ENDLESS™ Legend 2 News

Hello everyone,

Today we’re happy to welcome you to our second Faction Highlight, introducing a faction unique to Saiadha: The Aspects.

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The Aspects seek harmony and balance in all things, and value a peaceful coexistence with the peoples of Saiadha.

Born from a symbiosis of the organic and the machine, the Aspects are suffused by a coral growth that connects all of them in a vast gestalt mind – The Chorus. Through this mind, all Aspects can come together psychically to communicate and find agreement.



But recently a strange affliction has ravaged the coral reefs in an event that has come to be known as the Great Dieback, devastating the Illuminated Realms and weakening many Aspects’ connection to the Chorus. Now, they must nurture the coral to regrow stronger than before and rebuild their realm if they wish to bring balance to Saiadha and its people.







The visual inspirations for the Aspects started from a robot-coral hybrid, but a mix that was initially based on Greco-Roman statuary. So what started life as centaur archers slowly moved away from that, into a more robotic base and a more fantastic torso and head.

For the units, the styles and forms came largely from Asian inspirations, though other elements that were mechanical or even insectoid were integrated as well. The artists sampled a wide range of silhouettes and effects before finalizing them.

The Aspects’ buildings reflect numerous different influences from Asian cultures, with many of them showing pagoda-like roofs but the colors and motifs of Central Asia.



[h2]Notable elements[/h2]

Machines
Inheritance of their original function.

Coral
Coral is worn with pride; it's an outward sign of wealth.




The Aspects are a great choice for players who enjoy focusing on their own economy more than fighting their enemies, as the Coral can help them explore the world and expand their cities, and they can employ some unique diplomatic interactions. Of course, they can go to war if necessary, but the Aspects will do best when they live in harmony with other Empires, minor factions, and the Coral.

Some words from our Game Designers

Originally posted by author

The Aspect is Endless Legend 2’s diplomatic faction. For them, we wanted to move away from the classical trope of diplomatic pacifist faction and make them something more like “deal with the devil”. They don’t want this world to be safer but manipulate people for their own good.

At first, we wanted to make them evil landlords, capturing territories then selling them to other empires. This idea evolved into the Coral growing toward other empires’ assets and giving to the Aspect the possibility to sign some specific treaties and get additional resources.

The main difficulty dealing with the development of this faction was the fact that the Coral is a common resource shared by all Aspect empires in the game. This creates drastic changes in how you will play this faction whether there is another Aspect empire in your game or not.

[h2]Faction Affinity: Coral Chorus [/h2]

The Aspects live in permanent symbiosis with the coral, so they do not claim territory by founding camps like other factions but instead place coral spores. While these spores can be turned into cities, their first use is to serve as nodes for Coral growth across the map spreading the growth to a new tile every so often. These coral-overgrown tiles will provide extra dust to any empire that exploits them, and vision and other benefits to the Aspects, as you can see in their traits.

The Aspects are also masters of diplomacy with a few tricks up their sleeves. They can unlock the ability to force other empires to accept a treaty or a truce. Both of these actions become easier the more coral the other empire exploits in their territory.

So, why would any empire want to exploit the Coral, if it gives the Aspects such power over them? To stop other players from trying to cut down all coral in their territory, the Aspects can offer some unique treaties that will extend some of the economic and military perks Coral has for them to the other empire.



[h2]Traits [/h2]

• Coral Foundation: Making use of existing coral structures, it’s cheaper for Aspects to establish Foundations on tiles with Coral growth.
  
  
• Coral Roads: Aspect units can move faster across any tiles covered in Coral.
  
  
• Coral Flow: Coral in water tiles allows Aspect armies to cross them, though they will not be able to engage in combat while on the water.
  
  
• Reef Regeneration: Thanks to their symbiotic relationship with it, Aspects units will heal more quickly when surrounded by Coral.
  
  
• Sightless Cities: Districts in cities of the Aspects provide no vision outside their own tile.
  
  
• Coral Omniscience: Thanks to their connection to the Chorus, the Aspects always know what’s happening around Coral-covered tiles.
  
  
• Flourishing Harmony: As they value harmony and cooperation, it’s easier for Aspects to gain additional benefits from a strong minor faction presence in their empire.
  
  
• Cohabitation: Minor Factions that join the Aspects will provide stronger economic bonuses, but it will take influence to maintain this relationship.

Much like their overall philosophy, Aspect military tactics rely on cooperation, with units working together to amplify their effectiveness. Their roster is varied, with units ranging from their swarming scouts to steadfast archers and cavalry support, and even powerful flying behemoths.



[h2]Battle Affinity: Harmonious Tactics [/h2]
Whenever an Aspects unit defends in battle rather than attacking, all allied units receive a bonus to their damage.

Swarms of Envoys skitter across the land to explore Saiadha, though in combat they support their allies by holding the line and destabilizing enemy defenses.

• The Scrapers are capable fighters, even more skilled at defending and weakening their enemies than the Envoys.
  
• The Emissaries fill a more strategic support role, helping armies move more quickly across the map.

Sentries provide ranged support to the Aspect armies and are especially powerful if they can take up a fixed position.

• Stingers are especially effective at supporting your frontlines with powerful attacks.
  
• Resistors are more independent, offering longer range attacks with even greater benefits for holding their position.

Observers are fast-moving units that mark their targets and leave them vulnerable to the attacks of their allies.

• On top of marking their targets, Arbiters also inspire their nearby allies to strike even harder.
  
• Currentwalkers on the other hand focus on delivering a devastating charge themselves.

Skyscales are the most dangerous unit in the Aspects army: Flying behemoths with powerful attacks.

• The Scales of Balance can deal with swarms of enemies as their attacks are powerful enough to strike multiple targets.
  
• The Scales of Justice excel at taking out single targets with devastating blows that overwhelm their defenses.

Time to seek Harmony by listening to the main theme of the aspects, Equilibrium 🎶🧘‍♀️
You can check the theme on other platforms.

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[hr][/hr] [h3]📡INSIDERS PROGRAM📡[/h3]
We are including more and more people from the community to get early feedback and improve the game based on your feedback. If it is something you're interested in, please sign up for the program (you will require an Amplifier's account + Steam Link).


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​Will you embrace the Chorus? 🤔

Let us know your thoughts about The Aspects 🌟

We know you've all been eager for more news about Endless Legend 2.
Well, I can't say much today, but we do have a little something to share at the Triple-i showcase.

What's the Triple-i Showcase? I'll let the even trailer speak for itself:
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

There will be news from many other studios as well, all squeezed into a compact 45 minutes without ads, so it's well worth tuning in.

You can watch it on Youtube and Twitch on April 10th, 6pm CEST/9am PDT!

If you want to know more about the event, check https://iii-initiative.com/.

See you at the Triple-i, and maybe before then for another faction highlight.

Hello everyone,

And welcome to our first look at one of the factions of Endless Legend 2. Though they are newcomers to Saiadha, they may feel familiar to long-time fans of the Endless universe: The Kin of Sheredyn.

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The Kin of Sheredyn are strangers to Saiadha, second generation descendants of an expedition sent by a mighty interstellar empire.

They arrived on the ocean planet decades ago to explore the planet and found a new colony, but instead found themselves stranded on an island. Between devastating storms and relentless necrophage attacks, the planet had turned out to be far more dangerous than they had expected.

To make matters worse, their charismatic leader, Commander Garin, disappeared many years ago while exploring ancient ruins of the Endless. Since then, she has become a near mythical figure to many Kin, who believe that she will return to save them.




[h3]Visual Inspirations[/h3]

As the Kin are an offshoot of important and canonic factions in the Endless Universe, there were a lot of questions as to how to treat them visually. Given that they are expansionists and colonizers in space, we needed to find an analogous style on Saiadha.

The art style that worked the best turned out to be a mixture of three forms:

• Simplified Greco-Roman classicism
  
• Mid-twentieth century Constructivist brutalist
  
• Subtle & elegant Science Fantasy visual tropes

For the military units, the artists leaned towards the Roman and Greek armies of the classical period:

While the buildings became large, solid forms with classical touches.



[h3]Notable Elements[/h3]

Noble knight in shining armor and Modern elements
Their superior technology is visible. Mix of the noble knight cliche and some modern elements. Modern cuts, shapes and pattern.



[h3]Technology[/h3]

Technology is treated almost as magic. Artifacts are elegant with few hint of function.
Martial, structured, brutal
Use hint of roman influences to represent the structure of their society.




The Kin of Sheredyn are an excellent faction to begin exploring Endless Legend 2, as (unlike some of the other factions) they engage with all gameplay systems while offering a defensive builder playstyle. They excel at developing their territory through strong industry and defending it with both tough fortifications and a disciplined military. As the game progresses, they also gain access to powerful special units and abilities that they can use in their territories.



[h2]Faction Affinity: Devout Force[/h2]

As the Kin develop the fortifications of their cities, they will increase their “Strength of Our Zeal” gauge. At certain thresholds, this will unlock both passive bonuses and powerful “Holy Commandment” active abilities.

The bonuses for high “Strength of Our Zeal” gauge will give broad economic output bonuses to your Keeps, making them useful for more than just defense.

Holy Commandments, on the other hand, are active abilities that can be used in your own territory, giving you access to powerful effects such as restoring an army to full health or letting it take another action in the same turn.

The Kin also have access to the Chosen, a powerful mech suit worn by their most elite soldiers. While these suits can turn the tide of battle with their abilities and raw power, the lack of access to the United Empire’s advanced manufacturing facilities means that the Kin can field them only in very limited numbers.

[h2]Faction Traits[/h2]

• Martial Builders: Experienced military engineers, the Kin can build military improvements more quickly than other factions.
  
• As Was Ordained: The Kin would rather develop their territory than expand further, and gain bonuses for staying under their city cap.
  
• Religious Favor: The Kin receive stronger bonuses and penalties for high or low approval in their cities. Idol’s Grace: Every hero serving in the Kin of Sheredyn empire increases the Approval of their cities.
  
• Warrior Honor: The Kin believe in honor and justice, so they will support wars they see as justified, but oppose them if they don’t.
  
• Resilient Heart: Kin of Sheredyn troops recover faster in their own territory.

Following the military traditions and experience of their ancestors, the Kin field a balanced but resilient force. As long as they stick together, their shields allow them to shrug off attacks and wear down the enemy with minimal losses. They excel at “hammer and anvil” tactics, with Legionaries and Chosen holding down the enemy as archers and cavalry deliver the killing blow. Each of their basic units will be able to pursue one of two upgrade paths, allowing them to specialize in a specific role.



[h2]Battle Affinity: Stand United[/h2]
In battle all units fielded by the Sheredyn will gain a shield that absorbs damage for each allied unit adjacent to them at the end of their turn.

Sentinels are the scouts of the Kin army, moving quickly in the field and even allowing armies the join to move a little faster.

• Pathfinders are tough and improve an army’s mobility even more than Sentinels, and can even force enemy units out of position.
  
• Harassers forego better mobility for a more aggressive stance, dealing damage and weakening enemies.

The Legionary forms the solid front line of the Kin armies, a tough infantry unit that thanks to their rigorous training receives an even stronger shield from the Stand United Battle Affinity.

• Guardians are the toughest soldiers of your front line. Not only do they gain even stronger shields from being near allies, but they also protect them in turn.
  
• Custodians are not that much tougher than the basic Legionary, but they have learned to hamper enemy movement to keep them engaged.

Kin Archers are especially effective against enemies already engaged with your other troops.

• The Bowmasters specialize in bracing themselves for the perfect shot, massively improving their damage output if they do not move.
  
• Executors can attack the enemy from longer range and weaken their defenses.

Heralds of the Faith serve as shock cavalry, delivering devastating charges to the enemy lines.

• Commanders focus on survivability, improving their own toughness and shielding adjacent allies.
  
• Champions are more aggressive, delivering even more powerful charges and possibly attacking twice in a turn.

The Chosen are the most powerful tool in the Sheredyn arsenal. Not only are they resilient and deadly (and can be made even more so through research and upgrades), but they have access to several powerful active abilities in battle, protecting their allies or damaging and weakening their enemies. They also serve as a targeting beacon for the Kin’s Holy Commandment abilities, allowing you to use them outside your territory. However, all this power comes with one major disadvantage: The Kin can field only a limited number of these troops.



We saw a lot of people asking about music all the time and we did not wanted to take the opportunity to share with you the main soundtrack for the Kin of Sheredy.

Huge work from Arnaud Roy (formerly known as FlyByNo)

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


Let us know what you think about this first faction!

We cannot wait for you to try the Kin 🏰

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Mit einer geheimnisvollen, sich verändernden Welt, einzigartigen Fraktionen und einer epischen Geschichte.

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