Eve Of Midnight
Lore and other documents for the Eve of Midnight game
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Voldterran: The Iron Wastes
The Eternal Clockwatcher regards Voldterran, a realm of rust and ruin where the echoes of industry linger in a barren wasteland. Its people are forged by hardship, their resolve as unyielding as the iron beneath their feet.
World Overview: The Iron Wastes
Voldterran is a world of desolation and decay, its once-thriving industrial complexes now crumbling into the barren landscape. Vast stretches of rusting machinery and lifeless plains define its terrain, broken only by the occasional smog-choked city or underground refuge. The air is thick with the residue of past ambitions, and the ground beneath holds untapped veins of iron and other metals.
The inhabitants of Voldterran have adapted to this hostile environment, relying on scavenging, ingenuity, and sheer resilience to survive. Their culture revolves around the concept of reclamation—finding purpose in what others would discard.
Political Structure: The Forgebound Hierarchy
- The Ironlords:
Voldterran’s governance is overseen by the Ironlords, a council of leaders who control the remaining industrial centers and scavenging operations. Each Ironlord represents a major faction, balancing power through uneasy truces.
- The Rustborn Tribes:
Outside the cities, nomadic tribes known as the Rustborn roam the wastes, scavenging and trading with settled communities. Though often marginalized, they play a vital role in the flow of resources.
- The Foundry Assembly:
A rare meeting of all Ironlords and tribal leaders, the Foundry Assembly is convened only during times of great crisis or opportunity, aiming to unite Voldterran’s fragmented society.
Key Alliances
1. Steel Accord with Querel
- Nature of Alliance:
Querel provides advanced machinery and weapons to Voldterran in exchange for salvaged materials and rare metals.
- Key Benefits:
- Enhanced production capabilities.
- Access to cutting-edge technology for defense and construction.
- Fragility:
Querel’s exacting standards often clash with Voldterran’s more improvisational methods.
2. Pact of Iron Will with Freyel
- Nature of Alliance:
Freyel warriors assist in protecting Voldterran’s borders and trade routes. In return, they receive durable equipment forged in Voldterran’s few remaining foundries.
- Key Benefits:
- Increased security and trade stability.
- Access to Voldterran’s expertise in weapon and armor crafting.
- Fragility:
The Freyel’s nomadic nature and Voldterran’s static operations occasionally lead to misunderstandings.
3. Energy Exchange with Ætheliens
- Nature of Alliance:
Ætheliens aid in restoring and stabilizing Voldterran’s energy systems, while Voldterran supplies them with rare minerals and industrial components.
- Key Benefits:
- Improved energy infrastructure.
- Collaboration on sustainable industrial practices.
- Fragility:
Ætheliens’ focus on balance contrasts with Voldterran’s emphasis on output and efficiency.
Internal Politics: The Corroded Balance
- Industrialists vs Rustborn:
The settled industrial factions often dismiss the Rustborn as primitive, while the Rustborn view the cities as corrupt and wasteful.
- The Scavenger Wars:
Competition over resource-rich ruins frequently sparks conflict between factions and tribes, further fragmenting Voldterran.
- The Machine Cult:
A fanatical group believes that Voldterran’s salvation lies in complete submission to the remnants of its machinery, advocating for the worship and repair of ancient constructs.
Cultural Bonds and Diplomacy
- The Rusted Codex:
An oral tradition passed through generations, the Rusted Codex preserves Voldterran’s history, myths, and survival strategies.
- Barter and Salvage:
Voldterran’s economy is built on trade and barter, with scavenged items and repaired machinery serving as currency.
- The Iron Solstice:
An annual celebration where factions come together to showcase their ingenuity, featuring competitions in crafting, combat, and engineering.
Challenges to Unity
- Resource Depletion:
The constant need for salvageable materials creates intense competition and conflicts over prime scavenging grounds.
- Toxic Environment:
The pollution and degradation of Voldterran’s landscape take a toll on its people, necessitating constant innovation to survive.
- External Exploitation:
Outsiders often see Voldterran as a source of easy riches, raiding its territories for metals and artifacts.
- Krennar Forgehammer:
A pragmatic Ironlord known for his ability to unite factions under a common goal, though his methods are often ruthless.
- Lyssandra Rustveil:
A leader among the Rustborn tribes, Lyssandra advocates for greater cooperation between the nomads and the cities.
- Tavik Gearwright:
A visionary inventor who works to restore Voldterran’s industrial systems while pushing for sustainable innovations.