Just a discussion to seek feedback on my first attempt at a mod: Spider Magic
First, a summary of what I will try to create.
Summary: A spider sovereign can call forth a horde of giant spiders.
The focus of spider magic is focused on summoning and enhancing giant spiders and using magic to duplicate a spider's abilities. I want spider magic to be dramatically different from the other schools of magic; Air, Earth, Water and Fire. Unlike the other schools spider magic has no damage dealing ranged attacks or general unit buffs. It deals damage through the giant spiders that it summons, spells that buff the summoned spiders and webs that reduce the initiative of enemy units that fail to resist.
Summoning spells of spider magic will focus on summoning many low powered spiders (blockers) or fewer larger stronger spiders. Each increase in magic level will increase the number of low powered spiders summoned and allow the caster to summon more powerful spiders. I see each level as having 2 to 3 summoning spells, each for a different type or quantity of spider.
Example: Level 1: Gatherer Spider summons 1 Gatherer spider unit, Level 2 Gatherer Pack summons 3 gatherer spider units and Level 3 Gatherer Horde summons 4 low hit point gather spider units.
The question is what type and what number of spiders should each spell summon as FE has many types of spider creatures.
Spider magic will also include non-summoning spells such as Web, Greater Web (affects more than one unit), Poison Spit (range 1), Spider Growth (targeted spider(s) grows in size), Spider Speed (+1 movement for spiders) and the the strategic spell Sticky Walls (reduces initiative of enemy units attacking a city).
My thought is that Sovereigns and Champions with Path of the Mage trait can gain access to Spider Magic 1 as a rare trait. If they have Spider Magic 1 they can may gain access to Spider Magic 2, etc.
Spider Mages can recruit spider mounts if they have built a spider nest (requires Spider Magic 2 and Mount research, increases unrest by 10% TO 20% (as no one really likes spiders), Maint +1).
I am tempted to make this trait only available to those of a specific fraction (empire) or race(s) or to those that complete a quest and equip a tome of spider magic. Perhaps the Spider Magic 5 can only be achieved by completing a quest?