Races and Factions of Elemental

By Frogboy on May 29, 2012 9:56:40 PM from

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Frogboy

Chief Executive Officer

Join Date 03/2001

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After the cataclysm, the mortal races with sufficient numbers organized themselves between Kingdoms and Empires.

Broadly speaking, the biggest difference in the ideologies comes down to the source of magical power their rulers subscribe to. The Channelers of the Kingdom gain their power from life – the ambient life energy. The Channelers of the Empire gain their power from death – when things die.

Men refer to “Fallen” races as those races that started out as men but were twisted by the Titans of old to serve their purposes.

The Fallen think of themselves as beings who were enhanced beyond the original base stock into something better (and certainly don’t think of themselves as “Fallen”).

By the time of Fallen Enchantress, there are 8 major factions made up by 5 “species" (Men, Quendar, Trog, Wraith, Ironeer) with men broken into 4 races.

From a UI design, there’s no nice way of distinguishing between a race and a species. So we refer to the 4 races of men by their families – Krax, Mancers, Amarians, Tarthan.

I didn't know Ironeers were considered Fallen. They certainly look human to me.

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So does that mean the Urxen and Capitar's people have been written out of the Elemental history for the period of Fallen Enchantress? This is a little disappointing. I was under the impression they would be added back some stage after release, when there was time to come up with some more unique OP abilities that were still balanced with the others.

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I'm disappointed also, and came in with the same expectation.

How hard would it be to fix this UI problem in the future? I'm assuming FE is too late in development for this to happen, but could it happen in a 2nd expansion.

Maybe this is one of the things you should do a DLC poll on.

The Life/Death shards thing creates a problem for Krax, as they can end up with Life Magic Champions. Do they get benefit from death shards?

One proposed idea: Life/death shoulds become soul shards.

Ceresa keeps Death Shards, which are unique and come from corruption, which she needs to power up her death magic. She gains the ability to corrupt champions making them only able to use Death Magic as well (otherwise only wraiths have it) Wraiths would also gain the abilities to get other schools via promotion,

A future sovereign may get a life magic version of this. This is probably way too much work for FE, but I think it's an interesting idea.

One thing I do want to see in future/expanded content: 2nd sovereigns for factions.

I think I just requested everything short of a pony here.

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Bring back Umber

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I was able to make a custom sovereign with Capitar and I think I saw Umber available; I hope that stays at least. Otherwise, it's a little weird that Tarth rebelled against Capitar which has now disappeared (unless the merchant kingdom just collapsed). But if you've already done the work to create Capitar and Umber, why not have them in as pre-created factions as well?

Overall, though, I really like the custom sovereign/faction creation and hope to see some more options for that, in DLC or final release.

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I made an Umber sovereign, and in my last two games I have met him as an AI player and we are friends. Still, Umber gets no special love (like the shard demons, slave units and such).

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Quoting Emperorjarin,

reply 1

I didn't know Ironeers were considered Fallen. They certainly look human to me.

From what I understand they are basically Elemental's version for Dwarves.

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Also I thought wraiths were no longer considered Fallen? Their new description describes them as enchanted beings who are now neither Men nor Fallen.

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Quoting NetNomad,

reply 7

From what I understand they are basically Elemental's version for Dwarves.

I understand that's how they work thematically, but if they're supposed to be a completely different species from human (like Trogs and Wraiths) they should at least look a LITTLE different from your average Altarian. As it is, my headcanon states that Ironeers are simply humans what work good with metal.

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Ironeers need a makeover to look more Alien.At present they look human and not Dwarf enough.

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Quoting Ashbery76,

reply 10

the

Which is why we call them Ironeers and not dwarves.

I miss sprites. You want a halfling? No sweat. You want a lizard guy? Easy.

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Quoting Frogboy,

reply 11

Quoting Ashbery76, reply 10the

Which is why we call them Ironeers and not dwarves.

I miss sprites. You want a halfling? No sweat. You want a lizard guy? Easy.

Artists need to eat, too!

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Bring on the Dominions 3 graphics!

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Quoting NetNomad,

reply 7

Quoting Emperorjarin, reply 1I didn't know Ironeers were considered Fallen. They certainly look human to me.

From what I understand they are basically Elemental's version for Dwarves.

They're giant Dwarves. The titans did some really messed up things.

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Quoting Cauldyth,

reply 13

Bring on the Dominions 3 graphics!

This.

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I say bring on the 64 bit. Forget Sprites.

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Quoting Murteas,

reply 16

I say bring on the 64 bit. Forget Sprites.

We can have both!

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Oh god please no sprites. What is this, 1992? What's next, chiptunes?

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Quoting Heavenfall,

reply 18

Oh god please no sprites. What is this, 1992? What's next, chiptunes?

bleep bloop, and all that nonsense, although I agree with you, proper graphics makes me happy

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

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Quoting Frogboy,

reply 11

I miss sprites. You want a halfling? No sweat. You want a lizard guy? Easy.

We do have clothmap.

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Hmm, call me crazy, but... you don't need sprites to create dwarves... the game already keeps track of "model scale" values for units. If you split the scale into X, Y, Z scaling, it shouldn't be too horrible to make them "dwarven" by shortening them as long as you don't over do it and make it look silly. It might take a bit of tweaking to make it look good (specially with the faces), and probably some more beards/facial hair, but it's not exactly impossible.

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Just cast shrink on all your units. Instant hobbits.

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Note to Frogboy:

I will pay mucho $ for DLC with new races that don't look like humans.

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Maybe just nudge their y axis scaling to make them shorter (and more burly if the skins can stretch to accomodate it. Perhaps pale and hairy (heat retention and lower sun exposure)- perhaps 'big hair' for a cultural/genetic difference, craggy rock, rocklike skin or rough complexions could also be used depending on the level of medling the titans did. A similar concept may be usable to adjust the 'body builds' of the general units of other groups (for a more frail or strange looking race).

If you wanted to load for bear you could make the urxen the equivalent of wookies with body hair and nature alliance stuff (though that might not be different enough from tarth) perhaps with a dash of elven and nature reclaimer influence. Maybe similar diversity to the monster/beast npc faction and some special interaction with monster lairs. I haven't had a chance to play much of the beta yet so other thoughts and ideas will have to wait till Im more familiar with what is already here.

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Quoting Ashbery76,

reply 10

Ironeers need a makeover to look more Alien.At present they look human and not Dwarf enough.

Noooooooo ... please don't materially change the appearance of Gilden's Lord Marken, or the Ironeers.

The reason I ask, is because I really play them as the descendents of Vikings (even if the Mythology doesn't really fit Mr. Wardell's novel or his personal Cosmology). And anyways, pursuing absurdist notions is what Fantasy war-gaming is all about! And not for nothing does Lord Markin naturally carry what looks like the double of Thor's Hammer! I even have a Viking "back story" that I use in my games, a majority of the time. In fact, I would be happy to share it with anyone who is interested; but it would take some space, and it is too far off-topic for this Discussion thread ...

But the point is: I don't care if they are men or Fallen, or dwarves or Wookies, or even Drinkers of Sprite (whatever that has to do with it ). Just please don't make them look like they can't be Vikings ...

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