[…] the comments section of Part 4, Treylot mentioned that the Celestials came out to be rather one dimensional. This is absolutely true. I guess I was focused on making them the antagonists of the setting, […]

@ Treylot:

Thanks, this is actually very good criticism. I should probably amend the post based on your suggestions. I originally had some more ideas for them, but then I got tired, noticed the post already had like 7k words in it, and decided to wrap it up. But yes, you are absolutely right – they are a bit one-dimensional and could really use some more nuance.

I really love your re-conceptualization of standard fantasy tropes, especially the Centaurs and the Gnomes! However, I do feel like the Celestials are a little two-dimensional in that they are completely defined by their need for racial purity. To be defined by a single flaw makes for a very un-compelling and uninteresting villain race. IMO, the Celestials could do with more of a touch of divinity. Thus far, there seems too much focus on the fact that they can fly, and too little on the fact that they are celestial.

@ Shrutarshi Basu:

Yes, it is quite an advantage, which is why they’ve been pretty much lording over the island for a few centuries until all the other races united and pushed them back from their lands. They still control a lot of territory, and are still quite annoying, always looking to expand and extend their influence. But if they are too pushy and everyone gets threatened, they will have to fight a war on multiple fronts (Empire and Orzimar from South, Nords from the East and Armadans’ from the West).

As for the Black Forest – it is inherently magical. From up above, a mage will see it as a swirling maelstrom of mystical forces. Casting spells into the forest seems to have about as much effect as pissing into the ocean. The canopy is very thick, so attacking from above is less than efficient. Trying to burn down the forest usually doesn’t work that well because a) blackwood doesn’t burn that fast and b) the trees kinda lean and scoot away from danger creating natural clearings, isolating fires and pushing them outwards. So really the only way to fight centaurs is on foot, and through the hostile forest where they have all the advantages in the world while Celestials can’t really fly much, and have limited lines of sight. :D

I love your conception of the centaurs. I’m curious about the war with the Celestials. Their ability for flight would seem like a vast advantage against the other races, especially if their mages can rain down burning light. What stops them, for example, from just burning down the Centaur’s Forest from above?