Melinath's Descriptions: Drakes

[Skrim]

As for the descriptions, well, no comments here. They're fine IMO, and I have no suggestions that Turuk hasn't already mentioned.

And for the name changes, I don't think they're necessary. There are no logical flaws in the current names as such(unlike the one with the Gladiator), the only thing being the minor nitpick in that they're the 'wrong' way around.

[melinath]

New desc drafts will come later today... say, after breakfast lunch. For now, I just want to explain in more depth why I'd like to change the unit names.

It is not for reasons of fluff. That is true. So it isn't as important a change; I can write the descriptions now and, theoretically, change the names later. However: consider the pattern of naming in most races. Would you ever say "a Rider Elf"? An "Avenger Elf"? A "Dragonguard Dwarf"?

There are 17 drake units, 15 dwarf units, 22 elf units, 7 goblin units, 6 saurian units, 14 merpeople units, 3 nagas, 11 orcs, and 7 trolls. That's a total of 102 non-human non-undead units. 8 of them do not follow the pattern {race} {role within that race's society}. Of those eight, we can eliminate the Wolf Rider and Direwolf Rider; they don't include the race at all, consisting instead, like a human unit, of just the unit's role or rank. Then there's the Great Troll. I don't have a problem with seeing this as perhaps being a trollish title or whatever.

However, in a hierarchical society like the drakes, it bothers me that, of the 17 units, for 12 of them you can remove the word "Drake" and you're left with what I would assume is the rank: Burner, Glider, Arbiter, Warden, Flameheart. Then there are five left. Remove drake, and you get: Armageddon, Hurricane, Inferno, Fire, and Sky. The first three, though a bit over the top, could function as ranks. Why not cast them as such by putting the names "the right way around"?

Then the only question is what to do with Drake Fire and Drake Sky, since those obviously don't sound very good. My suggestion for the latter is Zephyr, which for me seems to lie between Glider and Hurricane. For Fire, I was at a loss. However, here fluff kicks in a bit after all: Flare fits much better as a unit with a strong fire attack than as a unit with leadership potential/abilities. Which leaves a hole in the leadership line... and for that hole, I have yet to find a name I'm completely satisfied with.

[Blarumyrran]

/me supports standardisation, anywhere & everywhere

[Kenpachi]

Pyrarchia (roughly greek for fire leader) http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pyro- http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/-archy

Drake Pyrachia

[melinath]

It would be Pyrarch, analogous to monarch... hmm... not a bad idea. Could also go for the English version: Firelord, Flamelord. Those seem like a bit of a cop-out, though, next to Flameheart.

[The1exile]

I like the idea of a Flamelord --> Pyrarch line, personally.

[melinath]

A new draft.

Current Names:

Code: Select all

                                               Armageddon Drake
               Drake Flare -> Drake Flameheart
Drake Burner <
               Fire Drake -> Inferno Drake
	      
Drake Glider -> Sky Drake -> Hurricane Drake

Proposed Names, Draft 2:

Code: Select all

                                               Drake Armageddon
               Drake Flameheart -> Drake Pyrarch
Drake Burner<
               Drake Flare -> Drake Inferno
	      
Drake Glider -> Drake Zephyr -> Drake Hurricane

[thespaceinvader]

I still see no need for a name change. Standardisation for its own sake is pointless, and the nonstandard names add a little uniqueness, and still fit well. Not to mention that name changes, particularly when switching a name from one unit to another, are REALLY bloody awkward to do. It was only worthwhile on the Clasher line cos the initial names just plain didn't make sense with the fluff.

[Araja]

These new names seem like complexity for the sake of complexity.
The Clasher changes were probably needed but making sure the Drake comes first, that seems about as useful as changing the Loyalist Mage of Light to Light Mage because Mage comes second on all the other Loyalist mages.
Doesn't make them fit in, just makes them sound funny

The Mages were one of my many metaphors, I don't need a reply saying "yes, but this is a drake thread"

[melinath]

New Desc Drafts:

Glider: Current Version:

Drake Gliders wear as little encumberment as possible, freeing themselves to fly to their full ability. These Drakes are competent fighters, possessing the internal fire common to many of their kin. Gliders can also effectively use their speed to slam their opponents into submission. From their aerial vantage point, these drakes can see past most defensive cover. Their skill at flying allows them the precision to target enemies under such cover.

Glider: Draft 4:

Gliders revel in the ripple of air beneath the light cloth robes worn by their caste. These robes grant such freedom of movement that the Gliders, alone among all the drakes, can access their innate ability to quickly and precisely aim their fire, something they put to good use hunting for their tribe. When forced into battle, Gliders strike with their feet, keeping their precious wings as far from the enemy as possible.

Sky Drake: Current Version:

Sky drakes are truly the kings of the sky. The momentum of their terrible stooping dive and and their fire breath combine into a terrible weapon. By attacking from the air, they can spit fire with great precision into positions which would otherwise afford a great defensive advantage to their foes.

Sky Drake: Draft 1:

The ceramic that the Sky Drakes wear on their heads, wrists and tails is glazed silver in honor of the air they love. As leaders of the hunt, they are often away from their homes for long periods of time. Each tries to bring as much game home as possible, competing to gain the respect of their tribe and, just possibly, time with one of the closely-guarded drake females.

Hurricane Drake: Current Version:

Masters of the aerial realm, the Hurricane Drakes are the elite among those drakes which are gifted with flight. Soaring high in the air, they can see past most defensive cover and spit fire at their foes with impunity.

Hurricane Drake: Draft 0.5:

Hurricane Drakes have risen above the menial hunting and gathering which the lower members of their caste are relegated to. They are an integral part of the drakes' military, scouting and often storming far-flung enemy posts. Training has increased their skill in combat, but a Hurricane Drake's greatest strength still lies in his speed.

Burner: Current Version:

Drake Burners are the proud few in whom the blood and strength of their remote ancestors runs truest, giving them the ability to breathe fire. This, coupled with their sheer size and fearsome claws, makes them deadly foes in combat.

Burner: Draft 1:

Arrogant Burners, and there are many, will sometimes claim that their veins flow not with blood, but with a flame as pure as that of their ancestors, the dragons. They find proof of this untarnished descent in their firey breath, which must be extraordinarily strong before a drake is even considered for acceptance into this caste. Although that breath is their preferred weapon, they don't shy away from striking blows with their bared claws.

I consider the Glider line descs finished if nobody sees any terrible flaws.

In terms of the new unit names: I agree that they aren't strictly necessary. I also think that I have left out, or not emphasized, a second reason that I am proposing these changes. It's not just a matter of standardization. These name changes would increase the feel that the drakes have a hierarchical society with specific ranks.

For example, there is no way that the drakes would have a rank called "Drake Glider". Rather, the rank would be "Glider". "Drake" is a race that's added to the front to distinguish this unit from other Gliders. But "Sky Drake" doesn't really work as a rank either. "Zephyr" would work better. (Although I guess one could make the argument that it's similar to words like "mailman".)

TSI: If it would make you find this idea better, I could leave Drake Flare where it is and/or find some other replacement for "Fire Drake".

[chaoticwanderer]

I'd like to throw my support for the new drake names. I particularly like 'Pyrarch'.

All the new descriptions seem fine as well, though I think in the descriptions for the fire drake line, it needs to be mentioned that with age and experience, the potency of their fire breathing skill rises.

[Aethaeryn]

As discussed on IRC, I think renaming the Gladiator to Slasher, a name formally held by the other branch of the Clasher line, is not the best option. I don't think this solution would be ideal as old documentation, forum posts, etc., would lead to confusion. Besides, Slasher is more intuitive of a name for the Drake with a giant blade weapon.

I instead propose the Drake Thrasher. In my opinion, the connotation, denotation, and rhyme are great for the Enforcer's underling.

[chaoticwanderer]

As discussed on IRC, I think renaming the Gladiator to Slasher, a name formally held by the other branch of the Clasher line, is not the best option. I don't think this solution would be ideal as old documentation, forum posts, etc., would lead to confusion. Besides, Slasher is more intuitive of a name for the Drake with a giant blade weapon.

I instead propose the Drake Thrasher. In my opinion, the connotation, denotation, and rhyme are great for the Enforcer's underling.

Or...why not even Drake smasher? Considering they do use a mace...

[Aethaeryn]

As discussed on IRC, I think renaming the Gladiator to Slasher, a name formally held by the other branch of the Clasher line, is not the best option. I don't think this solution would be ideal as old documentation, forum posts, etc., would lead to confusion. Besides, Slasher is more intuitive of a name for the Drake with a giant blade weapon.

I instead propose the Drake Thrasher. In my opinion, the connotation, denotation, and rhyme are great for the Enforcer's underling.

Or...why not even Drake smasher? Considering they do use a mace...

Basher and smasher were on the rhyming dictionary's list (yes, I admit, I used one). Thrasher, however, is more fitting in the definition (pre-enforcer). Basher and smasher both imply impact-only use. (They'd make good troll names though.)

[melinath]

As stated on IRC, Thrasher seems fine to me. It doesn't clash with the fluff and would reduce confusion.

I'd also like to take this chance to encourage anyone with an opinion on how the burner and fighter lines should develop to state their lore ideas. Can't promise to take every suggestion, but it would be great to hear what people think.