Hello everyone,
today is saturday, and the turn has arrived for the mole people to shine... even in their underground cities!
As I say in every ".5" blog, this is an extra dedicated only to the lore of the game.
If you are not interested feel free to skip this one!
Prepare for a very... unique society of (un)organized people.
Let's start!
Map: Moles Organized Anarchy
A Blind Origin
Ancient oral traditions tell of how the Moleoids were born deep within the earth, formed from the leftover remnants of the primordial crucible that created the dwarves.
In essence, they were incomplete dwarves: deformed, more beastly in appearance, shaped by some unknown primal force that forced them into existence.
From the very beginning, they proved to be despicable, mischievous creatures.
Anyone who’s ever had a moleoid from Silliseria as a neighbor knows it all too well: they leave trash in front of your door, scream at 3 A.M., and pretend it was never them.
A Disorganized Society
Moleoids have never been capable of successfully managing a government.
On the rare occasions when a kingdom or form of governance emerged naturally, it never lasted more than a few months.
This is a race in constant struggle for power, riddled with corruption and backstabbing.
As you might imagine, running an entire nation of these individuals is... difficult.
Rulers are constantly anxious about losing power, while their subordinates would seize any opportunity to climb the hierarchy.
Unlike similar societies, such as that of the goblins, there is no standard.
The strongest, the most influential, the most ruthless wins.
Assassination, kidnapping, blackmail, seduction, threats, every method is valid and more than acceptable. In fact, it’s the norm.
The Exception
The only period of stability in moleoid history occurred during the "Dwarven Rule", which lasted for several centuries.
During those years, the Moleoids knew order, but more than that, they knew fear.
The sole reason the nation then known as the “Moleoid Monarchy” lasted as long as it did was because dwarven patrols constantly marched through the streets.
One dirty look could land you in prison, or worse, in a coffin.
Extreme policies, some might say, but General Skal had no choice after conquering the lands of the Quakeplain.
The war against the various moleoid clans was easy. Keeping the peace was not.
The Return of Anarchy and the Coward King
So when the Fishmen invaded, Skal’s choice was obvious: abandon the Monarchy.
And so was the consequence: Anarchy.
The mole people now call their nation "Moles Organized Anarchy", because according to them, there is a logic behind all the repentine exchanges of power... but many doubt this assertion.
As if the dwarves had never existed, moleoids immediately began appointing themselves as mayors, dictators, kings, even "Universal Emperors".
None of them had much success... except one.
Leprot, Grand Duke of Pravra, the "Coward King", managed to gain control of the territories stretching from his city to the Treebeast Forest.
His reign was particularly unusual, as was his policy, so much so that it lasted a stunning 3 years!
An eternity, by moleoid's standards.
Instead of fighting for power, Leprot simply handed it over.
Every time a new arrival claimed to be the Grand Duke, he stepped aside graciously.
More than 300 moleoids wore the duke’s little crown, yet history remembers only Leprot.
After each “ruler” suddenly died, he always happened to be next in line.
Unfortunately, Leprot met his end by falling out of bed.
Not from the fall itself, but from the dagger of his son, who had sneaked into the room after hearing the thud. The son blamed the servants, of course.
Even his son’s reign was noteworthy: it lasted a whole week.
The Blind Conspiracy
As you might guess, moleoids don’t see very well. In fact, they can barely see at all.
It’s surprisingly common for them to die by accident... usually at the hands of other equally blind moleoids.
Walking down the street is an act of faith: you might get stabbed by a passerby, struck by a stray arrow, or strangled by someone who mistook you for their rival cousin.
Rulers and assassins alike often die "by mistake".
There are documented cases of entire royal courts wiping themselves out completely... unintentionally.
The Treebeast Forest
Far in the south lies a region the moleoids fear deeply: the Treebeast Forest.
Legends speak of a creature made of twisted branches and poisonous leaves, fierce and hostile toward any moleoid who dares to approach.
No one knows exactly what the Treebeast is, but all agree on one thing, those who enter, don’t leave.
And if they do leave, they don’t speak. And if they speak... they’re no longer moleoids.
I hope you liked this deep dive into the Moleoids and their chaos.
Watch your back from sneaky moleoids, and have a great day!
-Giuseppe