Lycan Rising

Lycan Rising
Platform	Rome: Total War: Barbarian Invasion
Mod Type	Total Conversion
Era	Fantasy
Mod Leader	Halie Satanus
Release Status	Released 1.02
Forum / Thread	Here

Lycan Rising is a total conversion fantasy mod for Barbarian Invasion 1.6 - released in January 2008

Overview

End of Days: Lycan Rising is a completely independent sequel to End of Days, it is a full conversion modification for Barbarian Invasion 1.6, contained within its own mod folder and with automated installer.

The mod is based on an invented pre-history of ongoing warfare between Lycan and Vampire races. See Chronicle of the Nightbreeds for the book by Halie Satanus that the mod is based on.

It uses a new campaign map designed specifically for the mod, which includes a wide range of climates and terrain, with areas such as the 'Forbidden Mountains' and 'Cursed Earth'.

All factions have completely new (non-vanilla) unit rosters, including many less humanoid units such as the giant Yargrazil, the winged ancient vampires, and turned Lycans.

Features

Factions

The Talamasca Order

The playable human faction of the mod. The Talamasca (latin; Animal mask) are an order of warriors formed by the late 'Etrigan', mystic and father of 'Kerin', the current leader of the order. Originally formed as an order of mystics, shamans, and watchers, their task was to safeguard humanity from the nightbreed's by giving warning of any possible threat. After the death of Etrigan 'Kerin' swore a blood oath to wage war on those who had for many years hunted man. With vengeance in mind Kerin formed the 'Brethren', a military wing of the Talamasca, made up of trained men at arms and elite knights they form the backbone of his forces. Being no fool Kerin also kept to the orders origins and had his mystics and shamans trained as warriors, none took to the new way of life better than the fearsome Order of Syon...

Severin

The Severin are the lower caste of the Vampyre world, made up of 'sired' Vampyres they lived under the heel of the pure blood Rahala caste for a hundred years, that is until the insurrection lead by Valfore after he escaped death and was ruled an outcast. The Severin fought a guerrilla war against the Rahala for many years while all the time building new towns and cities far to the north, only when the aged general 'Setis' lead a campaign against them did they fight an open battle, a battle which they lost badly. Fortune though smiled on the Severin as the campaign of 'Setis' coincided with an attack from the Talamasca on the Rahala city of Kemet, forcing 'Setis' to return home. Now under the leadership of the aged Valfore the Severin are ready to forge a new empire...

House of Rahala

The pure blood Vampyre nation lead are by Akashan, son of Amshur, rumour has it that Akashan was cursed at birth by a Lycan mystic, although as his father had everyone who was there killed these are just rumours...Akashan is a vicious ruler suspected of murdering his own father to seize power, constantly reminded of the glories of the past, of the time before the wars with the Severin and the Talamasca, of the time of the great council (which he also had murdered). Now with their decline in fortunes and years of living with fear, Akashan has urged his people to put all their energies into forming a great nation of warriors, intent on crushing his enemies once and for all.

Lycans

The Lycan nation has been hidden for many years in the forests to the north, mainly runaway slaves of the Rahala, most seized the chance to escape during the war with the Severin and in their hundreds fled across the forbidden mountains, desperate and leaderless they found a small settlement of 'Terani'. The Lycan people are led by the charismatic Lucian, under whose guidance the free Lycan's began to build homes, then villages and towns and for years they lived in peace, but now Lucian has begun to stir old hatreds amongst his people, now Lucian has called them to war.

Heathens and Rebels

Rebel nations are comprised of many different distinct groups, including Woodsmen, Desert Dwellers, Soul-Eaters, Druids, Zombies and Ghostmen. It is possible to play as some of these groups in the Year730 Campaign and in custom battles.

Traits and Ancillaries

The trait and ancillary system has been re-worked to give suitable characteristics for Vampires and Werewolves, as well as the mystic humans. A suggestion thread in the teams hosted forum, (here) raised some interesting ideas.

With traits like "fleas" for the werewolves and "garlic breath" to scare away vampires for the humans; you would be correct in thinking there might be some humour to be found in this mod.

Campaign Map

Map design concept by Halie Satanus shown above.

The named areas of the map all have a distinctly different feel to them both on campaign and battle maps, different mercenary and rebel types inhabit the various areas.

Screen-shot of the 'Cursed Earth' volcanic area including interface.

Battle Map

The battle map for Lycan Rising has substantially revised weather and lighting effects. The volcanic eruptions in the Cursed Earth area have over time dimmed the atmosphere to the extent that the Vampyres may now walk safely during 'day-time'.

Settlement plans include new walls (developed from Blue Lotus base models, new statues and many new ambient features.

Screen Shots

The giant Yargrazil taking on some pesky rebel cavalry, full sized version here

Lycan ancients about to make mince meat of some human opposition, full sized version here

The Rahala's Caitiff in hand to hand fighting with the Soul Eaters, full sized version here

The above shots by Charge had minimal editing and show the darker that normal in-game atmosphere accurately, for more see this post.

Team

• Halie Satanus - Mod leader, design concept and back-story, 2D and 3D graphics, unit descriptions and music.
• Makanyane - Map construction, making it all fit together, inventing new ways to CTD game and then fixing them.

The mod is basically a two way split, between inspiration and graphics from Halie, and coding (adding and resolving problems) from Mak.....

Download

• Download version 1.01 from FileFront

See Also

• End of Days - released mod by the same team.

External Links

• Hosted Forum at TWC