I really like Rumil and Orophin's one. However, I don't think the prideful Thranduil would accept a ghaladrim blade, nor do I think a raw damage buff is more interesting or unique than his current mechanic. Although I did always wonder what gift Galadriel granted Thranduil since the armor is most likely his already...
Thranduil would definitely accept some gem, especially silver gem. Galadriel probably has some special gems since time in Valinor.
But what will be in-game effect? ;)
Perhaps such a fancy gift would make Thranduil more keen to involve additional troops in the battles and take it more seriously, hence the armor doning?
I get that the current Arcane Shield functions quite weirdly, and it even makes less of a sense, when circumscribed in its actual context; I mean, why in the world would a magical shield spawn so casually? Thranduil is no sorcerer either. So, I suppose that the shield would go hand in hand with the Lady's gem quite well. In my opinion, both as a graphical and conceptual feature, this special typology of protection was and is still revolutionary. Seeing it altogether gone from the Mod would result in a considerable loss
I like it. It's better than the current concept. Highlights the roles of the present heroes
I like these ideas. I'm not entirely sure about the magic resistance for Thranduil though. It seems a bit limited. Maybe expand it to elemental damage
On Tiberius' request, I have split the topic from the main Galadriel thread.
I really like the latest rework of gifts you've made.
Grimbeorn's new axe has been thought for a long time but the effect contains the role of your reworked Thranduil conscept, btw I support it.
I think one of Treebeard and Quickbeam should have mallorn seed as plot for strategicly.
The Central Spell: Elven Wood
Creates a Heart Tree around which a forest grows that hides allies within.
After a while, it also lets them use Ambush of the Wood-Elves even when detected and reduces its cooldown.
* Treebeard and Quickbeam: Ewer that contains blessed water from Lorien's stream that slowly heals
* Treebeard: The seeds of the golden wood.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/d/dd/Sam_golden_wood_seeds_ability.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20171002143907) Creates a build plot which can be used to make a Mallorn Tree. If the build plot is not used in 2 minutes it will disappear. (Only 3 of these build plots may be used at once)
* Treebeard: The seeds of the elven wood.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/d/dd/Sam_golden_wood_seeds_ability.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20171002143907) Creates a build plot which can be used to make a standard tree for free. If the build plot is not used in 2 minutes it will disappear. (Only 5 of these build plots may be used at once)
One tree seems on the weaker side (unless it's cheap or free
Maybe Old Ring Hero Radagast's tree (not with summons) with anti poison effect can work. It absorbes nearby poisoned damages and hides units , not necessary to heal units. Also suits for Treebeard's protector role of Fangorn Forest and supports wood elves.
The Central Spell: Elven Wood
Creates a Heart Tree around which a forest grows that hides allies within.
After a while, it also lets them use Ambush of the Wood-Elves even when detected and reduces its cooldown.
the gem for Thranduil is more suitable. I'd consider ot make him resistant to elemental damage only, it fits even more if we are going to focus him as a monsters slayer too.
(https://i.imgur.com/9UsCkoQ.png) Level 5: Sindarin Armour - Thranduil puts on his battle armour, which gives him +25% to defense. His silver armour inspires nearby units and grants them +35% defense against monsters, heroic, elite and siege units. (Passive ability)
No, no, only allied units can receive bonus against those kinds of units. Monster slayer aspect was before unit supporter concept came out - when he was pure mass slayer only.
In fact I also thought in similar way - about poison solely, especially when "Greenwood is sick", means poisoned, so enchanted gem with resistance to poison was obvious and fitting.
But we don't have proper ingame effect. And if Walkure wants to keep magic bubble, then magic resistance suits only.
Of course - we can search for antipoison ingame FX and move magic bubble to CaH, which was my initial plan.
At least concerning resistance against fire, water, earth ect, the bubble is suitable of course. It is a shield after all, similar to the one of Gandalf. But i agree that is not suitable for poison. To be honest i don't even know if speaking about an "anti-poison" FX makes sense, because we are not speaking about a shield in that case, rather about a phisical immunity once you are poisoned (i.e the immunity of human body to poison (human-like body, in case of an elf)). In that case would be more suitable to see some FX that works simply like an indicator that tells you that Thranduil is immune to poison during the ability.
He is the only elf in Middle-earth who calls himself a "king". That tells something about his nature.
I guess there are worse gifts that you could give to a king.
He calls himself a king because his dad was a king as well so now he rules. Elrond wasn't a king, mainly because there probably weren't enough Noldor to count as a kingdom (especially they were mostly leaving with some at Imladris, some at Mithlond and a few with Galadriel). Galadriel could've been a queen, but I guess she chose not to and didn't want to really rule over the people she moved to (even though she did in all but name). Plus she never had the title of monarch inherited from Amroth. As for Thranduil, he ruled over an entirely separate group of elves to the others, he had the largest elven population and had the largest territory. That and the fact that his father was king before him makes it entirely reasonable that he would have a kingdom.
I can come up with a proper, coherent and lifelike RPG story behind the gem, as much canon-like as possible; by the way, the very gem is obviously not a random jewel, but rather a true regal gift for the Woodland King. A relic from the Undying Lands...
ESTË: "My kindly maiden of songs and fairness, receive this my gift for thee. 'Tis Verdemárë, the emerald beryl of mine, hewn from the very armour of our Everlasting Domain. Peradventure, thither wilt thou fare and not return, enthralled by fate's tumultuous course. Pray, may this craft unmake malevolent wills, if thou be'st to tread tenebrous paths, for its virtue doth well to cheer the cheerless and kindle woods anew to glory. Thou willest good to do, gentle dame, ere times are spent and worn: I wish thee speed and vigour. Forget not thine Evergreen Fields and Uttermost West!"
***
MELYANNA: "Galadriel of Kôr and Doriath, as such is the mode in which you're known to our woodland kindred, it is time I left these sombre ways of ours. This grim world shall no longer be the temple of my sanctified ghost. I shall part from mortal ends and bounds, relieving my spirit from anguish and grief. My husband is gone, smitten by greed and smothered by ruinous longings. Now shall you flee these ravaged halls; depart in haste from the coming of further ill! My exhausted flesh will not bind me for long. I languish and soon am I to fade. Yet, in sure faith I know: teachings of old shall prove worthy enough, be it seaside kingdom or forest-realm the shire you are fated to govern. That you shall do in the manner of queens and maids of yester-days.
Take this holy token and keep it sound! Springberyl they named in tales. The Queen of Rest had given it to me, to pass the sorrows of this age unscathed. It sufficed not, it seems, at the very last. Nevertheless, it will serve you well and fine: whoever is to bear the Emerald Stone dwells content in their own domain. Evil arts it resists and boldly withstands; in gloom and doubt, dark places it shall set alight. Fond remembrances of bliss it wakes astir. Pernicious wrongs it makes wherefore aright. Wield it wisely, until you might find another, prone to troubles and requesting aid.
Farewell!"
***
GALADRIEL: "Elvenking, I glimpsed in your future and foresaw woes. Whether green and luxuriant boughs shall fall, is not to be known yet. Fates augur worse nonetheless. Vile beasts have crawled into the accursed heart of these dull woods. Famished creatures pry and lurk by the border of your dominions. A nameless fear swathes along sylvan lanes and drives the gentle away. And I dread that wights and spectres might not be the sole awful fruit of shadows, for an ancient will has taken residence in a ghoulish stronghold of darkness, plotting mischief against his foes and weaving snares to sow abroad.
What if blades, spears and mighty shields were not enough?
Marvel imbues Lothlórien already, shorn of burdens and toil. A secret lies within golden trees and adorned houses. Well armoured and ready are we to face storms and fire, albeit days feigning abeyance and enemies hiding cunningly their schemes. Please, may you heed these words of mine, as nights get colder and stars recoil, and accept this stone of yonder: the Greenwonder of Estë, Verdemárë, bringing spring where is only chill and winter; cleansing heavens from clouds and ash, when gales forebode tempest."(http://clipart-library.com/image_gallery2/Emerald-Stone-Free-Download-PNG.png)
good iteration as well would be for Thranduil then to gain his armour at Level 5 passively, when he gains access to his Elk
I'm glad to present Thranduil's new Gift. The following is obviously fictional lore of mine, but nonetheless any less consistent. This way we'll provide this proposal with the needed canonical accuracy of the case. Hence, not just a random jewel made of thin air, but rather a powerful heirloom in the wise hands of the Lady of Light ;)
"The Lady of Light is not a walking armoury!"
Seed Bed of Yavanna
Plants a seed bed on which a Huorn will sprout after a few seconds. If a new seed bed is planted the existing Huorn leaves, turning the seed bed into a regular tree.
The Elven-queen is fabled and said to make usage of a vast panoply of blessed items. Whether it be for the benefit of her folk's skill or the good of all kindly living things abiding nigh the woods, she ever confers wisdom and precious tools to utilise in dire need, as sundown approaches and dusk is about to cast its long shadows on lands and waters. What gets marked by her charming touch is thereafter rendered a prodigy; a token of prime speed. Among such works of finesse are counted the Golden Wood's Ewers, bearers of crystalline drops and beads, to bring comfort to the thirsty and mend the grievous wounds plaguing the yore-dwellers of the green. Wherefore, it sometimes occurred that trees chanced at night to walk afield, along the common lanes of Middle-earth, unseen and unnoticed, to bathe and seek relief by the brooks of the Mistress of Magic's unsullied domain...
Very few but the sole Wise verily know that the exact art of water-cure was founded in the antique days of Doriath, when the Hither-Lands were still fraught with deeds, melded with either desperation or glorious remarkable events. An age of princes, fallen kings and ruthless devils. Within the heart of the vast central forests, however, reeds and saplings would reside soundly and fain, behind the sundry shields of the Angel-queen whom fables oft recount.
GALADRIEL: "Well-fashioned Ewer of mine, you have served Immortals, mankind, beasts and fowls. The ken which made your form was born in yester-times. Shires now sunken nether western tides, that once were fullness of might and splendour, and yet darkened by sweeping dread, for the Iron Mountains raged aloud amidst frost and flames.
Nevertheless, great store of light was hoarded inside halls of stainless making, held by one forefather of the Elvish kindred. Beside him was a spirit of yonder, bespoken as marvellous enchantress of old and belonging to the bright kind that treads the deathless ways beyond the earthly blues. Beneath cloven bastions and hallowed boughs much I have learnt and was taught; marvel, arts and forgotten wisdom. Streams would carry anointed waters to and fro, hither and thither, for every subject, sentient or not, to partake in the merrymaking of the jubilant woodland kingdom. Fresh nourishment reviving wasted roots and perished branches; holy aqua which sickness heals and cleanses for good. Pray, may you still be laden and welled with Lothlórien's river-soul, that washes dirt away and ailing trees rewards with vim."(http://tolkiengateway.net/w/images/thumb/f/f3/Matt_Stewart_-_Galadriel.jpg/326px-Matt_Stewart_-_Galadriel.jpg)
I like this gem suggestion, but why not make the gem silver or white, rather than green as it is said that Thranduil had a particular interest in white or silver gems, and Galadriel is the White Lady after all.
I like this gem suggestion, but why not make the gem silver or white, rather than green as it is said that Thranduil had a particular interest in white or silver gems, and Galadriel is the White Lady after all.
An emerald jewel is honestly far more unique a concept, in my opinion. As Tiberius pointed out, the common thread underlying the gem's own story has primarily to do with woods and sylvan kingdoms of early eras (Doriath and then Lothlórien); Estë herself is connected with flourishing gardens as well. You may notice the correspondence between those two woodland realms, and the fact that this precious piece of brooch is entrusted to another sovereign under trees, splendidly reinforces the mentioned 'green core' of the proposal.
On the other hand, Elves own tonnes of diamond-white stones already; in addition, that type of treasures is generally linked to quite sorrowful happenings in the lore, and to greed. Thus, I didn't want to go for something clichéd and repetitive. I intended to come up with more extravagant ideas ;)
Sure, she's the Lady of Light, but Verdemárë was not her making :P
It would be nice if the shield would also be green (or green-ish) to suite with the gift itself.
That would be nice addition. Thranduil is an important figure among the elves (the only called King in thr 3d age) and in the story of lotr and the hobbit itself. This addition would highlight this importance as the only shining things in the hands of our heroes now are either the rings of power or the One ring itself.It would be nice if the shield would also be green (or green-ish) to suite with the gift itself.
It would change blue bubble to green bubble ... I would rather see current shield in CaH. xD
What about gem which shines green in his hand, similar to Cirdan's Narya which I propose remove?
"Do not speak to me of dragon fire ! I know it's wroth and ruin ! I have faced the great serpents of the north !"
solution can actually be found in merging this new proposal of a gift with his current interpretation of the armour;
Level 1: Rumil and Orophin - Both heroes share combat experience, reveal hidden enemy units nearby, and can use their skills simultaneously while both are selected. At level 10 put on mighty elven armor that highly enhances their defense but lowers their speed. (Passive ability).
"The Lady of Light is not a walking armoury!"