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| Thread: ICTC 3 - The Abyss |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 · NEXT» |
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted February 11, 2008 01:34 AM |
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ICTC 3 - The Abyss
Chaos. The raw elements of the world. That is how the Abyzzans make their life.
Deep within the bowels of known waters lays an ancient and dark habitat for the spurned of the gods. Cast out at the creation of the world, these exiles find little to satiate their vengeful lusts for power. They sit at the bottom of the abyss, spinning weaves of lies and deceit. Indeed, they are dark. Their chaotic mixtures of magic produce the very thing that keeps them alive. It shields them from the world and protects them from danger. This Shroud is inherently powerful in all those who call themselves Followers. Dark and malign to the most tyrannical extents, the Abyzzans feel no grief over those who perish that stood against them. They long to be part of the surface world, but are loathed to work outside their prison. Those few who journey away from the Dark Ravines call themselves Sojourners, the vanguard of an ever-dormant invasion. They call upon the Shroud remotely to keep their beings intact will in the surface world. Those who oppose them find it difficult to escape the Shroud’s influence. For, those who are of the abyss thrive on its energies, while those who aren’t find it as deadly as it is protective. Few know the true power of the Darkness, but few wish to explore enough to find out.
Faction - The Abyss
Race - Abyzzans
Location - Deep in Ashan's seas called the Dark Ravines
Capital City - All one city called Moldrum
Associated Symbols/Colors - The Serpent's Coil/ Dark Violet
Racial Focus - Magically granted abilities/ magic "eating"
Hero Class - Occultist
Racial Ability: Shroud Lore - Calling on the convalescence of chaos, the Occultist calls upon the dark Shroud magic to grant abilities to his or her army.
Basic Mastery- Allows Abyssal troops to call upon the Shroud for abilities.
Advanced Mastery- Increases the amount of Ether of all Abyssal troops by 15%. Grants the universal spell of Rift (transfers Ether into raw energy to boost attack/defense).
Expert Mastery- Increases the spellpower of all Ether based abilites. Grants the universal ability of Deathmark (Marks target to take 20% more damage from Ether magic).
Ultimate Mastery- Halves the cost of all Ether abilities. Grants the universal spell of Duel (Zeroes out the user and target to atttack only each other).
Incredible Mastery- Abyssal creatures gain damage points whenever an ether ability is used. Grants the universal ability of Forsake (Target is ripped from magic, cancelling all magical abilities and spells affecting it).
Creatures-
Frequent Abilities-
Abyssal – This creature cannot be blinded and has 15% magical immunity.
Shroud Caster – If the Occultist has attained the corresponding level of Shroud Lore, this creature can cast a spell if it has a sufficient amount of ether.
Tier 1
Spawn - Abyssal. Shroud Caster (4 ether).
"The product of dark sorcery and cascading tides, the Spawn directs its internal anger toward aggression. It cannot think reasonably, for it was never meant to think at all. Rushing toward the enemy with primal anger, the Spawn is perfect cannon fodder."
Hybrid- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (6 ether), Mana Drain
"The Hybrid is the result of genetic corruption by infusing abyssal DNA with ethersteel. The resulting specimen makes the battelfield much more interesting. Seething with mana eating, the Hybrid drains the field of mana for much needed spells."
Mutant- Abyssal, Shroud Caster (5 ether), Enchanteater – Positive affects can be removed by spending this creatures entire starting amount of ether.
"Mutants are those Hybrids who were tweaked far too much, resulting in abominations that are indistinguishable from the common coral formation. They are so vile, so repulsive, that magic itself staves away from its touch."
Tier 2
Acolyte – Abyssal. Shroud Caster (10 ether) Razor’s Edge – Damage dealt by this creature increases depending on its level of ether.
"The initiate in the common Shroudlore, Acolytes view their single existence as insignificant, thus devoting all their etherstrength to obliterating the enemy. Stealing the bones of the most vicious sharks, they forge ethersteel swords that reverbrate with evil energy."
Apprentice – Abyssal. Shroud Caster (12 ether). Razor’s Edge. Dark Arts – Dark Magic can be cast by this creature by spending all its ether (Basic Level, Circle 1).
"Choosing the passive battle over the aggressive, Apprentices make their purpose by spinning webs of anti-magic. They've progressed so far as to gain access to forbidden lore. By devoting their strength to the energy, they can even cast some spells considered to be toxic."
Savant- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (15 ether). Riptide – By spending all its ether, it can take a beneficial spell on an enemy stack and transfer it to a stack within its aura.
"Mastering the art of mana-manipulation, the Savant uses dark forces to channel magic cast upon its foes to its own allies. Weakening the very bonds of mana itself, Savants rarely are seen unprepared for magical battle."
Tier 3
Wurm Beast – Abyssal. Scavenger. Thrash – Activated in combat, a unit within 5 spaces of this creature can be damage equal to the number of positive effects on it.
"Native to the Dark Ravines, the Wurm Beast is considered a staunch and loyal mount to Abyzzans. Said to have originated from the same ancestors, the Wurm Beasts and Abyzzans coexist peacefully with each other as humans would with the common griffin. However, Wurm Beasts need no training to be deadly in combat."
Wurm Horror- Abyssal. Scavenger. Mutilate – By stealing the ether of all surrounding stacks, the Wurm Horror can deal damage to a target equal to the amount of ether X 1/2Stack Size.
"The greater and more ferocious breed of Wurm, the Horror can suck up ether through its scales and blast enemies with anti-magic. It has increased rage, therefore increased deadliness as well."
Glutton – Abyssal. Scavenging Feast – This creature has Scavenger. In addition, after the corpse is consumed, it can poison all enemies with some initial splash damage.
"The Wurms who remain rather docile are pleasured by Abyzzan Caretakers. Given vibrant food such as cucumber and methane tonic, the Gluttons see no reason to enter battle. As such, they lumber quite aimlessly through battle. However, their immense size make them hard to kill, and their appetite makes them unpredictable. The stomach of the Glutton acts as its brain, thus it thinks like an uncontrollable hunger."
Tier 4
Spy – Abyssal. Shroud Caster (25 ether). Espionage – By spending half its ether once, this creature can steal a spell from an enemy creature and cast it for free. By spending all its ether, it can block a spell in an enemy heroes spellbook.
"The step beyond initiates, Spies are trained primarily for scouting and reconnaisance abovewater. However, if required, its training in assassination can make it a deadly foe; however, few have ever been caught in a situation requiring them to enter melee. Instead, they steal the knowledge of enemies and turn it against them."
Doppelganger- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (30 Ether). Illusory – This creature can spend 10 ether to steal the shape of one enemy tier 4 or lower creature. It gains all its abilities plus its original abilities. The stats change as well.
"Trained with mimicry arts and tactics, the Doppelganger can bend ether into a mirror-like shield, thus encasing it in a glamer of an enemy. Using this facade to its advantage, the Doppelganger executes its enemies with swift blades and sharp edges."
Confidante- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (35 ether). Espionage. Larceny – This creature can steal the mana of an enemy creature and transfer it to its ether at a ratio of 3:1 (mana:ether).
"Taking on the role as informer rather than assassin, the Confidante executes its tactics with the conciseness of a Griffin. It can even steal the magical forces of an enemy and convert it to its opposite, effectvely relieving its enemy of its strength."
Tier 5
Dark Sage – Abyssal. Shroud Caster (50 ether). Blasphemy – This creature can use 1-3 level destructive mage and cast it as if the spells mana cost was ether cost.
"Experts of the Dark Lore, Dark Sages choose to sequester themselves in the lowermost spires of Moldrum, studying the Shroud with every means possible. Verging on the brink of insanity, the Dark Sage spent its reasoning to break into the magic forces to use the forbidden arts."
Ravine Lord- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (45 ether). Shard Surge – Ether spell: Cost 20, showers the target with spikes of earth. Immunties to earth do not apply. Sharkbite – This creature leaves a penalty to its melee targets equal to its remaining ether.
"Taking its research into practical use, the Ravine Lord uses the power of the tides to destroy its adversaries. Carrying a vicious scepter at their sides, Ravine Lords are a truly challenging foe."
Dark Enchanter- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (60 ether) Melee Penalty. Shooter. Shadowfield –Ether spell: Cost 30, Encircles the target to deal Shroud damage to non-abyssal creatures within 3 spaces of it.
"Using its last scrap of sanity to benefit the army as much as possible, it has tied its very soul to the Shroud. It can channel that link to encase others with the essence of the Shroud, afflicting those who can't bear its corruption."
Tier 6
Mystic- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (70 ether). Melee Affinity – Melee attacks this creature performs deal more damage based on remaining ether. Shooter. Quagmire Shot – Ranged attacks cast Slow at advanced level on target.
"The ruling class of Abyzzans, Mystics wield two ethersteel swords imbued with dark might. It can unleash deadly ranged attacks or melee attacks. Either leave the foe helpless to defend themselves."
Raging Mystic- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (65 ether). Channel Melee – By spending an amount of ether, this creature can increase its attack. Purge. Melee Affinity.
"Corrupting its very soul with extended exposure to the Shroud's Heart, Raging Mystics rely on the Shroud to supplement their attack. Without it, they will most certainly be outmanuevered. However, their attacks are swift and concise, leaving little in their wake."
Defiling Mystic- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (80 ether). Shooter. Quagmire Shot. Rotting Force – By spending four times its cost in ether, this creature can cast any basic level dark magic spell.
"Its ethersteel swords were birthed from the Dark Core, the heart of the Dark Ravines. Just as the swords are imbued with defiling magic, so are those who wield them."
Tier 7
Bottomfeeder- Abyssal. Membrane- This creature cannot be targeted by defense decreasing spells or abilities and is not affected by them. Consume Whole- This creature can kill any number of additional units is long as either they are a lower tier or do not exceed this stack in total attack.
"The true offspring of the Shroud, the Bottomfeeders are like a void in magic, consuming anyone remotely affected by it. Their maws are like giant vorteces of Shroud, waiting to absorb living flesh."
Kraken- Abyssal. Membrane. Ichorous Blast – This creature can spurt an acidic ink that dissolves any positive affect and deal damage upon a melee attack. Frightful Aura.
"Made from dark magics and powerful Shroudlore, Kraken make a deadly force. Their octopus origin allow bursts of corrosive liquids, dissolving any resistance to their might."
Abyssfeeder- Abyssal. Membrane. Consume Whole. Regeneration.
"Living forces that embody the Abyss as a whole, Abyssfeeders are nigh unfathomable in combat. They need only a target, and their brutish might takes over. Once unleashed, Abyssfeeders will consume until they die, which usually is paradoxical in nature."
Tier 8
Sojourner- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (130 ether). Malignity- This creature’s aura decreases all surrounding units defense by a third. Ravenous Currents – Ether spell: 60 ether, Swirls target to a random point on the battlefield, deals damage equal to the distance, and remove all positive effects.
"The leaders of overwater forces, they exhume the very power of the Shroud, making it possible to survive aboveshore with greater force. Making the most steadfast defenders quiver in their stance, Sojourners make hell on the surface world."
Harbinger- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (150 ether). Malignity. Ravenous Currents. Shooter. Entwining Surge – This creatures projectiles lock the target in place permanently.
"Harbingers take what the Sojourners exhume and focus it in a tight beam of corruption. Its debilatating effects live on long after the caster has fallen."
Emissary- Abyssal. Shroud Caster (130 ether). Malignity. Ravenous Currents. Razor’s Edge. Dissuasion – Any melee attack can cause an enemy to Frenzy against the nearest enemy stack.
"Using force as its primary weapon, Emissaries take no alternatives into account. Their very presence makes enemies second-guess their existence, and their touch cripples the reasoning of their targets. Using the accursed arts to their apex, the Emissaries leave no air-breather standing.
***MORE IS TO COME***
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Wulfstan8182
Famous Hero
, eh?
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posted February 12, 2008 05:25 AM |
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a lil more info maybe?
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GenieLord
Honorable
Legendary Hero
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posted February 12, 2008 10:09 AM |
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Sounds very nice. Is it supposed to be a replacement to the Dark Elves?
Can you please continue?  Writing the creatures line up can tell us a lot about the faction.
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted February 12, 2008 04:40 PM |
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All in good time, all in good time. It makes it more worthwhile if I do it piecemeal.
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Steel Yourself for War
Next Set: Mirrodin
Beseiged
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Elvin
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Endless Revival
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posted February 13, 2008 11:52 PM |
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Invisibility to all sounds pretty broken.
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H5 is still alive and kicking, join us in the Duel Map discord server!
Map also hosted on Moddb
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted February 14, 2008 12:47 AM |
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Maybe I should be more clear. Each unit in the Abyss Faction has ether, the opposite of mana. They use ether to cast Invisibility upon themselves. In Heroes VI, the skill "Invisibility is for one turn." Also, troops cannot use the ability if the commanding hero's spellpower is not at least 1 third of the creatures sole attack. Say, an Occultist with only 10 spellpower cannot let a Tier 6 invoke the Invisibilty Shroud power.
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flackmandan
Known Hero
Veni,Vidi,Vichi
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posted February 14, 2008 11:58 AM |
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could be good
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Elvin
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Endless Revival
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posted February 14, 2008 01:23 PM |
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That sounds better  Interesting concept.
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H5 is still alive and kicking, join us in the Duel Map discord server!
Map also hosted on Moddb
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted February 15, 2008 12:18 AM |
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Stay tuned for creature stats!
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flackmandan
Known Hero
Veni,Vidi,Vichi
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posted February 16, 2008 10:17 AM |
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cool but a bit more info on units
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted February 16, 2008 08:26 PM |
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Quote:
All in good time, all in good time. It makes it more worthwhile if I do it piecemeal.
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actionjack
Promising
Famous Hero
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posted February 18, 2008 08:24 PM |
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won't said this is the first Abyss theme town I seen...
But if you could break the mode.. than that is still good.
The hero/racial ability seem to have potential.. and the creature line up look good.. just need some more sanding...
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted February 19, 2008 04:03 AM |
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I really haven't had inspiration about the racial, so its not final by any means. Trying to incorporate all the things I want into the racial. But, my entry is maybe 45% done. Still have loads more to do. Hope you're liking it!
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted March 01, 2008 04:21 AM |
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Created creature background. Enjoy!
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Momo
Promising
Famous Hero
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posted March 25, 2008 02:09 AM |
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Edited by Momo at 23:18, 25 Mar 2008.
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My review of this faction:
Cohesiveness: 10/10 definitely where the town works better. The creatures have a very lovercraftian theme going on that holds the glue of the faction together well, and allows you to imagine them even if there are no pictures at all, and barely descriptions.
Imagination: 12/15 I can't rate it with a perfect score because sit_of-ziost didn't dwell enough into descriptions. While this doesn't damage the overall flavor of the faction because he chosen quite a genuinely inspired theme, this surely limited the amount of creative work he had to do.
Back story: 6/10 I'm giving a sufficient rating here because the faction has a bit of background, but it's sad that it gets so little developement. "They are exhiled into the sea by the gods" is evoking, but it's not a completed background. It also ties to previous HoMM very loosely.
Battle facets: 5/10 This is definitely the weak point of the work. All units are "abyssal" (which reminds like all undead are immune to blind, not exactly a good trademark given that it was sticked to a traditionally broken faction) and extremely good abilities that make them borderline broken. The intention is -or seems to be- that these abilities may be triggered only with a sufficiently high-level Occultist with Shroud Lore, but this is hardly a balancing factor: a faction may be hero-centric and still be overpowered. Sith_of_ziost designed a lot of strong features and no weak points, but a faction MUST have weak point in order to have a distinct playstyle and add fun to the game. A faction with no weaknesses is boring to play, before being too powerful.
Discretionary: 5/5 my discretionary vote is nonetheless high even if I feel this faction falls short in the area I care the most (gameplay), for a number of reasons. The main one is that sith_of_ziost managed to produce all the elements needed to judge the faction in a relatively short timeline; differently from other factions that are overly developed in some areas and neglected in others, the Abyss feels complete, if not expanded enough. Another, as I already said, is that I find the theme a good one.
Overall: 38/50
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted March 25, 2008 02:44 AM |
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Sorry for the lack of in depthness. To use a pun, I got flooded with other things, so never got around to completly tweaking my faction. Nonetheless, that's my fault only. Thanks for not being to overly critical. I could have developed it more. Hold on, isn't the deadline still today? I can work on it now, can't I?
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Momo
Promising
Famous Hero
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posted March 25, 2008 02:50 AM |
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Huhm, as far as kookastar wrote in the main post, the editing time is over. Otherwise I wouldn't dare review anything.
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Mytical
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Chaos seeking Harmony
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posted March 25, 2008 08:53 AM |
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Edited by Mytical at 11:37, 25 Mar 2008.
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Cohesiveness: 7/10 No pictures is fine, but a bit more description would have been nice.
Imagination: 14/15 It's Chaos (and I do love chaos). I really like the thought and effort put into this.
Back story: 7/10 The background and such could have been a bit more through. I like what there is of it however.
Battle facets: 7/10 Though a bit on the strong side (very strong) I think the creatures would prove interesting in combat.
Discretionary: 5/5 It's about chaos. Well the points are Discretionary  .
Total points 40
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Message received.
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Snatch
Promising
Known Hero
Proud Kappa
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posted March 25, 2008 06:26 PM |
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Cohesiveness: 10/10 (I can't see anything which doesn't fit the concept)
Imagination: 12/15 (great theme but some pictures and/or better and more descriptions would have helped)
Back story: 4/10 (barely there, but promising origin)
Battle facets: 8/10 (introducing ether is a great and unique idea, below average statistics should made up for powerful abilities)
Discretionary: 3/5 (for the theme and transporting the whole feeling of the faction so well in few words)
37/50
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sith_of_ziost
Promising
Supreme Hero
Scouting the Multiverse
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posted March 25, 2008 08:54 PM |
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Quote:
Back story: 4/10 (barely there, but promising origin)
I don't quite see what more I could have done. Secrecy is what this faction is about. But, your opinion is not mine, and I respect it.
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