Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!
As a famous author once said, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Well, Mick Mortinsen, the first companion you will meet in New Arc Line, is a giant by birth – but let’s see what he has achieved, and what fate has thrust upon him. While Mick isn’t the largest of his race you will ever meet, he still towers over any human or elf. However, even for a giant, he shows exceptional physical prowess in terms of strength and endurance; making him seem almost invincible at times, which is also thanks to the air of confidence that he projects. But is he truly the self-assured, optimistic and upbeat guy he appears to be, or is there more to him than meets the eye?
He spent his youth toiling away in one of the many coal mines that are feeding the industrial revolution in New Arc. The physical labor was brutal, and he had no choice but to endure, with no other way to pay off his debts. Mick felt like a prisoner there, with every day filled with torment, stretching on for what seemed like an eternity in the darkness, with no light or end in sight. His immense strength allowed him to easily break even the toughest rocks, but with each swing of his pickaxe, he was digging himself deeper and deeper into despair.
To cope with that daily grind, Mick turned to the substance called "Orphum", a potent stimulant, for the first time. At first, it was just a way to help ease the pain and fatigue, to keep his strength and productivity up, and, of course, to experience at least some measure of joy, to hold on to the hope that one day he would escape this hell. As it often goes, however, he started seeking chemically-induced bliss more and more.
As in every story worth telling though, there came a moment when everything changed for our hero. One day, a dwarf by the name of Red Simon arrived at the mine, looking to hire some extra muscle for a job. For Mick, one-off side gigs like that were nothing too unusual - when you’re in as desperate a situation as he was, any opportunity feels like a chance at salvation, and you don’t tend to be picky, and you don’t ask too many questions. And so, already wired on stimulants after a long shift, Mick agreed without thinking twice about it.
It turned out that Red Simon, a man of grand ambition, abundant connections and no scruples, needed some “assistance” in resolving a ‘dispute’ with his former business associate. The job soon turned sideways - the negotiations between the two gangs quickly escalated into a bloodbath. That’s when Mick revealed his true self: in a fit of rage and fueled by the stimulants, he took down a dozen opponents as if they were nothing more than chunks of coal he smashed in the mine every day.
Impressed by the performance, Simon made Mick an offer he couldn’t refuse: paying off all his debts, freeing him from the mines, and giving him plenty of new “career opportunities”. Mick didn’t hesitate long and agreed; and soon Red Simon became something of a mentor and protector to him.
Thus began a new chapter of Mick’s life. He fully understood that he was still in just as much debt, if not more, and that while benevolent to him, Red Simon now “owned” him. Yet Mick was no longer shackled in the darkness of the mines; his life was now spent in the daylight, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, he felt a sense of purpose. And if you ask about Mick down at the port, you’ll hear that he’s one of Red Simon’s most reliable employees.
However, deep down, Mick believes that it’s all thanks to the stimulants, that it was only the drugs that had made him what he was: strong, fast, and confident. And so, addiction has become a constant companion to Mick, an ever-present shadow that follows him even in his brightest moments, when he seems completely carefree and surrounded by friends. It’s not just the stimulants either – their long-term use is taking its toll on Mick’s health, and he seeks out even more substances to cope with the stimulants’ side-effects.
Despite his rough appearance and reputation, Mick is a giant with a kind heart. He loves to have fun, support his friends, and he always has their back – you will be hard-pressed to find a more loyal ally. Even in the most dangerous situations, he can drop a witty remark that eases the tension. But once the stimulants kick in, a different Mick emerges: harsh, irritable, ready to explode at the slightest provocation. To a large extent, the stimulants that once helped him cope with pain and survive in the mines, have now taken over his life. And it’s all because Mick believes that it’s the drugs giving him strength and control. It is his greatest fear that without them, he would turn back into the powerless guy, trapped in the mines with no hope of rising from the darkness.
Maybe, with the help of the player and their character, Mick will finally realize that his strength and the control over his life do not come from the drugs, but from his own self; and that when all is said and done, Mick is more than just a pumped-up giant with strength in his fists. But the choice, as always, will be up to you - help Mick break free from his addiction or indulge and exploit his weaknesses, even if it leads to tragedy.
So, what will you choose, partner?
Thank you for joining us on another brief foray into the world of New Arc Line – we hope you enjoyed it! We cannot wait for you to dive into the game's world when we launch into Early Access on November 26, 2024 - stay tuned, don't forget to wishlist & follow the game here on Steam and join the New Arc Line Discord server, so you stay up to date on all news and announcements!
Until next time!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2458310/New_Arc_Line/