Idea for Ermor national ability
 

Hello all.

Since Ermor seems (loosely) based on the Roman Empire, it caused me to think back to some things that made the Empire great. One, which is included in the game, is auxiliary troops. The Romans were good at getting their conquered people to fight for them.

Another thing, that isn't in the game, but that I think would be fun, is the idea that "all roads lead to Rome." The Romans were reknowned for their highways, and thematically Ermor could benefit from this as well.

How would it be implemented in game? My suggestion would be a national ability that allows Ermorian armies (lets say of the Early and Middle ages, as in the late age it can be argued that infrastructure is allowed to collapse and fall to ruin) to double their movement within friendly provinces. If that is too big of a bonus then perhaps just +1 to their movement or something. This would simulate the well paved highways that set the Romans apart from the other peoples of their time. Naturally these highways wouldn't be useful for opponents, as the provinces are guarded and they would have to fight their way through (ostensibly, or at least secure the territory).

The Romans were also known for efficient transfer of supplies (which historically was why many armies were slow movers - they couldn't get too far ahead of their food and supplies) and so that would also back up this idea.

It might be argued this overpowers Ermor a bit, but I don't think it's a huge advantage, it's thematic, and it's not like it's glamour or something http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

What do you all think?

Re: Idea for Ermor national ability
 

Ermorian (well, Pythian; Pythium is the other Rome nation) units DID have double movement in Dom:PPP. It is now modelled in their troops having mapmove 2 in almost all cases. Both Ermor and Pythium have legionnaires etc with mapmove 2 units. Auxiliary troops are a bit less common, but EA Ermor does have Lizard Auxiliares.

Re: Idea for Ermor national ability
 

Yeah, the lizards are great! I use them against heat based nations as they are very cost effective. Using them against cold nations is rough because they tire quickly.

I wasn't aware Ermorian legions had extended movement, since I guess I always get stuck in bad terrain http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. However, that might be simulating another Roman (well, at least Julius Caesar) trait, the "forced march."

Re: Idea for Ermor national ability
 

Actually, mentioning Pythium: what made Byzantium - who they were based on - great was an ingenious soldier settling system of "themes" (defense districts with their own command structures, soldiers were given land out in the boonies so they would have a stake in defending them) and an awesome bureaucracy. I don't know how this could be modeled in game, however, except for maybe slightly better administration (income, supplies, resources) for the bureaucracy, and a bonus to PD (for the "theme" system).

Sorry, my Norse mythology is stale as old bread, but I know a lot about the Classical period. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Idea for Ermor national ability
 

Despite the "Byzanteen" infection in many games that has Byzantine empire in it...I'd just love to see a pronouncedly Byzantine LE Pythium. Commenian Army and all that.

Re: Idea for Ermor national ability
 

Oh yeah I love Byzantium and Pythium. I would love to see a LE Pythium!