Mod: Gem Valley - a SP MA mod

[Edratman]

New Mod - Gem Valley

9/11/08 Version 1.1 Added unleadership to all heroes.
9/16/08 Ver 1.11 - Changed slots Auger. modified start site
9/20/08 Ver. 1.2 - tweaked PD, cleaned up some spries
10/13/08 - some units altered for balance. 2 new gem mines added

Disclaimer: This mod probably is not balanced for MP. I am not sure that it is even balanced for SP. I am positive that Dom3 purists will not like it.

Credits: I want to thank Amos and Sombre who granted permission to borrow sprites to produce this mod. It is possible that sprites have been borrowed from others. If so, I will correct this unintentional omission for credit. These generous benefactors are otherwise free from blame for this mod.


Gem Valley:

In the beginning, the world was devoid of magic. The Prime Force, seeking to correct this deficiency, created the source of Mana and hid the source in the most inaccessible mountain valley in the world. Over the long ages the source spread its influence and distributed gems and Mana to the four corners of the world. During this early period of history, magic was pure and untainted by the evil blood magic of the Dark One.

But nothing good lasts forever. The Dark One finally discovered this world of goodness and pure magic, and desired to have it for his own. The lure of the easy power of blood magic soon brought many converts to the Dark Ones cause. A global war developed and the supporters of good battled the forces of tainted blood magic in every land for uncountable generations. The war finally ground to an end, unresolved, both sides exhausted and unable to continue any further. Thus ended the First Age of the world.

During the Second Age of the world, the Mana source became self aware, a by-product of its proximity to immeasurable Mana, and became The Source, ever so slowly gaining power and developing awareness. Eventually the fetid taste of the blood magic reached the isolated Gem valley and The Source was appalled. Immobile and powerless to battle the blood magic itself, The Source sent out a call summoning the users of pure magic to Gem Valley. Many answered the call; few successfully overcame the obstacles in the path. The descendents of these few survivors are the sole present day inhabitants of Gem Valley. A tribe of dwarves also answered the call. Reluctant to reside in the open air of Gem valley, these dwarves pledged to maintain the Mana channels deep beneath the earth to ensure a ready supply of Mana and gems to the mages of the world. These few inhabitants prospered and prepared for the next war.

Time beyond measure passed. The Powers of The Source had increased to the point where it was capable of creating a powerful physical manifestation of itself. The mages, the only humans in Gem Valley, also waxed in power, freed from the constraints of daily labor by virtuous demons drawn to the power of the Source and subsequently modified by The Source itself. The loyal tribe of dwarves grew in stature, an alteration attributed to their constant exposure to the Mana.

One day The Source announced to its loyal adherents, “Go forth in my name and rid the world of the blood.”


Gem Valley is a MA mod with some unique characteristics. There are only three weak demon units available to recruit. All commanders are mages and most are very powerful. However, there is a wild aspect that accompanies this power. And as the name of the mod implies, gems can be had in quantity. All forgeable items are also available to the nation.

The nation is a magical, research powerhouse. Early expansion is painfully slow, but with luck, by the middle game the nation should be able to expand rapidly. Invest in good PD to hold back the foe until research, gems and powerful summons can cleanse the world of the taint.