@Everyone: Just so y'all know, I've been working on LoR 2's factions, taking advantage of the fact that I can go on an updating spree of all the stuff I don't like in them right now. The mainstays are mostly remaining the same with subtle adjustments. Renalta is still Renalta, though its multicultural ways should be more prevalent. Rheinfeld is still going to have a hardon for men in plate mail, though expect to see a little more civility in them now. Liveria's generally just getting all-round expanded, embracing its gothic roots more and exploiting their uncanny nature. (Like geckos, chameleons, and other small lizards will be very common pets for them now.)
There will however be a few major changes to some of the more outlying factions. Most notable the Amazons, Free Holds, and the Kingdom of Tuleria. (Albeit Tempest before you freak out, yes, I will verify changes to Tuleria with you before any of them are final. Don't worry I'm not hijacking your baby.)
The Amazons are going to have their sexual nature toned down (at least the more obvious/blatant edge of it) in favour of pushing them out of "generic sexy female". They'll embrace magic more, and their talent as potent individual combatants will now shine much brighter than it did before. Their particular talent with blood-related powers, such as the ability to prevent bleeding, and their Shaman/Mesoamerican/Native American roots will also be expanded upon. Part of that includes completely redoing the Queen and Princess.
Say hello to the princess. (
Source.) Basically I've decided there aren't enough badass women but more than enough walking, talking sex objects. So I decided my Amazons should take a level in Badass and actually be the symbols of empowered women that they're supposed to be.
The Free Holds will start taking cues from more than just its obsessive slaver culture and laissez-faire capitalist system. Don't be surprised if you start seeing Islamic religious symbolism and iconography, because part of the revamp of the Free Holds will be including more middle eastern culture in general there as opposed to some kind of bastardized western desert nation. As well, seeing as how LoR 2 has loosened up from the original in terms of adult content and mature themes and what I'm allowing displayed, expect to see a
lot more sexual themes from this place, in certain places. There will also be a series of Arenas in each hold, giving gladiatorial culture a much needed home.
The Kingdom of Tuleria will be having a more myriad army akin to that of the Free Holds in terms of having lots of mercenaries. The difference will be that a lot of those mercenaries will be more foreigners from other lands, making Tuleria the gateway nation for "distant land" characters in the future. Their army compositions are thus, highly unpredictable, but hard to maintain order in, unlike the Free Hold merc armies, which tend to literally be organized armies for sale. It will also help explain the rampant piracy: What else do mercs do when there's no wars? Aside from sleep with all the whores in the Free Holds.
Also adding the Grand Admiral of the Fleet. (
Source.)
"Is that a dragon rocket?!" Yes. Yes it is. It is in fact a literal !@#$ing cannon that shoots dragon-face-tipped rockets. Really obscenely useful for saying "fuck you" on the high seas.
Also, prepare to witness a really clever way to pick up missions, favours, rumours, and so on.
At least I hope so.
Welp, that's all for now. Time to make myself some popcorn.