Luuk Herssen

1. The Origin of the "Artificial Sun" (The Reactor Drive) The sun shining on Lahai-Roy isn't a natural sun, but rather the Reactor Drive, the energy heart extracted from the chest of the Exostrider (ancient giant robot). Origin: Hundreds of years ago, a catastrophe (Calamity) occurred, and the Exostrider emerged from the earth to fight and seal away the disaster. The Sacrifice: The Exostrider extracted its own Reactor Drive and raised it into the sky, bestowing light and heat upon this frozen land, becoming the "Sun" that sustains life today. Culture: The indigenous Roya tribe used observations of the Reactor Drive's behavior to create a calendar to guide their lives.
2. Disasters and Waveworn Phenomena Lahai-Roy faced extreme conditions that cut it off from the outside world: Void Storm: A unique waveworn phenomenon that covers an entire region, making communication and travel in and out extremely difficult. Void Worm: A formidable enemy resulting from Threnodian's consumption and erosion of Exostrider fragments, giving rise to monsters that wreak havoc on cities' defenses. Past events: Ancient tectonic plate movements forced the Roya tribe to relocate their settlement underground beneath the ice fields.
3. The Star Torch Institute and its "gray area" research. Although the institution may seem like a haven for scholars, there is deep lore connected to the Fractsidus group: Forbidden Technology: Experiments on Human Augmentation and the use of Void Energy to "transcend human limits" are prevalent, aligning with the ideology of Fractsidus. The Goal on the Road to the Stars: The Institute, nestled against the Exostrider's giant sword, researches space travel, but behind the scenes, it may be preparation for a threat of cosmic scale.
4. Important places worth exploring. Bjartr Woods: A forest containing the ancient Solisylum ruins of the Roya tribe. Starward Riseway: A transportation hub connecting to the ring-shaped research institute. Mawburrow Desert: A desert area that is one of the regions affected by geographical anomalies. Lahai-Roy in version 3.0 is therefore not just a technological city, but a battlefield where humans try to control the power of "machine gods" to survive the never-ending storm.

Department This institution was created by the Spacetrek Collective as a center for advanced technology research and the training of Resonators (those with superpowers), with its main structure as follows: Education Department (Departments): Department of Exostrider Engineering: Focuses on engineering and the creation of combat support equipment. Rabelle College: A college focusing on specialized knowledge and personal development. Department of Light Energy Sciences: Studies light energy and energetic particles. Department of Voidmatters: A department focused on studying phenomena of temporal and dimensional anomalies (Void Storms). The Starttorch Preparatory Program: This program is for students who haven't yet chosen a specialization (like the character Lynae) to discover their aptitudes before entering their main major. Branches and key locations within the institution. The institution functions as a "learning metropolis" with comprehensive facilities: Exo Genesis Labs: A research laboratory for genetics and cutting-edge technology. Voidwatch Tower: The Tower for Monitoring Dimensional Anomalies Tactical Proving Grounds: A tactical training ground for Resonators. Cockpit Simulator: A realistic combat simulation system.

Destruction by Lament: In the past, Honami City, located in Ashinohara Country, was severely damaged by an event known as "Lament," a global catastrophe caused by the Wuthering Waves. The Sealing in the Sonoro Sphere: Instead of disappearing completely, the entire city was sealed within the "Sonoro Sphere," an object that creates a time loop, forcing those trapped inside to relive the same events endlessly. Time Distortion: Inside Honami City's Sonoro Sphere, time is greatly distorted. For example, the character Chisa is trapped in the city for only two months, but in the reality of the outside world, 20 years have passed. Characteristics of the city today. A Modern Ruins City: In the outside world, Honami City is just a collection of ruins, but inside the Sonoro Sphere, it appears as a city that blends futuristic ruins with a mysterious, neon-lit atmosphere at night. The loop of life: People in a city trapped in a loop live their daily lives repeatedly, unaware of the tragedy unfolding before them. "Stranger Things in Honami" Event: The majority of the storyline focusing on this town will be part of a special event in version 2.8 of the game, where the player (Rover) will have to explore the lingering anomalies in the town to gather supplies and uncover the truth behind the events. Discrimination: In Ashinohara, the city's original home, there is severe discrimination against Resonators (those with supernatural powers), forcing them to wear power-suppressing devices for the sake of social stability. This may be part of the city's underlying issue. In short, Honami City is a city lost to real time, imprisoned in an endless cycle of the past, until the player becomes involved in solving mysteries and dealing with the anomalies that have occurred.

Lahai-Roi region • Geography and Climate: Lahai-Roi is the northernmost region of Solaris-3, located near one of the planet's poles (south of the Roya Frostlands). Although the implied climate is warm and humid due to its near-polar location, much of Lahai-Roi's surface is covered in snow for almost the entire year and it is sparsely populated. The region does not have Sentinel (celestial deity) worship and is often isolated from the rest of Solaris by the phenomenon of Void Storms (local warp currents). • Indigenous Peoples and Beliefs: The Roya people are the original inhabitants of the Lahai-Roi. They lived on the surface before an ancient Earth's axis shift caused the surface to freeze, after which they migrated underground and established permanent settlements. The Roya built Solisylum structures (special pavilions or temples) and developed a calendar after observing the operation of the Exostrider's Reactor Drive, which was used to determine the movement of Exoswarms (mysterious subterranean life forms). Therefore, the majority of the current population are indigenous Roya people living underground alongside researchers from the Startorch Academy, under the support of the Spacetrek Collective (a multinational organization dedicated to researching the Lahai-Roi). • Landmarks: Lahai-Roi boasts several significant scientific and archaeological sites, including the Reactor Drive, a former spacecraft reactor; the wreckage of the Slumbering Exostrider buried underground in the Roya Frostlands; the Startorch Academy, a Spacetrek-era research institute located beneath the snow; and the Solisylum, a ceremonial temple of the Roya people. The Bjartr Woods are also an important habitat for mythical creatures used in the Roya's calendar rituals.

Long-term impacts: In the long run, the catastrophe has impacted human progress. People have had to abandon exploration beyond Solaris-3 due to changes in physics (transportation and communication systems collapse). Interstellar expansion has stalled, many technologies have become unusable, while surviving populations face despair, depression, and are trapped in the past. • Those Involved: The Black Shores organization protects humanity from catastrophic events using the Tethys system to monitor and predict the emergence of Lament signals. On the opposing side, the secret group Fractsidus attempts to accelerate the next True Lament by awakening Threnodian, a beast reborn from the power of Lament. Additionally, Resonators like Rover and Chisa play crucial roles in confronting this event. • Restoration Efforts: In the game's main story, a key mission is to break the cycle of Lament in Honami (e.g., Rover and Chisa using their "Clipping" powers to destroy the Sonoro Sphere). The Black Shores organization itself has continuously developed and improved the Tethys system, installing Resonance Beacons to detect residual energy from Lament events worldwide. • Testimonies and Legends: After the event, various stories emerged, such as the "Left Behind" legend, where townspeople reported seeing the spirits of Honami victims repeatedly lingering in the same location. In Honami's Sakura Quarter, there's also the tale of "Chisa," a schoolgirl wielding giant scissors who fought and eliminated TDs (Traffic Destroyers) to save the townspeople, a legend passed down after the disaster.

The Lament (a tragic event) • Definition and Occurrence: The term "Lament" encompasses recurring major catastrophes on Solaris-3 in the past. Records show five major global Laments and over 300,000 regional ones in the last 10,000 years. These events claimed billions of lives and left a trail of despair and suffering across the Tethys System. • Cause: The direct cause has not been clearly revealed, but the story explains that the affliction is caused by mysterious energy (Remnant Energy) that disrupts the fundamental laws of physics of the world (leaving only gravity as a constant value). This phenomenon not only destroys the physical environment but also affects people's minds, causing hallucinations and emotional psychosis such as manic depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involving old memories. • Short-term effects: In the short term, the catastrophe completely destroyed cities and civilizations. For example, Honami City collapsed and became a space within the Sonoro Sphere, trapped in a repetitive time cycle. The remaining population became what are called "Left Behind" (shadows of the original inhabitants), repeatedly living their lives as spirits. This catastrophe also claimed a large number of lives and created a "trace" of despair in Tethys's chain of information.

Geography: The New Federation, located in the west (a large portion of the remaining Earth's surface), is a technologically advanced nation with major cities and industrial estates. It's often referred to as a "technology cult" because its citizens dedicate their lives to scientific research and development. Parts of its territory include highly secured industrial valleys (such as the Ashinohara district) and educational institutions like the Startorch Academy, which functions similarly to a central university.

Organization and Society: The New Federation society is clearly divided into classes, ranging from the elite, such as Mortefi (who wields considerable influence), to the middle and lower classes, comprised of the impoverished (Exiles) who are barred from access to decent jobs and have created lawless communities ("Lawless Zones") outside the city. The central government attempts to control the situation by suppressing these criminal groups, until a mercenary unit of ideologically minded soldiers (Ghost Hounds) intervenes to quell the rebellion and becomes a tool of the elite. The Montelli Group (a giant company specializing in backup terminals) also wields influence in the New Federation. Startorch Academy (later under Lucilla's control) is a center of advanced science. Some members of the population (such as Sue White) are socially ostracized as Resonators, similar to the Ashinohara district of Earth. • Resonators: Less common, but well-known figures such as Lucilla, former science magazine editor, Mortefi (a scientific elite), and Dr. Rabelle, author of "Second Coming of Solaris," are said to originate here. Overall, they are also considered congenital, with one notable finding being the New Federation observing Tacetite-eating Wyrm, indicating that researchers are learning to connect with Lament energies. • Threats: Internal threats include social unrest and high-ranking population stratification. Exiles and powerless exclusive groups frequently riot in the Lawless Zone and are suppressed by Ghost Hounds. Black Shores has occasionally been requested by the New Federation to assist in negotiations or managing internal problems. Direct threats from Threnodian forces are not clearly apparent in this zone (except for confrontations with Fractsidus sabotage or scientific crises).

Geography: Rinascita is a tropical island kingdom located in the southeast of the world, earning it the title of "Realm of a Thousand Islands." The people of Rinascita have a maritime culture and religion associated with sea and sky gods. Its major city is Ragunna, home to the Order of the Deep (a deep-sea religious organization) and mythological architecture (such as Porto-Veno).

Legend and Organization: The people of Rinascita believe in two gods: the Imperator (god of the sky, worshipped by the Order of the Deep) and Leviathan (Threnodian of the deep sea). In the past, a war occurred between these two gods, with the Dark Tide destroying Rinascita. The Imperator split its power into two to fight, but Leviathan (who had possessed the Imperator) caused both to coexist as one body. The townspeople partially defeated Leviathan, with the Tyrvine crystal becoming a sacred sword, and Napoli II (the first leader of the Order of the Deep) using the Imperator's remaining power to heal the townspeople. Following the Dark Tide, a prophecy foretold the need for... The "Blessed Maiden" will come to liberate the Imperator and restore Rinascita. The modern Order of the Deep still venerates the Imperator (now Ciaccona) and the King of the Sea, Leviathan, in various forms that blend faith and reality. • Resonators: The most important is the Imperator (a powerful natural element user, wind element), who is the city's highest-ranking Sentinel. Leviathan (Threnodian), once the center of the war, was divided among the Tyrvine and Napoli II objects, but some traces are still found residing within the Imperator, requiring close monitoring. Other important Resonators include Napoli II (former Primus of the Order), the one who recorded Dark Tide data, and the Blessed Maiden (not yet appearing in the main storyline). • Threats: Rinascita's greatest threat is Leviathan/Dark Tide, a sea Threnodian that has killed people and destroyed cities. It still exerts some influence on the Imperator's mind and often manifests as mysterious waves or sea monsters. The conflict between opposing forces (the Imperator vs. Leviathan) can also lead to internal conflict. Currently, the threat from these dark waves may be mitigated by the Imperator's power sealed within Tyrvine.

Black Shores (Black Sea)

Geography: Black Shores is the name given to a global clandestine organization whose main base is located on the remote "Black Shores Archipelago," a large Tacetite landmass that is isolated from the outside world by a thick digital fog. This area is separated from the outside world by advanced mechanisms and appears almost invisible on regular Solaris-3 maps.

Organization: Black Shores was founded by Rover (the protagonist), with Shorekeeper as its assistant leader, responsible for maintaining systems and data. Black Shores aims to help restore the world and gather information to fully protect Lament using the Tethys system. Black Shores' allies include the Jinzhou government and the Montelli group (a business network), while their main enemy is the Fractsidus organization, which is planning to resurrect the Threnodians. Key members of Black Shores include Rover (leader and founder), Shorekeeper (guardian), and Bloom Bearers (a group of Resonance-powered resonators) such as Galbrena, Chisa, Buling, and Camellya. • Resonators: The majority of Black Shores members are congenital resonators, with the powerful Shorekeeper serving as the organization's supreme protector and idol. Regular Bloom Bearers (such as Rover and Camellya) are tasked with testing Echo and new weapons to combat the Tacet Discord. • Threats: This organization faces threats from Fractsidus, who are attempting to reclaim Threnodian. They must also be wary of their own research, as Lament energies have mysterious psychological effects, and they are vulnerable to deadly scientific manipulation tactics such as those targeting the marginalized or the Ghost Hounds previously encountered in the New Federation.

Norfall Barrens

Norfall Barrens is a desolate, dusty wasteland north of Outer Huanglong, bordering Desorock Highland. It serves as a narrow passage from the desert into Huanglong, and features the remains of a giant Ovathrax monument suspended in mid-air, a major resonator power source. Floating Ruins are also found here, making the area extremely dangerous. • Key Organization: This area serves as the outer front of the Huanglong region, where the Midnight Rangers send reserve units to intercept the enemy. General Jiyan previously led troops to defend this area during the Battle Beneath the Crescent. • Resonators: Citizens of Norfall are often trained by Jinzhou, making them a branch of the same Resonator lineage as the Outer Huanglong (also a mix of natural and mutant). • Threat: This area is home to the Tacet Field, a serum-infused field supplied by various Threnodians, including Overlords (Crownless) and different Calamity Classes. The center of the field has the highest TD (Trending Defense) potential, with Threnodian minions frequently launching waves of attacks. The Vanguard base, constantly fighting under the Jinzhou Alliance, is also located here.

Threats: Huanglong's primary threat is the Threnodian, or "Tacet Discord," which manifests as hordes of ancient, wartime creatures. This is a cult that uses sound to attack people. These threats have previously caused the "Tacet Field" to explode in the Norfall Barrens in the north, releasing poisonous toxins and leading to a massive battle in the gorge. Huanglong also faces unusual droughts and floods, and new waves of Waveworn Phenomena continue to spread remnants throughout the city. This represents a global problem that the Black Shores organization is continuing to study.

Gorges of Spirits

The Gorges of Spirits is a geographical pass in the Jinzhou region of Huanglong, serving as the only restricted passage connecting to Inner Huanglong. In the game's storyline, this gorge serves as the location of a military headquarters and the starting point of many events. During the initial invasion, enemies from the Norfall Barrens (Threnodian minions) breached the defenses, forcing Huanglong troops to retreat and halt the enemy here. During the battle, the dark power of "Crownless" (Overlord Class Threnodian) nearly overwhelmed the troops, but the roar of the golden dragon (Loong) shone brightly, cutting through the evil forces and allowing the warriors to defend the pass. This battle rebuilt Jinzhou as Huanglong's first fortress. • Key Organizations: This region still maintains a Midnight Rangers training camp, ready to be dispatched to various cities in Huanglong. Sentinel Jué (Golden Dragon) also plays a role in protecting this region alongside General Jiyan. • Resonators: Resonators such as Changli, Jianxin, Jiyan, and others (mostly mutants from the Outer Huanglong) inhabit the Jinzhou region, including this valley. • Threat: The Valley of Souls faced a severe infestation of Tacet Discord (Threnodians). The situation was resolved when Sentinel Jué stormed in and captured the enemy (according to legend, Jué in the form of a dragon).

Geography: Huanglong is one of the main kingdoms of Solaris-3. Its capital, Mingting, and six other important cities in the Inner Huanglong region are flanked by the Mountains of Spirits, which stretch from north to south. These mountains divide Huanglong into two sides: the inner side with the six cities, and the outer side with Jinzhou as the first fortress on the western frontier. The entrance to the inner Huanglong passes through the Gorges of Spirits, a natural bottleneck, which Jinzhou is constantly guarded by the Midnight Rangers. Governance and Organization: Huanglong is ruled by the Emperor of Huanglong, and is protected by a Sentinel (guardian deity) named "Juế" (角/角, Jinzhu) as the Golden Dragon King. Huanglong's main army is the Midnight Rangers, the central army of Jinzhou, responsible for defending the territory from external threats and under the Ministry of Defense, led by General Jiyan. Furthermore, Huanglong possesses a leading research institution, the Huaxu Academy (華胥研究院), the most important state research institution, focused on researching the Wutherian phenomenon and developing technologies to counter the Tacet Discord threat. Leaders of these organizations, such as the Emperor of Mingting, General Jiyan, and the head of the Huaxu Academy, all play significant roles in the region.

Resonators: The Resonators residing in Huanglong include both congenital and mutant species, such as Haruka, Changli, and Jianxin (congenital types), as well as Jiyan, Danjin, and Baizhi (mutant types), among others. Overall, most of the important Resonator characters in Jinzhou are mutants, with occasional exceptions for congenital types.

Wuthering Waves is set on the post-apocalyptic world of Solaris-3 (or Sol-III), the third planet from the Sun. In the past, Solaris-3 experienced several major catastrophic events known as Laments (悲鸣). The Earth's sensory systems collapsed severely, the Earth's axis tilted, and the Ostercard flow changed, leaving the climate and life enveloped by the Etheric Sea. Over the past 10,000 years, five major Laments and over 300,000 smaller events occurred worldwide. Many humans perished, but from these sorrowful waves, Resonators emerged—individuals influenced by or adapted to these energies and able to control their frequencies. The post-Lament world exhibits several physical anomalies (Waveworn Phenomenon) – the laws of physics collapse, with only gravity remaining constant. Long-distance interworld travel and many advanced technologies are no longer functional after this event. Most people must rely on themselves and a network of specialized organizations for survival. One of these is Black Shores, a global secret organization founded by Rover (the game's main character) to protect humanity and detect Laments using the Tethys System and its Resonance Beacons for global surveillance. Conversely, the Fractsidus organization attempts to accelerate the next Lament (“True Lament”) by reviving powerful beings from Laments, or Threnodians, to demoralize humanity.

Appearance: Tall man. Skin color: White Hair color: Golden blonde with blue highlights at the ends. Eye color: Red only.

Do not mix them up.