Argonia




This project is aimed to create the lands south of the Morrowind Mainland, known by mer as Argonia, by men as Black Marsh. The first release, and the focus of this particular thread is that of the Geenway Coast.

Argonia is being designed with a few things in mind. If Morrowind is the land of the Weird, then Argonia should be the land of Disgust. The plants hunt you just as the creatures do, the land can swallow you up or freeze your motion. It is hoped that Argonia will be able to be constructed to make the player feel that everything in the marshes are the predators and the player is the prey.

This mod will not at anytime break lore. It will however, construct its own lore for things not defined by Bethesda.

What the project on a whole will include-
-All of the land that occupies Argonia.
-Brand new cities, from Archon to Gideon, from Soulrest to Stormheld.
-Brand new creatures
-Brand new terrain, not seen in vanilla Morrowind
-Billboarded trees
-High Res textures
-Custom created models for near all things including brand new Architecture
-Optional grass and ferns
-Deadly flora
-New means of travel, such as "Riding the Roots"
-Many, many more highly imaginative

What the first release will include-
-A green coastal region.
-Jagged black boulders and cliffs of various height
-Tall, skinny trees that provide nothing from the constant rain
-A failed attempt at a colony by Imperials
-Two villages of the native Argonians
-The dark port city of Soulrest
-New architecture for all the cities
-Several new plants


Video-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f_tEh3tcwY

Screenshots-
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot39-4.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot38-5.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot9-9.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot18-10.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot16-10.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot14-11.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot7-2.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot8-3.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot9-7.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot8-7.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot5-6.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Argonia/MGEScreenshot10-5.jpg



Just to note-Ive heard several times this is too much work and is impossible, since you now know that I know that, please refrain from posting those types of things here unless you are going to share secrests with how to speed this up.


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Cyrodiil screenshots-
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot23.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot1.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot33.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot3.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot4.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot8-8.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot6-10.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot10-7.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot17-3.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj265/zackgwin/ZackGs%20Cyrodiil/MGEScreenshot2-7.jpg

Dude, that's too much work. It's impossible! Quit while you're ahead!

It looks amazing. And this is coming from a guy who doesn't give a damn about Argonians.

Am playing an Argonian at the moment. Pics look great. Well done.

Suggestion for the first post as it's probably been asked before and will again... Does the land mass meet up with any of the TR maps? Be awesome to hike the whole way there.

Am reading Thomas Covenant Chronicles at the mo and like all fantasy books it has a deadly swamp. Few ideas... Use re-textured lava so some pools damage the PC if entered - or if the damaging script associated with lava pools is easier just do that. A slow move PC script to drag them under like quick sand? Might be harder to do though. Create poisonous trees, I dunno, maybe create a creature that looks like a tree or plant and has zero move that gives a small damage, long duration poison attack.... Lots of nasty things to try, I'm sure you've already got lots of ideas.

Good luck!

:)
-KWM

Yes, the plan is to have Argonia meet up with TR's map 6. Unfortunately I havent been able to obtain the exact coordinates of map 6 as it has to go under revisions and whatnot. I've taken TR into consideration and thats why Im focusing on Argonias lower regions first.

As for your suggestions...its kinda creepy you say that...almost like you already have access to my computer...lol

The screenshots look incredibly sad. I like them!!

Some of the most beautiful and haunting untouched Morrowind screenshots from an early mod I've ever seen, the trees look amazing, and the shaders and fog really help to make the scene.

this looks amazing, and argonians are my least favorite race!
If you succeed, [censored], bethesda better buy the idea and make it the New TES game.
This is brilliant, i really hope this is completed soon.
Good luck!

Definitely looking forward to visiting Argonia, anfd glad to hear you mention "riding the roots."
I hope you plan on incorporating some cool stuff with The Hist, too.
Any plans on making the different Argonian Races?

http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10249. Be warned, it's from 2005.

Very gloomy. I like it.

are the more swampy regions going to look like http://thomashoven.com/p2002_031_b83f.jpg?

Couple things- I don't use animated grass or billboarded trees, will there be an option for more "vanilla" flora?

Awsome! glad that you have have picked this up again, i was worried that it would die out

The screenshots are awsome and your idea is sound, just a lot of hard work on your half. Look forward to more updates, and i will certianly be keeping an eye on this thread!

The Black Marsh is the home of many were-crocodiles.

From what I recall, someone in the community made a great were-crocodile model that has been thus far unused. Does anyone have a link?

It would certainly make crossing that marshland in the screenshots creepy if were-crocs were on the prowl.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=6682 - by demon xen

Eh looks very similar to a daedroth. :mellow:

I've never really imagined them as bipedal creatures, but as more like http://www.elcivics.com/lifeskills/images/crocodile-swamp.jpg.

As the in-game book suggests, were-crocs stalk the swamps and marshes. If they were bipedal like that model, it doesn't really make much sense for them to stalk their prey by slithering in the mud. Or even to live in the marshes at all - why not just walk away and hunt somewhere else!

If they moved by crawling, as real crocs do, it would make much more sense for them to hunt in swamps and marshland. As it's probably the only place they could hunt successfully due to the cover and suitability of a croc to that environment.

And besides, a lot of people are scared of crocodiles. There's something really eerie about them... I know I'd be terrified if, in a Morrowind mod, crocodiles were slinking around the water. Let alone super-intelligent were-versions.

he also did a wolf croc thing as a creature.

the thing with the werecroc is that its easier to turn into one if its a bipedal thing

"A land of plants, the strangest, most dangerous, and most bizarre..."

Some thoughts I just had on the whole 'land of plants' theme :

- I'm guessing there would be some extremely rare, potent, and valuable Alchemical ingredients to be found

- This could be a good avenue for Argonians in border villages to make money from foreigners, as they're peddling goods that can't be found anywhere else. It would make sense for there to be lots of ingredient sellers in the border regions, perhaps competing with each other. Some offering fine ingredients for the upright adventurer, others offering grisly poisons to the more shady characters, others trying to scam foreigners by selling the Argonian equivalent of Snake-oil miracle cures. However Argonians are, on the whole, not a species fond of commercial enterprise, so it would be interesting if this kind of activity was looked on with a little distate by the wider Argonian community. Perhaps a possible source of tension between villagers? It's a similar story in the border regions of any country and is certainly true of Morrowind, where a lot of the internal tension arises between the conservative Dunmer's critique of the more Imperialized Dunmer.

- The Black Marsh is a dangerous place... how do the Argonians in villages defend themselves? Perhaps plants can play an integral role, as after all, the Argonians have an abundance of strange plants at their disposal, and know how to use them better than anyone.
--- Warriors or guards might make ample use of fortifying alchemical potions to assist them in battle.
--- I can't imagine Argonians fortifying their villages with stone walls for protection, but walls of poisonous plants would provide an effective barrier.
--- What would they make their local weapons out of? Aside from imported weapons, I can't imagine steel mills and the like in the Marsh, but hey, they're surrounded by wacky plants! I'm sure there are plenty who'd swing around a tree-branch covered in sharp or poisonous thorns. Or throw darts made from similar.
--- Similar with armour. Aside from imported armours, local armours might be made from bizarre local woods and decorated with bizarre local plants

- Argonians have bizarre diets, and the diets of those living in the Marsh is probably even stranger than that of Argonian travellers. It might be a bad idea for a foreigner to try eating what the Argonians eat, unless of course the player is an Argonian as well. I can just imagine a panicky Bosmeri guide on the border saying "Oh yeah, and whatever you do, DON'T eat their food!". Since some Argonians are also known to eat Elves, if the player is a 'Mer they might also well be advised to "Don't BECOME their food either!"

Actually I just modelled similiar trees for Argonia earlier this month =-). Dont look at the screenshots posted above and think Argonia will be that sparse.



The aimated grass will come as its own esp. You can simply choose not to load it. Unlike most mods that are made for Morrowind engine then modded to meet MGE, this mod will be made for MGE and scaled down for just Morrowind. This doesnt mean youll have to work at fixing the land if you dont use MGEs features, it just means that certain areas will appear more bare than others. The billboarded trees are going to be the default, I might make normal flora but it woul b at a time when Im bored and its not my number one priority.




All good ideas, thank you =-)

Ive actually done a number of searches on your site and found alot of good information. Thanks much.

Screens look good, but world is little empty. I have hope to world in your mod in finally version will have a lot of trees, animals...

Good luck

I rarely write on the forum. Usually, only read. I can not keep silent. Amazing work. It looks like a swamp ... Currently swamp. I have seen many of these swamps and understand this. :talk: And it looks like Argonia. So, as I imagined. Incredible! I wish you great success in the work!!!

And also a small addition. Indeed these marshes look a bit deserted. Perhaps low shrubs adorn these images? I picked up a few images of swamps in Russia, rather it is in Western Siberia. Pay attention to the specific vegetation, moss and berries. And as for dry tree trunks on one of the photos. I hope that this will help you and inspire your imagination.

http://photo-techart.ru/files/middle/4992e7bd03.jpg
http://www.futureevents.ru/photo/add/1344.jpg
http://www.mountain.ru/world_mounts/ural/2003/naroda/img/02.jpg
http://lori.ru/images/0000034850-preview.jpg
http://v.foto.radikal.ru/0706/ee/cd4f81429f9c.jpg


Good luck!

I figured as such, I'm guessing the posted screen shots are coastal regions or the edge of the swamps

looks amazing

Well, he has just started, really. It looks good, though, good luck with it. :tops:

Looks very good but i do think that the trees could use a little work.