Hi Garlodur, first of all i'm sorry for late answer, i just had not sufficient time for a proper answer
I write in total sincerity: your ideas are well explained, and i like them in the whole
I only have few doubts that i'll adress further on in this post
I didn't come up with the iconic
"Untamed Allagiance" during the creation of the concept, but i think that's a good idea!!
"Spoils of the infesting creatures" it is generic too, it's more specific given that it adresses only one of the aspect of the monsters swarm. i remember someone during the discussion who takes into account the fact that "Spoils of the wild creatures" could be redundand with a possible reintroduction of the classical "Scavenger" passive spell, speaking in terms of names and which things they rapresent.
I think the classic spell's name could be a good replacement. I'd be glad to hear the opinion of the community, but i'm quite conviced to change it in favour of yours
However,as a last remark about the matter, Smaug among all is the one who most rapresents this aspect, being him the most untamable of the monsters. All of the other monsters are still in someway manipulable, despite in a wilder sense with respect to other factions. But this is not so true for Smaug and his hosts of drakes. Dragons are usually very intelligent and so aware of what they can do with their great power. This aspect make them more undependent as well as
untamed, precisely
Even in the case you refill his cave with gold, Smaug would be a "detached" ally, who answers to no one but himself
Needless to say, as we all know it is the most terrible and destructive monsters. So i would stay with the current palantir picture or a similar one which depicts him in a significant way
As for the influence on the other structures, i share your vision as i just said some posts ago
The central power should unlock "elite" equipment for monsters as well as unlocking terrible new dragons
I will instert them as a first example quoting you too, and i'm sure when MM will be near we will discuss more about the matter. I saw there are many ideas and visions in the thread MM speculations and questions
Coming again to the very protagonist of the thread: the ring form and tribute system. If i understood well would you like to make him unlocking abilities by paying tributes. I saw something like that in Hero Submod videos, and it seems quite fitting with the character, even though i would make it more simple. The old one it was too complicated. And, what about the level when you summon him in his temporary form? Should he get limited stats, but with the liberty to unlock all the abilities even though the central spell is not unlocked yet? Admitted that it was in your idea to keep the temporary summon. I'm sorry it is just to better understand your view about the matter, maybe i lost something during reading
Regarding the ring form: it is similar to my idea, from the moment Smaug wears the ring, both because of grediness and because of the Golden armor, he will become slower and uncontrollable. But if you want Smaug's power inverse proportional to your stockpile, then maybe it could not be so effective given that it is a late game hero, and in late game usually you have a lot of resources? Ok let's say in this way the player is encouraged to squander his great wealth in order to reinforce Smaug
.
Anyway, let me know what do you think in details