Saph's Dragonfall

Lore of Dragonfall (courtesy of ChatGPT)

So you wish to learn about the sea that is Dragonfall? Ah, gather 'round, my young adventurers, and let me weave a tale of a land divided by time and fate.

Long ago, in a time shrouded by ancient memories, the realm you see before you was whole, a single expanse of untamed wilderness. But the harmony of this land was soon to be shattered by the clash of two contrasting worlds. On one side, we have the western landmass known as Vindrheimr, a verdant paradise blessed with lush greenery, soaring mountains, and rolling hills that stood as stalwart guardians, shielding the inhabitants from the ravages of invaders.

Ah, Vindrheimr, the land of resplendent beauty! It boasts breathtaking landscapes adorned with majestic peaks that reach for the heavens themselves. These towering sentinels, both formidable and majestic, have provided solace to the native dwellers for countless generations. But it is not just the mountains and hills that offer protection; it is the very essence of this land that safeguards its people from the terrors that lie beyond. Vindrheimr's fertile earth nurtures sprawling forests and fertile plains, while shimmering lakes and winding rivers bestow their life-giving waters upon the inhabitants, sustaining them in their endeavors.

Alas, my friends, not all corners of this realm were blessed with such benevolence. Venture your gaze eastward, beyond the treacherous expanse of Dragonfall, and you shall behold Surtheimr, a harsh and unforgiving land. This desolate landscape, bereft of the bounties bestowed upon its western sibling, bears the mark of hardship and endurance. But do not dismiss it as simply a barren wasteland, for within its grasp lies a tale both tragic and transformative.

Surtheimr, the realm of arid deserts and cracked earth, is bisected by an imposing and colossal mountain range known as Frostbloth. These towering peaks, reaching seemingly endless heights, serve as an eternal reminder of a cataclysmic event that forever altered the destiny of these lands. Legend whispers of a time when the tribes dwelling in the harsh realms of the east sought to invade the prosperous lands of the west. Faced with impending doom, the inhabitants of Vindrheimr called upon a powerful ally, summoning a dragon of unparalleled might to defend their homes.

In the final battle that ensued, the eastern tribes, driven by desperation and resolve, pierced the dragon's body with a fabled lance known as Frostbloth. The once-majestic creature, mortally wounded, plummeted from the heavens, its dying breath shaking the very foundation of the land. As the colossal beast crashed upon the earth, a miraculous transformation occurred—a sea, later christened Dragonfall, emerged, separating the east from the west. This newfound barrier stood as a formidable shield, protecting the western natives from the encroaching invaders and solidifying their sovereignty.

But what of the lance, my dear companions? The very weapon that felled the mighty dragon became a testament to the triumph of the eastern tribes. The lance, imbued with the essence of the fallen dragon's blood, merged with the very fabric of the earth, giving birth to the towering mountain range that dominates the eastern expanse—Frostbloth, as it came to be known. A lasting monument to the valor and sacrifice of both the dragon and the tribes who wielded the lance.

And so, my young adventurers, you now stand upon the threshold of a land divided by the remnants of a time long past. Vindrheimr, with its verdant splendor and protective embrace, beckons you to explore its wonders. Meanwhile, Surtheimr, with its desolate landscapes and towering testament to history, invites you to uncover the secrets buried within its formidable borders. Choose your path wisely, for the echoes of the dragon's fall still reverberate through the land, waiting to be discovered by those who dare to seek them.

Design Features

• An unbalanced map:
  This map is made intentionally imbalanced. The western side is much more defensively advantageous, which is good for players who want to avoid conflicts; the eastern side however is good for players who want a challenge!
  
• Randomised Options for Replayability:
  Terrain features (e.g. woods, rainforests, reefs, marshes etc.), rivers, natural wonders & resources are randomised each game.
  
• Map generated floodplains:
  This YnAMP-based map has map-generated river floodplains, so dam construction and flooding events are possible.

Details

Map size: 62 x 74 Standard

Recommended number of civs: 10-14 civs + 12-18 city states (The map itself does not limit the number of civs or city states you can have, so feel free to have as many or as few as you like!)

Required Mod: Gedemon's Yet (not) Another Maps Pack

Recommended Mod: Zegangani's Origin: Real Start Locations: This helps each civ get nice starting terrains favourable to them. Make sure you choose Random for Start Position Link during set-up!

Game Set-up

To play with advanced YnAMP settings, you need to

1. Have this mod and Yet (not) Another Map Pack installed and enabled ingame
2. Single Player --> Create Game --> Load Database (next to the BACK button) and wait for the game to load
3. Once loaded, you will be back to the main menu
4. Single Player --> Create Game (You should see a tick next to CREATE GAME at the top.) --> Choose Map Type --> Saph's Dragonfall --> Advanced Setup

Recommended Settings

1. Adjust the number of civs, city states & religions in the game to your liking.
2. Manually pick the civs to play as/against or leave them random.
3. Select Natural Wonders: Leave it at Everything / Uncheck the ones that you don't want to appear
4. Coastal Lowland: Choose Map Generator for random placement / Matching flatland for more dramatic flooding / Empty for no lowlands
5. Rivers Flooding: Choose Map Generator / Empty for no floodplains & flooding (and hence no dams)
6. Resource Quantity: Your own preference (Resources are map-generated; this map does not contain pre-placed resources.)
7. Start Position Link: Choose Random to place civs according to their starting biases.

Special Thanks

This mod is made possible by Gedemon's YnAMP & Zobtzler's YnABMC.