Game Overview

The Game Overview below will go over the key in character details including the setting, features, and more. We know there's a lot to take in so please don't feel like you have to have everything memorized! This page will be a great reference for you as you go along, and we're always happy to answer questions or help point you in the direction of the right resource(s) whenever you need help or have questions.

The World

• Our game is set in the world of Kinship. This world was originally created by the Primordial Gods as a neutral ground for their divine children to settle disputes without harming populated worlds.
• Some deities used the world as a testing ground for various experiments while others began "borrowing" lifeforms to fight on their behalf; some actually abducted individuals/groups from their homeworld, while other lifeforms were recreated using "blueprints".
• All native life, including flora and fauna, stem from these early transported and created populations; as such, the wildlife is often a peculiar blend of familiar and alien. Characters may encounter everything from robotic and cyborg plants and animals to dinosaurs, mythical creatures to modern Earth animals both magical and not.
• Kinship's history of divine meddling has made it a cultural patchwork of different eras and worlds -- remnants of ancient dialects and futuristic argots pepper everyday conversations while songs, stories, and names carry echoes of both familiar and foreign origins.
• On Kinship, magic and technology intertwine in surprising ways. Wands and laser pistols are common tools. Mystical ruins hide behind force fields, while magic imbues mechs and motors. This blend of swords and sorcery, ancient and futuristic, creates a world where the mystical and mechanical complement one another.
• Kinship's kaleidoscope of cultures means social mores and material goods vary wildly between realms. A wizard may wear mythril robes and dwell in a tower topped with astrolabes in one country, while a cyborg bounty hunter dons graphene armor in the minimalist skyrise of another. People's views span the spectrum from mystical to pragmatic, traditional to progressive, fatalistic to ambitious.
• [Optional] Learn more about the world in the About the World guide.

The Island

• The island of New Ognos is the primary setting for our game. For centuries, Old Ognos was an isolated nation preoccupied with internal conflicts between its two primary races, Humans and Valka, and wary of outside influence.
• This all changed when a divine war between Ognos' patron gods broke out at the same time as another god arrived on the planet; the combination caused disasters and disruptions across Kinship, with Ognos taking the worst of the damage.
• With their homeland destroyed, the surviving Ognoshu became refugees. Some tried to integrate into the foreign realms that took them in, while others chose to remain nomadic, living permanently aboard ships and vessels either solo or in wandering fleets.
• After some time, the Primordial Gods became aware of what was happening on Kinship and personally made a visit to Ognos to intervene; they were unable to completely repair all of the damage, however, they were able to stabilize the island and the rest of the world.

• At this time, the only established foothold in New Ognos is a single town with a relatively small population. There have been three waves of settlers so far:
  • First Wave: Focused on establishing the town; primarily scout teams, resource assessors, military vanguards, terraformers, and architects.
  • Second Wave: Focused on expanding the infrastructure; primarily builders, merchants, craftsmen, bankers, and politicians.
  • Third Wave (current): Focusing on remapping, rebuilding, and resettling the island; primarily explorers, adventurers, treasure hunters, miners, farmers, and researchers.
• The island is forever changed, and it will take a long time for all of the secrets, dangers, and transmutations to be discovered. There will be a strong emphasis put on collaboration, adventuring, exploration, and discovery during this version.

Races

Residents of Ognos, regardless of race, are called "Ognoshu" - this term can be used for things that apply to both/all races, or when discussing a group consisting of individuals from multiple races. This section provides a brief overview of each race's key features; additional relevant information can be found in the Getting Started guide.

Humans

• Humans were once the dominant force in Ognos with larger, more concentrated populations and higher political power in all five of the original territories.
• They had a very strict and rigid class system; wealthy nobles had more social power but fewer liberties than the poor commoners.
• Human society was heavily patriarchal, with men and boys having greater social privileges and autonomy than women and girls.
• Most humans are born with the ability to summon and control a small number of nanites.
• Typically, Humans will have a "natural" appearance, meaning they have the same eye, hair, and skin variations as on Earth, however, each character may be joined with up to two appearance-only traits OR one physical enhancement.
• Humans typically cannot use magic or shapeshift.

Valka

• Valka were once marginalized by the humans of Ognos; the 300-year Silent War had only just ended and equality was beginning to be established right before the disaster.
• They had a decentralized clan-based social structure; they typically living in large, nomadic family groups.
• Valka society was primarily matriarchal, but heavy emphasis was put on the abilities of the individual.
• Most Valka are born with the ability to connect with the natural world, granting them access to magic.
• Valka have two forms: a True Form and a humanoid form.
  • Their True Form is typically that of a single modern Earth animal, which they usually transition fully in to.
  • Their alternate form will appear similar to a human, however, they be joined with up to 2 appearance-only traits OR one physical enhancement.
• Valka typically cannot interface with technology.

Human/Valka Relations

• Valka and Human relations were strained by a 300-year-long period of conflict called the Silent War, but things were improving quickly before the disaster.
• The varied lands where the refugees of Ognos settled shaped how the relationships between Valka and Humans evolved during their time away.
  • In some regions, grief brought Valka and Humans together, forging unexpected bonds of mutual understanding and cooperation. United in hardship, old enmities faded as they supported one another.
  • In other areas, traditional segregation persisted - while they inhabited the same lands, Valka and Humans kept to themselves, maintaining the divisions of old. Interactions were sparse, bound by custom.
  • Still other lands saw age-old conflicts reignite, or new oppression arise. Old hatreds or fear led Valka and Humans to vilify and subjugate each other once more.
• On New Ognos, one's capability and contributions have typically defined their status, rather than their wealth, race, or gender. Merit and achievement typically dictate an individual's respect and renown, and their access to opportunities, in this fledgling land. However, the winds of change may shift as more settlers arrive.

Other Races

Additional races and unique core race lineages may be purchased from our Marketplace or unlocked through events, mini-games, and special drops.

Astrofel

Astrofel are animals that usually feature in their bonded's posts as secondary/supporting characters, though they can occasionally be posted individually. This section provides a brief overview of their key features; additional relevant information can be found in the Getting Started guide.

• Astrofel are magical beings that were native to Old Ognos. There were three primary subspecies: Spirits, who Bonded with Valka; Shades, who Bonded with Humans; and Hesper, Shade x Spirit hybrids who bonded with Amalgam (Human x Valka hybrids).
• Bonding was extremely common on Old Ognos, with most individuals having one. Most Astrofel chose to flee with their partner when Old Ognos fell, though some decided -- or were forced -- to stay behind.
  • Very few wild Astrofel were able to saved by Ognoshu during the island's collapse, and the size of the population is currently unknown.
  • The Astrofel now found on New Ognos have been changed in many ways; we'll explain more about this the Getting Started guide!
• You can buy an Astrofel from the Marketplace or pay with a 600+ word in-character post by the character you are creating a bond for at any time.
• Astrofel level separately from their Ognoshu; they can also gain their own rewards for mini-game participation, drops, events, and more.
  • This means there will be a little more for you to manage, but don't worry -- having an Astrofel is optional!
  • Characters may find theirs at any time; there's no rush or pressure to have one, though they can be quite beneficial.

Core Features

• Progression: Explain levels, skills, abilities
• Rewards: Overview of prizes, coppers, mini-game

Deeper Dives

• More Details: Links to full guides on each topic

Next up...

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

• Guidebook - a brief look in to game setting & mechanics
• Getting Started - your character creation companion

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

Don't forget to join our Discord!