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| Thread: Necropolis |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 · «PREV / NEXT» |
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Vlaad
Admirable
Legendary Hero
ghost of the past
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posted August 18, 2005 12:35 PM |
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Edited By: Vlaad on 18 Aug 2005
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The Ottoman Empire played a significant role in the Middle Ages in southeastern Europe. It is common to associate Vlad Tepes (Dracula) and Transilvania with vampires; the concept artist might have wanted to add an exotic touch, a pseudo-oriental feeling... on purpose or not. It's just a guess, of course.
Um... wtf? What has the Ottoman Empire has to do with anything ? I mean Tepes was a romanian (like Transilvania is in Romania). He slaughtered Ottomans. He impaled their snowing heads on spikes! Do you mean that TransilvaniaTepes were influenced by the Ottoman so now they look like snowing samurai? The Ottomans never looked like samurai either. The Ottoman empire may have played a role back there, but it ain't got anything to do with, well anything. Few words and stuff, no more no less. Noone's wearing kimonos. The Vampire looks bad. He's like one of those ronin wearing make up. A ronin with german inscription on his sword! What does Germany has to do with Heroes?
Only the artist can answer your last question, but I was told German is common in RPG and board games...? This may have something to do with the Europe from Middle Ages... Like France and England are often associated with medieval folklore, too. I am puzzled myself, because as far as I remember, the developers are from France and Russia.
As for the vampire's hairstyle, what I meant was that although the Ottomans and southeastern European nations were bitter enemies at the time, they had influence on each others.
The clothes they used to wear was more similar than that of West Europe, for example. The fashionable robes consisted of the local national clothing and Turkish influence:
Serbian rebels in 1815... or is it Turks?! 
For example, some Serbs had pigtail until the 1830s, when they finally rebelled against the Turks and when everything Turkish became unpopular.
a Serbian rebel (far left) wearing a pigtail
In south Austro-Hungaria some used to have a pigtail until 1850. I imagine the situation was similar in the neighbouring Romanian territories...? Perhaps vladpopescu could share more info.
However, I don't believe anyone would like this:
Vlad Tepes with moustache 
Remember the even the Heroes 3 Nosferatu looks probably originates mostly from a 1922 movie called "Nosferatu".
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Malekith
Adventuring Hero
pRr..
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posted August 18, 2005 02:14 PM |
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Hmm first time when i saw picture from skeleton archers in adventure map i think that necropolis looks will be a disappointment. Now when i saw full town i must say that i was wrong on account of new pictures.
I love those pics and GRIM REAPER (Wraith) with gorgons ability death stare is here! <3
But i must say that vampires looks little bit young so i hope upgraded version is older. And i think that sword should be in back or smth.. Maybe.
I hope also that Death knight will be in the game! In neutral creatures or smth.
Great work!
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vladpopescu79
Promising
Famous Hero
a vampire of taste
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posted August 18, 2005 04:18 PM |
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I don't really have much more info than you can get out of the picture Vlaad posted. I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to vestimentary custom in middle ages, even in Eastern Europe regions, and I grew up with the same kind of drawings as those above.
For sure long hair was ordinary at that time, so that would be no problem to implement. The way it is raised in a ponytail in the top of the head it looks to me as purely asian. I know japanese did that, and also the mongols and tartars who reached Europe at that time. But the clothes were pretty much different then what we see (at least the vampire's boots look Louis XV'th, right?)
And it is true that while some of the turkish customs might have penetrated into the local life style, the tartars never influenced in such a degree the locals.
If Vampires are to be a depiction of what Middle Age Europe Vampires (or you can erase "middle age" if you want, just traditional vamps) then the tail is wrong.
The safest way would be to let the hair loose around the shoulders, that for sure is safe and palatable.
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MANE, TEKEL, FARES
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Bastich
Hired Hero
Architect of Aggression
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posted August 18, 2005 09:42 PM |
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Neither the clothes nor the haircut of that Vampire have anything to do with the Ottomans. And as I already mentioned the influence of the Ottmans wasn't half that big. Fact. Unless, ofcourse, you don't count impaleing someone's head on spike "influence". And why is he pointing his finger like good ole Uncle Sam? Hell, I won't be suprised if in-game he starts screamind: "I want you!". Otherwise the overall Necropolis concept is pretty good. I like it.
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vlaad
Admirable
Legendary Hero
ghost of the past
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posted August 18, 2005 10:51 PM |
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Quote:
And as I already mentioned the influence of the Ottmans wasn't half that big. Fact. Unless, ofcourse, you don't count impaleing someone's head on spike "influence".
Despite the conflicts (resulting in occasional cruelty on each side), the Ottomans influenced the population of southeastern Europe a lot. I agree the level of influence may vary from nation to nation. I can tell you for sure the influence is still being felt in some Balkan countries. I am not sure about Romania, though. It was just another "educated guess". Still, it's more than your "fact, period".
Quote:
Neither the clothes nor the haircut of that Vampire have anything to do with the Ottomans.
What I said was that some Europeans did wear ponytails and pigtails, probably influenced by the Turks. As for the H5 Vampire, I only wanted to offer a possible explanation for the vampire's haircut, or rather the artist's possible intention (succesful or not ).
Only the artist can tell for sure.
This arguement has nothing to do with the new Necropolis, so I'll drop it. 
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ChimTheGrim
Adventuring Hero
That guy ...
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posted August 18, 2005 11:51 PM |
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The new vampire art looks great. No worries.
However, Bram Stoker's Dracula was on last night... and I don't think that is a bad version of a vampire at all (Gary Olman).
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To My Fellow Americans, look into this (watch the bottom videos first): http://www.barackobama.com/tv/
The people are funding his campaign more so than corporate lobbyists.
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Bastich
Hired Hero
Architect of Aggression
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posted August 18, 2005 11:54 PM |
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Um, for which Balkan countries are you talking about? Just wondering. Plus, Romania was never occupied by the Ottomans. I'm from the Balkans, I've studied, like, two years about the Ottoman Empire and it's influence so I think a might just know a thing or two about it. The ponytails which the Ottomans wore were just a "ponytail" and the rest of the hair was shaved. It's possible the origin of this haircut to be romanian, but not in tie with the Ottoman Empire. Though it looks more Japanese-like to me. In every aspect excluding the sword. Vampires really shouldn't use swords. And I ain't got notihng against germanic, but it's kinda strange. I dunno, I guess I'm just jealous .
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Lord_Crusader
Promising
Supreme Hero
UHU!! supreme!
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posted August 19, 2005 12:41 AM |
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Well, I don't care if the vampire is a kind of mix between dracula from transilvania and a sith from the star wars series... you must remember this is a new brand fantasy might and magic world... so the rules about the origins can be nothing to do with the real world and the old might and magic world... so I stop to think about nosenses... I like what I see so far visually... so I hope they continue with this line... with some risky changes (vampire) and some cool and old implementations(Liches)
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Dig Out Your Soul
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decay
Tavern Dweller
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posted August 19, 2005 02:04 AM |
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I think the Lich is great! Although it reminds me of Skeletor from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe with his Havoc Staff.
The Lich was really cool in H2 and kind of lame in H3.
I wonder if they will bring that sound effect from H2.
What do you guys think of the wight being a higher level creature?
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vladpopescu79
Promising
Famous Hero
a vampire of taste
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posted August 19, 2005 02:24 AM |
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Quote:
It's possible the origin of this haircut to be romanian, but not in tie with the Ottoman Empire.
Nope, I'm from Romania and the ponytail's got nothing to do with it. It's pure bad invention of the art designer. I was always wondering, these so-called "modern fantasy artists", where do they get these crappy ideas? I think their concepts start to be a real mess, when they stray from originals (like wraith, depicted as such for long now).
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MANE, TEKEL, FARES
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2XtremeToTake
Promising
Supreme Hero
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posted August 19, 2005 03:36 AM |
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Ne1 notice the Ghost's look like the ones off Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
?
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I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.
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vlaad
Admirable
Legendary Hero
ghost of the past
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posted August 20, 2005 12:47 PM |
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Edited By: vlaad on 20 Aug 2005
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Ne1 notice the Ghosts look like the ones off Lord of the Rings
Sure. The developers have admitted Tolkien influenced them.
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vladpopescu79
Promising
Famous Hero
a vampire of taste
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posted August 20, 2005 09:32 PM |
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Quote:
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Ne1 notice the Ghosts look like the ones off Lord of the Rings
Sure. The developers have admitted Tolkien influenced them.
Hopefully they'll be influenced also in terms of orcs, trolls, dwarves, elves, etc. Unlike H4.
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MANE, TEKEL, FARES
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decay
Tavern Dweller
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posted August 21, 2005 12:39 AM |
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well at least the dwarves looks similiar.
You can only mess up a dwarf so bad.
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Svarog
Honorable
Supreme Hero
statue-loving necrophiliac
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posted August 21, 2005 01:35 AM |
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Impressions
To start off, I like the little descriptive addition the races have now. Its always a good thing to add a lot of background text, which isnt much effort and yet i think it’s pretty important to fantasy-oriented fans, because it gives more substance to the game. Something alike the H3 heroes biographies.
I agree with most of the remarks so far. Some more to add however.
I don’t like the green smoke effects. Don’t like the battle scene resembling like some metal band is holding a concert on the Necro side. More on the entire town impression, the town screen certainly looks impressive, but i don’t think it goes well with its inhabitants, so to say. It looks terribly futuristic, kind of like the City of the Machines from Matrix. I mean several spikes would have been fine, but these skyscrapers resemble more to Menhatten than a proper Necropolis. Nevertheless, it looks damn mighty with a nice romantic atmosphere, full moon and that. Gothic, i.e. Neo-gothic aesthetics is presented with couple of fine examples, a prime example being the Cathedral, where the Necromancer evidently fulfil their spiritual needs before going about to their daily routines.
Ah yes, hero looks goof. The horse is too small is comparisson to the hero, it appears. Irresistably reminds of the horses Gypsies have here. Heck, u don’t put a well-trimmed mane and tail on a Necro-horse.
Skeleton
I concur. The archer is a charicature. However the infantry look more primissing, although they too with their one boot look like they just stepped in a fox trap.
Mark: 5 out of 10
Zombie
Hmm, this one also doesn’t get full recognition. First of all, I have a nasty aversion towards chubby, and especially bellied troops. It’s a good thing they resemble the peasants yes, but since the peasants are fat, they both don’t catsh my eye very much. Another thing, which is new, is the Frankenstein styling of the new Zombie, which hasn’t been the case so far (notice the stitches). Not a big deal, but i would’ve liked it better without them. If nothing else, its authenticity – zombies are walking dead, not walking peaces of sawn meat.
Mark: 6 out of 10
Ghosts
I cant see clearly the regular ghosts, but they don’t really appear to be very transparent and look like beggers. Specters arent that bad (some more green smoke!). The handcuffs are actually shackles, which is a traditional Heroes artie. One new thing is that these creatures now come in pack (notice how the three ghosts are in three different versions, implying they are all one unit now), which irks. Imagine everything they do, they will do it together and simutaniously – dying, attacking, walking –a cheerleading group wouldnt impress me.
Mark: 5 out of 10
Vampire
Ah yeah, finally back to what an original vampire should look like. Although very much manga-inspired, the concept is fine, except for the ponytail, but could get used to it. What disturbs me more are the long red sleevs where they are battling the priest. Too liberal for my taste, give the man some warrior arm jewelry i say.
Mark: 8 out of 10
Lich
Not bad, if it wasn’t for the elegant evening dress (s)he is wearing. Too wide, but i hope its just on the concept art to trick us fans that they are bringing the worng decisions for the game, but in fact they want prepare us for a pleasant surprise. Otherwise, i have a gut feeling that this lady will look especially bad in 3d.
Mark: 6 out of 10
Wight
Looks very good. Stay that way.
Mark: 9 out of 10
Bone Dragon
My best impression indeed. I assume it’s a spectral dragon (“spectral” meaning what exactly?), but could pass even as a bone dragon. Perfect.
Mark: 9.9 out of 10 [perfection doesn’t exist ]
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The meek shall inherit the earth, but NOT its mineral rights.
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zhukaSS
Hired Hero
Dark Ronin
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posted August 21, 2005 01:33 PM |
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somehow I feel that wraiths will be way overpowered :|
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DragonMaster
Known Hero
Master of Dragons
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posted August 21, 2005 05:00 PM |
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A Spectre is a being which excists in two worlds:
The living world, and....well....Hell, so to say.
The dead world, I mean.
That is why the Spectral Dragon looks like it is not finished yet,
because his other half is is the world of the dead.
That explains why most regular attacks against Spectral Dragons hit nothing but air.
Only spells are a way to harm them.
Hope this helps you out.
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Fire is not a dragons only strength, so don't come to close to it's mouth, when he is not flammable.
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DragonMaster
Known Hero
Master of Dragons
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posted August 21, 2005 07:48 PM |
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Ratings:
Skeleton/Skeleton Archer.
One boot? One glove?
The most strange thing: Green eyes.
6-10
Zombie/Plague Zombie.
Stitched toghether but looks like one piece.
Iron plated head?
6-10
Spectre/Ghost.
Three-in-one?
Looks pretty cool tho.
7-10
Vampire/Vampire Lord.
No matter what you say, the pony-tail is weird.
I said this in the Vampire discussion:
Change the kind of blade to a fencing blade.
That would show royalty.
8-10
Lich/Arch Lich.
Very cool. The skirt is to big, but cool.
8-10
Wight/Wraith.
Finnaly, a Grim Reaper.
They're just afraid to call it that.
I hope to see cool animations on their attacks.
9-10
Bone Dragon/Spectral Dragon.
Oh yeah!
Great job on that one.
9-10
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Fire is not a dragons only strength, so don't come to close to it's mouth, when he is not flammable.
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vlaad
Admirable
Legendary Hero
ghost of the past
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posted August 21, 2005 10:56 PM |
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Quote:
a spectral dragon (“spectral” meaning what exactly)
As in "spectre", meaning ghostly (coming from Latin "spectrum", meaning "appearance" but also "apparition"; the latter being used in British English meaning "an object of fear"). There you have it.
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DragonMaster
Known Hero
Master of Dragons
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posted August 21, 2005 10:58 PM |
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Quote:
Quote:
a spectral dragon (“spectral” meaning what exactly)
As in "spectre", meaning ghostly (coming from Latin "spectrum", meaning "appearance" but also "apparition"; the latter being used in British English meaning "an object of fear"). There you have it.
Yeah, that's what I said.
Wait, no, it's not, sorry.
But I'm right too.
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Fire is not a dragons only strength, so don't come to close to it's mouth, when he is not flammable.
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