"EDIT: While I was listening to MaRo's podcasts he posted today, I had an idea. In KTK #4, he talk about how they came to have Warriors in WB and he explains that nowadays every block has a small tribal component that they often exploit in limited archetypes. We don't have that yet, and we talked about Leonin being the first to join the Rebellion together with elves. What if we slightly bleed Leonin into green making both them and Ainok secondary races for green and we have GW as Cat tribal?"
I just wanted to pop in and say I find this idea interesting. It would definitely be good to find some tribal to pop in.
(each color should have the same number of mechanics)
Here's the point where we don't agree. I see no problems in different colors have a different number of mechanics. I'll have to verify it, but I don't think this happens in real sets.
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MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Name alternatives for embolden: revolt, furor, rise up, riot, overthrow.
Molotov Cocktail1R
Instant (U?) EmboldenR(You may cast this for its embolden cost if you dealt damage to a player this turn with a rebel. [or rogue?])
~ deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Contraband Smuggler2R
Creature - Viashino Rogue Rebel (C) EmboldenRR
When ~ enters the battlefield, if its embolden cost was paid you may discard a card. If you do, draw a card.
3/2 "Hey, I've got rebel lit, real alcohol, rationed sweets, the works!"
I have a potential map of Ormos made, and some disjointed nonsense written about the plane's layout. I may just post them how I have them now, even though I feel like they could be a lot better (especially the write up, the map I couldn't make better if I tried, I'm no artist). My problem is, I'll spend a week or more working on something like this, and still never be satisfied with it. That's another reason I like the team building idea, you guys keep me moving forward. So what do you guys think...Should I post what I have, even if it's not great? Or should I spend another day or two trying to make it better before posting?
I still need to respond to Tilwin's post above. I think you bring up a lot of valid concerns with the way mechanics are split among the colors. I'm not sure we need to change it necessarily, but at the very least we should be aware of it during play testing. I'll respond more on Tilwin's thoughts later. It's been a busy weekend for me.
Edit: Quick thought...We could potentially make a few detain cards like this to spread things out a bit...
Brotherhood Snitch
Creature - Ratillion (C)
When ~ enters the battlefield, if you control a white or blue permanent, you may detain target creature.
1/1
(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
(each color should have the same number of mechanics)
Here's the point where we don't agree. I see no problems in different colors have a different number of mechanics. I'll have to verify it, but I don't think this happens in real sets.
Ok, the time had come to actually verify that:
The brown cells are a yes/no binary option if that color has that mechanic in that set. The sum of those gives us the number of keyworded mechanics each color has in a given large set. The blue cells are a count of how many cards with that mechanic are there in that color in that set. Blue cells have totals in the rows (how many cards with that mechanic are in the set) and in the columns (how many cards with block mechanics each color has in the set). I only considered monocolored cards in recent large sets that do not involve factions (except SOM), because in factioned sets obviously each faction has its own mechanic, so in the end the balance is naturally achieved.
So it turns out sometimes that happens and sometimes not. In the end we were both right, depending which set you consider. So now we should ask ourselves: which model do we want to follow? Or in other words: as there is precedent for both choices, do we want each color to have the same number of mechanics?
If the answer is yes, the following is a way to make it work:
You have to take out two mechanics from white and add one to black and green. I took out Implant activations from white, as to me it looked like the easiest thing to do, and did something I've been thinking about for a few days: it didn't make sense to me that embolden is a prowl variant that is not in black, the main prowl color. We need it in red and green for limited archetypes, so it came natural to me to move that from white to black. There will be a few black Rebels after all. Rebels still have recruit in white, and we may actually make white the main recruit color to make up for the loss of embolden, it makes sense given that it's the color with the most creatures. Now I had to give green an additional mechanic among detain, Implant activations, and brainwash. The thing that made the most sense to me was expanding brainwash to all five colors. Detain in green is out of the color pie, and giving green Implants didn't make sense to me in flavor. Brainwash was already in four colors out of five, and we can just make a single card with brainwash in green to meet the requirement. Also, I considered that green had a big interaction with -1/-1 counters in SOM block (infect), so there is precedent for that.
Name alternatives for embolden: revolt, furor, rise up, riot, overthrow.
I like revolt, rise up, riot the best out of these. Others? Do we want to make a quick poll among us to decide the final name of the mechanic?
Molotov Cocktail1R
Instant (U?) EmboldenR(You may cast this for its embolden cost if you dealt damage to a player this turn with a rebel. [or rogue?])
~ deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
You remade one of my example cards! This is a case of parallel design that tells me that this card is so natural that it must be in the set. I had it at common though. I don't think this needs to be uncommon.
By the way, it was totally intentional on my part to exclude rogues. I only want the mechanic to be turned on by Rebels, both for flavor and to help differentiate it more from prowl that was on a relative lot of Rogues.
"Hey, I've got rebel lit, real alcohol, rationed sweets, the works!"
I definitely can see the card in the set, but not with this flavor text!
Should I post what I have, even if it's not great?
My vote is for this option. We can always make it better together, and that will definitely help to not let things get still (as if that was a problem with me and you in the team!). Don't worry about the quality of the map, look at my own map of Extinctia made in Paint! I can use Photoshop but only to edit already existing images, I just suck at drawing!
Edit: Quick thought...We could potentially make a few detain cards like this to spread things out a bit...
I'm not sure we could make a lot of these though.
I don't think that's needed, see above.
ATTACHMENTS
KEYWORDS
ORM
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MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Once again lion has beaten me to the punch! I was just trying to do some similar research last night. I agree with your thought process entirely lion. I'm not sure if we should make the mechanic adjustment you propose, or see how things work during playtest. What do others think? I think I'm leaning towards making the adjustment myself.
As far as renaming embolden goes, I have no problem with that. Can I throw the name empower into the ring also?
Empower -make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.
The one place I disagree with lion is, I actually really like Indighost's flavor text for Contraband Smuggler. Chocolate, alcohol and coffee are often highly sought after items in dystopian novels. They act as symbols of temporary stolen freedom. Just owning some of these items can be an act of rebellion in itself.
I'll post my silly map later today. I need to look over what I wrote though. It's actually not that long, but I was changing things as I went, so I'm not sure it even makes sense anymore. If I run out of time because of RL things, I'll just post it as is.
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(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
I think I'm leaning towards making the adjustment myself.
Me too probably, even if I'd be ok either way.
As far as renaming embolden goes, I have no problem with that. Can I throw the name empower into the ring also?
I have no problem with it either, I was just telling which ones I liked best IF we want to change (and I honestly don't see the need).
Chocolate, alcohol and coffee are often highly sought after items in dystopian novels. They act as symbols of temporary stolen freedom. Just owning some of these items can be an act of rebellion in itself.
Yes, that's true, but can you really see those in a Magic world (especially alcohol)?
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
We could have a compromise and add brainwash to green, and embolden to black without removing white from anything. That would make the split 5-3-3-3-3, and maintain the interesting flavor of white making its way into all aspects of people's lives. We could just limit how many white cards we make with embolden and implant. This is just a thought though, I still need to think about this a bit.
BTW lion, thanks for research work. How come you haven't changed the name of Work Camp 78 to Work Camp 83 in the blog yet?
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(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
We could have a compromise and add brainwash to green, and embolden to black without removing white from anything. That would make the split 5-3-3-3-3, and maintain the interesting flavor of white making its way into all aspects of people's lives. We could just limit how many white cards we make with embolden and implant. This is just a thought though, I still need to think about this a bit.
I have no problems with this. I'd really like to hear Tilwin's opinion on this.
How come you haven't changed the name of Work Camp 78 to Work Camp 83 in the blog yet?
You know what? As we said everything is numbered reflecting the Brotherhood's ideology, I was thinking to call the Correction Camp where Freigh and 137-F meet Camp 83, because of my continuous "corrections". It may look stupid, but that was my actual thought process! Then I just completely forgot about that.
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MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Something needs to be numbered 83. It's up to you what. I was thinking the Work Camp 137-F was born in to honor all your hard work. I suggested that a while ago, but I'm not sure you saw it.
I'm going to post what I have for world building, even though I feel it needs lots of work. I like the basic ideas though, and hope we can at least build off of them. Lion is much better at organizing thoughts than I am. Sorry. Anyway here's some nonsense.....
Because of the fact that Ormos was split across philosophical and religious lines instead of racial ones, I think that the cities (cities might not be the right word here) of Ormos should reflect this by having inhabitants of all races intermingling within them, although each city would have its own majorities. Before the rise of Dahl, the plane had two major cities; the coastal city of Orithia, and a city named Fenalo that sits at the base Mount Kunfar, surrounded by that mountain on two sides. These two cities are separated by the Permin plains. Prior to Dahl’s reign, the Permin Plains had many small villages scattered throughout it. Since Dahl’s rise to power, these villages have mostly been converted to Work Camps and Correction Camps, which has forced most of the population into the two major cities. Outside of these inhabited areas lies the Great Wilds (remember Ormos is a relatively young plane, therefore much of it remains unsettled), which was home to the largest village outside of the two main cites, the Elvish village of Venak. Venak was situated just within the borders of the Great Wilds, and was one of two major settlements outside of the Permin plains, before Dahl forced its inhabitants to abandon it.
The other was Thisis Isle, which Dahl also forced the abandonment of. The island was of great use to the Merfolk, who have since been made to live among the rest of their brothers.
These two abandoned settlements could either be the first meeting spots for the rebellion, or they could be places where the Brotherhood has setup their most heinous camps. The ones they don’t want people to know about. If we go with the latter of these two options, I still think the Rebellion’s first base of operations should be somewhere in the Great Wilds.
One of Dahl’s first actions as ruler was to build a great wall cutting the settlements of Ormos off from the Great Wilds (BTW, could the B/G archtype be based in these wilds? It could be B/G ramp focusing on the non-sentient creatures of Ormos). Father Dahl tells his people he has constructed the wall as a way to keep them safe, but to Dahl, its main purpose is to keep the Ormosian people confined to a smaller area, and thus easier to control. While building the wall, Father Dahl decides to leave the village of Venak outside the wall, thus shutting down the village completely (it’s not even used as a camp).
Dahl also builds another city in the very middle of the Permin plains and establishes it as his main base. The city is appropriately named Dahl City (I like a new name here, but still one that honors Dahl or the Brotherhood). The last stone Friegh and 137-F destroy in Isolation Network could potentially be located in Dahl City.
Ministries:
- Ministry of Industry
- Ministry of Agriculture
Dahl City:
Main Races:
- Humans (almost all other creatures are seen in subordinate roles in Dahl City)
Ministries:
- Ministry of Order
I’ve included a very crude child-like sketch of the lay of land. Hopefully it at least gives people some idea of what I’m talking about. I’m not sure I’ve scaled things very well, and everything is still certainly open for debate, including names (especially Dahl City). I haven’t included the Isolation Network on the map, but I’m wondering if many of its stones should be in the Great Wilds. This could be a good explanation for Dahl’s wall, and his desire to make people fearful of the Great Wilds. It could also be a good explanation for why Dahl is having the Ratillions make Zombies (if we do want him to be in that business). He could be releasing them into the wilds as yet another deterrent (remember, they’re mindless Zombies). I could see Venak being used as the place where Ratillions slave away creating Zombies that they then release into the Great Wilds. This would give us another option for the B/G archtype – Zombie making.
Key to horrible map:
Green stuff is forest.
Blue stuff is water.
The brown squiggly things are the Kunfar Mountains.
The black stuff is swampland.
The little, unmarked, black circles are the small villages turned camps.
The gold stuff is beach.
(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
Something needs to be numbered 83. It's up to you what. I was thinking the Work Camp 137-F was born in to honor all your hard work. I suggested that a while ago, but I'm not sure you saw it.
Yes, as I said I saw it and then forgot. Check the story now! You'll find something is different, but not the Workcamp! (Yes, I did what I wrote in my previous post. Now the Correction Camp where Freigh and 137-F meet is called "Camp 83".)
I'll look at the rest in a very short time and if necessary I'll put my "organizative" hands on it!
Because of the fact that Ormos was split across philosophical and religious lines instead of racial ones, I think that the cities (cities might not be the right word here I think it is.) of Ormos should reflect this by having inhabitants of all races intermingling within them, although each city would have its own majorities. Agreed. Before the rise of Dahl, the plane had two major cities; the coastal city of Orithia, and a city named Fenalo There is an inconsistency: here you call it Fenalo with an E as the second letter, later you'll call it Fanalo with an A. Which one is the intended one? that sits at the base Mount Kunfar, surrounded by that mountain on two sides. These two cities are separated by the Permin plains. Prior to Dahl’s reign, the Permin Plains had many small villages scattered throughout it. Since Dahl’s rise to power, these villages have mostly been converted to Work Camps and Correction Camps, which has forced most of the population into the two major cities. Outside of these inhabited areas lies the Great Wilds (remember Ormos is a relatively young plane, therefore much of it remains unsettled), which was home to the largest village outside of the two main cites, the Elvish village of Venak. Venak was situated just within the borders of the Great Wilds, and was one of two major settlements outside of the Permin plains, before Dahl forced its inhabitants to abandon it.
The other was Thisis Isle Is it intentional that it's called almost like the disease (phthisis)? I don't like that association that much, unless it was intended., which Dahl also forced the abandonment of. The island was of great use to the Merfolk, who have since been made to live among the rest of their brothers. So I guess Ormosian Merfolk have legs and are able to live without water. Right? I'm perfectly fine with that, just making sure.
These two abandoned settlements could either be the first meeting spots for the rebellion, or they could be places where the Brotherhood has setup their most heinous camps. The ones they don’t want people to know about. If we go with the latter of these two options, which is the one I like best I still think the Rebellion’s first base of operations should be somewhere in the Great Wilds. And in fact I think we'll need at least another abandoned village there to act as the Rebels' refuge.
One of Dahl’s first actions as ruler was to build a great wall cutting the settlements of Ormos off from the Great Wilds (BTW, could the B/G archtype be based in these wilds? It could be B/G ramp focusing on the non-sentient creatures of Ormos It very well could, we had already talked of the possibility to use ramp as the BG archetype.). Father Dahl tells his people he has constructed the wall as a way to keep them safe, but to Dahl, its main purpose is to keep the Ormosian people confined to a smaller area, and thus easier to control. While building the wall, Father Dahl decides to leave the village of Venak outside the wall, thus shutting down the village completely (it’s not even used as a camp and that's a contradiction, you said it was a possibility before, and in fact one I like).
Dahl also builds another city in the very middle of the Permin plains and establishes it as his main base. The city is appropriately named Dahl City (I like a new name here, me too but still one that honors Dahl or the Brotherhood I'll think about that). The last stone Friegh and 137-F destroy in Isolation Network could potentially be located in Dahl City.looks good
Ministries:
- Ministry of Industry
- Ministry of Agriculture
Dahl City:
Main Races:
- Humans (almost all other creatures are seen in subordinate roles in Dahl City)
Ministries:
- Ministry of Order
I’ve included a very crude child-like sketch of the lay of land. Hopefully it at least gives people some idea of what I’m talking about. It does to me. I’m not sure I’ve scaled things very well I honestly don't think so., and everything is still certainly open for debate, including names (especially Dahl City that definitely needs another name). I haven’t included the Isolation Network on the map I don't think that's needed., but I’m wondering if many of its stones should be in the Great Wilds. The more hidden they are, the better. A big forest looks like a very good place to hide devices you don't want discovered. This could be a good explanation for Dahl’s wall, and his desire to make people fearful of the Great Wilds. It's the best explanation I can think of, I really like it. It could also be a good explanation for why Dahl is having the Ratillions make Zombies (if we do want him to be in that business). He could be releasing them into the wilds as yet another deterrent (remember, they’re mindless Zombies). I could see Venak being used as the place where Ratillions slave away creating Zombies that they then release into the Great Wilds. Yet another reason for it actually being used somehow. This would give us another option for the B/G archtype – Zombie making. So here it is the new proposal! I'm having trouble seeing Zombies in green, both them and Ratillions are black. Green would need to play kind of a support role. Maybe black sacrifices creatures to make Zombies and green returns the cards from the graveyard to your hand to be used again? Anyway, if we find the right role for green here, I'd be open to this.
Other thoughts not included above:
• Have you ever played Watchdogs? I have and I really like it. The map of Ormos reminds me quite a lot of the map of Chicago from that game (see attachment), just mirrored! It even has the island off the coast (you can see it on the right at about mid height)! Not a problem, I just wanted to say this aloud!
• About that same island, as soon as I saw it I thought it would be the perfect place for the worst Correction Camp to be: Camp 83! I love the idea of an Alcatraz-like seemingly unescapable prison camp built there that is later demonstrated vulnerable by the two women's escape. I also love the mental image of them escaping such a place by swimming. If I could draw, that would be the art of the card depicting their escape from Camp 83!
• As I said, I think we need one more abandoned village, way smaller than Venak, just a few wooden houses (not enough for Dahl to turn it into a camp), to act as the Rebels' refuge. I'd place it hidden behind the secret passage through the mountains, not too far from it.
• I guess Ormos has just a single continent. Do we know what is behind the Great Wilds?
• Where is Workcamp 78?
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Sorry for any contradictions lion. As I said, I was going back and forth a lot as I wrote it, and I didn't really get the time I wanted to fix it. I know it's not perfect, but I've had a very busy weekend and just wanted to keep things rolling. As far as any names are concerned, I have no problem changing any of them. I thought of all of them on the spot (basically just as place holders), and there is no meaning, nor rhyme or reason to them. BTW, I meant Fenalo (unless you prefer Fanalo ). I'll try to comment more later (my family is here right now).
Edit: BTW, as far scale is concerned on the "map", at the very least I'm trying to represent that the settled areas of Ormos take up a pretty small portion of the plane. This is supposed to be representative of the fact that Ormos is a fairly young and undeveloped plane, as we discussed before. The plane is intended to be much larger than what I show on the map, but a large portion of it is unexplored and thus not mapped.
(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
Alright, Fenalo with an E it is then. By the way, this is the way I prefer too, as "Fanalo" with an A reminds me too much of the Italian word "fanale" which means the lights cars have on the front and the back.
The plane is intended to be much larger than what I show on the map, but a large portion of it is unexplored and thus not mapped.
This is exactly what I wanted to know when I was talking of the single continent. Good.
You probably haven't seen the last question I edited in above: where is Workcamp 78?
I probably was a bit too harsh on the map not being scaled well. I relooked at it and I think I understood why I had that impression: I think Orithia and Fenalo have been drawn a little bit too big, and that makes the whole known portion of the plane too small. The rest actually looks good enough.
Refined version coming soon. I'm working on it right now in Photoshop.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
The ability to draw is really low on my list of skills. Its like one or two spots above my ability to give birth. I look forward to your photoshopped version.
Ormos could be 30 continents, but the inhabitants that we are focusing on only know the regions on the map. At least that was what I was thinking. As I said, I picture it being a pretty young plane. Its inhabitants are still very fearful and steeped in superstition. That is one of the reasons Dahl chose to stay on Ormos, its citizens are fairly easy to manipulate.
I'm not sure where Workcamp 78 is. I figured it was just one of the many in the Permin planes. If anybody has a good idea for its location, I'm more than open to it.
BTW, as I said, anybody that thinks anything should be added/changed on the map, feel free to make the suggestion.
Edit: I've never heard of Watchdogs before.
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(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
The ability to draw is really low on my list of skills.
Mine too. If shapes will be better in my version, you only have to thank the pen tool in Photoshop.
the inhabitants that we are focusing on only know the regions on the map.
So it makes sense that we do too.
I'm not sure where Workcamp 78 is. I figured it was just one of the many in the Permin planes.
Ok, I'll just pick one at random.
Edit: I've never heard of Watchdogs before.
I guessed, but the clearly unintended similarity of the maps striked me. My first thought was something like "Wait. Is this just Chicago reflected in a mirror?"
I have everything ready, I just have to put the text layers in.
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MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
I really like averything suggested here. I think that we basically completed all of the base for the set. Now there's only one thing left to do, after leo writes his big post. Design! I would really like to help design some cards with the design team.
Photoshop map attached. You don't have to thank me, but the pen tool and the layer fusion options of Photoshop. I made the cities smaller, which makes the proportions look much better, and I added a few names. The forest zones within the wall and the mountains are called the "Woods", each with its name. The "secret passage" is actually a steep canyon formed by the river through the mountains, that separates the two mountain ranges. The source of the river is unknown. Belkin is the abandoned village of just a few wooden homes, too few to make it a camp, that will be the first Rebel refuge. I also picture here the Rebel meeting where Ziarn is brought to when she returns to Ormos and where she's anointed leader of the Rebellion. The red dots are the camps. W78 is Workcamp 78 and C83 is the Alcatraz-like Camp 83. I don't think I've added anything else by memory. Some of the names I added come from distorted Italian words, like Belkin from "ribelle" (Rebel), while others are random.
I'm slowly coming to like the names of Dahl City and Thisis Isle. Anyway, if we change any name I obviously still have the PSD file and it only takes a few seconds to change those.
Because Ormos was split across philosophical and religious lines instead of racial ones, the cities have inhabitants of all races intermingling within them, although each city has its own majorities. Before the rise of Dahl, the plane had two major cities: the coastal city of Orithia and a city named Fenalo, that sits at the base of the Kunfar Mountains, being surrounded by them on two sides. These two cities are separated by the Permin Plains. Prior to Dahl’s reign, the Permin Plains had many small villages scattered throughout it. Since Dahl’s rise to power, most of these villages have been converted to Workcamps and Correction Camps, which has forced most of the population into the two major cities. Outside of these inhabited areas lies the Great Wilds, which was home to the largest village outside of the two main cites, the Elvish village of Venak. Venak was situated just within the borders of the Great Wilds, and was one of the very few settlements outside of the Permin Plains until Dahl forced its inhabitants to abandon it. The others were Thisis Isle, which was of great use to the Merfolk, who have since been made to live among the rest of their brothers, and Belkin, that was just a very small refuge for the few who dared adventuring into the Great Wilds. None of those adventurers has ever come back, so the Great Wilds themselves and what is behind them remains a mistery for the vast majority of Ormosians.
The Brotherhood has set up its most heinous camps, the ones it doesn’t want people to know about, in Venak and Thisis Isle. Camp 83, the worst Correction Camp on all Ormos, is on the island. Venak has been turned into a Zombie factory. Belkin wasn't worth being turned into a camp, as only a few wooden houses were there, and was abandoned instead. Now it has become the Rebellion’s first base of operations.
One of Dahl’s first actions as ruler was to build a great wall cutting the settlements of Ormos off from the Great Wilds. Father Dahl told his people he had constructed the wall as a way to keep them safe, but Dahl's real main purpose was to keep the Ormosian people confined to a smaller area, and thus easier to control. Also, most (but not all) of the devices of the Isolation Network are located in the Great Wilds. This was another good reason (from his point of view) for Dahl’s wall and his desire to make people fearful of the Great Wilds. This is also why Dahl has the Ratillions make Zombies to release them into the wilds as yet another deterrent (remember, they’re mindless Zombies). Venak is the place where Ratillion slaves create those Zombies.
Dahl also built another city in the very middle of the Permin Plains and established it as his main base. The city is appropriately named Dahl City. Here the last device of the Isolation Network is located, the one that Friegh and 137-F will destroy.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Looks great lion! I'm going to thank you whether you want it or not so.....Thanks bravelion83!!!!
I agree, we have a few more things we need to shore up before card making begins. Sorry, I know people are antsy to start making cards (myself included), but these things are important. I'd still like to respond to some things Tilwin was saying, and we still need to hear back from him with his response to lion's comments. Also, there are still a few flavor aspect things I'd like to throw out there that could be relevant while designing. All that said, I do think we are very close to designing commons.
One thing I've been wondering lately is, do we really need to keep each race only in one color? The philosophies of its sect were what influenced a creature's color almost as much as its race prior to Dahl's rise. I'm wondering if one of the two creatures in each color could be seen in another friendly color a bit? It would still be in its main color predominantly, but it would show up a bit in its other color as well. (Still Humans appear in all colors)
For instance...
Merfolk - Blue (Which I do see having legs and being able to live out of the water. I can't see Dahl controlling a city under the ocean very well. If they can't have legs, I think we need to come up with another race for blue. This could also be a factor for the Merfolk when they start to join the rebellion.)
Vedalken Blue secondary white
Aven - White
Leonin - White secondary green
Zombies - Black
Ratillions - Black secondary blue
Goblins - Red
Viashino - Red secondary black (we could switch Goblins to secondary black since there's already precedent there, but I think I like Viashino better for this.)
Elves - Green
Ainok - Green secondary red
Also, I'm wondering if each of these creature types could have a card or two that shows up in white. Perhaps just a single cycle even. The creature would seem weird color-wise, but not ability-wise. This might take up too many white creature slots though, but I think it would be flavorful to have a couple of races that normally wouldn't be white have a white card.
For example.... Reformed Goblin
Creature - Goblin Cleric (C)
First strike
2/1
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(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
Please check the reviewed worldbuilding I've added to my last post. Tomorrow I'll put that and the map in my blog.
I think having one of the two races spread into an allied color can solve the limited archetypes. Make GW Leonin (Cat) tribal, and BG ramp based on the Zombies and the creatures of the wilds. Only BR remains, for which I don't have any real alternatives to steal'n'sac.
There's definitely not room for having one of each race in white, but there could be room to make a couple representatives.
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MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
What is the flavor justification for W/G Leonin tribal? Why not something else? I'm not opposed to it at all, I'm just curious how we fit that in the story. I think the easiest race to fit into the story as a race that somewhat separates itself from the others would either be Humans or Elves. Perhaps R/G Elves instead of R/G Ainok? Then we switch the embolden archtype to W/G and go R/G Elf tribal? I'm not sure I really support this though. Again, how do we justify Leonin being the tribe story-wise. Or do we not have to?
BTW, I agree on the white cross-over thing. Maybe just a couple for flavor.
Edit: A few thoughts on the map. I'm wondering if the Fenalo Woods should extend down the mountain to the river so that the secret passage is even more secret. Also, could the river run through Dahl City? I'm thinking that could come in handy when Freigh and 137-F sneak into the city to destroy the last stone. But perhaps I'm thinking too deep into things.
(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
Omg guys, you sure post a lot! *laughs*
Alright, back to work...
Yes. I think lion and I might have a problem.
Mechanics distribution
Truth be told, I did not look at sets older than Return to Ravnica but I expected the rule would be quite plausible. I was wrong it seems. Even so, I think the spread across the mechanics you made is beautiful and it would make a lot of sense! Implant doesn't make sense in white and "Embolden" can live outside it too (reducing costs/ramp -short of miracles- is not exactly something white does but it surely fits all Jund colors).
Blue doesn't feel like a Rebel primary color so I am fine with neither of the Rebel mechanics being in blue.
Black colors are also perfect, and I am happy at the idea of black rebels. I would've been equally fine with splashing Detain in black, and I could make a case for this if I weren't happier with "Embolden" in it!
Red doesn't sound like the color of implants or detain so it's good they are not there. Same goes for green of course.
So yes, I prefer the 3/3/3/3/3 split and I think it's beautifully designed and diversified!
I'm glad you're happy with the split. I'm fine with the 3/3/3/3/3 split (I also suggested a 5/3/3/3/3 split, but I'm fine either way). Lets not forget that both factions are in all five colors, but focused as follows; Brotherhood - Esper, Rebels - Naya (just a reminder).
Embolden rename
Okay, so this reminds me a lot of Bloodthirst now that I think of it. For the current renames the suggestion I like is "Furor". Other two suggestions I have are "Battlefury" and "Battle Focus".
It also reminds me a bit of raid.
The reason I like embolden or empower is because I feel like that fits the flavor that is in my head for the mechanic. Remember, the rebellion starts slowly at first because people are either brainwashed by the Brotherhood, or fearful of it. The ones that were fearful of it feel emboldened or empowered to join the rebellion when they see another rebel deal a blow to the Brotherhood (BTW, that's why I suggested changing it from embolden to emboldened a while ago). I think inspired would be another good name for it if it weren't already taken. I'm fine with whatever everybody decides on here though. Here's a few more suggestions using the flavor that is in my head....energized, galvanized, roused. The -ed could be dropped from any of these also, but I think -ed makes sense on the ability.
The map
There are tons of discussions here but I can't really get into them right now.
No problem. We all move at the pace life allows.
Classes split
While the Viashino are alright, I think we would be better off with something more humanoid. Either Orcs or Ogres would work for BR in my opinion - no we don't want zombies, so they are the closest we can get in those colors. And if we want to go overly original, we could think of a race of Elementals in those two colors and make a small Elementals tribal thingie in BR, with explanations on how these elementals appeared (maybe experiments done on Rebels?).
Aren't Viashino Humanoid? To be honest, if we changed red to anything, I wouldn't mind Dwarves, but I actually like Viashino here quite a bit. I don't dislike any of your suggestion though. What do others think here?
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(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
• I have no flavor justification whatsoever for Leonin/Cat tribal. I have only mechanical ones: it fills a color pair we had left, it gives us the touch of tribal every large set has nowadays, it's perfectly backwards compatible, it makes complete sense in the color pie, and it fits nicely in the proposal you made of splitting some creature types in two colors.
• I like too much embolden in RG, the two central Rebel colors (except white which is shared). I wouldn't like to change that.
• Ok about the Fenalo Woods and the river crossing Dahl City. EDIT: Revised map attached.
• It looks to me everyone is agreeing on the 3 mechanics per color split. I'd say let's adopt that if there are no major objections.
• Do we really need to rename embolden? I'm not sure at all.
• I'd really like to hear Tilwin's thoughts on the map when he has time.
• As far as I know, Viashino are humanoid. They're defined as "lizard-people". I don't think Dwarves would make that much sense in black. Also, let's remember Viashino were Jund-colored in Alara, so they might make sense in BR. I wouldn't mind seeing them in BR.
@Flatline: Trust me, you'll satisfy your desire for Dwarves in a certain future world...
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
A quick thought on Belkin. What if the Brotherhood knew absolutely nothing about it? They didn't choose not to set a camp up there because they never knew it was there to begin with. It could be an old outpost only known to a few Elves. One of which could be one of the first recruits for the rebellion. If this seems possible to others, I think it would help the rebels to actually feel as though they are safe there. Again, I might be overthinking things.
@Lion....Thanks for incorporating my nonsense into the new map. It probably won't make a bit of difference in reality, but it works better in my mind.
Edit: Another thing I've been thinking about is the split up of the archtypes among the two factions. As I currently see it, we have 7 with the Brotherhood (W/U, W/B, U/B, U/R, U/G?, B/R?, B/G?.), and 3 with the Rebels (W/R, W/G, R/G). I'm not sure I'm seeing this correctly though. I have question marks next to the three I'm not as sure about. I feel like we might want more archtypes in the Brotherhood for the first set (then possibly flip it in the second set), but maybe 7 to 3 is too much?
(22 Total) - October 2014; December 2014; January 2015; April 2015; June 2015; August 2015; September 2015; November 2015; December 2015(T); January 2016; March 2016(T); April 2016; June 2016; October 2016; December 2016(T); February 2017; April 2017; December 2017; November 2018(T); January 2019; April 2019; June 2019
(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
(7 Total) - September 2015; October 2015; January 2016; March 2016; April 2016; July 2016(T); March 2019(T)
I have no problems with that backstory for Belkin. The only reason I added it is to act as the Rebels' refuge, until it still fulfils that role anything else in addition to that is good to me.
I never thought about the Brotherhood/Rebels ratio in limited archetypes, and I'm also not sure it matters that much. I care more that we actually have them: what about BG, BR, GW?
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MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016 DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for: "Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index.Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
I think maybe B/G should maybe just be native creature ramp. That would make one of the archetypes neutral. B/R I could see being something like a burn/punishment archetype perhaps. As far as W/G is concerned, did anybody ever directly answer my question about this maybe being Rebel tribal? I know we kind of already have that with R/G embolden, but I'm thinking more of a traditional type of tribal. You know, rebels you control get +1/+1, rebels you control have trample, etc. Does that make any sense at all?
Seeing as how I've never put any thought in producing limited archetypes, I might not be thinking correctly on how it works. It's not like people can't mix cards from different archetypes together for limited, so it probably doesn't matter how many archetypes are geared towards each faction. Even if it does, I think the Brotherhood having more makes sense in the first set since they are still far and away the dominant force on the plane.
To answer one of lion's earlier questions....I have no problem leaving the name embolden in place. I still like it. But as I said before, I also have no problem changing it if others don't like the name.
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(8 Total) - May 2015; May 2016; June 2016; August 2016; October 2016; December 2016; October 2017; May 2019
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I just wanted to pop in and say I find this idea interesting. It would definitely be good to find some tribal to pop in.
Here's the point where we don't agree. I see no problems in different colors have a different number of mechanics. I'll have to verify it, but I don't think this happens in real sets.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Molotov Cocktail 1R
Instant (U?)
Embolden R (You may cast this for its embolden cost if you dealt damage to a player this turn with a rebel. [or rogue?])
~ deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Contraband Smuggler 2R
Creature - Viashino Rogue Rebel (C)
Embolden RR
When ~ enters the battlefield, if its embolden cost was paid you may discard a card. If you do, draw a card.
3/2
"Hey, I've got rebel lit, real alcohol, rationed sweets, the works!"
I still need to respond to Tilwin's post above. I think you bring up a lot of valid concerns with the way mechanics are split among the colors. I'm not sure we need to change it necessarily, but at the very least we should be aware of it during play testing. I'll respond more on Tilwin's thoughts later. It's been a busy weekend for me.
Edit: Quick thought...We could potentially make a few detain cards like this to spread things out a bit...
Brotherhood Snitch
Creature - Ratillion (C)
When ~ enters the battlefield, if you control a white or blue permanent, you may detain target creature.
1/1
I'm not sure we could make a lot of these though.
Ok, the time had come to actually verify that:
The brown cells are a yes/no binary option if that color has that mechanic in that set. The sum of those gives us the number of keyworded mechanics each color has in a given large set. The blue cells are a count of how many cards with that mechanic are there in that color in that set. Blue cells have totals in the rows (how many cards with that mechanic are in the set) and in the columns (how many cards with block mechanics each color has in the set). I only considered monocolored cards in recent large sets that do not involve factions (except SOM), because in factioned sets obviously each faction has its own mechanic, so in the end the balance is naturally achieved.
So it turns out sometimes that happens and sometimes not. In the end we were both right, depending which set you consider. So now we should ask ourselves: which model do we want to follow? Or in other words: as there is precedent for both choices, do we want each color to have the same number of mechanics?
If the answer is yes, the following is a way to make it work:
You have to take out two mechanics from white and add one to black and green. I took out Implant activations from white, as to me it looked like the easiest thing to do, and did something I've been thinking about for a few days: it didn't make sense to me that embolden is a prowl variant that is not in black, the main prowl color. We need it in red and green for limited archetypes, so it came natural to me to move that from white to black. There will be a few black Rebels after all. Rebels still have recruit in white, and we may actually make white the main recruit color to make up for the loss of embolden, it makes sense given that it's the color with the most creatures. Now I had to give green an additional mechanic among detain, Implant activations, and brainwash. The thing that made the most sense to me was expanding brainwash to all five colors. Detain in green is out of the color pie, and giving green Implants didn't make sense to me in flavor. Brainwash was already in four colors out of five, and we can just make a single card with brainwash in green to meet the requirement. Also, I considered that green had a big interaction with -1/-1 counters in SOM block (infect), so there is precedent for that.
So, in the end, which way do we want to follow?
I like revolt, rise up, riot the best out of these. Others? Do we want to make a quick poll among us to decide the final name of the mechanic?
You remade one of my example cards! This is a case of parallel design that tells me that this card is so natural that it must be in the set. I had it at common though. I don't think this needs to be uncommon.
By the way, it was totally intentional on my part to exclude rogues. I only want the mechanic to be turned on by Rebels, both for flavor and to help differentiate it more from prowl that was on a relative lot of Rogues.
I definitely can see the card in the set, but not with this flavor text!
My vote is for this option. We can always make it better together, and that will definitely help to not let things get still (as if that was a problem with me and you in the team!). Don't worry about the quality of the map, look at my own map of Extinctia made in Paint! I can use Photoshop but only to edit already existing images, I just suck at drawing!
I don't think that's needed, see above.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
As far as renaming embolden goes, I have no problem with that. Can I throw the name empower into the ring also?
Empower - make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.
The one place I disagree with lion is, I actually really like Indighost's flavor text for Contraband Smuggler. Chocolate, alcohol and coffee are often highly sought after items in dystopian novels. They act as symbols of temporary stolen freedom. Just owning some of these items can be an act of rebellion in itself.
I'll post my silly map later today. I need to look over what I wrote though. It's actually not that long, but I was changing things as I went, so I'm not sure it even makes sense anymore. If I run out of time because of RL things, I'll just post it as is.
Me too probably, even if I'd be ok either way.
I have no problem with it either, I was just telling which ones I liked best IF we want to change (and I honestly don't see the need).
Yes, that's true, but can you really see those in a Magic world (especially alcohol)?
Looking forward to it!
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
BTW lion, thanks for research work. How come you haven't changed the name of Work Camp 78 to Work Camp 83 in the blog yet?
I have no problems with this. I'd really like to hear Tilwin's opinion on this.
You know what? As we said everything is numbered reflecting the Brotherhood's ideology, I was thinking to call the Correction Camp where Freigh and 137-F meet Camp 83, because of my continuous "corrections". It may look stupid, but that was my actual thought process! Then I just completely forgot about that.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
I'm going to post what I have for world building, even though I feel it needs lots of work. I like the basic ideas though, and hope we can at least build off of them. Lion is much better at organizing thoughts than I am. Sorry. Anyway here's some nonsense.....
The other was Thisis Isle, which Dahl also forced the abandonment of. The island was of great use to the Merfolk, who have since been made to live among the rest of their brothers.
These two abandoned settlements could either be the first meeting spots for the rebellion, or they could be places where the Brotherhood has setup their most heinous camps. The ones they don’t want people to know about. If we go with the latter of these two options, I still think the Rebellion’s first base of operations should be somewhere in the Great Wilds.
One of Dahl’s first actions as ruler was to build a great wall cutting the settlements of Ormos off from the Great Wilds (BTW, could the B/G archtype be based in these wilds? It could be B/G ramp focusing on the non-sentient creatures of Ormos). Father Dahl tells his people he has constructed the wall as a way to keep them safe, but to Dahl, its main purpose is to keep the Ormosian people confined to a smaller area, and thus easier to control. While building the wall, Father Dahl decides to leave the village of Venak outside the wall, thus shutting down the village completely (it’s not even used as a camp).
Dahl also builds another city in the very middle of the Permin plains and establishes it as his main base. The city is appropriately named Dahl City (I like a new name here, but still one that honors Dahl or the Brotherhood). The last stone Friegh and 137-F destroy in Isolation Network could potentially be located in Dahl City.
Orithia:
Main races:
- Humans
- Vedalken
- Merfolk
- Aven
- Ratillions
Ministries:
- Ministry of Guilt
- Ministry of Truth
Fenalo:(edited for spelling)
Main races:
- Humans
- Leonin
- Elves
- Goblins
- Viashino
- Ainok
Ministries:
- Ministry of Industry
- Ministry of Agriculture
Dahl City:
Main Races:
- Humans (almost all other creatures are seen in subordinate roles in Dahl City)
Ministries:
- Ministry of Order
I’ve included a very crude child-like sketch of the lay of land. Hopefully it at least gives people some idea of what I’m talking about. I’m not sure I’ve scaled things very well, and everything is still certainly open for debate, including names (especially Dahl City). I haven’t included the Isolation Network on the map, but I’m wondering if many of its stones should be in the Great Wilds. This could be a good explanation for Dahl’s wall, and his desire to make people fearful of the Great Wilds. It could also be a good explanation for why Dahl is having the Ratillions make Zombies (if we do want him to be in that business). He could be releasing them into the wilds as yet another deterrent (remember, they’re mindless Zombies). I could see Venak being used as the place where Ratillions slave away creating Zombies that they then release into the Great Wilds. This would give us another option for the B/G archtype – Zombie making.
Key to horrible map:
Green stuff is forest.
Blue stuff is water.
The brown squiggly things are the Kunfar Mountains.
The black stuff is swampland.
The little, unmarked, black circles are the small villages turned camps.
The gold stuff is beach.
Yes, as I said I saw it and then forgot. Check the story now! You'll find something is different, but not the Workcamp! (Yes, I did what I wrote in my previous post. Now the Correction Camp where Freigh and 137-F meet is called "Camp 83".)
I'll look at the rest in a very short time and if necessary I'll put my "organizative" hands on it!
EDIT: First thoughts.
My comments in bold green (Leo's comments)
Other thoughts not included above:
• Have you ever played Watchdogs? I have and I really like it. The map of Ormos reminds me quite a lot of the map of Chicago from that game (see attachment), just mirrored! It even has the island off the coast (you can see it on the right at about mid height)! Not a problem, I just wanted to say this aloud!
• About that same island, as soon as I saw it I thought it would be the perfect place for the worst Correction Camp to be: Camp 83! I love the idea of an Alcatraz-like seemingly unescapable prison camp built there that is later demonstrated vulnerable by the two women's escape. I also love the mental image of them escaping such a place by swimming. If I could draw, that would be the art of the card depicting their escape from Camp 83!
• As I said, I think we need one more abandoned village, way smaller than Venak, just a few wooden houses (not enough for Dahl to turn it into a camp), to act as the Rebels' refuge. I'd place it hidden behind the secret passage through the mountains, not too far from it.
• I guess Ormos has just a single continent. Do we know what is behind the Great Wilds?
• Where is Workcamp 78?
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Edit: BTW, as far scale is concerned on the "map", at the very least I'm trying to represent that the settled areas of Ormos take up a pretty small portion of the plane. This is supposed to be representative of the fact that Ormos is a fairly young and undeveloped plane, as we discussed before. The plane is intended to be much larger than what I show on the map, but a large portion of it is unexplored and thus not mapped.
This is exactly what I wanted to know when I was talking of the single continent. Good.
You probably haven't seen the last question I edited in above: where is Workcamp 78?
I probably was a bit too harsh on the map not being scaled well. I relooked at it and I think I understood why I had that impression: I think Orithia and Fenalo have been drawn a little bit too big, and that makes the whole known portion of the plane too small. The rest actually looks good enough.
Refined version coming soon. I'm working on it right now in Photoshop.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Ormos could be 30 continents, but the inhabitants that we are focusing on only know the regions on the map. At least that was what I was thinking. As I said, I picture it being a pretty young plane. Its inhabitants are still very fearful and steeped in superstition. That is one of the reasons Dahl chose to stay on Ormos, its citizens are fairly easy to manipulate.
I'm not sure where Workcamp 78 is. I figured it was just one of the many in the Permin planes. If anybody has a good idea for its location, I'm more than open to it.
BTW, as I said, anybody that thinks anything should be added/changed on the map, feel free to make the suggestion.
Edit: I've never heard of Watchdogs before.
Mine too. If shapes will be better in my version, you only have to thank the pen tool in Photoshop.
So it makes sense that we do too.
Ok, I'll just pick one at random.
I guessed, but the clearly unintended similarity of the maps striked me. My first thought was something like "Wait. Is this just Chicago reflected in a mirror?"
I have everything ready, I just have to put the text layers in.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
I'm slowly coming to like the names of Dahl City and Thisis Isle. Anyway, if we change any name I obviously still have the PSD file and it only takes a few seconds to change those.
The Brotherhood has set up its most heinous camps, the ones it doesn’t want people to know about, in Venak and Thisis Isle. Camp 83, the worst Correction Camp on all Ormos, is on the island. Venak has been turned into a Zombie factory. Belkin wasn't worth being turned into a camp, as only a few wooden houses were there, and was abandoned instead. Now it has become the Rebellion’s first base of operations.
One of Dahl’s first actions as ruler was to build a great wall cutting the settlements of Ormos off from the Great Wilds. Father Dahl told his people he had constructed the wall as a way to keep them safe, but Dahl's real main purpose was to keep the Ormosian people confined to a smaller area, and thus easier to control. Also, most (but not all) of the devices of the Isolation Network are located in the Great Wilds. This was another good reason (from his point of view) for Dahl’s wall and his desire to make people fearful of the Great Wilds. This is also why Dahl has the Ratillions make Zombies to release them into the wilds as yet another deterrent (remember, they’re mindless Zombies). Venak is the place where Ratillion slaves create those Zombies.
Dahl also built another city in the very middle of the Permin Plains and established it as his main base. The city is appropriately named Dahl City. Here the last device of the Isolation Network is located, the one that Friegh and 137-F will destroy.
Orithia:
Main races:
- Humans
- Vedalken
- Merfolk
- Aven
- Ratillions
Ministries:
- Ministry of Guilt
- Ministry of Truth
Fenalo:
Main races:
- Humans
- Leonin
- Elves
- Goblins
- Viashino
- Ainok
Ministries:
- Ministry of Industry
- Ministry of Agriculture
Dahl City:
Main Races:
- Humans (almost all other creatures are seen in subordinate roles in Dahl City)
Ministries:
- Ministry of Order
Wrong! We still have at least to take the final decisions on the missing limited archetypes and the distribution of mechanics among the colors.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
I agree, we have a few more things we need to shore up before card making begins. Sorry, I know people are antsy to start making cards (myself included), but these things are important. I'd still like to respond to some things Tilwin was saying, and we still need to hear back from him with his response to lion's comments. Also, there are still a few flavor aspect things I'd like to throw out there that could be relevant while designing. All that said, I do think we are very close to designing commons.
One thing I've been wondering lately is, do we really need to keep each race only in one color? The philosophies of its sect were what influenced a creature's color almost as much as its race prior to Dahl's rise. I'm wondering if one of the two creatures in each color could be seen in another friendly color a bit? It would still be in its main color predominantly, but it would show up a bit in its other color as well. (Still Humans appear in all colors)
For instance...
Merfolk - Blue (Which I do see having legs and being able to live out of the water. I can't see Dahl controlling a city under the ocean very well. If they can't have legs, I think we need to come up with another race for blue. This could also be a factor for the Merfolk when they start to join the rebellion.)
Vedalken Blue secondary white
Aven - White
Leonin - White secondary green
Zombies - Black
Ratillions - Black secondary blue
Goblins - Red
Viashino - Red secondary black (we could switch Goblins to secondary black since there's already precedent there, but I think I like Viashino better for this.)
Elves - Green
Ainok - Green secondary red
Also, I'm wondering if each of these creature types could have a card or two that shows up in white. Perhaps just a single cycle even. The creature would seem weird color-wise, but not ability-wise. This might take up too many white creature slots though, but I think it would be flavorful to have a couple of races that normally wouldn't be white have a white card.
For example....
Reformed Goblin
Creature - Goblin Cleric (C)
First strike
2/1
I think having one of the two races spread into an allied color can solve the limited archetypes. Make GW Leonin (Cat) tribal, and BG ramp based on the Zombies and the creatures of the wilds. Only BR remains, for which I don't have any real alternatives to steal'n'sac.
There's definitely not room for having one of each race in white, but there could be room to make a couple representatives.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
BTW, I agree on the white cross-over thing. Maybe just a couple for flavor.
Edit: A few thoughts on the map. I'm wondering if the Fenalo Woods should extend down the mountain to the river so that the secret passage is even more secret. Also, could the river run through Dahl City? I'm thinking that could come in handy when Freigh and 137-F sneak into the city to destroy the last stone. But perhaps I'm thinking too deep into things.
• I have no flavor justification whatsoever for Leonin/Cat tribal. I have only mechanical ones: it fills a color pair we had left, it gives us the touch of tribal every large set has nowadays, it's perfectly backwards compatible, it makes complete sense in the color pie, and it fits nicely in the proposal you made of splitting some creature types in two colors.
• I like too much embolden in RG, the two central Rebel colors (except white which is shared). I wouldn't like to change that.
• Ok about the Fenalo Woods and the river crossing Dahl City. EDIT: Revised map attached.
• It looks to me everyone is agreeing on the 3 mechanics per color split. I'd say let's adopt that if there are no major objections.
• Do we really need to rename embolden? I'm not sure at all.
• I'd really like to hear Tilwin's thoughts on the map when he has time.
• As far as I know, Viashino are humanoid. They're defined as "lizard-people". I don't think Dwarves would make that much sense in black. Also, let's remember Viashino were Jund-colored in Alara, so they might make sense in BR. I wouldn't mind seeing them in BR.
@Flatline: Trust me, you'll satisfy your desire for Dwarves in a certain future world...
I just have too much free time...
EDIT: blog updated with map and worldbuilding.
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
@Lion....Thanks for incorporating my nonsense into the new map. It probably won't make a bit of difference in reality, but it works better in my mind.
Edit: Another thing I've been thinking about is the split up of the archtypes among the two factions. As I currently see it, we have 7 with the Brotherhood (W/U, W/B, U/B, U/R, U/G?, B/R?, B/G?.), and 3 with the Rebels (W/R, W/G, R/G). I'm not sure I'm seeing this correctly though. I have question marks next to the three I'm not as sure about. I feel like we might want more archtypes in the Brotherhood for the first set (then possibly flip it in the second set), but maybe 7 to 3 is too much?
I never thought about the Brotherhood/Rebels ratio in limited archetypes, and I'm also not sure it matters that much. I care more that we actually have them: what about BG, BR, GW?
MCC - Winner (6): Oct 2014, Apr Nov 2017, Jan 2018, Apr Jun 2019 || Host (15): Dec 2014, Apr Jul Aug Dec 2015, Mar Jul Aug Oct 2016, Feb Jul 2017, Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here) || Judge (34): every month from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 except Oct 2015, every month from Feb to Jul 2017 except Apr 2017, then Oct 2017, May Jun Nov 2018, Feb Jul 2019 (last one here)
CCL - Winner (3): Jul 2016 (tied with Flatline), May 2017, Jul 2019 (last one here) || Host (5): Feb 2015, Mar Apr May Jun 2016
DCC - Winner (1): Mar 2015 (tied with Piar) || Host (3): May Oct 2015, Jan 2016
• The two public custom sets I've been part a part of the design team for:
"Brotherhood of Ormos" - Blog post with all info - set thread - design skeleton / card list || "Extinctia: Homo Evanuit" - Blog post with all info - set thread - card list spreadsheet
• "The Lion's Lair", my article series about MTG and custom card design in particular. Latest article here. Here is the article index. Rather outdated by now, and based on the old MCC rubric, but I'm leaving this here for anybody that might be interested anyway.
• My only public attempt at being a writer: the story of my Leonin custom planeswalker Jeff Lionheart. (I have a very big one that I'm working on right now but that's private for now, and I don't know if I will ever actually publish it, and I also have ideas for multiple future ones, including one where I'm going to reprise Jeff.)
Seeing as how I've never put any thought in producing limited archetypes, I might not be thinking correctly on how it works. It's not like people can't mix cards from different archetypes together for limited, so it probably doesn't matter how many archetypes are geared towards each faction. Even if it does, I think the Brotherhood having more makes sense in the first set since they are still far and away the dominant force on the plane.
To answer one of lion's earlier questions....I have no problem leaving the name embolden in place. I still like it. But as I said before, I also have no problem changing it if others don't like the name.