Post by Khalid ibn Walid on Apr 7, 2007 12:27:51 GMT -5
Since I was asked to make this in FAQ form, here it is:
What is this place?
This is the forum for the Lombard Leagues, a mod for Mount & Blade. It is set in northern Italy ('Lombardia') during the 'era of the communes' (High Medieval, approx. 12th-13th C.).
What are the factions?
'Communes' are quasi-independent Italian city republics. They are organized into two leagues - the 'Guelfs' and the 'Ghibellines'.
The Guelf League is led by Milan, and includes Alessandria, Bologna, Brescia, Crema, Faenza, Mantua, Padua, Piacenza, Reggio, Tortona, Vercelli, and Vicenza.
The Ghibelline League is led by Pavia and includes Asti, Bergamo, Como, Cremona, Ferrara, Forli, Lodi, Modena, Novara, Parma, Treviso and Verona.
There is a background struggle between the Emperor and the Pope, who operate out of their strongholds of Trent and Ravenna respectively. In addition, there are roles played by neutral communes (Venice, Ivrea, Rovigo), several large feudal magnates ('marquises', operating out of their own estates) and a monastic knightly order (the 'Holy Brotherhood') operating out of several abbeys.
There are all sorts of malefactors, many of them foreign - German, Norman, Saracen & Magyar raiders, Ligurian, Croatian & Burgundian companies, Tuscan, Piedmontese & Balkan bandits, etc.
What is different about this mod?
The principle novelty of the mod is communal politics. Players have the opportunity of becoming residents & citizens of a particular commune of their choice, working on behalf of their chosen city and intriguing with inner-city factions, advancing themselves to the point of being elected to city office, including Podesta (Count), Bishop or Gastald (Bailiff) of a commune. Offices bring their own responsibilities and duties.
The mod is 'open-ended', in the sense that there is no linear career path. The player chooses which way he/she wants to go.
This is a very dialogue-intense mod with a lot of historical detail. But at the end of the day, it is still about riding horses and bashing skulls.
Where is the mod?
This mod is not released yet. There is a testing version available. It is accessible via the testers' subforum (the 'Consiglio'). That forum is currently invisible to newcomers ('freemen'). You must have tester status ('cittadino').
Why isn't testing open to everyone?
A couple of reasons.
- First, I want to make sure the people testing the mod are actually testing it and will be helping advance it to the finish line. So I'd like to keep track of who is doing the testing. I expect testers to provide feedback with bugs, suggestions, contributions, etc. and not just take the mod and run, never to be heard from again. I think that is fair.
- Secondly, there's a lot in this mod that is rather unique. And I'd like to keep it under wraps until there is a public release, lest the ideas are pinched before this mod is even out. With a closed test, I will know who had access should any shenanigans arise.
How can I become a tester?
If you want access to the testing subforum & mod, you must PM me and ask. Only I can adjust your status to tester ('cittadino') and give you the password.
What are the conditions?
I expect testers to contribute to the mod, whether by bug-hunting, suggestions, comments, and encourage even going further, like constructing cities, devising quests, cases, etc.
The easiest way of persuading me of your commitment is to go to the 'Suggest-a-Quest" or the "Suggest-a-Case" threads and suggest a quest or case. That is an easy thing for newcomers to contribute to.
I also expect testers to be respectfully discrete. You are welcome to discuss the mod wherever you want, but I hope you respect the unique aspects of this mod and not steal stuff wholesale.
In short, if I give you access to the mod, I expect you to become involved with it and be helpful. So don't run off with it! I want to hear from you - whether good or bad, any feedback is good.
Finally, to reiterate, to become a tester, at the very least you must PM me and ask.
What is this place?
This is the forum for the Lombard Leagues, a mod for Mount & Blade. It is set in northern Italy ('Lombardia') during the 'era of the communes' (High Medieval, approx. 12th-13th C.).
What are the factions?
'Communes' are quasi-independent Italian city republics. They are organized into two leagues - the 'Guelfs' and the 'Ghibellines'.
The Guelf League is led by Milan, and includes Alessandria, Bologna, Brescia, Crema, Faenza, Mantua, Padua, Piacenza, Reggio, Tortona, Vercelli, and Vicenza.
The Ghibelline League is led by Pavia and includes Asti, Bergamo, Como, Cremona, Ferrara, Forli, Lodi, Modena, Novara, Parma, Treviso and Verona.
There is a background struggle between the Emperor and the Pope, who operate out of their strongholds of Trent and Ravenna respectively. In addition, there are roles played by neutral communes (Venice, Ivrea, Rovigo), several large feudal magnates ('marquises', operating out of their own estates) and a monastic knightly order (the 'Holy Brotherhood') operating out of several abbeys.
There are all sorts of malefactors, many of them foreign - German, Norman, Saracen & Magyar raiders, Ligurian, Croatian & Burgundian companies, Tuscan, Piedmontese & Balkan bandits, etc.
What is different about this mod?
The principle novelty of the mod is communal politics. Players have the opportunity of becoming residents & citizens of a particular commune of their choice, working on behalf of their chosen city and intriguing with inner-city factions, advancing themselves to the point of being elected to city office, including Podesta (Count), Bishop or Gastald (Bailiff) of a commune. Offices bring their own responsibilities and duties.
The mod is 'open-ended', in the sense that there is no linear career path. The player chooses which way he/she wants to go.
This is a very dialogue-intense mod with a lot of historical detail. But at the end of the day, it is still about riding horses and bashing skulls.
Where is the mod?
This mod is not released yet. There is a testing version available. It is accessible via the testers' subforum (the 'Consiglio'). That forum is currently invisible to newcomers ('freemen'). You must have tester status ('cittadino').
Why isn't testing open to everyone?
A couple of reasons.
- First, I want to make sure the people testing the mod are actually testing it and will be helping advance it to the finish line. So I'd like to keep track of who is doing the testing. I expect testers to provide feedback with bugs, suggestions, contributions, etc. and not just take the mod and run, never to be heard from again. I think that is fair.
- Secondly, there's a lot in this mod that is rather unique. And I'd like to keep it under wraps until there is a public release, lest the ideas are pinched before this mod is even out. With a closed test, I will know who had access should any shenanigans arise.
How can I become a tester?
If you want access to the testing subforum & mod, you must PM me and ask. Only I can adjust your status to tester ('cittadino') and give you the password.
What are the conditions?
I expect testers to contribute to the mod, whether by bug-hunting, suggestions, comments, and encourage even going further, like constructing cities, devising quests, cases, etc.
The easiest way of persuading me of your commitment is to go to the 'Suggest-a-Quest" or the "Suggest-a-Case" threads and suggest a quest or case. That is an easy thing for newcomers to contribute to.
I also expect testers to be respectfully discrete. You are welcome to discuss the mod wherever you want, but I hope you respect the unique aspects of this mod and not steal stuff wholesale.
In short, if I give you access to the mod, I expect you to become involved with it and be helpful. So don't run off with it! I want to hear from you - whether good or bad, any feedback is good.
Finally, to reiterate, to become a tester, at the very least you must PM me and ask.