the calabim

hossam

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i like the calabim and i think they are the collest civ in the game, and i have a few things i would like to about them, first of all how does one become a moroi in calabim society? and how hard is it for a person/moroi to become a vampire? and who has the power flauros or his sister? and one last thing of the ashen viel and octopus overlords, which one more suited towards the calabim?
 
IMHO: I prefer the FoL for them - you know the Hunt and the darker side of nature... Generic Vamps (unlike these) dont like water so OO would be out for them... I really dont like the AV for them much cause their "life" depends on the life force of another. The AV seem to be more focused in bringing an end to life...
 
We tried as hard as possible to make every religion applicable to every civ. Of course there are some that make mroe sense than others, but you should be able to imagine a version of that society with each religion. That was actually pretty hard to do, we had to scope out all the things that make the civ unique, and aeverything that made the religions unique and not have those conflict.

So I can imagine an Order Calabim, Runes Calabim, Fellowship Calabim, Esus Calabim, Ashen Calabim and Overlords Calabim. The only one that is a bit of a stretch is a Empyrean Calabim. Because Lugus hates vampires and the Calabim are hierachical by nature and the empyrean is fundamentally democratic.

So I dont know what religion is best for them. Someone wrote a Fellowship Calabim story about them as a very primal power. It had a great flavor so I always think aboutt that when I play them. But I can imagine the others as easily.

As for the process of making vampires. Both Moroi and vampires have to be created by other vampires. It doesn't need to be Alexis and Flarous, though of course they started the process. A Moroi has drank vampire blood, a vampire has learned how to consume the soul of another to strengthen themselves.
 
I usually think that Esus fits best bu that the Order, FoL, AV, and OO aren't a bad fit either. I used to think that OO was best for them, but that was when you needed OO for slavery and when Feed could be used on slaves.

Obviously Empyrean doesn't fit (I gave them a -100 modifier, so they can't use it, and eventually plan to add several very negative events that happen in Calabim cities wth the Empyrean. They'll be a lot like the cult of the dragon events, but a little stronger.), but I don't think that RoK does either. Kilmorph is the Goddess of the Harvest, of reaping the benefits of their own hard work. The religion seems to consider Mammon their greatest enemy, because the scheming ambitions of the mind are detrimental to others ability to support themselves their their own labor. (The same would probably go for Esus too.) This is exactly how the Calabim work, scheming to deprive others of their economic liberty and enslaving them to reap undeserved gains. Also, the Calabim are the representatives of the body/hatred sphere. From the Odio's Prison entry I doubt that Kilmorph gets a long very well with the Angels of Aeron.
 
The Calabim are all about reaping the benefits of their own hard work. It takes a lot of work to herd all those mortals! In all seriousness, they probably don't see themselves as any different from ranchers.

Incidentally, I find the Calabim to be one of the most interesting civs when considering religions. It's possible to picture a Calabim empire under every religion except the Empyrean, and each one is not only unique but also equally interesting. That being said, I kind of like Order Calabim the best. Thousands of innocent souls being consumed to empower the champions of holiness for the greater good... It's the most gloriously twisted example of well-intentioned extremism gone horribly wrong that I've ever seen.
 
We tried as hard as possible to make every religion applicable to every civ. Of course there are some that make mroe sense than others, but you should be able to imagine a version of that society with each religion. That was actually pretty hard to do, we had to scope out all the things that make the civ unique, and aeverything that made the religions unique and not have those conflict.

So I can imagine an Order Calabim, Runes Calabim, Fellowship Calabim, Esus Calabim, Ashen Calabim and Overlords Calabim. The only one that is a bit of a stretch is a Empyrean Calabim. Because Lugus hates vampires and the Calabim are hierachical by nature and the empyrean is fundamentally democratic.

So I dont know what religion is best for them. Someone wrote a Fellowship Calabim story about them as a very primal power. It had a great flavor so I always think aboutt that when I play them. But I can imagine the others as easily.

As for the process of making vampires. Both Moroi and vampires have to be created by other vampires. It doesn't need to be Alexis and Flarous, though of course they started the process. A Moroi has drank vampire blood, a vampire has learned how to consume the soul of another to strengthen themselves.

so does that mean that moroi are handpicked by vampires? and what does a moroi have to do to be given vampirism? and who is in charge or holds more power in calabim society of flarous and alexis?
 
The Calabim are all about reaping the benefits of their own hard work. It takes a lot of work to herd all those mortals! In all seriousness, they probably don't see themselves as any different from ranchers.

Incidentally, I find the Calabim to be one of the most interesting civs when considering religions. It's possible to picture a Calabim empire under every religion except the Empyrean, and each one is not only unique but also equally interesting. That being said, I kind of like Order Calabim the best. Thousands of innocent souls being consumed to empower the champions of holiness for the greater good... It's the most gloriously twisted example of well-intentioned extremism gone horribly wrong that I've ever seen.

i really like the way you see things.:)
 
I'd hardly consider Flauros either liked or charismatic. He too is hated and feared. I consider him to be weaker than his sister but more intelligent. His strength is subtlety, while she is far more direct. I tend to prefer Esus for him and AV for Alexis (but only if I turn off the AC).
 
I think OO is a poor religous choice for them as well. One of the defining characteristics of the Octopus Overlords is the concept of Chaos. The Calabim have a rigidly structured society and even begin the game with access to Law mana. They represent to me what in pen and paper D&D would be a terrifying example of a Lawful Evil society. Make no mistake, they are evil, but they devise all manner of laws and excuses to justify their behavior. Even if it is something as horrible as classism or racism.
 
Well, in his 'pedia rightup Flauros' victim describes him as charismatic and beautiful. He could have Calabim society fooled into believing he is the "good cop" so to speak.
 
Well, in his 'pedia rightup Flauros' victim describes him as charismatic and beautiful. He could have Calabim society fooled into believing he is the "good cop" so to speak.

I'd agree with that - I think on a personal or individual level, he could really be quite charming. Doesn't mean that he wouldn't order the death of a few thousand peasants that got on his nerves though.
 
He was responsible for the "Rose of Prespur" you know. Perhaps he was more charismatic at one point, but I think the people eventually saw through that charade.
 
I imagine he can still be charming after that, it's just that there's going to be a huge senses of dissonance when you speak with him. He'd seem like a perfectly nice fellow, except you know that right outside is a pillar covered in the corpses of his enemies.
 
I imagine he can still be charming after that, it's just that there's going to be a huge senses of dissonance when you speak with him. He'd seem like a perfectly nice fellow, except you know that right outside is a pillar covered in the corpses of his enemies.

Most tyrants in history have been very charismatic personally. Consider how many people view Ernesto "Che" Guevara, or Mao Zedong. Flauros is just a bit more direct about his bloodthirstyness ;)
 
I think OO is a poor religous choice for them as well. One of the defining characteristics of the Octopus Overlords is the concept of Chaos. The Calabim have a rigidly structured society and even begin the game with access to Law mana. They represent to me what in pen and paper D&D would be a terrifying example of a Lawful Evil society. Make no mistake, they are evil, but they devise all manner of laws and excuses to justify their behavior. Even if it is something as horrible as classism or racism.

yes but they also require strict obedience(i.e tower of complacency), i tend to think of the OO as lawful madness, not chaos.
 
I am just studying the XML, it seems Alexis has a +10 weight towards the Ashen Veil, while Flauros has +10 towards the Octopus Overlords.
 
Yeah. Tower of complacency and mind stapling make perfect sense for the calabim. It is preferable your food doesn't turn against you.
 
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