Hi all.
I want to present to the whole Community an idea that I have been conceiving and modelling in the depths of my mind for quite some time
This is a proposal that deals with
weather-related spells, the iconic spells we love so much, whose basic mechanics go back to the very first BFME1. What convinced me the most to take this step is the fact that every faction, in the general Edain Mod 4.0's architecture, has and will have a characteristic and specific weather-related spell, based on the essence of its own faction and fashioned on its lore.
Specifically, this is how, as I could also collect from my knowledge and from the forum, the general overview looks like.
Gondor:
Gondor has the iconic clouds break spell of BFME1, the main and most recognisable weather-related spell from BFME1, along with Mordor's Darkness.Mordor:
The iconic Darkness, a perennial meteorological phenomenon caused by Sauron in order to darken the skies and support his legions of Orcs.Rohan:
The iconic clouds break spell at the Rohirrim's arrival on the Pelennor Fields.Isengard:
The constant cold Rain, created by the magic of Saruman during the Helm's Deep battle.After these traditional spells from BFME1, we have now come to examine the new (most of them) spells of the new factions. It's really significant seeing how the actual spells, or the proposals of new spells, have tried to seek for a very conceptual and suitable outcome to apply to every faction's spirit and motive. This is the path I will try too to follow for my proposal for Imladris
Dwarves:
The Durin's Day, following the pure Dwarven lore, myths and tradition.Lothlórien:
The Elves chant towards the Stars of the Sky, seeking for Varda's aid in their darkest times.Angmar:
The bitter Snow that indicates the arrival of the dangerous Winter (the Witch King) in the lands of the North.The Misty Mountains:
There is a proposal in this forum, that Ealendril liked, about making appear colonies/clouds of bats that consequently darken the Sky. This is what happened in the Battle of the Five Armies, and it was an intentional device used by the Goblins to face daylight.A NEW SPELL FOR IMLADRIS
Note: This doesn't mean at all that Imladris will be the next faction. I don't have knowledge of which faction will come next.
Sorry for having probably repeated obvious notions, but it was necessary for my purpose. So, we now come to my proposal.
My idea is giving Imladris a sacred/holy type spell, in line with this faction's nature; a very distinctive spell worthy of Rivendell's known title of being the sum of the most sacred things left in Middle Earth.
In Imladris' darkest times,
Manwë summons upon Taniquetil (the supreme Holy Mountain) all the holy winds of Aman, sending them in aid of the Noldor.
The
Wind from Aman will blow away Darkness, Rain or Snow. Then, the holy Air of the Undying Lands will infuse the whole Sky with the holy and bright atmosphere of Aman, enlightening everything with a pure diamond-like Light that could never belong to Middle Earth. All the structures of Rivendell will react temporarily to this holy pervasive state by reflecting it and shining intensely in response (just how the Lothlórien structures currently do when
Elbereth Gilthoniel is activated).
My idea is adding a stunting effect to the common darkness-breaking property. Nevertheless, if this couldn't be possible due to technical issues, an enhancing effect on yours and allied troops would do greatly anyway. I don't want to go deeply into balance-related matters or numbers, given that my main purpose is essentially finding a new conceptual rendition for this kind of iconic spells. Thus, I would gently and promptly leave numbers in the precious hands of the Edain Team or experienced Balance Testers
The core of the suggestion is, if it's possible, displaying graphical wind effects and that 'holy daylight/shining' atmosphere related to the splendour of Valinor. As for the sound effects, I would 'only' suggest the usage of quite simple wind and shining sound effects, of which, I guess, the Edain Team have plenty at hand
A song would ruin a bit the whole 'experience', in my opinion; thus, a calm/soft wind sound combined with the actual shining sound effects (like the ones of Nenya) caused by the spell.
This video could give a hint at the simple wind sound effects I am referring to.
Lore Accuracy
The idea came into my mind from a significant event taking place in
Return of the King. After the destruction of the One Ring, evil residuals of ashes rise in the Sky from the ruines of Barad-dûr, indicating that the spirit of Sauron is somehow still present, full of hatred and resentment.
At this point, a strong Wind from the West comes and blows forever away what is left of Sauron.This is the lore reference (it's not specifically stated that it is a Wind from Aman, but this is a recurrent interpretation I often read in many sources, like the reliable
Tolkien Gateway).
‘The realm of Sauron is ended!’ said Gandalf. ‘The Ring-bearer has fulfilled his Quest.’ And as the Captains gazed south to the Land of Mordor, it seemed to them that, black against the pall of cloud, there rose a huge shape of shadow, impenetrable, lightning-crowned, filling all the sky. Enormous it reared above the world, and stretched out towards them a vast threatening hand, terrible but impotent: for even as it leaned over them, a great wind took it, and it was all blown away, and passed; and then a hush fell.
J.R.R. Tolkien - The Return of the King: The Field of CormallenThe icon picture I have in mind for the spell is the image of the glorious and radiant Taniquetil, where the thrones of the King and the Queen of Arda lie.
The place in which all the birds and the winds of the World gather, controlled by the Lord of the Air. It's an artwork from Ted Nasmith.
The name for the spell I thought about is, primarily,
Relief from Aman. This is my main suggestion; an alternative name could be
Manwë Súlimo.
The core description of the spell could be:
In the Noldor's darkest times, Manwë summons the winds of Aman and sends them in the Elves' aid. Darkness, Rain and Snow will be blown away, and the holy essence of Valinor infuses the battlefield with Hope.Obviously, specific descriptions of the effects are missing, but this is something that can be sorted easily out later.
Final Considerations
Imladris is told to be the place in Middle Earth that resembles the most the splendour of the Lonely Island, Eldamar or Valinor itself, due to the influence of Vilya. A kind of reflection of the Undying Lands in the mortal world. Rivendell is, thus, the most suitable faction to be granted this special and much significant spell.
Furthermore, there is an important analogy lying between the two Elven factions!
Lothlórien's Elbereth Gilthoniel is deeply connected to Varda and the Night, while Relief from Aman is deeply connected to Manwë and the Daylight/Air.I hope you will appreciate this proposal and see deeply into my purposes. This could be a very smart and nice way to include the lore of Aman in the game in a more prominent way, while, needless to say, creating a very conceptual and unique concept for a weather-related spell.
Greetings
FOR: Fredius, -DJANGO-, Adrigabbro, ahdover, Odysseus, VectorMaximus, Maraelion, Ealendril, CragLord, LordDainIronfoot, DrHouse93