Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods (nona)

[Celeborn]

LotR Thread I:
LotR Modders UNITE!!! Half-way-point.
LotR Thread II:
Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods. http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?postid=1015305#post1015305 Half-way-point.
LotR Thread III:
Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods (cont) Half-way-point.
LotR thread IV:
Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods (4) Half-way-point
LotR thread V:
Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods (5)http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60650 Half-way-point
LotR thread VI:
Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods (part-hex)http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63116 Half-way-point
LotR thread VII:
Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods (septa)http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64619 Half-way-point
LotR thread VIII:
Middle-Earth: Lord of the Mods (octa)[latest] Half-way-point

It isn't necessary for the regulars to read this part, feel free to skip it.
We started working on this .mod as a ‘gathering’ of Modders, who had an acute interest in Lord of the Rings and Middle-earth. This is a continuation of eight threads created, as seen at the Links above. We made some significant progress in actually working together to get a collaboration of ideas, to please everyone. The more we professionally discuss our varied beliefs, the closer to the end we will be. As each thread goes by we gather more of these 'LotR' modders. However, it is now paramount that we get the earliest edition out as soon as possible. This will allow us to test and mold our idea's while we use in a playable biq.

Thread Log
-In the Third installment of our collaboration, significant work was completed on the buildings\wonder\improvement front. Unfortunately it was sort of sporadic, and it's hard to define just what we did . Discussion of the maps also took place, at which point Yoda Power offered to make an older version of Middle-earth, you can see this here.

-In the Fourth thread, we have gathered some new blood, and discussed about how to implement certain civilizations into the game, namely Isengard and Rohan. We set our course to make it clear, to stomp on the sporadic-ness of the third thread.

-In the Fifth thread, more new blood, significant progress in accumulating graphic designers, and a recession, in which the new blood has expressed their long bottled up opinions on how the mod should go. Talks on the tech tree in a forum based discussion has been put off for a bit. We should let the new (and old) idea's re-circulate, meanwhile, chat based discussion will take place at undefined periods, then re-introduced into the sixth installment of the thread.

-In the Sixth thread, believe it or not more new blood, and many of them CFC 'old-timers'. The tech tree thread should be getting a tech update, to initiate discussion about how to branch the tree itself. Lots of opinions have been rattling around, and we have gotten even more beautiful works and ideas from the unit creators\graphic designers.

-In the Seventh thread, we have developed a secure style of going about making the .bix. And that is by going tab-to-tab. For instance, we already covered the Citizen and General Settings tabs, allowing us to go in depth with the mod. Civilizations are agreed on, and soon we will start on the Civilzations tab.

-In the Eighth thread the Combat Experience is complete, and the Terrain tab is very near this goal also. Now that we wish to have a playable beta out within the month, it is very important that we come to decisions quickly and effectively. The alpha itself will be somewhat hap-hazard, missing many civilopedia changes, and constantly evolving to the beta version. If you want your vote to count, don't forget that even passing modders have their vote, then please post as quickly as possible so we can move on to the next subject. Do not be alarmed if new tabs get brought up before discussion has ended on the other. However we will make sure the vote has been tallied.

The near future should hold these tabs-
1.) Worker Jobs
2.) Governments
3.) Civilizations
4.) Diplomats and Spies
5.) Culture

After this is completed, we will be exceeding 60% completion with the mod. We will attack improvements, technology, and units around the same time, being the biggest hump to get over. After all tabs are completed beta testing will commence.

FAQ
What is going to be in the MOD? When will it span? What are the Civs? Has work started yet? Will it be for PtW, Vanilla, or Conquests?

1.)When will it span?
Well, we decided that the Mod should start slightly before the coming of man. Like this:

• Era#1 First Age (Middle-late first age, with the arrival of man)
• Era#2 Time of the Rings (Elven supremacy and Saurons Power)
• Era#3 Time of the Númenóreans\Dark Age (Supremacy of Man, Numenor and it's later subdivisions\Last Alliance)
• Era#4 Third Age (Best known, time of the peace, yet weakened state, time of the fellowship)

This way it won’t be strange to have all civs in existence, and yet it still has the remarkable, mythological ‘old middle-earth’ in tact.

2.)What are the Civs?
To start out, we will have less civilizations than vanilla civ3. Civilizations are a problem because of lack of cities in Middle-earth. Feel free to post on this topic at any time! This is what we have so far:
01.) Gondor
02.) Arnor
03.) Numenor
04.) Rohan
05.) Northmen
06.) The Shire
07.) Noldor
08.) Sindar
09.) Moriquendi
10.) The Dwarves
11.) Mordor
12.) Angmar
13.) Isengard
14.) Southrons
15.) Easterlings

(Thanks [Ant]Wimp)

A few important Civs we have made lists for can be located here:
The Shire
Gondor
The Dwarves
Mordor
High Elves(Noldorian)

Some civs that may or may not be added, or ones that are not finished yet, can be found here:

Valinor-SoCalian
Haradrim-SoCalian
Numenor-SoCalian
Rohan-SoCalian
Arnor-SoCalian
Dale-SoCalian
Ossiriand-SoCalian
Mordor and Angband -SoCalian
Gondor-SoCalian
Hollin-SoCalian
Lorien - SoCalian
Ents-SoCalian
Dwarves -SoCalian
Haradrim (Plexus)
Mirkwood Elves (Plexus)

Thanks SoCalian!

3.) What is going to be in the MOD?
We plan on numerous versions of the Mod, most important first.

Mod Types

• Random Map Mod (regular)
• Middle Earth- Map of Middle Earth, with specific placed things (like dragons)
• Lord Of the Rings quest- (You can only choose out of 3 Civs, though the rest make an appearance, but depending on the Civ you choose, you have a specific Victory cond.)
• Older version- This will have modified ages, and different civs, such as the Vanyar, and unique buildings\wonders.

4.) Has Work Started on the .biq yet?
Yes, Celeborn has been working on the .biq for quite some time now, And a communal .biq has been underway in the forums also.

5.) I would like to join in this project, is there anything I can do to make the production go faster?
Well, we will always have need of those talented artists. If you would like to make some building graphics, just pick one off the list below, but make sure work on that hasn't already started or been completed.
If you would like to make units for the game, certain ones we are looking for are:

• Silvian Archer\Elven Archer
  Thanks embryodead!!!
• Troll
  We already have the Cave Troll, and this unit is great, but we would like to use an early offensive unit that would act as one of the expensive 'behemoth units' for Mordor, similar to the Cave Troll, yet smaller, but more lithe.
• Elven Cavalry
  Thanks again embryodead!
• Dwarf Defender
  Possibly a complement Kindreds High Guard.
  Thanks mrtn\utahjazz
• Dwarf Offensive
  Another complement to Kindreds unit, this time the Ironbreaker, probably heavy armor. Somewhat like the Dwarves of Belegost, with a metal mask\helmet to protect them from heat and flame?
• Dwarf Archer
  We know from accounts that the Dwarves used missile units in defense of their towers in the days of old. This Archer would probably be heavily armored, and not agile. A more defense oriented unit.
• Another Dwarf
  A fast runner, think Dain and the dwarves from Iron Hills. A pickaxe and a shield would be very cool.
• Medieval Worker
  A worker, more heavily clothed than the Civ3 counterpart, yet still more 'medieval' than the Civ3 Modern Worker.

Of course, beggars can't be choosers, and we would take anything LOTR (or similar) you throw at us!

Text
RRnut's been doing some civilopedia texts, post in the thread if you would like to make some of these files.

6.) Will it be for PtW, Vanilla, or Conquests?
So far only a conquest version is planned, but later a PtW version might be in store. There will be no vanilla version.
-end FAQ

Resources
View the resources at this link.

Unit Lines
A word on the difference between civilizations unit lines in the RTF file. If you would like to download the Unit lists, you can do so here, they are available in two formats, the first being of better quality, the second is the lists straight forward, in standard text format.
Word Pad-Rich Text Doc.(Recommended)
Standard Text Document

Other CFC LotR\fantasy oreinted threads to look at, in no paticular order:
Embryodeads WH MOD
Embryodeads Fantasy Units Preview Thread II
Unit Preview Thread:LOTR
Middle Earth Map
ME: Lord of the Mods (Tech Tree)

Glad to see we are of tundra! Whats the next tab PC?

 

[Celeborn]

Now lets get going!!!!

 

[The Last Conformist]

Yay, first non-Celeborn person to post in this thread!

I don't see much harm in making unroaded mountains inaccessible to units other than Dwarven workers. Just make sure no all too crucial resources are restricted to them.

You can get problematic situation with random maps, but on a 4 or 5 billion year map, unbroken mountain ranges cutting continents in two are very rare. If someone wants to play 3 billion, let them blame themselves! Having actual natural borders would be great, IMHO.

 

[RRnut]

Hello,

Will post a proposal for unit stats/costs tomorrow for the men. But before that, let's take a vote -- do we want a unwheeled worker available to all civs?

The pros and con's have been fairly well fleshed out in the last thread, so there shouldn't be too much more debate needed.

I vote for having one, available middle 2nd age. but it should be expensive.

If the vote is no, then make sure that there are no resources on mountains.

RRnut

 

[Kindred72]

Have you guys talked about leaderheads at all. Who are you gonna use for each civ. Who do you already have (as a leaderhead). Who do you need?

 

[Kenta'arka]

Maybe I need some new glasses, but where is that list of buildings you need? Maybe I could do one or two of them...

 

[mrtn]

Originally posted by RRnut
Hello,

Will post a proposal for unit stats/costs tomorrow for the men. But before that, let's take a vote -- do we want a unwheeled worker available to all civs?
...
I vote for having one, available middle 2nd age. but it should be expensive.

If the vote is no, then make sure that there are no resources on mountains...

Though unit costs hasn't been fixed, unit stats has, months ago.

I vote no to the unwheeled worker, I don't think that the AI would understand how to use it, and I also don't want it used. I'm with Wimp about how mountains should be natural obstacles.

And of course we wont put strats and luxes in the mountains if they are impassable. Not in the random map, at least, I highly suspect that the Moria area will have a bunch of metal resources.

 

[mrtn]

Originally posted by Kindred72
Have you guys talked about leaderheads at all. Who are you gonna use for each civ. Who do you already have (as a leaderhead). Who do you need?

Yes, we have talked about it. Briefly, about 5 months ago.
I think it was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, when embryodead was still making his Paks for the WH mod.
The list of civs is in the overview, why don't you make a preliminary listing of possible leaderheads?

Personally I'd like to see a Rohirrim head, using the "viking" helmet embryodead use for his Dwarven Thunderer. That is absolutely perfect.

@Kenta'arka: Let's see if PCH can get you that list in a while... (@PCH: , we'll have to see who has the latest list)

 

[Kindred72]

Originally posted by mrtn
why don't you make a preliminary listing of possible leaderheads?

Well. My knowledge of LOTR does not extend past what I see in the movies. So, I don't think I'm knowledgable enough to do that. But if someone can put a list together, I can do a little research as to what they look like.

 

[Kindred72]

Ok. Here's what I came up with with a little research: Tell me if i'm out of my mind and I don't know what I'm talking about:

Gondor - Eldarion
Arnor - Aragorn
Numenor- Ar-Pharazon
Rohan- Eomer
Northmen- Fromgar
The Shire- Will Whitfoot
Noldor- Gil-Galad
Sindar- Elrond
Morquendi- (I have no Idea)
Dwarves- Thorin
Mordor- Sauron
Angmar- Witch-King
Isengard- Saruman
Southrons- Shaddam III
Easterlings- Ulfang the Black

Feel free to slap me til I'm silly!

 

[Kenta'arka]

Originally posted by Kindred72
Rohan- Eomer

I don't think so. Better use Theoden as King of Rohan

 

[mrtn]

Close, but no pipeweed.
Kindred, that's actually a list of leaders, not leaderheads.
You said I could slap you.
I think that the city lists we have include leadernames too, but I'm not Generalissimo of that department.

I was thinking more of a list like:
Mordor = Sauron by Sween32 and so on...

 

[tjedge1]

Originally posted by RRnut
Hello,

Will post a proposal for unit stats/costs tomorrow for the men. But before that, let's take a vote -- do we want a unwheeled worker available to all civs?

The pros and con's have been fairly well fleshed out in the last thread, so there shouldn't be too much more debate needed.

I vote for having one, available middle 2nd age. but it should be expensive.

If the vote is no, then make sure that there are no resources on mountains.

RRnut

I vote no for that. I would prefer mountains to be natural walls. Maybe some units able to cross, but only dwarf or orc.

 

[CCA]

Is this mod finished or downloadable if not when will it be

 

[Kindred72]

Originally posted by mrtn
Close, but no pipeweed.
Kindred, that's actually a list of leaders, not leaderheads.
You said I could slap you.
I think that the city lists we have include leadernames too, but I'm not Generalissimo of that department.

I was thinking more of a list like:
Mordor = Sauron by Sween32 and so on...

that is what I was talking about too. My research tells me that most of these were the latest "kings" of their people and should be made into leaderheads.

 

[Fier Canadien]

Originally posted by Kindred72
Sindar- Elrond
Morquendi- (I have no Idea)

Elrond Sinda? Not realy. Elrond is the heir of both the Noldor and the Sindar, but he was leader to the Noldor in the Third Age. Sindar King should be Prince Amroth of Lòrien.

As for the Moriquendi (Laïquendi and Nandorin), i'd propose Thranduil, the king of Mirkwood in the Second and Third Ages, father of Legolas.

 

[hetairoi22]

I think the leader of the Rohirrim should be Eorl the Young, the first in their line of kings, who defeated the Easterlings and tamed the Mearas (the princes of all horses).

For Gonder maybe Anarion or Isildur, the sons of Elendil, who raised the white towers of Gondor in the Second Age.

Just some thoughts...

Het22

 

[RRnut]

Hello,

Here are my proposals for Mannish Units:

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads6/Mannish_Units.txt .

Hope that you all like them. I took out the miner by popular demand,

RRnut


P.S. what is next up for debate?

 

[The Last Conformist]

We're doing all Ages of the Sun, aren't we? If so, Elu Thingol would seem as the obvious choice for Sindarin leader.

Durin Deathless could be another option for the Dwarves.

Shaddam III for the Southrons? Just where did you get that name from? Few Southron leaders are known by name; thru strictly Black Numenoreans, Herumor and Fuinur, who comanded Umbarite and Southron armies in the War of the Last Alliance, might be possibilities.

 

[SoCalian]

Yeah a topic I enjoy! The way I look at it we should choose leaders that would seem more familiar to players that have only seen the movies, or at most casualy read the books. Of course that would apply mostly to the civs that are in the movies, like Gondor, Rohan, The Shire, Mordor, ect. So here are some of my suggestionsfor leaders and titles:

Gondor- King Aragorn Elessar
Rohan- King Theoden Ednew
Arnor- King Isildur
Numenor- King Ar-Pharzon the Golden
Northmen- King Bard
The Shire- Mayor Samwise Gamgee of the Shire
Moriquendi- King Thranduil
Noldor- High King Fingolfin
Sindar- Elu Thingol the Hidden King
Dwarves- Dain II Ironfoot King Under the Mountain
Mordor- Dark Lord Sauron
Angmar- Witch-King
Isengard- Saruman the White (or multi-colored)
Southrons- Chief Shaddam III
Easterlings- Chief Ulfang the Black

I also feel that the elves are under represented with only three civs. I feel that we should add at least one preferably two civs for the elves. I would like to see a Lorien/Hollin civ and a Rivendale/Lindon civ. I could easily whip up a city list for Rivendale/Lindon and it would be even easier to combine the city lists for Hollin and Lorien. All that would be needed is a leader head for each civ. So if we include them heres what would be added to the list above:

Rivendale- Lord Elrond
Lorien- Lord Celeborn

Edit: Very good manish unit lines RRnut. That will be very usefull for working off of when making the rest of the unit lines.