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Culture

General

• CalledName: theThe Republic of the Undergrowth
• Identity:, isA asecluded, verycollectivist limitedforest democracysociety leddeeply distrustful of modern magic, seeking to protect its traditions and sovereignty
• Governance: Ruled by aan eleven-member council of eleven people (+with one openvacant seat)
• Formerly called the Kingdom of the Undergrowth, atransitioning from monarchy under the Valanidiá royal family 
  
• veryPurpose: prejudiced against all “new” forms of magic
• Exception is healing magic, which has been a part of the forests culture for longer than their kingdom existed
• Has developed a tendency towards Collectivism
• Prejudice against mages and people from the Magic Faction
• They usually live in bigger buildings with multiple families
• They prefer to build in the shade of trees or cliffs, and rarely build in the trees
• Prefer light and simple clothing with more exposed skin rather than less
• Popular colors for clothing and decoration are dark green and brownish-red (color of fertile soil common in their land)
• Close-knit Communities
  
• Escape from Civilization for Privacy

Goal:

• To drive outEradicate all “new” forms of magic, at least from their country if not the whole forest
  
• To discoveruncover the truth aboutbehind their queen’s murder, and restore legitimacy to their government by locating the nightlost prince
• Culture: Close-knit communities favoring communal living in shaded areas near cliffs and trees, wearing light, earth-toned clothing; some individuals flee to solitude due to the queenlack wasof murdered,privacy
• Beliefs: Magic—aside from healing—is seen as dangerous, particularly due to its past use in war and bringcrime; deep-seated prejudice against mages and the peopleMagic responsibleFaction

Culture

The Republic of the Undergrowth is a collectivist society built on resilience, tradition, and an unwavering opposition to justicemodern magic. Their way of life emphasizes agility, self-sufficiency, and adaptation to their dense forest home. Their communities are tight-knit, favoring communal structures and practical living, though some individuals seek solitude due to the lack of privacy. Clothing is designed for mobility and comfort, with dark greens and brownish-reds reflecting the land’s fertile soil. Exposure of the arms and midsection is common, while legs remain covered as a cultural norm.

Animals

Each species within the Republic carries symbolic significance, reinforcing the faction’s values of stealth, resilience, and adaptability.

• Common: Eastern red-backed salamanders, Eastern cottontails – representing survival, speed, and adaptability

• To find

  Uncommon: theNorthern Queen'scardinals brother– symbolizing vigilance and havecommunication

  him
join
• the

  Rare: CouncilWhite-tailed todeer give– theembodying newgrace Governmentand legitimacywisdom

• Very Rare (Almost Exclusively Royal Family): Eastern fence lizards – representing lineage, cunning, and exclusivity

ReasonsClasses

The Republic’s warriors are trained to counter magic users with lethal efficiency, prioritizing speed and ambush tactics over direct confrontation. Magic is strictly forbidden, except for theirhealers, Goal:who serve as the faction’s only mystical exception.

• Common Roles: Rangers – stealth-based warriors who blend seamlessly into the environment

• Uncommon Roles: Fighters – close-combat specialists, agile yet lightly armored

• Slightly Uncommon Roles: Healers – support-focused, clad in light green and veiled for anonymity

• Nonexistent: Mages – all forms of external magic (as opposed to internal magic like healing) are outlawed

Combat Philosophy

• Their country

  Primary wasFocus: ravagedAnti-magic bywarfare; Banditsswift, wieldingdecisive Magesstrikes before mages can cast

• A group

  Weakness: ofLess magesprepared killedfor theirdirect queenengagements against heavily armored foes

• Parts of

  Tactical theirEdge: territoryMobility wasand devastatedassassination bytechniques banditsover wieldingbrute magicforce

  almost immediately afterwards, they do not know if it was a coincidence or planned

AnimalsArchitecture

part

The ofRepublic’s architecture embraces the Faction:forest, integrating structures into the environment rather than altering it. They build wide, not tall, favoring hidden settlements nestled beneath towering trees or along cliffsides. Older buildings once bore intricate designs, but practicality has since taken precedence, leading to a shift toward utilitarian construction. Structures remain camouflaged beneath dense foliage, blending seamlessly with the terrain.

• Eastern red-backed

  Materials: salamanderDark [Common]wood as the primary resource, supplemented by stone when available

• Eastern cotton

  Aesthetic: tailMinimal (Rabbit)decoration, [Common]

• Northern cardinal (Bird) [Uncommon]
• White tailed deer [Rare]
• Eastern fence lizards [Very rare, almost only the royal family]

General Style of Clothing:

• Short, light clothing
• often expose their stomachs or arms, but prefer to keep their entire legs covered
• same colors as decorations usually,with dark green and brownish-red

hues

Coloringmirroring Scheme:

their

clothing
• prefer darker shades of green or browns
• use (brownish-)red

  Environmental forIntegration: contrast,Buildings usedobscured lessby thannatural green

barriers

such

Generalas Design of Classes:

• Fightersbushes and Healers prefer the lighter clothing common to their people
• But healers usually wear lighter green colors, and prefer to have their faces covered
• Rangers cover their entire bodies to blend in with the environment

Preferred classes:

• No magic classes, only support healer classes and potential variants
  
• Classes focused on anti-magic combat, less prepared to deal with non-magical threats like heavily armored units
• Majority of classes are agile units that can kill mages as fast as possible before they can cast their magic
• Class Archetypes by rarity:
  • Rangers [Common]
  • Healers [Slightly uncommon]
  • Fighters [Uncommon]
  • Mages [None]
  moss

StyleBiome

The Republic thrives within a dense, mist-laden woodland dominated by colossal trees, thorny undergrowth, and creeping vines. Fog often shrouds the landscape, adding to its mystique. Moss blankets the ground and climbs along bark and stone, softening the presence of Architecture:both nature and civilization.

• Prefer to

  Flora: buildThick, wide,towering nottrees, tallovergrown vines, and thorned bushes

• Their older

  Atmosphere: buildingsOften usedfoggy, todamp, beand very stylistic, but they started to buildfilled with a more utilitarian style

• Prefer to incorporate the surroundings insteadscent of changing it to suit the buildings
• Usually build in the shadows of large objects like big trees or cliffs
• Building hidden from sight because of smaller bushesearth and similarmoss
  flora
• Buildings use dark wood preferably, and sometimes stone if its available
• Decoration use dark green and brownish-red

Main Biome:

• Enormous trees
• thick bushes, often thorned
• predominantly larger flora, and often vines ranking around buildings, trees or cliffs
• often foggy, lots of moss

Naming Conventions:Conventions

• The name of their faction is "Republic of the Undergrowth"

Undergrowth
• Theyrefers callto themselvesits people as the "Shaded People"
People,
• Namesa reflection of placestheir usuallyhidden eitherand collective nature. Their settlements and landmarks often reference Shadowsshadows, secrecy, or the Undergrowth
forest’s

deep undergrowth, reinforcing their connection to the land.

History:

History

Discovery of "new" Magic

The Shaded People, under the protection of the Valanidiá Royal Family, initially tried to embrace the discovery of new magic, seeing it as a tool for protection of the weak and alternative for those weak of body to defend themselves. However, while many saw it as a boon, others, particularly those encouraged by a secretive magic faction, used magic as a means to gain power. Although initially met with skepticism, Queen Melia Valanidiá encouraged her people to accept magic, even appointing a Court Magician and granting mages prestigious roles. As mages became integrated into society, the Kingdom appeared to flourish, but the peace was shattered when magical pillagers began attacking villages, and the Kingdom's defenses, unprepared for magical combat, were overwhelmed.

The Queen's Murder

In response, Queen Melia took steps to train her soldiers in anti-magic tactics, but before they could fully prepare, a group of mages attacked the palace, killing the queen. This tragic event plunged the Kingdom into chaos, with the royal family lacking a direct heir. As the remaining mages were exiled, the Kingdom struggled to regain order. Ultimately, the survivors decided that magic posed a threat to their society, and they decided to outlaw all magic except for healing, which they considered entirely separate from all "new" magic.

The Establishment of the Council

In the wake of this upheaval, the Kingdom established a new system of governance—a ruling council composed of high-ranking court members and key citizens who had helped restore peace. They also left a spot for the queen’s brother, who had been absent during the crisis, should he return. The council's goal was to ensure stability and avoid the uncertainty of a single ruler, and with it, they hoped to build a brighter future for their people.

Artifact

Backstory

• First Discovery
• Development of

  Over a Settlement

century
• Activationago, during the reign of the Artifact
last
• Tragedyqueen’s insidegreat-grandfather, thea Artifactsviolent Cave
earthquake
• Aftereffectsexposed ofa thehidden Tragedymarvel—an lastingancient, untilman-made Today
cavern

carved

Origin:

deep

• It remained undiscovered insideinto the heart of a cliffcliff. everAt sinceits center lay a mysterious artifact - later known as The Artifact of the ancientUnyielding civilizationEcho left-, itappearing there
as
• Thenothing entrance was covered in a cave in far later, and very likely unrelated to ancient civilization
• It was uncovered after a powerful earthquake

Discovery:

• Moremore than a hundredperfectly yearssmooth ago,metallic duringstone. Though its unassuming nature belied its importance, the timeelaborate stonework surrounding it hinted at a grander purpose. Initially regarded as an archaeological curiosity, the artifact’s true significance became evident when it resisted all attempts to be moved, broken, or altered. Scholars, artisans, and explorers flocked to study it, gradually establishing a small settlement that, in time, flourished into a thriving city.

  The artifact’s presence inadvertently spurred a revolution in metallurgy, as blacksmiths sought stronger materials to crack its secrets. The pursuit of more durable alloys led to rapid advancements in forging techniques, attracting even more settlers and cementing the city as an industrial hub. Yet, despite generations of study, the artifact remained an enigma, its purpose and origin shrouded in mystery—until the day it awoke.

  One fateful afternoon, children playing near the artifact’s resting place noticed a soft glow emanating from its surface. Their excited chatter reached the ears of nearby guards, who, though skeptical, followed them into the depths of the lastcavern. queensWhen great-grandfather

hours

passed

Knowledgewith aboutno sign of their return, the Artifact:

city

grew
• Theyuneasy. Then, a lone survivor—a child, bloodied and shaken—staggered from the darkness. Between gasping sobs, they spoke of nightmarish constructs, faceless beings of solid light that had emerged without warning, overwhelming the guards and sealing all paths of escape. The only knowreason the child survived was sheer luck and a desperate dash through the maze-like corridors.

  From that moment, the cavern was declared off-limits, placed under constant watch by elite guards. Though the constructs never ventured beyond the cave’s entrance, their presence ensured that none dared to challenge the depths again. Adventurers and soldiers occasionally test themselves against the outer tunnels, but the artifact itself remains untouched, its glow a silent reminder of the tragedy that claimed those who ventured too close. To this day, no one knows what theytriggers the manifestation of the constructs, nor whether the artifact can observe with their eyes

• They have not figured out exactly what the conditions are for people toever be replicated as constructs
• No one has ever come close enough to turn it off, deactivated—if such a thing is even possible
possible.

General

Quests

Nature

The Artifact of the Artifact:Unyielding Echo (Main Quest Connection)

Discovering the Artifact

• The city is renowned for its exceptional blacksmiths, but few know of the ancient force buried beneath it.
• As players approach, better-equipped enemies and merchants selling higher-quality weapons and armor hint at the city's wealth.
• Rumors circulate of a sealed cavern near the outskirts, closely guarded and spoken of in hushed tones.
• Only those with keen curiosity or luck might uncover the Artifact before their run ends.

NPCs and Rumors

• Weary Blacksmith: "Steel from that city? Toughest you’ll ever find. But there’s talk that their skill isn’t just from hard work—something down there keeps pushing them forward, whether they like it or not."
• Wandering Scholar: "There's a ruin near the city. No one’s allowed near it. But every so often, figures flicker inside—shadows moving like men. They say it's just tricks of the light. I don’t believe that."
• Battle-Scarred Mercenary: "I knew a man who tried to sneak inside. Next day, someone—something—showed up, fighting just like him. It wasn't him, though. Not anymore."

The Artifact’s Nature

• The actualArtifact artifactitself is foundresides within a cave,vast underground maze, but anything inside of its territorydomain (theincludes cave)everything is considered part ofwithin the artifactcavern.
• ProducesIt creates artificial constructs imitatingthat mimic anyone or anything that has passedset throughfoot itswithin hallsthe cave in the lastpast 100century—most yearscommonly (clones random unitswarriors from the Anti-Magic Faction)
  Faction.
• The echoes are bound to the cave. They can fight, adapt, and learn—but never leave.

 

Entering the City

✅ Positive Standing with the Faction:

• Players are welcomed into the city, free to shop and interact with special NPCs.
• The guards warn them of the cave’s dangers but do not interfere if they attempt entry.
• Potential Perk: They may receive a powerful weapon or armor as a parting gift.
• Conversation with the Captain of the Guard at the Gate of the cave: "You’ve got steel in your eyes, outsider. I won’t stop you if you wish to test your mettle. But listen well—what lurks in that cave remembers every face it sees. If you fall, you’ll fight yourself the next time someone enters. Take this—it may just keep you from becoming a ghost of your own making."

Use😐 Neutral Standing with the Faction:

• The city is open for trade, but access to the cave is denied unless the guards are convinced or bribed.
• Combat only begins inside the cave after the Artifact’s influence takes hold.
• Conversation with a suspicious Guard at the Gate of the Artifact:
  cave: "You think you can just stroll into the depths? No chance. That place is sealed for a reason. Unless you’ve got something to offer—or a damn good reason—you’re not getting past me."

🚨 Negative Standing with the Faction:

• TheyThe keepcity itgates tightlyare guardedclosed to the player.
• UseThe itguards forwill trainingattack occasionally,on andsight sometimesif an attempt is made to enter the cave.
• Combat begins outside the cave, forcing players to fight their way in.
• Conversation with the Commander of the City Watch before entering the city: "We don’t let adventurersyour trykind theirthrough luckthese insidegates. theAnd mazeif you think you’ll set foot near that cave, you’ll be dead before you take three steps. Turn around, or die where you stand."

 

Quests

• Encounter

  Exploring the formerCave

  Court Mage that disappeared the night the queen died and discovering the truth
  
• Finding the lost brother

  Outskirts of the queenCave (Artifact is Passive)

  • Enemies wander randomly, and only attack within range.
  • Enemies spawn slowly and only after another unit has been defeated.
  • There is no time limit, allowing careful exploration.
  • Guards may follow the player—offering assistance or hostility depending on past interactions.

  Deeper Within (Artifact is Active)

  • Enemies rush towards the player, relentlessly attacking the player's units.
  • Enemies spawn rapidly (every 1-3 turns), up to bringa himtheoretical backmaximum.
  • A timer starts, and letthe himplayer's claimgoal is to survive until the opentimer seatruns out.
  • Guards, if present, will retreat the moment the countdown begins.
  • (Potential Mechanic: The Artifact can be attacked to lower the timer—but doing so is extremely difficult.)

   

  Lost Brother of the Queen (Main Faction Quest)

  Trigger

  • The quest is triggered randomly near Anti-Magic territory, with higher chances if the player has a positive reputation with the faction.
  • The Brother of the Queen (BotQ) is a powerful Druid, often found in combat, but strong enough to handle the situation alone unless it's a late-game encounter.

  First Encounter

  • Upon the player’s first meeting with the BotQ, he might be fighting, but doesn't need assistance. He briefly acknowledges the player:
    “Appreciate the help, even if it wasn’t necessary against small-fry like this. I’d love to chat, but there are a few old fools I’d rather avoid. See you later~”
  • After he leaves, a group of Royal Knights will appear and ask for directions.
  • • If the player tells the truth, a bonus encounter with the Knights will trigger.
    • If the player lies, the next encounter will be with the BotQ.

  Bonus Encounter (Lore-Heavy)

  • If the player helped the Knights, they'll learn more about the Tragedy of the Queen’s Death and the chaos that followed, causing the country to descend into anarchy.
  • The Knights also explain their search and their purpose.

  Subsequent Encounters

  • Future encounters will bring the player closer to the center of Anti-Magic territory. The second or third meeting may still be outside it, depending on the councilplayer’s path.

  Influence on the Faction

  • After the second encounter, faction members appear more frequently outside their territory but avoid conflict with mages, and in extreme cases, might cooperate with them.
  • WorkingUpon quest completion:
    • The faction’s council gains a new member (affecting lore).
    • The Royal Knights come out of retirement, adding high-level units to the faction.
    • The faction's stance towards mages becomes more neutral, removing "Drive Out Mages" quests in favor of "Take Care of Mage-Bandits."
    • Mages can occasionally be hired as mercenaries to support the faction.

  Gameplay Effects

  • After the second encounter, the player’s reputation with the onlyfaction survivorwill fromincrease thegradually.
  time
  • Upon the Artifact first activated to uncover clues about the original purposecompletion of the Artifact(s)quest:
    • The Druid Class is unlocked.
    • The Gremory Class (MinorMage Quest)+ DrivingHealer) Magesis outunlocked ofonce theirthe territoryMagic Faction's main quest is completed.