You didn't have Tien Chi in DOM I????
I could have sworn that they were there. Ok, here is something about them
Default theme:
They have a wide choice of units ranging from light infantry to heavy infantry, archers (2 types - armored and unarmored) and crossbowmen. They have cavalry (light and heavy too) and most of their cavalry has bows too. They use Composite bows, which are right in between short and long bows in damage and range. Basically their troops do not excel in anything but they have a wide choice of troops and that makes them "Jack of all trades" even more then Man.
But if you think that this is their strength you are wrong. They are extremely powerful in magic and in fact I believe they have most powerful magic Users in game (not counting pretenders of course) - Celestial Masters (His stats are posted little lower). Of course they cost a lot as well. They have cheaper magic Users as well and good commanders which are mostly armed with composite bows too so they don't just stand behind troops doing nothing.
Also, they can use unique magic available only to them - summoning celestial troops. Basically, only celestial masters and pretender can summon such troops which are quite strong (I'll leave it a secret of what they are). However, they can use this only in default theme.
They also have 2 additional themes – “Spring and Autumn” and “Barbarian Kings”.
Spring and Autumn:
In this theme they get much less troop selection but they get even more powerful magic Users. Celestial Masters are most powerful in this theme - 1 Fire, 1 Air, 2 Water, 3rd level Priest, 2 Random picks and can fly (in default they get only 1 random pick and can't fly). Also master of five ways appears (has 1 level in each elemental magic), master of dead (death 1 and priest), and master of the way (water and priest, he’s there in default theme too). Also they get Lord, which is basically chariot commander with good stats.
In Barbarian Kings most troops are replaced with mounted barbarian (Mongol like) troops also armed with composite bows and very fast. They have less powerful magic in this theme but their military is stronger. In this theme they also get Khan - very powerful mounted commander, which is both great fighter, has bow and commands 75 men.
All in all Tien Chi are one of most interesting races in game - at least for me.
[ September 29, 2003, 14:32: Message edited by: Daynarr ]