PROJECT Gaian vs Cthonic : The Elemental Factions [Archive]

[storyteller]

well, I dont think we need to maximize distribution of elements.

I see two factions, and the goal here is to represent those factions, but trying to fit a card into each element doesnt really do that.  Each faction has certain attributes, and those attributes are embodied by certain elements. So instead of taking the factions, and linking them to each element, its taking the factions and extracting the core of their attributes and the elements that represent them. I dont like the idea of trying to 'fill a grid' so each element has a card for each faction. Its about a war between two factions, of technologists, who have a varied sense of the world and want control of certain resources, differing on how they would use them.

I see about 16-20 cards, 8 to 10 for each faction, that represents that faction. I dont think we need one for each element, its superfluous. Its not that they wouldnt use one or the other, you can tie most anything to anything else if you try hard enough, but its about the embodiment of the faction, the aspects of them that are most visible.

Gaian
Above ground forest dwellers. users of biology and life sciences. Users of transmutation and avoidance, guerrilla fighters who hit and run.

Probably has

 walking trees
 an air force
 hybrids
 ability to change abilities or traits in battle
 gas clouds
 venoms and poisons

Cthonic
Under ground dwellers, users of mechanical technology and chemistry. Users of reinforcement and hard defense, direct fighters who rely on force.

Probably has

 tanks
 tunneling equipment
 machines that crush
 explosives
 missiles
 ability to strengthen in battle

I actually would like to avoid 'one of every flavor' here. Id like to see elements used as activation costs over card type.

[OldTrees]

A major difference between a MtG set and an EtG set is that we get to add on to the existing set. If the new set is small enough then it can be devoid of some elements and still not disrupt the element balance.

Based on storyteller's army division:
Gaian
Creatures:
 
Permanents:
 
Spells
  (flexible armies benefit from chaos)

Cthonic
Creatures:
 
Permanents:
 
Spells
 

Let us start with this core and possibly add other cards after the skeleton is finished.

[storyteller]

could you swap one of the Earth'ss'ss in Cthonic for a Darkness... probably the creature Id guess.. maybe the permanent..

[OldTrees]

Gaian
Creatures:
 
Permanents:
 
Spells
  (flexible armies benefit from chaos)

Cthonic
Creatures:
 
Permanents:
 
Spells
 

[storyteller]

Id like to propose another card, a 'Location'

Crag Rift

this is where the conflict I mentioned takes place.  It is a large canyon on the side of a mountain, and home to a natural spring and series of caves. Ancient trees and forests fill the area.

Id say its an earth card. It is neither and both factions. It should do something for factions. It benefits and replaces the last version of it played. Its a permanent, that cant be destroyed.

It should give a small bonus, to whoever played it last, probably extra quanta, or extra attack,like +1 to the largest faction you control, or all quanta stack generate an extra quanta or something.

[ZephyrPhantom]

I would rather have the Cthonic be an card - Metal and electricity are more closely intertwined than metal and shadows. Even if they are an underground tribe I do not see shadows as a dominant Cthonic theme while on the other hand I see electricity as a very feasible power source.

The sun is an important component of Nature along with the rain, trees, soil, etc... I think it would be fitting to have an additional permanent like a 'sun' or creature/'sun spirit' in Gaian.

I do not think we should try to add addition mechanics into this series yet, and focus on Gaian/Cthonic's prime mechanics. Regarding that I am still waiting for feedback on the potential for Gaian to use Spore counters.

[storyteller]

I could see that. Personally, I think Aether is used by both, the Cthonic as electricity, the Gaian as spirit power.

to me, I see some form of Cthinic Darkness dweller, a deep cave creature. or as a way of seeing in the dark, like an anticloak.

Like, a Blind Wyrm that moves by echolocation or something?

[ZephyrPhantom]

I could see that. Personally, I think Aether is used by both, the Cthonic as electricity, the Gaian as spirit power.

to me, I see some form of Cthinic Darkness dweller, a deep cave creature. or as a way of seeing in the dark, like an anticloak.

Like, a Blind Wyrm that moves by echolocation or something?

Possibly, but how close is that to the list you posted above?

tanks
 tunneling equipment
 machines that crush
 explosives
 missiles
 ability to strengthen in battle

The closest think I can think of is that the Wyrm tunnels through the ground, but that's very Earth-like. Or maybe Night Vision, but that doesn't sound like something they would need against the surface oriented Gaians.

[storyteller]

yeah, more of a hide thing. idk, I just see underground dwellers having some form of darkness based unit, ability or technology. Maybe a spell of some kind? I see more of a hiding in shadows type of thing, perhaps some unit that can disrupt cloak, or cloak itself or get stronger in cloak. Yes actually, a unit that has say, double attack power while under cloak is good.

[OldTrees]

Cthonic usage of  (electricity) feels like an activated ability to me.
Cthonic usage of (creatures native in the places sun does not reach) feels like a casting cost to me.

Spore counters would work. Although they would ignore existing card suggestions with spore counters. Would Growth counters work? (Idea is to symbolize more than just fungus)

[ZephyrPhantom]

Spore counters would work. Although they would ignore existing card suggestions with spore counters. Would Growth counters work? (Idea is to symbolize more than just fungus)

Sure, though I'd like a more flavorful name than 'Growth'. Perhaps 'Gene', 'Evolution', or 'Genesis'?

[OldTrees]

Spore counters would work. Although they would ignore existing card suggestions with spore counters. Would Growth counters work? (Idea is to symbolize more than just fungus)

Sure, though I'd like a more flavorful name than 'Growth'. Perhaps 'Gene', 'Evolution', or 'Genesis'?

The problem is that those are more specific and thus would be too restrictive. Growth can symbolize many things simultaneously like Spores, Vines and Insects