"The Machaka of the early age is influenced by the old pen and paper RPG Powers and Perils. In the fantastic campaign setting of this game there was a nation of African stock led by great men that were released from a great sleeping city. The notion of a released race of superior men was attractive. Various myths, tales, films and "African" fantasy concepts have been mashed together and mixed with the middle age Machaka ideas. My first idea of clans based on body parts like liver, heart, hand, head and leg, did not feel right and was replaced with animals, more fitting with the spiders of the middle age.
The nation evolved side by side with Berytos, but it took a bit longer to finish. Creating two nations together and intertwining their history gave them both additional life. It is probably something I want to do with more new nations in the future." - Illwinter
Machaka is an old sacral kingdom divided into totemic clans. The clans follow their totemic spirits and worship them as bringers of civilization and tell myths about their interactions with men. For centuries the Lion Clan has dominated the others and formed a unified kingdom under their wise rule. The Lion Clan is blessed by Lion and they are superior to other men. The Great Men of Mababwe, called ’Colossi’ by Arcoscephalean historians, have ruled the plains since Hyena was coerced to teach metalworking to men and Rhino was defeated by spears longer than his. From Great Mababwe, the semi-divine Colossi of the Lion Clan rule their lesser kin as sacred Kings and Queens. There are many totemic clans, but some have been more influential. Hyena, Rhino, Elephant and Spider all serve Lion with their totemic masters’ skills and guidance. Recent contact with Berytos and other nations has seen the rise of ambition among the Colossi royalty and the Lion Kings are preparing for the Awakening of Lion. Machakans prefer hot lands.
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Magic Access | Alt. Access | Unit Summary | Core Abilities | Buildings |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 (rare 4) 3 (rare 4) 3 3 2 (rare 3) 2 | Hero 3 | Light Infantry with Tower Shields Archers Rhino Clan: Heavy Infantry Spider Clan: Poison, Spies, Spider Riders Good-Morale Lions & Elephants Sacred Colossi Lion Warriors | Beastmaster tight-rein Forge Bonus (1) Cause Unrest (+2/Month) Heretic (2) Disease Healer (1) Wasteland Survival Forest Survival | Standard Forts |
Capitol Gems: 12111
Heat limit + 1
Prefers Heat Scale + 2
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Machaka Scout 35 3 1 | Stealthy (40) Mountain Survival Forest Survival | Scout for scouting. | |
Voice of Spider 105 3 2 | Sacred Stealthy (60) Forest Survival Spy | Commentary here. | |
Rhino Clan Commander 55 13 1 | Commentary here. | ||
Lion Clan Commander 105 8 1 | Commentary here. | ||
Voice of Lion 115 2 2 | 117 Sacred Supply Bonus (10) Beastmaster (+2) Tight Rein | Commentary here. | |
Spider Clan Witch Doctor 140 1 2 | 11119 Poison Resistance (5) Inept Researcher (-4) Supply Bonus (+10) Forest Survival | Commentary here. | |
Hyena Clan Witch Doctor 230 1 2 | 11213 Disease Healer (1) Heretic (1) Wasteland Survival | Commentary here. | |
Bouda 300 3 4 | 1221100% 17 Forge Bonus (1) Cause Unrest (+2 per Month) Heretic (2) Wasteland Survival Shapechanger: Werehyena | Commentary here. | |
Werehyena | 1221100% 17 Stealthy (40) Cause Unrest (+2 per Month) Heretic (2) Wasteland Survival Shapechanger: Bouda | Commentary here. | |
Spider Clan Sorcerer 270 1 4 Capital Only | 11112100% 100% 10% 17 Poison Resistance (5) Supply Bonus (10) Forest Survival | Commentary here. | |
Lion Queen 445 7 4 Capital Only | 3121010% 17 Sacred Fire Resistance (5) Supply Bonus (+20) Female | Commentary here. | |
Lion King 490 10 4 Capital Only | 2132010%17 Sacred Poison Resistance (5) Supply Bonus (+30) | Commentary here. |
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Pygmy 5 2 2 | Forest Survival | Commentary here. | |
Machaka Militia 7 2 3 | Commentary here. | ||
Bird Clan Archer 10 3 9 | Commentary here. | ||
Machaka Warrior 10 2 9 | Commentary here. | ||
Hyena Clan Warrior 10 5 9 | Wasteland Survival | Commentary here. | |
Spider Clan Archer 12 4 20 Capital Only | Forest Survival | Commentary here. | |
Spider Clan Warrior 12 5 14 Capital Only | Forest Survival | Commentary here. | |
Rhino Clan Warrior 13 13 16 | Formation Fighter (2) | Commentary here. | |
Lion Clan Warrior 14 6 18 | Commentary here. | ||
War Lion 20 1 14 | Darkvision (50) Undisciplined Animal | Commentary here. | |
Spider Rider 25 5 24 Capital Only | Forest Survival | Commentary here. | |
Great Spider | Poison Resistance (15) Eyes (8) Undisciplined Animal Forest Survival Stupid | Commentary here. | |
Elephant Rider 100 18 34 | Commentary here. | ||
Machaka War Elephant | No-throw-off Animal Trample | Commentary here. | |
Elephant Archer x 2 | Mobile Archer | Commentary here. | |
Lion Warrior 40 23 23 Capital Only | Sacred Invulnerability(18) | Commentary here. |
Sprite | Unit Name | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
| Ainra - Lady of Spiders | 133223 Poison Resistance (5) Forest Survival Female Shapechanger (Great Spider) Dominion Summons (Great Spider) x 20 | Powerful Earth and Death mage with a second spider health pool. |
Great Spider | 2313 Poison Resistance Eyes (8) Forest Survival Shapechanger (Lady of Spiders) | Commentary here. | |
Abasi - Hero | Inspirational (1) Forest Survival | Inspirational leader for free, may also be used in minor arena battles. Save for late game with morale boost items for a army that is harder to rout. |
|
Yasini - King Triumphant | 3 Sacred Awe (+1) Inspirational (1) Forest Survival | Throne claimer, and better leader then Abasi. | |
Mwaka - Crowned Ape | 1 Sacred Animal Forest Survival Dominion Summons (Great Ape) | Big 120 leadership commander and gets some extra ape siege chaff. | |
Mchumba - Ape Oracle | 17 Supply Bonus (10) Fortune Teller (10%) Animal Forest Survival Female | Only use is to have her sit around and prevent bad events. |
Summon Spell | Unit | Special Attributes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Pride of Lions (Conjuration 3) 2 and 9 | Great Lion x 15+ | Darkvision (50%) Undisciplined Animal | Commentary here. |
Herd of Elephants (Conjuration 3) 2 and 20 | Elephant x 5 + [1/2 per lvl] | Animal Trample | Commentary here. |
See Magic Access. These guides supplement the summaries at the top.
Lion Queen, with 3, is the highest reliable recruitable mage. Any of the 11 mages can create a Skull of Fire.
No native access. 14 for Faerie Court cast in Cold has 1 in 2 chance of 1. Cast in other than Cold, 1 in 3 chance.
No native access. 25 to Contact Lamia Queen for a 7 in 16 chance of 1.
3 can cast Summon Spectre for a 7 in 16 chance of at least 1.
14 for Faerie Court cast in Cold gives 3. Cast in other than Cold gives a 1 in 3 chance of 1.
3 Bouda (1 in 3) is the most reliable recruitable mage for Earth. Giving Earth Boots to a Lion Queen will allow it to attempt to create the unique The Tome of Gaia. Even with it, one level of empowerment is necessary to get to King of Elemental Earth. Without it, even getting to 5 and a King of Elemental Earth is not that helpful because the King can't wear the Earth Boots and so can't get to 6.
No native access. 31 casts Hidden in Sand and Hidden Underneath, which both have ~3 in 4 chance of at least 1.
3 can cast Summon Spectre for a 7 in 16 chance of at least 1.
3 Bouda (1 in 3), will need both a Skull Staff and a level of empowerment to reach 5, the next major step up Death.
EA Machaka can make The Silver Arms, which is useful for Death's multiple two-handed boosters.
Lion King has 3. With Earth Boots, he can make the unique The Tome of Gaia. Without The Tome of Gaia a level of empowerment is needed to get to a Treelord's Staff at 5.
EA Machaka can make The Copper Arm and The Silver Arms, which are useful for Nature's multiple hand held boosters.
Spider Clan Sorcerer has a ~1 in 5 chance of 2 and ~1 in 25 chance of 3. 3 is necessary for the first booster, Gossamer Veil.
The next booster, a Mirage Crystal requires 23. The 2 is simple, just give Earth Boots, crafted by a Bouda, to a Spider Clan Sorcerer with an Earth path (~1 in 5). But, getting that same sorcerer to 3 is tricky. Only ~1 in 25 Spider Clan Sorcerers have 21. Empowerment may be necessary.
Once the Spider Clan Sorcerer is at 4, with a Fire booster, it can attempt to craft the unique The Sword of Many Colors.
No native access. 5 can cast Awaken Treelord for a 1 in 4 stationary 1.
25 to Contact Lamia Queen for a 7 in 16 chance of 1.
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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