The Ilsamiren Wars

[Ilsamir Lord]

We are beginning work on a new mod: The Ilsamiren Wars for Barbarian Invasion.

The Team

Ilsamir Lord - Mod Leader, Minor Concept Artist, Writer

Grimsta - Texture Artist

KjaerliGH - Mapper

RTW King - Texture Artist

Kataphraktoi - Concept Artist

NodachiSam - Concept Artist

Sundry Information
The mod is not based on any film, book or period in our history. The setting, factions and religions are entirely original. All designs, though influenced by real life equivalents are also original. The concept for this mod came to me after years of toying with a fantasy concept, originally I was planning on writing three novels, but that did not eventuate. I have developed religions, cultures and even the beginnings of two languages relating to this concept and I suddenly realised that a mod was the way to make it public.

Background
The world of the Western Continent is generally peaceful, but for the occasional raid on the Ilsamiri by their neighbours of the Northern Kingdom and the Seaborne. These raids have of late become increasingly regular and organised, however, a poor omen. The Ocean Tribes conduct their civilisation quietly among the Islands of the Dividing Sea and the Southern and Western Kingdoms carry out their trade and agriculture under stable rules, but they too are increasingly threatened, largely because of their close relationship with the Ilsamiri.

On the Eastern Continent, the Mechathenain civilisation is preparing a mass exodus. They have been driven to abandon their once fertile land by the encroachment of the desert from the centre of the continent. Rain has not fallen on their farms for almost 100 years, and so they have constructed a mighty fleet of ships and assembled a vast force for the colonisation of as yet undiscovered lands.

Note: Some of the terms e,g. the Malice, are the closest possible translations from the Ilsamiren terms. For example, the people of the Northern Kingdom do not worship what the Ilsamiri call the Malice.

Time Frame
As the mod is in a fantasy setting the timeframe is not particularly important. The period of conflict which the mod is concerned with begins in the 7,032nd year After the Fall. The mod ends 500 years after that date with the destruction of the World by the Weaver.

The World
The world of the Ilsamiren Wars is entirely fictional. I will be posting a map shortly indicating the positions of settlements, province borders, forests and mountains but for now a description will have to suffice. The world consists of two continents, one in the East, one in the West, separated by a wide ocean. Throughout the ocean are scattered various islands. The Western Continent is divided among five factions and the Eastern has only one – though there are very few provinces here and all are coastal. The islands in the ocean are divided among two factions, the Seaborne in the North and West and the Ocean Tribes in the South and East. The Eastern Continent is almost entirely desert, the Western is largely Green. There is a large forest in the South of the Western Continent and a mountain range separates the Northern Kingdom from the Ilsamir lands. Stay tuned for a map (drawn by yours truly~:) ).

The Factions & Cultures(descriptions and histories to follow)
The Ilsamiri - Ally of the Western and Southern Kingdoms, lands in the Western Continent

The Seaborne - Lands in the islands

The Mechathenain - Lands in the Eastern Continent

The Northern Kingdom - Lands in the Western Continent

The Southern Kingdom - Ally of the Ilsamiri, lands in the Western Continent

The Western Kingdom - Ally of the Ilsamiri, lands in the Western Continent

The Ocean Tribes - Lands in the islands

The Religions
The Path of the Weaver – Ilsamiri

Rain Worship – The Mechathenain

Sea Worship – The Ocean Tribes and the Seaborne

Sun Worship – The Western Kingdom

Moon Worship – The Southern Kingdom

Mountain Worship – The Northern Kingdom

The Path of Malice – The Ilsamiri and the Northern Kingdom

Unit lists will follow.

A question: would people prefer place names in English or the appropriate imagined language?

[Lonely Soldier]

How big is the map going to be? As big as RTR's?

[Bwian]

Hooray for originality :bow:

It's nice to see people using this game as abase for proper fantasy mods, rather than trying to search out ever more obscure fantasy novels or niche conflicts for inspiration. All the best ones got taken quite early on.

When you put all that aside, you are free to do what you want, build what you want, and end up with something much more satisfying.

Hope it goes well for you.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Thanks Bwian! I'm still relatively early on in the planning stages, but I have a few concept drawings done, and I'm finalising the map now.

Lonely Soldier - It'll be as big as we can get it! Lots of provinces to fight for and lots of smaller islands in the Dividing Sea.

The level of 'fantasy' is not particularly high, some units may be magically gifted (giving bonuses to speed, accuracy or stamina) but most will not be. I'd like the world to be believable but still unfamiliar.

I'm making the website at the moment as well, and when its up it'll be where you'll find all the information you want on every aspect of the world. I'm just happy I've got three months holiday to work on it!

So far each faction has a set of units about ten strong, nowhere near the model limit, which I'll be posting shortly - fear not, there will be more!

Recruitment
2d artists wanted for work on faction and religion icons, and menues. No obligation to do further work, but a uniform style would be ideal. I will provide references for basic forms and styles.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Early Unit Lists (more to follow)

The Ilsamiri
Infantry:
Peasants –
Armed with appropriated farming tools, these men are not brave, but they are stronger than other citizens, simply because they have had to hunt and farm to feed themselves.

Conscripts –
These men are forced into the military by random selection. They are usually young and inexperienced, and so are last resorts of desperate commanders. Because they are pressed into service, these soldiers are unreliable and have undergone minimal training.

Swordsmen –
These are sword armed professional soldiers. They are lightly armoured to facilitate rapid movement, but make up for their lack of armour with unmatched skill in defending themselves with their swords.

Spearmen –
These men carry spears and shields and can present an impenetrable wall of shields to a foe. They are not especially brave, but when placed in a tight formation with their flanks protected they are unlikely to waver.

Pikemen –
The natural progression of the spear is the pike, a massive pole-arm designed to hold the enemy at bay. Pikemen are very hardy, but when placed in their customary tight formation they are very vulnerable to flanking assaults.

Archers - with longbows
These archers are some of the finest in the world. They spend a lifetime training themselves to fire their powerful longbows, and are as a consequence extremely strong in a melee. These archers are armoured lightly and carry single-handed fighting swords.

Darineth Guardsmen
These are the finest men in the Ilsamiren army, armed with swords and shields, they wear the finest armour and undergo the most rigorous training, with the result that they are as fast as many light troops, but are infinitely hardier. They are chosen from among the guards of the fortress-city of Darineth, the capital of the Ilsamir lands. They fight in a relatively loose formation to facilitate the swinging of their longswords.

Warriors of Malice (?)
These men are shunned by the rest of Ilsamir society, but they are still respected as fine warriors. They are armed with two-handed swords and wear heavy armour. They have turned from the path of the Weaver, but not from loyalty to the Ilsamiri.

Warrior Priests (?)
These priests are followers of the Weaver and uphold his teachings. Though they are trained to be passive, when they are defending their people their wrath is terrible to behold.

Morchanin Scouts –
These are the finest warriors in the world. Armed with sabres and blowguns they are capable of taking enemies totally unawares and are particularly skilled in the killing of enemy captains and generals. They fight expertly at night, and hide easily in grass and forest.

[SvartH]

hi i have a big map made it for me could i give it to you for the mod i really would like to see the map in a mod for rtw is a 4 continent map im going to scan it if you like it use it ok???

[Ilsamir Lord]

I'll check it out, but I already have a map of my own, but that's no reason for your's to be any less useful.

[SvartH]

hi it took me a little while of time to scan and edit but here it is i hope you like it well is a map drawed by me see ya https://img158.imageshack.us/img158/9054/presentacin14zy.jpg

[Ilsamir Lord]

Not bad at all!

Here is my map (in much rougher form than yours) with settlements, landforms and mountain ranges marked.
https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2327/ilsamirenwarsmapcropped6sz.th.png (https://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ilsamirenwarsmapcropped6sz.png)

[SvartH]

nice map ammm theres a possibility to use bouth? yours in the east side and mine in the west side? or you think this could be a big map for moding? there is avaible 200 provinces on RTW map for citys thats what i heard before i had never mod nothing i just changed names of factions and things like that, well i can ensemble the two maps for see what can be done let me try it, i´ll post it later

[kataphraktoi]

You need any concept artists for unit design drawings???

e-mail me or pm if u do.

[Ilsamir Lord]

KjaerliGH - joining the two is a possibility. I'd rather we replaced the Eastern Continent though - I'm quite fond of the Western. By the way, do you do any mapping for this game? If so that would be very useful.

kataphraktoi - We may need someone later on, and I already have a broad idea of the influences for each culture.

[SvartH]

hi i know how to make the map on the rtw editor but i dont know how to make it run... hahaha i always try but it never works... if you want i can make it on the rtw editor and after found someone to make it works =)

[Ilsamir Lord]

That sounds like a good compromise!

[SvartH]

ok i´ll start the map tomorrow morning and i´ll send it to you soon my email is kjaerligh_svart@hotmail.com

[Lonely Soldier]

Sounds good to me! Glad to see something not particularly complex but still interesting and original. Best of luck!

[NodachiSam]

This sounds really cool and I'd be interested in contributing. I like to design maps but if that is already handled I can possibly do religions icons and event illustrations perhaps. I can't strictly speaking give a strong commitment. I am nearing the end of a semester of school work. :bow:

I have a deviantart account but I don't really have anything directly applicable to what I'm offering. http://calcaneus.deviantart.com/

I think you could name things in created words but they can't all be repetitive and too difficult or subtle. I would not think that Malikiratyatoji is a bad name for example. Malito, Genkra, Efta, Tib-Hentoll etc. would be fine I think.

[Ilsamir Lord]

The two categories you suggest would be excellent! Perhaps you could work on faction icons as well? We do already have a map, but thanks for that offer too.

I'll get back to you on general symbols and stuff in a while.

[SvartH]

hi here is how the map will be on the rtw map editor i already start the map in the map editorhttps://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5255/ilsmarienwars5xx.jpg

[Ilsamir Lord]

KjaerliGH - It looks OK, but could we make the Eastern landforms a little smaller? I'd like the Western Continent to be the main place for conflict and if its just a little island in the middle of nowhere it won't be.

[SvartH]

no problemo =)

[Ilsamir Lord]

KjaerliGH - Cool. I'll be posting more stuff in a while.

[GrimSta]

this looks great, shame you never made it a book, sounds like the kinda thing i would love to read ~:cheers:

[Ilsamir Lord]

That's very kind of you to say! I was planning on doing three books, describing the same large event (the Ilsamiren Wars) from three perspectives. That of the invaders (well colonisers from their perspective, the Mechathenain), the invaded (the Ilsamiri) and from the perspective of a neutral mercenary.

Sorry about the self-indulgence.

Thanks again!

[GrimSta]

Do you reckon you aould still write those? send them off to a publisher mate, tell them your ideas....if you do best of luck, and you would have one definate reader here :knight:

[Ilsamir Lord]

GrimSta - ~:cheers: .

Some more content:

Faction Descriptions

The Ilsamiri
In myth the Ilsamiri were the chosen people of the Weaver, the God who created and protected the World from the Malice. The Ilsamiri believe that the Weaver created wind and with it shaped the world and its creatures. They are, and always have been according to their records, the dominant power of the Western Continent. They have two client kingdoms, the Western and Southern Kingdoms, which are ruled by the Ilsamir king’s chosen men. The Ilsamiri speak an ancient tongue and they have a rich folklore and culture.

Militarily the Ilsamir are without rival. Their weapon smithing is second to none and their military technology is superb. There armies are consequently quite small, but still varied.


The Seaborne
The ancient origin of this people is not known outside their closed society. In their lore, the Seaborne are said to have risen from the sea itself for they have always shared an affinity with it, mastering sea travel and warfare very early on. They still maintain land settlements, largely to supply their fleets.

Recently, their lords have become imperialistic and seek new lands in the West. To aid them in this they have some of the fiercest warriors in the world and the finest fleet to be seen upon the oceans.


The Mechathenain
A cursed people, rain has not fallen in their lands for more than a hundred years and they have had to eek an existence from underground springs and grain stores for all that time. In stead of focussing their wealth on the maintenance of these reserves, the lord of the Mechathenain ordered the construction of a massive colonisation fleet and with it would sail all those who would leave their blighted land.

The Mechathenain are not a war like people, in consequence their ways may appear naïve to those who are more aggressive, but should their wrath be incurred they are a fearsome enemy. Their military technology is not the world’s finest, nor are their tactics the best formulated, but their bravery and individual prowess can be unstoppable.

The Northern Kingdom
The people of the Northern Kingdom were once of the Ilsamiri, but while the Ilsamiri followed the Weaver, the people of the Northern Kingdom turned to the Malice, not that they see Him as such. The Ilsamiri hate the Northern Kingdom, largely because they perceive flaws in their own society in contrast to their enemy's.

The Kingdom of the North follows similar military codes to the Ilsamiri, relying on technology in stead of numbers. While the Ilsamiri have the horse, the Northern climate is not favourable for these animals, but the Northern Kingdom does have access to its own unique fauna in the form of the ethed.


The Southern Kingdom
The Southern Kingdom is the second ally of the Ilsamiri and provides its northern neighbour with a stable trading environment. The capital of the Southern Kingdom is the Port of the Empty Bay which is ideally situated for naval and commercial security.

The armies of the Southern Kingdom are rarely seen on land, they prefer to face their enemies on the sea if at all possible, but when forced to defend their lands, the Southern Kingdom is almost always on the defensive using heavy infantry almost exclusively.


The Western Kingdom
The Western Kingdom is the granary of the Western Continent and a close ally of the Ilsamiri. Since the earliest times these two peoples have been bound by an unwritten agreement; the Ilsamiri defend the Western Kingdom and the Western Kingdom feeds the Ilsamiri. This relationship has been remarkably stable thus far, but should one fail the other disaster would befall both.

The armies of the Western Kingdom are rather meagre, but they do have expert horsemen and archers at their disposal. Most of their men are lightly armoured and so a Western army is extremely mobile and is able to launch lightning attacks against an enemy’s unprotected flank.


The Ocean Tribes
The people of the southern and eastern islands of the Dividing Sea have quite recently formed a formal alliance, largely in a bid to repulse raids by the ever more aggressive Seaborne. This new unity is not only for protection though, the Ocean Tribes also share ancient cultural ties, presumably dating from a time when their islands were joined.

The military strength of the Seaborne is not great; they fight with stone weapons and wear armour of minimal value when faced with steel. They are great in skill however, and their light armour allows for rapid manoeuvring. Because of their island location, they have almost no fauna suitable for war, but do field, on occasion, small groups of men trained to control eagles and hawks (more information on these later. Too fantasy? Impossible with the engine?).

[GrimSta]

actually....do you need a hand skining and/or text editing? (you may have seen my Thrace mod its just below this one :P and i have done other things....i can scrape a portfolio together if you want me to :P)

EDIT: The Hawks thing, *could* work, it depends on how high up you want them.....just make a long thin pole in 3DS Max and place the eagle model on top...make it a warhound type unit and there you go! War Eagles...though they wouldnt flap wings or anything....your best bet is having The Ocean Tribes train leopards or something.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Thanks for the offer! That would be extremely useful once we get some concepts down!

The war eagles wouldn't need to be that high up, ideally they'd be animated to flap and all. I'd rather not use any really specific animals, horses are pretty wide-spread in fantasy, but leopards are a little too particular I think. Likewise I won't be using elephants and such.

Even more content! (I'm on a role today):

Units

The Seaborne
Infantry:

Slaves
These men are forced to fight, mainly out of fear for their masters, but also for the chance of winning their freedom. They are armed in the most meagre way possible, with oars, the same oars with which the row the Seaborne's ships. They are armoured very lightly, as can be seen (in the unit picture - they have no shirts.). They are not at all courageous when flanked, but when used in a direct charge they are all but fearless.

Crewmen
These are basic the crewmen of Seaborne ships. These men are more accustomed to working on the seas than fighting on land, but they are serviceable. Armed with a small buckler and cutlass, they are very vulnerable to ranged enemies but can put up a fight against other light infantry.

Boarders (expert shock troops)
Boarders are trained specifically for melee combat and are armed with cutlasses and small shields. They are perfect for making sudden attacks on lighter enemies, but when charged by cavalry they are all but helpless.

Spearmen
Armed simply for affordability, these spearmen are trained to repel enemies that might board their ships. Their spears are in fact adapted boat-hooks which are equally effective on land as from onboard a ship. These spearmen are trained rudementarily for land combat and so are best used in large numbers.

Swordsmen
These men carry lengthened cutlasses, designed to deal long, but not deep wounds. They carry round shields and wear helmets and light hauberks. These are soldiers best used against lightly armoured foes.

Crossbowmen
The crossbow is a frighteningly intuitive weapon to master, but the long time it takes to reload them can mean death for unwary archers. These weapons are powerful, able to pierce most heavy armour and are particularly effective when fired in volleys. The Seaborne are one of the only civilisations to to use the crossbow, and so they will often have the advantage over their enemy in ranged combat.

Archers
Armed with simple bows, these archers are not particularly skilled, their arrows are only capable of piercing light armour, and the archers themselves are poor in a melee.


War Machines:

Repeating Ballistae
The Seaborne are the only culture to produce this weapon, an adaptation of the crossbow on a larger scale. These weapons were originally developed for ship-to-ship combat where they were used to rain large numbers of flaming bolts on enemy craft. They are almost equally useful on land.

The Northern Kingdom
Infantry - stay tuned!

Cavalry:

Ethed Bowmen
These are expert archers mounted on the ethed, a heavy, bull-like creature. The ethed is not a particularly fast beast, though it can quite comfortably outrun a man, so these mounted archers should not be used against horsemen. If they are engaged the ethed will fight, but a few infantrymen will be able to bring one down quite easily. The bowmen themselves are armed with recurve bows of middling length and range and also with sabres. The ethed is not armoured, and the archer is armoured only lightly.

Ethed Knights
These are the most fearsome cavalry in the world. The ethed, when fully grown, is larger than a horse and has long, tough horns. These knights ride fully armoured ethed, which are strong enough to bare the extra weight virtually unhindered. The knights are armed with long, barbed lances, which they discard after the initial charge, and long sabres. They are armoured from head to toe and carry tall shields. A group of ethed knights in full charge is unstoppable.

Ethed Scouts
These scouts are armoured and armed lightly, meant for reconnaissance only. The ethed itself is of a special breed, lighter and more nimble than its heavier cousins.

Faction Colours
These colours are for borders and banners (campaign army size banners - no banners in real-time battles) only. Many units will have their faction's colours, but should not be restricted to them.

The Ilsamiri - Dark Blue and White (or steely-grey)

The Mechathenain - Tan and light Blue (?)

The Seaborne - Grey-green and dark Red

The Ocean Tribes - jade Green and reddish-Brown

The Northern Kingdom - Black and ?

The Southern Kingdom - Purple and Black?

The Western Kingdom - Dark Green and Brown

[Ilsamir Lord]

Here's a banner (the symbol is actually for the letter D in the Ilsamir script, I just thought it looked good ~:) ):
https://img439.imageshack.us/img439/8295/ilsamirenwarsbannersmall6te.jpg

The Banner is quite simple deliberately, the faction banners will be more complex.

For some reason I can't upload that into my signiature. Anyone know why and how to fix it?

By the way, does anyone know how to put images into freewebs.com sites? I've uploaded a web page with an image box, but it won't allow me to place my uploaded images in it. It says: errors on page at the bottom.

[NodachiSam]

That is some very interesting info, that northern kingdom sounds very interesting ~:cheers:

I don't really think slaves works too well with ores, they are sailers but they arn't stupid (Unless the ores are also modified so that they become something like spiked clubs). Perhaps you could make them fishermen and they could have 1 or 2 javelins (fishing spears) and modified fillet knives or something. I don't have RTW but there is a unit like that isn't there? I guess the spike ores could work afterall. I like the idea for seamen alot, like swashbucklers !~:cheers:

Perhaps the ocean goers can be jade and blue since it is more watery and to avoid being too similar to the western kingdom. Perhaps the northern kingdom can be dark brownish red and white.

The whole thing sounds even cooler now :)

You should give www.photobucketcom a try. I've had no problems with them and it is really quick.

[Ilsamir Lord]

The fillet knives are a good idea, and yes there are units like that in R:TW (Cilician Pirates, from near modern Turkey, armed with harpoons and axes).

Thanks for the recommendation. Those colour ideas are good too!

[GrimSta]

Howabout giving the Seabourne corssbowmen a pavase (veyr large shield) to hide behind when firing....it could be like shield wall it would just lower the firing speed as well

[Ilsamir Lord]

That's a definite possibility, but we would need a new animation I think. I'll be adding more information on units in a while.

[Lonely Soldier]

I like the idea for the ethed! Hope this all goes well for you. You should probably start advertising on other sites as well.

[Ilsamir Lord]

I would, but for some reason I'm not allowed to post in the Mod Discussion forum...

I'll advertise at the SCC and the TWC though.

[GrimSta]

you cant post in Mod Discussion because your a junior member, just wait a bit, get your post count up and it'll change.

I Could always post for you, but it would be better if the creater posted.

[Ilsamir Lord]

I think I'll do it the old fashioned way. Thanks though ~:) .

I'm very flattered that you are using the banner by the way!

[GrimSta]

heh, i liked it ~:)

[Ilsamir Lord]

GrimSta - I'll do more in that vein when we find someone to do some icons.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Has anyone got a complete list of battlefield orders (for each order not each culture as I don't want double-ups)? I'd rather like to translate them and record them for the mod in their proper languages.

There are 5 languages:
Ilsamiren
Mechathenain
Low or Northern Ilsamiren
Oceanic &
Seaborne

The Latin voicemod for RTR did the same with only one person, and very well too, so I think we could do the same, with enough voice actors. I'll publish translations and pronunciation guides if I get the full list.

PS. Please include battlefield updates ("all hope is dooooomeeed!!!" etc.) as I would like to replace them too. Also, if someone has them, could they tell me how battlefield speeches are generated based on the situation and how many there are for, say, the Romans?

Thanks.

[RTW King]

Hello, your mod sounds really cool, so if you want I could be a skinner (but not a modeller, sorry). If you let me join the team, do you want to start discussing cultures etc. so I can get started on the units?

[Ilsamir Lord]

Most definitely! Welcome aboard! I'll post a shield design I did a while back in a while. Many of the units will need models unfortunately. Do you have any skill in making faction icons? If so that would be one of the better things to get done I think. You could also work on banners possibly...? By the way, the units will not have banners like in R:TW (the big flashing, bobbing ones) most unit will have a standard bearer who will carry a large flag. Those are the banners I'm referring to. You could simply do the texture, and then when we get some modellers you could apply them.

Thanks again and welcome aboard!

I'll post some cultural descriptions in a while and find some concept artists.

[boastj]

Hi if found your post on the WOT-TW forum and thought I’d check it out.
Love the originality
Couple of questions
It sounds brilliant but do you think that you have too few factions why don’t you add a few barbarian tribes or something, everyone loves barbarians and maybe a few desert tribes that have been left alone by The Mechathenain (if they are the ones fleeing the encroaching desert).
Haw about a slave kingdom, one city or something.
Will you have any original buildings?
What sort of mercenaries will there be?
Will you have anything equivalent to elephants?
hope it all goes well and when will it be out

:knight:

[NodachiSam]

I would love to do concepts for you but I can't spare any time until my animation is done~:mecry: That'll be winter break for me.

[Ilsamir Lord]

NoDachiSam - no problem - life must come first. It's very generous of you to offer in the first place!

Thanks for the compliment!

On to your questions:


More factions?
Possibly, but I have only seven simply because of the culture limit - I want the most variety between them as possible, so that playing as each faction is a unique and interesting experience - even if there are fewer of them.


Will you have any original buildings?
Definitely. We will also have new walls and things. Ideally we need a modeller to focus only on buildings, as they will be a big job. I'd also like to have unique seige weapons, but I don't think that's possible.


What sort of mercenaries will there be?
That's a good question! And one that I hadn't yet considered... Well, the mercenaries will be appropriate to the climate I expect - they will also be much less professional than the ones in R:TW - you won't have units of hoplites and such, mostly smallish bands of brigands etc.


Will you have anything equivalent to elephants?
I'm not sure yet... we will probably have some large animals, but I'm not really sure. They would be very rare and expensive if we did, and perhaps exclusively available as mercenaries until quite a late stage - to illustrate the difficulty of finding and training them.

[boastj]

will you be including any "historical” battles

[Ilsamir Lord]

Another good question! I would hope to, they would be a good subject for a demo! I've just had some ideas about a few we could do because of your question! Thanks!

[GrimSta]

Remember! If you can model (god knows im trying to learn) then we need you as this project is in vital need of them!!

[Ilsamir Lord]

I'll second that! We are still in the planning stages at the moment, but soon we will have concepts to work from and any modellers will of course welcomed with open arms!

Grimsta - do you know why I'm still a junior member? I've broken fifty posts... what number did you have to get to?

[GrimSta]

I think its changed every month? im not entirley sure though...PM a mod about it

[Ilsamir Lord]

Ok, that'll be my next step - it's the first of December where I am, but maybe I need more than sixty posts...

A couple of Historical Battles:

ESCAPE FROM THE CLAUTHNOR
Description & Context
This was not so much a battle as a reconnaissance mission gone awry. In the year 3045 AF the Ilsamir king Ilsir XII dispatched a small band of Morchanin scouts to the vast southern forest, the Clauthnor. These scouts were the first to witness the arrival of the Mechathenain, and when the ships landed on a stretch of beach on the Southern edge of the Clauthnor, the Morchanin went to investigate.

After a failed attempt at reconnaissance, which resulted in the death or capture of the entire band, the few remaining Morchanin managed to escape into the forest, and were pursued by a Mechathenain hunting party.

Only one Morchanin scout escaped to return to Darineth with news of the incursion.

Participants

The Ilsamiri

One unit of Morchanin Scouts

The Mechathenain

Two units of Hunters


THE SIEGE OF DARINETH
Description and Context
The siege of Darineth began in the year 3324 AF under the kingship of Ilsean III. In the previous years the Mechathenain had made only minor progress towards the capital, but the constant campaigns of the Ilsamiri against them had left their northern borders poorly guarded. After the fall of several forts along the North Road, Ilsean withdrew his garrisons from the Western Kingdom to defend his chief city.

The armies of the Northern Kingdom swept down from the mountains and immediately surrounded Darineth, barring all supplies from the West. However, Ilsean had recently managed to force the Seaborne back from the seas around Haven of Darineth, and so supply was maintained by the Ilsamir navy.

The siege had reached a stalemate. The Ilsamir defences were to strong to be broken, but they had too few troops to break the siege, and they were supplied adequately for an indefinite defence.

The stalemate was broken when the Mechathenain, perceiving a chance to take the city more easily once it had been captured by the Northern Kingdom, sent their navy to blockade the Haven.

This was taken as a signal to strike by the Northern Kingdom, and they commenced a furious attack against the half-starved defenders of the city.

After days of fighting in the streets and houses of Darineth, the Northern army had been severely weakened by an unexpectedly fierce defence. The Ilsamir drove the Northern army back to the walls and eventually won the battle, but the losses taken would cripple them for many years.

In this battle you must drive the Northern army back from the palace square and over the walls to win.

Participants

The Ilsamiri

Two units of Knights

Three units of Archers

Three units of Darineth Guardsmen

Two units of Swordsmen

Two units of Pikemen


The Northern Kingdom

One unit of Ethed Knights

Two units of archers

Three units of spearmen

Two units of swordsmen

Two units of foot knights

Three units of halberdiers

[boastj]

I see sounds good I especially like the sound of THE SIEGE OF DARINETH,
Are you open to “Historic” battles suggestions or have you already planned them out for your book.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Well, if I'm honest, I came up with those ones yesterday, I have major events planned out already (for the book), so maybe if I post a chronology, as it would have been in a book (so over a more compressed period) people could suggest stuff based on that.

[boastj]

Go for it

[Ilsamir Lord]

OK, I've done the Mechathenain chronology, but I'm not sure how best to post it... it's in table form.

[Casmin]

Sounds like a great idea! I used to write in the fantasy adventure genre. This is right up my alley. Keep up the great work!

[Ilsamir Lord]

Some more units:

THE OCEAN TRIBES

Spear Throwers
These are the lowliest warriors of the Ocean Tribes, but they are still quite able to inflict casualties. They wear no armour, as soldiers are expected to provide their own, and carry flint headed spears.

Foresters – hide in woods, long and short range
These men have lived all their lives in the jungles and forests of the scattered islands of the Dividing Sea. For this reason they are expert at hiding in woodland. They too carry flint headed spears and wear light armour but they also carry long handled, flint headed axes.

Waitanath Warriors
These men have been groomed as warriors since their births. They are truly fearsome, beginning every encounter with a terrible war cry and then charging to the fight with flint edged fighting sticks which the wield with terrifying speed and deftness. They wear little armour, but their martial skills more than make up for this.

Waves
Waves carry massive stone headed clubs and wear armour made from plates of wood. They are best used to break up formations of heavy infantry before their lighter armed comrades mop up.

Phanga-Huilin
Phanga-Huilin means Death Rain in Oceanic and indeed these men do rain death upon their foes. They are armed with large bows which are bound in vines and sinews to add further to their power. These men are trained to fire very quickly and with great accuracy, hurling their massive arrows hundreds of yards. They are not well trained for melee, but the strength in their arms makes them more than a match for light infantry.

Tanl-Aoirin
Tanl are the fierce sea-birds which flock around the islands of the Dividing Sea, scavenging and hunting. The Aoirin are their keepers, their friends and allies. They are experts in signalling to the Tanl and can order them to attack specific targets with the knowledge that they will fight until they or their enemies are defeated.


THE NORTHERN KINGDOM

INFANTRY
Peasants

Mountaineers
Hardened by life in the harsh mountains of the north, these men, though not as well armoured as their professional comrades, are extremely hardy and brave. They are armed with sharpened staves (which they usually use for climbing) and are only really effective against other light infantry - though they will easily defeat peasants.

Halberdiers
Halberds are brutal weapons, usually consisting of a large, heavy axe-head on the end of a long pole. These men are trained to use them as they should be used - with wide swings - in loose formations. For this reason they are somewhat vulnerable to cavalry. They are heavily armoured.

Foot Knights
These are simply knights who fight on foot, they therefore give up their lances in favour of their long sabres, but they do retain their shields. They are just as heavily armoured and against other heavy infantry are nearly invulnerable except when heavily outnumbered.

Spearmen
Armed with long spears and capable of forming clusters against cavalry, these men are best used to protect weaker infantry.

Swordsmen
Armed with long curved swords these men fight with slicing motions, and are therefore not as effective against steel armour as against lighter protection. They are still excellent at holding positions against infantry.

Archers
Armoured and armed simply and economically these soldiers should not go unwatched when the fight nears but are good for thinning out enemy formations.

Siege Archers
These men are armed with fearsome, large bows of incredible draw weight and are used mainly in sieges, when firing rate is not as important as piercing armour.

CAVALRY
Ethed Chariots
These chariots are drawn by armoured ethed and crewed by swordsmen.

[professorspatula]

It is nice to see a bit of originality and a good concept, although you have given yourself - and your team - a massive task to undertake. You will require dozens of new models, and some new animations, new textures, plus a massive new map et al. At this stage surely posting suggested unit lineups and historical battles is a bit pointless until you have actually got the means to carry out the proposals. A project like this will require literally hundreds of hours of work (before testing), whereas typing out a unit list takes just a few minutes. Amazingly you are hoping others will be able to produce the majority of the work, for your own idea and project. I hope if you manage to assemble a group of willing modellers and skinners etc that they are given a creative freedom of their own otherwise there's very little in it for themselves. Keeping them motivated is perhaps amongst your hardest tasks. Generally, those who can model can pick and choose what mod they want to work on, which puts them in a powerful position if you can't do that yourself.

That said, good luck with your mod. I personally would suggest aiming for a smaller project for now, rather than the entire thing. Perhaps setting the mod on just one of the major land masses, and having just a few factions involved would be a more realistic goal for now. You'd require much less work, and importantly - fewer new models and a much easier to make map. With less of a workload for your modding team, they have smaller target to aim for, which is more likely to keep them motivated. That way you'd have a much greater chance of getting something playable released that if the public like, will mean you can go on to make the rest of world - possibly with an increased number of willing modders to help. Like it or not, you are competing with every other mod out there, and getting something complete released that the public want to play is a priortiy. Anyway, I hope the mod gets past the basic 'feature-list' stage which is sadly where many mods get stuck at, before being forgotten entirely.

[Lord Winter]

Looks good thou you might want to add more calvary to both factions.

[Ilsamir Lord]

professorspatula - Thank you for the wish of luck, and what you say is true, there will be a lot of work. However, given the amount of interest I have recieved in the short time the thread has been up, and that I already have a mapper, two part time modellers, two skinners and two concept artists, I think the mod will be successful. If there is truly not enough interest to complete the whole world map idea then I will reduce it accordingly.

Destroyer of Hope - those two factions are island nations, horses are not native to there regions, though they will probably be able to recruit horse units if they conquer regions with horses.

[Lord Winter]

Destroyer of Hope - those two factions are island nations, horses are not native to there regions, though they will probably be able to recruit horse units if they conquer regions with horses.
They could still import horses, maybe you could make them more expensive and less powerful on the islands.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Well, I see where you are coming from, but horses are only available to one faction (at least at the start) and that is a deliberate balance. Other factions have their own powerful units, or at least units which are the best in their class etc., the Ilsamiri happen to get horses, the Northern Kingdom gets the Ethed, the Ocean Tribes get Phanga-Huilin and Tanl-Aoirin.

[Lonely Soldier]

I'd definitely be working on this if I weren't working on AoM:TW, if I was actually any good at modding...

[Ilsamir Lord]

Lol, thanks mate. We should have some concepts done before long by the way.

[Morray]

Hey Ilsamir Lord, Firstly I have to say there seems a lot of well thought out background with very rich cultures etc. Can we expect to see any fantastical creatures (something I personally look forward too) e.g. Orks Trolls Winged beats? (now that would be cool!)

[Ilsamir Lord]

Well... the Northern Kingdom has the Ethed (which is a big, bull-like mount) but I don't think we'll be using any standard creatures, like trolls and orcs. If you want that sort of thing you could check out the Warhammer or Lord of the Rings mods.

As for flying beasts: there is nothing in the engine to support them (cool though they are). There may be some way to include them, but again I'd be hesitant. I want realism above all else, and to me that means logical evolution (even if of imagined creatures). The ethed for example is a creature which could exist after thousands of years of human civilisation, as it has a practical use for humans, the same with horses. I feel that dragon-like creatures would be hunted to extinction quite early on, simply because they are more of a threat than an aid.

Sorry for that rant, if people have suggestions for imagined (but quasi-realistic) creatures, feel free to submit them.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Music Ideas -
If anyone has any ideas for the music, bearing in mind that we will need a writer for said music, I'd love to hear them!

Here are some of mine:

Classical & Choral - mainly for the factions of the Western Continent.

Drums for the Seaborne?

Not sure what for the others, if people know of exotic instruments it would be possible to access or emulate I would be fascinated to hear of them.

[Incongruous]

Well Im in a (wait for it) progressive melodic metal band and I do alot of melodic singing about battles and such, I also wright the lyrics so I could wright you a few poems to use as quotes.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Bopa the Magyar - That could be most useful! We will definitely be including quotes, so that would be good.

[Lonely Soldier]

Glad to see your team growing. Thanks for the reference for the campaign map by the way.

[Ilsamir Lord]

No problem!

Here's my work-in-progress chronology for the Mechathenain - it isn't finished yet.

DATE EVENT
3037 AF The Mechathenain depart the eastern continent.
3039 AF The Mechathenain encounter the Ocean Tribes – attempt settlement.
3040 AF The Ocean Tribes retaliate, driving the Mechathenain into the sea.
3040 – 3044 AF The Mechathenain explore the Dividing Seas.
3045 AF The Mechathenain land on
Bezhan-on-Echen.

3045-3048 The Mechathenain take small settlements in and around the Clauthnor from local brigands.
3049 The Mechathenain encounter envoys of the Southern Kingdom and begin a trading relationship.
3050 The Ilsamiri learn of the Mechathenain from the Southern Kingdom and order the alliance to be modified to neutrality. The Southern Kingdom refuses, the Ilsamiri back down.

3050-3054 The Mechathenain left behind on the eastern continent are sent for, all but a few have perished.
3055 The Mechathenain king orders the establishment of settlements on several uninhabited islands in the Dividing Sea.
3057 The Ocean Tribes are discovered to be occupying these islands. The Mechathenain send envoys. Neutrality is established between the two peoples.

3060 The Mechathenain begin explorations of the northern Dividing Seas, encounter the Seaborne.
3060-3065 The Mechathenain earn the trust of the Ilsamiri after an Ilsamir fleet is protected from the Seaborne by the Mechathenain.

3067 Ilsamir holdings in the Western provinces are attacked by the Northern Kingdom.
3068 The Mechathenain learn of the Northern Kingdom.
3070 The Ilsamiri send a horse as a gift to the Mechathenain king. In a cruel twist of fate a Mechathenain lord is kicked and dies. Relations rapidly deteriorate.

3072 The Southern Kingdom requests aid against raiding parties of the Northern Kingdom from the Mechathenain.

[kataphraktoi]

Hey Ilsamir, I replied to ur PM, hope u recieved it.

I'll additionally draw up concept designs just in case u might want to use them. I won't be able to scan these designs until i get back home in 2 weeks time, but I may use a hi-res digital camera I have on me.

[kataphraktoi]

https://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2300/img01604xr.th.jpg (https://img458.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01604xr.jpg)

draft of a heavily armoured falxman - wears an array of lamellar armour and rickly decorated red coat over a mail lorikia. Carries a one handed falx and a curved falx sword.


https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3811/img01618pi.th.jpg (https://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01618pi.jpg)

two draft concepts:

The one on the left is a medium/heavy infantryman who wears a segmented plates of armour with plate greaves and vambraces. Armed with a spear that has a falx-blade at the end and carries a medium-sized shield with a spikes boss. Wears a spiked helmet as last-resort hand weapon.

The one on the right is a heavily armoured bodyguard/heavy infantrymen soldier type. Wears a long coat of mail underneath a richly embroidered silk garment with a lamellar cuirass wrapped around it. MAIN weapons are the mace and a set of bow and quiver.


https://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1981/img01625sq.th.jpg (https://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01625sq.jpg)

This guy here has a suit of armour made from composite leather-iron plates cunningly connected together with no appearance of straps. His weapons are a curved saber and not shown is a lance made from complete metal.

[GrimSta]

Wow! those are neat concepts!!!

[Ilsamir Lord]

Indeed! I think they would be better for the Mechathenain myself, I want the Ilsamir to be a little more traditionally European. They are perfect for the Mechathenain though!

They are all excellent regardless!

[shifty157]

For the ease of those viewing here are the concepts in order:

https://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2300/img01604xr.th.jpg (https://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2300/img01604xr.jpg)
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3811/img01618pi.th.jpg (https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3811/img01618pi.jpg)
https://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1981/img01625sq.th.jpg (https://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1981/img01625sq.jpg)

[Ilsamir Lord]

I just thought I'd tell everyone about our forums at http://s14.invisionfree.com/The_Ilsamiren_Wars . Anyone is free to join. Also, if you wish to have access to the Development threads, please PM me and I'll consider it. Also, feel free to join in our discussions and polls in the discussion section.

We also have a Mod Database Profile at http://mods.moddb.com/6331/ . This thread and our forums will be the first places where updates are published, but any downloads we have will be at ModDb.

Our website, though by no means complete (any web designers willing to help?) is at http://www.freewebs.com/ilsamir_lord/ .

[kataphraktoi]

how traditionally european??

what do you of a military list of warriors belonging to a single race but are not a faction because they're homeland is occupied by several factions or they have been dispersed through conquest and serve as highly coveted bodyguard units??

As for faction previews in the future why not use "primary material" if the factino has a written language. Eg. Chinese have the Bing Fa *Art of War' tp de3sribe their military system. WHy not the Ilsamir, etc, etc...

[Ilsamir Lord]

The idea for the previews sounds good. With the Ilsamir, I'd like their armour to be kinda early renaissance European, but more fantastical. In the same way that the concepts you have done are kinda medieval Arabian but slightly unfamiliar.

What you have done so far is excellent. The style is ideal. The overall designs are realistic enough that they might have come from history, but also imaginative enough to be interesting and fresh.


what do you of a military list of warriors belonging to a single race but are not a faction because they're homeland is occupied by several factions or they have been dispersed through conquest and serve as highly coveted bodyguard units??

I'm not quite sure what you mean here... Do you mean that mercenaries and some units would be from invaded territories?

By the way, I can hardly wait to see those concepts scanned in! I've had an idea for the unit information cards as well (both for the unit tabs in battles and for the detailed information scrolls). Instead of using a picture of the unit in game, I'd like to use a coloured version of a drawing. What do others think? I feel it could add a certain class to the mod. Also, if anyone knows of a good graphic artist who could work on the UI for each culture could they please refer them to us?

Also, I'll be fleshing out the faction, unit and religion descriptions soon. I've been a bit slack about that so far. I'll also start working on getting some more specific design briefs up, particularly for buildings and units.

[NodachiSam]

Thanks for the imput professorspatula. We will do well to keep in mind what you've said. We have to remain flexible like that. We've just begun and its a long road but we'll make it. Underaiming ourselves is a good idea. We can always add more later.

Ilsamir Lord: I reccomend that we work at giving each faction (or culture if we want rebels) a relatively distrinct look. This mod is in a fantastic setting after all (with gods and such). Even the Ilsamiri and the northern kingdom should look somewhat distinct while remaining similar.

Also, I hope that the history of the ilsamir alliances doesn't prevent the mod from being a total war game. In your story the Ilsamir may be the strongest but in the mod each faction should be somewhat balanced against each other so things don't always go the same way. Otherwise we'll have a very dull mod with less replayability.

Does every faction have name a for itself? Only 3 factions seem to have real names so far.

The relationship between the ilsamir and the western and southern kingdom might be difficult to put into game. In our source material the ilsamir protect with west in exchange for food. For balance issues we don't want one to be vastly superior to his neighbour so perhaps instead the western provinces have tradable foods and a trading post (what is the equivalent in RTW? *sigh* I'll get it eventually. That's the reason I'm keeping myself to only concept and pre-development for now)) and the Ilsamir trade to them weapons or something combat related. (they both must start with trading capabilities or quickly gain them). In this way we could simulate their benefitial relationship without having to get too deep into coding for it.
The southern-middle kingdom relationship is easy enough though.

The Macanthenian situation is certainly interesting but I wonder what is keeping this kingdom together since they don't have their own source of food. Perhaps these guys have rich deposits of minerals or daimonds that make their arid home worth keeping and they rely on trade for income and foodstuff. Maybe they are simply invading other areas to get control of food production areas because whoever (maybe seaborne and oceaners) are demanding unreasonable amounts for the food. They could have low farm income in own their lands and require trade income to make any money. They also need to invade somebody or they might be somewhat stagnant.

Ilsamiri, do you want to do most developement here or on our website? If we do it there it'll be easier to seperate discussion between different categories instead of just having everything in one thread. On the other hand though we do want to attract potential team members and keep our mod in the public eye a bit.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Faction Distinctions, Balancing and Names - I heartily agree on the distinctiveness suggestions. The distinctions in design should be based "historically", so yes, the Northern Kingdom should be similar, but different to the Ilsamiri. The Southern and Western Kingdoms are also somewhat similar, but they are also independant, just as the people of Iberia had their own culture even after the Romans had their influences.

The balancing for the Ilsamiri should not be too difficult. Though they are powerful militarily they are weakening and stagnating at this time, their northern settlements are quite weak and they will begin with relatively small armies.

All the factions have names for themselves, I'm finalising those at the moment.

Western/Southern/Ilsamiri Alliance - We should be able to work something out. The Western Kingdom will provide trade in Grain and the Southern in everything else. I'll have to think more about this.

The Mechathenain - Mechathenain society is inherently peaceful, and many of its officials are deeply optimistic and religious. They have for many years believed that their lands would be revived by the Bezhan (their gods). By the time the mod starts, their lands are still desert and they are living in subsistence. They are not able to make profit from their grain stocks as these are dwindling. Their religiosity guides them away from exploration, as they believe that there is nothing else beyond their lands. In a last ditch attempt, they build and stock a fleet to seek new, more fertile lands.

Development - The development will be easier to do at our forums, but we will still publish a lot of our work here. I'll check back here periodically to answer questions too. So most of the development will happen at our forums.

[kataphraktoi]

what do you of a military list of warriors belonging to a single race but are not a faction because they're homeland is occupied by several factions or they have been dispersed through conquest and serve as highly coveted bodyguard units??


Basically, I would like to develop a bunch of elite warriors from the same ethnic grouping. The premise is that they are don't have their own faction because their homeland is occupied by several factions or dispersed through past conquests. THey serve as highly coveted bodyguards because of their fierce loyalty and combat abilities. In their dispersion throughout several factiosn they all have a unqiue distinctive weapon.

I've completed another concept drawing. Will post scan later.

And hopefully I can draw up some concept designs for architecture and field weapons later.

Most particularly buildings.

I agree with NoDachi about distinct factions with similarities. After all, in our history, there were common historical roots in many cultures and empires.

[kataphraktoi]

alrite, Im registered to our forum as Kharshakyri

[Ilsamir Lord]

Excellent stuff. I see what you mean about the bodyguards too. Not a bad idea!

[kataphraktoi]

<a href="https://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01815yc.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/883/img01815yc.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>

This guy here is another of those boyguards I've talked about, I'll call them by their ethnic name Veshtiqhanids because I need a name them to call them by!! Anyone can suggest a better name if they want. Feel free.

Veshtiqhanid Sikhapani "Palatial Life-guard"
This guys wears a long coat of mail with three chest plates overlapping across his chest. Over it he wears a highly decorated coat. He carries the distinctive Kharshakyri blade designed for stabbing and slashing. However, this Kharshakyri is a variant on the original Veshtiqhanid blade which is shorter. He also carries a bow and quiver. In addition, a metal shield. Other weapons include a saber with a wider header near the end of the blade (it is not a Veshtiqhanid weapon). His helmet consists of plates that are strategically placed to protect from maces and falx like weapons. His face is covered in chainmail and his neck is covered by a gorget piece.

The Veshtiqhanid Sikhapani is from the Western stock of his race. They tend to be dark-haired and dark eyed but are tall and strong like their lighter-haired and light-eyed counterparts.


<a href="https://img198.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01850rt.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7930/img01850rt.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>

Original Veshtiqhanid Warrior
There are some independent Veshtiqhanid warriors left in their mountainous dwellings. From time to time they raid their enemies for resources and supplies. THis particular warrior typifies the original armament of Veshtiqhanid warriors before their captivity and dispersal.

His wears a simply mail coat over a padded buffcoat that reaches to the knees and elbows. Over his mail coat is a leather jerkin. He carries the distinct Veshtiqhanid Kharshakyri blade. In additional, he carries a tough leather shield with metal boss and small ball-headed mace within the shield. Other weapons include a bow and quiver. On his arms and legs are segmented metal plates. He is fully armed and yet mobile with adequate protection in mountainous warfare.

[kataphraktoi]

Gahh! how do I do thumbnail thing!!

[img=https://img360.imageshack.us/img360/7438/img01827ga.th.jpg] (https://img360.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01827ga.jpg)

This is the final rendering of this guy. He's not a Veshtiqhanid. He's watever Ilsamir decides to allocate him to.

As mentioned earlier, they wear a full armour set o composite leather-iron plates that are flexible with the immense weight of metal armour. It is designed to make blades glide of the surface. In addition, the leather composition of the plates is to absorb the blows of maces. These soldiers serve mainly as heavy infantry. Their weapons consists of bow/quiver, saber and 5 javelins. However, their ljavelins are unique. They are made from solid metal and are retractable. In their military literature, the designed is designed this way to make it easier to carry. When in use in battle, the javelin is extended to its full length. When thrown, it will retract after impact. If an enemy tries to pick up the javelin and re-use it by extending it to its full length, they will be wasting their time as there is a hidden lock that makes javeil expand in the first place. In short, the javelin is useless. These soldiers carry two types of shield. They offer maximum protection while allowing clear view of the enemy. Their helmet consists of metal plates. Higher officers have an extended frill on top of their helmets. They carry other weapons as well which are depicted such as a two-handed falx blade. They can also serve as heavy cavalry.

[img=https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3576/img01837ae.th.jpg] (https://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01837ae.jpg)

This warrior here I intend to use as the basis for a whole line of a military unit list. I intend to draw up concept designs for a cavalry "ranger" type of warrior later; an officer type; plus a junior cadet version.


[img=https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2668/img01865ns.th.jpg] (https://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01865ns.jpg)

This is another Veshtiqhanid warrior but called a:
Vartaghan Raqhish in the language of the faction he is serving for.

In this final rendering, you can see other weapons draw and named:
Sryraga - a curved saber developed by the Vartaghan themselves and is only unqiue amongst this kind of Veshtiqhanid.

Jargan - a long one-handed falx blade for hand to hand combat.

Kharshakyri - the unique Veshtiqhanid blade for stabbing and slashing. Useful against leather and lamellar armour, but not solid plate armour.

Enjoy.

[kataphraktoi]

Gahh!! I went to stratcommandcenter and Twcenter and saw unit lists and faction descriptions.

Crap, I didn't know they were there. Will use the unit lists. And as for the Veshtiqhanid thingy, if u want it to be Mechathanien, thats fine.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Ja, I probably should publish a fuller list somewhere :) . For the Mechathenain units I'd like that kind of flat helmet to be a design feature. The stabbing and slashing blade is quite good, but I'm not sure who for... I think I'd like something like that for light Seaborne ranged troops as a back-up weapon, but perhaps a little simpler. To get it to display as a thumbnail you just need to copy the "thumbnail for forums" line on the imageshack upload page. By the way, do you use MSN? It would be good to have a real-time discussion of some of these concepts, just to clarify certain things.

I'll repost the concepts for others (in a slightly resized form for size reasons):

Mechathenain Spearman
http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/thumb_35092.jpg (http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_35092.jpg)

Ethed Knight Helmet and Shield, armour for something else.
http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/thumb_35091.jpg (http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_35091.jpg)

Mechathenain Lord's Man (helmet will be flat - a design feature of Mechathenain armour)
http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/thumb_35090.jpg (http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_35090.jpg)

A Seaborne or Mechathenain Elite Unit
http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/thumb_35089.jpg (http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_35089.jpg)

A Southern Kingdom Port Guard
http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/thumb_35088.jpg (http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_35088.jpg)

[kataphraktoi]

msn is fuzzwuzznuzz@hotmail.com

As for the Mechathenain helm, the design was meant to protect against falx blades.

As for the Kharshakyri blade, why not make it a technology that is adapted for different factions because of its armour piercing use?

[Ilsamir Lord]

Helm design sounds fine to me. As I say, any Mechathenain unit which wears a helm should have that shape I feel (though not necessarily the exact same helm of course.

Just to re-iterate:

The Factions and units (so far) are:

The Ilsamiri (Late Medieval European-ish design)
Peasants –
Armed with appropriated farming tools, these men are not brave, but they are stronger than other citizens, simply because they have had to hunt and farm to feed themselves.

Conscripts –
These men are forced into the military by random selection. They are usually young and inexperienced, and so are last resorts of desperate commanders. Because they are pressed into service, these soldiers are unreliable and have undergone minimal training.

Swordsmen –
These are sword armed professional soldiers. They are lightly armoured to facilitate rapid movement, but make up for their lack of armour with unmatched skill in defending themselves with their swords.

Spearmen –
These men carry spears and shields and can present an impenetrable wall of shields to a foe. They are not especially brave, but when placed in a tight formation with their flanks protected they are unlikely to waver.

Pikemen –
The natural progression of the spear is the pike, a massive pole-arm designed to hold the enemy at bay. Pikemen are very hardy, but when placed in their customary tight formation they are very vulnerable to flanking assaults.

Archers - with longbows
These archers are some of the finest in the world. They spend a lifetime training themselves to fire their powerful longbows, and are as a consequence extremely strong in a melee. These archers are armoured lightly and carry single-handed, straight fighting swords.

Darineth Guardsmen
These are the finest men in the Ilsamiren army, armed with swords and shields, they wear the finest armour and undergo the most rigorous training, with the result that they are as fast as many light troops, but are infinitely hardier. They are chosen from among the guards of the fortress-city of Darineth, the capital of the Ilsamir lands. They fight in a relatively loose formation to facilitate the swinging of their longswords.

Warriors of Malice (?)
These men are shunned by the rest of Ilsamir society, but they are still respected as fine warriors. They are armed with two-handed swords and wear heavy armour. They have turned from the path of the Weaver, but not from loyalty to the Ilsamiri. These men wear little armour and dress in deep red.

Warrior Priests (?)
These priests are followers of the Weaver and uphold his teachings. Though they are trained to be passive, when they are defending their people their wrath is terrible to behold. They wear white edged dark blue robes and simple helmets.

Morchanin Scouts –
These are the finest warriors in the world. Armed with sabres and blowguns they are capable of taking enemies totally unawares and are particularly skilled in the killing of enemy captains and generals. They fight expertly at night, and hide easily in grass and forest.

The Mechathenain (Middle Eastern-ish design)
Lord's Men
These are an elite corp of guards, reserved for the defense of lords of the Mechathenain. They are armed with long handled curved swords and wear finely crafted armour, crowned with an elaborate form of the characteristic flat helm of the Mechathenain.

Spearmen

Swordsmen

Peasants

Mariners

Falxmen (I'll name these differently later)

Hunters

Mounted Hunters (available only in certain provinces)

More to come... full descriptions will follow.

The Seaborne (not sure, kinda piratey)
Slaves
These men are forced to fight, mainly out of fear for their masters, but also for the chance of winning their freedom. They are armoured very lightly, as can be seen (in the unit picture - they have no shirts.). They are not at all courageous when flanked, but when used in a direct charge they are all but fearless. They are armed with knives which they use for gutting their catches, the only food they get.

Crewmen
These are basic the crewmen of Seaborne ships. These men are more accustomed to working on the seas than fighting on land, but they are serviceable. Armed with a small buckler and cutlass, they are very vulnerable to ranged enemies but can put up a fight against other light infantry.

Boarders (expert shock troops)
Boarders are trained specifically for melee combat and are armed with cutlasses and small shields. They are perfect for making sudden attacks on lighter enemies, but when charged by cavalry they are all but helpless.

Spearmen
Armed simply for affordability, these spearmen are trained to repel enemies that might board their ships. Their spears are in fact adapted boat-hooks which are equally effective on land as from onboard a ship. These spearmen are trained rudementarily for land combat and so are best used in large numbers.

Swordsmen
These men carry lengthened cutlasses, designed to deal long, but not deep wounds. They carry round shields and wear helmets and light hauberks. These are soldiers best used against lightly armoured foes.

Crossbowmen
The crossbow is a frighteningly intuitive weapon to master, but the long time it takes to reload them can mean death for unwary archers. These weapons are powerful, able to pierce most heavy armour and are particularly effective when fired in volleys. The Seaborne are one of the only civilisations to to use the crossbow, and so they will often have the advantage over their enemy in ranged combat.

Archers
Armed with simple bows, these archers are not particularly skilled, their arrows are only capable of piercing light armour, and the archers themselves are poor in a melee.

Repeating Ballistae
The Seaborne are the only culture to produce this weapon, an adaptation of the crossbow on a larger scale. These weapons were originally developed for ship-to-ship combat where they were used to rain large numbers of flaming bolts on enemy craft. They are almost equally useful on land.


The Ocean Tribes (Polynesian/Mayan sorta thing. No direct influences)
Spear Throwers
These are the lowliest warriors of the Ocean Tribes, but they are still quite able to inflict casualties. They wear no armour, as soldiers are expected to provide their own, and carry flint headed spears.

Foresters – hide in woods, long and short range
These men have lived all their lives in the jungles and forests of the scattered islands of the Dividing Sea. For this reason they are expert at hiding in woodland. They too carry flint headed spears and wear light armour but they also carry long handled, flint headed axes.

Waitanath Warriors
These men have been groomed as warriors since their births. They are truly fearsome, beginning every encounter with a terrible war cry and then charging to the fight with flint edged fighting sticks which the wield with terrifying speed and deftness. They wear little armour, but their martial skills more than make up for this.

Waves
Waves carry massive stone headed clubs and wear armour made from plates of wood. They are best used to break up formations of heavy infantry before their lighter armed comrades mop up.

Phanga-Huilin
Phanga-Huilin means Death Rain in Oceanic and indeed these men do rain death upon their foes. They are armed with large bows which are bound in vines and sinews to add further to their power. These men are trained to fire very quickly and with great accuracy, hurling their massive arrows hundreds of yards. They are not well trained for melee, but the strength in their arms makes them more than a match for light infantry.

Tanl-Aoirin
Tanl are the fierce sea-birds which flock around the islands of the Dividing Sea, scavenging and hunting. The Aoirin are their keepers, their friends and allies. They are experts in signalling to the Tanl and can order them to attack specific targets with the knowledge that they will fight until they or their enemies are defeated.


The Northern Kingdom (altered, more rugged version of the Ilsamiri style)
Peasants
See above

Mountaineers
Hardened by life in the harsh mountains of the north, these men, though not as well armoured as their professional comrades, are extremely hardy and brave. They are armed with sharpened staves (which they usually use for climbing) and are only really effective against other light infantry - though they will easily defeat peasants.

Halberdiers
Halberds are brutal weapons, usually consisting of a large, heavy axe-head on the end of a long pole. These men are trained to use them as they should be used - with wide swings - in loose formations. For this reason they are somewhat vulnerable to cavalry. They are heavily armoured.

Foot Knights
These are simply knights who fight on foot, they therefore give up their lances in favour of their long sabres, but they do retain their shields. They are just as heavily armoured and against other heavy infantry are nearly invulnerable except when heavily outnumbered.

Spearmen
Armed with long spears and capable of forming clusters against cavalry, these men are best used to protect weaker infantry.

Swordsmen
Armed with long curved swords these men fight with slicing motions, and are therefore not as effective against steel armour as against lighter protection. They are still excellent at holding positions against infantry.

Archers
Armoured and armed simply and economically these soldiers should not go unwatched when the fight nears but are good for thinning out enemy formations.

Siege Archers
These men are armed with fearsome, large bows of incredible draw weight and are used mainly in sieges, when firing rate is not as important as piercing armour.

Ethed Chariots
These chariots are drawn by armoured ethed and crewed by swordsmen.

Ethed Bowmen
These are expert archers mounted on the ethed, a heavy, bull-like creature. The ethed is not a particularly fast beast, though it can quite comfortably outrun a man, so these mounted archers should not be used against horsemen. If they are engaged the ethed will fight, but a few infantrymen will be able to bring one down quite easily. The bowmen themselves are armed with recurve bows of middling length and range and also with sabres. The ethed is not armoured, and the archer is armoured only lightly.

Ethed Knights
These are the most fearsome cavalry in the world. The ethed, when fully grown, is larger than a horse and has long, tough horns. These knights ride fully armoured ethed, which are strong enough to bare the extra weight virtually unhindered. The knights are armed with long, barbed lances, which they discard after the initial charge, and long sabres. They are armoured from head to toe and carry tall shields. A group of ethed knights in full charge is unstoppable.

Ethed Scouts
These scouts are armoured and armed lightly, meant for reconnaissance only. The ethed itself is of a special breed, lighter and more nimble than its heavier cousins.

The Southern Kingdom (Sea-trade based, Ilsamiren influences, but still unique)

The Western Kingdom (agriculture based, Ilsamiren influences, but still individual)

Units for the other factions will follow, when I find my plans (damn disorganised shelves!). The number of units will also increase. This list is by no means final, and it is only based on those plans from the book which I have found so far. There will be more fear not!

Faction Colours
These colours are not final, and in most cases will only be used for borders and faction icons. Most units in the game will come from individual military orders which have their own distinct colourings and banners.

The Ilsamiri - Dark Blue and White (perhaps silvery grey)

The Mechathenain - Tan and Dark Purple

The Ocean Tribes - Jade green and turquoise (may reconsider).

The Northern Kingdom - Dark brownish red and white

The Seaborne - Grey-green and dark red

The Western Kingdom - Dark green and brown

The Southern Kingdom - Sea green and bronze

[NodachiSam]

I'm really interested in the Northern kingdom. I guess what the logical thing to do here is to hammer out (more or less) the look of the ilsamiri and then do the other 3 kingdoms. The rest can be worked on right away. Good idea?

The rebels would just have the units of whatever homeland they came from, right? You havn't mentioned it yet so, will there be free rebel kingdoms at the start of the game?

Maybe we can put a few subtle elements into the other kingdoms towards maybe Indian, Japanese, and ancient Greece? In a ~very~ sutble way though so that they remain visually similar to Ilsamir.

This is a good list Ilsamir Lord, should we stick this in our own forums too?

Okay, the concept pieces and models we'll need ~so far~:
Ilsamir: 10
Mechathenain: 9+
Seaborne: 8
Ocean Tribes: 6
Northern Kingdom: 12
Western Kingdom: probably 10 to 12
Southern Kingdom: probably 10 to 12
Total designs and models we'll need
(so far): 63+ - 67 +

[Ilsamir Lord]

NodachiSam - Yeah, I like the NK too, and yes, if we do the Ilsamiri first we should find it easier to do the W and S Kingdoms.

In terms of Indian, Japanese etc. references in design, we need to be really careful about doing that, I think the Mechathenain concepts are walking a fine line as is (they are just ok) we really don't want to tip ourselves over the edge :) .

Thanks for that adding up too!

[kataphraktoi]

Most of the designs are influenced by Middle-Eastern lamellar armour design drawing upon Central Asian. I'm just a lamellar fanatic!!

Still takes time to develop a unique style away from historically based ones.

Here are some new ones and half completed ones.

https://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5261/img01880ci.th.jpg (https://img396.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01880ci.jpg)

Haha, no, he's not Japanese, he's just a guy who wants to cover his face. He wears leather armour and is a medium infantry soldier type for fully armed mobility.

https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1536/img01891hh.th.jpg (https://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img01891hh.jpg)

I started drawing it already so the flat helm on this would have to be added later :san_grin:

As for the half completed guy, I dunno what he is, I'm thinking maybe an Ilsamir peasant. JK, maybe a pikeman.

[al'Callaendor]

very nice concepts...good luck for your mod!!!!:san_cheesy:

[Ilsamir Lord]

Thanks al! We should have some architectural concepts soon as well.

I also have an announcement to make about the mod. We are (as you may have noticed in my signiature) developing the mod for Barbarian Invasion and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The concept work will be employed for both versions as will the setting and many of the unit types. Follow my signiature to our forums for more information.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Here's the latest version of our map. Some of the islands will be moved.

http://s14.invisionfree.com/The_Ilsamiren_Wars/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=1660283

[KonstantinosXI]

great map!

[NodachiSam]

Kataphraktoi: I really like your concepts, are you still with us?

[kataphraktoi]

yeah still am, just haven't uploaded anything for ages. Started uni so just a bit busy.

I have concepts for an Ilsamir swordsman, pikeman and cavalry and some ocean tribes stuff.

[NodachiSam]

Being busy is perfectly understandable then. Have you being given the password to the Ilsamiri development forums yet?

[Ilsamir Lord]

I can't wait for more of those concepts! You've set a such a high standard!

[Kdar]

Hey there ppl ~;) I am part of this team. WebDesigner/3dDesigner
---
Welcome to new site for "The Ilsamiren Wars" MOD.
We going to update website soon with more info about mod. That were all new information and media will go.

WebSite (http://kdarweb.com/theilsamirenwars/)

We really need anyone with any skill in modding at the moment
But also we need....

Mappers
Part-time Modelers
Skinners
Voice actors
Music Composers

[Ilsamir Lord]

One minor correction: we have two part time modellers and a mapper, butwe do definitely need new modellers, voice actors and composers!

[kataphraktoi]

Update (but no pictures posted up yet) on whats in the concept notebook:

- Beta Ilsamiren Archer
- Beta Morchanin Scout
- Ocean tribe infantryman
- Beta Ilsamiren swordsman
- Ocean tribe champion
- Seaborne spearman
- Beta Ilsamiren pikeman
- Beta Ilsamiren Knight

Ilsamiren concepts are the worse because theyre hard to draw on paper, "DEATH TO ILSAMIR" :furious3:

:laugh4: :laugh4:

[Lonely Soldier]

Yay! More to look forward to!

[Ilsamir Lord]

Indeed! I'll soon be posting a progress report/feature on a few forums around the place. Keep a look out!

[kataphraktoi]

some concepts, some not finshed, others in desperate need of limb adjustment, but u get the idea of what they might look like. Some cannot be adjusted because the pencil is too dark. Yawnnn. Its too early to upload images....me Grimlock say me want to sleep.

[img=https://img67.imageshack.us/img67/3043/01162006114301pm1zw.th.jpg] (https://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006114301pm1zw.jpg)

[img=https://img67.imageshack.us/img67/1899/01162006114812pm0fx.th.jpg] (https://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006114812pm0fx.jpg)

[img=https://img67.imageshack.us/img67/3189/01162006113938pm8sx.th.jpg] (https://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006113938pm8sx.jpg)

[Kdar]

Great. #1 look good.

[kataphraktoi]

:furious3: :furious3: :sweatdrop: https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/469/01162006115013pm4sq.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006115013pm4sq.jpg)

One legged knight. No, NOT really, I havent finished legs.\\:furious3: :idea2:

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/4245/01162006113500pm1yt.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006113500pm1yt.jpg)

Morchanin Scout maybe, Morhahahaha
Iron plates covered back and front with leather backing so they won't make noises when they touch each other. Carries a blowgun and a four-sided saber for penetration and armour piercing.
Carries a small shield with clothe as extra coverage. :furious3:

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9223/01172006120336am5bb.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01172006120336am5bb.jpg)

Originally for something else, but thought could be useful. Heavy-infantryman with bow, sword and mace. Could be Western Kingdom. helmut is rivetted segmented build. :furious3: :furious3: :furious3:

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/1176/01162006115320pm5ci.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006115320pm5ci.jpg)

Old image from the archives, possible lancer/archer for the North Korea (my nickname for Northern Kingdom) :furious3: :furious3:

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/876/01162006114520pm4iz.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006114520pm4iz.jpg)

Possible Octribesmen. And no, tis not a see through blade as cool as it would be as a weapon. Wooden armour is the norm, as is the wooden carved mask(top guy) and the obsidian face mask (bottom guy)

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/8311/01162006113159pm4gq.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006113159pm4gq.jpg)

Peasant Conscript. Actually, this was the inspiration for a past concept, but there is no way this is going to be used for the mod. I mean, come on, it just doesn't fit. Its for a pet project of mine. :laugh4: :laugh4:


https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/4103/01162006113758pm0vj.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006113758pm0vj.jpg)

Meant to be something else for something else for something else, but could be useful reference for clothings and blah blah blah

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7876/ilarchersandetc8jv.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ilarchersandetc8jv.jpg)

Ilsarchers, possible OCT guy who wears a carved wooden cuirass over his Stomockh. Carries an obsidian blade in the Kharshakryi manner. :no: :no: :no: :idea2: :idea2: :idea2:

Gosh, I wish we had some Transformer Emoticons.

Me Grimlock say we should.

[kataphraktoi]

My shortcuts for factions if u find it hard to follow me:

Northern Kingdom = North Korea//NK/Nuke
Western Kingdom = Wikis/WK/Workers
Ilsamiren = Sammies
Ocean Tribes = OCT
Seaborne Tribes = Seaweeds/Seabies
Mechthenain = Mechies/Mecha
Rebels = Rebs

[Kdar]

https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/4103/01162006113758pm0vj.th.jpg (https://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01162006113758pm0vj.jpg)


This will look good for maybe image of god, or cloth of some king, noble.

[Ilsamir Lord]

My God! That stuff is great! So much to comment on!

I'll start from the beginning of post #107 and work down:

First concept - Possibly good for a more lowly Mechathenain or SK unit. If for the SK there should be less scale armour and more plates, if for the Mech there should be smaller plates, more tied together, to make a more lamellar-ish armour.

Second Concept - I'd say an Ilsamir knight or Darineth guard. :D I love the armour on the chest and thighs! I also like the armour stretching up the neck and onto the face. The pauldrons (shoulder armour I think) are a little too big. Quite a nice shape though. The armour on the upper arm is excellent! The vambraces (which I think are the forearm armour) are quite good, but a little too organic looking. The helmet, which I think we should use somewhere, covers too much of the face. I'd quite like either a helmet with a visor for someone, or perhaps something like a sectional Corinthian helm, though that may look a little too Gondorian :) .

Third Concept - Very nice! Perhaps for a warrior of Malice or some religious figure for the NK.

Fourth Concept - Probably a heavy knight, as you say. Again, the helmet is nice, but not right for the Ilsamiri. The vambraces are nice, the chest armour is good as is that of the legs. The shoulder armour may be a little too bulky though.

Fifth Concept - NK possibly. I think for the NK that a shortage of materials would result in armour being built up in sections, so the more numerous, smaller plates are a good idea. I like the cloth from the shield too. This guy, with a little more decoration on his armour, should be an ethed knight with the helmet from one of your earliest concepts, the guy with the muscle like armour. I'll post the pic if it's not clear which one I mean. He could be a Morchanin I s'pose, but I think they'd wear more cloth. They are a bit like ninja I suppose... but don't take that too literally.

Sixth Concept - He's very Japanese looking. We have to remember that the SK, NK and WK are all Ilsamir in origin, material availability and tactics have changed their designs, but inside the Ilsamir framework. I rather like this guy though, he could be Seaborne perhaps, as they would have very little metal, only what they could steal and melt down really, they'd use anything; cooking pots, coins etc. so scale armour is good for them as they'd only need small quantities of metal.

Seventh Concept - I think a lancer archer for the Mechathenain actually, only available in horse producing provinces. Probably a mounted hunter.

Eighth Concept - My GOD! Superb! I love the masks! It's interesting, both you and Nodachi came up with having masks for the OT. Very cool idea! I think the armour is quite nice, though it should be a little more sectional on the arms and legs, and perhaps in vertical segments for the torso. Seeing those masks, and having the OT with many ambush units makes me think that they should cause fear to enemy infantry. Imagine that damn black obsidion mask screaming and charging at you!

Ninth Concept - :) I think we can use some elements of that for the NK perhaps. Really only the armoured collar though... He would fit in great in a more extreme fantasy setting though, and I must say that he is very cool, again, imagine him on an ethed charging infantry! Still, if you tone it down, make it a little less spiky, a little less bulky, their may be a place for him.

Tenth Concept - Maybe, as Kdar says, for an image of the Weaver, possibly for a statue or in a painting or something. I like it very much.

*phew* Eleventh Concept Page - a) The clothing is very Ilsamiren, but the bow is OT all the way.

b) I like the heavily carved pieces of armour, but he looks like a mexican wrestler :) . Either take his mask or give him armour.

c) Again, sweet carving, good mask, good head-dress. Make his general armour (chest, shoulders etc.) more like his arm guards or a bit more like vertical slats or something.

All in all - A++

PS - we are eventually going to need designs for spies, assassins and diplomats as well as for statues and such in towns. Thanks again Kataphraktoi!

[kataphraktoi]

All the concepts done so far, can u finalise which ones will be which (for Ilsamir) and post some comments on changes.

Plus, do we have a modeller/skinner, we've got to get some units on screen as much as it has been fun drawing them.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Indeed we do. Recruitment of modellers is always very difficult. Kdar has offered to do some, but he has never modelled for R:TW.

I'll post comments on all of the concepts in a thread at our forums.

[kataphraktoi]

Next time I'll send all concepts to Sammie Lord. I hate flicking up and down the webpage to see which comments are for which concept...yeah, I hate using cognitive skills...lazzyy...

This is so he can upload the images and place comments underneath.

So its gonna be Sammie Lord's resp. to upload them :D

Phew....offloaded another task.

I'd like to finalise the Ilsamir list as soon as possible, so I can use them as reference points for North Korea and the Wikis.

In addition, are we going to expand factions??? Would be nice to have a few more factions with the same dynamics with the Sammies (several factions emerge from a common source and share common traits, etc, etc)

As for my proposed Morchain scout, two options:

Put a cape/clothe over him and make him a Morchanin Scout

Make him an Ilsamir archer or a special Imperial Archer regiment (in which case I'll add embellishments to the armour)

I just don't see the concept as an NK, in fact, it makes want to me cry to see it as NK hahaha....

[Ilsamir Lord]

k, I'll post 'em all on our forums too, then the team can discuss them and assign them to units. I haven't got anything set in stone about the NK look, I just think that they have to look like the Ilsamiri, but effected by life in the wastelands and mountains of the North.

[Lonely Soldier]

I hope someone decides to model for you guys! It'd be a shame if those concepts went to waste!

[Ilsamir Lord]

Indeed, Lonely Soldier! I have just had an offer, but I can't really say who from until it's been finalised :) .

I've updated our forums with all the concepts so far, at least on my main PC anyway. Check them out in the members section!

[beauchamp]

Hey, nice work in here...
normally im more of a historical fan, but i really like the art and the concept.
Kudos und Viel Gluck.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Here's a news update I posted at the ModDb profile:


The mod is proceeding quickly and we have nearly pinned down the visual styles for our main factions, thanks to Kataphraktoi, but now, onto the media.

First we have two banners for signiatures:


http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_36178.jpg
http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_36179.jpg
Next, some conceptual faction icons by Nodachi Sam:


http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_36177.jpg
We've already made decisions on which to use, but if anyone has further ideas we're open to them!

Finally, and most importantly for a R:TW mod we have our map, kindly finessed for me from my original by Nodachi Sam. We also have political division and road/feature maps, but these have not been finalised:


http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_36175.jpg
That's all for now. Soon our site (expertly designed by Kdar) should be up and ready to enlighten you on all aspects of the mod! Until then our forums (http://s14.invisionfree.com/The_Ilsamiren_Wars/) are where to find all the information we have available!

[ZombieFriedNuts]

Um hello I think I like this :charge:
when will it be out

[Ilsamir Lord]

Well, do you like it or not? :D

We hope to have a working version before MII comes out.

[Ilsamir Lord]

We now have a musician with us on the mod. So expect to hear some samples in the not too distant future!

[ZombieFriedNuts]

Thats good then, sounds good :balloon2: :balloon2: :balloon2: :balloon2: :balloon2: :balloon2:
Like the map too

[Ilsamir Lord]

~:D

I like your signiature by the way.

[Ilsamir Lord]

WIP model pictures very, very soon... Music samples too :D

[Lonely Soldier]

Can't wait!

[Ilsamir Lord]

Hi there everyone,

The mod has recieved a lot of interest from musicians, and here, for the first time, is a sample of it by our second musician applicant, Degrade: http://www.suntearstudio.com/tim/applicationtrackforilsamiren_wars.mp3

There is more good news though. Our modellers, T1ckL35 and usmarine22 have completed WIPs of several models for us!

Here is the Ilsamir Warrior Priest:
http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_39262.jpg

And here is the Mechathenain Lord's Man:
http://moddb.com/images/cache/mods/63/6331/gallery/water_39263.jpg

That's all for now. Expect to see more and more as we get into gear a little more fully.

See ya later,
Ilsamir Lord

[hoggy]

Love that concept art kataphraktoi! Really nice stuff. :bow:

[Ilsamir Lord]

We can expect some more in a while too :D

[Ilsamir Lord]

The team have got together quite a few models to show off, but I'll hold back for a little while longer to get a more sizeable preview up. Stay tuned. And remember to visit the forums if you want to make suggestions or get involved in any way. I've recently posted stuff on the story of one of the main characters for the Oblivion mod which people may find interesting.

[al'Callaendor]

WOW, excellent model, good work!

[Ilsamir Lord]

Thanks al'Callaendor! I should have more to show you from our great modellers soon.

Things have slowed down a bit at the moment, which is unfortunate, so I am still looking for anyone willing to work on skinning, concept art and even colourising of previously completed concepts.

I've also posted this at the Mod Discussion forum:

Hi everyone,

It may sound like a strange request, but our mod, the Ilsamiren Wars, is in need of someone to colourise our currently completed concept art.

This could be kind of a fun job I think, as you already have a design to work from, you just need to have some sense of colour co-ordination.

The winner will see their work in the mods for Medieval II and the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, as well as in early demos of the mod for Rome: Total War. They will also be credited in the mod under an appropriate title of their choosing.

Here are the pictures which need colourising:

Note: I have some basic colour ideas, but nothing definite. If you can come up with nice combinations I'll certainly consider them.

Here are the first and second pictures (or rather two pictures in one). An Ilsamir Warrior Priest (left) and a Northern Kingdom Warrior Priest (right). The Ilsamir colour scheme at the moment is basically very dark blue and a metallic grey, the NK have dark red and grey (feel free to experiment though!):
https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8886/water367109tu.th.jpg (https://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=water367109tu.jpg)

Ok, that's two factions. Here is a representative of another. A Mechathenain Lord's Man. The basic Mechathenain colours at present are tan and purple. His armour can be of basically any metal, but it is bound with silk (like samurai armour):
https://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7122/water350904mh.th.jpg (https://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=water350904mh.jpg)

Here is another concept, this time for a chieftan of the Ocean Tribes. Their colours aren't decided on at all really, but their armour is made of wood, reeds, feathers, jade and obsidion. They wear masks too. Nothing too colourful though, as they like to be camouflaged by the jungle (sorry about the lack of precise detail, but that shouldn't matter terribly for a colour study):
https://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4053/water367120ep.th.jpg (https://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=water367120ep.jpg)

Ok, there's what you have to work with for now! I look forward to seeing the results!

[Ilsamir Lord]

Here are some more concepts by NodachiSam! - edit - Links Fixed

A Possible Ilsamir Peasant
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Cal...Art/peasant.jpg (https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Calcaneus/Art/peasant.jpg)

A Swordsman
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Cal...t/swordsman.jpg (https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Calcaneus/Art/swordsman.jpg)

A Possible Ilsamir Spearman
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Cal...rt/spearman.jpg (https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Calcaneus/Art/spearman.jpg)

A Halberdier
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Cal...Art/pikeman.jpg (https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Calcaneus/Art/pikeman.jpg)

Possibly a Seaborne Elite Unit
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Cal...terysoldier.jpg (https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Calcaneus/Art/Mysterysoldier.jpg)

We are getting back into gear now after a long period of very little development. I have recently gotten down to writing the story for the Oblivion version and some more on the languages for both versions.

I have also been trying to plan more thoroughly what we will need to do.

See you at the forums!
Ilsamir Lord

[professorspatula]

Those links, they're dead Jim.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Links fixed.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

looking good... i hope this continues i was quite interested in this :thumbsup:

[Ilsamir Lord]

Yes we are planning to continue :) . Or at least I am! I've just finished naming the major features of the map and I'm moving onto the cities and provinces. Check the thread here (http://z14.invisionfree.com/The_Ilsamiren_Wars/index.php?showtopic=3) for more information and for the final map mark-ups as they become available.

Please do not comment on AI problems stemming from the large bodies of water, as we would hope that Medieval II, on which the mod is now based (with its access to the Americas), will solve this problem.

Most of the names will be hard to pronounce for most people, so here is a pronunciation guide (http://z14.invisionfree.com/The_Ilsamiren_Wars/index.php?showtopic=49). Scroll down to the second post for details on Ilsamiren pronunciation as most of the names are Ilsamiren in origin.

The names of the Northern Kingdom, which is anywhere above the long mountain ranges in the north, are pronounced according to Ilsamiren values. The words Or or Orn mean "the" in Ilsamiren.

A shift in the value of vowels which occured when the Ilsamiri and the followers of the Malice diverged can be seen in the Northern Kingdom (or Low Ilsamiren) use of Ar or Arn to mean "the" in place of the aforementioned Ilsamiren words. The shift is also seen in the word for "river" - Ilsamiren Glemir becomes Low Ilsamiren Glumer. Certain words of the same meaning are, of course, now unrelated, as the thousand year seperation has begun to have its effect.

[kataphraktoi]

I'm still in, but Uni has taken my time, I hope to churn up some stuff now that I've finished uni for good. For good I tells ya!!

[Ilsamir Lord]

I'll be glad to see you when you have the time :D .

[Ilsamir Lord]

I've now completed the province names and I'm even trying my hand at some modelling. Check the forums for the complete annotated map! In the meantime here is the latest iteration of it:


https://img466.imageshack.us/img466/5324/provinceandcityandterritorymap.th.jpg (https://img466.imageshack.us/my.php?image=provinceandcityandterritorymap.jpg)

In this case the province capitals are numbered (the corresponding names can be seen at the forums (http://z14.invisionfree.com/The_Ilsamiren_Wars/index.php?showtopic=3&st=0). The white text refers to the owners of the various territories. The Ilsamiri are in dark blue, the Northern Kingdom in red etc. Also at the forums is our geographical feature map which shows 30 or so named land forms.

This brings me to my next point - we need a mapper! Some time ago a certain person said they would do some mapping for us, but that never happened. Ideally anyone who was to apply would be prepared to work on height maps for Medieval II and Oblivion (as both work off a 2d heightmap as far as we know. I'd also appreciate it if anyone who applied could give advice on topography and scale. It'd also be nice if they were prepared to make it quite detailed, to make the mod as realistic as possible is the aim.

Thank for reading,
Ilsamir Lord

[Ilsamir Lord]

Where is everyone? I thought that this at least would be comment worthy. Not to be desperate or anything but I'd love some feedback ~:) !

[Ilsamir Lord]

I recently finished some faction specific signiature banners! Some of them are a little rough, but they are functional I think and they serve to present the latest iterations of the faction icons. Here they are.

Firstly, the Ilsamiren Wars banner - this simply states the name of the mod and I guess is the default banner.
https://img97.imageshack.us/img97/4397/newbanner29qn.jpg

Next is the banner for the Ilsamiri:
https://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2885/ilsamiri6zk.jpg

The Mekathenain
https://img195.imageshack.us/img195/4206/mekathenain5in.jpg

The Seaborne
https://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1373/seaborne2xu.jpg

The Ocean Tribes
https://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8097/oceantribesbanner2xk.jpg

The Northern Kingdom - Lechen Hoir
https://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2443/nk6dv.jpg

The Western Kingdom - Cehu Cirume'ath
https://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4759/wk4hv.jpg

The Southern Kingdom - Heirua Nomer
https://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7721/sk1ny.jpg

Please place a link either to the website or to these forums in your signiature with or in the banner should you choose to use them.
The forum address is: http://z14.invisionfree.com/The_Ilsamiren_Wars/ .
The website address is: http://kdarweb.com/theilsamirenwars/
Inform me if they are rejected by any forums.

[kataphraktoi]

Waddup fool? Keepin it real y'all :laugh4: - caffeine

https://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6170/ilsamiriknightyg7.th.jpg (https://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ilsamiriknightyg7.jpg)

[kataphraktoi]

u didn't add me as part of the team...I'm not part of the ghetto??

[Ilsamir Lord]

I didn't? Sorry about that Kat :P

[Ilsamir Lord]

I've updated the concepts thread over at our forums: http://z14.invisionfree.com/The_Ilsamiren_Wars/index.php?showtopic=60 . It now contains 37 images. I'll be adding all new work there as it is done. That thread will also act as a check-list for modelling.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Greetings everyone,

This is a news post I made at the ModDb and on various other forums. Please ignore the model, as it is for Oblivion, not MII. The concepts are for both. This post also acts as a bridge to the other thread I have established in the MII modding section. This is to be the last post in this thread, and I'd appreciate it if people referred their posts here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?p=1198739#post1198739).

I apologise for missing last week's update, but I have a lot to show you this week to make up for it! Firstly we have a new concept to model render. On the left is the original drawing (by Kataphraktoi), from which the helmet has been modelled (on the right).

https://img82.imageshack.us/img82/5889/ilsamirlightinfantrymm5.th.jpg (https://img82.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ilsamirlightinfantrymm5.jpg)https://img417.imageshack.us/img417/7189/ilshelmformattedep9.th.jpg (https://img417.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ilshelmformattedep9.jpg)

Next we have two more concept drawings, also be Kataphraktoi (click on the thumbnails for details):

https://img49.imageshack.us/img49/8797/heavymorchaninscoutto6.th.jpg (https://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=heavymorchaninscoutto6.jpg)https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7695/ilsamirlancerknightof1.th.jpg (https://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ilsamirlancerknightof1.jpg)

It is worth noting that all the concept art presented here will be used for both the Oblivion and Medieval II versions of the mod. A complete list of concepts, containing 37 images and short notes on each image, can be viewed at our forums. That's all for this week!

Thanks for reading!

[Anarion]

Hope ends up good and not in a failer, as some mods do.. Good luck guys!

[Ilsamir Lord]

Thank you Anarion, and please feel free to check the MII thread (in the MII modding section) for the latest historical details.

[Lucjan]

The mod looks like it's coming along incedibly well Islamar...I still say damn you for announcing yours not 10 minutes before I logged on to announce mine...It was for the best though, thank you. Now I have time to work on it in a form of comfortable obscurity so that I can have the majority of the grunt work done before the actual announcement.

I'm becoming quite interested in these Ilsamiren Wars though too. :sweatdrop: And I think I'd like to help out. If you need any help on mapping, scripting, 2d animation for banners, icons, screens, or whitty fictional quotes for loading screens, I can help you out. :2thumbsup: Just drop me a line and let me know.

[Ilsamir Lord]

Cheers Lucjan :) .

Everyone - the MII thread is up and running, and will be the place for all further updates on the mod at these forums. Please post comments there from now on :D