Factions Discussion

[ares007]

Ok, let's discuss factions.

There are several workable setups we could have for factions.

1) simply good versus bad. A number of allied good factions would be at war with a number of bad factions.

2) Parent-child factions. In other words, there might be a Redwall faction that had a few child factions like otters, squirrels, possibly Guosim. Another example might be

3) dynamic factions. Basically, there would be a bunch of random "heroes" wondering around like in the "Custom Settlements" mod. There would be the possibility of these heroes eventually claiming a location as there base and thereby becoming a faction. For example, a random hero mouse named Markus might be wandering around with a few other warriors and eventually claim Redwall as his base. In this case, he would essentially be the Redwall champion. We would also code it so that only certain heroes could claim certain bases. For example, only badger heroes could claim Salamandastron, only "good beasts" could claim Redwall, and only vermin could claim Marshank or Terramort (of course, there would certainly be the possibility later on for another "hero" to take the base once he/she has already established a faction. So a vermin could possibly take Redwall, but only through certain means). This would essentially give a more varied experience in the single player because different "villains" would rise up with each game and different "heroes" also. In addition, each hero could be coded with certain behaviors that give him/her a uniqueness in batter and diplomacy.

Ultimately, number 3 would probably be the best but also the hardest. It may actually be a good idea to start with option one, and then gradually work it into option 2 and eventually option 3.

What do you guys think?

[buggy123]

Yes, I like the third idea. It gives a nice varied metagame. But like you said it might be a better idea to start simple and gradually get more advanced

[raqill]

Same with me...

[uggabugga]

dynamic ftw.

[uggabugga]

But I would think that the first idea would be easier to do

[artyem]

I was thinking maybe use some of the names from the books.


Maybe have the Northerns, who talk with an accent. The hordes, made of rats, stoats, ferrets, weasels all of that.

Corsairs - Another bad faction, made of sea rats, maybe have a pine marten as their leader.

G.U.O.S.I.M - Shrews

Redwall - always allies with the Guosim and Salamandastron.

Salamandastron - Hares



Oh yeah, maybe add random settlements around the land, some of them give you hair units, some rats, some mice etc etc...

[grumph]

The third idea certainly sounds cool!

But if you should choose number 1...


...then I would say;

Redwall Abbey(obviously); Mice(All sorts of 'em), Squirrels, Moles, and maybe a few otters and a single hare.

Corsairs; Vermin who roam the sea as they do in nearly all the Redwall books.

Rapscallion Horde(Rapscallions); Rapscallions, vermin. The only landgoing evil that doesn't either
a) invade
b) live very far away(the evil dudes in Mattimeo)

Salamandastron; Badger Lord, Hares.

GUOSIM; Shrews Unite!

Otter Holt(Holt Lutra?(I know it was destroyed >.>)Skipper of Otters Holt?)

Vermin of Marshank: Marshank Vermin of all kinds!

[mandible]

I think we should have a mix. I do think that we can do the whole Good vs Evil thing. But it would be very cool if new factions could be introduced dynamically. For example, important locations such as Redwall, Salamandastron, etc. would be claimed at the beginning of the game, but new locations could even be created (or unhidden) dynamically.

Rumor: "Now don't you be getting yerself worried or nuthin, but I heard that the Marlfox dynasty has resurfaced. Nobeast has seen any signs of a Marlfox since since they tried to conquer Redwall all those years ago. Then again, I hear that Marlfoxes are magic beasts and that nobeast ever sees them anyway. But now they're rumored to be back, and I hears that those vermin have made it their goal to retake their old island. It will be a dark day indeed when those ghostly beasts rule again. But its only a rumor, mind you. Probably nuthin' to keep you up at night..."

Maybe activate a few rumors in taverns or town streets before spawning Marlfox hordes one by one. Maybe 3-5 of them, all led by a different Marlfox. Fortress Marl would also be unhidden on the lake, together with a new quest to find and take Marl before the foxes do, or contrarily wise, to help the Marlfoxes reestablish themselves (for vermin players, obviously).

Different tribes of searats can be similarly spawned. These would be different than the regular searats and led by a dynamic unique hero. Special trident rats or somesuch. Maybe a return of the Rapscallions.

With this plan, we can still have faction locations owned by the factions that SHOULD own them, but we also introduce some of the dynamic excitement referred to in the OP. Redwall, Salamandastron, and other major habitations would not be claimable, but the claimable locations could be lost ruins or neutral grounds (Marl, Marshank, Brockhall, St. Ninians, Hold Lutra, etc.) These neutral grounds could be guarded by lizards until a hero (the player, or a special horde) claims it and creates a new faction. This could be a way to allow a player faction as well.

Thoughts?

[Stratos]

I am really starting to like Mandible's idea. A mix would be quite nice...

Oh and:
Marshank for vermin
Terramort for corsairs