Umbrae Thread

Umbrae

MASSIVE OVERHAUL

When talking over the concept, or showing this post to a few people, it seems a second large problem reared its head, which is larger than the first, that of boredom. There just doesn't seem enough for people to be doing besides walking around in a group or standing by these Ritual Circles, unless you happen to be the one or two Shamen who are taking control of the magic, a nd even then it may not even be directly you. Sure I could put a great spin on it, but, I spent a while filling in blanks and trying to draw focus to areas, it just didn't seem as worth it to keep one part dull simply for my cinematic thought.

So, there should be a rather large overhaul in terms of what is done, and as of right now only the general storyline is remaining, though I wouldn't be surprised if it is done in a whole new fashion, as it still holds a basis for many of the changes that will be coming. Probably the only areas that will remain similar to current is death and the Manes, as well as the Morale and Will. I hope that there will actually be too much for people to do in this game, while not attempting far more than could be delivered, or just beyond the scope of people. But, I should begin posting the new ideas in a bit, I just need them written down first.

Storyline -

Beyond tame lands of Nine Nations, swift currents of Mehns Path, jagged walls of Swordwrought Steppes, lay the Borderlands, and beyond even its shadowed, twisted valley lay the Brokenlands, where the deceptive silence, looming from the hush of the dead, is broken only with cries of battle or the fallen. Only the Old Gods remain, deities who slither as serpents, soar on leathery wings, bear rending talons and claws, who seek blood and sacrifice from adherents who are rewarded only to gather twofold blood. Beneath the idols of old though rest the Shamen, massive and brutish, warmongering and fierce without the death craving patron.

Yet the stout stone Dracoleth Towers were not crafted to bar any God, no, the Shamen bloodthirst proved boundless, spilling to the peaceful Nine Nations, and for four hundred years the Templars stood watch over the Borderlands. Though, only for four hundred years did all twenty stand, as few years ago were a score razed with their sister villages and steads, already cursed shadow lands now soaked in the blood of the empire. For the Borderlands of the Nine Nations and the Realm of the Dead of the Shamen is one and the same, and the living should not enter the Realm unless accompanied by the dead, or to die.

However, four yet stand, and the dark port of Demithin at Dragon's Mouth stands with them, crafted in the jagged, black stone walls of the Stonewrought Steppes, necessary lest one considers passage through the Brokenlands. Only the patrolling Dracoleth Templars dare march outside the wooden gates, to and from the towers, in armored sets of ten, though still, to a veteran amongst them, with a shiver of fear in those first steps. For, carved deep within the cavernous passages of the cliff faces, rest the intricate tombs of the most favored warriors of the Shamen and Barbarians, and littering the unkempt soil before these are their kin, both ancient and numerous.

For these the Shamen have come, to reclaim this defiled realm from the grasp of the Nine Nations, though this is not mere war for land. There are those that speak of dark powers, ritual circles and blood sacrifices. Of these Shamen commanding the icy hand of death to reach into the very soul of a man, and a fight for survival that rests in willpower alone.

Edited by (in order): Vangor, Vangor, Vangor, Vangor, Vangor

Great idea. You definitely need some team members to do it with you.

Morale/Ferocity and Will -

Will is the lifeblood of your character, Morale/Ferocity is your shield against attacks. While you may possess a sword and armor already, these only deflect the physical, and while any may come back from the brink of death, only the want to survive will make it so.

Morale is specific to the Dracoleth Templars, who rely on togetherness and controlling their behavior to survive. Proper torch and candlelight is a necessity in the deep valley of the Realm of the Dead, and one will find comfort in the strength of numbers amidst the ghastly scape. Constant hounding by the forces of the realm, losing allies, losing weapons, losing ground, running low on arrows, keeping tension on the bow or your sword raised, all may lower morale. As well, two direct forces are applied to morale, the Horn of the Dragon may be blown to rally for battle, or the Wraith Hand can put the terror of death in a Templar.

Ferocity is the bulwark of the Shamen, fighting to reclaim the land of their dead and the glory of combat. Constant skirmishes keep ferocity high, as will casting a Ritual Circle of Magic, being struck in combat, losing an ally, breaking a weapon, and being joined by allies in actions to gain Ferocity. Beginning with none, this is lost only through inaction, by hiding from combat, and keeps you vulnerable to attacks by the Templars.

The underlying necessity though is Willpower, this is endurance and health, mana and strength. This can be expended by sprinting, unending combat, casting of magic, or more directly, wounding and bleeding out. Lowered Willpower can mean slowed attacks and actions, weaker spells and attacks. While a person can fall from complete exhaustion through running or battling, generally these only make easier targets to be struck down. However, it is simpler to over-exert yourself through Ritual Magic, placing too much of your Willpower into the spells.

Absence of Morale or Ferocity at death will result in a more difficult recovery, creating more Manes, more distance, and less ability, as well as determining the strength of this recovery, the amount of Willpower at revival.

Edited by: Vangor

Woah, that sounds really really cool. I'd volunteer my services, though I doubt that they'd be of much use, and I'm already pretty busy with my projects. Nonetheless, I will watch this mod with an anticipation of great things. With so detailed of a description as the one you supplied, a very unique, immersive concept, and your superlative skill in writing, this will definately be an excellent mod, once you find a team to help you on your endeavours.

I wish you the best of luck, Vangor.
~Sangye

I'll be updating this shortly, and each time I do I'll post a Version update to basically give the look over for what is new. Currently up is an explanation of how ritual circles work, and then I will be refining the spells themselves, to make them much more unique. I had begun alot of it, but, my friend's mouse has those back and forward buttons right on the side, and accidentally clicked it, and it won't save what I was editing like it does with a post, so, you all may have to wait a bit longer.

Update Line -

Ritual Circle Explanation
Ritual Magic Refinement
Weapons and Armaments Detail
Morale and Will System (as opposed to "Soul")
Dracoleth Templars (give them defensive capabilities)

Wow...it happened again, at almost the eact same place, well, I will update later sorry, spent an hour trying to type the same thing, I really hate this mouse.

Edited by: Vangor

This sounds like it gight really go somewhere if you are able to get a team together. Really good creative story and description. I'll be keeping an eye on this.

Best of luck to you!

Vangor wrote: One of the simpler abilities is commanding the "Guardians" of the Realm of the Dead, these can range from werewolf'esque creatures to ancient trees or bat-likegargoyles.

interested :garg::wub:

whoa..........finding a mod description like this is rare. Sounds sweet good luck.

Thanks for the comments, I'll be overhauling alot of this soon, so, simply because you don't see a new post, doesn't mean there isn't something new. Right now, I've put a taste of the Runes for the Ritual Magics up there, but, I'll be focusing more on unspoken areas, which will begin in my second post.