Hi all,

IMO these game ending options are way too easy (more so for Forge than SOM as you have to have shards of all 4 types and a long research time for the latter).  

My points:

1.  For Forge, maybe in mid-game these battles are tougher but late-game they are a piece of cake.  Shouldn't the Forge battles be scaled to the power rating of the kingdom/empire - or something like that??  Fighting spiders and even elementals at a certain point is ridiculously easy for a game-ending quest (two or three well placed spells with enough shards behind them, and its done).  Shouldn't at least non-allied empires/kingdom's relations with you get worse and worse with every step you take on this quest (eventually declaring war on say, the second or third step maybe?).  Also, I have yet to see another empire/kingdom get a piece of the forge that I need before me.  This would mean having to track it down and battle over it to finish the quest, which I think would be a good thing.

2. For SOM, having shards of all 4 types might hurt your diplomatic relations with others but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. Shouldn't non-allied empires/kingdoms COMPLETELY freak out (i.e., declare war?) when you get all 4 types of shards -- especially if you know the SOM? Perhaps the same when you begin to research, or are close to finishing research on SOM? Then they could move to re-take critical shards, preventing you from casting it.  SOM should also have a looooong casting time, although I think strategic spell casting time isn't implemented (will it be?) so I understand that.

Essentially, I feel like these two options are underwhelming late game.  I feel like by using them, I'm just ending the game in a "put me out of my misery" sort of way (because nothing else is happening, esp. if one is smart about their relations with the other empires/kingdoms and are at peace).  Shouldn't every non-allied empire/kingdom rise up to STOP you by declaring war, etc.  -- going on the offensive to prevent your complete domination of the world?  I would think even your own allies wouldn't want you to suddenly become their lord and master via a powerful spell or artifact.

Just my thoughts.