Lore

The **Lore** of Smalland is fairly complex, but this page serves to explain it all. Important things to note is that the player is a species of mystical fairy creature called, **"Smallfolk"** or **"Underdweller"**, the player is a **"Vanguard"**, an explorer and knight-like group that are sent out on expeditions for the King in the **"Overworld"**, where Humans used to live. Humans are called **"Giants"** by the Smallfolk. Many NPCs as well as the player originate from the **"Burrows"**, the home of the Smallfolk. Most of the NPCs you will meet on your journey are called **"Pathfinders"**, Smallfolk who have decided to live out in the Overworld. Here is a fairly detailed summary of the story in the order the player is most likely to experience it in, with some backstory explained at the very beginning of this story summary.

## Pre-Cataclysm

The world is inhabited by Giants who build massive structures and force the Smallfolk to retreat underground. This is confirmed in-game by man made bridges, roads, cars or other objects found throught the map such as a radio, a guitar, a water bottle, key tags and more. It is unknown if in this period of time or before the time of the Giants, the Underdwellers waged war on Aethers as stated by Malik The Ornathomancer's dialogue with the player.

## Post-Cataclysm

A world ending event occured called the Cataclysm that wiped all Giants as stated by King Valdemar, the King of Underdwellers. It is unknown what kind of event managed to make all Giants disappear but a sort of nuclear explosion or virus that killed every human is possible.

## Exiting The Burrows

On a new game, King Valdemar is calling all Vanguard Corps to find a cure for our ill Queen. This is where the player starts their journey. On our way out of the Burrows we speak to Sentinel Virgil informing us that we should speak to Captain Herne about some crucial information. Herne teaches us basic survival information and sends us on our way to The Elder.

## The Elder

Once speaking to The Elder, he is informing us that the Clover Key that opens the Walnut Chest, has gone missing alongside him. Melkar was the royal family's personal Apothecary who would spend countless days exploring the Overland for rare potion ingredients. The Elder is telling us that inside the Apothecary's chest lies The Elixir of Life claiming could cure any ailment known to Smallfolk. The only person allowed inside the Royal Vault where the Clover Key was kept was The Elder and The King, Valdemar.

## Exploration

The Elder also tells us that there have been numerous reports from the Settlers from the Overland, which are all the different NPCs that the player meets throughout their journey, about creatures that have become unusually agitated and aggresive and that Herne and Kalev would teach us how to suvive any danger that we might encounter. Speaking with Kalev, he informs us of a mine that collapsed trapping and injuring miners, and Skadi's location. It is hinted that the Red Ants are to blame for the collapsed mine.

## Skadi

After reaching Skadi, she tells us of an enraged Rhino Beetle that attacked her near the overturned boat on the shore, stating that it is dangerous and must be put down. Once the player accepts the quest, Skadi requests its horn so she can better understand the origins of it. After the player slays the first boss of the game and brings its trophy horn, Skadi recognizes it as a beetle who used to roam the swamp region. It is unknown why the beetle made his way towards the overturned boat. We are shown the location of Lisandra and are told that she is an expert in swamp creatures and that we should talk to her about the beetle.

## Lisandra

After braving the harsh Swamp at night, Lisandra informs us of a similar case in which she saw someone who she couldn't make out their identity and shortly thereafter a Giant Albino Spider emerged from the western wall and made its home inside a nearby cave. After the beast is killed its red eye is given to Lisandra for examination she says the poor spider was poisoned. She later informs us that Tuhala is an expert in poisons but has gone missing ever since the accident but we should also speak to Nok for a similar problem and Nok's location is marked on the map.

## Tuhala

Upon finding Tuhala in the Mangrove Beach, she is dismissive of us and is even annoyed that we came to her. She talks to us of a Spider Matriarch that we may slay and brings its fangs to her in exchange for the Jester Brew that as the name suggests, its made to make fun of us. Later when we confront her about it she concedes and teaches us about a Healer's Armor that might aid us on our quest, infused with healing potions.

## Nok

When reaching Nok in the Greylands, she tells us of a giant Black Hornet that flew in from The Uncharted Lands up north and made its way on top of the dumpster nearby. Once defeated, Nok informs us of similar issues from other settlers, mainly Mirmek. Seemingly creatures around the Overland have become very aggressive towards Smallfolk. She also says she say an enormous King Stag Beetle with a jewel chained around its thorax in the Ruins.

## Opening The Walnut Chest

Once the player takes on and defeats the King Stag Beetle, we find out that the jewel that was chained to it is actually the Clover Key needed to open the Apothecary's chest. We hurry back to The Elder and try to open the chest. Inside the chest we found the Healing Potion Recipe but torn in half. We confront The Elder about it and he informs us that the scroll is written in the Old Tongue and that there are few Smallfolk who know how to read it, one of which is The Historian who lives in the Crypt.

## The Historian

After arriving the the Crypt and fighting through the many dangerous enemies and fairly difficult parkour, the player meets The Historian. His real name is Teodrik and he tells us that we cannot decipher it without the Tome of the Unspoken Old Tongue that we need to buy from the Merchant. After making our way to Merchant in the Ruins, we can buy the Tome for ten Pyrite. With the Tome in hand, we are informed that inside the scroll are personal notes of Melkar and that they are about a potion that can cure almost any ailment, seemingly the same potion we hoped to find when opening the Walnut Chest, and that the key ingredient is found in The Forbidden Lands. The ingredient being tied to the Giants themselves. Its also written that Melkar found a way to cross the chasm, into the Forbidden Lands through a secret passage underneath the broken bridge to the north.

## The Forbidden Monuments

As the player ventures deeper into the secret passage following Melkar's footsteps, his laboratory is discovered. Inside the laboratory there are notes that state he couldn't find the final ingredient for the Elixir but he isn't disheartened, in fact, he believed that the vast Monuments constructed by the Giants indicate he's travelling in the right direction. He was planning on venturing further North but his notes trail off as though he was interrupted unexpectedly by something. As the player ventures into The Forbidden Monuments, they encounter hostile Aether Scouts and Aether Elites as well as Malik The Ornathomancer who all are part of another Smallfolk tribe knows as Aethers. When speaking to Malik, he tells the player that their kind is not welcome because Eadric, the Aether's leader, is convinced that Smallfolk have emerged from the depths to wage war on them, as per ancient texts, noting the atrocities committed by the Smallfolk towards the Aethers. He also states that lords and ladies of the Amber Valleys come to him to secure winged Blue Tit companions for a price, hinting at possible other Aether tribes further North. He is hesitant at first but allows the player to get one of said companions, for 500 Hoots and a Blue Tit Egg.

## Current Ending & Unanswered Questions

The current ending point of the story is right after following Melkar's notes and entering the Forbidden Monuments and learning of the Aether tribe and apparent atrocities stated in ancient texts that Smallfolk committed on the Aether tribe. The queen is still sick and dying, the other half of the recipe for the potion for the cure is missing and even if the recipe was found the ingredients may be so exotic the player would have to search for a long time to get the resources required. The player still doesn't know why many of the insects are leaving their home environments and why they are so aggressive. Who was the mysterious figure Lisandra saw? Why was the Clover Seal chained to the King Stag Beetle and who did it?