Valkrionn
The Hamster King
I hadn't even noticed that part of your post, to be honest, or I'd have mentioned that. 
tesbs further flavored civilizations [development thread]
- Thread starter tesb
- Start date
Valkrionn
The Hamster King
Also... This is what I'd be using your skellies for. 
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=9207996#post9207996
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=9207996#post9207996
Valkrionn
The Hamster King
It's not too dire; I have the units designed and implemented for the testers (well, once I commit the changes to the SVN, sometime tomorrow), but 1.3 won't be out for a while yet unfortunately.
Calabim Recon (IIRC) was actually meant to be fat guys... Think Boomers.
Boomers? I typed that into a translator and it said huge male kangaroo
The problem is when i use zombies that i have to give them negative city defense, for balance reasons or you will use them for defense rather then skeleton archers. i guess i will go with a skeleton accompanied with skeleton hounds and hawks becoming bats.
Valkrionn
The Hamster King
Boomers? I typed that into a translator and it said huge male kangaroo
The problem is when i use zombies that i have to give them negative city defense, for balance reasons or you will use them for defense rather then skeleton archers. i guess i will go with a skeleton accompanied with skeleton hounds and hawks becoming bats.
Boomers from L4D. Less undead looking, but the size of the body would fit.
I wouldn't do skeleton everything. At the least, zombie/demon hound.
Since the core elements are in place and the only thing left are 5 pedia entries i thought i post the new civilization:
Introduction:
What started as a minor addition to the Calabim turned into a new race: The Aristrakh
(The word was derived from the Russian word Aristarkh which is a from the Greek Αρισταρχος (Aristarchos), derived from αριστος (aristos) "best" and αρχη (arche) "origin, source". This name was borne by Aristarchus of Samos, a 3rd-century BC Greek astronomer and mathematician.)
The story is that a small group of Calabim Vampires are fed up with their hidden way of live and instead fully embraced their powers, not caring what the rest of Erebus would think about them. The first Calabim Apostate is Nikephoros (The name is from an ancient Byzantine Emperor) who is both the hero and a leader for the Aristrakh.
The Concept:
Playing as the Aristrakh:
1) Start your game as the Aristrakh like any other faction.
2) Finish the ritual "Death's Embrace" and your Calabim nations becomes the Aristrakh. Completing this Ritual kills all living nonvampiric units. There are huge benefits for choosing the second option, but more on that later.
Unit synopsis:
The whole unit composition is basically divided between weak and numerous undead units and powerful, but rare elite vampire units.
The undead units are:
Skeleton Spearmen (melee line)
Skeleton Archers (archer line)
Skeleton Horsemen (mounted line)
Skeleton Horsearchers (mounted archers)
Zombies (recon line)
Banshees (arcane line)
Those units don't have better replacements, like an axeman replacing a warrior for example. Instead if certain technologies are unlocked you can first reinforce those units with more of their kind and later add an banner carrier. For example the Archer Line is:
Skeleton Archers (need archery) --> Reinforce Skeleton Archers (needs bowyers) --> Add Standard Bearer (need Precision)
Reinforcing and adding standard bearers cost one population each. Those abilities work like the normal upgrades: the unit is transformed into the next tier (more and different unit models are added), so if a Skeleton Archers unit gets reinforced it is transformed into a Skeleton Archer Squad and if a the standard bearer is added the Skeleton Archer Squad is transformed into a Skeleton Archer Company. This name convention applies to all undead units with exception for the Zombies and Banshees.
You can not build the upgraded versions you must build the basic versions and then upgrade them.
The Elite Units are:
Ancient Vampires (maximum of 12)
Brujahs (maximum of 4)
Vampire Lords (maximum of 4)
Dracolich Riders (maximum of 2)
Vampire Phalanx (maximum of 4)
All Vampire units start with the Souldrinker promotion, which allows them to use Soul Harvest. This spell works like feast, but it does not consume population.
The Aristrakh are not focused on religion, so you can not build any religious units, however you can research religious techs and choose state religions.
If you are playing as the Calabim and then choose to complete the ritual you will keep your vampires, which you can not normally build with the Aristrakh and you keep religious units if they have the vampire promotion. Also all vampires that you transfer over are able to turn into Ancient Vampires even if you have not researched the necessary technology to build them.
Population Mechanics:
Your most important unit is Nikephoros (which you start with, if you start as the Aristrakh otherwise he is available with fanaticism, the same technology needed to unlock the Ritual Death' Embrace) since only he can increase the population of your cities. He has access to two spells:
1) Death Pact: This spell increases the population of the city. Better versions are available when researching Philosophy, Priesthood, Religious Law and finally Theology.
2) Dark Ritual: This spell increases the population of all cities, however it also decreases your relation with other civilizations. Better versions are available when researching Knowledge of the Ether, Sorcery, Arcane Lore and finally Strength of Will.
Basic Strategies:
You can either choose to have only a few big cities with Death Pact and only upgrading a few skeletons until you reach advanced technologies and build your elite units. Or you can build many cities and pump out tons of skeletons and upgrading them. To keep the population up you will need to cast Dark Ritual. Since skeletons are dirt cheap you don't need big cities. Of course you can choose a middle ground.
What currently does not work:
Basically all additions that need python scripts don't work:
-The Worldspell: Death March
-Dark Ritual (Both the population increase and the faction standing decrease.)
-The Ritual: Death's Embrace
Edit:
-Skeletons still cost a bit of upkeep
Further Bugs/ Unfinished entries:
-The Autocast option for Death Pact and Dark Ritual only works for the tier 5 version of those spells. This is due to how the tag <ObsoletedBySpells> work. If the autocast option would recognize the technology requirement of the higher versions of those spells this problem would be solved.
-The Aristrakh use the same colors as the Calabim. This could make problems when both civilizations are in play and have touching borders.
-There are 5 unwritten pedia entries: (Nikephoros, Aristrakh (+guide), Death's Embrace (+strategy)
-The upgraded Banshees are in need of a better name
Things to add in the future:
-Building Replacements for useless/ unfluffy buildings (like infirmary, market etc.)
-New Art for improvements, like the farm for example.
-Balance tweaks
Apart from the problems mentioned above, please report if you have any issues or suggestions. Any feedback is welcome.
Introduction:
What started as a minor addition to the Calabim turned into a new race: The Aristrakh
(The word was derived from the Russian word Aristarkh which is a from the Greek Αρισταρχος (Aristarchos), derived from αριστος (aristos) "best" and αρχη (arche) "origin, source". This name was borne by Aristarchus of Samos, a 3rd-century BC Greek astronomer and mathematician.)
The story is that a small group of Calabim Vampires are fed up with their hidden way of live and instead fully embraced their powers, not caring what the rest of Erebus would think about them. The first Calabim Apostate is Nikephoros (The name is from an ancient Byzantine Emperor) who is both the hero and a leader for the Aristrakh.
The Concept:
Playing as the Aristrakh:
1) Start your game as the Aristrakh like any other faction.
2) Finish the ritual "Death's Embrace" and your Calabim nations becomes the Aristrakh. Completing this Ritual kills all living nonvampiric units. There are huge benefits for choosing the second option, but more on that later.
Unit synopsis:
The whole unit composition is basically divided between weak and numerous undead units and powerful, but rare elite vampire units.
The undead units are:
Skeleton Spearmen (melee line)
Skeleton Archers (archer line)
Skeleton Horsemen (mounted line)
Skeleton Horsearchers (mounted archers)
Zombies (recon line)
Banshees (arcane line)
Those units don't have better replacements, like an axeman replacing a warrior for example. Instead if certain technologies are unlocked you can first reinforce those units with more of their kind and later add an banner carrier. For example the Archer Line is:
Spoiler :
Skeleton Archers (need archery) --> Reinforce Skeleton Archers (needs bowyers) --> Add Standard Bearer (need Precision)
Reinforcing and adding standard bearers cost one population each. Those abilities work like the normal upgrades: the unit is transformed into the next tier (more and different unit models are added), so if a Skeleton Archers unit gets reinforced it is transformed into a Skeleton Archer Squad and if a the standard bearer is added the Skeleton Archer Squad is transformed into a Skeleton Archer Company. This name convention applies to all undead units with exception for the Zombies and Banshees.
You can not build the upgraded versions you must build the basic versions and then upgrade them.
The Elite Units are:
Ancient Vampires (maximum of 12)
Brujahs (maximum of 4)
Vampire Lords (maximum of 4)
Dracolich Riders (maximum of 2)
Vampire Phalanx (maximum of 4)
All Vampire units start with the Souldrinker promotion, which allows them to use Soul Harvest. This spell works like feast, but it does not consume population.
The Aristrakh are not focused on religion, so you can not build any religious units, however you can research religious techs and choose state religions.
If you are playing as the Calabim and then choose to complete the ritual you will keep your vampires, which you can not normally build with the Aristrakh and you keep religious units if they have the vampire promotion. Also all vampires that you transfer over are able to turn into Ancient Vampires even if you have not researched the necessary technology to build them.
Population Mechanics:
Your most important unit is Nikephoros (which you start with, if you start as the Aristrakh otherwise he is available with fanaticism, the same technology needed to unlock the Ritual Death' Embrace) since only he can increase the population of your cities. He has access to two spells:
1) Death Pact: This spell increases the population of the city. Better versions are available when researching Philosophy, Priesthood, Religious Law and finally Theology.
2) Dark Ritual: This spell increases the population of all cities, however it also decreases your relation with other civilizations. Better versions are available when researching Knowledge of the Ether, Sorcery, Arcane Lore and finally Strength of Will.
Basic Strategies:
You can either choose to have only a few big cities with Death Pact and only upgrading a few skeletons until you reach advanced technologies and build your elite units. Or you can build many cities and pump out tons of skeletons and upgrading them. To keep the population up you will need to cast Dark Ritual. Since skeletons are dirt cheap you don't need big cities. Of course you can choose a middle ground.
What currently does not work:
Basically all additions that need python scripts don't work:
-The Worldspell: Death March
-Dark Ritual (Both the population increase and the faction standing decrease.)
-The Ritual: Death's Embrace
Edit:
-Skeletons still cost a bit of upkeep
Further Bugs/ Unfinished entries:
-The Autocast option for Death Pact and Dark Ritual only works for the tier 5 version of those spells. This is due to how the tag <ObsoletedBySpells> work. If the autocast option would recognize the technology requirement of the higher versions of those spells this problem would be solved.
-The Aristrakh use the same colors as the Calabim. This could make problems when both civilizations are in play and have touching borders.
-There are 5 unwritten pedia entries: (Nikephoros, Aristrakh (+guide), Death's Embrace (+strategy)
-The upgraded Banshees are in need of a better name
Things to add in the future:
-Building Replacements for useless/ unfluffy buildings (like infirmary, market etc.)
-New Art for improvements, like the farm for example.
-Balance tweaks
Apart from the problems mentioned above, please report if you have any issues or suggestions. Any feedback is welcome.
![[to_xp]Gekko](https://civfanatics-data.community.forum/avatars/m/74/74677.jpg?1475248346){kind=avatar}
[to_xp]Gekko
QCT junkie
so now we'll have some undead that are less weird than the scions? sounds great
graywarden
King
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2007
- Messages
- 819
tesb,
if you will zip me the pedia entries, i will make the pedia and strategy tags for them if you want.
if you will zip me the pedia entries, i will make the pedia and strategy tags for them if you want.
@Graywarden:
Thank you for your offer, since i am not a native English speaker i could use some input/help. You can always pm me your suggestions. I am defiantly planning on adding those this week.
The pedia entries are:
TXT_KEY_UNIT_NIKEPHOROS_PEDIA
TXT_KEY_CIV_ARISTRAKH_PEDIA
TXT_KEY_PROJECT_DEATHS_EMBRACE_PEDIA
TXT_KEY_PROJECT_DEATHS_EMBRACE_STRATEGY
And a Guide/Concept for them. As of now there is no tag.
Thank you for your offer, since i am not a native English speaker i could use some input/help. You can always pm me your suggestions. I am defiantly planning on adding those this week.
The pedia entries are:
TXT_KEY_UNIT_NIKEPHOROS_PEDIA
TXT_KEY_CIV_ARISTRAKH_PEDIA
TXT_KEY_PROJECT_DEATHS_EMBRACE_PEDIA
TXT_KEY_PROJECT_DEATHS_EMBRACE_STRATEGY
And a Guide/Concept for them. As of now there is no tag.
graywarden
King
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2007
- Messages
- 819
Do you have actual pedia text entries written for these tags?
I can produce the strategy text based on clues from the pedia and then let you preview them.
All I need is the English, then once i upload, Saathei will work on the translations.
No, as of now those entries are missing. What would help me more is, if you could review them (check choice of words, etc.). I will send them to you via pm this week or post them here. The reason i left them out is, that those entries will be long and lore heavy. If i would have written them before, the release would have been delayed by 1 to 4 days.
graywarden
King
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2007
- Messages
- 819
tesb,
I keep forgetting English is not your first language. I can help with the writing, but I will need some reference to the different items since you are the creator, and I am still behind on my FFH/WM lore. Zip me what you have when you are ready, and I will see what I can do to help. PM when you have something to start with.
Valkrionn
The Hamster King
Iskar Jarak
Chieftain
played a quick test game, noticed that the skeleton spearmen, contrary to what it says in the pedia do cost maintenance, meaning it can cost a lot to defend cities. I suppose that zombies could fill the role of early defender but that seems weird.
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