DarkScythe
Hunkalicious Holo
- Joined
- May 6, 2014
- Messages
- 804
After more than 7 months of development, from conceptualization to release, I am extremely happy to announce the public availability of my first mod ever:
Introduction
This Civilization is based on the story of "Spice and Wolf (Ookami to Koushinryou)" by Isuna Hasekura, originally published as a series of light novels which gained a two-season anime (Japanese animation) adaptation, as well as a second manga adaptation.
I absolutely fell in love with the story after I had finished reading it back in April, and immediately began thinking of a way to provide my own little tribute - Civ struck me as a perfect match based on the setting.
However, as I have never modded anything before, this would be my first attempt and it wound up being a very ambitious offering despite my attempts to keep it simple, and my humble beginnings here asking for help on how to get started would eventually lead me to create one heck of a complex Civ.
This Civ now sports over two dozen painstakingly handmade icons, at least three features I had no interest in adding in the beginning due to complexity, and a gigantic 1500+ line Lua script. Even so, I am extremely proud to say that I believe my mod should be bug-free to the best of my (and my volunteers') ability to test for them. I pride myself on attempting to provide my absolute best effort for the highest quality Civ I can manage for a first time modder -- I believe Holo deserves nothing less!
With that introduction out of the way, let's get to the details!
Synopsis
This Civ is led by the heroine of the series, the Wisewolf of Yoitsu - Holo.
It is my first mod, but I hope for it to be an ambitious entry. It is a fairly complex Civ with emphasis on a strong economy, and a heavy focus on Trade Routes. The whole Civ is built around the philosophy and mind-set of a system of bonuses and penalties; Of having to make hard choices, and of the player's decision-making resulting in various trade-offs. In addition, care has been taken to ensure the highest level of detail and bug-free code.
Also included is a large variety of unique buildings, units, promotions, and even a unique improvement and resource. Some buildings are able to auto-upgrade, and others must be manually upgraded. The custom Wolf units are the highlight of this Civ's military presence. This Civ also sports a built-in soundtrack with a generous selection of music, expandable with a separate Extended Soundtrack mod. This Civ was built by a Spice and Wolf fan for Spice and Wolf fans, but anyone who enjoys complex Civs which require some amount of thinking would probably enjoy it. I may be biased, though.
Detailed Overview
Civilization & Leader:
Wolf and Merchant Empire led by Holo, the Wisewolf

Unique Ability:
I.. actually can't fit all of the changes into this, and have to be purposefully vague.

Unique Buildings:


These represent the people's faith in Holo, and her general approval of merrymaking.
Wheat Wolf: (Replaces Shrine)
Moderately more expensive to build than the Shrine, and cannot be purchased with Gold.
Wolf of the Harvest: (Unique Unbuildable)
Cannot be built. Can only be received as an upgrade to an existing Wheat Wolf once, at the time Theology is researched.
Losing this thereafter results in its permanent loss.

This being the Headquarters of Lawrence's old Trade Guild, it confers substantial economic benefit, and is the beginning of the construction of a true Merchant Empire. As such, it provides global, Empire-wide bonuses, including diverting a portion of Gold from Cities where its branches are set up into whatever City the HQ is placed in.
It costs much more to build, cannot be purchased with Gold, and its cost increases with number of Cities.
Rowen Trade Guild HQ: (Replaces East India Company)

This series of buildings represents a unique building upgrade line only available to Holo.
If the Headquarters oversee things on a global scale, the Branch buildings offer the Guild insight into local dealings, and become increasingly more intimately entrenched in the lives of the Citizens of their individual Cities, granting them many local bonuses that only affect the City they are constructed in.
All three buildings require a Market in the City and 1 Iron to construct, levies a 3 Gold "fee" taken directly from the City's coffers (before Market bonuses are applied), and provides 1 Trade Route.
Each Guild building reduces global Gold Purchasing costs by 3% each, up to a maximum discount of 30%.
They are all fairly expensive to build, cannot be purchased with Gold, and their cost increases with number of Cities.
Trade Guild Branch:
Trade Guild Hub:
Trade Guild Inn:
Unique Units:


Guild Merchant: (Unique Great Merchant)
Uses a special list of unique Spice and Wolf merchant names!
Has 3 moves, and the Trade Mission promotion which doubles the amount of Gold and Influence earned from a City State when using their "Conduct Trade Mission" ability.

The Wolf units on their own are not particularly impressive, but when working together, combined with their unique Promotions, they are a force not to be regarded lightly. However, a traditional military is still required if attempting to take enemy Cities and strongholds. The Wolf models were also an adventure to implement with thanks going out to Nutty and Nomad or What for getting them working properly. Civitar provided the original reskinnable Wolf, and I fixed them all up and reorganized them, as well as created my own "Wisewolf" skin for use in this mod.
Wolf Pups: (Replaces Warriors)
Costs more to build and to maintain than the Warrior and has the same 8 Strength as a Warrior.
Wolf Pack: (Replaces Spearmen)
Costs more to build and to maintain than the Spearman, but has higher strength than the Spearman at 12 Strength.
Great Wolf: (Replaces Pikemen)
Costs more to build and to maintain then the Pikeman, but has higher strength than the Pikeman at 18 Strength. Also has 3 Moves and 3-tile-sight. Upgrades to Riflemen.
Unique Improvement:

Unique Resource:

Unique Promotions:


These unique promotions give Holo's units most of the flair that they have.
Pride of the Wisewolf:
I have also created an Extended Soundtrack for use with my Civ!
This pack (split into two mods due to filesize limits) provides more than double the number of tracks already included in the Civ by default (already a generous selection of 21) and brings an incredible variety of Spice and Wolf music into the game. I have also created a Compatibility Mod to allow use of my Soundtrack with other Civs, specifically my Beta version (which is still running), and Rarimi's version of a Spice and Wolf Civ.
Phew! That's it for details on my Spice and Wolf Civ!
One last thing I've done is also a Recettear Civ Soundtrack!
It was created for use with Silly's Recettear Civilization, mostly as practice to understand how to make the soundtracks eventually for my Spice and Wolf Civ here, but it's a shame to let it go unused.
Now then, for the juicy bits!
Wolf and Merchant Empire
Led by Holo, the Wisewolf!
(Download links available at the bottom.)
Led by Holo, the Wisewolf!
(Download links available at the bottom.)
Introduction
This Civilization is based on the story of "Spice and Wolf (Ookami to Koushinryou)" by Isuna Hasekura, originally published as a series of light novels which gained a two-season anime (Japanese animation) adaptation, as well as a second manga adaptation.
I absolutely fell in love with the story after I had finished reading it back in April, and immediately began thinking of a way to provide my own little tribute - Civ struck me as a perfect match based on the setting.
However, as I have never modded anything before, this would be my first attempt and it wound up being a very ambitious offering despite my attempts to keep it simple, and my humble beginnings here asking for help on how to get started would eventually lead me to create one heck of a complex Civ.
This Civ now sports over two dozen painstakingly handmade icons, at least three features I had no interest in adding in the beginning due to complexity, and a gigantic 1500+ line Lua script. Even so, I am extremely proud to say that I believe my mod should be bug-free to the best of my (and my volunteers') ability to test for them. I pride myself on attempting to provide my absolute best effort for the highest quality Civ I can manage for a first time modder -- I believe Holo deserves nothing less!
With that introduction out of the way, let's get to the details!
Synopsis
This Civ is led by the heroine of the series, the Wisewolf of Yoitsu - Holo.
It is my first mod, but I hope for it to be an ambitious entry. It is a fairly complex Civ with emphasis on a strong economy, and a heavy focus on Trade Routes. The whole Civ is built around the philosophy and mind-set of a system of bonuses and penalties; Of having to make hard choices, and of the player's decision-making resulting in various trade-offs. In addition, care has been taken to ensure the highest level of detail and bug-free code.
Also included is a large variety of unique buildings, units, promotions, and even a unique improvement and resource. Some buildings are able to auto-upgrade, and others must be manually upgraded. The custom Wolf units are the highlight of this Civ's military presence. This Civ also sports a built-in soundtrack with a generous selection of music, expandable with a separate Extended Soundtrack mod. This Civ was built by a Spice and Wolf fan for Spice and Wolf fans, but anyone who enjoys complex Civs which require some amount of thinking would probably enjoy it. I may be biased, though.
Detailed Overview
Civilization & Leader:
Wolf and Merchant Empire led by Holo, the Wisewolf

Spoiler :
Dawn of Man:
Oh, Holo, great Wisewolf of Yoitsu, though your journeys have finally afforded you some measure of peace and happiness with the one you love, the people of the world once again seek your guidance. Frought with mistakes, history has become a cruel mistress. The world is in turmoil, with conflict spread far across the land. Thieves and mercenary bands now roam the land plundering and pillaging wherever they go. Attacking hapless merchants and civilians alike, they are little more than barbarians. Have the very Gods whom the humans so diligently prayed to forsaken them in the end?
Holo, the people seek not salvation, but your wisdom and kindness which knows no bounds. Your experience and leadership may bring peace to this chaotic world. Your partner, Lawrence, has offered to assist you with his wealth of merchant contacts and his old Trade Guild. He will do all he can to support you from the shadows -- a merchant's natural battlefield.
Oh, Holo, your wisdom and pride are matched only by the magnificence of your tail. With your lover by your side and all of his abilities at hand, will you once again take up the mantle of responsibility for the sake of the ones who so desperately cry out for you in this dark time? Will you be clever enough to stand on the world's stage with -- or against -- other leaders, in order to build the greatest merchant empire the world has ever seen? Will you be able to bring order back to the world so that you may enjoy your days in tranquility? Can you build a civilization that will stand the test of time?
Spoiler :

Oh, Holo, great Wisewolf of Yoitsu, though your journeys have finally afforded you some measure of peace and happiness with the one you love, the people of the world once again seek your guidance. Frought with mistakes, history has become a cruel mistress. The world is in turmoil, with conflict spread far across the land. Thieves and mercenary bands now roam the land plundering and pillaging wherever they go. Attacking hapless merchants and civilians alike, they are little more than barbarians. Have the very Gods whom the humans so diligently prayed to forsaken them in the end?
Holo, the people seek not salvation, but your wisdom and kindness which knows no bounds. Your experience and leadership may bring peace to this chaotic world. Your partner, Lawrence, has offered to assist you with his wealth of merchant contacts and his old Trade Guild. He will do all he can to support you from the shadows -- a merchant's natural battlefield.
Oh, Holo, your wisdom and pride are matched only by the magnificence of your tail. With your lover by your side and all of his abilities at hand, will you once again take up the mantle of responsibility for the sake of the ones who so desperately cry out for you in this dark time? Will you be clever enough to stand on the world's stage with -- or against -- other leaders, in order to build the greatest merchant empire the world has ever seen? Will you be able to bring order back to the world so that you may enjoy your days in tranquility? Can you build a civilization that will stand the test of time?
Unique Ability:
I.. actually can't fit all of the changes into this, and have to be purposefully vague.

Spoiler :
Unique Ability Specifics:
Despite how crazy this looks, I feel it actually makes sense after you get the hang of it, and it feels quite good in terms of balance.
She's not going to do everything well, especially not all at once, but that's how I designed her; She's flexible enough to do anything with enough effort, but decisions must be made. Trade-offs will happen.
- +1 Food from Snow and Tundra
- +1 Food and +1 Faith from unimproved Wheat; +2 Food, +1 Faith, +1 Culture total when improved with a Farm
- +1 Happiness from Wine improved with a Plantation and Sheep improved with a Pasture when actively worked by a Citizen
- +50% range of Land Trade Routes
- Internal Trade Routes provide +25% more Food and Production
- +5 Gold for the first Trade Route with each new Civilization
- +3 Gold to other Civs which send trade routes to Holo
- Merchant Specialists twice as effective; Earns Great Merchants 25% faster
- -50% Effectiveness of Gold gifts to City-States
- Influence with City-States decay 100% faster
- Trade Routes with a City State provide +1 Influence per turn
- -25% Production for the Empire; +25% bonus for Settlers
- Specialists consume 50% more food
- Faith costs doubled; Missionaries only have one spread
- All military units have Unique Promotions
Despite how crazy this looks, I feel it actually makes sense after you get the hang of it, and it feels quite good in terms of balance.
She's not going to do everything well, especially not all at once, but that's how I designed her; She's flexible enough to do anything with enough effort, but decisions must be made. Trade-offs will happen.
Unique Buildings:

Spoiler :

These represent the people's faith in Holo, and her general approval of merrymaking.
Wheat Wolf: (Replaces Shrine)
Moderately more expensive to build than the Shrine, and cannot be purchased with Gold.
- Provides +1 Faith, +1 Happiness, and increases Golden Age length by 5% per Wheat Wolf in the Empire.
- Completed Wheat Wolves upgrade automatically into Wolves of the Harvest upon researching Theology.
- Provides +1 Culture thereafter. Costs 3 Gold per turn Maintenance.
Wolf of the Harvest: (Unique Unbuildable)
Cannot be built. Can only be received as an upgrade to an existing Wheat Wolf once, at the time Theology is researched.
Losing this thereafter results in its permanent loss.
- Provides +1 Faith, +1 Happiness, +2 Culture, and increases Golden Age length by 5% per Wolf of the Harvest in the Empire.
- Provides another +1 Culture and +1 Tourism upon researching Archaeology. Costs 3 Gold per turn Maintenance, and cannot be sold.
Spoiler :

This being the Headquarters of Lawrence's old Trade Guild, it confers substantial economic benefit, and is the beginning of the construction of a true Merchant Empire. As such, it provides global, Empire-wide bonuses, including diverting a portion of Gold from Cities where its branches are set up into whatever City the HQ is placed in.
It costs much more to build, cannot be purchased with Gold, and its cost increases with number of Cities.
Rowen Trade Guild HQ: (Replaces East India Company)
- Provides +1 Happiness, 2 Trade Routes, 2 Great Merchant points per turn, and has 3 Merchant Specialist slots.
- Provides +1 Science per 4 Citizens in the City.
- Unlocks the availability of the Trade Guild Branch buildings, and provides +1 Gold per Guild Branch in the Empire, becoming +2 Gold each after Economics.
- Boosts outgoing Trade Route Gold income by +5 Gold. Incoming Trade Routes gain +6 Gold, while the sender receives +3.
- Provides +2 Tourism after researching Railroads.
- Increases City Connection Gold income by 10%, reduces global Culture cost of acquiring new tiles by 25%, and reduces enemy Spy effectiveness by 10% in all Cities.
- Grants a Free Guild Merchant and a Free Spy when constructed. Is available earlier, at Currency. Requires a Market in all Cities.
Spoiler :

This series of buildings represents a unique building upgrade line only available to Holo.
If the Headquarters oversee things on a global scale, the Branch buildings offer the Guild insight into local dealings, and become increasingly more intimately entrenched in the lives of the Citizens of their individual Cities, granting them many local bonuses that only affect the City they are constructed in.
All three buildings require a Market in the City and 1 Iron to construct, levies a 3 Gold "fee" taken directly from the City's coffers (before Market bonuses are applied), and provides 1 Trade Route.
Each Guild building reduces global Gold Purchasing costs by 3% each, up to a maximum discount of 30%.
They are all fairly expensive to build, cannot be purchased with Gold, and their cost increases with number of Cities.
Trade Guild Branch:
- Provides +1 Gold from all nearby Luxury resources.
- Has 1 Merchant Specialist slot.
- Reduces Culture and Gold costs of acquiring new tiles by 15% only in the local City.
- Reduces enemy Spy effectiveness by 5% only in the local City.
- Automatically upgrades to a Trade Guild Hub upon researching Machinery.
Trade Guild Hub:
- Replaces the Trade Guild Branch.
- Provides +1 Gold from all nearby Luxury and Strategic resources.
- Provides +1 Great Merchant point per turn, with 1 Merchant Specialist slot.
- Grants Trade Routes +25% more range. Outgoing Trade Routes gain +4 Gold, and incoming Trade Routes generate an extra +2 Gold, with the sender gaining an extra +1 Gold.
- Reduces Culture and Gold costs of acquiring new tiles by 20% only in the local City.
- Reduces enemy Spy effectiveness by 10% only in the local City.
- Automatically upgrades to a Trade Guild Inn upon researching Printing Press.
Trade Guild Inn:
- Replaces the Trade Guild Hub.
- Provides +1 Gold from all nearby Luxury, Strategic, and Bonus resources.
- Provides +1 Great Merchant point per turn, with 2 Merchant Specialist slots, and +1 Science.
- Grants Trade Routes +25% more range. Outgoing Trade Routes gain +5 Gold, and incoming Trade Routes generate an extra +4 Gold, with the sender gaining an extra +2 Gold.
- Reduces Culture and Gold costs of acquiring new tiles by 25% only in the local City.
- Reduces enemy Spy effectiveness by 15% only in the local City.
- Provides +1 Tourism upon researching Railroads.
Spoiler :
Spice and Wolf Inn: (Unique Palace)
The center of the Holo-verse. Acts as the Capital, and is generally run by Lawrence, providing several Empire-wide bonuses and penalties.
The center of the Holo-verse. Acts as the Capital, and is generally run by Lawrence, providing several Empire-wide bonuses and penalties.
- Provides +2 Happiness, +1 Food, and +2 Gold over a standard palace.
- Provides 1 Trade Route, but removes the ability to gain any free trade routes from technologies.
- Increases City Connection Gold income by 15%, but also increases global Gold Purchasing costs by 25%.
- Provides +3 Tourism upon researching Machinery, but trades a Great Work slot for a Merchant Specialist slot.
Unique Units:

Spoiler :

Guild Merchant: (Unique Great Merchant)
Uses a special list of unique Spice and Wolf merchant names!
Has 3 moves, and the Trade Mission promotion which doubles the amount of Gold and Influence earned from a City State when using their "Conduct Trade Mission" ability.
Spoiler :

The Wolf units on their own are not particularly impressive, but when working together, combined with their unique Promotions, they are a force not to be regarded lightly. However, a traditional military is still required if attempting to take enemy Cities and strongholds. The Wolf models were also an adventure to implement with thanks going out to Nutty and Nomad or What for getting them working properly. Civitar provided the original reskinnable Wolf, and I fixed them all up and reorganized them, as well as created my own "Wisewolf" skin for use in this mod.
Wolf Pups: (Replaces Warriors)
Costs more to build and to maintain than the Warrior and has the same 8 Strength as a Warrior.
Wolf Pack: (Replaces Spearmen)
Costs more to build and to maintain than the Spearman, but has higher strength than the Spearman at 12 Strength.
Great Wolf: (Replaces Pikemen)
Costs more to build and to maintain then the Pikeman, but has higher strength than the Pikeman at 18 Strength. Also has 3 Moves and 3-tile-sight. Upgrades to Riflemen.
Unique Improvement:

Spoiler :
Apple Orchard: (New Improvement)
Can only be constructed by Holo's Workers. This unique Improvement is available upon researching Construction, and helps to satiate Holo's appetite for Apples.
Plantation model credit goes to Horem for providing the original files, though the Apple Tree's textures were edited by me to look more the way I wanted them to.
Has stringent requirements:
Provides one copy of Succulent Apples to a City which works at least two Apple Orchards.
Can only be constructed by Holo's Workers. This unique Improvement is available upon researching Construction, and helps to satiate Holo's appetite for Apples.
Plantation model credit goes to Horem for providing the original files, though the Apple Tree's textures were edited by me to look more the way I wanted them to.
Has stringent requirements:
- Must be built on flat Plains or Grassland
- Must be adjacent to Fresh Water
- Must not be adjacent to another Apple Orchard
Provides one copy of Succulent Apples to a City which works at least two Apple Orchards.
Unique Resource:

Spoiler :
Succulent Apples: (New Resource)
Granted one copy automatically when at least two valid Apple Orchards are worked by any City. Lost when at least two valid Apple Orchards are no longer being worked. Similar to Indonesia's unique luxuries, they can be traded, and provide the usual +4 Happiness for being a luxury.
Granted one copy automatically when at least two valid Apple Orchards are worked by any City. Lost when at least two valid Apple Orchards are no longer being worked. Similar to Indonesia's unique luxuries, they can be traded, and provide the usual +4 Happiness for being a luxury.
Unique Promotions:

Spoiler :

These unique promotions give Holo's units most of the flair that they have.
Pride of the Wisewolf:
- +5% Combat Strength
- Extra +15% vs. Barbarians
- Combat experience gained +25% faster
- +10% more Combat Strength bestowed upon nearby troops
- Double movement in Forest/Jungle
- +25% bonus to flank attacks
- Carries over with upgrade
- Ignores GG's
- -50% vs. Cities
- +50% bonus to flank attacks
- Lost with upgrade
- Ignores GG's
- -50% vs. Cities
- +25% bonus to flank attacks
- 5% Fear aura
- Lost with upgrade
- Ignores GG's
- -50% vs. Cities
- 10% Fear aura
- Lost with upgrade
I have also created an Extended Soundtrack for use with my Civ!
This pack (split into two mods due to filesize limits) provides more than double the number of tracks already included in the Civ by default (already a generous selection of 21) and brings an incredible variety of Spice and Wolf music into the game. I have also created a Compatibility Mod to allow use of my Soundtrack with other Civs, specifically my Beta version (which is still running), and Rarimi's version of a Spice and Wolf Civ.
Phew! That's it for details on my Spice and Wolf Civ!
One last thing I've done is also a Recettear Civ Soundtrack!
It was created for use with Silly's Recettear Civilization, mostly as practice to understand how to make the soundtracks eventually for my Spice and Wolf Civ here, but it's a shame to let it go unused.
Now then, for the juicy bits!
Subscribe / Download
Click on one of these banners to be taken to their Steam Workshop page to subscribe!

Click on one of these banners to be taken to their Steam Workshop page to subscribe!





Spoiler :
Alternate Downloads
While I would like to stick to using Steam for distribution (for now, anyway) I understand it's not the most reliable thing.
If anyone has trouble downloading my mods from Steam, please use these alternate download links.
Try to use them only as a last resort, as they are hosted on my personal account.
Holo's Wolf and Merchant Empire [Spice and Wolf Civilization] (v1) (~75.4 MB)
Spice and Wolf Civilization Extended Soundtrack (Part 1) (v1) (~97.1 MB)
Spice and Wolf Civilization Extended Soundtrack (Part 2) (v1) (~82.3 MB)
Spice and Wolf Soundtrack Compatibility Add-on Mod (v1) (~69.6 MB)
Recettear Civilization Soundtrack (v1) (~88.2 MB)
While I would like to stick to using Steam for distribution (for now, anyway) I understand it's not the most reliable thing.
If anyone has trouble downloading my mods from Steam, please use these alternate download links.
Try to use them only as a last resort, as they are hosted on my personal account.
Holo's Wolf and Merchant Empire [Spice and Wolf Civilization] (v1) (~75.4 MB)
Spice and Wolf Civilization Extended Soundtrack (Part 1) (v1) (~97.1 MB)
Spice and Wolf Civilization Extended Soundtrack (Part 2) (v1) (~82.3 MB)
Spice and Wolf Soundtrack Compatibility Add-on Mod (v1) (~69.6 MB)
Recettear Civilization Soundtrack (v1) (~88.2 MB)