Downtown Talona is a Breakthrough map in Centaura. It is the fourth and final map of the Aquilan Campaign, and the second in-game part of the Battle of Talona.
Lore
The battle on the outskirts of Talona saw countless artillery shells shrieking overhead and hitting targets within the downtown district. Intel reported these targets to be military hardpoints, but it was not until Antarean troops on the ground advanced deeper into the city that they discovered something else: no civilians were evacuated.
Beneath each pile of rubble, the bodies of innocent lay buried. With this realization, the order came for all artillery and air operations to halt. The Antareans must choose their fight carefully to prevent further collateral damage.
The battle of Talona was one of the last battles in the Aquilan Campaign, occurring after the fall of Volucris.
Prelude
|
A low rumble emanates from the ceiling of the bunker. The lights flicker with each faint impact of a high-explosive shell as the officers in the concrete room glance about. “The civilians should have been evacuated,” notes one major. At the end of the table in the middle of the room, the commanding general sits in a chair, rubbing his forehead stressfully as he thinks. “No, Major,” the general states. “The troops must fight hard to protect them. If we keep the civilians here, it will motivate them to give every last bit of effort into defending this city.” Dust falls from the roof as a distant explosion shakes the bunker. The lights shut off for a moment, before slowly relighting the room with their dull colors. “Do you hear that, General? There won't be anything to defend when the shelling is over!” the major retorts. The other officers in the room agreed with the major, though they were not vocal about it. One colonel lays out a map on the table to present to the general. The colonel explains as he points to various locations on the map, “The Antareans are coming from the south, west, and east. We have one opportunity to retreat to the north, or negotiate for terms of surrender.” The general’s eyes widen at the mention of surrender. “I will not surrender,” he mutters with a clenched fist. The capital of Aquila had just fallen months before. Talona was one of the last few major cities standing to the northeast. “Our citizens are dying as we speak,” the major speaks again— his voice almost pleads with the general. “Are you just going to let them be killed for the sake of your pride?” “I will not stand for this disrespect!” the general snaps, standing from his chair. He looks around the room to each and every officer. “We will fight to the death. For Aquila.” Morale had dropped significantly. None of the officers wanted to fight anymore. They saw there was no longer any point in doing so. The major was adamant, and the only one who would speak up. “If we continue giving them resistance, they will destroy this entire city and everyone in it—” A shot suddenly rings out in the enclosed room. The major drops to the floor, with the officers near him recoiling back from his sudden death. The general’s pistol smokes at the end of the barrel. “Who else doesn’t want to fight?” the stubborn general inquires. Not a word from a single person in the bunker. Perhaps their hearing had also been affected; after all, the general fired his sidearm in such a claustrophobic area. |
Talona is a major city in northeastern Aquila and connected via a series of highway routes, one of them being Route 23. It has a significant history attached to it, immortalized in the numerous statues that dotted its downtown district. Talona is presumably a scene during the Triplum War as seen from its commemoration of the war in statues and the arch of triumph.
The Battle
 |
"This is Radio Talona, transmitting live from the final stronghold of Aquila. It is here, on these hallowed grounds, that we make our last stand. Those flames the enemy lit burn close to our walls, yet our determination burns hotter still. The enemy is at our gates, but our spirit remains untouchable. The people of Talona are rallying, pulling together in ways the forces of Antares never expected. They fear our mighty spirit. This city, the heart of our resistance, now bears the weight of our great nation's will to survive. Reports from the front tell of fierce fighting in every corner of our beloved city; brave men and women —farmers, merchants, students and soldiers alike— have taken up arms. For those people who may have doubts of our future, I will leave you with this word of advice: for this is not the end, nor is it even the beginning of the end, but rather, the end of the beginning." |
The battle of Talona would end up becoming one of Aquila’s worst defeats in terms of casualties. None of the civilians had been ordered to evacuate under orders of the commanding general. Antarean artillery did not discriminate, killing more civilians than soldiers over the span of the city’s bombardment. It was not until halfway through the siege did the Antareans realize they were starting to kill Aquilan civilians, mistaking them for soldiers in the windows of each apartment.
This decision to not evacuate civilians stumped even the Antarean commanding officers, who soon after relayed instructions to cease artillery barrages and disallow unnecessary property destruction. Ironically, the Antareans would do more to preserve the lives of civilians than the Aquilans.
It is unknown what happened to Talona after the Aquilan campaign, though it is presumed the whole city was rebuilt by the Antareans and its inhabitants were resettled back into Talona.
Gameplay
| Map of Downtown Talona | |
|---|---|
|
|
The battle of Downtown Talona has five phases:
Sectors
- Sector 1: A 3-point Breakthrough phase through 2 collapsed buildings and Altair Metro Station
- Sector 2: A 2-point Breakthrough phase behind Grant's Grocery and Amburgers
- Aquilan Heavy Tanks begin to deploy to support the defenders
- Sector 3: A 3-point Breakthrough phase with a point on the far left, right, and central Aquilan military hospital around the The Perch
- Sector 4: A 2-point Breakthrough phase in the alleys behind the The Perch
- Sector 5: A 1-point Breakthrough phase (similar to the last point on Whitemouth Estuary) in front of Talona City Hall
Tanks, Anti-Tank Riflemen, Antarean Flame Troopers, Mortarmen and Sweepers appear on this map. Aquilan Riflemen now have a 50% chance to spawn as Civil Guardsmen.
Statues of Downtown Talona
ST. EPHEMERA
Fountain statue in the courtyard of Sector 4 Point B.
Working Fountain Sprayer of St. Ephemera.
- St. Ephemera is a vision of ethereal beauty and the personification of manifest destiny, with wings carved to be unfurled in a majestic embrace and lowered, captured in the moment where she passed "a trial of fire." She is seen as the "mother" of the other Aquilan angels, and the people looked to her for guidance on moving forward with pride or confidence.
- Ephemera also influenced the Aquilans to expand during the post-collapse era. She was one of the more well-known figures to have brought enlightenment to people through prayers. Historical records have been vague about Ephemera's status as someone who actually existed or a mythical figure.
ERASMIA
Statue across the street from the city hall of Sector 5 Point A.
- Erasmia is the representation of both beauty and war, combined into one. She characterizes war, protection, and strategy in battle. She is the sister of St. Ephemera, and decides who will die in battle and who will survive. She is also believed to be the one to orchestrate and end wars by divine intervention.
- This figure is important to a soldier's belief, but not as much to regular civilians unless they were someone who advocated for or against war.
- On the statue, the date 1590 represents one of Aquila's greatest victories in a historical war.
Talona Concept Art
All Credits to ghastly_81
Gallery
| Battle of Downtown Talona |
|---|
|
 Antares Spawn Area Top-Down View.  Leveled Buildings Near the Antarean Northern Spawn.  Closer View of the Leveled Buildings Near the Antarean Spawn in Talona.  Northern Antares Spawn.  Leveled Buildings Route Near the Northern Antarean Spawn.  Leveled Buildings Route Near the Northside of the Antarean Spawn.  Antares Centre Spawn.  Two Statues outside in the Park Near the Antares Center Spawn.  Blue Gazabo outside in the Park Near the Arch of Triumph.  Statue of Rex Marcvs VI.  Antares Southern Spawn.  Leveled Buildings Route Near the Southern Antarean Spawn.  Aquila Spawn A Area.  Aquila Spawn B Area.
 Close up of the Upper Part of the Arch of Triumph.  View of the Area around the Arch of Triumph.  Arch of Triumph from the Altair Street.  Arch of Triumph from the Park.
 Top Down View of Control Point A's Area.  View a Damaged Brick Building Control Point A.  For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.  View of Damaged Building and Route to Control Point A.  Close up of Control Point A.  View of Damaged Apartment Near Control Point A.  Alternative Route through the Damaged Apartment Near Control. Point A  2nd Floor of the Damaged Apartment Near Control Point A.  3rd Floor of the Damaged Apartment Near Control Point A.  View of Collasped Buildings Behind Control Point A.  Alternative View of the Area Around Control Point A.  View of Control Point A from the Aquilan Spawn.  View of a Damaged Orange building near Point A.  Flank Route behind the Damaged Orange building near Point A to Altair Street.
 View of Control Point B's Area.  Arch North Street Metro Entrance.  Altair Station North Entrance to Point B.  Arch South Street Metro Entrance.  Altair Station South Entrance to Point B.  Altair Station South Side Platform.  Altair Station North Side Platform with a Makeshift Medical Bay.  Central Area of Altair Station.  .Altair Station Metro Tunnel Leading Further into Talona  Metro Light Flickering.
 Top-Down View of Control Point C.  Exterior of Lancerlot's Inn.  View of the Door to Altair Street in Lancerlot's Inn.  Interior of Lancerlot's Inn.  Leveled Section of Lancerlot's Inn.  Leveled Section of Lancerlot's Inn near to Point C.  Hole in the Wall of Lancerlot's Inn overlook the end of Altair Street Near Point C.  View of the Destroyed Buildings Infront of Control Point C's Area  View of Control Point C Area.  View of Lancerlot's Inn from the Antares Side.  The True Loosers of War.  View of Lancerlot's Inn from the Aquila Side.
 Antares A Spawn.  Antares B Spawn.  Aquila A Spawn.  Aquila B Spawn.  Aquila C Spawn.
 Top-Down view of Point A.  Grant's Grocery Street from Arch Srt. North.  Interior of Grant's Grocery Street.  Grant's Grocery Street from Point A.  Control Point A's Alley Leading to Vinterack Lane.  Talona Parish Police Department.  In Memoriam Sanguinis Qui Regnum Nonstru Creavit.  View of the Talona Parish Police Department from Altair Street.  Control Point A's Alley.  Alley Entrance into The Candy Shop.  Interior of The Candy Shop.  Close-up of a Shelf inside The Candy Shop.  Altair Station Entrance near Control Point A.  Altair Street Entrance into Jack's Flower Shop.  Interior of Jack's Flower Shop.  Alley Entrance into Jack's Flower Shop. To replace with another image.  Interior of Sienna & Brooke Corner Cafe.  Altair Street Entrance into Sienna & Brooke Corner Cafe.
 Top-Down view of Point B.  Control Point B's Alley.  Back Alley Entrance into Warner's Guns.  Interior of Warner's Guns Storage Room.  Warner's Guns Shotgun and Hunting & Defense Firearms.  Warner's Guns Military Surplus Selection.  Warner's Guns Foreign Imports Selection.  Warner's Guns Hunting & Defense Selection.  Warner's Guns Shotgun Selection.  Warner's Guns Revolver Shelf.  Alley Entrance into Warner's Guns.  The Orion Giftshop next to Warner's Gun.  The Best Barber Building.  Close up of the Best Beaber.  Interior of The Best Barber.  Stairs inside the Best Barber.  Second Floor of the Best Barber.  Third Floor of the Best Barber.  Altair Station Entrance near Control Point B.  Interior of UGCs Automotive.  Altair Street Entrance into UGCs Automotive.  Alley Entrance into Hoover's Appliances.  Interior of Hoover's Appliances.  Altair Street Entrance into Hoover's Appliances.
 Full View of the Amburgers Restaurant.  Close up of Amburgers Restaurant Window.  Front of Amburgers .  Side of Amburgers as seen from Jaguar Lane.  Side entrance leading into Amburgers' stockroom.  Outdoor eating area of Amburgers.  Eating area and cashier counter inside Amburgers.  Kitchen Area of Amburgers.  Entrance to Amburgers' stockroom from the rear.  Various crates of foods marked with their Aquilan town of origin and description.  Ditto, except some of these crates are imported from places like Auriga and Orion.  Broken brick wall leading into the kitchen area of Amburgers.
Back Alley Entrance into Warner's Guns. Interior of Warner's Guns Storage Room. Warner's Guns Shotgun and Hunting & Defense Firearms. Warner's Guns Military Surplus Selection. Warner's Guns Foreign Imports Selection. Warner's Guns Hunting & Defense Selection. Warner's Guns Shotgun Selection. Warner's Guns Revolver Shelf. Alley Entrance into Warner's Guns. The Orion Giftshop next to Warner's Gun.
 Antares A Spawn.  Antares B Spawn.  Antares C Spawn.  Aquila A Spawn.  Aquila B Spawn.  Aquila C Spawn.
 Top-Down View of Point A.  View of Vintrack Lane to Point A.  Damaged Building near Point A.  Interior of the Damaged Building near Point A.  Destroyed Tram at the end of Monument Street.  .Shops and Sandbag Truck in Point A  .Arch Street North leading into Monument Street  View of the The Perch from Point A.  Mallardus & Goose Book Store.  Ground Floor of Mallardus & Goose Book Store.  First Floor of Mallardus & Goose Book Store.  Second Floor of Mallardus & Goose Book Store.  Third Floor of Mallardus & Goose Book Store.  Fourth Floor of Mallardus & Goose Book Store.  Fifth Floor of Mallardus & Goose Book Store.  Scott's Baked Goods.  Interior of Scott's Baked Goods.  View of Scott's Baked Goods behind the Counter.  Second Floor Interior of Scott's Baked Goods.
 View of the The Perch from Arch Street South.  View of the The Perch.  Close up of Picinic Table and Sandbags near Arch Lane North.  View of the The Perch from Arch Street.  Close up of Medical Tents near Arch Lane South.  Overview of the The Perch from Monument Street.  View of the The Perch from Monument Street.  View of the Medical Tent near Fergusson Street.  View of the The Perch from Fergusson Street.  Overview of the The Perch from Arch Street.  McRoland's Family Diner Deli.  Interior of McRoland's.  Alternate View of the Interior of McRoland's.  Inner room inside McRoland's.
 Top-Down View of Point C.  Overview of Point C from Monument Street.  View of Antares B Spawn from Jaguar Lane.  View of the Apartment Route from Jauguar Lane.  Interior of Empty Bar Route.  Interior of Apartment Block Near Antares Spawn 2.  Door to Apartment Room 201.  Door to Apartment Room 301.  Amburgers Access from the Apartment Block.  View of Damaged Building on Point C.  View of the Buildings Along Monument Street.
 Antares Spawn A.  Antares Spawn B.  Antares Spawn C.  Aquila Spawn A.  Aquila Spawn B.
 Top-Down View of Point A.  View of unamed Road leading to Point A.  Close up of the Tables and Stands near Point A.  View of the Apartment near Point A.  Alleyway Apartment near Point A.  Hallway inside the Apartment near Point A.  Interior of Room 1 in the Apartment near Point A.  Interior of Room 2 in the Apartment near Point A.  View of Point A.  Close up of Point A.  View of Damaged Building in Point A.
 Top-Down View of Point B.  Exterior of the Cronquisador Mens Clothing Store.  Interior of the Cronquisador Mens Clothing Store.  Table with a Revolver inside the Cronquisador Mens Clothing Store.  Alternate View of the Table with a Revolver inside the Cronquisador Mens Clothing Store.  Two Way Stairwell inside the Cronquisador Mens Clothing Store.  View the Red Brick Apartment and Jaguar Lane leading to Point B.  View the Yellow and Red Apartment Alleyway to Point B.  View the Red and Grey Apartment Alleyway to Point B.  View the Alley behind the Red Brick Apartment Point B.  Alternate View of the Entire Area of Point B.  View of the Entire Area of Point B. Alternate View of the Entire Area of Point B.  Close up of the Saint Ephemera Fountain in Point B.  Exit from Point B leading to Fegusson Street.  Entry into Point B from Fegusson Street.  View of an Empty Area between Fergusson Street and Point B.  Exit from Point B leading to Aurora Street.  Exit from Point B leading to Jaguar Lane.  View Jaguar Lane near Point B.  View of Jaguar Lane to Point B.
 Exterior of the Bank of Talona.  Close up of the front of the Bank of Talona.  Another View of the Front of the Bank of Talona.  Wall Damage on the side of the Bank of Talona.  Top-Down View of the Courtyard Behind the Bank of Talona.  View of the Bank of Talona Interior from the Street Wall.  Seating Area inside the Bank of Talona.  Alley leading into the Bank of Talona.  Courtyard Entrance to the Bank of Talona.  Damaged Wall Entrance into the Bank Teller Section.  View of the Bank of Talona's Teller Stations.  Interior of Bank of Talona Exterior from Fergusson Street  He Watches
 View the Trombley's Hotel Parking.  Ground Floor Interior of Trombley's Hotel.  First Floor Interior of Trombley's Hotel.  Second Floor Left Room Interior of Trombley's Hotel.  4 Second Floor Right Room Interior of Trombley's Hotel.  Third Floor Left Room Interior of Trombley's Hotel.  Third Floor Right Room Interior of Trombley's Hotel.  Fourth Floor of Trombley's Hotel.  Fourth Floor Left Room Interior of Trombley's Hotel.  Fourth Floor Right Room Interior of Trombley's Hotel.  Third Floor Stairwell and Damaged Wall of Trombley's Hotel.  View the Passageway under Trombley's Hotel.  Alleyway Connected to Trombley's Hotel.
 Antares Spawn A.  Antares Spawn B.  Antares Spawn C.  Aquila North Spawn.  Aquila Middle Spawn.  Aquila South Spawn.
 View of the Shophousees near Point A.  Interior of Major's Meat Market.  Alleyway Behind the Shophouse.  Major's Meat Market Building. Interior of Major's Meat Market.  View of Point A from the intersection of Aurora and Erasmia Street.
 Yellow Apartment near Fergusson Street.  Barbed Wire on the End of Jaguar Lane.  Exterior of Damaged Two Floor Building Near Fergusson Street.  1st Floor of the Damaged Two Floor Building near Fergusson Street.  2nd Floor of the Damaged Two Floor Building near Fergusson Street.  Top-Down View of the Damaged Two Floor buildin.  Giant Buildings at the end of Erasma Street.
 Top-Down View of Point A.  Front of Defensive Enplacement infront of Point A.  Elevated Dirt Mount Structure behind the Erasmia Statue on Point A.  Erasmia North Station near Fergusson Street on Point A.  Erasmia South Station near Aurora Street on Point A.  Elevated Dirt Mount Structure behind the Erasmia Statue on Point A.  View of a Fortification near Erasima Street.  View of Erasima Street between Point A and Talona City Hall.  Front View of the Trench near Fergusson Street.  Fergusson Street Entrance to the Trench on Point A.  Top-Down view of the Artillery Trench near Aurora Street. Front View of the Trench near Fergusson Street.  Aurora Street Entrance to the Artillery Trench on Point A.
 Erasmia Station Talona City Hall North Entrance.  Erasmia Station Talona City Hall South Entrance.  Top-down View of the Talona City Hall.  West-side View of the Talona City Hall.  North-side View of the Talona City Hall.  East-side View of the Talona City Hall.  South-side View of the Talona City Hall.  Talona City Hall's Only Entrance.  Door leading to the Talona City Hall Meeting Room.  Talona City Hall Meeting Room Interior.  Alternate Talona City Hall Meeting Room Interior.  Photgraph of CIS Naiad and it's Crew inside the Talona City Hall.  Potrait of Unamed Politician inside the Talona City Hall.  Empty Northwest Room inside the Talona City Hall.  Another View of the Medical Evacuation Point inside the Talona City Hall.  Medical Evacuation Point inside the Talona City Hall.  Eastside Door inside the Talona City Hall.  Empty Southeast Room near the Medical Evacuation Point inside the Talona City Hall.  North Western Stairs to the Second Floor of the Talona City Hall.  Second Floor North Western room of the Talona City Hall.  North Eastern Stairs to the Second Floor of the Talona City Hall.  Second Floor North Eastern room of the Talona City Hall.  Room and Door leading to the Open Balcony on the Second Floor of the Talona City Hall.  Open Balcony on the Second Floor of the Talona City Hal.  Talona City Hall Clock Moving.
First known teaser.  Development screenshot of Trombley's Hotel (reference to ClassicMasterNoob's Discord username).  Development screenshot of McRolands Family Diner and Deli.  Development screenshot of a hotel with cars in front.  Development screenshot of Scott's Baked Goods, Bakery and Pastry Shop with the Roblox Studio view selector.  Development screenshot of a park within Talona, featuring a large monument.  An alley between buildings in Talona with the ground covered by rubble.  Skyline of Talona, notably damaged after the Battle of Route 23. Also featuring the Roblox Studio view selector.  Front of the Talona City Hall  Front of the Bank of Talona, including its courtyard and statue.  "Best Barber" Shop in Talona.  Rubble in front of a building.  A park in phase 2 where tanks will spawn.
 This poster depicts an blue Aquilan hand grabbing an red Antarean hand over a blue plot of land. The text reads "GRAB 'EM BEFORE THEY GRAB US" Drawn by antiipathy.  This poster depicts a large, foreboding Aquilan soldier crushing ants, which represent the Antareans. There is the Aquilan flag in the background, and text that says "CRUSH 'EM!" Drawn by renicuzwhynot.  This poster shows an Aquilan proudly waving a large Aquilan flag while standing on a pile of Antarean UE. VI helmets. Broken chains are scattered around him. The caption reads "RISE ABOVE THE ANTS" Drawn by antiipathy.  This poster depicts a blue, Aquilan hand, presenting the Antarean emblem as though it were a ball, with the caption "IN THE PALM OF OUR HANDS" Drawn by antiipathy.  This poster shows an Aquilan with his arms crossed with flames behind him. The caption reads "BRAVE THE FLAMES ENLIST TODAY!" Drawn by antiipathy.  This poster shows an Scared Soldier with the Antarean UE. VI with an long figure towering over it with the Aquilan Emblem. The caption reads "THEY FEAR US." Drawn by renicuzwhynot.  This poster shows an Aquilan holding a Southeastern Ensis pointing downwards with an Eagle behind him. The caption reads "AQUILA DUCIT AQUILAM!" Drawn by siegercharlie.
 Civil Guardsmen in Talona.  Talona Parish Police Officer acting as a Civil Guardsman.  Civil Guardsmen in Talona. Screenshots Captured Ingame
|
Trivia
- This is the first map to include partisan/irregular fighters, in the form of the Aquilan Civil Guard.
- This is the first map to include environmental propaganda, in the form of propaganda posters and radio broadcasts.
- This is the first map to include Centaura-specific voice acting, in the form of a radio broadcast which can be heard throughout Downtown Talona.
- This map features barrage balloons as seen during the Battle of Route 23.
- Many of the shop names, writings (notably the literature store on Monument & Vinterak) reference Centaura community members or real-life novels.
- The map went through an excruciatingly long development cycle spanning almost a year. Due to a variety of issues, the one currently in development at the time was even scrapped, with Trombley rebuilding the map from the ground up in a month. Original footage of old Talona being tested can be watched here.
- The original Talona map differs significantly from the current Talona. It was much larger and more spacious, having more buildings, NPCs, roads, and overall more packed. Moreover, the gamemode for this was originally Domination, unlike the new Talona map which uses Breakthrough.
- The reason why the original was scrapped was because Trombley felt the map was not built realistically and didn't look like an actual city, describing it "building for the sake of building". A collection of differences from a Fandom User named Mr.arstone6. as seen below.[1]
- "With a Dark and Gloomy atmosphere, The Initial battle was for a large part of the city, then the park and the town hall, the Old Talona consists of houses similar to European buildings from the 18th to early 20th centuries, the streets are straight, there are no detours, little cover and a lot of open space, there were only a few buildings in which the player could visit, whilst the town hall was a huge hall with many corridors."
- "Changing to a more lighten atmosphere, The battle set around the Park, City arch followed by the Center and Townhall. The final version of Downtown Talona combines US architecture from before the First World War and European buildings from the 18th century to the early 20th century. the current version has many side streets and Metro Routes which allows for bypasses and the buildings are interactive so players can use it for combat. The town hall was made to be more colorful inside with a large hall and a throne."
- There were a lots of ideas for Talona that were scrapped, such as an Antarean MG car, flamethrower tanks, and the molotov which ended up being the Sparkbomb.
- This is the first map to incorporate weapons laying on the ground found near civil guard corpses, including rifles like the Albus-Graham No. 4 and M1889 LA (With darker wooden parts).
- The rifle used by the Vegan military can be seen in the Foreign Imports stand in the weapons shop.
- This map is likely partially inspired by the real life city of Paris, France
- The Talona city hall is likely inspired by the Ecole Militaire
- The arch is likely inspired by the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile
- The Rex Marcvus VI is likely inspired by the Statue of Marshal Joseph Joffre