Times of War Story

[Jorj]

Here we'll post everything to do with the non-programming aspects of the game Times of War.

[rEaL iGoR]

Nice going Jorj. Have you come up with a story just yet?

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Finally! I already threatened Sas with poppin his Taxi's tire if you didn't show up.:D

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Jorj, download MSN Messenger please, Igor and i can then write to you through there.

[rEaL iGoR]

Jorj
How are the units?

[Jorj]

I've got MSN Messenger. Here, I'll turn it on.

I'll speak about the units very soon.

[Sastraxi]

I'll pop up my MSN.

[Jorj]

The world map is forthcoming.

I think that every other nation in the game (on world map) should have a friendliness rating toward your nation. It is severely damaged whenever they are attacked by you. It is minorly damaged when your ally(ies) attack them. You can send diplomats to higher the rating. When ratings are high enough, certain requests will be possible such as trade agreements, alliances, and military aid. Asking for aid, however, will lower your rating. Do you like?

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

yes

[Jorj]

Here it is!

I envision the story as follows:

The major powers of the world start drawing the lines of war. The smaller countries are forced to taker sides as allies. This has not happened at the start of the game much, but by means of diplomacy, players can persuade neutral kingdoms into alliances. Suddenly, a few scattered border conficts around the world ignite the fires of war, and the major powers are ready to fight.

Not all factions will fight each other. I'll try and make a grid determining who is the enemy of whom.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

You read my mind! Could we set it up so that there are 3 civs on one island, 2 in the island that connected to it. (the big one in the center being 2 actually) and 1 peaceful civ on the island at the edge

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I was thinking of having the 3 civs together be at peace, with one of them plotting to overthrow the others, and the 2 that are together ina civil war. the lone one gets dragged in when weird forces start camping on their island and raiding, coming from one of the 3 civs, but not the one planning the overthrow.

[Jorj]

We can already accomplish that. The two at war could be Dagger and Sledgehammer, the overthrower could be Fortress or Bounty, and the peaceful one could be Arcanum.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I'm gonna use your political map to tell you specific idea. Wait a sec.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Arcarnum and Swarm are allied. Swarm is being harrassed by forces from Bounty. Fortress is allied Bounty, and Raider. Raider is planning on betraying Bounty and Fortress, and is secretely allied to Death Rain. Dagger and Sledge Hammer are fighting a civil war against each other. And the little island northeast of Raider is unexplored, and is actually a Dragon-inhabited island.

[Jorj]

All right, I'll put all that into the relationship grid when it's done.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

What's the relatioship grid?

[Jorj]

It tells how much each kingdom likes each other kingdom.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Will that change during actual gameplay? I mean, can you get assistance from an enemy? How does it work?

[Jorj]

(ONLY IN CAMPAIGN)

You can send diplomats to neutral countries to try and sway them to your side. Enemy nations probably should stay that way, though. When your friendship level is high enough, you could ask for military assistance.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Originally posted by Jorj
(ONLY IN CAMPAIGN)

You can send diplomats to neutral countries to try and sway them to your side. Enemy nations probably should stay that way, though.

I think you should've said: "Your diplomats should probably stay away from Enemy Nations"

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

hehe, maybe I can help two players become allies by killing their diplomats while their going to the other nation. lol

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I'm writing down the story from Swarm's view point now.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

It starts with a diary writing of the Swarm's General, explaining what's happening.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

This is great! I finished Mission 1 & 2 of Swarm's Viewpoint.

Jorj and the others, I hope you like it.

I'm gonna hit the sack. Night night.

[Jorj]

I'll be working on the Swarm language soon, so I can convert the names in the briefing. I'm done the Dagger and Sledgehammer languages already.

[Jorj]

I see... is Bounty trying to expand its colonial territories? That would make sense.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

What do you think?

[Jorj]

Here's a new version with revised names (except for Arcanum):

Enjoy!

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Wow! Poor Katie got mutated to Kyeti!

cool!

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I hadn't noticed Sei Eiwsi.

[Sastraxi]

Those are great missions, I especially like the briefings. Kamikaze, is the 'illusion machine' the ship?

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

No, a magical thing that causes the forest hard to leave, cause it makes illusions.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I forgot that maybe I should clear this out. They are still the a forest. Mission 3 is destroying the ship.

[rEaL iGoR]

How many missions will there actually be? So far, it seems like there's gonna be a lot...:)

[Jorj]

Jorj says:
Bye.
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
Well, I wanna clear out. The Illusion Machine is a magic machine made by a Necromancer to cause illusion and left in the forest.
Jorj says:
How do you feel about having the team create a directory where you could search for dragon and it would return all information about the dragon.
Jorj says:
?
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
Great idea!
Jorj says:
I'll ask Sastraxi later.
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
You see, I need that info cause when Aran attack the Bounty ship, he'll find out it guarded by a dragon.
Jorj says:
Ok.
Jorj says:
I'll start work of the Dagger story if you want.
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
OK
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
It'll make the work easier.
Jorj says:
They're locked into war with Sledgehammer.
Jorj says:
I guess I'll have to do both stories then because of the different outcomes.
Jorj says:
Unless...
Jorj says:
You want to.
Jorj says:
But you're tied up with Swarm.
Jorj says:
I don't mind doing both at all.
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
I'll stop Swarm when I'm done with the 5th mission, cause by that time it would involve Acarnum and Swarm fighting Bounty. So I'll help you once i'm done with 5th mission.
Jorj says:
Ok.
Jorj says:
How many are you planning in each campaign.
Jorj says:
Or will they have variable lengths?
Jorj says:
Scenarios, that is.
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
Per Civs, different length.
Jorj says:
Ok.
Jorj says:
What are you thinking for Swarm?
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
Swarm, Aran *tries* to destroy the Bounty ship, but they'll end up retreating.
Jorj says:
How many scenarios will the campaign have, then?
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
On the island, 7
Jorj says:
On the western island?
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
on Swarm. But A bit more on bounty, when counter-attacking
Jorj says:
Ok.
Jorj says:
Looks like we'll have to do the Bounty scenario first.
Jorj says:
Sorry.
Jorj says:
Not first, soon,
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
It's ok. We'll just do it.
Jorj says:
All right.
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
lol, i just noticed somehting
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
If you try making illusion Machine short, it makes iMac
Jorj says:
Ha!
Jorj says:
Where should I post the transcripts?
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
Development thread.
Jorj says:
Do you want them in the Story when it applies and in the main thread when it applies?
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
yes, and one more thing. F!
Jorj says:
?\
Jorj says:
?
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
For the love of god F.
KamiKazeKiwi3 says:
F: Put up another list! These are all awful.

No offense, but they are pretty weird. Dreiwan sounds less freakish than the rest.

[Zaei]

I did a bit of editing on the missions =). Everything after a"//" is an addition.

Mission 1:

Objectives:
1. Defend the town of Sei Eiwsi against the invading Lizard army.
2. General Aran must survive.
3. The Sei Eiwsi Church must not be destroyed.
//4. Raise Troop Morale


Mission 2:
We leave at midnight //,though we must hurry, before word of the battle reaches the ship, or this opportunity is lost!

Objectives:
1. Destroy the magical Illusion Machine. //Scripted, add this one during the mission
2. Take General Aran to the exit of the forest.
3. General Aran must survive.
// Mission time limit: 15:00 minutes. (so you have to go through the forest)

I think we should prbably change the Machine into a sort of teleporting device that must be destroyed before you can exit the forest. Easier to program =). Anyway, just my suggestions, take 'em or leave 'em, your choice =P.

Z.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

OK, I'll write it in later.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Hey, could the Swarm civ have a sea dragon instead of an air dragon?

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I'm done up to the 5th mission. yay!

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I forgot to suggest if Dragons could be turned to bone dragons after death, for a limited time, by Necromancers.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Mission 1 through 6. Good Knight! Me sleepy.

[Zaei]

Are you writing the missions with the "One Big Map" theory in mind?

Z.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

.....eh....

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

It depends on whether ALL the whole land map in accesible at the same time. I thought it was sections of the huge map per mission. I'm so screwed... I think.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I'm predicting a loss of sleep tonight.

[Zaei]

The whole map will be availible during all missions. Ever have a game where you are being overwhelemed by the enemy, but you complete the mission objectives, so you win? No longer. If you are in a hairy situation, and complete the mission objectives, you are STILL in a hairy situation.

Worry about it in the morning. I'm headed off to bed now I think.

Just remember, you can set mission time limits. This should force players into the descisions you want them to make.

Z.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

After you suggested it, I started using it more often. Night night. We'll worry tomorrow.

[rEaL iGoR]

Originally posted by KamiKazeKiwi3
I forgot to suggest if Dragons could be turned to bone dragons after death, for a limited time, by Necromancers.
Hey, why for a limited time? But lets say the necromancer cannot, but the one he upgrades into can. 'Dark Lord' or whatever.

[Jorj]

In my understanding, the whole map is accessible at all times. However, you, as a mission designer could place strategic problems in the way of leaving, or, preferably, make it not worth the player's while to leave the area.

However, you might not want to.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Jorj, read my story and put the weird names on please. Also, I need suggestions as to how I might fix my stuff if it conflicts with the giant map.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Could we solve some of this by haveing fog of war covering everything except areas you've been through and the area you are in?

[Jorj]

Here's the story back:

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Here is a new version of the story I had posted that makes the user play properly using Zaei's idea.

[Jorj]

Here is the map of the Dagger and Sledgehammer realms. Also included is a list of names for the map.

[Jorj]

Here is a revised World Map kit, with a program that goes along with it.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Thanks. WHere are you on Bounty's story?

[Jorj]

It's coming along, but I have to make maps before I can update you.

[Jorj]

I need a motive for Bounty to attack Swarm.

Let's see.. I made Bounty a sort of colonising nation on the map. They need to have good ships to maintain these colonies...
Why did they colonise? Extra space? Not likely. Why I think they would have colonised is that they want gold. Lots of gold. Their colony beside Swarm isn't making enough money for them, so they need to conquer more to get more gold to dominate world trade.

Every faction needs an ultimate goal, so...

Bounty's ultimate goal: Control all major gold supplying areas and make obscene profits through international trade.


Post Scriptum: I've started adding names to minor countries in the ToWMap program.

[Jorj]

Another list of names:

Swarm:

A. Pyoi
B: Rau
C: Weid
D: Tyasotye
E: Lakye
F: Not again, Jorj! Get these out of my sight!

Bounty:

A. Kazad
B: Pekei
C: Iaam
D: Baphaat
E: Raban
F: Jorj... sometimes I want to slaught- just get another list!

Arcanum:

A. Uevum
B: Paesa
C: Covis
D: Nius
E: Socis
F: If I've told you once, Jorj Borjs, I've told you a thousand times! I hate these!

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Swarm = D
Bounty = A
Acarnum = (can't it stay like that?):)

[Zaei]

E
A
C (if its the Latin pronunciation)

Z.

[Jorj]

Latin... you mean Classical or Ecclestiastical?

(kówis or kóvís?)

I intend for the Arcanum names to be pronounced in the Classical way.

Hmm... looks like Bounty will be Kazad. If you object, tell me. Otherwise, just keep voting! (if you haven't already)

[Zaei]

Classical. Definately =).

Z.

[Sastraxi]

E, A, and C.

[Jorj]

OK, we're looking at:

Arcanum: Covis
Bounty: Kazad
Swarm: Lakye

By the way, KamiKazeKiwi, what ultimate goal does Swarm have in mind?

Oh, and Zaei, are we having traditional missions, or is there just a break where new information and objectives are given?

One last thing: I have completed 16 of the 64 countries' names in the ToWMap program. Here is the updated map package with other maps included:

[Jorj]

Here it is:

[Zaei]

Since it is the one big map thing, I was imagining like a messanger on a horse type thing to bring you your orders. For instance, the guy rides in, the game pauses, and the new orders are given to you, and the scenario starts.

Also, Jorj, before you get too awfully far into the map thing, it needs to be squared out, and perhaps another island added in the big open area left. The reason is that the heightmap for the world MUST be square.

Z.

[Zaei]

Whoops. I typed C as my choice for Arcanum. I meant E. Sorry =(.

Z.

[Sastraxi]

Is that to save memory or increase speed? (or both?)

[Zaei]

The square requirement? The algorithm wont work unless the map is 2^n+1x2^n+1 units in size.

Z.

[Jorj]

After some scalpel work, I closed a great portion of the gap between the two continents. I also removed the eastern ocean. However, that wasn't square enough, so...

I continued the western continent to go south of the eastern continent. Somehow, this looked awfully empty, so I put in a new faction. The unnamed faction is an ecomonic powerhouse, but not in trade (like Kazad). It has a more industrious populace.

Sorry, but the new version of ToWMap won't be up for a while. (I now have 60 more names to do)

[Zaei]

Post the world map image. Ill use it create a new height map for the map test that will be posted sometime in the next two or three days.

Z.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

Lakye's goal is to peacefully grow it's economy by allying with other factions and sharing it's resources correctly. (unlike Kazad that is greedy)

[Jorj]

Here's the bitmap:

[Zaei]

Great! Thanks!.

Z.

[Jorj]

29/76 names are done. I also need a vote on the following:

Fortress:
A: Beroip
B: Theubi
C: Sautekh
D: Renou
E: Poihai
F: I'm too tired to think of anything to say here...

Dagger:
A: Tilu
B: Ruroi
C: Gwadoub
D: Bwinu
E: Pwoiai
F: I'm too tired to think of anything to say here...

Sledgehammer:
A: Hathe
B: Rokai
C: Raihwau
D: Jumoth
E: Hwaijai
F: I'm too tired to think of anything to say here...

Raider:
A: Seiniph
B: Araum
C: Seigva
D: Pueiz
E: Luphauph
F: I'm too tired to think of anything to say here...


I vote: BECC

[Zaei]

B
D
A (Silent ending "e"?)
A

Z.

[Jorj]

No silent endings. I guess I should put an accent on it.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

DACB

[Jorj]

Sorry for the delay... 40 of 76 names in the program are done.

[Zaei]

No Prob. We all have stuff cluttering up TOW work =).

Z.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I am right now typing from my school's library without permission.
Just trying to say how much it SUCKS!! to be without internet.

[Jorj]

I've got story information for Death Rain!

Here it is:
The country was ruled by an efficient and oppressive emperor. Suddenly there was a massive revolt by two groups who were temporarity united to overthrow the Loyalists (those who supported the emperor).
Those two groups are the Revolutionaries, who believe in trade and foreign involvemet, and the Militarists, who believe in an efficient military machine.
Several regional governments have taken advantage of the disarray and declared independence.
The Industrious nation (blue, at bottom of map) has sent over a fleet of ships to try and claim the long-coveted seaports of the former empire.
Also, Bounty (Kazad) has a colony adjoining the former Death Rain empire and can pursue its own interests in the region, whatever they may be.
Finally, bandit clans are prospering in the confusion and are trying to grab whatever profit they can.

Goals
(the numbers are arbitrary, play can go on for as long as the player(s) wish(es))
(alternately, instead of town centres, we could do population)

Loyalists: The emperor is dead and rebels are carving up the great empire. Protect the emperor's son from harm and, eventually, restore him to the throne by controlling at least (amount) of territory in five years.

Revolutionaries: The revolution has begun, but your partners are acting quite suspiciously. They seem to believe in destroying everything that doesn't agree with them! To secure the Revolutionary place in the country, hold twenty town centres in five years.

Militarists: The last emperor learned that improper government can have bad results. Strength is the proper government. To enable your strength, hold twenty town centres in five years.

Central Province: Surrounded by hostile forces on each side, you must fight to survive. Hold at least the same amount of territory that you hold now in five years.

Northwest Province: Your land is under very loose control, and rife with bandits and supporters of other factions. Bring order to your land and hold at least the same amount of territory that you hold now in five years.

Northeast Province: Just through your domain is a land rich in resources, but poor in strength (ideal for escaping to and striking back from). They have offered you permanent exclusive trading rights if you can protect them from destruction. You both must remain alive for five years.

Industrious (they have another name, I just forgot): With your fleet of ships, capture ten town centres on the coast in five years.

Kazad: Open-ended.

Bandits: Non-playable.

Do you like this?

[Sastraxi]

The critics give it two of these ;)

[rEaL iGoR]

Is this the whole story? Or, I mean what the whole story is based upon? And all the different provinces are the different civs, right?

[Sastraxi]

As Jorj said, it's Death Rain's story, that's a CIV. So no, it isn't the whole story.

[rEaL iGoR]

Oh...
But when you play the game, are you able to conbtrol everyone? Because it's always a good idea to have one crew in which you follow throughout the whole CIV.

[Jorj]

Perhaps this should be a scenario. Who knows? But, ideally, you could only be one, like the Loyalists or the Militarists.

[Jorj]

NO! It could be something we release before the campaign specifics are done, but after the game itself is. We could say... oh, yes. This is what happens to the Death Rain people after the events of Times of War.

[rEaL iGoR]

So you mean like an addon? Like...:

Then, what happened to the scattered Death Ripple?....etc??

[Zaei]

That sounds great Jorj. Keep up this kind of work! I think I will get to writing a DR short story while being bored in school. We can post a bunch of them on the web site.

Z.

[KamiKazeKiwi3]

I hope you guys are doing well without me. I WANT MY INTERNET BACK!!!! IM BORED TO DEATH!!! BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED BORED!

:D