new nation backstories
 

Is anyone else unimpressed by the history for their favorite nations?

The backstory for LA Marignon leaves me cold. Diabolic Faith was one of my favorites from Dom 2. I can't say I am unhappy to see the Navigators et al. arrive, or the Knights go, but...the backstory in the manual and setup screen does not work for me. It talks about "keeping the infernal forces at bay with inexpensive blood sacrifice," but that does not mesh with the MA description of Marignon keeping the forces of DEATH at bay.

I like the old back story of Marignon turning to diabolism to defeat death, and would have liked to see that carried through and meshed a little better with the CoS theme.

The mixing of the two themes feels forced, and the bit in the description about the infernal forces comes out of the blue. LA Marignon just doesn't feel right to me; Diabolic Faith always did. Much of my enjoyment in this game comes from its flavor, and LA Marignon tastes a little off. I think a more coherent description of the nation would have helped in this area.

Re: new nation backstories
 

Indeed, I have a bad feeling about these kitbashed nations. LA Ulm, Marignon and Pangaea strike me as kind of force.

Re: new nation backstories
 

I for one am very pleased with the LA Ulm and Pangaea. The combination of the Iron Faith and the Malediction is a natural, and the implementation of the old New Era Dryad text about how in desperation they were reaching out to new techniques is something I've been wanting for a long time.

LA Marignon doesn't really do anything for me, but that's partly because I never cared for any of the Marignon themes. Diabolical Faith wasn't my thing, and Conquerors of the Sea was really terrible, so putting thm into a single group is a positive step for me. Now instead of ignoring 2 potential factions there's just one faction for me to not give a damn about. That is the win.

-Frank

Re: new nation backstories
 

BTW, I have plans for Iron Faith Ulm without the Black Forest stuff and an "Age of Reason" Marignon. Perhaps BF Ulm and Diabolic Marginon for the more ebil-oriented people. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: new nation backstories
 

Before making an "Age of Reason" Marignon, check "Age of Reason" Man. Chelms is good.

Re: new nation backstories
 

That's true, but I was thinking more of a bit sailing around, fidling with Astronomics all while having scheming Church Fathers. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: new nation backstories
 

Well the new pangea is somewhat messed up in my opinon. On the one hand its now a civilised city based society. Why exactly are panic apostles still around? And as for Carron Woods, I just can't see this civilised nation doing that.

Re: new nation backstories
 

I haven't yet managed to get too much into the game, but I do like at least some of the changes. LA Ulm having the iron priests hunt down all mages they can find while secret sect forms behind their back sounds good, never got the Black Forest's "we've got this secret order and... um... secret order" stuff.

And the new/old ways controversy in several of the EA nations (Ermor, Sauromatia at least) is a nice way of separating different magics too. IMHO, of course.