Blue Lotus: Total War

[DemonArchangel]

When can we expect the Chinese units to be shown?

[Japes]

Great work on the development? I'm definately going to keep an eye on this mod in anticipation of the final release.

The concept art is really nice. I'm glad you're taking your time to sketch out a fleshed-out idea on paper before trying to translate it into graphics. Based on the units that you've created so far, the end result is superb!

Anyways, I can help out if it comes down to plot, backstory, or event-writing. Just let me know.


P.S.

I think if you're doing additional human cultures, a Tibetan/Indian one would be a good choice. Very few strategy games have represented Indian units, and there's a whole slew of cultures in that subcontinent to draw on.

If you want to stay focused on Chinese mythology, though, you might want to consider using a Southeast-Asian culture for an additional faction. Ancient units from Vietnam, Burma, etc. would be interesting.

[hoggy]

Cheers guys.
Marshal Murat: sounds good I might have some magic user demons or monks in the army. seeing the excellent work the guys at the Wheel of Time mod have done.

Turin: I think I may just be short of the 2/3rds in the concept but I did have a shot at depicting the yumi correctly The samurai cavalry and Heavy cavalry (and heavy infantry) will be in the older 'boxier' style. - I'll definitely release the models if possible after the mod comes out.

DemonArchangel: I'm just working on the models for the japanese and demon armies at the moment to get some battles going but I'll be concepting the chinese next when i get a chance. I'll use Jian Sheng for the chinese sword saint.

Japes: I'm hoping to keep adding new factions to Blue Lotus once the initial three are done so the more ideas the merrier. I'll be calling out for help when I start on the campaign proper so any help will be appreciated. At the moment I'm focussing on the units and campmap artwork though to get the bulk of that sorted first.

Thanks for the support - hoggy

[dessa14]

the Centipede
A terrifying, man-eating monster the size of a mountain. It lived in the mountains of Japan near Lake Biwa. The dragon king of that particular lake asked the famous hero Hidesato to kill it for him. The hero slew it by shooting an arrow, dipped in his own saliva, into the brain of the monster. The dragon king rewarded Hidesato by giving him a rice-bag; a bag of rice which could not be emptied and it fed his family for centuries.

a japanese Hero: Hidesato

Ittan-momen
A mysterious being from Japanese myth that looks like a long white cloth. It frightens people by appearing suddenly in the night. The cloth is wrapped around the mouth and nose of the victim, suffocating him. The word momen means "cotton".

that could be a special demon unit.

Jikininki
In Japanese myth, jikininki are demons, corpse-eaters, who eat dead human bodies. These demons are often the spirits of dead men or women whose greed prevented their souls from entering a more peaceful existence after death. They continue a half-life by devouring corpses. A particular myth tells of a strong-willed priest called Muso Kokushi who once kept watch near the body of a deceased person. Suddenly a jikininki arrived to devour it, but the priest's prayers liberated the demon's soul.

Kamaitachi
A Japanese monster that looks like a weasel, although it moves so fast no one has ever gotten a good look. They usually assault a victim as a team, where the first knocks down the victim, the second slashes him with its teeth, and the third heals the wound. The word kama means "sickle" and itachi means "weasel".

Kijo
An ogre living in the Japanese woods.

Kintaro
A Japanese hero, whose name means "Golden Boy". He is the son of Princess Yaegiri. Kintaro lived alone in the woods where he talked to the animals. He was so strong he could bend trees like twigs. In one of his adventures he confronted a demon in the form of a gigantic poisonous spider. He uprooted a tree and used it to crush the monster. Later he joined the suite of the hero Raiko (Minamoto Yorimitsu and became a famous warrior himself, called Sakata Kintoki.

Kitsune-Tsuki
A fox spirit, or a demon who appears in the shape of a fox, in Japanese mythology. Kitsune-Tsuki ("Fox-Lunacy") is possession by such a spirit. It occurs mostly in women. The fox spirit enters through the fingernails or the breast.

Kompera
A Japanese god, probably based on the image of the Indian Kubera, the Lord of the Demons, Master of Magic. Kompera is often identified with the storm god Susanowo who sometimes aids people in mischief. He taught the secret of changing oneself into a dragon to the waitress Kiyo.

Konaki Jiji
A Japanese monster that can change its size and weight, often appearing as a baby lying at the side of a road. When a traveler passes by and picks up the baby, the monster returns to its original size, thus crushing the victim. Konaki Jiji means "old man crying like a baby".

that'll do for now, ill be back with more later.
thanks,
dessa

[Marshal Murat]

A Chinese legend is a old lady who raised a dragon, four foot, all on the ground, lizard like, unable to fly.

Samurai cavalry usually had lesser armor on them, to help free up movement. The box like style should be kept to foot soldiers, the smoother, lighter, streamlined armor kept to horsemen.

Also, I'm going to guess your familiar with the sohei.
Although this translation isn't perfect, they are warrior monks from I think Shinto Temples across Japan (those at Mt. Hiei, famous)
You should add them as druid like warriors, to chant incantations, and carry a box, said to hold the kami, a spirit.
And very good warriors.

[hoggy]

Here are some medium japanese cavalry:
edit: link temporarily removed - hoggy

[Turin]

Awe inspiring...!

And the great thing is since they're all mythical, the fact that the little flags do not go with the armor style is fine! Personally I love the little flags and as I've said before I do like the old boxy style more, so what can be better than yoroi with sashimoto?!

Anyways, since I'm new to 3Ds max, my results with samurai are much more limited. I'll post a screenie soon...

[Sober]

Awesome work Hoggy! I hope you won't be offended by my suggestion, but I really think the horses would look better without those red rings around the neck, and the red around the mouth and ears.