker side; one of the deepest, terrifying anger, but this is brought to the surface only in extreme circumstance - most of the time they just sulk if offended. Lucily, true anger seems to slide from their minds as swiftly as it comes.
FACTIONAL UNITS: KINGDOM OF SILIDIS
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
MILITARY
The Selediri have one of the most sophisticated cultures and societies there is, and their military is unusual. They maintain a standing army, but it is carefully organised, each section being held under a Dragon Blood noble, in a vaguely feudal fashion. Those who fight in most situations are 'regular' troops - they spend their lives training and are constantly mobilised, despite rotation of duty for 'Dreaming'. Only in the most dire of situations - merest survival - would they call on any kind of 'reserve' forces, as these are the people that are crafters, farmers...the lifeblood of the realm, and it is the duty of the army to protect them.
They are not an expansionist culture, but they fight for 'what is right and correct', for moral reasons, and they fight to protect the Dragon they look after. This is absolute - the entire species would die to see the Dragon safe. The Selediri will be apt to fight an entire war over the death of a rare creature in their deserts as much as for greater things. They are like children in their emotional responses, and tend towards swift, reflexive reactions rather than deep thought.
The Dragonbloods are the perfect warriors, and they tend to control and organise the armies, but they are not always present. This usually leads to an argument about who will lead - none of them will actually want to, so the argument is about who can manage to avoid leadership; however, there is a spiritual hierarchy that will often decide it in the end - or a simple game will decide the fate of the army's generalship. Possibly the main weakness of the military is the disparity in warrior orders, and the fact that the majority of fighting units are apt to do whatever they want, tearing through the foe with such swiftness that they tend to win anyway. Of course, the main weakness of the people as a whole is the cycle of hibernation and wakefulness. It means that many of their best are 'Dreaming' at any one time, leading to certain difficulties in emergencies.
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The Selediri are probably the most skilled fighters in the world; quick, evasive, weapons masters, they scythe through enemy ranks. They are a people of extremes. Often they are found lazing under the hot sun on rocks, some times spurious, other times laconic, but often swift and decisive at precisely the right moment.
They were the third elves to be awakened by the Celesti, and learned how to protect them selves early on, with a natural instinct and ability for warfare. They discovered Sunstone, and it''s properties, digging up vast quantities of it to make their homes; pyramidal cities that float off the ground, powered by the reaction of Sunstone to the sun - the vast energies it creates, which can be seen but not felt.
The Selediri are blessed by a multitude of allies from the Avatars and those awakened by the Lindiri - Madashiri Jackalweirds fight for them, Manticores grace their armies with their savage abilities - many 'beasts' fight for them, and they are their teachers and protectors in return. With little time, the whole nation can become ready for any war, and war there will be; that much is certain.
The Madashiri
'When mining for the Suntone, the Selediri awoke an avatar, a peculiar beast that slumbered in the dark, where the fractures lay within veins of darkness amongst the rock. Here they discovered the Madashiri, who lay in torpor, staining the sunstone which gave them the little warmth necessary for them to live and allow them to serve the desert's treasures as guardians and judges both.'
'Fell in battle, wielding enormous sickled blades, they were given terms by the Selediri, which took them to be allies and guardians both - after the parleys were over, and the workings of the Selediri were shown to be honourable, protective and symbiotic, the Madashiri, known more commonly as Jackalweirds, served their new allies in peace and war. They undertook building of the Selediri Pyramid cities, where their powers unlocked the latent magic in Sunstone, causing the cities to float above the deserts themselves, powered by the very sun the Selediri worshipped.'
The Madashiri seem to be bonded with metal, as there is gold in their flesh, but it is a metal known as 'Living Gold', which can be fused with life, but is most often melded to solid form and made into weapons, especially by the Selediri, who possess the skills to liquify it once again.
UNITS of the SELEDIRI FACTION
THE SUNDAWN ARMY
The warriors of the Sundawn Host are the regular army's basis for war. They are always armed, training and ready for battle, as the Selediri know that there are many foes, but fear one above all; the cold eyes of the Abyss. During the Ghaurchlai Genocide, the whole kingdom was placed in darkness, and the great cities fell to the earth. A massive assault on the kingdom occurred shortly after, and the regular army was beaten in the field. Their sacrifice, however, was planned, and the more important designs behind their defeat allowed the King to prepare for siege, and the rest of the army to move north, to link with Jayen Harker. Ultimately, they won, but the Sundawn will fight and die, without hesistaion. For a 'regular' army, they far outshine most others of such a lowly title.
The Dune Shrouds have an evocative title, and foes say they wear a mantle of night and death. Whilst untrue, they perform as scouts and ambushers, and sometimes assassins. They can 'meld' with sand, their own form slipping between molecules, like water through sand, and they become completely hidden, only to spring out amongst an unsuspecting foe.
Mostly used defensively, the Dream Sect are based in cities, where they form guard units to protect the lower levels where the Selediri 'Dream' and are reborn. They are solid heavy infantry, and are incredibly difficult to move or hurt. Even the Khezdruli mention that these are every bit as good as the Dwarves at holding ground. They possess an innate ability to increase their mass, which makes them heavier, and holds their line in war, as their armour is expertly crafted, as befits a guard unit.
The Dawn's Furies are actually a semi-religious sect. They use ley-based attacks, both in missile and melee warfare, and their horses can outrun any other on sand. Tireless, they are driven by anger, and many think them as a danger to their own race, but they constantly train for the worst to happen, and will be vital in full, open war.
DYING SUNS AT WORK
The Dying Suns are an old order of religious warriors. They are a bizarre piece of Selediri society. Where most are eternally quixotic, these are the epitomy of pessimism. They want to die, but refuse to do so uselessly, so they wish to carry their unnatural desire to an end with meaning. SMall in number, they are explosive in their deaths. Luckily, they are few, but their fighting skills are enhanced by a vicious use of magic, which can rout entire sections of an enemy army. Sadly, they are also entirely indiscriminate, and will kill any of their own people that are exposed to their demise.
The elite of the Phoenixians are immediately recognisable, and strike fear in any enemy they face. Their armour is crafted over years, using many secret techniques, blending Living Gold with steel. They are utterly unbreakable in battle, and their use as heavy shock troops is unparalleled. Mounted, their wedges can rip an army in two, and they sing as they kill, an ethereal beauty in the song, out of place in the result of the singers' actions. Their white armour and cloaks do not take any form of filfth from war, and they often stand at a battle's end shining in white, where everyone else is covered in red.
The Elohim retained several orders, probably four or five, and they left a very small amount of their people in key places, as much as their 'Seeings' showed them where to build vaults and prepare areas for later dangers. These are not 'fully' Elohim, but they have strong blood in them, and they are of the greatest of the Dragonbloods. In short, they are graceful, angelic warriors, whose Keening Wail is like shattering glass for Abyssal creatures or beings.
Dragonbloods are talked about elsewhere. These are the epitomy of the Selediri warrior culture, and their memories stretch back ten of thousands of years, and their experience is matchless, even by the immortal things of the Abyss, who tend to devour one another before much wisdom can gather - or simply don't register thought at all. However, there are few Dragonbloods who can simply fight as units. They are disparate and they only match themselves against opponents they wish to see if they can beat. In full war, they will come together more swiftly, and any foe becomes worthy for being killed by them.
The Cocatrice are Avatars of lesser power. They are lizard-like, but their descent is through a blend of both bird and lizard, and they are flightless. Swift, deadly, terrifying, they stalk foes, and their weakness is that they like to eat the enmy dead. Some say it heals them, even as they devour those they have slain. They are difficult to control, as their nature is of a clod fury, and they dislike killing anything that is not needed to be killed - in the wild, they hunt and stalk for fun, but do not kill, as Ley sustains them physically. The effort of eating their foes has been linked by some Channellers as a method of spiritual aid to the Farstream.
Manticores are an odd manifestation of desert Ley build-up. In certain places, these creatures are made by uncontrolled Avatars, who form these bodies around them, melding images of several creatures to one, that they then wear as bodies of sorts. They are vicious creatures to those that hurt their lands or their Selediri allies, and they can use magic to fire spikes of a shadowy manifest that pierces any armour save Malech, which repels them. Add to these ghostly missiles tremendous strength and agility and a desire to destroy, and you have one of the darker aspects of desert life; the place between day and night, where neither hold sway.
UNIT SHOWCASE:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Making units for the Selediri has been a hard one. Nothing's perfect, but the Mod needs a LOT of units! When you make a faction the best fighters, are Elves, it should look beautiful and need some beasties, then it's all the harder. I love them, and I've surprised myself hugely with them. I scrapped all of the original ones I made, and they kind of fell into place. They'll have fairly small units, but they'll look goodIt's worth showing a few bits of how they look a bit closerer.
The Sundawn are the regular Selediri army units. Like Legions of the Empire, they are the basis of their war effort. Because of the description of the bunch, they needed to look cool, so gold and red splotch away. BanditKS had a bit of influence for me finding the right look.....the fins are his. If they look 'too good' for base troops, then it's because they are Selediri. Playing them should be fun!
The White Dragon Sect are one of the first models made, and they paved the way for the look of the mod in general. The main unit of them actually fly, but these are lesser versions, as the flying ones are for Ilien: Rose of War. White's a nasty colour to work with, but it's seems okay here (?) They're just cool for me. Seeing that they're so old in terms of the mod's progression, I'm chuffed. However, it's not my job to congratulate myself :p
These little fellas were the result of making the rest of the others and having kind of peaked on them. They had to be the best I could do, and they're a bit 'arty', so I hope that's good. They should be stuck wherever the fighting's hardest, because they should be horrible to kill off. Looks-wise they're one of my top five favourites, but there's still a fair few models to go in the mod. As with everything, I welcome any viewpoints...our team are pretty good at criticising things, and there's no miffed people or arguments at the end of it, but you'll be playing it.
Just a swiftie of a show of the close up armour of the Phoenixians. I like it because it's not your usual chainmail or scale mail. If they're too indistinct then they are. The other thing about this screen is that all of the other base units also wear greaves and the vambraces too, but the Phoenixians are unique in their body mail textures.
None of my work is perfect. There are tons of units, and I take shortcuts with some things, just to get them done. Other stuff I don't, but I hate the idea of churning out crud, just to fill the rosters. There will be some bad bits though
I hope you like 'em, and that they were worthy of the mod in general! People have said they're happy to wait years for it...you won't have to at all. The smaller one will not be years, as people are very dedicated, and the team works very well together. Whilst someone does one thing (or two or three people), others do others, and really it's the coding and text that will delay anything, but it's being worked on. Having makanyane involved is heaven.
Sqk
FACTIONAL LORE & MAPS:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
HISTORY OF THEIR RACE from their perspective
Under the Rays of the Sun, we were born, their light giving us life, and we came from the sands to lie upon the rocks and bathe in it’s glory. Warming our bodies upon the rocks, we stayed for an age amongst the dunes, and our bodies were made stronger, for we were born cold and weak, and we needed the Sun to strengthen ourselves. Yes, and we needed the Ley, the lifeblood, to give us intellect, which we were not born with, our cold blood becoming warm, like that of the animals of the woods and hills. But we knew little of this, until the day the Celesti came.
They appeared among us, and a light shone from them, a different light from Ours, but we recognised it’s glory all the same. The ones that stayed, they taught us to speak, and think, and, yes, to wonder and revel in life, to love and to give back to the land what we took as food. Yet more we learned without them.
We talked to the plants and beasts, and we knew of all things that life was the greatest gift, for we were alive, and we had true joy at what had been our gift. Our responsibility was to the force of existence.
They taught us of many things, and of the Ley, which we took from the land every waking day, and gave back during each cold and lonely night. Our blood cooled at night, and we learnt to make fabrics, to weave and make clothes to warm us at night, and we created fire-stones, stones that were infused with Ley, to glow with heat in the dark of night, giving light and warmth...greater versions of these heated our halls and caves.
The Ley was a wonder, and the best among us learnt to manipulate it, and we built dwellings of sand, dwellings which became white sand towns, then cities, and we were taken to see the others, the Lindiri, so close in some ways, so distant in others, and the aloof, yet learned, Ildiri, born of the Moon, our only true friend during the long nights. We were brothers, then and ever will be.
We taught our friends of our ways, learned of theirs, debated, argued and laughed together under the hallowed bodies of Sun, Moon and Stars, and in the Twilight times we speared through the fogs to see the Lindiri and their animals at play.
Our diets changed, and we grew taller, but never as tall as the Ildiri or Celesti, similar more to the Lindiri in stature, but our blood was cold, theirs warm, and we talked to the other beasts of cold blood, and learnt their ways of life and existence, as we taught each other of life. We knew early on that nobility of mind and spirit are far beyond the physical in their nature.
As time passed, our people began their pilgrimages, at first to learn all that we could of our brothers, then, slowly, to begin education in every area and to learn of the memories of the lowliest avatar, to tend to the barren places and to develop our culture.
One of our pilgrim bands came upon an anomaly in the deepest desert; a stone that floated during the day and settled at night. This evoked curiosity beyond anything we had ever know, and we studied the stone for days, eventually assisting the latent Ley that it was found to be storing during the daylight hours. With small changes, a Channeller named Elentis managed to get the stone to float consistently, but still required the daylight sun to do so. With further acceleration, other tricks could be observed, and a month of such work gave a thorough knowledge.
What truly surprised Elentis was that a search for more of this stone, which he named Sun Stone, revealed a massive concentration of the rock beneath where he stood. It was said to have stretched for miles in every direction, and he began an excavation. During this period, we built new cities from this stone, and these vast pyramids floated above the earth. Huge ramps could be extracted or collapsed, and they remained safe; more so than ever we could have dreamed. It was during this time an accord was struck with the Madashiri Avatars, whose home was buried in the very veins of the Sun Stone. We expanded our knowledge of such things, and great treaties were made between the Selediri and the many avatars of the barren deserts.
Time seemed to stand endlessly, a vast and uncounted truth in our world, yet we began to take measure of it, as the difference between day and night meant so much more to us than any others. Over the years, we learned to defend ourselves, as there were things that were alive that needed to be averted from our homes, and things that would damage our works, many of which had no knowledge of what they did. So we began to learn to fight, and we spread this to the others, but we excelled at it - even beyond the Celesti - and it became such a joy that it went to the heart of our being - it was the first truly spiritual pursuit for us, seemingly endless. Variants of methods and weapons were created, and we began to use Ley to augment our abilities, again passing such knowledge to our brothers, who in the main seemed ambivalent, whereas our very souls sang of it. What we made of it was a spiritual blossoming, as we understood how much we had to forge responsibility of spirit into the methods of combat, and the others saw little of this growth inside us, and no demonstration was forthcoming from us.
Then came the Khezdruli, and many of the Celesti left to teach them. They were fascinated by the stones that grew in our lands, and often stole them from their resting place, but we forgave them; they were children at the time, and knew no better. We thought they would grow away from such behaviour, but we didn’t know what was to come: an horrific war, during which our talents would be seen at their deadliest. This war with the Dwarves was a savage stain in our very souls, but was utterly unavoidable. Of the Elves, we were the least enthusiastic and the most deadly.
At first we refused to believe all the Ildiri told us, but then we saw the Holts they had built, what they did to the rivers and seas, and we marched to the aid of those that wished to go to war. The Ildiri and Lindiri argued much, but the Celesti stayed away from this course of action, until they learned of the Dwarves' mining of the very nervous system of the Dragon; THEN they went to war with a vengeance. We feared the dark places, but this simply intensified our need to test ourselves. In the early days our very presence was enough to drive off some of the 'Unfinished'.
It was mindless, a slaughter of tens of thousands, and we won many small victories, yet the final victory seemed far away, and many times we questioned what we were doing. We saw how even the Celesti were in fury, and we owed them much, so we stayed fighting. In a way, we never understood the War, but we fought hard for our kin. Many of our people slept forever at the war's ending.
The Khezdruli invented their killing weapons, and the war became harder. We were never truly numerous, and we saw the deaths of many of our folk, men and women, but we stayed and our support to the cause of war grew. There was the Council, the day when the Dwarf Azaraghaal came to us and argued a defence against our actions. We voted to end the war, as did the Lindiri, and the Council was tied. Then the Ildiri relented, but the Celesti never did.
There are no known records of the Infection. It is possible that it has been buried, or that some of the oldest Dragonbloods would keep their memories still.
We went back to our old ways, and we grew again, but then the folly of the humans arose, and we saw the Celesti turn their backs on us, but we wanted so desperately to teach these new animals the ways of harmony and peace, to make up for the decline of the Dwarves into their Hunger, unaided. Our faith deepened as we knew more of these humans, and we took groups of them, teaching them to live in the deserts. In the main, these remained deferential to what we had, and they never scourged the lands of the Dragon's Bounty - rather they showed a keen respect, which they still do exhibit, but we have seen what humans do to other places, and we simply await the summons to war in much the same way as we had been pulled into the annihilation of the Dwarves. It seems inevitable.
We trained the humans, and, to us, it was a good thing to do. When the Ghaur came, we had an ally in these Humans....we could not see any end with humanity that was truly horrific, and never were we alone in those Dreamings.
SOCIETY
The Selediri live in vast floating cities - pyramids made of Sunstone, that store the ley of the Sun in order to give this energy off when channelled; they use this to build their pyramid cities, and their people live inside the hollow structures.
There are stages to the life of a Seledir. These often form either periods of hibernation or deep spiritual illumination - 'Dreamings'. The males and females follow different paths, but they pass through the doors of several cults (they have a wide choice of progression), which send them on pilgrimages, teach skills and ask of them many services. As they achieve their tasks, they move onwards. At the end of adolescence, they begin to fall into the martial cults, and the training in the art of 'beautiful death' begins. This is not a sense of death through battle being glorious, as with some human cultures, but simply that one should die for something that matters, and death should be a claimant to only the most purely noble of spirit. A beautiful death could be falling down a hill, borken, if the dying elf would have walked the dangerous hill for the sake of another.
Those that have fought the Selediri remember them well, if they survived. They leap like salmon and their sword blows are perfect and deadly, seeking out weak places with precision, the blades carving through mail with ease. Their curved blades are made for the 'draw cut', which opens a foe up with a single slice. No one forgets them. Only the warriors of Cho Tetsu follow anything near this path, and others are driven by base emotion rather the worship of a skill itself.
SELEDIRI AND THE GHAURCHLAI
The Selediri were instrumental in the loss of the Celesti, whom they never particularly liked. When the fateful meeting took place, where the Celesti were driven away, the Selediri responded to the Lindiri Animist killing a Celesti. Rather than diffuse the situation, they slaughtered the Celesti that fought, and pursued the ones that fled. When asked why by the Ildiri, their answer was 'They would have brought war anyway, so we gave them it. To oppose lunacy is paramount'.
When the Celesti began their construction of the six golden towers, the Elohim called upon the Selediri first, and they marched instantly to war. They were to be reinforced by the others, but the comets struck the towers even as they marched on them. Watching the towers crumble and sink was a terrible moment, but the Elohim had imparted on them that these towers were an abberration, so they simply recorded it and returned home. The Elohim travelled on to the site of the Void Temple, drawn by Dreaming themselves.
During the war with the Ghaurchlai, the Selediri suffered. The Ghaurchlai had a vehemence towards them they did not hold towards the other Elves. They covered most of the kingdom in darkness, forcing the floating cities in the south to crash into the ground. Some ruptured, and the Ghaur swept over them like ants. The southern army was obliterated, as the main moved north, and the King was besieged in his capital. Intervention by the Empire allowed them to survive, and all Dreamers awoke to war at once. The Ghaurchlai suffered terrible losses against the vengeful survivors, and their forces on the borders of the Khezdruli were driven back by Selediri units, allowing the Dwarves to join the war with their Gnomes.
Selediri Capital Strat-Map Model
These are a basic idea of their floating cities. Makanyane wants to make one for the battlefield, and she will - you can be sure of it; she's got several ideas already....I think fighting over one of these would be pretty cool.
MAPS of the KINGDOM of SILIDIS
The DragonDawn Map is the Beautiful Work of DANNY X
MINOR FACTION DETAILS:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
DRAGONBLOODS & THE DREAMING
The Selediri have an inner society known as the 'Dragonbloods'. These are, in fact, the first Selediri to have awoken, alive still, with all the memories from that age. They are the only species that have living members of the first of their kind, and this is bent around their society. Dragonbloods tend to lead most things, but they are remarkably absent of arrogance, tempered by what they have seen and experienced. This is based around the method of Selediri life, death and breeding, and the Dreaming.
When a Selediri perishes, they often enter the Dreaming, which is a flow of spirit between sleeping Seledir. In this state, they develop their combat skills, as this allows them to merge a spiritual perspective to the physical ability to fight. It also allows the dead to bring their own spiritual strength to see if a return to life is 'wanted'. Should a Selediri 'dead' possess enough strength, and the Dreamers see them and believe in them, it is said that they bring them back. This can take decades, but it is known that there are vessels of magic deep within the Pyramid Cities that allow the physical rebirth of a dead Seledir. This is how the Dragonbloods survive. The Dreaming and rebirths ensure that the best of their kind continue their lives, and that the younger can marry spiritual matters to physical and mental. In such fashion do the Selediri rise far above what they were.
Dreamers will take a small cell deep into the pyramids to live within and then enter torpor; much like a lizard entering winter. They become so slow they Dream, and they have visions, can interact in the dreams they face or create, and their bodies renew their youth as they do so. Sadly, this does, to the wise, show how few Selediri are actually born for the first time, as they are not numerous.
SELEDIRI AND LEY USE
The use of Ley energies to power 'magic' is a vital part of Elven life. They use it achieve all sorts of wonders and more basic needs. Their task as 'caretakers' means they use magic to make them capable of looking after their demesne in the first place. However, they can turn their power to war just as quickly. Hovering platforms carry Leyplume Firecannons, which fire raw Ley at their enemies, swiftly annihilating whole units. Yet they cannot sustain an barrage for long, their capability is hugely damaging. In terms of smaller or personal use, they have the Dying Suns, who use their own bodies to drain Ley from, hurling it at foes at close range or even as they connect in battle. This use is very hard to judge or control, and they can also obliterate their own kin. Elsewhere, Ley weapons - bows, swords and javelins - cut through foes with practised ease, but they are not excessive, and the nature of the magic lies in fire and energy, which can be dampened by weather. Like all Elves, their use of magic is tempered by knowledge and wisdom.
IMPORTANT FIGURES
KING ADALANDIS EILESEIL
King of the Selediri, a Dragonblood of incredible power, Adalandis is the first of his line, superceding the older dynasty that ruled a mere hundred years ago. He has awoken over a hundred times and has been killed seven times, but never has asked to be King. His Spirituality is deep, but he remains wholly within the physical Present, and he knows where the world is going, as his wife was plagued by visions for centuries, before she ended them in despair. He still dreams of her, and her memory is burned deep within his psyche. He knows what is coming, and knows it for what it is: The Abyss Hungers.....
CAELIAN DAWNSTAR
The Dawnstar is the General of Silidis, usually standing with the Sundawn Army in the kingdom's south. Recently, he has marched north, to stand watch on the border between CHo tetsu and the Principality. Normally, he would urge aid to the Prince, but he instead watches, as the Prince attempts to find his way through the Only's increasing hold. Should he deny the Only, they will aid the Pawn Saints, and will probably need to do so against multiple foes. Should he not, then they may well watch the Principality fall.
METHREDIAN DAUR
Commander of the Dying Suns, he is a quiet man, but his voice is laced with power; that of the storm. For generations, the Dying Suns have stepped into Despair, and turned it from their people. They have fed their own deaths to bring life back into their people, and none has been better served than this man, for he was a Dying Sun in the Ghaurchlai Genocide, and he is the only one of that order to have ever been Reborn.
EDESENBRIS ELESIAN
Warden of the Phoenix Court, this man is the personal bodyguard of the King, and he leads the Phoenixians by the same token. He is skilled beyond measure with all weapons, and his mind is clear of all but his duty, yet he is also betrothed to the daughter of his King. Many f the younger Selediri idolise him, and he 'burns bright', as the saying goes. Martial excellence, balanced in body, mind and soul, he is an obstacle to the depredations of the Abyss, and he has breached some of the secrets of the Only Cult in the Principality, whom he fears more than open war.
PRINCE ALATIERNE
The 'Firestorm', Prince Alatierne is a skilled warrior, but his excellence lies in the reading of others' hearts and motives, and empathising with their needs and feelings. He is gentle at times, and he works in parts and places of the Kingdom most nobles try to avoid like the plague. He is kind and gentle, yet he runs through with metal in his bones, should he need to find strength. If he faces something in opposition, it is widely regarded by others that it NEEDS to be opposed.
PRINCESS EXERIEANA ELIESEL
The Princess is no Ithil. She is stunningly beautiful, she is kind in the main, yet she yearns for martial pursuits. Selediri women train, they fight and they are vastly superior to Selediri males in the arts of Channelling Ley. She is no exception. Her handmaidens are known as the 'Fire Mares', and they are superlative horse archers, yet are not active beyond their friendships with their Princess, who they call the 'Burnseed'.
ADMENDRIEN NORTHSTAR
The Northstar is special to the Selediri, as it is the only night-star to glow with the sun's light, shining an orange, flickering intently. This man is commander of the Dawn's Furies, and heads the Dune Shrouds too. These two forces, once sp distant and sometimes disliked, have been brought togather by the Northstar, and they range beyond the sands of Silidis now. An active force, they constantly take actions against enemies beyond the borders; largely in Cho Tetsu and the Principality, as some of the factions in these lands seek harm, or cause harm without understanding, to his land and people. He is careful and precise, and his name is known to his enemies, etched in bloody ruin.
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TEAMIES' VIEW POINTS of the SELEDIRI
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
NEKO'S NIBBLE
Selediri are Sun Elves!!! You saw the units? Saw the YouTube video and what they can do? Nuff said. Have fun playing them when the mod gets released
Eloquent as ever
BANDIT'S BLURB
On the Lore side of things I really do enjoy the idea of the Selediri, they are the most war-like and war ready elven race however unless the Dragon is threatened they don't use said ability. Outside threats to the dragon they do go to war for a just cause. As long as they are left alone they are the best sort of neighbors to have. Their cities are powered by the Sun itself and the very material they make their buildings and war machines out of absorb enough power through the day to work through the night without fail. On the game side of things you really couldn't ask for a better starting position. You have an extremely strong defense being set up on a peninsula, and the army you can field through the game is not weak by any stretch of the imagination. The factions around you are already fighting other empires, which allows a crafty Selediri commander easy early pickings. The late game however will produce much larger wars where the warlike ability of the Selediri should be brought to bear on anyone who would appose them bringing order to the Egg.
LEO'S PROCRASTINATION
The Selediri should be one of the most interesting factions to play as. From the start, you have a number of options for expansion with wars raging all around the western continent with the Cho Tetsu invading from the sea and Ilien revolting against the rule of the Federation. While these factions are distracted, you can either choose to grow peacefully, using your early alliance with the Empire to ward off any would be attackers, or strike while the iron is hot and make use of arguably the most powerful military available in DragonDawn to take advantage of your rivals whilst they are distracted by their separate wars.In addition to the powerful elf units, the Selediri can make use of mythical beasts such as Cocatrices, Manticores, and one of my favourite units, the magical Dying Suns. All in all this can be an incredibly strong faction to play as, or an even deadlier foe if you choose one of their enemies...
WILLOW'S WALL
Militarily, the Selediri are nearly flawless. They have archers, cavalry, and infantry all in abundance. What they lack in heavier troops they make up for with access to mythical avatars, and dangerous ley-casters. While the final fine-tuning of the Selediri faction is yet to come, i can see this as being an easier faction to play. The Selediri are surrounded by factions already mired in their own wars- Ilien wars with the Federation, and Cho Tetsu fights against Principality. The Khezdruli control only a single settlement without reinforcements, and the Empire begins as allies. Taking advantage of your warring neighbors pre-occupation can allow you to take a large number of settlements before any enemy can react. Selediri, then, has a safe initial position that can be fairly easily consolidated. The greatest challenge for a Selediri leader will come when you attract the attention of some of DragonDawns giants- the Ghaur, Chitkinnen, and Empire factions could very well be too much for even the Selediri skill at arms if they are not prepared…
DeVRIE's DRIBBLE
They have a very positive and optimistic feel about them. They feel young, dynamic and imaginative, as opposed to, say, the Federation or Empire, who give a monolithic, static and worn vibe. What called my attention the most was the word untested. I get the idea they haven't been on their knees in the mud cradling a wounded friend's head and looking to the sky in desperation. They seem the less-grim of all the races I've read up on, which prolly arent all of them. They're like a proud kid on the first day to school. But are the bullies waiting around the corner? XD
There's a lot of emphasis on their martial skills and pride, but also their isolation, since they haven't been touched by the world's miseries. So maybe this war will cost them their naivete even if they can compete millitarily. Then again, the part where you explain their military, they do seem extremely powerful, so I'm not sure if their optimism stems from their military prowess, or if war if somehow a bit like a sport to them (in an competitive infantile way, not a cruel one)
At the same time, reading through the Important Figures part the first guy seems like a badass and a veteran so maybe they've been involved in many conflicts? i maybe missed that.
As to the models, well they are very ornamented and brightly coloured which suits them.
A SQUEAKING TAIL
I love the Elves really. They were always a first interest, but not the greatest in the end. The Selediri should be quite open to play. They've the Cho Tetsu invasion of the Principality, the possible 'Only Cult' messing IN the Principality, and a possible war between the Principality and the Fennweyr to decide on, which could tie them up for dozens of turns. There's also dwarves, and the Ghaurchlai resurgent, Feds. There's a lot of trouble, and none starts immediately in their realm. The Selediri MAY have some cleaning up of rats too.....then again, what the hell do I know? I'd lose with the best factions and win with the rats because they're just cool, and don't mind dying a lot....
OTHER MODS for RTW and MedII
We wanted to try to be a little unselfish and point to some other mods for the Rome: Total War (one) and Medieval TW 2, so you get a jump straight to ones you may not have seen yet. DO have a look, DO post and support them. Anyone modding needs support.
We concentrated on Fantasy Themes
TOLKIEN INSPIRED MODS
These are fantastic mods, and if you think that older games can't do something amazing, think again!
Lord of the Rings Total War (RomeTW Alexander)
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...W%29-%28ALX%29
The Fourth Age (RomeTW BI)
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...TW%29-%28BI%29
First Age (MedII Kingdoms) WIP
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...lin-preview%29
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?595855-quot-First-Age-Total-War-quot-%28Kingdom-of-Nargothrond-preview!%29
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...ves-preview%29
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...of-F%EBanor%29
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...lum-preview%29
Third Age (MedII Kingdoms)
If you don't know this one.....
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...-Age-Total-War
WARHAMMER MODS
Warhammer (RTW) The whole World of Warhammer!
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...mmer-Total-War
Call of Warhammer (MedII Kingdoms)
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...l-of-Warhammer
The Sundering (MedII Kingdoms)
The Elven schism in Warhammer
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...the-Witch-King
FANTASY MODS
Unique and personal settings
Akthross (MedII Kingdoms) A Unique World by a lovely friend
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...ross-Total-War
End of Days 1 and 2 (RTW)
See what our Teamie Makanyane did with Halie Satanus
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...-Days-%28BI%29
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...ising-%28BI%29
Hyrule (MedII Kingdoms)
The World of Zelda
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...-War-%28HTW%29
THERA: Legacy of the Great Torment (MedII Kingdoms)
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...-Great-Torment
SPECIAL MENTION (Historical for MedII Kingdoms)
Rise of the Three Kingdoms
Based on the Three Dynasties of Ancient China
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...oms-%28RotK%29
The Last Kingdom
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum...e-Last-Kingdom
Go see them!
Buy the game if you don't have the right one.
Teamies and Credits TEAMIES and STUFF
The World/Setting and Writing: Squeaks
Models/Animation/Buildings: Squeakers, Makanyane, BanditKS
Text Work and the Really Nasty Stuff: Kaiser Leonidas, Makanyane, Danny X, Sqweeks, BanditKS
Code Work etc: Makanyane, Mank, Withwnar (:p) Most definitely not Sqwakks
Combat, Fighting, Unit Stuff: Willowran, DeVrie
Graphics: Squeakford, Shankbot, Danny X
The Map: Danny X
Main Testy-types: Kaiser Leonidas, Nekogenijalan, DeVrie, Willowran, BanditKS
FOR THE PREVIEW: Nekogenijalan is the one to thank for the making and moaning enough.
The rest is loooooooooooong, and listed everywhere. I've forgotten most of it, but it's all there!
If I have missed something, then it really isn't intentional
Thanks to everyone for being interested and nice.
DragonDawn Mod Info
Please Read! The Mod is being worked on in two stages; a smaller 'Minimod' and the Grand Campaign.
The reason we're doing a smaller version is so we get something out, and make the basis for the larger campaign. The Minimod has nine factions, the larger has over twenty, so we'll be able to get that out more quickly. Work on the minimod is well underway, and, once out, we can then use the base we have to simply expand upon into the main one, having made life a whole lot easier along the way! So, you'll get the small one first, but it is more limited. However, most mods don't have many more than 9 fully playable, very different/unqiue factions
Naugiri
East Empire
Khezdruli Kingdom of Angaluth
*(Chitkinnen Rats)
*(Abyss)
Haladin
Federation
Ashapur
Sun King
Bandit Kings
Ildiri
And of course, we all would like to say huge thanks and good job to Squeaks, the creator of DragonDawn world, the creative power behind this mod (and many more), modeller, skinner, friend and many more things. Without Squeaks, this mod would never be here, and I wouldn't be able to post this preview of this maginificient faction!
Enjoy!
Reply With Quote
Re: The Selediri Full Preview
Originally Posted by Tzar
(I mean you can, but nobody wants to see that)
