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[Tiler]

Behold the lifeless automaton. It exists only to consume, and to destroy.

Inspired by both the ancient tales of Automatons, and those lovely little perpetrators of the Greymarch from Oblivion.

Pretty much, I'm trying to create a designated antagonist now that goblins are being ambiguous in terms of wanting to gut people.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[CREATURE:AUTOMATON]
   [NAME:automaton:automatons:automaton]
   [TILE:'M'][COLOR:3:0:0]
   [GENPOWER:3]
   [CAN_CIV]
   [CANOPENDOORS]
   [PREFSTRING:cold hatred]
   [BODY:HUMANOID:2EYES:2EARS:NOSE:HUMANOID_JOINTS:5FINGERS:5TOES]
   [NO_DRINK][NO_EAT][NO_SLEEP]
   [NOT_BUTCHERABLE]
   [NOPAIN][EXTRAVISION][NOBREATHE][NOBLEED][NOSTUN][NONAUSEA][NOEMOTION]
      [NOSTUCKINS][SEVERONBREAKS][NOSKULL][NOSKIN][NOBONES][NOMEAT][NOTHOUGHT][NOEXERT]
   [SIZE:8]
   [ATTACK:MAIN:BYTYPE:GRASP:punch:punches:1:4:BLUDGEON][ATTACKFLAG_WITH]
   [ATTACK:SECOND:BYTYPE:MOUTH:bite:bites:1:2:GORE][ATTACKFLAG_CANLATCH]
   [CHILD:2][BABY:1]
   [FAT:1]
   [DAMBLOCK:8]
   [EQUIPS]
   [ALL_ACTIVE]
   [SPEED:1200]
   [SPHERE:METALS]
   [SPHERE:WAR]
   [SPHERE:DEATH]
   [ITEMCORPSE:STATUE:NO_SUBTYPE:METAL:STEEL]
   [ITEMCORPSE_QUALITY:1]
   [SWIMS_LEARNED][SWIM_SPEED:2500]
   [CANNOT_UNDEAD]
   [MUNDANE]
   [GRASSTRAMPLE:84]

[ENTITY:AUTOMATON]
   [CREATURE:AUTOMATON]
   [trANSLATION:AUTOMATON]
      [DIGGER:ITEM_WEAPON_PICK]
   [WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_CROSSBOW]
      [AMMO:ITEM_AMMO_BOLTS]
   [WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_SWORD_LONG]
   [WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_MORNINGSTAR]
   [ARMOR:ITEM_ARMOR_PLATEMAIL:COMMON]
   [ARMOR:ITEM_ARMOR_CHAINMAIL:COMMON]
   [HELM:ITEM_HELM_HELM:COMMON]
   [HELM:ITEM_HELM_MASK:COMMON]
   [GLOVES:ITEM_GLOVES_GAUNTLETS:COMMON]
   [SHOES:ITEM_SHOES_BOOTS:COMMON]
   [PANTS:ITEM_PANTS_GREAVES:COMMON]
   [PANTS:ITEM_PANTS_LEGGINGS:COMMON]
   [SHIELD:ITEM_SHIELD_SHIELD]
   [SIEGEAMMO:ITEM_SIEGEAMMO_BALLISTA]
   [trAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_GIANTAXEBLADE]
   [trAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_ENORMOUSCORKSCREW]
   [trAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_SPIKEDBALL]
   [trAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_LARGESERRATEDDISC]
   [trAPCOMP:ITEM_TRAPCOMP_MENACINGSPIKE]
   [TOY:ITEM_TOY_ANVIL]
   [CLOTHING]
   [METAL_PREF]
   [INSTRUMENT:ITEM_INSTRUMENT_DRUM]
   [CURRENCY:LEAD:10]
   [CURRENCY:IRON:100]
   [CURRENCY:STEEL:200]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:WAR:NAME_WAR]
   [SUBSELECT_SYMBOL:WAR:VIOLENT]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:BATTLE:NAME_BATTLE]
   [SUBSELECT_SYMBOL:BATTLE:VIOLENT]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:SIEGE:NAME_SIEGE]
   [SUBSELECT_SYMBOL:SIEGE:VIOLENT]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:ROAD:NAME_ROAD]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:TUNNEL:NAME_TUNNEL]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:BRIDGE:NAME_BRIDGE]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:WALL:NAME_WALL]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:CIV:NAME_ENTITY_KINGDOM]
   [SELECT_SYMBOL:SITE:NAME_ENTITY_TOWN_FOUNDER]
   [USE_ANIMAL_PRODUCTS]
   [COMMON_DOMESTIC_PACK]
   [COMMON_DOMESTIC_PULL]
   [COMMON_DOMESTIC_MOUNT]
   [USE_MISC_PROCESSED_WOOD_PRODUCTS]
   [EQUIPMENT_IMPROVEMENTS]
   [SPHERE_ALIGNMENT:SACRIFICE:550]
   [SPHERE_ALIGNMENT:ORDER:550]
   [SPHERE_ALIGNMENT:WAR:550]
   [SPHERE_ALIGNMENT:DEATH:550]
   [ART_FACET_MODIFIER:OWN_RACE:650]
   [FRIENDLY_COLOR:1:0:1]
   [DEFAULT_SITE_TYPE:DARK_FORTRESS]
   [liKES_SITE:DARK_FORTRESS]]
   [TOLERATES_SITE:DARK_FORTRESS]
   [CAN_HAVE_MILITARY_LEADER]
   [SITE_LEADER_TYPE:STANDARD]
   [START_BIOME:ANY_DESERT]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_WETLAND:1]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_DESERT:5]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_FOREST:5]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_OCEAN:1]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_LAKE:2]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:MOUNTAIN:5]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_GRASSLAND:5]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_SAVANNA:5]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_SHRUBLAND:5]
   [BIOME_SUPPORT:ANY_RIVER:1]
   [PROGRESS_TRIGGER_POPULATION:1]
   [PROGRESS_TRIGGER_PRODUCTION:1]
   [PROGRESS_TRIGGER_TRADE:1]
   [ACTIVE_SEASON:SPRING]
   [ACTIVE_SEASON:SUMMER]
   [ACTIVE_SEASON:AUTUMN]
   [ACTIVE_SEASON:WINTER]
   [MAX_STARTING_CIV_NUMBER:3]
   [START_GROUP_NUMBER:10]
   [MAX_POP_NUMBER:10000]
   [MAX_SITE_POP_NUMBER:120]
   [RELIGION_SPHERE:WAR]
   [RELIGION_SPHERE:ORDER]
   [RELIGION_SPHERE:SACRIFICE]
   [RELIGION_SPHERE:DUTY]
   [SCOUT]
   [SIEGER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:MINER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:CARPENTER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:BOWYER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:WOODCUTTER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:ENGRAVER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:MASON]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:ANIMAL_DISSECTOR]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:FURNACE_OPERATOR]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:WEAPONSMITH]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:ARMORER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:BLACKSMITH]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:METALCRAFTER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:GEM_CUTTER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:GEM_SETTER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:WOODCRAFTER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:STONECRAFTER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:BONE_CARVER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:WOOD_BURNER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:MECHANIC]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:SIEGE_ENGINEER]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:SIEGE_OPERATOR]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:PUMP_OPERATOR]
   [PERMITTED_JOB:ARCHITECT]
   [WORLD_CONSTRUCTION:BRIDGE]
   [WORLD_CONSTRUCTION:ROAD]
   [WORLD_CONSTRUCTION:WALL]
   [ETHIC:KILL_ENTITY_MEMBER:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
   [ETHIC:KILL_NEUTRAL:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:KILL_ENEMY:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:KILL_ANIMAL:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:KILL_PLANT:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:TORTURE_AS_EXAMPLE:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:TORTURE_FOR_INFORMATION:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:TORTURE_FOR_FUN:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:TORTURE_ANIMALS:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:TREASON:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
   [ETHIC:OATH_BREAKING:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
   [ETHIC:LYING:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
   [ETHIC:VANDALISM:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
   [ETHIC:TRESPASSING:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
   [ETHIC:THEFT:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
   [ETHIC:ASSAULT:PUNISH_CAPITAL]
   [ETHIC:SLAVERY:UNTHINKABLE]
   [ETHIC:EAT_SAPIENT_OTHER:UNTHINKABLE]
   [ETHIC:EAT_SAPIENT_KILL:UNTHINKABLE]
   [ETHIC:MAKE_TROPHY_SAME_RACE:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:MAKE_TROPHY_SAPIENT:ACCEPTABLE]
   [ETHIC:MAKE_TROPHY_ANIMAL:ACCEPTABLE]

My little devlog: I write as I go along trying to figure out if it works.

The results of my efforts proved worthwhile. I don't even really need any of it's ethics tags, as I thought I would, since civs that can't communicate will just fight with one another endlessly.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

World 1: The Automatons spent their entire history constantly fighting some humans near their towers. They never actually made any progress in the war, which was a pity, but oh well. They consistently had armies of 150 robots despite constantly suffering attrition from the constant unsuccessful sieges.

World 2: Yet again, the automatons targeted the humans and the two had a constant 200 year war, with no progress on either side. The humans were constantly outnumbered, but compensated by cutting down their foes in droves.

Changes: Removed [MULTIPLE_LITTER_RARE], boosted Automaton attack. I want to see them drive the living to extinction for the hell of it.

World 3:
One of my other custom races, the Aivon (birdfolk), kicked things off by having Gon Riddlepoet, an Aivon leader, declare a Holy War on the Automatons for worshiping darkness. So this time, the Automatons were on the defensive. Despite fighting from their towers, the Aivon and the Automaton suffered equal casualties, and the war, while never officially ending due to the lack of negotiation abilities from the Automaton, stalled unacclimatized at 49 after a decade of blistering conflict. Gon Riddlepoet lead the decade long war personally, leading every attack against the cold machines and killing only four of them, and he ended up dying of old age ten years after the war stalled. Oddly enough, his object of faithful worship was a god of Dusk, Twilight, and Metals. Gon's son also fought in the war, and died a horribly violent death in battle in 42. HIS son died a year afterwards, at the same Dark Tower. His next eldest son died in battle as well, but that son's son's fought in the wars as well and survived.

But back to the Automatons! Before the Aivons had gotten in the mix, the Automatons were already going after their favorite target; the humans. Thanks to their improved numbers (usually outnumbering the pathetic humans by 10 to 1), they were putting the humans on the ropes by 73, but then something bizzare happened. The war took a breather for  a decade, and then the humans attacked, now having 80 humans against one automaton. They then proceeded to raze 2 Dark Towers with only two defenders each, ending the war at 86 with the automatons defeated. What the hell happened?

Then it turns out that ANOTHER custom race I had stuck in (ratfolk called the Rodeni) had picked a fight with the automatons in 43, bearing freakish armies for mortals that only have one child at a time. 300 rats versus 30 robots a fair fight does not make. The Automatons failed to defend their towers, losing one at three separate occasions, losing 80 automatons at each fight.
Then I run into a group of pissed off humans that declared war in 19 and spent the next 30 years kicking the tar out of our robot friends. After suffering around ten seiges of 100 vs 30, of sieges, the brave meatbags took the war to the Automaton's home with only eighteen warriors against 68 robots... AND WON. THEY BLEW IT UP. THOSE MANIACS. The leader of the human armies was a complete hardass named Refab Mellowhealers the Intricate Scale of Nuts. And he personally slew one-hundred and twenty evil robot overlords.

In 46, a group of renegade goblins rushed down to the abandoned tower, killed the sole automaton defender, and took over the place for themselves. In 49, they rushed in under the Aivon's beaks and took the tower they had been seiging for 30 years, revealing to me why the war was indefinatly put off.

All the automatons are dead! I'm finally learning just why the wars all stopped in 80AD. They all were killed brutally! Even the Elves, whom couldn't consume their flesh, took issue with the robots, leaped into the fray, and had all their prisoners beheaded and hacked to pieces. Only the dwarves seemed to not have bothered trying to kill the stupid robots. An Aivon nation called 'the Nations of Rope' were the ones that launched the killing blow, destroying "The Naughty League" in 84. However, I've managed to find a few automaton survivors of the disaster still alive in 200, but they're few and far between abductions in Goblin forts and those few hiding in caves, and I don't think there are any single ones running around.

Still, this was quite a fun thing to look at. An entire race, consisting of thousands, waging war with the entire world, and being utterly obliverated. I still want to see a world where things went the other way, however...

World 4: The first battle I randomly look at has a force of 600 Automatons fighting 60 humans and suffering 220 dead. Seems about right.

A quick glance at the war behind the battle shows that it's much like worlds 1 and 2, despite the Automaton's beefing up. They singlemindedly assaulted a city with virtually no success.

Another few glances shows that the Aivon yet again got really pissed at the Automatons, and this time, they got somewhere. They managed to pllage an automaton Tower several times before laying complete waste to it in 117 and then a different group of Aivons started assulting a different tower, laying waste to it in 168. The elves also prevailed against them, and destroyed a tower of theirs in 166 after several huge battles, and then took out another in 191.

I took a human into adventure mode and went to go meet the automatons. One problem I immediatly noticed is that they don't have an icon. The second problem is that they don't feel inclined to kill me. They don't talk much, but they arn't bloodthirsty. Despite wearing human-bone bracelets everywhere.

Picking a fight with them immediatly resulted in my horrible death by being punched to death. Maybe they need to get a wee bit toned down in that department...

World 5: No automaton wars whatsoever. They were there, they didn't change, just nobody felt like fighting with them.

World 6: The Automatons met humanity and proceeded to launch their trademark pointless 200 year war with them.

World 7: Set worldgen to last 1050 years. World Population: 6660. Good sign, good sign.

Well, one Automaton empire fell in 507, with it's last member hung from a tree. Didn't think that would work on robots. :I
Another empire is smack dab in the middle of nowhere, surronded by glaciers.
Another still lives.

Only problem is, I can;t find any record of battles. About 90% of the fights were human/elf, at the exact same location.

Oh wait, here's one. A single dwarf killed 128 attacking automatons. Goblins razing towers. Dwarves razing towers. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Seems about what I expected. I havn't seen automatons actually win a siege. All they do is attack and do really badly. I suspect it's because they lack [CAN_LEARN], but it works as it is.

Summery of the reports: Automatons get in lots of war with consistently high numbers, but never manage to win anything.

However, my limited modding skills only go so far. I'd like some help in making these things more deadly.

I know adding the [CAN_LEARN] tag would make them more deadly, but from what I figured out while monkeying around with things, it makes them too deadly; they easially butcher the nearby humans and whomever and then proceed to sit around and do nothing.

Mostly, I just want them to be hostile to all life, so you can't just wander into a tower in adventure mode and not get horribly mauled. They're already pretty good at picking fights as is. However, like I said, I'm an amatuer, so any improvments you think should be part of it, go on ahead.

[Deon]

Wait, did you do a full translation LANGUAGE_AUTOMATON.txt?

[Tiler]

That would be a 'no' in that department.

As I said, I don't really know anything, besides what I taught myself and what was on the wiki.

[Kagus]

Changing the language files isn't so much knowledge as it is perseverance.  It is remarkably boring work, and you need to keep track of each and every word you put in for fear of duplicates.

[Deon]

I personally asked about

   [trANSLATION:AUTOMATON]

Why is the "tr" in lowercase and what is the AUTOMATON translation then?

[Naze]

Alot of robots recently...As for the lowercase it's like that sometimes whenever you copy and paste over.

[Tiler]

That? I just stuck in 'automaton' instead of whatever race was there before. The game hasn't given me any errors about it, so I just never thought about it.

And robots are fun. And these are mythical robots! You can't top that.

[Nonanonymous]

How about some different attacks, something along the lines of '[ATTACK:MAIN:BYTYPE:GRASP:whirring, saw:whirring, saws:1:6:GORE][ATTACKFLAG_WITH]' maybe?  They might also benefit from some more custom and devastating ranged weapons.  Also, why would slavery be unthinkable to brutal robot overlords?

[Tiler]

I figured they'd think it was unthinkable because they hate life, period, and taking something as a slave would be rather pointless compared to destroying the waste of precious resources.

And yeah, I like the whole 'wirring saws' idea. Better than just having them use weapons, which I've been doing.

And ranged weapon... hmmm. Would it be possible to have a crossbow instead of an arm? Or would that be overkill?

[Nonanonymous]

And ranged weapon... hmmm. Would it be possible to have a crossbow instead of an arm? Or would that be overkill?

I'm pretty sure that's impossible right now, the only natural ranged attacks available now are fire breath and webs, IIRC.  Just give them only one new ranged weapon in their entity file and that should be the only one they ever use in battle.

[Nazush Ebsas]

you can also add the :forced tag instead of common, in entity descriptions

[Neoskel]

I think you can put N/A of something to that effect on the ETHIC eat things. Not sure what exactly it was. I think the kobolds have one in their entity file.

Here it is:

Code: [Select]

[ETHIC:THEFT:NOT_APPLICABLE]
I think that makes it so they don't care if you take their stuff or something. Since automatons don't eat, eating doesn't apply to them.

[Tiler]

I thought 'Acceptable' meant nobody cared if you stole stuff. N/A would just indicate that they don't have any sense of personal property in the first place. Or something.

I'll tack that on for the food thing. The ethics are actually very unimportant for these guys. Since they can't communicate, they'll just get in neverending wars with people over it. Sign language is a lost art.