Kingdom of Ikana (Total War)

The Kingdom of Ikana is a playable faction in Hyrule: Total War.

Description
The ancient Kingdom of Ikana is a large mystery to all of Hyrule. At one point in history they controlled a vast empire of glory and prosperity. Then one day, a sudden civil war broke out among their people. Within a few short days, their entire Kingdom vanished. All their people and cities completely gone from the face of Hyrule with no explanation. Many centuries passed and their existence became a myth, though many claim to see their cities vanish in and out of existence over the years. Now in recent times their cities have begun to reappear at large in their barren homeland to the south. It is a mystery what had happened to them all these years, but now the Ikanians have returned, and to them all the inhabitants of Hyrule cannot be trusted. Neither living nor dead, the Ikanians are cursed with the appearance of skeletal warriors, though it is unknown if it is only a magical facade of if they truly have become such monstrosities. Regardless, their numbers grow and their army prepares to destroy all that may betray them. The army of Ikana is a fairly balanced one, armed with professional grade weaponry and armor. The undead appearance of the Ikanians also gives them a certain psychological edge in a fight. Despite their masterwork weapons, armor, and training, the resources in Ikana's homeland are nearly run dry, and they have a poor economy to field troops. As such, soldiers are rather expensive and costly to lose in a fight. Whatever high price their soldiers may desire, the money is well worth the effort of assembling a mighty army worthy of the name Ikana.

Strengths, Weaknesses and Abilities

 * Best of the Best: Soldiers trained by the Kingdom of Ikana have undergone years of battle in their civil war, and as such have much more experience in battle.
 * Starved to Death: Ikana's homeland is largely devoid of resources in the campaign.
 * Immune to the Elements: The curse of Ikana has unexpectedly granted them immunity to extreme heat and frost, and as such they suffer no penalties for where the are forced to fight.
 * Celibate Curse: The Curse of Ikana has left the population without the ability to have children. Ikanians cannot increase their population numbers in the campaign.

Campaign Info

 * Faction Leader: King Igos du Ikana
 * Settlements: 1
 * Ikana (ruins, capital)
 * Goals:
 * Short Campaign: hold 30 regions
 * Long Campaign: hold 40 regions

Ikana spawns at turn 1 if it is chosen as the player's faction; otherwise it spawns around turn 40.

Gameplay
The soldiers of Ikana have been eternally cursed: They are now little more than twisted skeletons hellbent on seeking revenge. Unable to increase their population, Ikana must rely on a finite number of soldiers (not including mercenaries). This might seem like a brutal disadvantage on their part, but as long as Fissures to Termina remain open, they can constantly bring back their fallen soldiers for free. That's right, Death is only a minor inconvenience and a month's march from the pits of purgatory to those of Ikana. Even the undead Stalfos envy this loophole of immortality.

At the start of the game several cracks into Termina will appear in Ikana. An Ikanian player will want to defend these at all costs, as if the enemy brings in enough soldiers and artillery they can seal the cracks and cut Ikana off from manifesting soldiers. As long as you keep the cracks open though, your army will slowly march through them every so often and those that have fallen in battle will follow.

As long as the fissures remain open, death is inconsequential to the Ikanians. They'll simply return to Termina after being slain, where they will begin their march back into Hyrule. As such you must protect the fissures at all costs, otherwise you'll be stuck with a destructible and limited army. Fortunately you can stack entire armies on a fissure to defend it, or if you have the resources you can even construct a fort around your hellmouths.

Units will only respawn when the entire unit is destroyed (so the number of soldiers is always constant). Respawning Ikanian units retain their experience (since all of them start with maximum experience), however Generals will lose any items they keep as ancillaries.

In addition to that, being a faction that starts out worshipping Majora you'll have access to its units as you expand, so Ikana's army is potentially not limited: Majora will reward good progress on the player's part.

It is implied that destroyed Termina Fissures can be replaced by 'selling an army's worth of souls' to Majora.

Standard

 * The Drafted
 * Gatekeepers
 * Footmen
 * Boltmen
 * Garo Ninjas
 * Gibdos
 * Noblemen
 * Battle Chariots
 * Hollow Knights

Siege Weaponry

 * Ikana Trebuchets

Command

 * Cursed Captains
 * Cursed Generals

Heroes

 * King Igos du Ikana
 * Captain Keeta
 * Garo Master