Suggestion for a new nation

[Sandman]

Here are my mage suggestions:

Fakir: 2 air, rides a magic carpet, does not eat.

Magi: 2 fire, 1 air.

The fakir's lack of eating is just a bit of flavor, seeing as how they're able to go without food for long periods of time, and do other feats. Whether his magic carpet can carry other units is an open question.

The magi is a more conventional mage with an middle-eastern sounding name. Depending on the power of the nation, a more poweful archmagi with the usual random pick might be needed as well.

[Alexander Seil]

Giving seduction abilities to cheap units might not be such a good idea...plus, a succubus is a demon and has wings, hence she/it can actually carry a commander (perhaps via teleportation of some sort) to your stronghold. However, here we would have a foot unit marching, perhaps, across the entire map with a seduced enemy commander in tow in just one turn/month.

[SelfishGene]

This nation sounds fun and i agree that there is a great deal of mythology and legend from the Middle East to be drawn upon.

I'm not too certain of the courtesan unit; maybe better would be some kind of 'Harem' unit. Some names of ranks of Ottoman harem women are the "Kadin", whom had born royal children, and the "Odalesques", whom were the more common type.

Harem girls should act as some kind of support unit similar but not the same as the Communicant. They should be something you would want to give several of to every important commander (part of this nation's theme). I'm not certain what they should buff or affect. Maybe +willpower, maybe act as invigoration/take away fatigue.

You could have the harem act act as a kind of 'stable' of diverse cultural origin by giving each girl a small random 'gift' or slightly different attributes (from her native race/disposition), so building a good Harem would be an important part of the theme (something many rulers doted on in RL). Or maybe they could arive as 'presents' from foreign rules, each bearing a small number of gems from their native lands.

And almost forgot; they should be expensive to maintain. Maybe use 4 or 5 supplies, maybe have double maintenance costs, maybe have some province wide effect. Oh, and another idea , is that instead of buying them or having them arive randomly, you could capture them like slaves, although they should be pretty hard to find and rare if they act as a complementary unit - although personally id prefer to purchase them as it seems less libidinous.

Also mirages are often an important element of Arabian legends and environment. Illusion/mirage should be incorperated in some way.

This sounds like it could be fun to play.

[ March 22, 2004, 06:56: Message edited by: SelfishGene ]

[tinkthank]

Thanks so much for all of these excellent replies.

I know the mish-mash I suggested is not reflecting any "real" historical nation, and it is a conglomeration from a bunch of things.

I did want an Astrologer type in there, and I wanted a Sage type in there too, to encompass the Ibn Rushd and Ibn Khaldoun types etc; I think they should get a capitol-only Sage-type and Astral-user.
Otherwise, Air and Fire: yes. You are right.
Fakir: love it.

As to the Courtesan: d'accord. (And of course I never pictured her being able to seduce undead, Minoutaurs, or whatnot; size 2 humans only. She would and should and must be inferior to the succubus in every way.)

I am kind of attached to the idea of a Dhervish, so would hate to part with that. Lots of summons, sure, but I do want to keep it balanced.
I wanted to have camel riders, but figured: just call them cavalry.
I also pictured a bunch of swarthy scimtar wielders, but maybe that is not so exciting.

Unfortunately, I know too little about modding to be able to do this on my own .... anyone have time to help me over the next few weeks/months?

Well thanks so much for your feedback

PS. Am currently reading "1001 Nights" (the original in an ancient but apparently quite accurate German translation) with my wife -- that itself is a mishmash of Arabic, Persian, and Byzantinian culture. It is great!

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Actually I've been working on an "Arabian Nights" mod for Arcoscephale since at least 2 months. It's nearly complete except for the sprites (I'm still struggling a lot with the Gimp).

Most of the ideas in this thread are here, including mages on flying carpets, houris (courtesans), djinni and efreeti. I've also added a bit of Ottoman culture with Mamluks and Janissaries. And, Last but not least, Alamut's feared haschichin.

Besides Gimp, my main problem is I have 9 different heroes and can't decide which ones to keep for the final release.

[tinkthank]

Ooh!
And bedouin types?

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Sort of. Camel archers and sacred camel lancers. Camels are size 4 and have 2 riders (and I swear I made them before moose were introduced)

[st.patrik]

Why two riders for the camels? this seems very odd to me.

[jaif]

Forgive me, but I have to ask - where's the balance in this new nation? Don't get me wrong, I think there should be a Persian/Arab influenced nation in the game, but what's described in this thread sounds like it has no weaknesses and several strengths.

-Jeff

[Nagot Gick Fel]

Originally posted by st.patrik:
Why two riders for the camels? this seems very odd to me.

I didn't want them to be just another cavalry type with new sprites. And historically the Midianite and Nabatean Arab armies used 2-bowmen camels