Blue Lotus: Total War

**Kageka** · 06-20-2005, 20:25

I really like the new one, much better than the one before. It follows the might and style of the faction.

A Cobra sounds cool but I don't see any reason to have it as the symbol for the faction. I mean there are no cobra-influenced troops/units or heraldry reminding of cobras/snakes.

An elephant with a wartower makes more sense. Atleast I think so.

**Androo** · 06-21-2005, 06:28

Glad you liked the cobra idea Captain-Tiguris; I think it would look pretty striking in those colours too. Yikes- pun not intended.

Yeah, I know what you mean Kageka, a war elephant does make perfect sense (and I too like the second one better). It's just that if I were facing them across a battlefield and I saw the elephant on their banners it wouldn't make much of an impression- 'Yeah, I know you've got elephants'. Of course oftentimes countries/kingdoms choose symbols which are allusive of their battle-spirit or ideals or deities, symbols which tell their enemies something they didn't know about them and which inspire their own troops. I don't know, but I'm guessing the cobra and tiger were the most respected / feared creatures native to India, they certainly are centuries later in "The Jungle Book". And both those animals had a profound effect on martial arts, to the east of India, anyway. I don't think it is that great a stretch to imagine the study of those animals affecting the way an Indian general might deploy and use his troops e.g. the stealth and ambush of the tiger, the lightning fast strike of the cobra. As for a precedent in heraldry, just about every native animal you can imagine, from the tortoise to the crane, is used in Jain iconography* and heraldry is basically just military iconography. If a medieaval English army could have a lion on its banners I think an Indian army could pretty reasonably use a t. or c.!

Anyhow, not a big deal, I just enjoy these esoteric discussions. Oliphant is still kule.
*Nope, not claiming any authority, learning as I go on this one

, happy to be corrected by someone who knows better.

**Kageka** · 06-21-2005, 11:04

Well you're right, there is no reason not to have a cobra or tiger as the symbol for the Krishnapur.

What it comes down to in the end is how the Krishnapur army wants to profile them self.

A behemot elephant with a war tower gives the army the feel of majestic might, titan strength and boundless toughness. A stomping steamroller that just advances and never crumble.

A serpent-like cobra ready to snap (or spit) at its foe gives the army the impression to be unpredictable, aggressive, venomous, deadly and lightning fast. A cold blooded assassin that always find a way to sting and kill the enemy.

A snarling monstrous tiger with terrifying claws would give the army a mixed impression of the elephant and the cobra. A majestic warrior hunter/killer that are lightning fast and incredibly strong, deadly and tough. But even though tigers are fast, they are not as fast as cobras, and even though tigers are strong, they are not as strong as the elephants.

Atleast thats how I see it, but in the end it is Hoggy & crew who decides. I like the elephant symbol, it gives the Krishnapur a distinct look and profile. A cobra as their symbol would give the faction a malicious and slightly evil touch. The tiger-idea sounds nice and could work pretty well.

**Captain-Tiguris** · 06-21-2005, 17:53

Hey, whatever is best!

Just having an elephant gives the rightful impression that they have elephants. And I doubt even the brave would like to face a presumably fast enemy with elephants too.

**Androo** · 06-22-2005, 04:41

Hmmm, Kageka, you mention something I hadn't given enough thought to: the malicious connotation of the cobra. I still think it could be cool, but you're right, a faction might not neccessarily want to be associated with that symbol.
Yes, it will definitely be the mod team who will decide; after all, it is their creation. Based on everything I have seen so far, I am sure the faction symbol for Krishnapur, will look very, very good- in fact the second elephant design is already there, I think.

Yeah, Captain-Tiguris I am amazingly courageous on virtual battlefields

, but even I don't like facing pachyderms. If my enemy has 'em, I almost always lose, and there isn't much left of my men to bury...

**hoggy** · 06-25-2005, 19:08

a bit more of the intro image developing:

**The Panda Centurion** · 06-25-2005, 20:45

It excels beyond anything i've ever seen, almost.

Absolutely superb all the same.

**Ferocious_Imbecile** · 07-10-2005, 08:14

Originally Posted by hoggy

a bit more of the intro image developing:

iIf all your 2D graphics for the intro and event announcements are of this quality the game will be a joy to play on this account alone. Very nice choice of artwork. I'd love the game to be a kind of magical introduction to the cultures of the orient, the music, the art, the costumes.