Abandoned Town Concepts (HotA): Difference between revisions

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Several towns were conceptualised by the Horn of the Abyss team over the years. These towns varied in their levels of completion before being abandoned as concepts and were typically conceived as ideas in the early years of Horn of the Abyss's development.

Asylum

Fully upgraded Asylum

On 20/JUN/2008, Agar proposed the concept of the Asylum, and on 21/FEB/09, a DF2 thread was started for the Asylum town. All information has been sourced from various threads in the DF2 topic.

The town's design had many inspirations, such as previous Might and Magic games, poetry written by Edgar Allen Poe, and the literary works of H. P. Lovecraft. It also incorporated broader concepts such as madness, torture, nightmares, body horror, and the circus of fear as general themes that show in many of the designs of the buildings and creatures.

"After the destruction of Escaton's crystal at the hands of the Elemental Lords, the Elemental Planes calmed and the gates between worlds closed... though, not exactly. In some places, portals between Enroth and the plane-between-planes began to appear, and strange creatures from unknown worlds stepped, hovered, and oozed their way through to the land of heroes. Led by unknown masters, they came in search of what gives them strength: the passionate, complex feelings of mortals, and what can provide the most intense and tumultuous string of emotions but war? Asylum cities are built right on fault lines, which gives them the appearance of perpetually hanging over an abyss." ^{Adapted from DF2 thread}

Creatures

All creature descriptions adapted from the main DF2 thread.

Level 1: Harlequins — Jesters that juggled what appears to be explosive mines/caltrops.
- "Have you been having strange visions and incomprehensible dreams lately? Do you feel the urge to do things that contradict your usual morality that your mind did not allow you to do before? This can only mean that wicked guests from another world have found you and latched onto you; beware, for they will warp your inner world with their illusions, manipulating your mind to see enemies everywhere you turn..."
Level 2: Screamers — Shrieking visages that were either carried by clouds and smoke or floated around with many tendrils protruding from its face, depending on the artwork.
- "When your nightmares become your reality, when you begin to feel your consciousness and your body is changed against your will, all that remains is to scream. To scream and to shriek. To wail like a banshee until your throat gives out, until all shall suffer and share in your pain!"
Level 3: Predatory Hands — Manacled floating hands with mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth in the center of their palms.
- "Predatory Hands are truly strange otherworldly creatures. No matter how many times these beings have been dissected, nobody has ever figured out where their brain lies."
Level 4: Phantasms — Spider-/crab-like creatures that crawl about the battlefield.
- "Phantasms are similar in nature to Psychic Elementals, albeit marginally weaker. These creatures phase through dreams and defile the minds of mortals, capable of making the deepest fears of their victims become their unfortunate reality."
Level 5: Horrors — Large oozing masses covered in eyes and mouths that see and devour all.
- "Horrors inhabit the plane-between-planes and love to live under children's beds, preying on the fear they induce in the terrified tots."
Level 6: Empaths — Female humanoid mages inspired by the Asylum Mage of Might and Magic VIII: Echo of Destruction.
- "If you are an experienced magic wielder, you can attempt to merge your essence with one of these creatures. After "upgrading" your body, you will no longer need food, water, or sleep. Your only source of life will be the agony and pain that you afflict your slaves and victims with."
Level 7: Protei — Alien masses of tentacles resembling distorted tree-like humanoid figures.
- "Protei are attracted to massive waves of fear, seeking out any way to sate their boundless hunger. These formless creatures are among the most powerful beings that broke through the barrier between worlds and found their way to Enroth, forever haunting and defiling this now-forsaken land."

Gallery

Citadel

Fully upgraded Citadel

On 05/SEP/2007, a forum user called "hippocamus" proposed the concept of a town based around "mythical creatures that live in the sky" via a DF2 thread. All information has been sourced from various threads in the DF2 topic.

The town's design was borne of a mixture of Greek, Roman, and Mesopotamian influences, with direct references to buildings, beings, and deities such as the Colosseum, Valkyrie, and Apkallu respectively. Its architecture was especially inspired by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, with the town featuring paved roads and buildings reflecting their real-world designs. Some versions of the town screen and other creatures are from other religions, cultures, and mythologies, including an Egyptian-style Pyramid and creatures like the Valakhilya from Hindu mythology.

Gallery

Crownwork (Kronverk)

Fully upgraded Crownwork

On 10/DEC/2007, a forum user called "d0s" proposed the concept of a Viking-themed town, and on 26/DEC/07, a DF2 thread was started for the Crownwork town. All information has been sourced from various threads in the DF2 topic and the Heroes Community thread. Commonly referred to as Kronverk as a transliteration of the Russian "Кронверк", the Crownwork has since become the Bulwark as of 31/DEC/2024.

The basis of the town's name and principal design philosophy is the real-world Crownwork, a type of ground fortification that can be seen in the Kronverk of the Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg. The town's design was to be influenced by Norse mythology and Nordic cultures, though no town screen or buildings were ever shown. This design is reflected in its creatures, which also take influence from the mountainous and frozen regions of western East Asia, which are and were home to the Argali and Mammoths respectively. There were different ideas for creature lineups and statistics, and since the town's concept—at least in its old form—was never released, it is uncertain which lineups or statistics could be seen as "final" or otherwise intended to be that way upon its hypothetical release.

Creatures

Lineup #1

Pathfinder

6

3

1–3

10

7

Growth

12

Level 1

Fighter

7

9

2–4

25

3

Growth

10

Level 2

Axe Thrower

8

5

Shots

??

3–5

20

7

Growth

7

Level 3

Shoots.

Cannoneer

7

6

Shots

??

1–9

25

4

Growth

6

Level 3 Alternative

Shoots.

Bonebreaker

17

5

7–11

50

8

Growth

4

Level 4

Argali

9

11

6–9

40

10

Growth

5

Level 4 Alternative

Skáld

10

14

10–13

50

5

Growth

4

Level 5

Shaman

14

8

3–5

30

7

Growth

4

Level 5 Alternative

Rhinoceros

15

18

18–25

130

6

Growth

2

Level 6

Wendigo

20

40

30–40

250

6

Growth

1

Level 7

Lineup #2

Frostling

3

4

Shots

??

1–2

5

5

Growth

14

Cost

50

Level 1

Shoots.

Frostling Ranger

4

4

Shots

??

2

5

6

Growth

14

Cost

75

Level 1+

Shoots.
Deals additional frost damage.

Northern Dwarf

7

7

2–4

22

4

Growth

8

Cost

160

Level 2

Mountain Defender

7

9

2–4

25

4

Growth

8

Cost

180

Level 2+

Permanent Air Shield.

Dwarf Shooter

8

5

Shots

??

1–6

22

4

Growth

8

Cost

195

Level 2+ Alternative

Shoots.
Ignores 20% of enemy Defense skill.

Wild Boar

9

6

3–6

30

7

Growth

7

Cost

210

Level 3

Berserk.

Saber-tooth Boar

10

10

3–7

30

7

Growth

7

Cost

240

Level 3+

Berserk.

Furious Warrior

13

7

7–9

40

6

Growth

4

Cost

300

Level 4

When injured, casts Bloodlust on self.

Berserker

14

8

8–9

50

7

Growth

4

Cost

350

Level 4+

Strikes twice. When injured, casts Bloodlust on self.

Hirdman

12

20

10–12

60

4

Growth

3

Cost

565

Level 5

Defending in combat grants a 150% bonus to Defense.

Shield Master

14

22

10–12

70

4

Growth

3

Cost

600

Level 5+

Defending in combat grants a 200% bonus to Defense.

Crystal Guardian

15

13

13–17

70

6

Growth

2

Cost

1000

Level 6

Spellcaster: Random beneficial (50%) or negative (50%) spell.

Crystal Lord

17

13

15–20

70

6

Growth

2

Cost

1200

Level 6+

Spellcaster: Random beneficial (60%) or negative (40%) spell. Spell Power = 10 + hero's Power.

Rune Priest

18

20

14–18

90

6

Growth

2

Cost

1150

Level 6+ Alternative

Spellcaster:
Rune Magic.

Yeti

17

18

30–40

200

8

Growth

1

Cost

2000

Level 7

Cold Breath.

Sasquatch

24

27

40–50

290

9

Growth

1

Cost

3500

+ 1

Level 7+

Cold Breath.
Spellcaster: Icy Death.

Wendigo

35

35

45–75

750

9

Growth

1

Cost

13500

+ 6

Level 8

Cold Breath.
Spellcaster: Icy Death. Hypnosis (20%).

Gallery

Argali by Alex-ander
Argali by Alex-ander
Argali Rider by Alex-ander
Axe Thrower by Agar
Axe Thrower by Alex-ander
Berserker by Agar
Berserker by Agar
Berserker by Agar
Berserker by Alex-ander
Berserker by Alex-ander
Berserker by Alex-ander
Berserker by Alex-ander
Boars by Alex-ander
Boar Rider by Alex-ander
Bombard (Siege unit) by Alex-ander
Manned Bombard striking a Goblin by Alex-ander
Dwarf Bonecracker by Alex-ander
Dwarf Berserker by Alex-ander
Dwarf Flamethrower by Alex-ander
Stonethrower by Agar
Dwarf Cannoneer by Alex-ander
Dwarf Shooter by Alex-ander
Dwarf Shooter by Alex-ander
Dwarf Shooter by Alex-ander
Dwarf Warrior by Agar
Dwarf Miner by Alex-ander
Dwarf Soldier / Northern Dwarf by Alex-ander
Dwarf Veteran / Dwarf Shield Bearer by Alex-ander
Shield Master by Alex-ander
Fenrir by Agar
Hirdman by Alex-ander
Flame Warrior by Alex-ander
Fire Giant by Alex-ander
Frostling by Alex-ander
Frostling Ranger by Alex-ander
Highlander by Alex-ander
Pathfinder by Agar
Pathfinder by Alex-ander
Mountain King by Alex-ander
Ram by Agar
Ram by Alex-ander
Rhinoceros by Alex-ander
Rune Priest by Agar
Rune Priest by Alex-ander
Rune Priest by Alex-ander
Rune Priest by Alex-ander
Shaman by Alex-ander
Snow Leopard by Alex-ander
Tank by Alex-ander
Tank by Alex-ander
Valkyrie by Agar
Yeti by Alex-ander
Wendigo by Alex-ander
Wendigo by Alex-ander
Dwarf and Bear by Agar
Lineup #1
Crownwork army facing Hell Steeds and Nightmares (alternative Inferno units).
Crownwork army facing Cathedral units.
Crownwork army facing a Stronghold army.
Crownwork army facing a Necropolis army, featuring Skeleton Archers.
Crownwork creature recruitment screen.
Crownwork creature recruitment screen.
Reconstructed Creature Background
Older Town Screen Background

Factory (First Concept)

Fully upgraded Factory (First Concept)

All information has been sourced from various threads in the DF2 topic.

This alternate concept of the Factory was a design that sat somewhere between New World Computing's Forge (with elements of Mod Design Team's Forge) and the released version of the Factory town. It was a hybrid that took elements from both sides of the aisle: the advanced technology of the futuristic Forge; the steampunk-esque aesthetic of the Factory; Shield Bearers akin to those of the MDT Forge; and walking Land Mines reminiscent of Victoria's specialty. This is reflected in the faction's description:

"After the events of Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor, Kastore was unable to obtain an oscillation amplifier for the Heavenly Forge, a nanoreplicator left by the Ancients. The Heavenly Forge was restored to an extent, through trial and error and a splash of magic. Metaphorically, the Forge now resembles a supercomputer with assorted programs loaded via inputs made through telegraph keys. After some tinkering, Kastore and his comrades gained access to individual elements of technology from the 19th to the 24th centuries: hydraulics, chemical weapons, electric motors, electrical dischargers, and blasters.

The faction's style is, overall, "medieval techno". A certain mixture of elements of steampunk, dieselpunk, cyberpunk in small quantities, revolutionary France, Middle Ages-style dark fantasy, and totalitarianism. There will be NO cyborgs (in the full sense of the word). There are pseudo-cyborgs - with artificial organs restored by magic, as well as technoliches and cyberliches - iron skeletons revived by necromancy (both types are found only among heroes). Among the units, only fighters in exoskeletons can be called cyborgs in a certain sense, the sensors of the servosystems of which are possibly connected to the body directly at several points." ^{Adapted from DF2 thread}

The Factory's battle tactics revolved around a blitzkrieg aimed to take out their opponents within the first few rounds of combat; if they took too long to annihilate their foes, they would suffer great irrecoverable losses. The faction may also have been weak to magical assaults, as "magic interferes with electronics and interacts poorly with complex mechanics." There was also the idea of "combat links", whereby various units would have been directly and/or indirectly designed to work in pairs, with one unit being strengthened at the expense of the other. For example, the Technomage (shooter/mage) misses a turn, but its counterpart, the Servitor (Level 2 tanky infantry) is significantly strengthened. Chemical weapons were also found in the Factory's arsenal: the siege unit had the ability to consume Mercury to spew a gas cloud (with an area the size of Inferno) that poisoned all living units inside it (except for upgraded Factory units), and one of the factions's units, the Glider, would attack enemies by throwing vessels containing a poisonous substance at them.

Gallery

Rookie
Dragoon
Infantryman
Servitor
Stormtrooper
Stormtrooper Guard
Stormtrooper Guard
Motorized Infantry
Glider
Living Mine
Mortar
Technomage
Technomage
Technomage
Technoknight
Heroes:
Amelie, Mendoza, Morton
---
Ibrahim, Callahan
Heroes:
Sofia, Matthias, Alberto
Heroes:
White Noise, Victoria, Leonard
---
Gertrude, Rufus, Eternal Guardian
Heroes:
Guillaume, Tiberius
---
Zelda
Assorted buildings
Shield Bearer dwelling
Upg. Shield Bearer dwelling
3rd Upg. Shield Bearer dwelling
Town screen concept

See Also:

Retrieved from "https://heroes.thelazy.net//index.php?title=Abandoned_Town_Concepts_(HotA)&oldid=194293"

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