The Overgrowth

HEAVY WORK IN PROGRESS (currently just outlining categories, will fill them in properly later)

The Overgrowth is one of the many factions on Creature Craft. For the most part, it is made up of residents who live far separate to one another. It essentially is a community of hermits who live their lifestyles separate but all found the same place to appeal to their isolationist desires.

It is unknown exactly how many individuals live or hideaway in this expansive forest. It was only recently that roads even began to crop up to allow tourists to navigate the area better but it is rare to see the residents roaming them. The area is largely surrounded by dark oak trees that vary in scale. Every indication of these trees in scale and health show that they have been there for a long, long time. The current "leaders" of the Overgrowth are **Orberus** and **Royal**, the two sharing a feeling of responsibility for maintaining the place they call home more so than actually leading it.

The Overgrowth is located between The Valley (OG being Southwest of) and Feldwin (OG being Northeast of). The Overgrowth maintains a friendly relationship with both of these locations thanks to efforts of the "leaders".

Coords: -1600, 1059

## Geography & Economy

### Climate & Biomes

The Overgrowth is located in the middle of a large dark forest. Outcroppings of society here, barely break the tree line and most nature in this place is maintained or preserved. It sits in almost a mythical grove being nearly surrounded by desert on one side and overtaken by swampland on the other. The bits of desert closest to The Overgrowth seem to adapt to the nearby nature by forming oases. The combination of swampland and desert makes for a vastly changing climate depending on what side a person lives on. A more damp and humid atmosphere may be experienced closer to the swamp and a dry, windy air may be felt from the desert side. A short mountainous wall spans the Eastmost side of The Overgrowth and the path the enter the faction (from the nether) cuts through this mountain.

## History & Key Locations

Ambiguous in duration but old enough to have a lot of background in roleplay.

### Ruins

The Overgrowth Ruins were discovered deep beneath the land by Royal upon emerging from his own grave. These ruins are from a lost civilization that once existed on the surface where The Overgrowth currently resides. It is unknown how and when they got down there but it is evident by the state of the ruins that a great destruction occurred before it sank. Currently, the area has been reclaimed by a society of people who sank with the ruins and have lived underground since. Out of lore, this is the location of The Overgrowth's Villager Hall and mob farms.

There also exist ruins on the surface and in the air atop The Overgrowth. These aren't true ruins but more recreations of the ruins down below done by Royal. He constructed them following The Great Bonfire.

### The Pit

   The Pit is a location to the North of The Overgrowth. It's closeness is both an omen and an unease to the populace. It has existed there for possibly as long as The Overgrowth itself. The two merely existed parallel before new residents expanding houses Northward rediscovered it. It plagues the land with cracks of black and fog of purple as the rot tries to reach the land. Residents who live too close to the pit may experience a level of radiation. This is because The Pit is not only a large and deep hole but also an opening to The Void itself. It is unknown what formed The Pit initially but it continues to try invading The Overgrowth to this day.

### The Mycelium Infestation & The Great Bonfire

The Mycelium Infestation is a sudden period in The Overgrowth's history in which a local resident and sentient fungi, Hyphae, became interested in making everyone else like them. During this time period, several purple mushrooms began appearing all over The Overgrowth. Those who made contact with the mushrooms or merely inhaled too many of their spores would be pulled into a mycelial hive mind. This infection acted much similar to that of a zombie infection but would not always kill the host, creating many moments of strain between loved ones; infected and not. This infection primarily ran rampant in The Overgrowth itself but many attempts were made to spread the infection beyond the borders of the faction. One of these methods were through spores sealed inside letters which were then sent out to other factions by the infected Revrie Solace. Fortunately, caution was held with these letters and the infection was contained. The infestation rose to a climax with the non-infested seeking out Hyphae and an end to the infection. This was only enacted upon the death of Hyphae at their hands, as lacking the initial host; the hive mind would crumble.

From that point on, it became safe to remove the remaining mushrooms but many chose to remove them by setting them ablaze. This is what lead to The Great Bonfire. A cathartic event immediately following the death of Hyphae and the infestation. The largest tree was set ablaze to purge it from the infestation and let it grow anew, free of the infection that cursed the soil beneath it. Many buildings fell in the crossfire but The Overgrowth grew stronger for it.

### Server History

   The Overgrowth has existed as a faction since 12/12/2021. By the nature of this, many pieces of its history might have been lost to time. There could be historical pieces of forgotten lore just beneath the surface anywhere in the area. The Overgrowth passed down to new ownership as of 16/05/2023 and many changes have been made to the area since.

The Overgrowth was once run and founded by a character known as Glitch. In those times, a large house of rounded wooded platforms sat as the entrance. This structure did exist in canon despite it's removal. In lore, The Great Bonfire that burned down the largest dark oak tree spread and burned down many abandoned homes on path to the entrance. Abandoned homes were not rebuilt but key locations (such at the tavern and the entrance) were rebuilt for functionality. It was in this time that new structures arrived such as the market stalls and house/shop of Trader Filou.

## Architecture

Build styles in the area are mostly overgrown as the name would imply. Wood types and anything that creates the feeling of return to nature or seems to emerge from the ashes of a great fire goes.

## Culture & Demographics

### Culture

The people of the Overgrowth possess a unique lifestyle compared to their nearest neighboring faction, The Valley. The people of the Overgrowth live a much more isolated lifestyle and do not rely on commerce. In fact, most of the way people in the Overgrowth get their goods for food is by growing it themselves. You might find one friendly neighbor who will give you a basket of homegrown veggies but chances of finding an active farmers market here? Rare.

### Demographics

- Lupine, Ghosts (Phantoms), Deer, Snake, Inchlings

## Current Members

### Players

* Orberus
* Royal (Temporarily living in Feldwin)
* Wormwood
* Rufus (Formerly)
* Hyphae (Formerly)
* & More

### NPCs

* **Mush-Inn Owner** April
* **Trader NPC** Filou