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HeroScape General Discussion General discussions of packaging, terrain, components, etc. If it doesn't fit in any other official category, put it here. |
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The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
I contend that the five ancient Chinese elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, and Wood are each represented by one of the five original Heroscape Generals.
Fire = UtgarThe characteristics of these elements are deeply embedded in the personalities of the five generals. Fire is associated with the qualities of strength, persistence, and restlessness. Fire is Dynamic, Energetic, Passionate, Adventurous, Competitive, Strong, and Single-minded. This sounds a lot like Utgar. Most of his warriors have wild, tricky, terrifying, or relentless personalities. Water is associated with the qualities of intelligence and wisdom. Water is Diplomatic, Charming, Intuitive, Compassionate, Creative, and Flexible. This sounds a lot like Jandar. Most of his warriors have valiant or merciful personalities. Earth is associated with the qualities of patience, hard work, stability, and responsibility. Earth is Prudent, Stable, Reliable, Ambitious, Energetic, Disciplined, Logical, and Dutiful. This sounds a lot like Einar. Most of his warriors have disciplined personalities. Metal is associated with the qualities of organization, stability, persistence, and strength. Metal is Forceful, Self-Reliant, Unyielding, Determined, Reserved, and Sophisticated. This sounds a lot like Vydar. Most of his warriors have disciplined or tricky personalities. Wood is asssociated with the qualities of strength, flexibility, cooperation, growth, expansion, and exploration. Wood is Generous, Warm, Persuasive, Idealistic, Ethical, Alturistic, and Enthusiastic. This sounds a lot like Ullar. Most of his warriors have precise or valiant personalities. Each element has a primary colour depicting its dynamic/active/supple state and a secondary colour representing its static/dormant/solid state. These colours perfectly correspond with the field and border colours on each general’s unit cards. Fire - Red primary colour of flames What I really find interesting is the way the cycles of the five ancient Chinese elements describe the interactions of the generals’ armies in battle and the relationships of the generals’ alliances. I am fascinated by the ebb and flow of battle, as well as the creation and breaking of alliances. These cycles are the dynamics of the Heroscape generals and their armies. There are two cycles of balance, a generating or creation (Shēng) cycle and an overcoming or controlling (Kč) cycle of interactions between the elements. Generating Cycle: Creation, Sheng Wood feeds/fuels Fire Fire creates/produces Earth Earth forms/yields Metal Metal collects/carries Water Water nourishes/grows Wood Controlling Cycle: Overcoming, Ke Wood parts Earth Earth muddies Water Water quenches Fire Fire bends Metal Metal cuts Wood There are also three cycles of imbalance, an overacting cycle (Cheng) and an insulting cycle (Wu). Overacting Cycle: Destruction, Cheng Wood breaks Earth Earth absorbs Water Water extinguishes Fire Fire melts Metal Metal chops Wood Insulting Cycle: Rebellious, Wu Fire boils/evaporates Water Water floods/washes away Earth Earth buries/rots Wood Wood dulls/breaches Metal Metal insults/controls Fire Restraining Cycle: Dissolving Wood absorbs Water Water rusts Metal Metal breaks up Earth Earth smothers Fire Fire burns Wood Each element has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that play off against those of the other elements. Philosophically each of the five elements should be relatively equal in strength to keep the cycles in balance. Whenever one element becomes too dominant or aggressive, others must combine strengths (create alliances) to keep the overpowering element in check. The ancient Chinese elements also represent the climates and directions (cardinal points). These coincide with the hemispheres and lands from which the generals recruit their warriors. Water - North, cold Jandar recruited Vikings, Knights, WWII GIs, and the MacDirks from the north (Northern Europe). Obviously, the glacier dwelling Dzu-teh and the ice breathing dragon Nilfheim were also summoned from this type of climate on other planets. Metal - West, dry Vydar recruited various Agents from America to the west. A dry climate best suits Soulborgs, considering that they would rust in a damp one. Earth - Center, damp Einar recruited Romans, Greeks, and Gladiators from the center of the world (Mediterranean). Fire - South, hot Utgar did not initially recruit from Earth, but if Hell could be placed on a map this is where one would locate it. This is the kind of swampy climate that the Marro dwell in. The volcano dwelling Obsidian Guard and fire breathing dragon Mimring also belong here. Wood - East, windy The Shalon Monks were recruited from China in the East. Ullar did not initially recruit from Earth, but I can easily envision large forests on Feylund full of Elves. So how does the new general Aquilla fit into all of this? Well upon further research, I discovered that earlier Chinese texts refer to Grain as the forgotten sixth element. Aquilla’s cards are yellow; which makes perfect sense, as yellow is the colour of Grain. Why is Aquilla the only female general? Grain is associated with fertility and abundance, so of course the fertility general must be female. There is no doubt in my mind that Heroscape was designed and developed around the ancient Chinese elements and the cycles that govern the relationships between them. This all seems to fit together much too neatly to be simply coincidence. Last edited by DocHex; July 23rd, 2009 at 02:33 AM. |
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
Amusing concept. There are many characteristics that do connect them to the Heroscape generals as far as personality.
Much of the information given pertains to the raw elements and how they deal with each other, fire burning wood etc... So can a study be made that reflects on how the 5 generals affect each other in that same manner? Jandar defends against Utgar. Utgar ravages Vydar etc... Neat concept, but can we use its wisdom to find that the generals make natural foils for one another? As the waves get more diversified, generals begin to become more adaptable and have new units that may do better against other generals armies. The generals also break down into specific statistics that are generally popular with their units. Ullar are faster, Vydar has better range, Utgar roll more attack dice. So can we argue that certain traits are better when fighting other traits, speed beating attack for example. The faster unit gets first strike and can drop a unit with higher attack before they get a chance to retaliate. The philosophy of the elements definitely gets you thinking... Make sound effects when you play Heroscape! It is sometimes annoying, but always more fun! |
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
This was a very good read. Everything seems to fit together untill you get into the dynamics of the game itself. But I like how this relates to the heroscape story and feel. It may also be a clue as to where other units will be arriving. I can kind of see how the "Fire burns wood" is related. To me it shows how each general has an advantage over the others but they are just as likely to win as he is. DocHex welcome to the sight. I hope you continue to post great Ideas like the one you've shown here.
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
Knockout first post DocHex! You've put forward a very good case. Something that seems like it would be up your alley is teekay's Heroscape Color Theory.
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
Well, if there was an award for best first post ever, this would be a contender for sure.
"I wish my iPad would stop trying to autocorrect all the heroscape names for me." Good Trades I have had. Collection Guide for Recommended Quantities. |
#6
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
Very nice, and lots of fun!
I doubt that Heroscape was originally set up consciously on any one idea template. But Ideas are eternal, they boil up out of the Idea Dimension and recur in human history all the time. The idea that one can own or originate an idea is hilarious. Actually, Ideas own us, and use us to materialize in new ways in this physically manifest part of reality. In Norse Mythology, which is loosely the basis of Heroscape, remember that all of Midgard (Middle Sphere; that which we can perceive) is only one of three... "And now back to our Swedish movie." --Narrator, Crusader Rabbit |
#7
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
Very nice essay! Best first post ever, indeed.
I listed the possible correspondence a while back, I'm glad to see all the thought and research you put into this. |
#8
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
Where would Aquilla fit in all of this?
Dund is just tricky, that's all. |
#9
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
Quote:
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#10
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Re: The Ancient Chinese Elements and the Heroscape Generals
Quote:
Dund is just tricky, that's all. |
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