Introduction to Mupunko

Mupunko is an average-sized lake town near the northern part of the Nuvuspori lake in the Kourian Dominion. There are three roads that head north, east, and west to separate towns and villages. To the north is Yrylaloruta, with the east heading to Tamsalakos, and the west going to Lanta. Within Mupunko is a Kourian Military base, known as Runeforge Sanctum, that keeps watch over the citizens and acts a line of defense in case the Zalgi Army manages to break through the defenses set up by Archstroansian Malik.

by Amelia Nite (ArtFlow)

When the Zalgi Army of the Zalgi Empire attacked the Kourian Dominion, military bases were constructed outside of each town, city, and village, especially those closest to the border. With Mupunko, things were no different. The army moved in and stroansians were seen as protectors, and, of course, the essetid population grew exponentially within the cities. The essetids were instructed to join the military as soon as they turn eightteen, prompting the heavy influence of war and protecting civilians.
Now that the Zalgi Army is approaching closer to the cities, the Kourian Dominion has instructed stricter protocols and databasing each civilian to see if they are legal. People are constantly at risk of death, faminie, and disease. Yet, the military forges on, claiming that they are the only ones capable of eradicating the threat encroaching on their doorstep.

For many centuries, those of the Zalgi Empire has seen the stroansians as threats to their way of life, and it all started on Eozania, the homeworld of the grosants and the stroansians, with the Cosmos War. Now, each side had their own opinions of the other, but one thing stood out from all the rest — they both agreed that a new land would change things for their favor. Around 6001 NE, the war resumed for both sides, drawing the sophonts of Thaouta into a perpetuous danger.
With time, the stroansians started spreading out and establishing the Kourian Dominion and their Kourian Military to expand the usefulness of the sophonts, while eventually beginning to procreate with humans, creating the new species of essetids. This new species showed signs of powerful mana and the Kourian Military informed the citizens of the Kourian Dominion that an annual joining of the Kourian Military would happen every Caal 25th. During this time, advertisements of fighting the Zalgi Empire and protecting the innocent are shown everywhere, from pamphlets to newspapers or posters, and even radio shows.
Archstroansian Adoel vouches for the war, speaking of the evil atrocities that the Zalgi Empire commits on a daily basis, and with the gnomes hailing from Atica, the efforts of the war have never been more crucial. If the Kourian Dominion loses, every sophont within the country will become a slave to the Zalgi Empire. Governor Will, the head of Mupunko, radically pushes for his citizens to listen to their leaders and serve their country in any way they can.
While the Dominion maintains control over the land, they are slowly losing faith of the citizens, who are too afraid to speak up. Trade routes have become strained and resources are drying up. Soon, there will be nothing left to run if the war continues on for much longer. Power like this has only one source, in which the military controls as well.
As of Caal 5th, 6428 NE, Mupunko is readying itself for the annual Kourian Military sign-ups! Commander Dalim has spoken very vocally about something big happening with Caleb Drayton leading his platoon into battle to thwart the Zalgi Army's advancements upon the country, sighting a possible invasion of Mupunko could happen at any time. Now, it is up to the citizens to sign up and help take the fight to Zalgi Army and protect the elderly and weak within the town.

— Hidden Origins Introduction

Themes of Thaouta

FANTASY

All across Thaouta there are adventures that span entire kingdoms and empires, with monstrous quests that seek to test adventurers. And then there's the mana. Mana flows throughout every being, however, only those with innate talent can access it.

GRIM

Heroes are nonexistent, or at least, good ones don't. Those who are considered heroes are corrupt and only care about fame and fortune. Commoners are hardworking and cower in the presence of their overlords. When the stakes rise and horrors creep in across the land, a rebellion is all that stands between destruction and death.

DARK

Every act you make may be your last, or it may be the last for someone else. Every choice you make can react as a butterfly effect, shaking the world to the core. If you're not careful, you might just end up being the reason the world ended.

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Themes of Mupunko

STEAMPUNK FANTASY

Mupunko is a town built on mana and mystery. Mana runs through the lifeblood of most beings, giving power to those who rule and to those who seek to thwart the darkness polluting the lands. However, the cultivation of steam has pushed the world into a new era, revolutionizing the way things are built and how citizens survive.

RICH HAVE IT ALL

The rich have power over everything. If someone is of the lower classes (middle or poor), they can expect to struggle, often taking up horrific jobs to make ends meet. Although, some rich can become patrons for an adventurer.

WAR SAVES EVERYONE

The citizens of Mupunko are influenced by war and how desperately they need to protect their loved ones. From a young age, every essetid and stroansian are taught that defeating the Zalgi Army is the key to a great and rewarding life.