Melinath's Descriptions: Drakes

[thespaceinvader]

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...

Shows how much attention you're paying to the revamp. The Enforcer and Slasher now use headbutts for their impact attack.

[Araja]

The Arbiter looks like a Pokemon

[chaoticwanderer]

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

Shows how much attention you're paying to the revamp. The Enforcer and Slasher now use headbutts for their impact attack.

Sorry. Must have have missed that. But regardless, I don't feel that slasher should be the new name for the gladiator. As Aethaeryn said, it might lead to confusion, and also, 'Slasher' does not seem to fully convey the nature of the unit. Seeing as it seems to simply plow through enemies, with or without an actual weapon, something more or less along the lines of 'juggernaut', or 'titan' might work.

EDIT: Nevermind. Missed the last few posts. Disregard this.

[melinath]

The Arbiter looks like a Pokemon

Which is completely relevant to this thread... Thrasher it is, then, if Turuk's fine with it... wherever he is.

[AI]

Thrasher would indeed serve the renaming problem (gladiator -> slasher -> arbiter), I'm not sure how well it fits though.

[Araja]

Well this is about drake descriptions, and my description of that particular type of drake is that it looks like a Pokemon

I'll stop now.

[thespaceinvader]

Please do, that sort of comment is utterly irrelevant, and adds nothing of any remote value to the discussion.

[Araja]

Fascinating, when I said "I'll stop now" all it did was add "Please do" to the beginning of the next reply.

Well this is about drake descriptions, and my description of that particular type of drake is that it looks like a Pokemon

Please do, that sort of comment is utterly irrelevant, and adds nothing of any remote value to the discussion.

See, remove those two sets of words and you can see the underlying template.
Out of curiosity, was there any point me adding that, as I got the default reply anyway?

[thespaceinvader]

I thought you were stopping.

[Araja]

I was, I started again because I found the reply amusing

But um, OK you were right on the second post, I'll..er...move on...=/

[melinath]

Turuk: when you get back, the glider line descs in this post are done as far as I'm concerned. Now moving on to the remaining lines.
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The Drake Thrasher suggestion was committed by Soliton for 1.7.3, as it turns out. Taking that into account, here's the desc using the correct unit name:

Thrasher: Current Desc:

Instead of letting themselves be bound by their armor, Slashers have learned to redirect its weight to supplement their bodies' momentum, adding power to the blows of their short spears and hand-mounted claws. Equipment and body are one; even their thick helms and the thick skulls beneath them are weapons. A Slasher will gladly fulfill his caste duties, as long as it can be done on the battlefield.

Thrasher: Fixed Desc:

Instead of letting themselves be bound by their armor, Thrashers have learned to redirect its weight to supplement their bodies' momentum, adding power to the blows of their short spears and hand-mounted claws. Equipment and body are one; even their thick helms and the thick skulls beneath them are weapons. A Thrasher will gladly fulfill his caste duties, as long as it can be done on the battlefield.

The Burner desc is still up for critique. I'm not entirely satisfied with it. New descs coming later today, most likely.

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.

EDIT:: And here, as promised, are two new descriptions: Fire Drake and Inferno Drake. Both Draft 0.

Fire Drake: Current Version:

The great fire-drakes are masters of their internal flame. Clad in shining armor, they belch columns of flame at any who oppose them, a testament to the strength and majesty of their kind.

Fire Drake: Draft 0:

The fire within drakes of the Burner caste burns away the green in their skin as they train themselves in its use. Those of the Burner caste who choose to become Fire Drakes can come the closest to their draconic ancestors of all the Drakes, in power as well as appearance.

Inferno Drake: Current Version:

The flying conflagrations known as Drake Infernos are the masters of the fire they breathe, and rival their predecessors the Dragons in their ability to use it. This natural ability renders them nearly immune to fire. Their shining, flame-colored armor is a mark of their proud and powerful caste, the ideal to which their brethren aspire.

Inferno Drake: Draft 0:

Inferno Drakes are respected and feared in their tribes nearly as much as the dragons themselves. The days they have spent training their inner fire have turned their scales red and made them nearly impervious to fire attacks. To emphasize their closeness to the dragons, they wear golden horn extensions.

[maackey]

For the record I don't think I've ever corrected someone's post for grammar/spelling, so I hope you don't take me to be a grammar nazi, there were just a couple things that bothered me.

Thrasher: Fixed Desc x2:

Instead of letting themselves be bound by their armor, Thrashers have learned to redirect its their weight to supplement their bodies' momentum, adding power to the blows of their short spears and hand-mounted claws. Equipment and body are one; even their* thick helms and the thick skulls beneath them are weapons. A Thrasher will gladly fulfill his caste duties, as long as it can be done on the battlefield.

*what does "their" refer to? the equipment or the body? You previously refer to the Thrasher's equipment and the Thrasher's body, but not the Thrasher himself.

Pretty minor, but they bugged me enough to post

[thespaceinvader]

No, the grammar there is correct. The first its refers to the armour, the second their refers to the helms and skulls.

[melinath]

maackey: The first its seems pretty clear. The 'their' that was bothering you refers, like the other 'their's, to the Thrashers mentioned in line 1. But I can see how the their could be confusing. I'll think about it. Thanks for your comment.

In the meantime, new drafts!

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 2:

Before a drake is even considered for acceptance into the Burner caste, he must prove the strength of his inner fire; the caste prides itself on being the closest creatures alive to their powerful ancestors, the dragons. Arrogant Burners, and there are many, can often be overheard saying that, like the dragons, their veins flow not with blood, but with pure flame. Although a Burner's preferred weapon is his firey breath, they don't shy away from striking blows with their bared claws.

Fire Drake: Current Version:

The great fire-drakes are masters of their internal flame. Clad in shining armor, they belch columns of flame at any who oppose them, a testament to the strength and majesty of their kind.

Fire Drake: Draft 1:

Not yet permitted to wear the red-gold reserved for the highest ranks of the Burners, the Fire Drakes paint their ceramic armor silver. These drakes have devoted their lives to their inner fire, and it has burned its way into their skin, scorching their scales to a reddish-gray.

I would like to suggest that the Inferno Drake be renamed to Drake Inferno, whether or not the other name changes end up being considered. Reasons:
1. It makes sense.
2. It sounds good.
3. It's an easy change.
4. The current unit desc already refers to the unit as a Drake Inferno, so there's a contradiction. It has to be resolved one way or another, so why not the way that gives the unit an interesting title as opposed to the way that gives the drake a very odd title?

Inferno Drake: Current Version:

The flying conflagrations known as Drake Infernos are the masters of the fire they breathe, and rival their predecessors the Dragons in their ability to use it. This natural ability renders them nearly immune to fire. Their shining, flame-colored armor is a mark of their proud and powerful caste, the ideal to which their brethren aspire.

Inferno Drake: Draft 1:

The flying conflagrations known as Infernos are the masters of the fire they breathe, respected and feared in their tribes nearly as much as the dragons themselves. Even in appearance, they are similar to the revered ancestors, with scales reddened by their breath and red-gold armor sculpted to enhance the illusion.

[Araja]

Drake Inferno, Mage Holy, Elf Archery and Saurian Freezer?