Shepherds of Creation

[Kristoffer O]

Once, before the first thoughts of Dominions emerged, I had another game idea. It went under the name Shepherds of Creation and was supposed to be a fantasy game of evolving species. Each player were to guide the evolution of one or several fantasy species and attempt to claim the center of the world from the guardians placed there by a creator that had left the world in despair.

Recently I thougth that the creational myth of the game would suit Dominions, but unfortunately there is nothing left of my notes. So I made a new one. Slightly different, shorter and with some influences from the Nag-Hammadi texts, but basically the same.

I intend to make a scenario and map based upon the myth. It will probably come with the next patch.

Read the myth.

[Wauthan]

A bit on the hominidocentric side. Personally I would think it cooler if there was a conflict of philosohy even before the world was created. That way there's no right or wrong, treason or justice. It's a battle of divine motives and every corner appeals to someone.

Also means every being that walks the land is in the same boat as everyone else. Explains why you have all these completely different pretenders available for each faction.

[Kristoffer O]

Originally posted by Wauthan:
A bit on the hominidocentric side. Personally I would think it cooler if there was a conflict of philosohy even before the world was created. That way there's no right or wrong, treason or justice. It's a battle of divine motives and every corner appeals to someone.

Also means every being that walks the land is in the same boat as everyone else. Explains why you have all these completely different pretenders available for each faction.

But there is rigth and wrong! As the sacred texts of any religion would tell you .

Not sure if I get your greater conflict thing. Please explain.

There is a primordial conflict but it is only hinted at. The world is already created by higher beings, but the demiurge is not aware of this. The demiurge is petty and ignorant, not unlike Ialdabaoth. I considered introducing the higher spheres from which he got his spirit, but the myth would perhaps be too long. I also considered making the part covering the seven corners and their races longer, but stopped myself.

BTW would it bother anyone if the God of each nation was fixed and premade according to later developments of the myth?

Is this kind of background good as it is, good if complemented with special units/sites/features or just a curiosity?

No. Premake the gods and scales. Let the scenario be about playing with what you are given and not about making an abusive race/god for the scales.

Then you can kind of balance out the scenario based on the strengths and weaknesses of each nation.

It is good if you compliment it with a few specials to give it a more mythic proportion. I felt the myth was good enough to have a basis of what is going on.

[ January 21, 2004, 22:58: Message edited by: Zen ]

[Psitticine]

Cool!

It definitely has an excellent feel to it, very mythic in feel, if you know what I mean, without being derivative.

Which nations are you planning for the Shepherds, and which human nation is for the Baphomet?

Edit: I'd vote for developing the myth as far as you'd like to. IMO, the more backstory the better, and it is also interesting just for its own sake. I'd also prefer things be preset. It makes more sense that way and lets it be tied more into your vision of the mythos.

[ January 21, 2004, 22:58: Message edited by: Psitticine ]

[Wauthan]

I agree wholeheartedly with Zen. A scenario that hands you a deck to play with are often better than the ones that lets you draw your own cards. Better balance and more story for everyone.