Nested Lands News

While exploring the land of Norovellir, you will be faced with many different threats. From hunger, to thirst, to freezing temperatures, and even the Death Plague itself, there will always be something to worry about. Still, some foes are more directly antagonistic than others, and this distinction is best exemplified in the many different factions that have taken control of certain regions of the island.

While some of these enemies, such as the Bandits and Wild Peasants (which we discussed in the last dev diary), have simpler motivations, others have come to this land with more ambitious goals. For today, let’s focus on the foes that are native to the island of Norovellir, and who once freely worshiped the deities of the Four Trees, before their very culture was taken away.



The province of Norovellir was discovered over a thousand years ago by a powerful explorer named Kaia, also known as the GuideHeart. Kaia, weary of the unending wars of her homeland in the Far North, sailed away in search of a better life for her people.

After months of sailing, they arrived in a new and beautiful land and began working on a new vision of their religion. While other deities, such as Lopalo, Ullar, and Syragna were not forgotten, the pilgrims’ efforts to move away from the destruction and eternal conflict of the Far North led to a new focus on Nobara, goddess of nature, balance, and the moon.

And so it was, for a time.



[h2]Mad Occultists
[/h2]
Far later down the timeline, after Norovellir had been vassalized by the growing power of the Sacner Kingdom, the peaceful worshippers of the Four Trees were hunted down and exiled to the putrid swamp of Dark Waters, where their hatred festered into sheer insanity.

They began to view Nobara as the one true goddess, now dead and corrupted like the world, and claimed the plague was her vengeance against the colonizers who had taken everything from them. Madness and bloodlust completely consumed them, to the point where they now kill anyone who crosses their path, decorating their surroundings with the innards of their victims, as well as venerating the plague itself as a mark of divine favor.

However, they started and whatever their goals are, these cultists have managed to survive amongst the most vile of corruptions, of the body, of the mind, and even of the soul.



[h2]Infected Savages
[/h2]
Yet, these cultists are not the only residents of Dark Waters. Hidden amongst the dark fog and damp blight are the accursed souls known as Infected Savages.

No one knows their exact origin, but they have appeared more and more in the last few years. Some believe they are nothing more than the product of botched treatments of the Death Plague, while others claim their condition is the product of divine punishment. Others still claim they are not even human, but ferocious monsters born of the plague itself.

Whatever the truth, these beings now serve only the will of the disease: to spread their corruption, and to kill all those unfortunate enough to cross their paths.



[h2]Chaos and Order
[/h2]
The Mad Occultists and the Infected Savages represent the chaos and corruption born of a dying world, where madness, carnage, and decay are the new norm. For those that lost everything, even themselves, there is no higher reasoning than to spread their own suffering to others.

And yet, they are only one side of the coin. On the other side reside the Corrupted Priests and Rogue Soldiers, agents of the powerful Glorious religion, or what remains of it, which we will discuss next time!

In the meantime, remember to wishlist the game on Steam, join our Discord and, of course, sign up for the Alpha version of the game by clicking the buttons below!

The Death Plague has completely decimated any resemblance of law and order in the world of Nested Lands. Those few that survived the initial outbreak have had to fight for their lives every single day, both against the everlasting threat of disease, and also against each other.

The enemies you’ll be facing in the game vary in their motivations and objectives. Some, like you, simply want to survive; but others have darker, more sinister goals. Some enemy types you will only encounter in certain regions, while others will be an everlasting threat throughout your journey.



In time, we will discuss them all here, from the Rogue Soldiers, the Corrupted Priests, the Mad Occultists, to the Infected Savages, but, for now, let us focus on the first foes you’ll be facing while exploring Norovellir.

[h2]Bandits
[/h2]

Bandits are, without a doubt, the most common foe in the entire game. Unlike some of the other larger factions, bandits are not an organized force, but rather several independent groups composed of opportunistic ruffians who thrive on stealing the resources and items of other survivors.
To bandits, a fellow survivor is simply an opportunity for gain; and they act accordingly. A bandit who spots you will charge forward while calling for any nearby allies. While a single bandit might be considered weak, they are rarely alone, preferring to fight in numbers, and they will go to any lengths to achieve victory.



[h2]Wild Peasants[/h2]

While bandits are more actively antagonistic in nature, searching for potential victims among the plagued wasteland they live in, Wild Peasants are more reserved, preferring simply to be left alone to their own efforts. Still, these former civilians will defend their farms with violence born of desperation and suspicion, and will attack any trespassers on sight, leaving the player with the question:
Are you willing to attack other survivors, who may have done nothing against you, in order to achieve your own objectives? Do you even care?



[h2]North Plains
[/h2]

As said before, these two groups will be the main adversaries encountered at the beginning of the game. The North Plains, the first region of Norovellir, is crowded with these foes, but it is not the only biome where they will appear. In the other regions, such as the Silent Forest, Wild Hills, and Dark Waters, you will also learn how both groups react to the presence of larger and more powerful factions, be it through servitude or conflict.

Of course, before describing such reactions and connections, we will first need to more thoroughly discuss the other enemy organizations first, which we will do soon. In the meantime, remember to wishlist the game on Steam, join our Discord server and, of course, sign up for the upcoming Alpha version of the game!

This month, we've made more progress in enhancing Nested Lands with life. Here's a quick overview of our latest updates:

• Introduced new character clothing sets for various NPCs and occupations.
  
• Added diverse corpse models depending on the cause of death.
  
• Placed points of interest and designed level elements across the island where the alpha version takes place.
  
• Created additional lore notes and texts to enrich the game's backstory.
  
• Reworked the tutorial area's narrative and refined the player character's motivation.
  
• Added new banter and phrases for NPC interactions.
  
• Improved villager job assignment mechanics for a dynamic village experience.
  

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to develop Nested Lands!

Several days ago, the first gameplay video of Nested Lands was released, where we revealed the features that will be available in the alpha version of the game. Let's take a closer look at them!

[h2]Crafting[/h2]

Gather materials scattered throughout the island to create essential items for building and crafting, including necessary tools and weaponry. Mastering this skill is crucial for your survival!



[h2]Gathering[/h2]

Within the biome lie a lot of resources essential for your survival, ranging from food to materials. These resources are scattered across the island, some are easily accessible, while others need tools such as axes or picks.



[h2]Building[/h2]

Create structures that are crucial for your survival while establishing a bastion of hope and civilization in this unforgiving world. As time passes, you'll be able to expand upon these foundations and start a new settlement with fellow survivors.



[h2]Points of Interest
[/h2]

Numerous Points of Interest are dispersed across the island where you find yourself after surviving a shipwreck. These locations are teeming with loot and enemies, each concealing their own narratives, which can't hide from an eagle-eyed explorer.



[h2]Stealth[/h2]

Rushing blindly into combat isn't always wise. At times, enemies may outnumber you or have superior arms and skills. In scenarios like that, stealth becomes your ally, allowing you to discreetly navigate dangerous territories or pocket necessary items from enemy camps.



[h2]Enemies[/h2]

In the harrowing realm of Nested Lands, and especially on this isolated island, you're not the only one struggling to survive. Various enemies lurk about — can you defeat them all?



[h2]Battles[/h2]


The alpha iteration of the game introduces a dynamic combat system featuring stealth kills and a collection of weapons. Tailor your fighting approach to your preference or adapt to the circumstances at hand.



[h2]Status Effects
[/h2]

Your well-being is influenced by various factors, including hunger, cold, and thirst, each resulting in different status effects. Besides, environmental conditions play a role, too; for instance, proximity to fire can warm you up.



Make sure to leave your email to secure your place in the Alpha test and receive exclusive tester bonuses after the release: https://www.nestedlands.com/

We have officially announced the upcoming release of Nested Lands!

Today we revealed to the whole world we are working on a new survival RPG in a harsh medieval atmosphere.

This is a huge moment for our team — now everything is official! Thank you all for supporting us in our journey of creating an exciting new world. We are deeply grateful for your appreciation and strive to bring you a thrilling gaming experience.

Get a taste of plague-ravaged life in the gameplay teaser!


[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Make sure to leave your email to secure your place in the Alpha and receive exclusive bonuses for testers after release: https://www.nestedlands.com/