Link to NationGen: https://github.com/elmokki/nationgen/releases/
Proposed rules: Nothing special - forum name hashes, basically.
Settings:
Game name: Bay12GamesRound426a (http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Bay12GamesRound426a)
Map: Ragnarok Comes (http://steamcommunity.com/app/259060/discussions/3/364042063118170352/) (with some extra nostarts (http://pastebin.com/uVdzb6AC))
Mods: NationGen 0.6.21c (https://github.com/elmokki/nationgen/releases/tag/0.6.21c), NationGen: Black Academy (https://mega.nz/#!adNi1CLY!gXJDqsLE95PjZjIGBsbCLbEDxW1iaPCegawwweZKBko)
Era: MA
Disciples: No
Time allowance: 30 hours at start, presumably
Special site frequency: Default
Random event frequency: Common
Story events: Off
Score graphs: Off
Hall of Fame: 15
Artifact forging limit : Limited
Thrones: 18/6/0, with 16/30 to win
Renaming: Allowed
Research: Normal
Masochists & Guinea Pigs:
E. Albright
RexMundi
Empty
ThtblovesDF
Mini
Shadowgandor
AlStar
The Departed:
a1s
chaoticag
kingkev
USEC_OFFICER
(http://i.imgur.com/iWkAVGk.png)
Dom3:
1 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=44348.msg849721#msg849721), 2 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=46012.msg908706#msg908706), 3 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=60235.msg1357467#msg1357467), 4 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=63361.0), 5 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=65222.0), 6 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=72919.msg1797235#msg1797235), 7&7.5 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=103575.0), 8 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=112126.0), 9 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=115427.0), 10 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=118516.0), 11 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=120941.0), 12 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=124958.0), 13 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=125655.0), 14 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=125670.0), 15 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=128797.0)
Dom4:
4.01 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=133320.msg4768287), 4.02 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=134792.0), 4.03 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=137585.0), 4.04 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=137631.0), 4.05 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=138108.0), 4.06 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=138950.0), 4.07 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=139129.0), 4.08 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=141429.0), 4.09 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=141858.0), 4.10 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=144007.msg5680284#msg5680284), 4.11B (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=144635.msg5723281#msg5723281), 4.12 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=145874.msg5822835#msg5822835), 4.13 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=146830.0), 4.14 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=147069.0), 4.15 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=150972.0), 4.16 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=151174.0), 4.15 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=150972.0), 4.17 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=153013.0), 4.18 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=153926.0), 4.19 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=154789.0), 4.20 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156668.0), 4.21 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=158361.0), 4.22 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=159272.0), 4.23 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=160418.0), 4.24 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=161107.0), 4.25 (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=161886.0)
Dominions 4 is an indy turn-based fantasy war game of epic proportions. Dominions: Priests, Prophets and Pretenders was released in 2002, followed by Dominions II: The Ascension Wars, and Dominions 3: The Awakening in 2006. Gameplay has not fundamentally changed since the first entry, but each new version has noticeably refined the GUI, added greater depth and complexity, markedly improved the game's modability, and generally made the gaming experience significantly better.
The player assumes the role of a pretender god, rising from slumber to take up the recently vacated throne of the Pantokrator (or All-Ruler). This invariably involves climbing there over the dead bodies of other wannabe gods and their countless followers.
The nations of the world each support one of the pretenders as their One and True God that shall no doubt lead them to glory everlasting. They are highly varied and defy the typical fantasy cliches. Instead they had been designed after some of the many myths and fables from the history of mankind. Shambling Atlanteans, undead legions of Ermor, frozen giants of Niefelheim, bloodthirsty demons of Lanka, steelclad armies of Ulm, Sauromatian amazons and their hydras, flying hosts of Caelum - over 60 nations to choose from.
The beings claiming the godly mantle are diverse themselves. Crooked crones and divine giants, sages and mages, liches and vampires, dragons and krakens. Apart from the physical form, the players can design their gods' magical powers, the blessings that they can bestow upon the chosen few, and the qualities that believing in them inspires in the common folk. Would you have your god bring good fortune and bountiful crops to the faithful, but be magically weak? Or would you rather make your god into a killing machine able to take on armies, but inspiring little awe? The pretender design system is excellent, and together with the multitude of nation choices is able to accommodate a wide range of strategies.
The game sports a very robust magic system, with literally hundreds of spells, ranging from in-battle lightning bolts to world altering doom bringers. Only in Dominions can you flaunt your divine destiny by hanging a second sun in the sky, draping the world in perpetual storms, or sending devils to incite enemy soldiers against their commanders.
Every unit in the sometimes hundreds-strong armies has got individual, and evolving stats, including age, battle wounds and experience. They can starve and fall victim to disease. They can be cursed and hunted by trans-dimensional horrors. Lots of things can happen to each individual unit, most of them unpleasant.
From the strategic map, commanders, mages, heroes, priests, magical beasts and pretender gods can be equipped with magical items and sent to do battle in person, assassinate or seduce enemy commanders, spy and instigate unrest, enchant armies in battle or wreak havoc among enemy ranks. Or, they can be kept at home and work on improving magical knowledge, build fortifications, summon magic beings, raise undead, forge items imbued with arcane forces, scour provinces in the search of blood slaves, preach god's glory, patrol provinces for troublemakers, search for magic sites hidden in the wild, and more.
The turns happen simultaneously, so the battles are resolved automatically, according to the preselected orders for troop formations and commanders. Here's a youtube video of a large-ish battle to pique your interest. Courtesy of Lorak.
Should you desire to know more about the game, go and visit the website (http://www.illwinter.com/dom4/index.html) (or go to the publisher's page here (http://www.desura.com/games/dominions-4-thrones-of-ascensions)). You'll notice that the price tag is not pintsized (though it's much lower than Dominions 3 was), but as many of us can attest, the game is well worth it.
- First of all, you need to download any non-standard map and mod we're using (links will be provided if we decide to use one), and put the files into the map and mod folders of your dom4 installation respectively.
- Then go to the options menu and enable the mod.
- Next use the pretender creation tool in the game tools menu to create a pretender and send the file(to be found in your /dominions4/savedgames/newlords; named <your_nation_era_number.2h>, where number is most likely "0" if it's the only pretender you've created so far for this nation.) to "pretenders [at ] llamaserver [dot ] net" with the game name as the subject.
Game name will most likely be "Bay12GamesRound402".
You'll be receiving .trn files from llama server, which you should put into a {dom4dir}/savedgames/{whatevernameyouwant}/
After finishing your moves, a new .2h file will appear in that folder, which you should send to the same address from which you've received your .trn file.
Regarding the rules of conduct:
- No exploits please. Examples of exploits are siegeing a fort infinitely with a string of scouts; sending other players crap items to fill their magic item pool and make them waste gems; anything else you can think of that doesn't feel like it was meant to be a feature. If not sure, ask.
- Trade agreements are sacred. Once you decided to exchange some gems/items/gold, you MUST fulfill your side of the agreement.
- No constrains on diplomacy. You can attack anyone you want, with or without warning. It would be, however, in good taste not to rush another player at the very begining of the game. We're all trying to have a good time playing this.
- Use forum PMs for diplomacy. The in-game messaging system is seriously flawed(unacceptably slow, and parts of messages tend to dissapear)
- If you want to boast/moan about your progress(or lack thereof) in game, feel free to use this thread to post your screenshots, stories and whatnot.
- It's bad etiquette to repeatedly stale/go AI without consulting other players. If you lose interest or ability to play, do try to get in touch with us. Usually a sub can be arranged and it's better than AI/inattentive player.
Useful links:
Dom4Mods (http://z7.invisionfree.com/Dom3mods/index.php)
Dom4 forums on Steam (http://steamcommunity.com/app/259060/discussions/)
An archived snapshot of the Dom3 wiki (http://web.archive.org/web/20130118162532/http://dom3.servegame.com/wiki/Main_Page): Yes, it's still relevant, and it hasn't been replaced yet, so... It has loads of useful information, including strategy guides. Keep in mind that while a lot of this information is still very useful and valid, a lot of it is entirely out-of-date.
Llama Server (http://llamaserver.net/): the automatic hosting server for our game.
Llama Server's map and mod browser (http://www.llamaserver.net/createDom4Game.cgi) (Yes, it's not really a browser, but you can browse the maps and mods here)
Dom4 Mod Inspector (http://larzm42.github.io/dom4inspector/) Very useful. You can browse all the nations, items, spells and sites in the game with it. You can also browse custom mod nations, though it doesn't really support nations using negative montag firstshapes for random recruitment (e.g., NationGen Foulspawn).
After checking the nations, I'd vote for LA, since its the only time where I am not stuck with blood mages and old age mages at the same time, just old age.
Aha the good old Giant-Rider;
(http://i.imgur.com/Tzknkem.jpg)
--
Aha the good old Giant-Rider;
Not to make you jealous, but Shadowgandor can one-up you:
(http://i1364.photobucket.com/albums/r734/Image_buffer/cave_zpsrvxwstzw.png)
Also Giants riding horses look kinda silly, I love it.
LA has the Guards of Death, murder-bots
(http://i.imgur.com/Wzo3Zrx.jpg)
T'ker Supideo, He who is at the Center, Lord of the Pole Star, Keeper of the Celestial Records, Master of Gambling
Malaria, Father of Gods, the God above All, August Master, King of Destiny, He who Makes Clear the Way
the Fountain of Bloodwine, Bane of Men, God of the City, the Man Eater
Phalazar Slytherin, the Personification of Strength, Master of this World, the Most High, King of the Rock, Prince of the Foothills
FluffySwarthyBeak, Guide of Souls, Guardian of the Dead, the Leech
Law of Supply and Demand, Prince of the Greater Earth, King of Kings, Great Defender, God of the Open Road
Snakes Need Love Too, Lady of the Harvest, the Teacher of Philosophy, the Unforgiving Princess
Sputtersplat, Prince of Suffering, Patron of Human Sacrifice, the Awesome
Moo Moo, the Fountainhead of Order, the Kindly One, King of Agriculture
Positive Vibes, Mother of Demons, Tower of Strength, Mistress of the Hunt
Vdekja Pret, Mistress of Darkness, Gatherer of the Dead, Lady of Untimely Death
Some of these are subtle; most... aren't.
prettier, yes. But I just have to say, Dominions (3 and 4, I haven't seen the earlier ones) random maps are really nice. I'm a fanboy of procedural generation. :P
Yes, but as I mentioned earlier, I'm really a sucker for pretty-but-impractical maps (as we'll all probably be seeing shortly, muwahaha).
I may have changed mine to a warm climate instead of a cold climate after remembering an Icy domain is the OPPOSITE of what cold blooded pale ones want.
They're also amphibious, so melty rivers are kinda their thing, too.
T'ker Supideo, the Most High, the Undecievable God, Protector from Insanity, Patron of Merchants
Malaria, God of Invincible Power, Prince of Majesty, Lord of Destiny, God of Arcane Mysteries, He who Is at the Center
the Fountain of Bloodwine, Prince of Suffering, Seducer of Life
Phalazar Slytherin, the Personification of Strength, the Beginning and the End, King of Kings, the Maker of Mountains
DementedGrandpa, Opener of the Ways, Dispenser of Fate
Law of Supply and Demand, August Master, God of the Crafts, the Armorer, the Divine Smith
Snakes Need Love Too, Princess of Excellence, Bestower of Good Gifts, Goddess of Writing and Speech
Sputtersplat, Bane of Men, Enemy of Infants, the Giver of Food
Moo Moo, the Fountainhead of Order, Master of Order, Master of Many Names, the Evil Prince
Positive Vibes, Lady of the Forest that Thirsts, Mistress of Plant and Trees, Princess of Suicides, the Hidden One
Vdekja Pret, She who Gave Birth to Death, the Dead and Undying Goddess, the Stealer of Corpses, Warrior Against the Sun
For the record (since we had someone have issues with this last time), I am adjacent to one throne.
I'm a little more concerned about half of my commanders being good at entering The Void, but I don't actually have one available. Also they're amphibious but all (most) their equipment is iron. Government corruption? :P
Void gates on your capital sites are A LOT more common if your nation has troops with summoning skill, but they're not guaranteed. OTOH, you're not paying anything for it, so if you happen to find the Strange House in the Mist, it's a bonus.
The iron bit is because illithids fall in the 1/3 of races that use default race themes instead of custom ones, and your nation rolled an advanced tech level theme, which means lots and lots of iron instead of "more primitive" non-ferrous gear. That makes sense for most races, at least purely terrestrial ones, but it has some, ah, unintended consequences that you're feeling right now... ><
Apropos nothing whatsoever, I probably should not feel so pleased with myself for the abominations to be found in the next NationGen patch, but I just can't help it. Behold the fruits of my having randomly happened upon a Wikipedia article on insular dwarfism in extinct pachyderms:
(http://i1364.photobucket.com/albums/r734/Image_buffer/elephants_zps9fpix9we.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/8lrf9mmmrtxpein/puttingmymoney.png)
link to new images: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qtlhhbna41kf1ii/newpatterns.rar?dl=0
link to updated .txt: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7v5zsmh6xr2p8nh/recolors.txt?dl=0
Only 12 images so far (4 for each of the three bases), but this seems like the kind of thing I wouldn't mind doing a bunch more of.
For my part, I tend to routinely engage in some very bad habits when setting delays as admin - they can probably be summed up as "liking round numbers" and "not finalizing my own turn when others ask for extensions so I 'have some skin in the game' and am motivated to keep an eye on things". On the plus (or possibly "plus") side, another bad habit I have is feeling extra motivated to do semi-related things when there's something I arguably should be doing, which last night meant pale one nations got ancient olmspawn added, olm got implemented as a stand-alone secondary-only race, and I got far less sleep than I should have...
(https://cloud.githubusercontent.com/assets/12613576/23867936/f97a20e6-07f3-11e7-8284-95a66f52d04b.png) vs. (https://cloud.githubusercontent.com/assets/12613576/23868108/9250ec50-07f4-11e7-824f-5221ddcb65cf.png)
enemies of the Illithids will drown in blood. And burnt grey matter! Also, maybe, lakes...
How about "we'll beat you so bad they will call you Dark Blue Ones"?
It's because they're pale
It's because they are slavers and we're not.
Also because they are 'down south' from me.
And of course "yo' momma's so fat, she has Unequaled Obesity" (I know it's very general, but I love it :P)
No army of "normal troops" can stand against such a combination of global spells with any kind of buffer - also, your troops "only" have darkvision 50, which leaves em "half as skilled as a undead skeleton" while the archers just don't have any.
What spells would you have cast, besides cleansing water? It has limited range, so you would have never hit anything besides free/fresh chaff and your troops are just in block formation with nothing in on the flanks to actually break through?
Suggestions:
You have Enchantment fairly high since you can cast quagmire - might as well follow it up with Grip of Winter
3 Earth allows you to spam the Blade spell, which will most likly just kill more undead then cleansing water, based on the army size(s) we are using
At this temperature, Ice Elementals would brutually crush everything - and they don't care about iron bane or anything like that
Your Archers had nothing infront of them
Technically the 2end row of Melee fighters is already somewhat useless, but going 8 rows deep certainly leaves some useless - half the troops, put in double line formation with "attack rear" might have won it.
The large size of your troops and outnumbering me massivly in every area .... can be a disadvantage. Try to use your advantages - I lose troops every round to upkeep and you barly even lost 3 mages - nothing important.
You are the 4th snake on my heel and frankly, its really not worth it. Cards on the table, my total income is 180 - you lose more troops in every single fight then you could gain here.
Well Thespinth AI is going at me again hard, so maybe you're lucky.
But only by digging in our heels all silly like we get beautys like this mage without a head...
(http://i.imgur.com/5FTyKAC.jpg)
... and without magic.
Context:
(http://i.imgur.com/BDuialK.jpg)
Well, when you get the throne win, I can say I really tried to stop you and you can be certain you earned it.
My caster had "Earth Power, Iron Bane, Retreat"
but due to unlucky AI, AlStar's units cast Falling stones (perfect to kill my undead commanders) and nuked there own army (x2)