Orbis - the original thread

[Ahwaric]

All major versions break saves.
But this version will install alongside the old one, so you can have both.
CoE has nothing to do with mages (if by CoE you mean council of esus). In fact, no religion restriict magic using, I have changed nothing here.
CoE just lacks priests.

Now I have some time to post a short description for Scions.
If you are not famillar with them, here is Tarqueline's guide.

I did preety big changes to spells, so just read descriptions. In generall, they get:
3 additional spells in body magic as they can't really use normal ones on most of their units (haste and regeneration do not work and undead units can't be added to flesh golems)
4 spells for their unique priests (2 at priest level and 2 at high priest)
2 unique spells - 1 for necromancer (mage) and 1 for wraith lord (archmage). Both require that caster recently killed living units. Wraith lord spell is really powerfull.

Most scions units do not get bonus from tower of necromancy (exception are undead other civs can get. like skeletons and wraiths, plus bone horde). On the other hand, they get only half damage from destroy undead spell (same exception as above)

Haunted lands can be burned, sanctified (removal) or vitalized (turn to forest)

Some things not (yet) implemented:
haunted lands mechanics
creeper needs work
headless and ghostly dragoon promotions not included (not sure I want to)
most mounted units, immortal and berserker need new art. I need to decide what to do with abomination unit (not in yet).

As an experiment, I changed their symbol and flag to that of the roman empire ( I want them to be very roman )
The standard flag is still in, and it is really easy to switch to it. If you do not want to edity the files yourself and want the other flag, use the attached file.

 

[scutarii]

DL-d; installed as required, gives loading errors.

 

[Wauthan]

'Fraid I have to report loading error as well.

"GFC Error: failed to initialize the primary control theme"

Installed FFH patch t, then Orbis 021 into "Orbis" folder.

 

[arkham4269]

In regard to CoE, I meant Clan of Embers. I guess I need a tutorial on FfH/FF acronyms!

 

[Seon]

Loading Error, see above posts

P.S. My folder says Orbis 020 although I downloaded as specified, maybe is this the reason? I hope so, since the other option is that my computer is strange

P.P.S. I also deleted the former folder just to make sure that other thing did not happen.
Also running patch t. I checked the recycling bin and the former Orbis folder is still there, meaning it is a whole new different folder with the same name

PPPS I renamed the folder to 'Orbis' and still have the same error, apparently it is completely unrelated

 

[Ahwaric]

Ok, I have found the bug. Reuploading fixed version now.
For those of you that already downloaded and do not want to repeat it, the file attached should fix the problem.

Clan of embers is not limited to adepts, only khazad do. Thay can build mages and archmages just fine. Bhall is watching over them

@Seon
The default installation path might point to an old version. You have to change it (just remove the space and number).
The problem was, one reference was still pointing to Orbis 020 while other were updated. I tested while having 020 installed so it worked and I did not know there is a problem.
It should be ok now.

Edit: Reupload completed, links updated. Downloaded, installed, tested. Works

 

[arkham4269]

Any plans for other races? I really like the Mechanos and the Scions but I also have had fun (although I've disagreed with the author on lots of points) with the Jotnar.

Plus, from something you've said, you don't plan on adding the evil Lizard race, correct?

As I've said before, some of the races like the Sheiam, the Kahdi and even the Malakim seem more a race that breaks off like a more independent Minister Kuhn. (Yes, I seem to have lost my FfH manual so I can't confirm the above spelling) That and the history of the Chislev seems to be one that it would appear after a certain amount of cities got razed.

As I've probably said way to many times, I liked the FiRe mod mechanic that is supposedly going to be integrated in FF that will allow barbarian cities to upgrade to minor Civs over time. The above Civs all have a history that seems to be more suited to that then being a playable race. Of course it seems that the Sheiam and Kahdi almost need to be played by a human since the AI never seems to have the knack for doing the planar gates properly.

 

[Wauthan]

Really good work Ahwaric. So far the only bugs are missing text entries, the Retractor for the Scions and one of the Great people entries. How on earth you managed to make such a huge update bug free is beyond me. I'm really glad you decided to mod FFH.

 

[Seon]

Ahwric, you must be da divine being of teh computers. How on earth did you manage to do this without a bug and still have time to fix the scions is completely beyond our scope...

 

[arkham4269]

First of I get a "Mods\Orbis\is an invalid directory, ignoring" error

Then when the game starts up, I'm getting the 'normal' BTS screens. I go into graphics and none of them are the FfF/FF/ or the Orbis 020.

Can't try the game right now as I have to go pick up the wife. In my directory I notice it comes up Orbis 021 with the next sub-folder down being just Orbis.

Actually, just thought I'd check something: Not only am I not getting the regular screens, it's because I've been bounced back to regular Civ! When I get home I'll try to load from BtS. Of course last time I tried (before doing a total re-install) I got a GFC Error: Failed to Initialize the Primary Control Theme.

 

[Seon]

I got this error too. Apparently for me, it was caused by the folder which was named Orbis 020 instead of Orbis. Delete that space and numbers so it only says Orbis and install Ahwaric's fix to play the game

P.S. Hang on, did you just say 2 folders? That is an intersting development...

 

[arkham4269]

I got this error too. Apparently for me, it was caused by the folder which was named Orbis 020 instead of Orbis. Delete that space and numbers so it only says Orbis and install Ahwaric's fix to play the game

P.S. Hang on, did you just say 2 folders? That is an interesting development...

Okay, I have done some fiddling. First off, I deleted the whole thing and started over. First off, I notice that the when installing, the mod wants to put it in a BTS\Mods\Orbis 021\Orbis folder.

So when I reinstalled, I manually deleted the "Orbis" part so the base folder was just the Orbis 021. Put in the patch. Then I loaded BtS and loaded the mod from the advanced options screen. Still got the initial GFC load error, then a black screen and a lock up. Then an MS error "Do you want to send a report" and CtD.

I'm running a Win-XP laptop with full Keyboard and running FfH up to patch T (haven't put in patch U yet) as well as the current FF patch as well.

 

[Dzhel]

100 turns into my first game.

Just stopped in briefly to say I'm impressed.

Thanks again.

Now, let's see what these Scions can do...

 

[arbor]

Hey great work again! That's fun!
I'm playing the Scions now and like them a lot.
I think I got an issue (might be a feature - why then?): I'm Undercouncil member and chose Develop secret codes; well, every other race gains Great Sages but Scions it seems do not. Some idea?
I have to check them some more times; for the first impression they are not easy to play.

Keep on the great work!

 

[arbor]

Sorry, my mistake!! I didn't have the 25 and I tried it two time :?

 

[KingArthur666]

It downloaded, installed, and ran fine for me. Not a single crash in over 400 turns.

 

[Ahwaric]

Really good work Ahwaric. How on earth you managed to make such a huge update bug free is beyond me. I'm really glad you decided to mod FFH.

Ahwric, you must be da divine being of teh computers. How on earth did you manage to do this without a bug and still have time to fix the scions is completely beyond our scope...

Thanks
The secret is, a lot of work. The update took most of my spare time in the last 3 weeks. Not sure if I want to add another civ soon... (But scions are more complicated and developed than most civs)
And trust me, there are bugs

First off, I notice that the when installing, the mod wants to put it in a BTS\Mods\Orbis 021\Orbis folder.

So when I reinstalled, I manually deleted the "Orbis" part so the base folder was just the Orbis 021.

The mod requires to be put in Orbis folder, without any numbers. Otherwise it does not work.
So BTS\Mods\Orbis will work. In your situation, simple renaming should do the trick. Also, make sure that you have used fixed install. There was a problem with first one but I have replaced it with fixed version. Either download again or just apply fix I attached several posts back.

 

[Swodhawk]

Would someone be so kind as to provide or upload somewhere the FFH patch T since download from Kael's website is impaired by Error - 500 server internal error.

'nk you!

 

[arkham4269]

Okay, changing the name worked and so far so good.

A few things; I'm getting an 500 Internal Service Error when I try to download the FfH 2 (040) patch T compatibility patch.

Some quick questions:

Why did you remove the Velite unit and replaced with the normal scout?

Is the skirmisher promotion a Scion only thing or is it available to other Civs?

I notice that Korinna can get spell abilities as if she was an adept (although it seems she can't actually cast a raise skeleton spell to I get to Necomancy) - why the change considering her martial background?

So far, so good. I must say Orbis 021 boots up faster than any other FfH mod.

 

[[to_xp]Gekko]

I still have patch T sitting around in my hard drive, I could send it to Ahwaric so that he can upload it if he wants.