Like the labyrinthian portal network, Nightingale's lore is a complex and intriguing puzzle. Whether through conversations with NPCs or the discovery of Hope Echoes, we'd like you to try to piece together that puzzle to work out just what happened to humanity. Together, we can assemble a community-sourced compendium of Nightingale knowledge and get to the bottom of the mystery.
Because the lore covers so many different areas, we encourage you to group your lore tidbits under the following subheadings:
Factions and other organisations
The City of Nightingale
Backstory and the fate of humanity
The Fae
The Pale and the Calamity
Portals and the Faewilds
Puck, Nellie Bly, Poe, Frankenstein, and other important NPCs
Miscellaneous
You don't have to add to every subheading. We'll be selecting winners based on most value added overall. Aim for at least 80 words.
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The magic capital of Nightingale, this steampunk location plays a pivotal role in the Nightingale video game series. Historically, humans would travel to Nightingale City to practice fae magic. It was a place where humans and the fae co-existed peacefully.
When The Pale (a strange fog) began taking over the world, humans sought solace in Nightingale City and attempted to use the portal network to get there.
When the network collapsed, humans were scattered across the Fae realms. These ‘realmwalkers’ (including the player) aim to find a way to reach Nightingale City.
In the fantastical and altered reality of Nightingale, the concept of factions plays a major role in shaping the game’s narrative and player experience. These factions, rooted in the diverse cultural and magical landscape of the game, offer not just unique perspectives but also distinct challenges and opportunities for players navigating the realms. There are several groups, here is my taxonomy:
The Human Factions
The Realmwalkers - the core of Nightingale's gameplay revolves around players assuming the role of Realmwalkers. These are humans who have mastered the art of traversing through the arcane portals to the Fae Realms. Their role as pioneers in this new world, constantly exploring, adapting, and surviving in the ever-changing landscapes of the Fae Realms.
The Scientists and Magicians - nightingale City, the central hub (was, now it's the Watch) in the game, is a boiling pot of science and magic. This faction is characterized by intellectuals and magicians who have combined their knowledge to create groundbreaking inventions like the Calcularian Portal Engine. Their pursuit of knowledge and power shapes much of the technological landscape of the game.
The Fae Factions
The Winter Court: A formidable faction within the Fae Realms, the Winter Court is known for its creation of The Bound – grotesque mimics of humans. Their hostility towards humanity adds a layer of danger and conflict within the game, presenting players with formidable adversaries.
The Summer Court: In contrast to the Winter Court, the Summer Court appears less hostile and perhaps even benevolent towards humans. However, their true motives are shrouded in mystery, adding an element of intrigue and unpredictability in player interactions with this faction.
The Mystery Factions
In addition to the established human and Fae factions, Nightingale's universe harbors other enigmatic groups, such as the giants. Details about these factions remain shrouded in mystery, with much left to be discovered about their origins, characteristics, and the roles they play within the Fae worlds. Presently, these factions appear to adopt a neutral stance in the grand scheme of things. They are often observed wandering independently, seemingly absorbed in their own pursuits and indifferent to the larger conflicts at play.
These giants, in particular, are known for their openness to trade, offering players unique crafting materials and valuable buffs. This interaction hints at a complex society with its own customs and economy, subtly influencing the game's landscape.
What sets Nightingale apart is the intriguing manner in which its lore is revealed. Unlike many games where the backstory is presented upfront, Nightingale chooses to unveil its narrative in fragments. Scattered across the realms are echoes of the past: messages, logs, letters, and critical notes left behind by famed realm travelers. These pieces of history offer players a glimpse into the rich and intricate tapestry of Nightingale's world, encouraging exploration and discovery to piece together the larger story.
