"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.

If you are considering picking this nation to play, what should you know?

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

• Weavers of the Wood (Enchantment 5)
  4 and 6
  Commentary here.

• Totem Shield (Construction 5) 11 and 44
• Spirit Mask (Construction 5) 21 and 84
• Kithaironic Lion Pelt (Construction 3) 23 and 11

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.

What are the nation's weaknesses?

Add links to guides or other overviews for this nation here.

Nations
Early Ages	Arcoscephale • Ermor • Ulm • Pyrène, • Marverni • Sauromatia • T'ien Ch'i • Machaka • Mictlan • Abysia • Caelum • C'tis • Pangaea • Agartha • Tir na n'Og • Fomoria • Vanheim • Helheim • Niefelheim • Muspelheim • Rus • Kailasa • Lanka • Yomi • Hinnom • Ur • Berytos • Xibalba • Mekone • Ubar • Atlantis • R'lyeh • Pelagia • Oceania • Therodos
Middle Ages	Arcoscephale • Ermor • Sceleria • Pythium • Man • Eriu • Ulm • Pyrène • Marignon • Mictlan • T'ien Ch'i • Machaka • Agartha • Abysia • Caelum • C'tis • Pangaea • Asphodel • Vanheim • Jotunheim • Nidavangr • Vanarus • Bandar Log • Shinuyama • Ashdod • Uruk • Nazca • Xibalba • Phlegra • Phaeacia • Ind • Na'ba • Atlantis • R'lyeh • Pelagia • Oceania • Ys
Late Ages	Arcoscephale • Pythium • Lemuria • Man • Ulm • Marignon • Mictlan • T'ien Ch'i • Jomon • Agartha • Abysia • Caelum • C'tis • Pangaea • Midgård • Utgård • Bogarus • Patala • Gath • Ragha • Xibalba • Phlegra • Vaettiheim • Feminie • Piconye • Andramania • Pyrène • Atlantis • R'lyeh • Erytheia