Getting Started

This guide will walk you through the character creation process. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to Signe on Discord! This guide was last updated on September 27th, 2024 to reflect changes brought about by our new version; any changes made after the fact will be marked with a star (★).

Coming to New Ognos

Characters arrive in New Ognos through various means, each with their own unique purpose and background. Whether they’re new settlers or long-established residents, their presence will help shape the future of the island. Below are some common routes for character backgrounds, but feel free to bring your own ideas! Be sure to also check the Playable Races guide for more information to help craft your character’s story.

New Arrivals

Most new arrivals in New Ognos this version will be part of the late Third Wave or early Fourth Wave. These characters are newcomers to the island, looking to make their mark. They may be:

• Refugees returning after time in a Five Faction Kingdom
• Former sea nomads settling ashore after the island's restoration
• Pioneers arriving for the first time, often from the Five Faction Kingdoms
• Locals returning after time spent in Shaman
• Descendants of Ognoshu refugees affected by the time dilation
• Treasure hunters, adventurers, or mercenaries drawn by rumors of abundance
• Opportunists seeking to take advantage of the chaos through illegal means or power grabs
• Wealthy nobles or influential figures looking to assert control and secure leadership positions in the newly forming society
• Transported individuals who may arrive from other places or times after stumbling across ancient traps or tools left behind by the gods on their home world
• Explorers, miners, farmers, and researchers recruited towards the tail end of the Third Wave
• Fourth Wave artists, entertainers, and luxury goods crafters or traders who arrived in New Ognos, or had started their journey, before the first Shardfall
• Survivalists, warriors, engineers, and crisis managers recruited for the Fourth Wave

Established Residents / The Waves

Some characters may have arrived earlier and helped shape New Ognos before the current wave of settlers:

• First Wave: Consisted of scouts, terraformers, military vanguards, and architects who aimed to establish a foothold in the new land. Most will have been in New Ognos for between four and six years.
• Second Wave: Consisted of builders, merchants, and politicians who focused on developing the economy and early governance. They will have been on the Island for between two and four years.
• Third Wave: Recruited those with expertise in exploration, mining, farming, treasure hunting, and research. They will have arrived about two years ago at the latest (some are still trickling in currently).
• Fourth Wave: Initially recruited artists, entertainers, and luxury goods crafters or traders; after the Shardfalls began the focus shifted to survivalists, warriors, engineers, and crisis managers.

Wave Recruitment

Settlement in New Ognos has unfolded through several distinct waves, each introducing a unique group of people to the island. Recruitment methods vary widely: some individuals are approached by Ognoshu recruiters visiting the Five Faction Kingdoms, while others learn about upcoming Waves through posters or bulletin boards. Additionally, divine messengers may seek out individuals deemed essential for repopulating and rebuilding the island. Although many settlers arrive voluntarily, not all are fully aware of the conditions on New Ognos. Some may be misled about what to expect, while others might be kidnapped or manipulated by darker forces, such as rouge deities or shady factions. Consequently, some settlers arrive with their eyes wide open, while others find themselves oblivious to the island's realities.

Restricted Routes

• We are open to allowing for a small collection of individuals that were able to hang on during the destruction and subsequent remaking of the island. At this time, there would need to be a strong plot/reasoning for why this background is key to your character before you would be authorized to join one; if you would like to explore this option, please let us know in your private support channel.
• Bringing a character from other parts of Kinship outside the Five Faction Kingdoms is not allowed at this time.

Gatekeeper's Boon

Upon joining, each character will be approached by a fragment of one of the Gatekeepers, who bestow a gift -- a themed item or ability -- as a welcome to the island. You may request a specific Gatekeeper in your private support channel; if no request is made, we'll either select one randomly or try to theme it to suit the character (if enough information is provided). Preferences are more likely to be accepted if there’s a specific reason for your request, or if there’s strong compatibility between your character and the chosen Gatekeeper.

• Ixthia the Mirrorborne offers gifts tied to illusion, contradiction, and perception. Associated symbols include mirrors, masks, and shattered glass.
• Kaemor the Frostbound grants boons focused on endurance, strategy, and long-held memory. Associated symbols include antlers, glacial ice, and deep water.
• Sylthis the Stormclaw provides favors related to instincts, wild growth, and chaotic elemental forces. Associated symbols include storm clouds, vines, and crackling claws.
• Torran the Emberlord's rewards focus on destruction, sacrifice, and burning power. Associated symbols include fire, ash, and molten stone.
• Veyrith the Unbound imparts gifts related to escape, transcendence, and astral insight. Associated symbols include feathers, spirals, and collapsing stars.

Next up...

You can check out the other Essential Guides using the links below!

• Guidebook - a brief look in to game setting & mechanics
• Game Overview - a brief look in to game setting & mechanics
• Playable Races - learn more about the people of New Ognos

When you've read everything over, you can get going by joining your character here.

Don't forget to join our Discord!