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Cepheus
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Far-flung Keeper
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posted August 15, 2011 07:55 PM |
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Edited by Corribus at 16:48, 19 Sep 2015.
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[NEW TOWN] Heavenly Forge (available for download)
Status in a nutshell:
As of March 2012, NO working Forge town has been released.
Please move along if you want anything playable. There is nothing for you here yet.
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Background:
Despite its definitively un-Heroes-like aesthetics and themes, the Forge town is arguably the most "official" of the new towns under development for In the Wake of Gods, and formulated the basis for perhaps the most fiery fan-wars in the history of the Might and Magic series. Its existence was first hinted at in the RPG Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor, which - like Heroes III itself - involved a story taking place on the continent of Antagarich.
Whereas the Might and Magic RPGs featured jarring clashes between fantasy and science fiction as an established tradition, the sci-fi elements had never once been made obvious in the Heroes series. The Forge town was planned to remedy this inconsistency.
New World Computing's Jon Van Caneghem and Greg Fulton designed the town as the focus of the Armageddon's Blade expansion pack. The Cyborg (might) and Technician (magic) hero classes were to command cybernetically-enhanced Zombies, Minotaurs, Nagas and Goblins. These units would be severely overpriced, with even fifth- or sixth- level troops supposedly costing precious resources, and slow to produce. However, they would rank among the strongest creatures in the game.
To compensate for this overpowered nature, the Forge's Mage Guild was limited to level 3, and less "bonus" buildings were available for construction than in other towns. It is understood that the Forge was to be a campaign-exclusive faction, disabled in typical single-player games.
The Forge town was ultimately removed from the game midway through production in place of the Conflux (which itself was intended for the second expansion), due to fan uproar. Nevertheless, it has attracted considerable support in the years since, and several teams have tried to revive it for use in Heroes III.
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Articles:
You can read more on the story behind the Forge, and the repercussions it left behind for the series, at these links:
Fate of the Forge at Age of Heroes
The Forge at Acidcave (most comprehensive source, but only for Polish-speaking readers)
Like Tears in Rain at Celestial Heavens
Forge at the MM Wiki
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Place in the lore:
Building on the Evil ending of Might and Magic VII, the Lords of Harmondale and the Terrans use the Oscillation Overthruster to revive the Heavenly Forges in Deyja, long-dormant machines created by the Ancients to arm their colonists with incredible technological weapons. Fusing the warfaring monsters of Antagarich with advanced, cybernetic equipment, they plot to seize control of the planet.
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Active projects:
There is currently one active effort to deliver the Forge town (that I know of).
   
- This project, which began around 2010, is headed by a primarily-Russian team, led by don-komandorr. This effort seeks to create the Forge from scratch, with a new town screen and original concept artwork. Numerous animated creature models have been released. [Early 2012 addendum: According to don_komandorr, this project is apparently on the verge of completion and is now part of Horn of the Abyss, with the Forge in line to be the next town released (following on from the Cove).]
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Inactive projects:
- Honourable mentions are afforded to an earlier effort to create the Forge, led by BIGJOCKER and Zielevitz. Many assets were produced, but unfortunately not nearly enough to deem production complete. This attempt and its fruits are archived in the original Forge thread.
- Another project, booted in 2011, appears to have originated in the Polish community and is led by Manigoldo. This project utilises New World Computing's original town screen from artist Phelan Sykes. Very interestingly, the team claims they have received five original music tracks from HoMM composer Paul Anthony Romero to consummate their vision. [Early 2012 addendum: No news from this project or its members in months, and no response to my HCMs or e-mails; it's presumably dead or hibernating. There is an unconfirmed report floating around that the claim they have original soundtracks from Paul Romero soundtracks was a falsified one.]
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Further ado:
One very significant step for these projects occurred exclusively at Heroes Community itself. In June 2010, a mysterious HC member named benhur posted, for the first time ever, a full .RAR file containing the original animated graphic files from the Forge's town screen as it appeared at the town's original announcement at E3, apparently created by New World Computing's Phelan Sykes some ten years earlier. These assets are still available here for anyone seeking to continue the project(s).
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Disclaimer:
I am very lenient when it comes to going a bit off-topic, but I want to lay down one simple rule: this is not an appropriate place to perpetuate the ten-year old debates on the legitimacy of the Forge town in the Heroes series. Comments challenging the taste or mental capacity of the Forge town's supporters or opponents only serve to detract from the hard work of the various teams who have attempted to revive the town. Such remarks will of course not be penalised unless in direct breach of the CoC, but they may be removed with no warning and are best redirected to the Library of Enlightenment.
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"Those who forget their history are inevitably doomed to repeat it." —Proverb, Might and Magic VIII
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Warmonger
Promising
Legendary Hero
fallen artist
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posted August 15, 2011 08:31 PM |
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Salamandre
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Wog refugee
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posted August 15, 2011 09:00 PM |
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Manigoldo
Hired Hero
Mad Prince
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posted August 15, 2011 11:28 PM |
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If you want me to be hones I think that closing this very old and in a way legendary topic was a big mistake. It was a place for discussions about Forge, to present any new things connected with town such as mine or don_komandorr team's. Arguments like "better first post" has no logic for me, Cepheus.
This initiative of Yours could be better if it was just closed one-post thread or if you edited the previous topic by adding these things there.
Now I do not have any ideas where to post my mine and my friends' works. Dilemma: post it here or create just new topic about my team's town to make a small rubbish on the whole forum?
Of course gathering information about whole town including history and resurrection projects is a good idea, but as I said for me it was a bad idea to close previous topic.
Notice Cepheus that I don't want You to be offended. Words about creating rubbish on forum were just an irony and I'm just trying to give my own oppinion about your Forge-on-forum maneuver.
And yes, in the future when my team will finish the town and it'll be released I would like to create another topic about it. The situation probably could look a bit different if the old thread was not closed...
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Salamandre
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Wog refugee
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posted August 15, 2011 11:59 PM |
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The thread initiated by BigJoker in 2005 was the biggest mess on those forums. Between "let's start make a forge" and "forge does not fit" comments followed by years of gasps it became impossible to get an overall opinion or even to follow arguments. IMHO it is a good thing to reset things, now that teams are apparently working on. And the main post resumes perfectly the 80 pages of the other.
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Era II mods and utilities
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Cepheus
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Far-flung Keeper
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posted August 16, 2011 12:29 AM |
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Edited by Cepheus at 00:32, 16 Aug 2011.
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I was thinking of cleaning out the old topic, but as you say it is historical and legendary, so better to respect sentimentality and start anew. You're welcome to bicker about my decision, but it's my policy to make up-to-date information on these projects clear and easily-accessible - it's a basic tenet of moderating a modders' forum. My distinction isn't a mind-boggling one. Post Forge town project content and Forge town project discussion here, post rhetoric on the subject of the Forge elsewhere.
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"Those who forget their history are inevitably doomed to repeat it." —Proverb, Might and Magic VIII
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Corribus
Hero of Order
The Abyss Staring Back at You
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posted August 16, 2011 04:03 AM |
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We all know Cepheus just posted this so that he could plug his Celestial Heavens article. 
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I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. -Mitch Hedberg
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Ivan
Known Hero
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posted August 16, 2011 08:41 PM |
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What's to say about the new thread? It's an unnecessary, but welcome change - the results of the old, huge one are next to non-existent; a lot of arguing about the Forge's place in Heroes and many failed attempts to recreate it - actually, Cepheus' first post sums up everything relevant in the long 78 pages.
The introduction of the new thread should make things more concise and simpler to access, especially with the progress made these days. Like I said, the new thread wasn't necessary, but it should simplify things, especially to the new fans that just learned about, or accepted the Forge as part of Heroes. Props to Cepheus for the initiative and well-written first article 
So, Manigoldo, there should be no dilemma - post the news here. You could be spiteful and make yet another thread, but to what end? As you said yourself, it would make a mess of things.
P.S. Still waiting for that screenshot
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fersch
Known Hero
Heral knight
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posted August 18, 2011 01:01 PM |
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Here's a town called modern forge released a few weeks back, it works very well, unfortunately its on a polish website but you can also download it in english http://www.bb-lair.yoyo.pl/download_eng.html
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Manigoldo
Hired Hero
Mad Prince
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posted August 18, 2011 01:51 PM |
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Quote:
Here's a town called modern forge released a few weeks back, it works very well, unfortunately its on a polish website but you can also download it in english http://www.bb-lair.yoyo.pl/download_eng.html
This website has got the English version that you can see [url=http://www.bb-lair.yoyo.pl/index_eng.html]here[/url]. Also I think it is unecessary to write about it here, becouse the Modern Forge [url=http://heroescommunity.com/viewthread.php3?TID=33693]topic[/url] had been already done on this forum few weeks ago. Besides it is completley different version of the town that this topic is about. I respect Modern Forge as a city, but I don't respect it (and I will not do it) as the Forge.
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Klimbert
Tavern Dweller
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posted August 18, 2011 03:12 PM |
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So any new screens Manigoldo? :-)
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Ivan
Known Hero
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posted August 18, 2011 07:10 PM |
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Yes, this Modern Forge is not the Forge we're looking for... not by a long shot. No disrespect meant to whomever is behind that project, but its graphics are very poor and the creatures are the most simple mixture of parts of already existing creatures - like WoG's commander units.
Which brings us back to Manigoldo  Come on, don't keep us waiting for too long...
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Manigoldo
Hired Hero
Mad Prince
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posted August 20, 2011 12:58 PM |
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Greetings!
I didn't say that I don't accept this topic. I respect Cepheus' decission about closing the old one, but I wanted to underline the fact that many people will miss it as legendary Forge thred. Of course I've becamo already fond of it, I especially enjoyed the first page. Also, congratulations for Cepheus for [url=http://www.celestialheavens.com/viewpage.php?id=779]this[/url] article. Well made and full of interesting things. I recommend it for all that want to know more about Might&Magic serie.
Going back to Forge, today I will show You the screen that I talked about couple of days ago. It's content will be as I promised and thank you for being patient.
Here it is. Hero and city on the map, goblins' small portraits and absolutely no censorship this time.
Also I didn't forget about presentation of first revealed by my team Forge hero called Gormlaith.
Cyborg
(specialisation: Stinger/Bruiser)
As the militia general, Gormlaith was gifted in warfare. Unfortunatelly his political aspiartions led to the ogres' uprising that he lost. His massacred body was found by Kastore's scouts and was taken to the Forge.
I must also apologise that this post is a bit chaotic. I wanted to show You screens and other content that You were waiting for. I hope you enjoyed both screen and Gormlaith.
Besides, I've got a birthday today. Funny fact is that yesterday the viceleader, vanBhradok, had birthday also. We prepared a small gift for you to celebrate with us. It is a screen what you can see when you are choosing a map. There is a glitch in the logo game's logo, but I think you will like it especially if it was made from scratch by vanBhradok.
It will be all for now. I hope you really liked it. Soon I will want you to help me with one thing. We are using heroes that one of team's members found on the internet and we would like to know their author.
Cheers!
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Salamandre
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Wog refugee
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posted August 20, 2011 01:26 PM |
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There is no visual connection between town screen/small town icon and the adventure map sprite. The last could be much improved IMO.
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Era II mods and utilities
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Manigoldo
Hired Hero
Mad Prince
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posted August 20, 2011 02:35 PM |
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Quote:
There is no visual connection between town screen/small town icon and the adventure map sprite. The last could be much improved IMO.
It is original New World Computing concept from benhur's package. I am not planning to change it, but I understand your oppinion than it is a bit different look like it has been seen already in the town screen.
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Salamandre
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Wog refugee
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posted August 20, 2011 02:37 PM |
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Yes, what I like the most is that every adventure map regular town sprite is identical to the texture used inside as well.
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Era II mods and utilities
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Cepheus
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Far-flung Keeper
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posted August 20, 2011 02:56 PM |
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Great work. And happy birthday Are you using the Goblins created by Alex-ander? I seriously wish he'd release the rest of his .defs if he's still around. It's torture to see so many great animations never to be used in anything.
You may want to work on proofing that biography though - presentation is everything:
Quote:
Rising through the Krewlod hierarchies, Gormlaith was intrinsically gifted in warfare. Unfortunately, his political aspirations left him the victim to a gory Ogre uprising. His massacred body was found by Kastore's scouts and reconditioned for use in Deyja's armies.
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"Those who forget their history are inevitably doomed to repeat it." —Proverb, Might and Magic VIII
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Ivan
Known Hero
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posted August 20, 2011 03:15 PM |
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First of all, happy birthday to you, Manigoldo, and to vanBhradok!
Everything looks great, as expected - keeping the original leaked designs is always a good idea and the first revealed hero completely fits into the whole thing, well done!
I'd just like to point out two minor grammatical mistakes that you may want to correct in his description: "massacred" instead of "massacrated" and "the Forge" instead of "Forge" at the very end.
Manigoldo's project for the win
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Manigoldo
Hired Hero
Mad Prince
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posted August 20, 2011 03:42 PM |
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Quote:
Yes, what I like the most is that every adventure map regular town sprite is identical to the texture used inside as well.
I like it too, but I don't want to change original concept.
Quote:
Great work. And happy birthday Are you using the Goblins created by Alex-ander? I seriously wish he'd release the rest of his .defs if he's still around. It's torture to see so many great animations never to be used in anything.
Yes, it is made by Alex-ander and as far as I know don_komandorr helped him to make it a bit. I can assure you, that those goblins look way better in game on the battlefield.
Quote:
You may want to work on proofing that biography though - presentation is everything:
I translated it as it was in Polish. I am planning to change biographies that were done by my friend in polish to better ones and I can tell you now, that I will use your version of Gormlaith's biography in the game. Gratulations, you have just become immortal!
Quote:
Everything looks great, as expected - keeping the original leaked designs is always a good idea and the first revealed hero completely fits into the whole thing, well done!
Thank you for good words. Soon I will present the heroes as they look on the battlefield, but not in-game. The main thing is look for the authors of them, becouse they were not created by my team.
Quote:
I'd just like to point out two minor grammatical mistakes that you may want to correct in his description: "massacred" instead of "massacrated" and "the Forge" instead of "Forge" at the very end.
The translation has been created in a big hurry. I will fix these that you mentioned and other in the previous post by using bold function but in this situation, when Cepheus' biography will be used, it is unnecessary to look at it as if it was important thing. By the way, I wanted to edit this post and write "the Forge" but I forgot about the bookmark in the browser. 
Also, thank you in my and my friend's name for wishes!
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Lord_Immortal
Famous Hero
DoR Dev Team
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posted August 20, 2011 05:18 PM |
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Which town will Forge replace?
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This thread is pages long: 1 
