In an effort to balance the Ivory Tower mod, I will likely make four additional mods to give each area of study a unique strategic option. For the sake of people who prefer a professional army to magic, we will have The Order of Talos.
The Order of Talos is the protector of man. It's primary goal is to protect the many realms from the dangerous power of magic. Although, they do use magic to spread their many legions throughout the realms, they prohibit its use and declare war on any nation that does not follow their example. Because their society is determined to wipe out every other nation that defies their sanctimonious mission, they are forced to become excellent at all aspects of war.
As such, they can train units with extreme efficiency. Their economic model is exemplary. Their engineering is monumental. Their technology makes gnomes look like dullard orcs. They are capable of spreading forts like wildfire throughout the realm. They can forge steel that rivals the best enchanted materials. They tolerate very little dissent, forcing any rebels into slave labor. They are totally mundane; the greatest threat to all other Sovereigns.
I am thinking of giving them serious penalties to diplomacy, no use of any magic or enchanted armor, totally separate buildings (very few, powerful buildings), an inability to rise past level 3 (due to their strict law concerning population control), bonuses to razing cities, instant destruction of any captured city, bonuses to training and building, bonuses to farming, rebels may produce after the construction of a prison, special cavalry and bowmen, unique technologies and quests, possibly locking the magic techs out altogether.
Each settlement would grow very quickly to level 3. It would be able to build advanced walls and other structures, making it prime for defense and unit training. They would rush to secure mundane resources and possible the ability to destroy shards. I think this would be an excellent option to give the war machine lovers out there a specific ideology and goal.
The Order of Talos would be easily joined at the beginning of the game by build a level 3 city and then constructing the Gate of Talos, a portal to their homerealm. After that it would allow the player or AI to become the greatest enemy and threat to the realm.
Total War: Elemental
