Divine Serpent man only?

[rabelais]

I noticed Nature is the only path in which you can't get a stating level 3 pretender in the generally available templates.

Why no lvl3 in the toolkit? Is the nature bless effect "better" than the others?

I'm sure there are many other examples of arbitarily restricted pretenders.

But Man is hardly a weak race, so it seemed odd.

Anyone else find pretenders they think should be more widely available? (i.e. thematically appropriate, but not listed?)

Or have a theory as to why this might be?

Especially nature oriented nations like Pangaea and Machaka (and C'tis?) should have DS as an option, I would think.

Thanks for all replies,

Rabe


level-3 pretenders
------

moloch
titan
nereid/son of sea-aquatic
cyclops
oracle
divine serpent Man ONLY?
PoD/Lich
FoB

I believe it has less to do with balance and more to do with the historical/thematic element.

C'tis should get anything reptile. I also wouldn't feel too bad about Mictlan having access to the DS. I'd hope they would allow every race a higher dominion (3-4) and higher starting magic (3) in at least one field, so that they can more appropriately use some of those blessing effects.

[Kristoffer O]

Originally posted by rabelais:

Especially nature oriented nations like Pangaea and Machaka (and C'tis?) should have DS as an option, I would think.

Cernunnos was a celtic god sometimes represented by a ramsheaded serpent. That's the main reason why only Man has it.

OTOH there are some gods that aren't restricted that should be (thematically). JK has disallowed me from restricting gods too much . Lacking in mythological education he comes up with the most disturbingly unthematic pretender designs. . Fortunately I can bypass the problem by adding more gods.

[Kristoffer O]

Originally posted by Zen:
I believe it has less to do with balance and more to do with the historical/thematic element.

C'tis should get anything reptile. I also wouldn't feel too bad about Mictlan having access to the DS. I'd hope they would allow every race a higher dominion (3-4) and higher starting magic (3) in at least one field, so that they can more appropriately use some of those blessing effects.

Good point. Pretender magic levels are older than bless effects, so this has not been considered.

Yes I know, I'm horrendously subtle in bringing up such things. Don't let one sneak by you.

*Puts a "Good Point" sticker on his chart*

[Gandalf Parker]

so does anyone in this discussion have any specific designs to offer? not just good god designs but things that are thematic. I would love to offer one but Im drawing a blank on a Man deity who would start as 3 nature. Maybe "Green Man" (please dont laugh, there really is such a thing)
http://www.greenmanpress.com/gmplogo.gif

[ January 18, 2004, 15:13: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

Well I think that the Divine Serpent is fine for Man.

Some things that are Irish in base that might be used for Man (since it's primarily Celtic).

Fomorians
Diedre of Sorrows

Perhaps not Pretenders as such, since I don't have enough mytholgical information on them. Just some things that might have some historical reference where they could be used as either pretenders or heroes.

... Hohoho Green Giant.

[ January 18, 2004, 15:48: Message edited by: Zen ]

[quantum_mechani]

Hmm.. one new pretender did occur to me, an Eagle Spirit from native american mythology. It could be relatively weak physically but be flying and ethereal. Air and astral seem the most liekly choices for magic, though nature could also work. I was also thinking it might be thematic as well as fun to give it vastness-like ten province flying.

[Wauthan]

I smell an informal competition around the corner. Design a Nation specific pretender!

I was saving this one for a possible mod for Mictlan but couldn't find any images to use for it. I'll just toss it in here.

Coatlicue (nabbed from Aztec mythology)

Coatlicue, whose name means "Serpent Skirt," is a mighty earth demigoddess with powers over both life and death. Coatlicue's appearance is so horrible only the bravest of warriors dares face her wrath. She wears skirt made out of living snakes and around her neck lies a string of hearts torn from her victims. Long sharp claws adorn her hands and feet. Coatlicue is a goddess thirsty for human sacrifices.

Stats are yet to be balanced but she is a Titan pretender, size 5. Cause fear +8, Claw, Claw, Snake Skirt (Same stats as Medusa Snake Hair). Earth 3, Nature 1 and Death 1. Dominion 2. Cost 125.

[ January 18, 2004, 17:41: Message edited by: Wauthan ]

[Dekent]

I always thought Ermor should be able to use the dracolich....I know it turns into a bog mummy which is a Jotun thing, but maybe Ermors Version could turn into a lich? ;p