Heroes of Might and Magic Community
visiting hero! Register | Today's Posts | Games | Search! | FAQ/Rules | AvatarList | MemberList | Profile


Age of Heroes Headlines:  
5 Oct 2016: Heroes VII development comes to an end.. - read more
6 Aug 2016: Troubled Heroes VII Expansion Release - read more
26 Apr 2016: Heroes VII XPack - Trial by Fire - Coming out in June! - read more
17 Apr 2016: Global Alternative Creatures MOD for H7 after 1.8 Patch! - read more
7 Mar 2016: Romero launches a Piano Sonata Album Kickstarter! - read more
19 Feb 2016: Heroes 5.5 RC6, Heroes VII patch 1.7 are out! - read more
13 Jan 2016: Horn of the Abyss 1.4 Available for Download! - read more
17 Dec 2015: Heroes 5.5 update, 1.6 out for H7 - read more
23 Nov 2015: H7 1.4 & 1.5 patches Released - read more
31 Oct 2015: First H7 patches are out, End of DoC development - read more
5 Oct 2016: Heroes VII development comes to an end.. - read more
[X] Remove Ads
LOGIN:     Username:     Password:         [ Register ]
HOMM1: info forum | HOMM2: info forum | HOMM3: info mods forum | HOMM4: info CTG forum | HOMM5: info mods forum | MMH6: wiki forum | MMH7: wiki forum
Heroes Community > Heroes 7+ Altar of Wishes > Thread: Palace - Viking Theme Town
Thread: Palace - Viking Theme Town This thread is 4 pages long: 1 2 3 4 · «PREV / NEXT»
Oz
Oz


Adventuring Hero
Preparing
posted June 22, 2011 01:51 PM

Quote:

Provided she doesn't have massive knockers, as those make it physically impossible to use a bow propperly. (that is to say, not bruising your chest, it has been done by ancient and even modern female archers, but it's painfull to fire a bow using several different techniques, mostly the ones that involve careful aim)
Did you know the in ancient times, female archers of the amazons (provided they existed, which is an uncertainty) would sometimes amputate their breasts for specifcally this reason?

Even then I'd recommend a Crossbow as more suitable.
Further alternatives include Javalins, Slings or non-direct forms of fighting at a distance such as traps.


Sure, a 13year old girl with "massive knockers"

Anyway, I fired with a bow before, not once not twice, I'm a pretty sucky archer though so I had some bruises too, even on my face. But a bruise is just that, a bruise. I understand it might hurt breasts more, and it's not practical for women with huge boobs, but just tell me that elven women aren't "cursed" with flat chests.

Javelins require strength, Slings are mostly useless, traps can't really be considered as weapons. Crossbows would be good, but they require more strength and time to reload, especially without proper equipment, they also result in massive knockback(unless is just a small, elegant one, but those aren't really useful).

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Golemcrafter
Golemcrafter


Promising
Famous Hero
Unlimited Fantasy Master
posted June 22, 2011 02:19 PM
Edited by Golemcrafter at 14:20, 22 Jun 2011.

I've read all the comments and replies so now I'm gonna try to give a global description of things how they are now with this project:

The main problem: "The town has too much human based creatures."

I got the point and I think you are all right! At first glance, I thought, that human viking with mythical creatures are a good option, but hell, we're talking about the Heroes series: we need more unique things.

Quote:
One boring human town is more then enough thank you very much.
Even if they were dwarves, still too boring.
Most of the units are to similar, it's a snoozefest.

I don't even like the name Palace for a norse-themed town.

Norse myth has enough fantastical creatures to render five of the seven creatures here obsolete twice over. (and I count five humans, coincidence? I THINK NOT!)
Valkarie as a Champion unit, even with a Boris Vallejo picture depicting them, is completely underwhelming, they'd make good elites, but not champs.


That's a matter of taste, of course! Haven is awsome, some peole just want to prescind from reality and play with other fractions. As for the pictures: I'll try my best to find proper pictures, that describe the creature as I have it in my mind. Mostly, the idea comes right after I see a nice pic about what I recently search NO MATTER if it's a Vincent van Gogh, a Picasso or a Boris Valljo art...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The second problem: We need more mythological creatures instead of humanoids

There were dozens of ideas you wrote here, some I agree, some I disagree. Before I started to collect my ideas for a viking town, I've searched in books and on the internet, what types of mythological creatures would fit into to town. It wasn't a hard work at all, but when I collected enough creatures, I bundled out some, since they would not fit into the world of Heroes. BUT! Everything is a question of imagination and fantasy. To exemplify a whole idea is a hard thing to do!

Quote:
And you must be joking with that there are not many Norse myth monsters, here are some:

* Frost, Fire and Mountain Giants.
* Lots of different Trolls.
* Dark dwarves/Goblins.
* Valkyries.
* Einherjar ("foreign names" are not a problem, look at Sanctuary in H6)
* Wyrm/Lindwyrm
* Berserkers
* original mythological Light and Dark Elves


The only three creatures I want to keep really, is the Einherjar, the Valkyrie and the Berserker (they might not should look like in the pictures I shown on the first post, but similar). I meditated a lot and as a result, I realized that TROLLS would be a nice choice instead of human vikings. Let's have troll type viking-like warriors, berserkers. Just don't call them vikings anymore! I would be in it!

Quote:
Either way it's not that hard to make up line up with much less simple humans/animals, tough we still need them to fill gaps.

Core
Viking(typical walker)
Dwarf(ranged unit)
Fenris(fast unit, with party buff)

Elite
Jörmungandr(subterrean[flyer])
Einherjar(tanky walker)
Valkyre(fast moving healer)

Champion
Jötunn(giant)


Not the most creative, but you can fill spots from the top of your head like this, and most people will atleast be somewhat similiar with these creatures.


I support the main idea, but in my opinion, the order should be else. I find it important to say, that the Einherjar must be a weaker lever creature than the Valkyrie -which you described fine-.

Quote:
Then why not make the boar like this instead?



At least I can imagen this thing goring a hydra, the normal boars tusks are way too small to hurt big things.

I find it extremly irritating that so many souls have so low level of fantasy, why everybody wants normal animals in this freaking game, grow some fantasy cells please.


I totally support that type of idea. I've found something fit for this problem as well:

Either your or my idea can fit into HOMM as a non-upgrade creature, all we need to find is a mount. Describing the proper look, how it would look like (giant tusks, more that a pai of tusks, colour, burning footprints, bloody eyes,...etc.) can be done, but I think, that it doesn't have sense right now. We should concentrate on more important things!

Quote:
Those are cliche creatures, i'm talking about Antaeus, Argus, Cacus, Kitsune, Charybdis, Valkyrie original here, or animals reworked into never-seen-before models.

Not about those overused dragons and such, of course you can re-create any creature and turn it more appealing, just like HOMM6 did with the Kappa by turning it more frog-like.

BTW: I know Antaeus, Argus, Charybdis and such are just ONE creature in mythology, but so were Medusa and MInotaur, and they don't need to be giant whirlpools and such bullcrap, they can be re-worked into fitting creatures of course.


The names you listed gave me new creature possibilities.

Antaeus -- half-giant (possible, however, does not have much imagination)
Argus -- hundred-eyed giant (barely possibe, might be good, if the giant would have thoose eyes all around his body.)
Charybdis -- giant whirlpool, in some paintings a half human, half monster (possible: make it half human, half-kraken(octopus))

Dragons are worn-out, I don't see myself getting along with dragons anymore.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The third problem: Some creatures with foreign names. Is that a problem? Standard creature naming.

Ever since was a problem to give creatures a proper name that hopefully hasn't been used in the HOMM series so far. Well, there are creatures, which you can't name otherwise even with your greatest kindliness (Goblin, Cyclops, Centaur) but there are some, you can (greatest example: Succubus -- Lilim). We can recieve whole new possibilites if we take EASLY PRONOUNCABLE and NOT TOO COMPLEX foreign names.

Back to Oz's reply, I find the Jögtunn as a possible upgraded creature name (like the Wanizame) but I don't like the name Jörmungandr. That's way too complicated.

Quote:
I do agree that foreign names like Jörmungadr might be hard for the american crowd to understand, but you can easily change such a creature into a Wyrm.


Quote:
Anyway I vote for Gullinbursti, make it a giant armor plated boar with golden bristles and big ass tusks.. and.. I don't know, set his armor on fire for the upgrade and more tusks!


Idea good, name rejeted. (Yeah, you porbably didn't wanted to call the boar creature like that, I just signaled.

Quote:
And "X of Y" should never be used as a creature name, ever.


Quote:
-'Cub of Fenris' doesn't sound particularly intimidating. How about simply 'Fenrir'? It works for the Cerberus.


Okay, good point, how about "Fenris Cub" then? I don't want to use "Fenris" as a creature name, because he is a "god" in norse mythology already. But if we watch that problem otherwise, (Angels, Seraphs, Archangels,...)who knows...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The fourth problem: Proper theme and town name must be find instead of previos ones.

Quote:
-'Palace' doesn't seem like a fitting name for a viking town, IMO.


Many of you said "Palace" is not a good choice. But if we want to change it, we need a proper theme before.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

MISSION OBJECTIVES (for me/us): - Find more suitable creatures! (avoid human types)
                                             - Finalize the fraction-type (dwarves, evles, trolls,...etc.)
                                           
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES (for me/us): - Recreate the creature names
                                               - Find pictures, that mostly describe the favourited creature

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Avirosb
Avirosb


Promising
Legendary Hero
No longer on vacation
posted June 22, 2011 04:19 PM
Edited by Avirosb at 16:45, 22 Jun 2011.

Throwing some names in for consideration. Maybe I'll update it later.

Barbegazi (A gnome from Swizz folklore that uses its feet as skis)
Boar -> Razorback (Fearsome beasts of war, with tusks and spikes everywhere)
Dis (A ghost, spirit or deity associated with fate)
Draugr (Corporeal undead, sually believed to be living in water)
Drude (A witch in German folklore associated with dreams)
Einherjar -> Valhalla Veteran (Einherjars were the spirits  of warriors who died bravely in battle)
Frost Wolf -> Fenrir (Fenrir is a monstrous wolf)
Jotun/Jotunn -> Ettin (Ettins are, like Scandinavian troll, depicted as having multiple heads)  
Kraken -> Leviathan (large octopus like monster)
Light Elf (A radiant elf who lives above ground)
Marauder -> Berserker (Legendary Norse warriors who fought frenzied and shirtless  regardless of wounds)
Moss People (A class of fairy-folk with a connection to trees  and the forest)
Nix/Neck (A shapeshifting water spirit)
Nixe/Nixie/Nyx (*See Rhine Maiden*)
Rhine Maiden (Nymph-like aquatic being, native to the River Rhine)
Sea Serpent (Based on Jörmungandr, a serpent so long that it encircled the entire world)
Seid (An old Norse term for sorcery or witchcraft *not a creature*)
Shieldmaiden (A  woman who had chosen to fight as a warrior)
Tempestarii (Magicians and weathermakers)
Troll (There are many kinds of troll. I suggest you google 'Theodor Kittelsen for inspiration)
Trude (a half-human, half-birdlike being that shares some features with drudes)
Valemon/Bear King -> (A cursed king in bear form, from a Norwegian fairy tale)
Valkyrie (One of a host of female figures who decide who will die in battle.)
Viking -> Varyag/Varangian (A combination of explorer, warrior, merchant, and pirate)
Warg (A wolf that in particular refers to the wolf Fenrir)
Wyrm -> Great Wyrm (A type of dragon without legs or wings)

EDIT
VVV Now now, there's no need to be biased, Dragon.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MrDragon
MrDragon


Supreme Hero
Eats people with Ketchup
posted June 22, 2011 04:25 PM

Quote:

Sure, a 13year old girl with "massive knockers"


The elf obviously, I mean I don't think you were suggesting we send 13 year old girls to fight in wars using bows.
Then again... sending elves to fight in wars using bows... ok I guess it's not very different.
Elves shouldn't fight at all then.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
xerox
xerox


Promising
Undefeatable Hero
posted June 22, 2011 05:21 PM

Okay, I will try to do something.

I love the idea that it is a TROLL town and the main race are the Trolls. They could be in war with the Dwarves and be their opposites - instead of being a defensive faction like Fortress, these are very... offensive.

Suggested creature line-up:

Core

Berserker -> Einherjar - Troll warriors. Einherjar are Berserkers who have died honorably in battle and were "ascended" by the Valkyrie into becoming divine warriors. Axe throwers.

Fenris X -> Fenris Y - This is a new version of the Fenris wolf. It is more like a werewolf now, because imo having normal white wolves as creatures is very boring.

Battle Boar -> Onslaught Boar (or another "cool" name) - These are artificial boars created by the Trolls. The normal one is made out of Silver and the upgraded one out of Gold. They have lots of horns and stuff which they use in battle.

Elite

Shield Maiden -> Valkyrie - These are the primary support units of the faction. They are not Trolls but descendants of the "Troll God" which is not a Dragon god. They have some kind of in-game connection with Einherjars.

Wyrm -> Jormungar/Niddhogg - These Wyrms act like flyers, except that they move underground instead.

Dire Troll -> Rampage Troll - This is another much larger and more brutish Troll speices, resembling the Trolls in LOTR. They are heavy tanks.

Champion

Giant -> Storm Giant - Giants are large and dangerous creatures that live in the foothills and mountains where the Trolls live. Storm Giants wield Storm Hammers, capable of unleashing lightning-based attack in melee range. They can also throw their hammer in a special attack.

____________
Over himself, over his own
body and
mind, the individual is
sovereign.
- John Stuart Mill

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Oz
Oz


Adventuring Hero
Preparing
posted June 22, 2011 06:29 PM

Quote:
Quote:

Sure, a 13year old girl with "massive knockers"


The elf obviously, I mean I don't think you were suggesting we send 13 year old girls to fight in wars using bows.
Then again... sending elves to fight in wars using bows... ok I guess it's not very different.
Elves shouldn't fight at all then.


Exactly!
(jokes aside, elves are ok, I just love to mock their prissiness)



@Golem

I understand why you don't want to include Einherjar on the same level, but I see them as another opportunity, because a regural warrior is needed, and I imagined these ascended veterans as faceless soldiers, essentially armored vikings with no physical body.
If Valkyres are support units, Einherjars can very well be their warrior counter part, as asgardian soldiers, and we'll still have a place for a simple walker unit.

Having troll vikings and valkyres alongside each other is very strange to me, unless you want to go back to the original valkyre myth, in which they weren't shiny plate wearing iron maidens, but rather unarmored bloodthristy wolf riders.
I'd much rather prefer the glorious kind of vikings in a heroes game.

Dealing with names ins't that hard. For the Wolf unit, just simply say Ghost Worg->Fenris, and have the boss named FenriR instead.
Let's rename the Jormungandr a little: Jormungar->Jormungrand it's easy to pronounce.
In my opinion Dwarves would make a great ranged creature, as I don't see another Fortress will be made for H6. Equip them with magical clockwork guns from asgard and they are ready.

As for the Palace, I think Keep/Rampart would be a good alternative.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Avirosb
Avirosb


Promising
Legendary Hero
No longer on vacation
posted June 23, 2011 12:30 AM

Maybe Bastion or Citadel?

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Lord_Immortal
Lord_Immortal


Famous Hero
DoR Dev Team
posted June 23, 2011 01:32 PM

Maybe split viking faction in 3 factions:
Halls
Core:
Ulfsark->Huscarl
Battleboar->Gullinbunstri
Timber Wolf->Dire Wolf
Elite:
Einherjar->Wulfheadnar
Berserker->Valemon
Valkyrie->Sacred Valkyrie
Champion:
Stormcrow->Thunderbird
Hero
Might:
Jarl->Oberjarl(TEAR)
   ->Warlord(BLOOD)
Magic:
Runemage->Runelord(TEAR)
       ->Seer(Blood)
Bosses:
Odin(Also as a Hero)
Thor(Also as a Hero)
Heimdall(Also as a Hero)
Baldur
Bragi
Tyr(Also as a Hero)


Hel:
Core:
Wight->Draugr
Raider->Maradeur
Svartalfar->Dokkalfar
Elite:
Mountain Jotun->Frost Jotun
Muspelli->Black Muspelli
Warg->Fenris Wolf
Champion:
Wyrm->Great Wyrm
Hero:
Might:
Fallen->Firelord(TEAR)
     ->Frenzied(BLOOD)
Magic:
Firemage->Helmage(TEAR)
       ->Nightmarer(BLOOD)

Bosses
Loki(Also as a Hero)
Fenrir
Jomungandr
Kraken
Thrym(Leader of the Frost Giants)(Also as a Hero)
Surtr(Leader of the Fire Giants)(Also as a Hero)
Hel(Also as a Hero)
Nidhogg

Rampart(Celts and some monsters)
Core:
Sidhe->Sidhe Seeliee
Celtic Warrior->Celtic Chieftain
Alfar->Ljottalfar
Elite:
Sacerdote->Druid
Troll->War Troll
Dis->Norn
Champion:
Green Dragon->Gold Dragon
Hero Classes(Undecided)
Bosses:
Mimir
Fafnir
Morgausse
The Will of the Gods-Rampart Campaing/font]
Mission 1:Le Mort d'Arthur
Desc:King Arthur must face Mordred in his last battle.The fate of Avalon will be decided by this war.
Mission 2:Morgausse
Desc:After the mutual deaths of King Arthur and Prince Mordred,Merlin the magican sets in the search of Witch-Queen Morgausse.He must defeat her in order to make peace reign in Brittania.
Mission 3:Longboats Embarking
Desc:After Morgausse's Death the clanlords in Orkney Islands face the Viking Raids.They must withstand until Merlin comes with the Irish and Welsh Reinforcements.
Mission 4:The Slaying of Fafnir
Desc:The Dragon Fafnir is sacred to the celts,and the Germanic hero Sigurd is set to slay him.You must do anything to stop Sigurd,but you are far from Brittania now...
Mission 5:The Eye of Odin
Desc:The Well of Mimir is one of the most holy places in the world.Now,the vikings want to sieze it so that their lord Odin possesses the wisdom of the Giant Mimir.
The Rise of Loki-Hel Campaing
Mission 1:Argument in Valhalla
Desc:Loki had an argument with Bragi and Baldur in the Halls of Valhalla.The very wisdom of Odin won't be enough to stop him fighting his enemies.
Mission 2:The Gates of Hel
Desc:After killing Baldur,Loki is banished from the Halls of Valhalla.He has heard of a world of Flames called Hel,but its gates are guarded by the terrible Surtr,the Black Muspelli Jarl...
Mission 3:Allegience of the Svartalfar
Desc:Svartalfhaim is one of the darkest worlds of Yggdrassil.The dreadful Dark Elves living there would make a powerful addition to Loki's Ranks.
Mission 4:Thrym
Desc:The Giant Thrym is lord of the Frost giants.Loki must defeat his armies to make him an ally,as there are special plans for Thrym.
Mission 5:Nidhogg
Desc:Now that the preparations are complete,the Serpent Nidhogg must be controlled.Eating the corpses of the dead in Nifelheim and the Roots of Yggdrassil,at the side of Loki he can be a fierce opponent to Odin's Forces.
The Twilight of the Gods-Halls Campaing
Mission 1:Mjolnir
Desc:The Giant Thrym has stolen the Hammer of Thor and asked Freya's Hand.Thor himself will put a stop on this.
Mission 2:The Omens
Desc:Thyrm dies,but the Kraken rised from the sea...Thyrm dies,but Fimbulwinter comes...Ragnarok is Near...And Tyr must put an end to this before it's too late.
Mission 3:First Casualties
Desc:Ragnarok is here...Thor and Tyr depart first to slay Jormungandr,Surtr,Hel and Nidhogg...
Mission 4:Unchaining of Fenrir
Desc:Fenrir now is free from the chains...the end is near...Odin's fate is near...But it's his fate and Odin now will meet victory,or doom...
Mission 5:Loki and Heimdall
Descdin is dead,the other gods too,only Heimdall remains...Stoic watchman of Bifrost bridge he must protect Valhalla with his few men against Loki's Hordes.He must not fail as the fate of the Nine Worlds depends on his actions.
There and Back Again-Halls Campaing-Bonus Campaing
Mission 1:There and Back Again
Desc:Ragnarok ends,and humaity enters in a new age,that of One God,merciful Jesus the Christ.But not all roots of the Old Faith are undone and as long as there is one last,true follower of the Old Faiths,The Gods will never be Dead,but this must be kept low,as the Inquisition ravages Europe and the Last Druids and Runemasters must unite.
Mission 2:Rebirth
Desc:That what in the old times was called Well of Mimir,now it's the Place where the Grail was left by Joseph of Aramathea.Reclaiming the last body piece of the god Odin may mean rebirth,for all the Gods of the Old.
Mission 3:The Fate of Man
Descdin is back now,and so the other Gods,but Archangels felt this and Michael fell on earth...The Humanism is on its peak and so is Inquisition...Whether Science or Fanatism,that's the Gods' to decide....

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Oz
Oz


Adventuring Hero
Preparing
posted June 23, 2011 05:01 PM

That'd be Vikings of Might and Magic

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MattII
MattII


Legendary Hero
posted June 24, 2011 12:59 AM
Edited by MattII at 01:04, 24 Jun 2011.

Core
Fyrd > Huskarl    A human warrior > with better armour and weapons
War-Boar > Razor-Back    A big boar with armour and big tusk-spikes >
Archer > Twoshot    An elf/alf archer with a bow > who can shoot twice

Elite
Ogre > Troll    An enslaved Ogre > Troll
War Maiden > Valkyrie    A female elf/alf on a 'snow-stallion' > who can cast spells
Coraki > Coralnir    A giant raven that can cast spells > that can throw lightning

Champion
Wyrm > Frost Wyrm    A giant serpent > whose breath is cold as ice

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MrDragon
MrDragon


Supreme Hero
Eats people with Ketchup
posted June 24, 2011 09:14 AM
Edited by MrDragon at 09:15, 24 Jun 2011.

Quote:
Core
Fyrd > Huskarl    A human warrior > with better armour and weapons
War-Boar > Razor-Back    A big boar with armour and big tusk-spikes >
Archer > Twoshot    An elf/alf archer with a bow > who can shoot twice

Elite
Ogre > Troll    An enslaved Ogre > Troll
War Maiden > Valkyrie    A female elf/alf on a 'snow-stallion' > who can cast spells
Coraki > Coralnir    A giant raven that can cast spells > that can throw lightning

Champion
Wyrm > Frost Wyrm    A giant serpent > whose breath is cold as ice

Not how I would design it myself, but I'd say it's the best one so far, and despite my own sensibilities, I'm not confident I'd come up with a better line-up then this.
It's nice and varied with only 2 elves and a human.
Though I'd say the Ogre -> Troll could be something like Troll Runt -> Troll. (Troll Runt -> Troll being a pretty dull, but just to illustrate a point)

There are still other creative things to do with Ogres, such as Ogre -> Oni.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MattII
MattII


Legendary Hero
posted June 24, 2011 09:57 AM

Thanks. If you do make one up, don't be afraid to butcher a couple of mythoses (is that the the word?) to do it.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Zenofex
Zenofex


Responsible
Legendary Hero
Kreegan-atheist
posted June 24, 2011 10:12 AM

Ogre upgrading into Oni is not very appropriate as the first is mostly Western monster while the latter is a Far Eastern demon which, among other things, is more "supernatural" than the Ogre.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MrDragon
MrDragon


Supreme Hero
Eats people with Ketchup
posted June 24, 2011 11:02 AM
Edited by MrDragon at 11:26, 24 Jun 2011.

Quote:
Ogre upgrading into Oni is not very appropriate as the first is mostly Western monster while the latter is a Far Eastern demon which, among other things, is more "supernatural" than the Ogre.

Very true, but despite that, they inhabit similar niches within their respective cultures.
Though I might be a bit influenced by DnD which made that link.
Ogre -> Ogre Magi, the Ogre Magi was blue-skinned and wielded powerful magic such as Cone of Cold and Greater Invisibility.
In later Monster Manuals they turned them increasingly oriental until in 4th edition they just dropped calling them Ogres and instead stuck them under Oni whilst reflavouring Ogres with a slight more oriental/mountain bandit/large humanoid monster kinda flavour.
Edit: Upon second inspection, it turns out that even in 1st edition that link always existed, but that was before I was born... I only started playing when 3.0 had recently come out.

It works quite well in my opinion.
Also it wouldn't be the first time this series completely reflavoured a monster to fit a different faction.



I also have a thing for connecting across mythologies, especially Greek and Egyptian myth seem ripe for this, mind you those two are already pretty entwined to start with, a few gender inversions aside (such as Geb <-> Geia, Noet <-> Ouranus) cross polination is pretty much implied there.

There is similar reason to believe the parralels between oriental myth and western myth are more then coincidence.

Finally, to fit a heroes game, some myths have to be butchered (a little) to make them work, especially if it promotes getting rid of many similar creatures, because I hate those.
Whilst I feel Trolls are different enough from Ogres, I feel that Ogres are quite bland and giving them a little more... well... oomph isn't a bad thing.
So yeah... I guess Ogre -> Troll would also work for exactly the same reasons why Ogre -> Oni would work.

Edit2: MtG (which is also owned by WotC) also made the connection in the Kamigawa Block where Ogres and Oni were joined at the hip, not the same creature but very closely related.
So it might just be me being biased.

Edit3: Though apparently Ogre is a popular translation for the word Oni (included amongst of course Demons and Devils obviously).
Edit4: Upon even further reading, of various websites such as wikipedia but also sites specifically devoted to japanese folk-lore, chinese folk-lore and oriental supernatural entities in general... it seems a very common practice to make the comparison, especially thanks to the most common physical description of Oni.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Zenofex
Zenofex


Responsible
Legendary Hero
Kreegan-atheist
posted June 24, 2011 11:26 AM
Edited by Zenofex at 11:26, 24 Jun 2011.

The link between the mythologies is no coincidence - see Joseph Campbell's works for example, very interesting stuff can be found there history- and culture-wise. Still the Ogres have a distinguished physical feel about them - similar to that of the Cyclopes for examples - while the Onis lean more towards the world of materialized gods and demons, so it feels awkward to be presented as the same species. Not that it's forbidden by law or something.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MrDragon
MrDragon


Supreme Hero
Eats people with Ketchup
posted June 24, 2011 11:30 AM
Edited by MrDragon at 11:32, 24 Jun 2011.

Quote:
Not that it's forbidden by law or something.

Otherwise WotC amongst many other big brand media companies in movies, games or computer games would have had serious legal troubles it seems.


But I do appreciate driving Oni into a more supernatural niche, which is infact something that influenced my (now scrapped) Forge Fiend in my Citadel Faction, which infact borrows HEAVILY from oriental myth as well as greek with a pinch of some other stuff.
(Link in my sig)(shameless plug)
____________
Mr.Dragon Factions in production.
Citadel: 7/7 creatures, 2/2 hero base classes. (complete, for now)

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Avirosb
Avirosb


Promising
Legendary Hero
No longer on vacation
posted June 24, 2011 12:00 PM
Edited by Avirosb at 12:01, 24 Jun 2011.

The H2 ogres are the only...true ogres,if you will, in my opinion.
They had this savage, bestial look.

EDIT: What I'm saying is I like them better as beastmen than as greenskins.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Golemcrafter
Golemcrafter


Promising
Famous Hero
Unlimited Fantasy Master
posted June 24, 2011 01:59 PM

As I see so far, we are on a route...

So, the main topic was to discuss the possible creatures in this fraction. Several ideas meet my "demand", I'm going to list them now (but not in proper level order):

Battle Boar aka Gullinbursti (suggested by MrDragon and Nightterror)

A very good idea, a boar (maybe boar rider) as a core and a large creature sounds pretty awesome. Dress them up with heavy armours, spikes around it, add more tusks and give them a fearsome look... (Picture needed to get at least some of the preferred looks visible)

Berserker / Valhalla Veteran / Einherjar (suggested by Avirosb and Xerox)

A Berserker is totally a needed unit. We shall think of it a bit more why this creature should be a CORE or an ELITE unit, I can't really decide (Reasons should be given!). Valhally Veteran is some amazingly cool creature name, looking forward to use that in the final version of the town. My thoughts: what if we use the "Einherjar" as a Might Hero, Type Tear?

War Maiden / Shield Maiden / Valkyrie (suggested by Xerox, Avirosb and MattII)

Agreed with "Maiden" as the non-upgrade creature. "War" sounds a little bit boring, "Shield" is more interesting. (Look for more possibilities!)

Quote:
Having troll vikings and valkyres alongside each other is very strange to me, unless you want to go back to the original valkyre myth, in which they weren't shiny plate wearing iron maidens, but rather unarmored bloodthristy wolf riders.
(by Oz)

Oz, could you try to find a pic on which we can see such a type of Valkyrie? I'll try to look after myself, as well!

And if we keep the idea of Oz, we can hit two flies with one slap: both the Fenris Wolf and the Valkyrie would be in the fraction. However, (maybe) it would be a difficult work to find a proper name.

Giant / Jötunn (suggested by Oz)

Would be a perfect CHAMPION unit in my opinion. I'm intereseted at knowing what tybe of combat would the giant have... and the type of weapon: sword, axe, club, fist,...etc. (Picture needed here!)

Ogre / Oni / Ogre/Oni Magi (suggested by MattII and MrDragon)

An other great idea for an ELITE creature. My personal suggestion is the Ogre/Oni Magi... Ogre Magis were quite popular in the HOMM series, they were my favourite Stronghold creatures (along with Cyclopses) so why not bring them back?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Found some pic that may describe some of the preferred creatures of that may give us new ideas:




 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Avirosb
Avirosb


Promising
Legendary Hero
No longer on vacation
posted June 24, 2011 02:17 PM

Looks like the ogre is getting ready to pummel a swearing Uncle Sam

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MrDragon
MrDragon


Supreme Hero
Eats people with Ketchup
posted June 24, 2011 03:35 PM

If you're gonne go the Ogre/Oni route I'd stick to calling it an Ogre for a Norse myth based faction, but giving it some of the Oni's more supernatural flair doesn't go amiss.

The whole concept fits nicely into the whole Jotunn family anyway.
In fact, Aka-Oni (Red) and Ao-Oni (Blue) kind of mirrors the Thrym and his Frost Giants and Surtr and his Fire Giants thing, from a visual perspective anyway.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Jump To: « Prev Thread . . . Next Thread » This thread is 4 pages long: 1 2 3 4 · «PREV / NEXT»
Post New Poll    Post New Topic    Post New Reply

Page compiled in 0.1178 seconds