Phlegra, as it is now, is a realm with three castes: a mage-priest elite, a warrior citizenry, and a large population of helot slaves. It calls back to the design of Mekone, the City-State of Gold and Marble that Titan-born Gigantes made in an age long past, and this is most likely intentional. In those days, the elites and the warriors were largely of the same Gigante stock, though with Elder Cyclopes from Telkhinis as the greatest mages. Then the Gigantes lost their reason, and their dignity, and eventually their form, following a disastrous declaration of War upon the Gods themselves…
The current Phlegra is a rump state of the original Phlegra, site of a government-in-exile for the defeated Mekone's Gigantes. The Gigantes had become tyrannical, either at this point or with the next generation, and that next generation was far more monstrous than what came before. Though unable to grasp their old ways, the Gigantes at least realized their deficiencies. Recognizing they were on the backfoot, they allowed the Elder Cyclopes to command the Younger Cyclopes of the Phlegran hills. Unable to understand old Mekonean writing, they welcomed Trophimoi (students) from the human realms to decipher it for them. This Phlegra was far less stable than Mekone, for the Phlegran Gigantes took far too many helotes, but the Trophimoi devised new means of holding the state together; one from Pythium, utilizing his old experience in the Theurgy and the enchanted blacksmithing of the Elder smiths, invented a means of coercion through mind-controlling headbands and shackles.
Eventually, however, the original Phlegra came apart. The Gigantes grew so monstrous and unreasonable that they became known as the Laestrygonians, and they imprisoned and ate the Elder Cyclopes in their madness. Then they fought each other, and this gave the helotes (or perhaps some ambitious mind-controllers using them) the chance to rise up. With his kin driven underground, the last Laestrygonian with a Phlegran city had a brief moment of clarity and empowered the Cyclopes (both the Youngers and the descendants of the Elders) to clean up this mess. The rebellion in Telepylos was crushed; and then, like his kin, that last Tyrant went to sleep in the bowels of the earth. Now Phlegra exists for the Cyclopes; they care little for the affairs of humanity, as long as their martial prowess and (limited) acumen as generals are honored, and the new users of the Iron Communions may do what they want. Phelgra's human Oppressors rule with an iron fist, but they are powerless against the legend of the Laestrygonians, whose prophesized return keeps all but the Cyclopes up at night.
"Mekone and its successors are inspired by giants of Greek myth. Described either as strong and proud hoplites, or in later times, as monstrous beings with serpent legs, the idea of a nation of giants that doesn’t follow the development of most other giant nations, with smaller and smaller giants in the later ages, started to take form. … I also wanted to incorporate the hubris of the giants and the Gigantomachia—the war against the gods—into the nation, which in turn created the backstory for the middle and late age versions of the nation.
Phlegra in the middle age is a nation that has lost most of its proud legacy. The Gigantes of Mekone are cursed for their hubris and are becoming physically and mentally afflicted. I also wanted to add shepherding cyclopes to the Elder Cyclopes of earlier times. At first, the nation felt a bit bland, but when I started to think on the slaves and the Phlegran society the idea of the oppressors and slave mages appeared. The feel of the nation took a whole new turn and the slave mage mechanics made for entirely new tactics not available to other nations." -Illwinter
Phlegra is a kingdom of human slaves living in constant terror of the monstrous giants that once claimed the lands as theirs. For centuries the giants have been absent and only memories of their tyranny remain. Most of the Phlegran population are human slaves and slave masters dominated by a warrior-caste of Younger Cyclopes, previously living pastoral lives on the slopes of the Phlegran hills. The Tyrants who once ruled the land were descendants of the Gigantes of Mekone, who made war upon the gods of men. Punished for their sins the Gigantes were imprisoned and cursed with monstrous appearance. Those who avoided imprisonment became Tyrants and rulers of Phlegra and formed a slave kingdom with the aid of human servants. But the Tyrants destroyed each other and the very lands they ruled. Slowly their numbers and influence dwindled and their servants made themselves rulers in all but name. Now human slave masters rule the kingdom in the name of absent Tyrants, hoping that the sleeping giants never wake up. - in-game description
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Magic Access | Alt. Access | Unit Summary | Core Abilities | Buildings |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 (Rare 4) 3 (Rare 4) 2 (Rare 3) 2 (Rare 3) 1 (Rare 2) 2 Late Game: 4 (rare 5) 2 (rare 3) | Master Smith Heroes 223 Summons 11 (req. 2 & GoR) 121 (req. 3 & GoR) Events 442 (one) 433 (one) | Mostly Human Slave Soldiers Cyclops Warriors Mouflon Cavalry No Sacred Troops. | Slave Taskmaster Communion Slave Communion Master | Standard Forts Starts with a Giant Fort |
Capitol Gems: 31
The Burning Mountain: This site boosts Heat by up to 2 points, and periodically drives up Unrest after Turn 5. After Turn 15, it may yield additional Fire Gems. After Turn 30, it will explode at some point; this will wipe out 20% of the local Population, add 40 Unrest, yield an old Laestrygonian King, and allow the recruitment of Laestrygonian Tyrants (Phlegra only). This also changes the site's yields, removing the Heat effect and replacing the 3 with 11. If Gigantomachia is cast, the site will also allow the recruitment of Laestrygonian troops after it explodes (again, only for Phlegra).
Turmoil Limit + 1
Unrest: All provinces under the dominion of Phlegra will have their unrest increased every turn. Higher dominion strength in the province yields a greater increase in unrest. In a disciple game this will only have an effect if Phlegra is the Pretender God and then it will affect the disciples as well. Being a disciple of Phlegra will be difficult.
The Helotes make up most of Phlegra's manpower. These Size 3 humans are Slaves of greater beings, possessing a miserable 7 Morale, or 6 for the archers. Generations of martial servitude have changed the average helot's character, giving them an enormous 14 Combat Speed naked; the archers do not share in this, possibly of a more-dignified ancestry.
Phlegra's human commanders (and mages, and priests) are known as the Oppressors. Previous generations were students imported from neighboring realms, and most of the Oppressors are still quite bookish; that being said, there are some mage-hobbyists who have taken up the old Mekonean martial tradition. All are Taskmasters, well-suited for handling their lesser kin.
Younger Cyclopes are the new, Size-6 citizen class of Phlegra, in the absence of two-eyed Giants. Carefully drilled from birth, and equipped by their stepbrother smiths, these Cyclopes are capable and well-armed soldiers; they aren't quite as good as the Gigante soldiers of old, but they still have 11 Attack Skill and 22 Strength. Naked, they have 9 Defence Skill, 2 Encumbrance, 16 Map Movement, and 17 Combat Speed. Being one-eyed, they possess only 7 Precision, or a meager 5 with their Javelins – accuracy isn't their strong suit. They also have Gluttony (1 point), and an arrogance issue that makes them ignore Leadership from smaller beings. Lastly, they are still a bit challenged with magic, possessing 9 Magic Resistance.
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Phlegran Commander 60 26 1 | Taskmaster (2) Slave | Commentary here. | |
Cyclope Commander 105 83 1 | Taskmaster (2) Eyes (1) Gluttony (+1) 10 Gold Cheaper When Active (Gigantomachia) | Commentary here. | |
Phlegran Cataphract Commander 135 50 2 | Taskmaster (3) Skilled Rider (3) Slave Mountain Survival | Commentary here. | |
Cataphracted Mouflon | Cold Resistance (5) Supply Bonus (5) Undisciplined Animal Mountain Survival | Commentary here. | |
Plegran Priest 90 1 1 | 1 Sacred Reduces Unrest (2) Taskmaster (1) Slave | Commentary here. | |
Shackled Mage 95 1 2 | 1100%5 Starting Affliction Chance (50%) Slave Communion Slave | Commentary here. | |
Plegran Oppressor 160 1 2 | 111100%11 Taskmaster (2) | Commentary here. | |
Oppressor General 185 21 2 | 11100%9 Taskmaster (2) | Commentary here. | |
Cyclope Smith 335 3 2 Capital Only | 111100% 10%11 Fire Resistance (15) Resource Bonus (20) Master Smith (1) Eyes (1) Mountain Survival 10 Gold Cheaper When Active (Gigantomachia) | Commentary here. | |
Plegran Oppressor 160 1 2 Capital Only | 1111122100% 100% 10%19 Sacred Taskmaster (2) Old Age (65/48) Communion Master | Commentary here. |
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Helote Archer 8 5 4 | Slave | Commentary here. | |
Helote Crossbowman 8 26 4 | Slave | Commentary here. | |
Helote Soldier 8 26 4 | Slave Lab Promotion (At 25 XP to Iron Bound) | Commentary here. | |
Iron Bound | Suffers Damage on Rout (5) Morale Bonus (8) Magic Being Slave | Commentary here. | |
Iron Guard 15 35 16 Capital Only | Bodyguard (2) Suffers Damage on Rout (5) Morale Bonus (8) Magic Being Slave | Commentary here. | |
Mouflon Cataphract 40 50 31 | Skilled Rider (2) Slave Mountain Survival | Commentary here. | |
Cataphracted Mouflon | Cold Resistance (5) Supply Bonus (5) Undisciplined Animal Mountain Survival | Commentary here. | |
Cyclope Soldier 40 67 Limited Recruitment (4 per Turn) | Minimum Leader Size (6) Eyes (1) Gluttony (+1) 10 Gold Cheaper When Active (Gigantomachia) | Commentary here. |
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Steropes - Elder Cyclops Earliest Arrival Turn (15) | 22319 Fire Resistance (15) Resource Bonus (25) Master Smith (1) Eyes (1) Old Age Mountain Survival | Commentary here. |
Summon Spell | Unit | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Sow Dragon Teeth (Enchantment 6) 2 and 1 | Spartae x 10 | Cold Resistance (15) Poison Resistance (25) Formation Fighter (2) Old Age Poor Amphibian Pierce Resistance Magic Being Inanimate Need Not Eat Does Not Heal Naturally Spirit Sight | Commentary here. |
Summon Spell | Unit | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Procession of the Underworld (Conjuration 5) 3 and 13 | Lampad x 15 | Invulnerability (15) Supply Bonus (10) Patrol Bonus (5) Stygian Guide (75%) Recuperation Spirit Sight Female 12113 with Divine Name or Gift of Reason | Commentary here. |
Summon Hound of Twilight (Conjuration 5) 21 and 3 | Hound of Twilight | Poison Resistance (15) Darkvision (100%) Fear (5) Patrol Bonus (20) Unsurroundable (2) Spirit Sight Eyes (4) | Commentary here. |
Bind Keres (Conjuration 6) 2 and 12 | Ker x 3 | Cold Resistance (15) Poison Resistance (15) Stealthy (40) Fear (6) Increases Unrest (1 per month) Ethereal Flying Storm Immunity Need Not Eat Demon Spirit Sight Invisible Female 119 with Divine Name or Gift of Reason | Commentary here. |
Forge Brass Bull (Construction 6) 33 and 25 | Khalkotauros | Fire Resistance (25) Cold Resistance (15) Poison Resistance (25) Shock Resistance (15) Heat Aura (3) Trample Does Not Heal Naturally | Commentary here. |
See Magic Access. These guides supplement the summaries at the top.
Cyclope Smith have Master Smith, increasing their paths by one for the purpose of forging items. Master Smith does not help with summoning, though.
An Elder Cyclops with 1 or 1 (1 in 4 for both) can make a Staff of Elemental Mastery, Crown of the Elements Unique or Staff of Elemental Mastery, which can be very helpful. Both versions are difficult to get to, though.
LA Phlegra can progress high enough in Astral to get a Ring of Sorcery and a Ring of Wizardry. The only sorcery path LA Phlegra has is Astral, so the Ring of Sorcery doesn't give as much flexibility as it does for other nations.
The hero, Steropes - Elder Cyclops (23), with an Air can create a Staff of Elemental Mastery.
The Magic Lamp Unique but Reforgable
11 Cyclope Smith (1 in 4) + (because of Master Smith).
22 Steropes - Elder Cyclops, the hero +
Obviously, any of the Elemental Mastery boosters, a Ring of Wizardry, or The Forbidden Light Unique, can all really help.
With The Magic Lamp, Al Khazim - Jinn can be summoned. It doesn't give any new paths, but is high in the four it does have.
Highest Starting: 3 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8), but 2 Cyclope Smith (1 in 4) effectively has 3 for the purpose of crafting boosters.
Both need a level of empowerment to get to Flame Helmet.
Oppressor Archon has the right crosspaths for the Forbidden Light but it's a lot of boosters.
Highest Starting: 2 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8), but 1 Cyclope Smith (1 in 4) effectively has 2 for the purpose of crafting boosters.
Even with Tome of High Power, a level of empowerment is necessary to get to Winged Helmet.
The hero, Steropes - Elder Cyclops, only needs the Tome of High Power or a level of empowerment to get to Winged Helmet.
Tome of High Power Unique
21 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8) + Astral
Highest Starting: 2 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8), but 1 Cyclope Smith (1 in 4) effectively has 2 for the purpose of crafting boosters.
Trident from Beyond Unique
21 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8) +
Orb of Atlantis Unique
21 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8) +
Highest Starting: 3 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8), but 2 Cyclope Smith (1 in 4) effectively has 3 for the purpose of crafting boosters.
The hero, Steropes - Elder Cyclops, has 3, effectively 4 for crafting boosters.
Oppressor Archon has the right crosspaths for the Atlas of Creation but it's a lot of boosters.
Highest Starting: 2 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8)
Coin of Meteoritic Iron
12 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8) +
Tome of High Power Unique
21 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8) +
Golem Construction
12 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8) +
Oppressor Archon has the right crosspaths for the Atlas of Creation or the Forbidden Light but it's a lot of boosters for either of them.
No national access.
No national access.
No national access.
Troll King's Court
3 Oppressor Archon (1 in 8) +
Troll King has 1
No national access.
How to win as the nation. Feel free to use the following sections, or delete them, or change them.
Different expansion options.
Early game options.
Mid game options.
Late game options.
Chassis: Awake Titan of Crossroads
Paths: 457
Bless: MW/Arcane Finesse, Invuln 10, Regen.
Scales: 6203123
What are the nation's weaknesses?
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