The Aegeic Galaxy in which ION Heart is set is a big place, full of lots of different characters, all with their own beliefs and ideas of how the galaxy should be.
When we’re designing Factions for the world of ION Heart, we’re always thinking about how they fit into the bigger picture and how they work on their own. There’s four factors we think about when working on the factions for the universe:
What do they want from the galaxy?
How will they look to players on the outside?
How can gamemasters use them to tell fun and engaging stories?
Do they fit the tone of ION Heart’s world?
That last question might be the most important. Almost all of the factions you will encounter in the ION Heart Multiplayer RPG will be dynamic, and can be dealt with in ways besides outright violence. Almost all of them.
We have some returning faces from the ION Heart Solo RPG, and plenty of new ones.
New Faction: The Children of Hakon
“The Children’s core belief is that the Nephilim are a divine punishment for all biological life in the galaxy. To find salvation, they seek to support the Nephilim in continuing their path of destruction. The end of the war hit their cult hard, but it has not weakened their resolve.”
Formerly a niche Mo’nau doomsday movement, this cult has rapidly grown in size thanks to the apocalyptic destruction that has wracked the galaxy. Trying to make sense of the chaos that has been unleashed in the Astral Union, some desperate citizens have flocked to join the cult. They ultimately want to be consumed by the Nephilim and assimilated, this being the way to become one with the god they envision is waiting for them.
Returning Faction: The Nephilim
“The Nephilim themselves are a bio-mechanical hybrid species of indeterminate origin. All that is known is they are singular-minded, violent, and impossible to communicate with. Scientists theorise that the Nephilim are constructs, built by long-forgotten creators who they ultimately destroyed before moving their gaze towards the Astral Union.”
The Nephilim are the intergalactic monsters that caused the Emergence War, and are responsible for the state you will find the galaxy currently in. There are still some pockets of these special foes you might encounter, should your adventures take an unlucky turn.
New Faction: Sectorist Autonomous Bloc (SAB)
“Inspired by Neo-Tavikian beliefs, the SAB seeks to break down national barriers and corporate influence, which they see as defining flaws of the AU. Fierce conflicts have broken out in Megacorporation-controlled systems where SAB is seeking to remove their control, and influence to return it to the people.”
This group has seized the opportunity to attempt to build a better, more just world in the wake of the Emergence War - one defined by their own ideals and beliefs. SAB-controlled zones are guarded by idealists and revolutionaries, who sometimes come into harsh conflict with their surrounding systems.
Returning Faction: The Megacorporations
“The AU has seen the rise and fall of many mega-corporations; great system-spanning conglomerates driven by the pursuit of profit at all costs. Their power has only grown after the Emergence War has ended, with lucrative military contracts having filled their coffers whilst the conflict has drained all others dry.“
The Megacorporations are a huge and colourful part of the ION Heart world. They make for wonderful villains, and wonderfully engaging storylines. Each corporation, from Noth Logistiks to Voltun Holdings, has their own hierarchy, specialisations, and ultimate (often sinister) goals.
How will you fare against this roster of adversaries? Why not find out by giving Ion Heart Multiplayer a try! Grab the Quickstart for free below:
