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| Thread: Swamp faction |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 · «PREV / NEXT» |
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xerox
Promising
Undefeatable Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 01:50 AM |
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as a kid, I always thought the gnolls in H3 were horsemen lol
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Over himself, over his own
body and
mind, the individual is
sovereign.
- John Stuart Mill
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Alex_Yakub
Famous Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 10:51 AM |
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kobalt said:
I also miss the swamp faction and so I started this project as a tribute to the H3 faction. Hope you guys like it:
...working on the lizardman
That's one awesome gnoll!!!
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Jiriki9
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Altar Dweller
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posted October 02, 2014 11:08 AM |
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War-overlord
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Presidente of Isla del Tropico
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posted October 02, 2014 11:17 AM |
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Yeah, looking awesome.
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MattII
Legendary Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 12:24 PM |
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Yeah, brilliant. Just a pity I never liked the idea of the gnoll being a swamp creature, I mean do hyenas live in swamps? Hell no. So why should gnolls?
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Doomhammer
Known Hero
Smasher of pasties
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posted October 02, 2014 12:25 PM |
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I wouldn't mind them in the game if they looked like that.
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Storm-Giant
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
On the Other Side!
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posted October 02, 2014 02:19 PM |
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Those Gnolls look so great, kudos!  
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Galaad
Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
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posted October 02, 2014 02:54 PM |
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Kobalt : Your art is awesome !!!
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kobalt
Hired Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 03:14 PM |
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Thank you for your appreciation guys, it means a lot. I believe the Gnolls could be a part of this faction, allow me to explain: The way I see it, in Ashan, the Swamp might be an exiled sort of faction in which all deviants might be welcomed (from almost all other races, mostly for the heroes). Perhaps the red wizard failed in creating a mentally stable creature and the orcs found them too unpredictable to make them part of their society. The witches or beastmasters from the swamps might have found a way to subdue and use them (through magic most probably. Furethermore I would call this faction "Exile" as opposing the "Sanctuary"... just a thought
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War-overlord
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Presidente of Isla del Tropico
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posted October 02, 2014 03:52 PM |
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Thing is, they are already part of Orc Society.
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Avonu
Responsible
Supreme Hero
Embracing light and darkness
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posted October 02, 2014 03:59 PM |
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Edited by Avonu at 16:08, 02 Oct 2014.
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But all of them or just some?
The Naga are water people but they live in high mountains (snow and ice) and even on deserts (oasis).
Griffins lives in Griffin Duchy in Haven but they also live in Irollan Forest in Sylvan.
Same with Minotaurs - some are still shock troopers for Academy, other are undead troopers fro Necropolis and some others are free/enslaved Dark Elves allies/shock troopers in Dungeon.
So if you really, really try, you can have Gnolls in Sanctuary too. Not to mention that Kingdom of Hashima was a haven for Orcs and Beastmen during their rebellion.
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Pipiru piru piru pipiru pi!
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War-overlord
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Presidente of Isla del Tropico
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posted October 02, 2014 04:06 PM |
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That may be the case, but we've yet to see duplicate units in a single game.
And since Stronghold has first shot at Gnolls...
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alex_yakub
Famous Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 09:21 PM |
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WARNING: EXTREMELY LONG POST APPROACHING!!! Okay, here goes. My look on this potential faction:
SWAMPFOLK
The swamps of Paluda
Very little is known of this offish faction of lizardmen and naga renegades, except the fact they live in the swamps east of the Holy Empire and worship Shalassa's destructive aspect, the Wrecker. Founded by lizardmen, a race of beastmen created by mages of Seven Cities, that escaped during orc and beastmen rebellions, and later made a pact with exiled nagas from the cult prohibited in Hashima, who helped them thwart the ongoing invasion of the Holy Empire. Until now, this faction played little role in the history of Ashan, but this is going to change soon, as the cult of the Wrecker is as close to its main goal, drowning the continent of Thallan, as ever.
Associated Colours: Swamp green
Country/Kingdom: Paluda, the land of thousand mires
Capital City: Tryasovyna, the Great Marsh
Political System: Paluda is ruled by a council of 5 chiefs, who represent 5 major swampfolk factions: chameleonmen, monitormen, skinkmen, crocodilemen and, finaly, nagas from the cult of Wrecker
Religion: Originaly, lizardmen did not worship anyone or anything, and relied mostly on themselves, but this changed when they allied with nagas from the Wrecker cult. One of the main conditions on wich nagas agreed to help lizardmen to battle knights of the Holy Falcon Empire was that lizardmen agreed to worship Shalassa's destructive side. Since then, Paluda's inhabitants worship the twisted part of the Dragon Goddess of water
History: During the Orc Rebellions, many beastmen joined orcs in their fight for freedom. Many, but not all. Rakshasas, minotaurs and tawerets decided to stay with their masters because they were treated as captains and officers of their kind. On the other hand, lizardmen decided not to join any side, neither their mage creators nor their brothers beastmen. Being disliked even among their beastmen
relatives because of their vile and both figuratively and literally cold-blooded nature, lizardfolk decided to get away from everyone and hide in the place best suited for them - swamp in the south of the Bull Duchy. Most lizardpeople fled there, and this could not go unnoticed by the Duke of Bull. He asked the Emperor to help him destroy those beasts by sending the imperial army to that swamp. Emperor replied that Duke can handle the situation by himself. They are merely a pests created by mages, he said, it would be a waste of time and men - to send a whole army to deal with this reptilemen. He was wrong. Lizardmen fought the Duke's army with the extreme ferociousness, and Duke was forced to retreat. Understanding that Duke will soon come with reinforcements sent by the Emperor himself, chiefs of the lizardfolk clans decided to battle their way through the Empire to the swamp far east, that did not belong to any kingdom. And so began the Great Path of Blood, as lizardpeople call it now. Thousands of reptile men, women and hatchlings were slaughtered on their way through the Bull and Wolf duchies to the Eastern Swamp, and lizardpeople only outpaced the imperial army for a day or two. Finally, the tribes of lizardfolk reached the Eastern Swamp, wich they named Paluda, meaning "Endless Swamp" on the lizardmen language. Even though lizardfolk were no longer on the Empire's land, Duke of Bull, joined by the Duke of Wolf, decided to follow the reptilemen anyway, and pay them for ravaging their respective Duchies. Knowing the defeat is inevitable, lizardmen prepared to their final stand. This was when nagas from the Wrecker cult noticed the lizardfolk's struggle. Exiled from Hashima for their omnicidal tendencies, this snakefolk renegades immediately took a respect of the proud lizardmen, who would rather die than be slaves again. Nagas came to the lizard chiefs and presented them an irrefutable offer: lizardmen will allow the snakepeople outcasts to live with them, and will start worshipping Shalassa's destructive side, while nagas will help them defeat the imperial army with all the might of the water magic. After short debate all the lizard chiefs agreed to the nagas' proposal. On the next day, the grand battle between the reptilekind and imperial troops was fought. Holy knights did not expect that lizardfolk would be joined by naga sorcerers, and were utterly defeated by the lizardmen and snakemen forces. Both Duke of Wolf and Duke of Bull ran from the battlefield, and later, when asked by the Emperor about how the combat went, replied that reptile people are most likely protected by Shalassa, as nagas were helping them with all the might of the water magic. After this, Empire never again tried to invade the Eastern Swamp that everyone now called Paluda, the name lizardfolk gave to it. Lizardmen and their new naga allies did not communicate with the outside world much, and nobody wanted to make the diplomacy with them anyway. This was until recent time, as adventurers venturing to the Paluda are telling tales about the ancient ritual Wrecker cult discovered that will let them drown all the Thallan...
Army:
CORE
Lizardman slinger/Lizardman archer
Lizardfolk were created by mages from various lizard species leaving in the deserts near Seven Cities, like chameleons, skinks and monitors. Of them all, monitormen have the sharpest eyesight, and so it is natural they often use shooting weapons, like slings and bows, to strike their enemies.
Raptor/Utahraptor
This feathered reptiles live in numerous places in Ashan, like Ygg-Chall caves, marshes of the Bull Duchy, and the great Paluda swamp. They were tamed by lizardmen back in the days they lived on the Bull Duchy territories , and were used as a trusty steeds during the Great Path of Blood. Nowdays, they are used as guard and battle beasts of the lizardkind, and they do this job just fine. Be not fooled, though: they are far more inteligent than they appear, being almost as clever as a 10 years old human child. Some even say they can open doors, but it may very well be a myth. This makes lizardmen achievement of taming them even more impressive. Fun fact: The even bigger and smarter subspecies of the raptor, utahraptor, was named so after the first lizardman ever to ride these beasts, Utah the skinkman.
Cockatrice/Rooster Cockatrice
Legends say these beasts were born after one specific hen found a bunch of orphaned poisonous frog's eggs and hatched them. Hatchlings were nothing like their biological mother, and resembled their stepmother more. One thing they had in common with their mother, though - poisonous, although not slime, but breath. Legends are only partially right: cockatrices are indeed hybrids, not of chicken and frog, but that of a chicken and a poisonous subspecies of a common frill-necked lizard. They come from the times when dragon veins were very active, and many hybrid creatures were born, such as griffins and manticoras. In one such dragon vein the first cockatrice was born, and then followed many more. Even though cockatrices are decendants of simple chickens, they can fly very well, and are praised for this useful during seiges ability by the swampfolk. Nowdays, this beasts are rare, and can only be found in the deep corners of the world, like the Paluda swamp. Lizardmen, being immune to their poison due to their reptilian heritage, tame this creatures and use them in combat. They also use cockatrice's toxic saliva to make poisonous arrows, so beware of a swampfolk army that has both lizardmen archers and this vile beasts. Nothing is scarier than a clucking flock of cockatrices flying to you and bringing death by their mere breath...
ELITE
Medusa Hex/Medusa Sorceress
This coral nagas, who worship Shalassa's destructive aspect, were exiled from Hashima for their cult's bloodthirsty goals. Since then, they joined the forces of lizardfolk and helped them to fight off the imperial troops on the condition lizardpeople will start worsipping Wrecker themselves. Lizardmen consider them a priceless allies, even if a bit omnicidal. In battle, this snakeladies use powerful water spells to swap the battle's tides.
Gorgon/Greater Gorgon
Just like cockatrices, this scaled ox-like beasts are actually hybrids, those of normal cows and basilisks, an extinct species of giant lizards. Tamed by the lizardfolk right after their arrival to the Paluda, gorgons have a very interesting and deadly magic ability they recived from their basilisk ancestors: they can turn anyone who looks in their eyes into stone. Not everyone, fortunately, as gorgons have a full control of this skill, and use it only on their enemies. Contrary to the popular belief, gorogn's breath is not toxic. That does not mean that it smells good, though, either.
Alligatorman/Crocodileman
Crocodilemen are to lizardfolk what cyclopses are to orcs: Older brothers, much more powerful and aggressive, but also much slower and more dim-witted. Just like their younger reptilian brothers, crocmen were created by the mages of the Seven Cities, only this time, the blood of crocodiles and alligators living in the oasises of Sahaar were used. Resembling beasts much more than humans, this gargantuan creatures are a very important part of the lizardfolk armies, crushing and sweeping any enemy with their powerful jaws and tails respectively.
CHAMPION
Hydra/Deep Hydra
This enormous multiheaded beasts were tamed by the lizardfolk along with gorgons not long after their coming to the Eastern Swamp, and were used to defeat the invading imperial army. The hydras of Paluda are much bigger than their underground relatives, and can grow up to 18 heads.
Coatl/Quetzalcoatl
This feathered serpents are actually a type of swamp wyverns, covered in bright colourful feathers. It is a common fact every wyvern is connected to some certain element of Dragon Gods. Coatls are connected to the swamp water aspect of Shalassa, and, since swampfolk worship her, they come to their aid in time of need. Quetzalcoatls are an even bigger wyverns, connected to the deepest marshes and mires of Paluda.
WARFARE
Chameleonman Healer
Of all the lizardmen types, chameleonmen are the most spiritually gifted. In battle, they are rarely found on the frontlines, but they gladly serve their kind the other purpose: healing injured warriors with Shalassa's sacred waters.
Carnivorous Plant
This dangerous predatory vine was growing in Paluda for centuries before lizardmen came. Many of the reptilefolk were eaten by this peculiar flower, and many more were killed by the toxic spikes it can spit. This was before monitorman chief named Seymour found out during one of his hunts this plants are actually sentient, moreover, they are connected by a single net of roots and so have a hivemind. He proposed them an offer: predatory flowers will help lizardmen on the battlefield by shooting their poisonous spikes at the enemies, and in return lizardmen will let them devour any dead bodies left on the battlefield. Vines agreed, and so nowdays they serve the role of ballista in the swampfolk army.
Tyrannosaurus Catapult
This mighty reptilian beasts are almost extinct nowdays, and can only be found in the deepest parts of Paluda. Both because of their rarity and immense power, lizardmen use them as carriers of gigantic catapults rather than as heavy cavalry. An enormous beast with powerful jaws carrying a catapult operated by 2 or 3 skinkmen is truly a sight to behold.
Whew. Sorry for such a long post  Hope you liked it  Feel free to criticize  Thaks to War-Overlord and Xerox for numerous ideas
(DISCLAIMER: none of the art in my post belongs to me)
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War-overlord
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Presidente of Isla del Tropico
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posted October 02, 2014 10:22 PM |
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alex_yakub said:
Whew. Sorry for such a long post Hope you liked it Feel free to criticize
(DISCLAIMER: none of the art in my post belongs to me)
Very well, don't mind if I do criticize some things.
The Cult is as close to its main goal as ever? So not at all then?
There are numerous inconsistencies with the known lore.
Subdividing the Lizardmen into 6 subspecies is a bit much, especially since you only have 1 Lizardmen unit and the Crocman. Not to mention that the Naga are subdivided into 3 subspecies as well.
Raptors and Cockatrices are remarkably similar. Also a Rooster is a male Chicken, a female Chicken is a Hen. So Roosters hatching Frog-eggs? There are plenty problems with that, even if it's just a folktale.
T-Rex as Shocktroops? Heavy Cavalry more like.
Also, where I like having these animals, you fail to provide much reason for them to be able to behave like warbeasts, other then that they are tamed. Which is a reasonable start, but nothing more.
Having said all that, it's a nice effort nontheless.
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Alex_Yakub
Famous Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 10:37 PM |
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War-overlord said:
alex_yakub said:
Whew. Sorry for such a long post Hope you liked it Feel free to criticize
(DISCLAIMER: none of the art in my post belongs to me)
Very well, don't mind if I do criticize some things.
The Cult is as close to its main goal as ever? So not at all then?
There are numerous inconsistencies with the known lore.
Subdividing the Lizardmen into 6 subspecies is a bit much, especially since you only have 1 Lizardmen unit and the Crocman. Not to mention that the Naga are subdivided into 3 subspecies as well.
Raptors and Cockatrices are remarkably similar. Also a Rooster is a male Chicken, a female Chicken is a Hen. So Roosters hatching Frog-eggs? There are plenty problems with that, even if it's just a folktale.
T-Rex as Shocktroops? Heavy Cavalry more like.
Also, where I like having these animals, you fail to provide much reason for them to be able to behave like warbeasts, other then that they are tamed. Which is a reasonable start, but nothing more.
Having said all that, it's a nice effort nontheless.
Thanks for not stomping me into dirt, WO, that's the most constructive criticism on this forum I've ever seen  I only now noticed that I actually wrote that Wrecker cult was exiled AFTER being defeat by Crag Hack. I feel so stupid I'll edit it right away.
About 6 subspecies and lizardman archer, I just thought that specifiyng what subspecies it is is not needed. Silly me Also, I did mention that medusas are coral nagas
About cockatrice, I based that folk tale on the real world tale about how cockatrice came to be, so blame it, not me
About T-Rex, I just confused those two terms. Silly me again
About reasons why they are tamed, I'll make something up (not that it is needed in my opinion anyway )
All in all, as I said, thanks for constructive criticism, WO
EDIT: there you go, edited many inconsitencies and small mistakes. Ready to hear your criticism again
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xerox
Promising
Undefeatable Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 10:51 PM |
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I think it's a bit excessive having two raptor-like creatures, two lizardmen-creatures and two great land reptilians (hydra and t-rex). The line-up needs some variation. Why not bring back the Gorgon everybody loves? And replace one of the raptors with a Serpent Fly. Finally, I would replace the t-tex with the coatl.
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Over himself, over his own
body and
mind, the individual is
sovereign.
- John Stuart Mill
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War-overlord
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Presidente of Isla del Tropico
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posted October 02, 2014 10:51 PM |
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Alex_Yakub said:
Thanks for not stomping me into dirt, WO, that's the most constructive criticism on this forum I've ever seen I only now noticed that I actually wrote that Wrecker cult was exiled AFTER being defeat by Crag Hack. I feel so stupid I'll edit it right away.
About 6 subspecies and lizardman archer, I just thought that specifiyng is not needed. Silly me Also, I mentioned that medusas are coral nagas
About cockatrice, I based that folk tale on the real world tale about how cockatrice came to be, so blame it, not me
About T-Rex, I just confused those two terms. Silly me again
About reasons why they are tamed, I'll make something up (not that it is needed in my opinion anyway )
All in all, as I said, thanks for constructive criticism, WO
You're welcome. Assuming that wasn't sarcastic.
For the subspecies, specification is needed, but what's more why have 6 subspecies if you are only gonna use half or less?
Also Medusa, aren't exclusively Coral Naga, they are all Wrecker Cultists.
About the Cockatrice tale, other people being stupid is one thing, copying stupid things is another.
As for the taming, I wasn't talking about why the beasts are tamed, I was rather talking about why they can operate without a handler.
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Alex_Yakub
Famous Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 10:52 PM |
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xerox said:
I think it's a bit excessive having two raptor-like creatures, two lizardmen-creatures and two great land reptilians (hydra and t-rex). The line-up needs some variation. Why not bring back the Gorgon everybody loves? And replace one of the raptors with a Serpent Fly. Finally, I would replace the t-tex with the coatl.
Okay, will do some of it now Especially the coatl part, thanks for the idea
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Alex_Yakub
Famous Hero
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posted October 02, 2014 10:57 PM |
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War-overlord said:
Alex_Yakub said:
Thanks for not stomping me into dirt, WO, that's the most constructive criticism on this forum I've ever seen I only now noticed that I actually wrote that Wrecker cult was exiled AFTER being defeat by Crag Hack. I feel so stupid I'll edit it right away.
About 6 subspecies and lizardman archer, I just thought that specifiyng is not needed. Silly me Also, I mentioned that medusas are coral nagas
About cockatrice, I based that folk tale on the real world tale about how cockatrice came to be, so blame it, not me
About T-Rex, I just confused those two terms. Silly me again
About reasons why they are tamed, I'll make something up (not that it is needed in my opinion anyway )
All in all, as I said, thanks for constructive criticism, WO
You're welcome. Assuming that wasn't sarcastic.
For the subspecies, specification is needed, but what's more why have 6 subspecies if you are only gonna use half or less?
Also Medusa, aren't exclusively Coral Naga, they are all Wrecker Cultists.
About the Cockatrice tale, other people being stupid is one thing, copying stupid things is another.
As for the taming, I wasn't talking about why the beasts are tamed, I was rather talking about why they can operate without a handler.
I'm not sarcastic, really, I wholeheartedly thank you for your criticism.
Fine, I'll reduce a number of subspecies
About medusa, of all naga species coral ones appear to be the most magic-gifted, so I chose them
I'll also change the cockatrice's description, if you insist
About taming, I got it now I'll make something up. Can you suggest anything?
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War-overlord
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Presidente of Isla del Tropico
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posted October 02, 2014 11:04 PM |
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Alex_Yakub said:
I'm not sarcastic, really, I wholeheartedly thank you for your criticism.
Fine, I'll reduce a number of subspecies
About medusa, of all naga species coral ones appear to be the most magic-gifted, so I chose them
I'll also change the cockatrice's description, if you insist
About taming, I got it now I'll make something up. Can you suggest anything?
You don't have to change anything on account of me.
For one, have Lizardmen ride the T-Rex.
Write something about raptors being intelligent and compare them to something.
As Cockatrices are of Magic Origin, play with that.
As for the Basilisks & Hyrdas, try to come up with something yourself.
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