|
| Thread: The Serpent Cult: Reloaded |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 · «PREV |
|
Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
|
posted May 26, 2012 05:46 PM |
|
|
The what now?
...
Orcs.
I forgot the Orcs.
Uh, will add soon.
____________
|
|
xerox
Promising
Undefeatable Hero
|
|
posted May 27, 2012 01:56 AM |
|
|
you racist!
____________
Over himself, over his own
body and
mind, the individual is
sovereign.
- John Stuart Mill
|
|
gmecow
Tavern Dweller
|
|
posted May 31, 2012 11:10 AM |
|
|
Looks interesting,but the Coat doesn't fit in the desert theme,it works for jungle or swamp,but not for desert IMO.
____________
Book your Flights now with: [URL=http://www.flightsandbeyond.co.uk/addisababa.php]Flights to Addisbaba[/URL] l [URL=http://www.cheapflightstoconakry.co.uk/]Cheap Flights to Conakry[/URL]
|
|
Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
|
|
posted May 31, 2012 01:57 PM |
|
Edited by Adrius at 15:01, 31 May 2012.
|
Meh bots... they seem to like my threads...
____________
|
|
Azagal
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Smooth Snake
|
|
posted May 31, 2012 02:28 PM |
|
|
I went trough the Gateway of Awesome and it brought me here.... it wasn't lying!
This is some pretty sweet stuff... unfortunately I can't really have an oppinion on balance or units yet since I play way too little H6... this will have to change!
____________
"All I can see is what's in front of me. And all I can do is keep moving forward" - The Heir Wielder of Names, Seeker of Thrones, King of Swords, Breaker of Infinities, Wheel Smashing Lord
|
|
Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
|
|
posted May 31, 2012 02:57 PM |
|
|
Eh haven't even touched the H6 demo myself 
____________
|
|
Azagal
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Smooth Snake
|
|
posted May 31, 2012 03:16 PM |
|
|
Oh I assumed cause of the unit divisions and the relations with the naga etc.
____________
"All I can see is what's in front of me. And all I can do is keep moving forward" - The Heir Wielder of Names, Seeker of Thrones, King of Swords, Breaker of Infinities, Wheel Smashing Lord
|
|
gnomes2169
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
|
|
posted June 03, 2012 05:49 AM |
|
|
Ah yes, on the subject of the Bonerattle venom: In H6, the "Attack" value of creatures is actually just their average damage output, not a stat on its own. This venom would basically be able to ensue that a stack does not deal damage for the duration of the effect. just thought that you might want to know, since you have professed not knowing the H6 game mechanics.
____________
Yeah in the 18th century, two inventions suggested a method of measurement. One won and the other stayed in America.
-Ghost destroying Fred
|
|
Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
|
|
posted June 03, 2012 09:46 AM |
|
|
K.
Any idea on how to improve it then? Is it just the debuff values that are too high?
____________
|
|
gnomes2169
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
|
|
posted June 03, 2012 04:05 PM |
|
|
Yeah, the values are a bit high. your average Core creature will have somewhere between 2-4 min damage and 5-6 max damage. Lower the amount dropped and the ability should be both fine and valuable.
____________
Yeah in the 18th century, two inventions suggested a method of measurement. One won and the other stayed in America.
-Ghost destroying Fred
|
|
Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
|
|
posted June 03, 2012 04:09 PM |
|
|
Hmm alright... changed it to -1/-2/-3/-4.
My version does have the Advanced tier as well, so it's a bit different from H6 balance, but I bet you all get the basic "reduce damage" concept anyway.
____________
|
|
Vindicator
Supreme Hero
Right Back Extraordinaire
|
|
posted June 03, 2012 04:21 PM |
|
|
Thanks gnomes! Way to go out of your way to improve the faction! I must one-up you immediately!
(that's my "polite"  way of reminding you that the orcs are still not up)
____________
|
|
Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
|
|
posted June 21, 2012 08:52 PM |
|
Edited by Adrius at 18:58, 08 Aug 2012.
|
Well I did that Orc thingy.
And I also added a snazzy Velena artwork I conjured up along with a symbol for the Cobra Warriors.
____________
|
|
Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
|
|
posted April 18, 2013 12:10 AM |
|
|
Well bump.
Just adding a random Serpent Cult story I wrote because I like my character Velena. Hope someone enjoys it, gives a bit more info on her personality and powers and stuff.
A ray of light sneaked its way through the curtains of her carriage, waking her from her sleep. An eager hiss reached her ears: she felt her pet snake's cool skin as it slithered through the blankets until it emerged from below. A light green pitviper with golden eyes, much like her own, met her gaze. She smiled and sat up as the snake coiled itself around her and rested its head on her left shoulder, bringing its head to her ear.
It hissed again, speaking to her in snake tongue.
"We've arrived?" She said, and suddenly noticed the absence of movement in the carriage. They had indeed come to a halt. Her soldiers must've been hesitant to wake her from her sleep, she figured. She did not know how long they had been stationary, but it hardly mattered. She dressed up in her ceremonial clothing, a long dark green dress coloured with Serpent Cult insignia, coupled with a thin, slightly revealing material covering her upper body and a pair of decorative shoulder guards.
Her beauty was a weapon as well, she thought to herself, and brought a mirror to her face. As she laid the final touches she could hear the men setting up camp outside, as well as the rumbling sound of the surrounding city coming to life with the morning sun.
"Imperials..." she thought out loud, "why so stressful in the morning?"
A few minutes passed before the carriage door opened and the empress emerged from within. The Serpent Cult warriors immediately dropped their tasks and bowed before her.
"Good morning", she said and waved her hand at the men, putting them at ease as they continued with their tasks. They had set up camp within the castle walls, just in front of the royal manor, a gloriously designed building with beautiful banners hanging alongside its front walls, bearing the Griffin symbol.
Her followers quickly assembled a small, cushioned platform for her to sit on and bask in the morning sun, and brought her plates of exotic food for breakfast.
"I would love to taste imperial food while I'm here" she said, and took a bite off a purple fruit brought from her homeland.
"Honoured Mouth, we are strangers in these lands, and hardly loved. Their food could be poisoned." A muscular man spoke to her, dressed in robes almost as intricately designed as hers. His head was covered in a cloth, and at his sides hang two curved swords.
"A serpent empress killed by poison, a poetic death almost, if a bit ironic", she said and smiled at the man, "Tell me Aszhan, are the preparations going smoothly?"
"Yes my lady, the imperials are ready for the talks. They will wait of course, as long as you desire."
"I will finish my meal and enjoy the sun a while longer", she said, "will you stay and chat with me?"
"Of course my lady", the warrior sat down beside her on a cushion.
"Are you taking to the mutagens well? I can certainly tell you've grown."
"They feel like a part of me already, I am more capable than ever."
"Not all soldiers respond well to my blood, the Venomancers need more time to perfect it."
"Only positives so far my lady. My bodily fluids have become venomous, and I can feel the slightest vibration in the ground. No assassin will sneak up on us when I'm around."
"Your bodily fluids? Oh dear..."
"My lady?"
"That was unfortunate, you can never kiss your wife."
"My wife is understanding, my lady, I am a sworn Cobra Warrior. I am thankful for your gift."
"Still... it's a waste", she smirked, "You know, you are one of the few among my men who look into my eyes Aszhan, it pleases me."
"It's a matter of respect my lady, common folk shouldn't meet the Mouth's gaze."
"No it's a matter of fear", she said and took another bite, "They fear my power, they fear I will hypnotize them and make them do my bidding."
"In the shadow of your power, we are ultimately already at your mercy."
"Perhaps... but people cling to their idea of free will like a boa to its prey. They will gladly sacrifice themselves for our God's cause, but they want to do so knowing it is of their own choosing. It is amusing however, if they were truly under my spell they would feel no different, they would just carry on with their lives in my service. Happier even, no qualms to torment them."
"That may be, my lady", the warrior looked down in respect, he did not intend to argue with his leader. She did not care much for his hesitance however.
"Do you think I've hypnotized you, Aszhan?"
"No I do not, my lady", he lifted his gaze again and met hers, to assure her of his trust. Her eyes always glowed slightly, as if tiny stars circled each other within.
"Well hypnotized men make very uninteresting chatting partners. As long as we can enjoy an amusing talk now and then you have no reason to worry."
"'And as long as I am sworn to you and his service you have no reason to worry either."
"Ah, the old man yes", she laughed, "he's not a very good chatting partner at all. I hardly ever hear his voice nowadays."
"Surely a sign that your plans are going smoothly, he needs not intervene. He trusts you as well. You are more than his voice, you're a worthy leader in your own right."
"Haha.. hmm.. that last bit could be considered a bit heretical, but I like it."
She got up on her feet in one swift movement and handed her servants the finished plates.
"Shall we get going then? I know little of imperial custom, but I get the feeling they're growing impatient."
"As you wish my lady. Cobras!" Aszhan shouted his command and the warriors assembled in front of them. Aszhan continued with the mission briefing as she and the men walked towards the royal manor. The imperial guardsmen moved out of their way and escorted them inside.
He walked at her side as she gave greetings to the nobles they met along the way to the great hall where the talks would take place. Nobles of all ages, most dressed in expensive clothing. A few stood out, wearing golden armours with swords at their sides. To be allowed in here, they must've been high-standing commanders.
The hall opened up to them and the soldiers escorted her to her seating. It was a huge table, with her spot being in the middle of one of the long sides. Besides from Aszhan sitting next to her, all the other chairs were occupied by Griffins.
She asked one of the soldiers for a cushion and placed it on her chair, bringing her up to everyone else's height as she sat down. An elderly man with a burly beard sat directly in front of her, sporting an intricately designed steel armour. Must be uncomfortable to sit in, she figured, but it did show off his status quite well. He was the lord of this province.
"On behalf of the Serpent Cult I thank you for your hospitality, lord Brandir." She said. Brandir did not hesitate in staring directly at her face.
"Before we go on I'd like to make it perfectly clear to you, 'Mouth of God', my men have been instructed to slay you all if me or any of my men show signs of being hypnotized. Your witchcraft holds no weight in here."
"A fair precaution, albeit crudely presented. You carry yourself like a warrior, not a politician, lord Brandir. It's quite refreshing."
"Indeed, I prefer not to get caught up in bureaucracy. There will be no signatures written before I finish you off, should you prove untrustworthy."
"Now now my lord, I think we've gotten off to a bad start... we come in good faith after all. We come to offer help."
"And exactly what is it that you offer, cultist?" Brandir leaned forward and crossed his arms. A servant handed her a bag of scrolls which she spread on the table.
"The disease that plagues your land is well known to us, for we have suffered under it as well. It almost wiped us out, centuries ago. With your permission, we would like to offer our service in healing your people."
"This much I know already", Brandir said after glancing at one of the scrolls, "The fact that this disease's origin is your own homeland shrouds this whole offer in suspicion."
"If I wished ill intent my people could have stayed beyond the Savage Sea and left your people to rot... see? But we come to offer help. The suffering of another people do not please us."
"And in return, you get the public's approval and can sneak in your heretical practices in our land." Brandir laughed out of his beard, "You'll have to try harder before I let some snake-worshipping scum have their hands on my people."
"Scum? This is the Mouth of God, Griffin!" Aszhan rose from his chair, "You're but a simple provincial lord, in talks with the God Snake's chosen! You best mind your tongue." A hand reached for his shoulder and he was suddenly pulled downwards with great force back into his chair. She released her grip with a sigh, "Warriors, even across nations your temper differs little..." She handed the lord another scroll, this one detailing the nature of the disease's final stages.
"Your people is in pain, my lord. It is true that the afflicted will surely look at my kind in a different way after being cured, but that gratitude would extend to you as well, my lord, whose open arms allowed the cure to reach them in the first place. This scroll shows the final stages of the disease we call Bloodrot, it's not a pleasant end."
Brandir looked over the scroll, tugging on his beard as he read through it carefully, taking notes of the dreadful images. A few minutes went by as the scroll was passed around the table, each noble silently analysing the scripture. Brandir finally spoke.
"My son has showed symptoms of this... Bloodrot, as you call it."
"My sympathies, I can cure him, if you let me."
"You'd do it personally?" He said, frowning.
"For someone as important as your son, of course I would. You can watch me do the procedure of course, if that makes you more at ease." She smiled at the lord. One of the men to his right leaned forward.
"My lord, you aren't seriously considering this are you? To let this witc-err... empress... treat your son?"
"Falkrin, it is my son after all... he is the heir of this duchy. Surely Elrath doesn't wish for his life to end so early? He is yet to serve in his name. Furthermore, isn't it fitting that my son be the first to be treated? It shows the people my commitment."
"So you accept the witch's help?" The man named Falkrin's expression grew unpleasant.
"Compared to suffering and death, this is clearly the lesser evil, Falkrin."
"So it is settled then, unwise my lord." Falkrin shoved his chair backwards and rose, unsheathing his sword. With him, 6 other men in golden armour drew their swords while the rest of the lords quickly fled the scene.
"What is this treachery? Sheathe your weapons at once!" Brandir slammed his fist into the table, a moment before a sword pierced his throat, ending his shout with a cascade of blood pouring from his mouth. Aszhan and his men quickly formed up around their empress. Falkrin withdrew his sword from the lord's neck as the body ceased squirming.
"A peculiar twist I must say... is this sort of backstabbing common in imperial discussions?"
"I'll cut that forked tongue out of your mouth, snake witch. Men true to Elrath do not commune with heretics, this man learned that lesson the hard way."
"By what authority do you speak? By what right do you cut down your own lord?" Aszhan said, stepping forward with his sword pointed at Falkrin. The table still kept them a fair distance from each other.
"All you need to know is you're not getting out alive. We planned this meeting, and with you trapped we can end the war before it has even begun."
"Ah... but if I survive, there will be consequences. I cannot ignore an assassination attempt. You take great risks, men of Elrath."
"No risks, there's only you and your poor excuses for bodyguards here, and we made sure you could not bring your beasts of war into this town. Furthermore, this is not an assassination, as knights of Elrath we will do battle with you fairly. There are 6 of you, and 6 of us."
"Such honourable words from a man whose blade still drips with his lord's blood, amusing, but I do not need my loyal men for this... 'duel'." She was suddenly out of her chair and in front of Aszhan and his men.
"My lady, it is our duty to prot-"
"Quiet now, servant, get out of here and prepare my carriage. I will demonstrate to these vermin why I was chosen to speak for God himself." Her arm lashed out, and in an instant the table separating her from the knights was smashed to pieces and the parts sent flying across the room.
"I accept your challenge, knights of Elrath. Come at me in whichever manner you find fitting." She walked forward until she had reached the centre of the room, willingly exposing herself in every direction. Her eyes released a faint green glow as she tapped into her magic, the knights grasped their swords tighter and made sure not to meet her gaze.
The 6 knights moved around her, swords raised in striking position.
She made the first move, her arm lashed out again and from her sleeve emerged a snake, growing in size as it travelled towards the unfortunate knight. The man couldn't bring up his sword in time as the snake's fangs pierced his shoulderguard, sending the knight to the ground in a venom-induced seizure. Confirming the bite, she retracted the snake which curled up around her.
"One down", she said as the knight still convulsed on the floor, frothing from his mouth, "let's even the numbers a bit."
Releasing more of her magic, there emerged 10 snakes around her body, each as big as a man, hissing in a dreadful tune as they danced with her motions. The knights regrouped at Falkrin's command, ignoring their already doomed comrade. Falkrin spoke a spell and flames covered his sword. With a slash of his sword he sent an inferno towards the empress, whose snakes quickly coiled around her and absorbed the impact. He and 2 other knights were upon her before the snakes recovered, slashing furiously at the wall of flesh protecting the empress.
A heavy strike finished off one of the 10 snakes, but through the opening the knight met her gaze. Her eyes glowed again, and the light transferred from hers to his, sending the will of the God Snake directly into his soul. The knight stumbled backwards, raised his sword and pierced his comrade's back.
"Heretical sorcery!" Falkrin spun around and decapitated the hypnotized knight in one move. He looked back and the empress was gone. There was no sign of her except for the 10 dead snakes in the spot where she disappeared.
Falkrin's body spoke of nervousness as he ordered his remaining 3 knights to gather around him.
"Is this blood magic? Can she disappear in a pile of flesh?" He said to himself, oblivious to the small pitviper making its way up his armor. It was at his neck, slowly revealing its fangs. He cried out for half a second before the paralysis kicked in, freezing his body in motion. From behind him he heard sounds of slaughter, a dark symphony of snakes' hiss and the screaming of men. His eyes obeyed him, and his lungs still moved air, but in all other ways his body was completely immobilized. His men were all poisoned... and dead in seconds.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and suddenly the empress swept around him, as gracefully as if she was swinging on a pole. She landed in front of him without her feet making a sound as she touched down, her hands keeping him from falling over in his immobilized state. A hundred more snakes curled around her, swinging out in every direction as tentacles that embraced him and pulled him closer to her face.
"Now, I'm not very experienced with imperial duelling etiquette, so could you inform me if it would be considered cheating to kill you in this immobilized state?" His tongue refused to move.
"Oh alright then, I don't enjoy wasting lives, even of would-be assassins. In fact, I think I'll leave you with a parting gift as thanks for your hospitality." Her hand reached for the snake on her shoulder, the green pitviper that had paralysed him. A magical flare burst from her finger and resonated with the snake, magic flowing throughout its body as its anatomy transformed.
"This is what we call Venomancy, a form of blood magic as you noticed."
It bit his neck again, delivering its venom directly into his bloodstream. His eyes widened and his body tried to scream, but managed little more than a heavy gasp. The empress smiled and withdrew her hands from his shoulders, sending the knight crashing on his back.
The paralysis ceased, but his body immediately clamped into a fetal position, shaking in cramps as the infection began tearing his body from within.
"That's Bloodrot, seek us out if you want to live", she said as she walked out the door, leaving Falknir to rest with his disemboweled comrades. Reaching the doors, she lashed out with her hand and ripped the wood apart with her cloak of snakes. Aszhan and his men greeted her.
"My lady, I see the political talks ended well."
"Oh yes, it was most informative," she said and wiped some blood off her face.
"My lady, my senses tell me an imperial unit is moving towards our position, the weight of their steps suggest they are of the same group that assassinated Lord Brandir."
"Excellent, assemble the greater serpents... At least some of us will get to taste 'imperial cuisine' while we're on vacation. Let them fill their bellies while we prepare for the next talks..."
____________
|
|
Vindicator
Supreme Hero
Right Back Extraordinaire
|
|
posted April 18, 2013 02:33 AM |
|
|
Nice story, I like it. 
Just now realized what a difficult position the humans are in, though; they can't cure the sickness, can't flee from it, and yet if they accept then they'll have to be ruled by the Serpent Cult. Not too big of a problem for the common person, sure, but for the leaders and religious people... Yikes.
____________
|
|
Adrius
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Stand and fight!
|
|
posted April 18, 2013 11:24 AM |
|
|
The elven druids are working on a cure though (although the imperials are almost as hesitant to cooperate with them as the serpent cult), and the Necromancers don't give a ****
Ultimately the plague will hardly decide the outcome of the coming war, but will allow the cult to gain a foothold on the new lands to work from.
____________
|
|
DarkDXZ
Known Hero
Haiku sensei
|
|
posted April 18, 2013 12:46 PM |
|
|
inb4 SepSpring rolls into the thread with his Silver Lash thingo.
Good job, though. Like, really good job.
|
| |
|
|
