Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

I'm really interested in learning about the different mythologies that inspired the nations of Dominions 3. I can guess at a lot of them, but some kind of elude me. Abysia? Fomoria? Caelum? Agartha? Where did these come from?

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Fomoria is based on Celtic Irish mythology, centered around the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fomorians

They're the counterpoints to the Tuatha De Danann, the "devils" to their "angels", sortof. Possibly based on a pre-Celtic pantheon of gods. They may also have been influenced by Greek pirates in the area, since they have some elements of Greek myth in their story.

Other "monstrous" deities in Irish myth include Crom Cruiach, the Cailleach, and ofcourse the Ban Sidhe.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

For the wonderful Agartha, you can just check on wikipedia too. there is a huge page about this underground mysterious city http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Caelum maybe reminds me the old Hawkmen from both Flash Gordon and He-Man. In latin as I think everybody knows, it means "sky".

Abysia could possibly be an original creation, but there are much more expert players than me, who played this game since Dominions: PPP, who will give you a better answer maybe http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Agartha is the Hindu/Buddhist/Tibetan underworld paradise, sortof, with Shamballa as it's capital city.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agartha

The Agarthans themselves might be based on the Shaver mysteries, or Brad Steiger's article "The Hollow Earth, Myth or Reality" in 'Atlantis Rising'.

By the way, I use Wikipedia because it's often a good place to start this kind of research, but it should in no way be confused with ultimate wisdom on any given subject. It just makes it easier for me to point people in the right direction, on a specific subject.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Abysia is original, IIRC. It may have some influences from somewhere, but not a lot.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

No. The Agarthans are based on me. Tall, fat, pale, little arms and just one eye. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Injured.gif

Oh well, actually, I'm the complete opposite http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif but I still love them http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/heart.gif

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Manual has info on all nations that existed on release. Abysia, as an example, is explained as something with no clear sources. "Think of great temple ziggurats adorned with ever-burning braziers fed with still-beating hearts in pompous ceremonies" etc. Page 97 for Abysia.

For some nations, searching for the name will give surprising results. Agartha and Patala are some of these.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Oh, oh, about that. I think they use HUMAN virgins' hearts for blood magic, right? Not from their own race? Someone thinks the other way?

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

There are no fire-resistant blood slaves....


Also, we don't even know if Abysians have genders. They were born from magma or something similar, as mentioned in some EA units' descriptions (Burning Ones etc), and Warlocks' Blood Magic was needed to "breed" Abysians with humans, demons etc. Garnet Amazons are mentioned to be a result of those experiments, so at least humanbreds appear in both varieties, and perhaps Abysians do as well.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

I believe blood slaves are all supposed to be human. They're not fire-resistant. They don't breathe water.

On the other hand you can hunt them in any land province regardless of population type. I guess even the lizardman swamps have lots of human virgins around?

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

>The Agarthans themselves might be based on the Shaver mysteries, or Brad Steiger's article "The Hollow Earth, Myth or Reality" in 'Atlantis Rising'.

There is not that much of proper historic outside influence on Agartha, IIRC the name was tacked on after the nation was concieved.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Wow, so maybe Abysians are not that evil. I mean, they just sacrifice what for them are lesser beings, in order to achieve the upper hand in war and protect their people... If taking away the hearts of 100 cows you could get a Northrop-Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, wouldn't you just do it for your nation if you were a general? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Even if they're cute little baby cows with big brown eyes?

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

I love animals. They're DELICIOUS.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Vegetables are genetically not too far removed from animals, and evidence suggests that plants have feelings too (and even experience the "phantom limb" phenomena, when they lose what amounts to a bodypart), so basically, when you're munching on a carrot, you're not much better morally than those vicious cow-eating carnivores. Worse, infact, because a carrot can't even defend itself as effectively as a cow can.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

I think of it this way. Throughout the game humans are very often the lowest form of sentient life and are often slaves. Blood hunting is therefore not just hunting down poor humans, but getting suitable slaves by stealing them or confiscating them from other races, merchants etc. This decreases the pop because slaves are part of a population and because people get pissed off and leave if you go around stealing their property.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

That is, in the context of a morality which centers on avoiding pain. "Pain = bad / pleasure = good," to quote the Culture.

(Sorry, I'm reading Consider Phlebas at the moment. Couldn't resist.)

-Max

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

I just finished that book, Max. Was ok, but I didnt feel like it compared with other books of his.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

EXPECIALLY if they are so http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif Oh well yeah, I invented the lamest example in all human existence ^_^ poor cows

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Really? How odd. I think Consider Phlebas is the best Culture novel, and I have read them all. But then, it was the first one I read, so maybe I am biased towards it.

Re: Inspiration for Dominions nations
 

Well, cows, pigs, chickens..... I mean, if people are going to eat the rest of them after the sacrifice, well they were going to be eaten by people anyways, right? I say, get the braziers smoking, let's summon us some firepower. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/redface.gif

Now, if it were 100 kittens..... oh man, I would so have to cast Vengeance of the Dead on you for that one.