Pentalarc's custom factions

[pentalarc]

Hello all, I will be posting my custom factions which have not yet been available widely, as they were not posted on Network Node before the site went inactive.  Additionally, I will be posting information on, possible updates, additional information for faction which are already available.

This will be a bit of a slow process, because I am very busy these days, and things are a bit chaotic, so bear with me.

I have started transferring the files from an old drive to my new computer, and sorting through them.  It's a bit of a process because the file set that I found was the master list of all the factions that I would put into the game, so I have to sort mine out from all of the other factions, standard and custom in the list.

Hopefully, I will also be creating some new factions soon once I get my creative juices flowing and can find ACEdit or the equivalent again.

A couple of things:

1) There are a couple of my factions missing, which are in other file sets, and I will find them.

2) THere is at least one faction that I think is mine, but I'm not completely sure.  There were three different factions that had the same name or similar, and I know that at least one of the other ones, I had to make modifications to in order to play or play against. (Again, the file set I found was the master folder I would use to drop factions into the game)  I do not want to step on anyone's toes or claim any work that is not my own, so if anything like that appears, someone please let me know.

3) Almost none of these factions have any graphics.  A very small few have rough leader pics that are roughly modified public domain pics, or people I know.  I cannot do graphics, at all, except for the most basic of modifications.  Thus, if anyone wants to provide/help with graphics, especially bases, let me know.

Thanks a bunch, and the dancing Lal is just cool.   

[JarlWolf]

I may be old but I still have purpose. Please contact me if you need bases and other graphics improved, I will help to my best ability.

[Buster's Uncle]

What he said.  There are a number of competent faction artists here, and a lot of us enjoy collaborating.  Looking forward to seeing your factions.

Thanks a bunch, and the dancing Lal is just cool.   

I need to think of a 'bursting with pride' smilie.

[pentalarc]

Going to start posting soon.  Probably later tonight or tomorrow.  Not completely sure the best way to do it, since I have not had the time to familiarize myself with the upload/download scheme here, nor have I found ACEdit to check the factions.

Is there any problem with, for now, just posting the raw txt file in post form?

[pentalarc]

Oh, one other thing.  Something may seem odd to some, basically the fact that my factions tend to be written for the most part (with the exception of one set that was created for a specific scenario on Network NOde) as if there are multiple examples of the manifolds, the factions, and even of Planet itself.

This is because I consider it in something that I call "Infinite Manifolds" basically, it bugged me that it seemed like a one-off event when so many different factions were available.  Thus, I came up with the idea that when the Transcendence first happened, it activated the remaining manifolds, which due to the fact that the manifolds were now incomplete/not all activated, etc, caused as flaw in the borders between the quantum universes, resulting in multiple parallel versions of Planet, Earth, and the Unity coming into the same universe, where, on each copy, things happened slightly/somewhat/extremely differently.  I.e. different people/groups were on these versions of the Unity.

Thus, multiple games can be played, as it all makes sense, as it is a scramble for these various parallel versions of PLanet.  This probably has someting to do with the fact I have mild OCD, so I had to make it make sense in a suitably scientific way. 

THe upshot of it all is, that all of hte factions, even ones from the Return to Earth are made to work with all the other factions as well.

[sisko]

  Not completely sure the best way to do it, since I have not had the time to familiarize myself with the upload/download scheme here, ..

We have a downloads section but i suggest using that only for the finished work: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads (Main menu -> Resources -> Downloads)
If you need feedback on any file it's better to just attach the files to the post (images) or copy-paste (the text files) using the [ code ] [ /code ] tags or even [ spoiler ] [ /spoiler ] if it's too long. Our users tend to get lazy if the content is more than a click away.. 

[sisko]

.. nor have I found ACEdit to check the factions.

Here's something for your: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2907.msg16419#msg16419

[pentalarc]

Okay, thanks for the direction to the ACedit download. . .strangely, a different one from what I did many of my factions on, at least as far as I remember.  Anyway, here's the first one.  I checked it, and it appears to be right.

As far as I know, this one was not set up for download at NetworkNOde before the site went inactive.  It is my take on the finance faction concept. 

I don't think there are any graphics for this faction, but I vaguely remember that I could be wrong, or I could have borrowed a different set of graphics when I played/tested them or played against them.

Some interesting facts:

This is actually based on "Civic Improvement Associations" which are relatively common in the richer neighborhoods of the city where I grew up, (New Orleans) and I assume many other places as well, or have their own versions even if they aren't called that.  Basically wealthy conservative residents who at best bug people about keeping their grass cut, what "proper" holiday decorations are, what colors they can paint their house, and at worse. . . well let's just say they can get real scary.  Seems like the type of people who could buy their way onto Unity, and then make sure that they kept "undesirables" out of "their" part of Planet afterwards.

Probably looks like one of the "evil" factions I was known for on Network Node, but in actually it's a bit of dark humor on my part.  What would a society be like actually run by people who but their nose into how often other people cut their lawn?  So it's a bit of sarcastic humor I suppose.

Street names in New Orleans are themed by neighborhood (trees, governors, battles, fish, etc) and two of the neighborhoods imfamous locally are themed after birds and gemstones, so that's the majority of the base names.  Sort of an inside joke.

Another joke, the title of the book that the leader quote is from is purposely incorrect French.

Overall:

Selected randomly and was the first one that I think was complete and didn't need to be tweaked/corrected, except to correct one misspelling.

I think it's fairly balanced, the big boost to Economy, an important stat, is balanced by the fact that they have small penalties to Industry and Research, other important stats.  They have an interest bonus, and that, plus their economy and free energy bank should give them a big boost in that area.   They are definitely not made to attack, but the perimeter defense should help them stick around to build long enough.  Research penalty and no starting tech makes it a challenge. 

They make a fun opponent, and I think are a good faction for someone who likes building in a different way, and can go for the global energy market victory, which not a lot of factions are set towards. 


As always, I welcome advice/reviews/ideas.

So, with no further ado, the faction file begins after the "%%%"

;
; Sid Meier's ALPHA CENTAURI
;
; FACTION FILE: Londrian Federation
;
; Made with ACEdit (c)1999 ANX  at http://www.sidgames.com/acedit
;
; For use this Faction file select load from
; faction select in the game and write... londrian
;

#LONDRIAN
Londrian Federation, the Londrians, Londrians, M, 1, Prudence Barnes, F, -1, 0, 0, 1, 0,
  SOCIAL, --MORALE, SOCIAL, +++ECONOMY, SOCIAL, -INDUSTRY, SOCIAL, -RESEARCH, FACILITY, 7, FACILITY, 4, INTEREST, 5
  Values, Wealth, ECONOMY
  Economics, Planned, nil
  Londrian, Londri.
  Val Curren, David White, Curren Garden
  CEO, wealthy, uncaring, wealthy, greedy,
  greedy swine
  make quite a bit of money
  establish as safe society for the wealthy
  making herself richer and the poor poorer
  making herself richer and the poor poorer
  rob from the poor and give to yourself
  rolling in piles of coins
  rolling in piles of coins
  greed
  wealth, M1
  acquisition, M2
  security measures, M1
  pittance compared to what I have, M1
  protecting you from undesirables
  private security
  the rule of money

#BASES
Londria Towers
Sardonyx
Zircon
Emerald
Lark
Diamond
Thresher
Ruby
Swan
Crystal
Ibis
Sapphire
Plover
Dove
Onyx
Agate
Aquamarine
Sparrow
Agate
Bluebird
Opal
Robin
Turquoise
Crane
Silver
Gold
Platnium
#END

#WATERBASES
Seascape
Debtors Prison
Estate
Private Beach
Kelson Harbor
Audubon Harbor
Barfield Harbor
Exposition Harbor
#END

#BLURB
Money is not the root of all evil.  Evil is what is committed
by those who do not have it against those who do.  The greatest
benefit of money is not the ability to do what one wants, but
the ability to make what one wants to do right.
^
^           CEO Prudence Barnes
^                "Noblesse N'oblige Pas"
^

#DATALINKS1
^LEADER: {CEO Prudence Barnes}
^BACKGROUND: {Greenwich, Connecticut Unity Investor}
^AGENDA: {safe society for the wealthy}
^TECH: {none}
^

#DATALINKS2
^+3 ECONOMY: {financial wizards}
^-1 INDUSTRY: {NIMBY}
^-1 RESEARCH: {highly conventional}
^-2 MORALE : {war "inconvenient"}
^5% interest: {financial wizards}
^energy bank and perimeter defesne atevery base: {rich and paranoid}

#FACTIONTRUCE
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"We shouldn't fight like common criminals. . .emphasis on "common"
let us sign a truce and end this wasteful and ugly little tiff"

"Yes, this is certainly undignified"
"No, you're money can't save you from our armies"

#FACTIONTREATY
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"I think this will be economically advantagous for us both, $TITLE0
$NAME1 let us sign a treaty of friendship, and watch our coffers
fill.  Apparently, you are my kind of people"

"Yes, it's time to make some money, $NAME3"
"I wouldn't be your kind of people on a bet, no deal."


# ; This line must remain at end of file

[Geo]

I need to think of a 'bursting with pride' smilie.

Save that for Élodie?

[Buster's Uncle]

Élodie?

[Geo]

The French-Iberian expedition leader in Beyond Earth?

[pentalarc]

First of all, for all my factions, I would greatly appreciate and readily accept stuff in the graphics department, as I cannot do graphics myself with any real skill.

Secondly, here's the next Faction, the New Athenian Republic.

I think it has been completely corrected, I had to fix the datalinks lines. THere are have been several factions done on the idea of resurrecting ancient Greek culture in the setting of SMAC/SMACX.  This is my take on it.

I don't think this faction was ever released on NetworkNode, or anywhere else.  I do not have any workable graphics for it, though I may have a slightly (and badly) modified leader pic somewhere on another hard drive, taken from a public domain pic.

There might also be a sound file of my reading the blub on the same disk, but I'm not sure.

I think it's a good, balanced faction that works either to play or as an opponent.  A solid builder/governing faction.

text below the "%%%"

%%%%%%%%%%%

;
; Sid Meier's ALPHA CENTAURI
;
; FACTION FILE: New Athenian Republic
;
; Made with ACEdit (c)1999 ANX  at http://www.sidgames.com/acedit
;
; For use this Faction file select load from
; faction select in the game and write... nar
;

#NAR
New Athenian Republic, Athenians, Athenians, M, 2, Plato II, M, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0,
  SOCIAL, -GROWTH, SOCIAL, +RESEARCH, SOCIAL, +POLICE, SOCIAL, --PROBE, PSI, 1, RESEARCH, 1, DRONE, 1, TALENT, 3, ENERGY, 1, HURRY, 170, VOTES, 2
  Politics, Democratic, POLICE
  Future Society, Cybernetic, nil
  Athenian, Atheni.
  Homer the Younger, Agamemnon, Ode to Homer
  Philosopher King, wise, restricting, wise, outdated,
  outdated control freak
  make a society with the glory of old Athens
  return the ways of old Athens
  dressing us in togas and controlling our every thought
  dressing us in togas and controlling our every thought
  try to bring us back to the stone age
  babbling to his followers in outdoor circles of stunted earth trees
  babbling to your followers in outddoor circles of stunted earth trees
  searching for absolute control
  glory of old Athens, M1
  glory, M2
  philosophical debates, M1
  gift, M1
  the arts of proper war
  New Athenian Army
  The Republic

#BASES
The Great Symposium
Illium
Hector
Priam
Stentor
Bellerophon
Isandros
Hippolochos
Laodameia
Thales
Pittacus
Bias
Solon
Cleobulus
Myson
Chilon
Hippocrates
Diogenes
Potamon
Epicurus
Archimedes
Hieron
Aristippus
Zeno
Empedocles
Leuippus
Democritus
#END

#WATERBASES
Metrodorus
Aristotle
Plato
Socrates
Pythagoras
Acadame
Horace
Gyges
#END

#BLURB
Look, and you will see, who were the first to give us philosophy
and democracy.  Perhaps it is not that we did not learn how
to have a planet on  Earth, but that we had forgotten.
^
^             Philosopher King Plato II
^            "Return to the Glory of Athens"
^

#DATALINKS1
^LEADER: {Philosopher King Plato II}
^BACKGROUND: {Unknown, Unity Assistant Professor of Philosophy and History}
^AGENDA: {civiliztaion based on Plato's Republic}
^TECH: {none}
^

#DATALINKS2
^+1 POLICE: {highly ordered society}
^+1 RESEARCH, extra talent per 3 citizens: {attracts intelligencia}
^-1 GROWTH: {controlled, semi-closed society}
^-1 PROBE, may not use cybernetic: {Traditionalist policies in conflict}
^170% Hurry costs: {Perfectionist tendencies}
^double votes for governor: {focus on diplomacy}

#FACTIONTRUCE
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"This war violates the principles of logic, let us call a cease
fire"

"A very wise decision, I agree"
"I thought cowardice went against your philosophy. . .ready your troops."

#FACTIONTREATY
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"Reason and logic show that we would work well together, shall
we sign a treaty of friendship to formalize our alliance"

"Perfectly logical,  $NAME3 I agree"
"No, I don't need you telling me what to do."


# ; This line must remain at end of file

[pentalarc]

Next, what about an artists' colony on Planet?  This is one of my first factions that I designed, and it has been modified/corrected several times.  As far as I Know, it has never been released elsewhere.

I checked it, and I think that it's right now.

It's actually, in my opinion, a pretty good builder faction.  Not the first choice for an agressive player, but I tend to be a builder myself, so a lot of my factions tend to go that way.

There are no graphics for this faction.  I think there might be a sound file of my saying the faction quote in a fake accent.  (Which is probably not close to an accurate Russian or Polish accent.  SEe below)

Interesting fact, or at least interesting error, I listed the leader as originally being from Poland, but gave him a clearly Russian name.  Proof that 1) The faction was designed before I developed much of an interest in linguistics, and 2) my research isn't always up to snuff.

Text file below the "%%%"

%%%%%%%%%%

;
; Sid Meier's ALPHA CENTAURI
;
; FACTION FILE: Artists' Coalition
;
; Made with ACEdit (c)1999 ANX  at http://www.sidgames.com/acedit
;
; For use this Faction file select load from
; faction select in the game and write... artfacb
;

#ARTFACB
Artists' Coalition, The Artist, Coalition, M, 1, Andressiev Korviev, M, -1, 0, 1, 0, 0,
  TECH, Psych, SOCIAL, +GROWTH, SOCIAL, +PLANET, SOCIAL, -MORALE, SOCIAL, --POLICE, FACILITY, 3, TALENT, 4, HURRY, 125, COMMERCE, 1, MORALE, 0, VOTES, 1, FUNGNUTRIENT, 2, MINDCONTROL, 0, TERRAFORM, 0
  Future Society, Eudaimonic, EFFIC
  Politics, Police State, nil
  Artist, Artist
  Annie Sparr, Oppenfeld, Sparr's Canvas
  Artisan, brilliant and talented, flighty and useless, creative, useless,
  Unsteady Dabbler
  revel in the beauty of this land
  to preserve and celebrate this new land
  damaging the integrity of all that we have worked to achieve
  damaging the integrity of all that so many have worked so hard to achieve
  let science and technology serve frivolity
  painting pictures of dead mindworms
  painting pictures of dead mindworms
  engaging in nothing but frivolity
  pathetic art, M1
  artistic endevors, M2
  artistic pursuits, M2
  gift, M1
  improving infrastructure and morale
  The Guardians of Free Thought
  Coalition Rules

#BASES
Hand of the Muse
Terpsicore
Clio
Erato
Polyhymnia
Caliope
Thalia
Melpomene
Euterpe
9th Muse
Sappho
Prokofiev
Dali
Magritte
Li Po
Beethoven
Ravel
Ramos
Warhol
Berlioz
Mahler
Brahms
DuChamps
Arp
Picabia
Picasso
Manet
#END

#WATERBASES
Absinthe
Cocteau
Tarrantino
Cobain
Osbourne
Lenz
Cholardi
Bjelland
#END

#BLURB
^  Why can we not replace the screams of violence with the sound
of music?  Or use screams as our music?  Why can we not replace
the ramparts of war with sculpture, or make them our sculpture?
^
^                  Artisan Andressiev Koriev

#DATALINKS1
^LEADER: {Andressiev Korviev}
^BACKGROUND: {Krakow, Poland, Unity Art and Culture Secretary}
^AGENDA: {Free Artistic Creativity}
^TECH: {Social Psychology}
^

#DATALINKS2
^+1 GROWTH: {Rapid population growth}
^+1 PLANET: {Appreciation of Natural Beauty}
^-2 POLICE: {Dislike for authority}
^re-use of material: {Free RECYCLING TANKS at each base}
^{May not use Police State.}
^{+1 base bonus for talents, research and commerc (extra talent per 4)}
^{-1 MORALE (dislike conflict}

#FACTIONTRUCE
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"This foolish combat spoils the land!, $NAME1, Let us sign a blood
truce so we can turn our efforts to more noble pursuits."

"Let us sign a truce to end this small-minded conflict."
"Never, your troops are well-painted, but useless!"

#FACTIONTREATY
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"$TITLE0 $NAME1, I hope you will one day see the error of your
ways, and see the nescessity and benefits of art and creativity,
let us sign a treaty."

"As you wish, I see no threat from you"
"No, there is nothing we need to fear from you and you cannot protect your land, $NAME3."


# ; This line must remain at end of file

[Yitzi]

I think it's fairly balanced, the big boost to Economy, an important stat, is balanced by the fact that they have small penalties to Industry and Research, other important stats.  They have an interest bonus, and that, plus their economy and free energy bank should give them a big boost in that area.   They are definitely not made to attack, but the perimeter defense should help them stick around to build long enough.  Research penalty and no starting tech makes it a challenge.

They make a fun opponent, and I think are a good faction for someone who likes building in a different way, and can go for the global energy market victory, which not a lot of factions are set towards. 


As always, I welcome advice/reviews/ideas.

So, with no further ado, the faction file begins after the "%%%"

;
; Sid Meier's ALPHA CENTAURI
;
; FACTION FILE: Londrian Federation
;
; Made with ACEdit (c)1999 ANX  at http://www.sidgames.com/acedit
;
; For use this Faction file select load from
; faction select in the game and write... londrian
;

#LONDRIAN
Londrian Federation, the Londrians, Londrians, M, 1, Prudence Barnes, F, -1, 0, 0, 1, 0,
  SOCIAL, --MORALE, SOCIAL, +++ECONOMY, SOCIAL, -INDUSTRY, SOCIAL, -RESEARCH, FACILITY, 7, FACILITY, 4, INTEREST, 5
  Values, Wealth, ECONOMY
  Economics, Planned, nil
  Londrian, Londri.
  Val Curren, David White, Curren Garden
  CEO, wealthy, uncaring, wealthy, greedy,
  greedy swine
  make quite a bit of money
  establish as safe society for the wealthy
  making herself richer and the poor poorer
  making herself richer and the poor poorer
  rob from the poor and give to yourself
  rolling in piles of coins
  rolling in piles of coins
  greed
  wealth, M1
  acquisition, M2
  security measures, M1
  pittance compared to what I have, M1
  protecting you from undesirables
  private security
  the rule of money

#BASES
Londria Towers
Sardonyx
Zircon
Emerald
Lark
Diamond
Thresher
Ruby
Swan
Crystal
Ibis
Sapphire
Plover
Dove
Onyx
Agate
Aquamarine
Sparrow
Agate
Bluebird
Opal
Robin
Turquoise
Crane
Silver
Gold
Platnium
#END

#WATERBASES
Seascape
Debtors Prison
Estate
Private Beach
Kelson Harbor
Audubon Harbor
Barfield Harbor
Exposition Harbor
#END

#BLURB
Money is not the root of all evil.  Evil is what is committed
by those who do not have it against those who do.  The greatest
benefit of money is not the ability to do what one wants, but
the ability to make what one wants to do right.
^
^           CEO Prudence Barnes
^                "Noblesse N'oblige Pas"
^

#DATALINKS1
^LEADER: {CEO Prudence Barnes}
^BACKGROUND: {Greenwich, Connecticut Unity Investor}
^AGENDA: {safe society for the wealthy}
^TECH: {none}
^

#DATALINKS2
^+3 ECONOMY: {financial wizards}
^-1 INDUSTRY: {NIMBY}
^-1 RESEARCH: {highly conventional}
^-2 MORALE : {war "inconvenient"}
^5% interest: {financial wizards}
^energy bank and perimeter defesne atevery base: {rich and paranoid}

#FACTIONTRUCE
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"We shouldn't fight like common criminals. . .emphasis on "common"
let us sign a truce and end this wasteful and ugly little tiff"

"Yes, this is certainly undignified"
"No, you're money can't save you from our armies"

#FACTIONTREATY
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"I think this will be economically advantagous for us both, $TITLE0
$NAME1 let us sign a treaty of friendship, and watch our coffers
fill.  Apparently, you are my kind of people"

"Yes, it's time to make some money, $NAME3"
"I wouldn't be your kind of people on a bet, no deal."


# ; This line must remain at end of file

Interesting indeed.  They'd probably play a lot like a Green , though even more interested in commerce (as with Wealth they get +2 commerce instead of just +1).  I'd imagine armies heavy on native and probe teams, and outright buying pacts of brotherhood (and perhaps additional protection).

They might be overpowered, though; while INDUSTRY and RESEARCH are both fairly important, the ability to collect a bunch of cash and then run 100% science on +4 ECONOMY and +4 EFFIC (with dem/green/wealth) in perpetuity (relying on interest to cover operating expenses) will probably more than make up for that, and even leave over enough extra to help hurry production.

Secondly, here's the next Faction, the New Athenian Republic.

I think it has been completely corrected, I had to fix the datalinks lines. THere are have been several factions done on the idea of resurrecting ancient Greek culture in the setting of SMAC/SMACX.  This is my take on it.

I don't think this faction was ever released on NetworkNode, or anywhere else.  I do not have any workable graphics for it, though I may have a slightly (and badly) modified leader pic somewhere on another hard drive, taken from a public domain pic.

There might also be a sound file of my reading the blub on the same disk, but I'm not sure.

I think it's a good, balanced faction that works either to play or as an opponent.  A solid builder/governing faction.

text below the "%%%"

%%%%%%%%%%%

;
; Sid Meier's ALPHA CENTAURI
;
; FACTION FILE: New Athenian Republic
;
; Made with ACEdit (c)1999 ANX  at http://www.sidgames.com/acedit
;
; For use this Faction file select load from
; faction select in the game and write... nar
;

#NAR
New Athenian Republic, Athenians, Athenians, M, 2, Plato II, M, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0,
  SOCIAL, -GROWTH, SOCIAL, +RESEARCH, SOCIAL, +POLICE, SOCIAL, --PROBE, PSI, 1, RESEARCH, 1, DRONE, 1, TALENT, 3, ENERGY, 1, HURRY, 170, VOTES, 2
  Politics, Democratic, POLICE
  Future Society, Cybernetic, nil
  Athenian, Atheni.
  Homer the Younger, Agamemnon, Ode to Homer
  Philosopher King, wise, restricting, wise, outdated,
  outdated control freak
  make a society with the glory of old Athens
  return the ways of old Athens
  dressing us in togas and controlling our every thought
  dressing us in togas and controlling our every thought
  try to bring us back to the stone age
  babbling to his followers in outdoor circles of stunted earth trees
  babbling to your followers in outddoor circles of stunted earth trees
  searching for absolute control
  glory of old Athens, M1
  glory, M2
  philosophical debates, M1
  gift, M1
  the arts of proper war
  New Athenian Army
  The Republic

#BASES
The Great Symposium
Illium
Hector
Priam
Stentor
Bellerophon
Isandros
Hippolochos
Laodameia
Thales
Pittacus
Bias
Solon
Cleobulus
Myson
Chilon
Hippocrates
Diogenes
Potamon
Epicurus
Archimedes
Hieron
Aristippus
Zeno
Empedocles
Leuippus
Democritus
#END

#WATERBASES
Metrodorus
Aristotle
Plato
Socrates
Pythagoras
Acadame
Horace
Gyges
#END

#BLURB
Look, and you will see, who were the first to give us philosophy
and democracy.  Perhaps it is not that we did not learn how
to have a planet on  Earth, but that we had forgotten.
^
^             Philosopher King Plato II
^            "Return to the Glory of Athens"
^

#DATALINKS1
^LEADER: {Philosopher King Plato II}
^BACKGROUND: {Unknown, Unity Assistant Professor of Philosophy and History}
^AGENDA: {civiliztaion based on Plato's Republic}
^TECH: {none}
^

#DATALINKS2
^+1 POLICE: {highly ordered society}
^+1 RESEARCH, extra talent per 3 citizens: {attracts intelligencia}
^-1 GROWTH: {controlled, semi-closed society}
^-1 PROBE, may not use cybernetic: {Traditionalist policies in conflict}
^170% Hurry costs: {Perfectionist tendencies}
^double votes for governor: {focus on diplomacy}

#FACTIONTRUCE
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"This war violates the principles of logic, let us call a cease
fire"

"A very wise decision, I agree"
"I thought cowardice went against your philosophy. . .ready your troops."

#FACTIONTREATY
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"Reason and logic show that we would work well together, shall
we sign a treaty of friendship to formalize our alliance"

"Perfectly logical,  $NAME3 I agree"
"No, I don't need you telling me what to do."


# ; This line must remain at end of file

There's a bunch of wonky stuff in the computer-readable part of the file (Drone, 1 is ridiculous), so I'll assume that you meant to have what the datalinks say, i.e. only -1 PROBE and no drone, psi, or energy bonus.  (Having multiple entries on a single Datalinks line is also confusing).  Just make sure to fix it before playing, as the computer won't read the datalinks to figure out how the faction should actually work.

This seems probably balanced; it's very stable, but doesn't grow that fast (though easy golden ages will help a lot there).  It would probably be a fairly good faction for beginners, actually.  May be a bit underpowered, though; -GROWTH is quite a penalty, and while there are a few solid bonuses to compensate, they're not amazing, and adding in a sizable hurry penalty and no starting tech may be a bit much.

Next, what about an artists' colony on Planet?  This is one of my first factions that I designed, and it has been modified/corrected several times.  As far as I Know, it has never been released elsewhere.

I checked it, and I think that it's right now.

It's actually, in my opinion, a pretty good builder faction.  Not the first choice for an agressive player, but I tend to be a builder myself, so a lot of my factions tend to go that way.

There are no graphics for this faction.  I think there might be a sound file of my saying the faction quote in a fake accent.  (Which is probably not close to an accurate Russian or Polish accent.  SEe below)

Interesting fact, or at least interesting error, I listed the leader as originally being from Poland, but gave him a clearly Russian name.  Proof that 1) The faction was designed before I developed much of an interest in linguistics, and 2) my research isn't always up to snuff.

Text file below the "%%%"

%%%%%%%%%%

;
; Sid Meier's ALPHA CENTAURI
;
; FACTION FILE: Artists' Coalition
;
; Made with ACEdit (c)1999 ANX  at http://www.sidgames.com/acedit
;
; For use this Faction file select load from
; faction select in the game and write... artfacb
;

#ARTFACB
Artists' Coalition, The Artist, Coalition, M, 1, Andressiev Korviev, M, -1, 0, 1, 0, 0,
  TECH, Psych, SOCIAL, +GROWTH, SOCIAL, +PLANET, SOCIAL, -MORALE, SOCIAL, --POLICE, FACILITY, 3, TALENT, 4, HURRY, 125, COMMERCE, 1, MORALE, 0, VOTES, 1, FUNGNUTRIENT, 2, MINDCONTROL, 0, TERRAFORM, 0
  Future Society, Eudaimonic, EFFIC
  Politics, Police State, nil
  Artist, Artist
  Annie Sparr, Oppenfeld, Sparr's Canvas
  Artisan, brilliant and talented, flighty and useless, creative, useless,
  Unsteady Dabbler
  revel in the beauty of this land
  to preserve and celebrate this new land
  damaging the integrity of all that we have worked to achieve
  damaging the integrity of all that so many have worked so hard to achieve
  let science and technology serve frivolity
  painting pictures of dead mindworms
  painting pictures of dead mindworms
  engaging in nothing but frivolity
  pathetic art, M1
  artistic endevors, M2
  artistic pursuits, M2
  gift, M1
  improving infrastructure and morale
  The Guardians of Free Thought
  Coalition Rules

#BASES
Hand of the Muse
Terpsicore
Clio
Erato
Polyhymnia
Caliope
Thalia
Melpomene
Euterpe
9th Muse
Sappho
Prokofiev
Dali
Magritte
Li Po
Beethoven
Ravel
Ramos
Warhol
Berlioz
Mahler
Brahms
DuChamps
Arp
Picabia
Picasso
Manet
#END

#WATERBASES
Absinthe
Cocteau
Tarrantino
Cobain
Osbourne
Lenz
Cholardi
Bjelland
#END

#BLURB
^  Why can we not replace the screams of violence with the sound
of music?  Or use screams as our music?  Why can we not replace
the ramparts of war with sculpture, or make them our sculpture?
^
^                  Artisan Andressiev Koriev

#DATALINKS1
^LEADER: {Andressiev Korviev}
^BACKGROUND: {Krakow, Poland, Unity Art and Culture Secretary}
^AGENDA: {Free Artistic Creativity}
^TECH: {Social Psychology}
^

#DATALINKS2
^+1 GROWTH: {Rapid population growth}
^+1 PLANET: {Appreciation of Natural Beauty}
^-2 POLICE: {Dislike for authority}
^re-use of material: {Free RECYCLING TANKS at each base}
^{May not use Police State.}
^{+1 base bonus for talents, research and commerc (extra talent per 4)}
^{-1 MORALE (dislike conflict}

#FACTIONTRUCE
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"This foolish combat spoils the land!, $NAME1, Let us sign a blood
truce so we can turn our efforts to more noble pursuits."

"Let us sign a truce to end this small-minded conflict."
"Never, your troops are well-painted, but useless!"

#FACTIONTREATY
#xs 440
#caption $CAPTION7
"$TITLE0 $NAME1, I hope you will one day see the error of your
ways, and see the nescessity and benefits of art and creativity,
let us sign a treaty."

"As you wish, I see no threat from you"
"No, there is nothing we need to fear from you and you cannot protect your land, $NAME3."


# ; This line must remain at end of file

More extraneous stuff in the computer-readable lines.  As for what's in the datalinks: I'm not really sure what would happen here, as everything seems to work at cross-purposes.  The research bonus per base, free recycling tanks, and high GROWTH suggest ICS (with the bonus talent to replace the police unit), the -POLICE and commerce suggest Free Market builder, and the +PLANET and -MORALE suggest a native-focused strategy.

[pentalarc]

There's a bunch of wonky stuff in the computer-readable part of the file (Drone, 1 is ridiculous), so I'll assume that you meant to have what the datalinks say, i.e. only -1 PROBE and no drone, psi, or energy bonus.  (Having multiple entries on a single Datalinks line is also confusing).  Just make sure to fix it before playing, as the computer won't read the datalinks to figure out how the faction should actually work.

This seems probably balanced; it's very stable, but doesn't grow that fast (though easy golden ages will help a lot there).  It would probably be a fairly good faction for beginners, actually.  May be a bit underpowered, though; -GROWTH is quite a penalty, and while there are a few solid bonuses to compensate, they're not amazing, and adding in a sizable hurry penalty and no starting tech may be a bit much.


More extraneous stuff in the computer-readable lines.  As for what's in the datalinks: I'm not really sure what would happen here, as everything seems to work at cross-purposes.  The research bonus per base, free recycling tanks, and high GROWTH suggest ICS (with the bonus talent to replace the police unit), the -POLICE and commerce suggest Free Market builder, and the +PLANET and -MORALE suggest a native-focused strategy.

I think it might be because I built the faction in one editor and then fixed it in another.  I need to find the original editor that I used.  In both cases, the info in the datalinks is correct.  I will fix them asap.

SOrry for the confusion.