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 (http://en.modding-union.com/index.php/topic,32527.msg427022.html#msg427022) 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 xD
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 :P
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yzwpn0VfQg
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 Cormallen
(http://tednasmith.poverellomedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/TN-The_Shadow_of_Sauron.jpg)
The 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.
(http://tednasmith.poverellomedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/TN-The_Shores_of_Valinor.jpg)
(http://s5.postimg.org/gygidx6ef/spell.png)
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
It seems that you have very carefully thought this through. I do like this idea as the "weather spells" that each faction has are unique, so to not copy from other factions, this is great. Kind of too early for this but...1+ ;P
Yes, uniqueness was one of the main purposes behind this proposal. I'm very glad you like it :)
The fact that you put so much work into the proposal for a rather simple (in terms of design) spell, already makes it very difficult to dissuade such a proposal haha.
Nonetheless, I agree completely! Weather spells are extremely useful and very fun to tinker and play with I woudl imagine.
You have my approval Walk.
True, I did put 'some' efforts in this suggestion. Actually, I would say that it has drained many energies of mine :D
This is how I kind of look like now xD
(http://i.imgur.com/TzcEsxB.jpg)
Thank you so much for the support, I too am in love with weather spells ;)