|
| Thread: ICTCV: The Outpost | |
|
enamelity
Known Hero
You Misunderestimated Me
|
posted March 10, 2010 12:57 AM |
|
|
ICTCV: The Outpost
Having taken an extended leave of absence from this website, I now emerge from the depths of obscurity to finally finish the Outpost!
The Outpost
AKA: the Imperium Mechanica, the Machines
Alignment: Neutral
Worship: Mechanicus Alpha [First Machine]
Colors: Grey, Silver, Brown
Enemies: Academy
Allies: Necropolis (sort of)
Neutral: Everyone Else
Kingdom: the Imperium Mechanica [Machine Empire], in Terraustralis [Southern Land]
Capital: Centra Machina [Center of Machines]
Language: LatinMechan
Symbol: the Volumen Machina [Book of the Machine]; the Sigil of the Alpha:
Many years ago, there lived a wizard of the Silver Cities named Fahrer. He and his gremlin assistants constantly tinkered with machines of all types, working on a new type of servitor species for the Academy. Their finest invention, given intelligence and power, spoke to them like a fellow human and absorbed information like a sponge. Fahrer's success emboldened him; he declared his invention a prototype and immediately began constructing the next model. However, Fahrer had underestimated his construction's capacity for rebellion; it killed him and his assistants and fled with the next model. It eventually ended up in the Shrouded South, where it began the construction of the Imperium Mechanica, the Empire of the Machines.
 the Prototype, later called Mechanicus Alpha
The Prototype built many more machines, improving their construction with each generation. His mechanical systems eventually collapsed, and he died, but his descendants immortalized him as the Mechanicus Alpha, the First Machine. They expanded upon the empire he established, the Imperium Mechanica, and civilized the Shrouded South. But always the First Machine was remembered and revered, worshipped as a new deity for a new people - the Mechanicus.
 a modern Mechanicus
The wizards of the Academy were shocked to discover a powerful civilization of intelligent machines to their south, and even more surprised upon learning that the Mechanicus were created by one of the Wizards themselves. The leaders of the Silver Cities immediately declared the Imperium Mechanica a high-priority enemy, labelling the Machines 'rogue servitors.' Soon afterwards, the Necromancers contacted the Machines and hastily allied with them - many of the Necromancers' spells do not affect the technically-nonliving Machines, so the mages of the Necropolis are terrified of fighting them. Meanwhile, ambassadors of the Imperium Mechanica were sent to the tribes of Ranaar in the hopes of securing an alliance more permanent than that with the Necromancers (who would probably betray their 'allies' at the slightest chance of success). So far, the Ranaari are mostly undecided - though a number of tribal chieftains have pledged their allegiance in return for certain Mechanicus 'gifts.'
 a new Ranaari ally of the Machines admires his gift
Meanwhile, the Holy Griffin Empire has only just begun to receive reports of a kingdom of metal men far to the south, and is prepared to ignore the Machines until they do something significant.
Goals
 a Mechanicus explorer
On an individual level, the Mechanicus are extremely inquisitive and always curious. Over centuries of development, they have come to genuinely feel emotions and feelings just as real as those of biological humanoids. They enjoy the thrill of adventure and discovery, and Mechanicus explorers have semi-accurately mapped most of the Shrouded South continent, which they call Terraustralis [Southern Land]. The Machines detest the Academy, since it was a mage of the Silver Cities who would have had them kept as slaves for all eternity. Regarding all other factions, they have no strong feelings, adopting a neutral stance and seeking only peace.
Religion
 a worshipping Mechanicus
Contrary to popular opinion, the Mechanicus are a deeply religious people. They worship their creator and forefather, Mechanicus Alpha, as a god, celebrating his heroic escape from the Silver Cities and construction of an entire civilization from scratch. His symbol, the Sigil of the Alpha, is a common sight in Machine cities, employed by all those wishing to call upon his protection and guidance. The Volumen Machina, the Book of the Machine, immortalizes his deeds in writing. Machine religion is strongly focused on the saying 'God helps those who help themselves,' and prayer, while still necessary, is not all that important. Pontifex [priests] paint the Sigil of the Alpha onto their chest-plates; while most are civilians, the military of the Imperium Mechanica includes a few fiery battle-Pontifex, the Ignipotens [master of fire]. They worship Mechanicus Alpha in his furious, destructive form, calling on his cleansing fire in the form of the Evoco Ignigenae [summonings of a deity born of fire], flame-related effects similar to the Artifex' Fabrica (see below).
 an Ignipotens fends off hostile spirits
Creation
Obviously, the Machines are not equipped to reproduce biologically. Many an outsider has wondered about this facet of mechanical existence.
During their first period of exploration and expansion, new Mechanicus were built by skilled Machine crafters and enchantment magic. However, this was a slow process which produced many malfunctioning or flawed Machines, and the crafters eventually realized that a more efficient system was necessary. They invented the Caminus [forge or fireplace], a magically enchanted construction that produced mostly flawless Machines when operated by a Machinator [maker of machines] - a crafter or mage trained in the use of the Caminii. They built and placed Caminii throughout the Imperium Mechanica, and most Machine cities are built around a central Caminus.
 a Caminus
Unlike biological beings, Mechanicus can and do tinker with themselves often. Though most do not alienate themselves from their fellow Machines through extensive changes, nearly all have some sort of personal body modification keeping them unique from each other.
Government
 an Artifex
Since the beginning of the Imperium Mechanica, crafters - or Artifex - have been the traditional leaders. In a society made up entirely of machines, the Artifex are doctors (repairing damaged or malfunctioning Mechanicus), parents (operators of the Caminii), and lorekeepers (they keep and recite the legends of Mechanicus Alpha and other important Machines). Additionally, they are taught the Fabrica [the art of the crafter] - their unique craft-related magical abilities. They are highly respected, and for good reason.
 Eirenaios, current Mechanica Primus
Mechanicus Alpha, the first Mechanica Primus (the Machine equivalent of Emperor), created his own successor from scratch. Following his example, the second Primus created his successor, the third hers, and so on. The current Mechanica Primus - Eirenaios [Peace] - is a direct 'descendant' of Mechanicus Alpha, the newest member of an unbroken line of created rulers stretching back hundreds of years to the First Machine himself. The Primus is the only Machine not created by the Caminii. Eirenaios' rule is just and fair, but as his legions prepare for war with the Silver Cities, his name seems more and more ironic.
Meanwhile, the Artifex - organized into the Conlegium Fabrilis [Guild of Crafters] - elect 12 of their most skilled members to serve as Fabers Magnus [Great Crafters] on the Concilium Fabricator [Council of Crafters]. The Fabers Magnus vote on any action taken by the Mechanica Primus, negating the action if eight or more councilors vote against it. Though the common people technically have no say in their government, the Primus and the Concilium are generally receptive to their opinions.
Fabrica
The unique magical arts developed and preserved by the Artifex together comprise the Fabrica, the art of the crafter. The Fabrica can fix damaged Machines and help find the sources of malfunctions; the damage-repairing aspect is commonly used both in the doctor's office and on the battlefield by talented Artifex.
 one usage of the Fabrica, Artifex magic
War
Some Machines regard war as a necessary evil, while others enjoy the carnage. The Militia Maiestas [Grand Army] is usually joined by the latter. The Mechanica Primus appoints the Praetor Victrix [General-Conqueror] to lead all the Bellators [warriors]. The current Praetor Victrix is Athanatos [immortal], a savage Bellator who also happens to be strategically brilliant.
 Athanatos, current Praetor Victrix
The Militia Maiestas is composed of a varying number of Legio [Legions] (currently, there are 22, but this is subject to change based on Eirenaios' whim). Most Legio are specialized for one specific military task or a number of related tasks; the Legio are designed to work together. Each Legio is led by an Imperator, appointed by the Mechanica Primus, the Concilium Fabricator, or the Praetor Victrix. Most are Artifex or Bellators, though a few Pontifex - Ignipotens, of course - have achieved this rank. Currently, the sixth, eighth, 11th, 12th, 16th, 18th, and 19th Legio are located in unimportant places that haven't seen military action in decades, while the remaining ones are stationed on the northern coast of Terraustralis, preparing for the invasion of the Silver Cities.
Machinae Secundus
The Artifex commonly experiment with other machines than the Mechanicus themselves. In fact, they have designed and produced several varieties of Machinae Secundus [Inferior Machines] to serve and aid the citizens of the Imperium Mechanica. Though any outside observer would be quick to note how similar this is to the Wizards' enslavement practices, the Mechanicus retaliate that while the Wizards wrench innocent beings' souls from faraway places to slave away eternally, the Machines merely build useful nonliving mechanical tools which happen to resemble humans. Each Machina Secundus is practically identical to the others of its model, contrary to the individual uniqueness of its creators.
 two Machinae Secundus
Machinae Secundus are used for a wide variety of purposes. Some are household servants, owned by wealthy Machine families and individuals. Some are built for use in the Militia Maiestas, supplementing the primary Mechanicus forces. Though most Legio contain a mix of Machines and Machinae Secundus, some are completely one or the other.
Belua Ferratus
 never anger a Belua Ferratus
The rich ecology of the Shrouded South has spawned countless varieties of savage beasts, carnivorous plants, and stranger monstrosities. The Machines could, with significant effort, domesticate almost any of these creatures for use as extremely effective - if unorthodox - beasts of war. Nevertheless, the Militia Maiestas makes use of only one of Terraustralis' progeny, an animal with which the Machines share a unique affinity: the Belua Ferratus [Iron Beast]. Its back and head covered in thick, oddly organic plates of iron, its skin glinting with a metallic sheen, the Belua Ferratus almost resembles some sort of Mechanicus. Beluae Ferratus are used as living battering rams by the Militia; as head-butting is the method by which they instinctively hunt their prey in the wild, they excel at this task.
Hero: the Imperator
There are twenty-two Imperators, each in control of one Legio, subservient only to the Praetor Victrix (who is, in turn, beneath the Concilium and the Mechanica Primus in rank). Eight are Artifex, nine are Bellators, and five are Pontifex (Ignipotens). Each category has its own different racial ability. Only the 15 Imperators who command Legio along the Imperium's northern border (the only ones who generally see any actual combat) count as Heroes for the purpose of HoMM.
Imperators Artifex
an Imperator Artifex
The crafter-generals who currently lead eight of the 22 Legio use the Fabrica to repair Machines in battle.
Racial Ability: Aura of Fabrica
At the beginning of every battle, the Imperator Artifex has one available Aura which can be assigned to any one Stack. The magical Aura begins healing (repairing) the creatures in the stack if any are damaged; otherwise it does nothing. Every turn, the Aura can be shifted to any other eligible stack. To be eligible, a stack must be composed entirely of mechanical units.
the Aura of Fabrica
At higher levels, the Aura can be broken into two or more proportionately weaker Auras, heals (repairs) faster, and can heal negative effects other than hit point loss.
Imperators Bellator
 an Imperator Bellator
The soldier-generals who currently lead nine of the 22 Legio rely on their mastery of tactics and logistics to win battles.
Racial Ability: Logistics
Occasionally, one of an Imperator Bellator's stacks will randomly gain an extra attack, extra move, or some other useful benefit. As the Imperator increases in level, this will occur more and more often, and will provide more useful effects.
Imperators Ignipotens
an Imperator Ignipotens
The battle priests who currently lead five of the 22 Legio wield the power of the Evoco Ignigenae against their enemies.
Racial Ability: Evoco Ignigenae
The Evoco Ignigenae are a group of related magical effects all involving fire granted by Mechanicus Alpha. To use an Evoco Ignigena costs mana, just as a spell, though they are extremely cheap. Each one targets one enemy stack, doing fire damage to it. In addition, some long-term effect will also be placed on the target, such as minor fire damage each turn, decreased movement, weaker attacks, or whatever. The more powerful Evoco affect more enemies; the most potent ignite the entire battlefield in a blaze of righteous fury.
Heroes List
Format:
Name - Name of Legio - Legio # - Name for Soldiers of this Legio - Artifex, Bellator, or Ignipotens
Agathangelos - Primanorum - First Legio - Primani - Bellator
Imperator of the Primanorum, Agathangelos [good angel] is an extremely devout Bellator. Though he himself was never trained as an Ignipotens, he openly welcomes the battle-priests into his Legio and ensures that they have the best equipment possible. His non-priest Primani resent this practice, but it pays off in battle, when the Ignipotens easily win battles for their Imperator.
Anaxagoras - Secundorum - Second Legio - Secundani - Artifex
An extremely charismatic master orator, Anaxagoras [master of speech] is a also a fairly competent Artifex. His Secundani get an extra morale bonus, reflecting the moving speeches he gives before battle.
Demostrate - Tertianum - Third Legio - Tertiani - Bellator
Nearly all of the Tertiani are Mechanicus, as opposed to Machinae Secundus, and that's no accident. Demostrate [army of the people] is well-known for the skill of her self-aware troops, and the Machinae Secundus of the Tertianum serve only in minor roles which conscious troops cannot.
Hypatia - Quartanum - Fourth Legio - Quartani - Artifex
Currently, the largest and most powerful Legio is the Quartanum, with more sheer power than any other. Hypatia [highest, supreme] went to a lot of trouble to make it that way, though she's not much of a military person. Her Quartani have average stats, but there are very many of them.
Miltiades - Quintanum - Fifth Legio - Quintani - Ignipotens
An extremely fanatical and excessively violent Ignipotens, Miltiades [Red Earth] has committed a number of terrible atrocities in the name of Mechanicus Alpha. His fanaticism makes others uncomfortable around him, but he doesn't mind - he's only serving god, after all. His Evoco Ignigenae do more raw damage than other Ignipotens'.
Paramonos - Septimanum - Seventh Legio - Septimani - Artifex
The oldest currently serving Imperator, Paramonos [endurance, constancy] is also the most traditional and inflexible. Once, long ago, he was a Faber Magnus. Despite his creativity deficiency, he's extremely skilled at defensive combat maneuvers, some of which he has taught his troops (who thus get a defense bonus).
Theophila - Nonanum - Ninth Legio - Nonani - Ignipotens
Born with an innate talent for the Evoco Ignigenae, Theophila [friend of god] was raised from childhood to become an Ignipotens. As her interests and abilities gradually moved towards battle strategy and tactics, she became a likely candidate for Imperator. And now she commands the Nonani, aided by her extra mana and spells.
Drakon - Decimanum - Tenth Legio - Decimani - Bellator
Drakon [dragon, serpent] is a strict Imperator with an explosive personality. He trains his troops to be the best they can be (at the very least), and makes sure they know the consequences of failure. As a result, his troops are generally just a little better than others.
Sostrate - Tertiadimorum - Thirteenth Legio - Tertiadimani - Artifex
A talented Artifex, Sostrate [unwounded army] is dedicated to keeping her troops in perfect repair. Her mastery of the Fabrica really helps her in this task. She uses Auras gratuitiously to keep her soldiers alive and well.
Antigonus - Quartadimorum - Fourteenth Legio - Quartadimani - Ignipotens
Antigonus [against the ancestor] is an Ignipotens from a long line of Bellators. He uses extremely unorthodox tactics and devises clever new ways to use his mastery of fire. While the older Imperators dislike him, his younger counterparts like him and his untraditional ways.
Eutropia - Quintadimorum - Fifteenth Legio - Quintadimani - Bellator
Widely renowned as the most versatile and adaptable of the Imperators, Eutropia [versatile] is skilled at changing her tactics to deal with new situations. Her soldiers, as well, are skilled in this field.
Melaina - Septadimorum - Seventeenth Legio - Septadimani - Artifex
Melaina [black, dark] is the only Mechanicus to have spent a significant amount of time living with the Necromancers. While there, she learned some of their strange magic. While she still uses the Fabrica, she enjoys the rush of power that comes with Necromantic magic. Of course, she's kept all this a secret from everyone, never casting her dark spells in public.
Lykourgos - Vicesimorum - Twentieth Legio - Vicesimani - Bellator
Noted by many for his savage wolf-like ferocity and raging bloodlust in battle, Lykourgos [deed of a wolf] always uses very aggressive tactics. He's spent some time among the Ranaari tribes, where he perfected his rage-talent. He's taught some of his skills to his soldiers, most of whom are extremely unusual Machines because of their penchant for violence - rare among their kind.
Pelagios - Unevicorum - Twenty-First Legio - Unevimani - Artifex
Pelagios [the sea], unlike many other Artifex, enjoys tinkering with ships. He likes being on boats, and he likes building boats. As an Imperator, he makes excellent use of rivers, lakes, and seas in battle. His ships go farther and faster, and are easier to build, than those of other Imperators.
Alkyone - Duoevicorum - Twenty-Second Legio - Duoevimani - Bellator
Armed with an almost supernatural ability to control and direct Beluae Ferratus through the subtlest of nuanced motions, Alkyone [kingfisher] has mastered the beasts with unequalled precision. Her Belua Ferratus are more powerful and numerous than those of other Imperators.
Units
Detailed below are the many varieties of Mechanicus, Machina Secundus, and Belua Ferratus that make up the Militia Maiestas. The stats are grouped into Cost (cost of building and inverse of weekly growth), Offense (Attack and Damage Range), Defense (Defense and Health), speed (Initiative and Speed), and occasionally Special (special abilities).
Mechanicus
The Mechanicus units use a unique system of upgrades. Instead of several 'tiers', all the units are in the same tier, but this tier has more than one level of creature upgrades. Except for buildings, the system is otherwise the same old HoMM5 system.
 a wary Excursor watches for danger
(looks like picture but without all the spikes everywhere)
The weakest, most common troops of the Militia Maiestas are the Excursors [scout, skirmisher], who conduct light raids and scouting operations, and support their more powerful brethren. Every new recruit begins as an Excursor, regardless of civilian status. They generally wield long wooden poles tipped with short blades, and wear little armor.
Cost: Negligible
Offense: Low
Defense: Negligible
Speed: Decent
 an Armatura in combat
The Armatura [armed soldiers] form the core of the Militia Maiestas. They are the standard soldiers, fighting all over the battlefield. Their body plates offer more protection than those of the Excursors, from whom they are promoted (in HoMM terms, upgraded).
Cost: Low
Offense: Decent
Defense: Decent
Speed: Low
 An Arma Lupatus barrels through a door
Covering their bodies with sharp spikes, the large and heavily armored Arma Lupatus [soldier with iron spikes] devastate the opposition with their sheer might. They replace one of their hands with an axe in order to increase the precision and accuracy of their strikes. They are drawn from the ranks of the Armatura (i.e., upgraded).
Cost: Above-Average
Offense: Good
Defense: Good
Speed: Decent
Special: If this creature is melee-attacked, attacker takes a bit of damage.
 an Arma Arieto charges
Having heavily modified their bodies so as to be resistant to pain and harm, extremely strong, and able to charge through stone walls, the Arma Arieto [soldier who butts like a ram] have mostly abandoned their civilian lives in service of the Militia Maiestas. Though they can hold their own against most enemies, their true tactical potential lies in their ability to bring down sections of walls. They are upgraded from Arma Lupatus, and cannot be upgraded any further.
Cost: High
Offense: Great
Defense: Very Good
Speed: Decent
Special: Can charge at enemies, which must be in a straight line, is faster than normal movement and does some extra damage. Can also charge walls, which can bring down sections of the wall.
 an Arma Argentum beats down a werewolf
A rare form of magic-infused silver found in the depths of Terraustralis, Argentum [silver] has been mined by the Machines ever since it was discovered. One of its most useful applications is to cover a soldier with veins of it, causing the soldier's attacks to leave strange magical curses on the attacked enemy. The specialized group of powerful warriors who use Argentum in this manner are the Arma Argentum [silver soldier], a unique order joined by Armatura (upgrade of Armatura).
Cost: High
Offense: Very Good
Defense: Good
Speed: Decent
Special: If hits enemy, places curse - one random stat reduced by a variable amount for the rest of the battle.
 an Arma Sacrum destroys a hostile construct
Though devoted to the same deity, the Pontifex and Arma Sacrum developed as completely different religious traditions and are fierce rivals. While the Pontifex were civilians for most of their history, only recently entering the field of battle with the Ignipotens, the Arma Sacrum [holy/sacred soldier] were and are a purely martial order. Calling on the power of Mechanicus Alpha to smite their foes, they recieve elite combat training to supplement their holy powers. They are recruited from the Armatura.
Cost: High
Offense: Good
Defense: Very Good
Speed: Decent
Special: Can spend a turn praying to gain a random (weighted toward offensive) stat boost for the rest of the battle, also granting adjacent allies a fraction of the benefit for the same length of time.
 a victorious Arma Toreuma
The Artifex have a long history of using the Fabrica to enchant objects. One form of this art is the magical inscribing of small pieces of metal called Toreumatis [inscribed/embossed work], which are then placed on a soldier's body, providing useful magical effects - such as temporary stat boosts, a burst of speed, extra attack, etc. - in battle.
 a few Toreumatis
The skilled soldiers who make use of the Toreumatis are the Arma Toreuma [inscribed/embossed soldiers], elite warriors who wisely choose when to use their limited supply of Toreumatic effects.
Cost: Above-Average
Offense: Good
Defense: Decent
Speed: Good
Special: Toreumatis have useful magic spells, can be activated with a round of preparation. Limited supply only replenishes when unit enters city, however.
 an Ignipotens Discipulus uses his powers
(looks like picture, but without mechanical dog)
While most Excursors are promoted to the rank of Armatura, some choose the path of the Ignipotens. The first step in this journey is the rank of Ignipotens Discipulus [pupil/apprentice fire-master]. Training under the real Ignipotens, the Ignipotens Discipulus learn to control and direct the energies of flame in service to Mechanicus Alpha. Though mere apprentices, they are formidable foes in combat, with their fire-enhanced melee attacks and religious conviction. They are upgraded from Excursors.
Cost: Low
Offense: Decent
Defense: Low
Speed: High
hostile beings foolishly attack an Ignipotens
The next step up from the Ignipotens Discipulus, the full-fledged Ignipotens are a force to be reckoned with. Though they no longer use melee attacks, their ranged fiery bolts and spells more than make up for the loss. They engulf enemies in conflagrations of righteous flame, providing effective ranged support for the frontline combatants. They aspire to someday become Imperators themselves. Upgraded from Ignipotens Discipulus.
Cost: High
Offense: Low
Defense: Low
Speed: High
Special: A lot of handy fire-related spells.
 a Velitis Praepetis soars through the sky
Experiments by Artifex into the nature of flight resulted in the Velitis Praepetis [rapidly flying skirmisher]. Drawn from the ranks of the Excursors, these scouts-in-the-sky often give themselves avian features - such as beaks or talons - other than the Fabrica-enhanced wings necessary for flight. Imperators find the Velitis Praepetis extremely useful for intelligence operations as well as combat, in which they swoop down to attack and fly back to a safe point very quickly (i.e., in the same turn). Upgraded from Excursor.
Cost: Below-Average
Offense: Low
Defense: Low
Speed: High
Special: Can fly. Also, can move, attack, and move back to starting point in one turn.
Machinae Secundus
The Machinae Secundus have no tiers at all. Each type of Machina Secundus is a completely seperate unit with a seperate building, and there is no connection between different models.
 two Machinae Secundus stand ready for battle
(Ignore the rightmost construct, it is not a unit in this faction)
The leftmost Machina Secundus in the above picture is a Centauri Alatus [winged centaur], among the most powerful of Machinae Secundus. Armed with a retractable chain weapon emerging from its arm and capable of extremely long jumps or glides due to its wings, the Centauri Alatus are covered in plates of armor. Their centauroid construction means they take up more space than most other units.
Cost: Above-Average
Offense: Good
Defense: Decent
Speed: Fast
Special: Large Size. Some movement counts as flight, but must have running start for this to happen.
The Armati Soporavi [unconscious soldier], in the center of the above picture, form the core of the Machina Secundus forces. They are the clockwork counterparts to the Armatura, fighting with standard-issue swords and encased in medium-quality armor plating.
Cost: Low
Offense: Decent
Defense: Decent
Speed: Low
A pair of Machinae Secundus
The construct on the left is one of many Praecursor Extremitas [far scout], relatively simple mechanical tools with no combat capabilities whatsoever. Designed and specialized for use as long-range scouts and spies, Praecursor Extremitas venture far ahead of Mechanicus forces and report to their commanders on the location and strength of the enemy.
Cost: Negligible
Offense: Negligible
Defense: Low
Speed: High
The gold-plated Interfector Aureolum [golden killer], on the other hand, is one of the most technologically advanced Machina Secundus. Coated in Fabrica-enchanted gold and filled with strange magical concoctions, Interfector Aureola are specialized and elite troops capable of making advanced tactical decisions. Nearly outlawed for their startling capacity for independent thought, Interfector Areola nevertheless remain in common use by the Militia Maiestas - doubtless for their skill in destroying individual enemy combatants quickly, stealthily, and without allied support.
Cost: High
Offense: Great
Defense: Good
Speed: Good
Special: Can automatically kill one adjacent enemy unit per turn.
 you're dead meat
Originally meant as an insult, the name Mortis Cruentus [bloody/bloodthirsty death] has stuck with this skull-faced juggernaut. The polar opposite of the Interfector Aureola, Mortis Cruenta are absurdly unsubtle, designed to annihilate large groups of foes at once, and nearly incapable of independent strategizing - commanders simply unleash them into the fray and watch the ensuing carnage. Armed with six spike-covered metal balls on chains, which it wildly swings around to great effect, the Mortis Cruentus is able to attack enemies on all sides at the same time.
Cost: High
Offense: Amazing
Defense: Great
Speed: Good
Special: Each attack affects enemies on all sides of this unit. Once it has made an attack, the player can't control it until all surrounding enemies are dead - it just attacks every turn.
 as deadly as it is slow
The most expensive and rare of all Machinae Secundus, the Scorpius Flagravi [burning scorpion] is also among the largest and least humanoid. Slowly but surely rolling on treads (no legs can carry that much weight) toward its doomed enemies, its intentionally scorpion-like claws and flame-launching tail held in menacing readiness, the Scorpius Flagravi presents a fearsome sight. This virtually indestructible juggernaut is made even more dangerous by the Machines that can ride on its back like some bizarre vehicle. Nevertheless, only one or two Scorpius Flagravi - at max - are present in any Legio due to their sheer cost.
Cost: Small Fortune
Offense: Great
Defense: Amazing
Speed: Slow
Special: Capable of melee and ranged attack, though ranged is weaker. Large size. Up to four medium-size units can ride it, moving onto its space and moving at its speed.
 yes, that tail is poisonous
Terraustralis is home to dozens of varieties of scorpions, none of which are large enough to be anything more than scary pests. Enlarged to Machine-size, however, they would doubtless be deadly. The Scorpius Nocivior [noxious scorpion] is exactly that: a man-sized scorpion, though born of metal and magic rather than nature and life. The poison emanating from its tail is a mix of natural scorpion venom and several noxious alchemical liquids; it is far deadlier than the sum of its parts. Scorpius Nocivia - like their biological counterparts - typically grasp enemies in their claws, hold them immobile, and inject a hopefully lethal dose of poison.
Cost: Above-Average
Offense: Good
Defense: Average
Speed: Decent
Special: Can attempt to hold enemies in place for attack. Attack poisons enemies, does some damage per turn for a few turns afterwards.
 simple scout work, or homing in for the kill?
Though they may appear weak and vulnerable, Volucris Aspera [sharp bird] are actually quite formidable in combat. Their agility and flight render many enemies unable to strike them, and their long, flexible necks allow them to stab undefended spots with their sharp, pointed beaks before victims can retaliate. Each Volucris Asperum has four wings for additional agility.
Cost: Average
Offense: Good
Defense: Low
Speed: High
 close-up of an individual Condictor Parvolum
Often, in combat, no Artifex is present to repair the wounds of battle, or the Artifex is too busy to tend to every damaged Machine. In cases such as these, a replacement for the Fabrica is necessary. This role is filled by the Condictor Parvola [tiny fixers], tiny winged Machinae Secundus resembling bees with eerily human faces. Designed to operate in swarms of hundreds, the Condictor Parvola flit about a wounded Machine going about their duties, gradually repairing the damage. Each Condictor Parvolum is useless, defenseless, and costs next to nothing; in swarms, they are invaluable.
(these stats are for a swarm; you don't get these individually)
Cost: Low
Offense: Negligible
Defense: Negligible
Speed: Good
Special: Can move into allied unit's square and function as Artifex Imperator's Aura.
Beluae Ferratus
There are three different Belua Ferratus units; they share one building, but the last two of them require different upgrades to that building.
your average angry Belua Ferratus
Charging down enemies with surprising ferocity and speed, pushing them backwards, the Belua Ferratus [iron beast] - even without any special breeding or armor - is a powerful weapon of war. It's ability to ram into opponents is an effective mode of attack as well as a way to bring down enemy fortifications.
Cost: Above-Average
Offense: Good
Defense: Very Good
Speed: Decent
Special: Can charge at enemies, which must be in a straight line, is far faster than normal movement, does lots of extra damage, and pushes the enemy back. Can also charge walls, which can bring down sections of the wall.
 a hungry Belua Saevum prepares to fight
Originating in the farthest reaches of the Shrouded South, where the competition is most fierce and the predators most brutal, the Belua Saevum [savage beast] is far more predatorial and carnivorous than it's northern counterpart. While the Beluae Saevum lack the metallic plates of the Beluae Ferratus, and thus cannot effectively ram their prey, they are instead covered in small spikes - injuring enemies in close-quarters combat - and armed with a mouthful of sharp teeth.
Cost: High
Offense: Very Good
Defense: Good
Speed: Good
Special: When this unit is attacked in melee, the attacker takes some damage.
 a Belua Illustrior stands proudly
In contrast to the Belua Saevum, each Belua Illustrior [shining beast] is the product of generations of breeding and magical enchantment by the Artifex. It's already-formidable natural defenses augmented by Fabrica, resulting in a supernatural glow, the Belua Illustrior has also honed and perfected its ramming ability to a far greater degree than the lowly Belua Ferratus. Nevertheless, as the results of generations-long experiments, Beluae Illustrior remain relatively rare.
Cost: High
Offense: High
Defense: Very High
Speed: Decent
Special: can charge just like Belua Ferratus, but faster, more damaging, and pushing farther back. Also, damage slowly heals over time.
Buildings
The Mechanicus equivalent of the Village Hall and upgrades is a Caminus. In general, Machine buildings cost a lot of ore, not too much gold, perhaps a bit of wood, and occasionally some type of precious metal. Machinae Secundus buildings cost even less gold, and only the Belua Ferratus building costs mainly wood.
OK, that's all. This the end of the Outpost.
Note: all people-names are Greek, all other Mechan words are Latin or near-Latin. Brackets [] denote literal real-world definitions of words or phrases
|
|
flackmandan
Known Hero
Veni,Vidi,Vichi
|
|
posted March 10, 2010 05:24 PM |
|
|
very good pics if i do say so myself nice faction
____________
|
|
War-overlord
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Presidente of Isla del Tropico
|
|
posted March 10, 2010 05:58 PM |
|
|
Now I could be wrong, but did you not enter this faction in the last ICTC?
I skimmed over this and seem to remember a near exact copy of this being entered in one of the previous contests. You might just be breaking rules here by entering this faction a second time.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm trying to warn you here.
____________
Vote El Presidente! Or Else!
|
|
enamelity
Known Hero
You Misunderestimated Me
|
|
posted March 10, 2010 11:04 PM |
|
|
Thanks, flackmandan.
Actually, last ICTC, I didn't finish the faction, and thus it wasn't actually entered in the contest for judging. This ICTC, I intend to complete it so it can be entered.
|
|
Enamelity
Known Hero
You Misunderestimated Me
|
|
posted March 20, 2010 02:35 AM |
|
|
|
AARRGGH hc won't let me access it most of the time!!!
|
|
Mytical
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Chaos seeking Harmony
|
|
posted August 23, 2010 07:25 AM |
|
Edited by Mytical at 07:29, 23 Aug 2010.
|
Ok, this was a very interesting faction. Would have liked more spaces between the types, but it is a new twist. Which is good. Left me with a few questions, but overall it was the most interesting of the factions imo.
Background : 9/10 The story is interesting. Would have liked a set timeline, but bravo.
Line up/Creatures : 8/10. Have a lot of questions about buildings, how the 'tiers' would work, etc..but this has the potential to outdo the Forge Town.
Creativity : 9/10 A machine faction is a great idea.
Overall (not an average) : 8/10 Left with many questions. Still a very good and solid entry.
____________
Message received.
|
|
Enamelity
Known Hero
You Misunderestimated Me
|
|
posted August 23, 2010 04:55 PM |
|
|
| |
|
|
