(*WIP*) Connection to Main Quest

Connection to the artefacts/fragments

The Magic Faction holds a fragment of the central artefact, likely within a heavily protected sacred site or shrine deep in their territory. To them, the fragment is a relic of their ancestors and a vital link to the past. They see the fragment as a gift of enlightenment, allowing them to restore their lost civilization’s knowledge. However, they may be unaware of its dangerous instability, mistaking the leaking magic for a sign of divine energy. The fragment subtly amplifies the faction’s magic while destabilizing their surroundings, such as:

• Altering plant growth unpredictably, causing overgrowths or magical flora
• Creating areas where chakra alignment becomes chaotic, affecting rituals or battles

To obtain the fragment, players must navigate the faction’s strongholds and ideological barriers. This could involve gaining their trust through diplomacy, infiltration to steal the fragment, or even challenging their beliefs about its use.

Certain areas of the forest near the fragment could exhibit heightened magical properties, such as:

• Healing Glades: Areas where injured players or NPCs can recover faster
• Elemental Surges: Zones where natural elements like wind, water, or vines react unpredictably, creating tactical challenges during battles
• Wildlife Transformation: normal creatures develop magical traits (e.g., better agility, more battle strength, ...) and get aggressive due to the fragment's unpredictable influence
• Faction-Controlled Pathways: The faction uses the fragment’s power to subtly control routes within its territory. Certain paths may become impassable due to dense overgrowth or magical storms unless the player aligns with the faction (player completed many magic faction quests successfully) or finds a way to counter the magic themselves (high-ranking mage in the player's group)

Key Interactions 

Discovering the fragment:

• the players learn about the magic factions fragment through their recurring visions
• might show glimpses of the fragment’s effects -> lush, enchanted landscapes marred by moments of instability (something like overgrowth of weird glowing plants?)
• players can talk to NCPs and they will tell them about some weird sightings

Entering the territory: 

• The faction’s territory is a mix of serene clearings and treacherous magical zones
• Approaching the fragment’s location involves overcoming guardians and environmental hazards (see elemental surges/wildlife transformation)
• player can choose to negotiate access, ally with the faction, or find alternative routes through stealth or force
  • • diplomatic route: completing quests for the faction to prove the player’s worthiness/interest in their overall goals, which includes
      • • assisting with stabilizing/retrieving other fragments
        • protecting sacred sites from the anti-magic faction and other corruption
    • stealth/combat route: infiltrating their stronghold or defeating their defences to take the fragment by force

Internal Conflict and Long-Term Effect

Internal Conflict

Their deeply rooted ideology shapes the response to the main quest. Even tough they promote a high sense of community and tradition, they have deep-rooted conflicts about the artefacts.

• Traditionalists: Argue the fragment should remain untouched, as they believe it embodies their ancestors’ wisdom and provides spiritual guidance. They fear any interference could anger the forest’s spirits
• Progressives: Advocate for actively studying and harnessing the fragment’s power to advance their understanding of magic. They see it as their duty to unlock its full potential, even if it involves risk

The player can exploit these divisions by supporting one faction over the other, swaying the outcome of the fragment’s use:

• Supporting Traditionalists might delay the player’s access but preserve the fragment’s stability, ensuring it remains intact for future runs
• Aligning with Progressives may give the player access to advanced magical resources or insights but could destabilize the region further

Long-Term Effects

• Future runs:
  • • Fragment Amplification: If the fragment is absorbed into the central artefact, it intensifies the visions for the player, offering greater power at the cost of increased difficulty
• Shifts in dynamics:
  • • Strong magic faction: If their fragment is stabilized or enhanced, their influence grows, potentially leading to greater magical control over the forest
    • Weak magic faction: losing the fragment could diminish their power, allowing rival factions like the Coven or Anti-Magic Faction to encroach on their territory
• Final confrontation with the Covens:
  • • if allied, they might provide resources or additional characters to aid the player in the showdown
    • if opposed, they could join forces with the Coven or launch independent attacks to reclaim what was lost

Questions or Comments?

• Edit: Crossed out every wrong info that was marked orange - thanks Lena! Other things mentioned will be edited soon.
• Leave them down below