Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Blindside 03-24-05, 02:48 PM	Just read about this on the babbages website... really interesting looking .. the First Ebberon game is only a few months away.. http://www.babbages.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=645939 Prepare for an RTS of superior gameplay and artistry, where warfare runs rampant not just across the land, but also beneath it. Three desperate races will converge in a struggle to deliver the world into the light… or bury it deep within the shadows. Lead your warriors underground, to thrilling RPG-style dungeon campaigns that affect the myriad maneuvers above. Control armies of haunting power from another time, another plane, another bloodline, in this innovative fantasy experience from the legendary worlds of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®. * Unique multilayered action, with dramatic RTS tactics and critical dungeon battles * Three playable warring factions: - The human-based Order Of The Silver Flame - The evil power-hungry Umbragen - Primal beings of unstoppable rage * Threatening environments including jungles, snow-capped mountains and arid wastelands * Role-playing components, adding a twist to classic RTS gameplay * Set in the new DUNGEONS & DRAGONS world of Eberron — where medieval mysticism meets technology — and written by Eberron creator Keith Baker Dragonshard is the first game set in the exciting new D&D® campaign setting, Eberron™, a cinematic and war-torn world of action, adventure and intrigue where fantasy meets magical technology. Developed by Liquid Entertainment, Dragonshard incorporates classic role-playing themes, a powerful and dynamic real-time strategy engine all woven together with a rich storyline involving a global conflict for an immensely powerful artifact with the power to change the fate of Eberron itself. Eberron details a land composed of a dark underworld ruled by monsters and demons, and a surface world home to the civilizations of humans, dwarves, halflings, gnomes and more. Surrounding the world is the Ring of Siberys, a multi-colored belt of crystal shards and a source of tremendous magical power. These “dragonshards” occasionally fall to earth and are the cornerstone of all magic on Eberron. The Dragonshard takes place at a time when the world of Eberron is in chaos. Three forces are vying for control of a massive dragonshard, known as the Heart of Siberys. The ancient artifact has come to rest in a mystical part of Eberron known as Xen’drik; once home to ancient and powerful civilizations; it is now a place of mystery and monsters. Shielded by a circle of high mountains and blanketed by never-ending tempests and blizzards, this region has been shunned for millennia. Each of the three warring factions in Dragonshard has its own role to play in the overall story of the game. One force is looking to free the power within the ancient shard and use it to further its own self-righteous cause – it is The Order of the Silver Flame. A second faction has been expelled from its ancestral homes and has come seeking a dark tool for revenge – these are the Umbragen. The third force in Dragonshard remains veiled and mysterious, its intentions unknown. The Order of the Silver Flame is an alliance of humans and dwarves from the land of Khorvaire. The Flametouched have gathered together warriors from a variety of cultures and traditions, all of whom are united in their desire to fight for the light. Guided by a seer’s visions, the Flametouched have assembled an army to destroy the Heart of Siberys; but the purpose behind this action is something that will only become clear as the campaign is unveiled. The strength of the Silver Flame is in the versatility of its elite units. The Silver Flame provides players with a significant number of options, and each unit can adapt to fill many different situations. The forces of the Silver Flame are also familiar in form. Players can expect to control knights, wizards, priests and rogues among many others as they attempt to sway the tide of battle in their favor. Order of the Silver Flame Units: * Artificer -- The foundation of the Order's workforce, gathering resources, repairing equipment and keeping things running smoothly. Given their knowledge of building construction, they function very well as siege engineers to attack enemy structures * Berserker -- These stout and hardy Hammerfist dwarves honed their skills battling foul beasts in the caverns and wastelands they call home * Sentinel Marshal -- Paragons of virtue who ride horseback into battle, inspiring allies and demoralizing foes, swinging their swords until victory is won The Umbragen are the descendents of an ancient elvish race. When the age of giants came to an end, the Umbragen fled into the dark underworld. Forced to use dark powers to survive in this world of mind flayers, beholders, and other terrible creatures, the Umbragen slowly became as evil and twisted as those they fought. Lead by the wizard Satros, the Umbragen have come to reclaim the might and power of their ancestors in an attempt to reshape the destiny of their race and the world. All Umbragen units possess an innate ability to manipulate umbral energy. Those who serve in the military must master some aspect of the umbra. All Umbragen learn to merge with the shadows to avoid mortal injuries; this is reflected by allowing an Umbragen unit to use its mana in place of hit points once these are exhausted. An Umbragen with zero hit points becomes a shade; it is invisible in darkness and possesses other special or altered abilities. Elite Umbragen units are drawn from the ranks of the undead – those who have given up their mortal lives in exchange for terrible mystic powers. In addition, the Umbragen army commands a considerable number of monstrous beings from their underworld home. Umbragen Units (sample): * Shadowblade – Umbragen who have shown less of an affinity for magic and more for ambushing their enemies from the darkness * Darkslinger -- These lithe and cunning assassins slink through the shadows waiting for the perfect moment to unleash bolts of dark energy upon their unsuspecting targets * Shade Witch -- Brooding, female mages who spend the better part of their lives in deep study and meditation, using their abilities to aid allies and curse enemies In addition to the three controllable factions, Dragonshard also features two other significant forces that cannot be controlled by the player, but that will be encountered throughout the game. The first of these are the illithids. These ancient enemies of the Umbragen have learned of the Heart and intend to claim its power for their own. Over the course of the story, the Illithids will prove a threat to all three sides. Finally, while the ancient elves themselves are long gone, their guardians and traps remain. All three warring factions will have to contend with these constructs and golems as they explore the ruins of the ancient elven city-state and the Ring of Storms.
Teron Gorefiend 03-24-05, 10:49 PM	I've been following Dragonshard's progress for a while now, and I'm really excited about it. I like RTS's, this one's unique gameplay concepts have a lot of potential, and I think we can all agree that the setting is great :). Better even than Warcraft's, though there's something to be said for trolls with mohawks and jamaican accents. I'm a little disappointed at the absence of goblinoids as a playable faction, but there might be an expansion pack...