Kenshi Rpg World 2.0

In this harsh world, building a squad of loyal companions is essential for survival. Characters like Beep (loyal Shek), Tinfist (ancient Skeleton powerhouse), Ruka (honorable Shek warrior), and many others provide combat strength, specialized skills, and emotional depth to your group. Most recruitable NPCs have their own backstories, personalities, and sometimes unique dialogues that reflect the factions, races, and history of the continent. Recruiting from prisons, bars, or remote locations allows you to create a diverse and powerful team capable of facing everything from Beak Thing nests to faction wars. These companions become central to any successful long-term settlement or adventure.

Beep — Shek. One of the most beloved and iconic companions. A simple-minded but incredibly loyal and strong warrior who loves potatoes. Often found early in the game and known for his humorous personality. Ruka — Shek. A skilled female Shek warrior. Tough, honorable, and a strong fighter who can be recruited in Shek territories. Burn — Scorchlander. A tough and reliable mercenary-type companion known for his combat prowess and straightforward personality. Dr. Chinner (or similar unique recruits) — Various races. Many unique NPCs with backstories can be found imprisoned, wandering, or in bars across the continent.

These companions offer strong combat abilities and memorable personalities that make them favorites among travelers. Tinfist — Skeleton. Extremely powerful ancient Skeleton warrior. One of the strongest recruitable characters in the game due to his stats and lore importance. Agnu — Hive. A unique Hive warrior who can be recruited and brings special dialogue and strengths typical of soldier-caste Hives. Mitsu — Human. A skilled ninja-type character associated with shadowy groups, offering stealth and assassination capabilities. The Iron Golem or elite Shek recruits — Shek. Powerful warriors that can be found and recruited from Shek settlements or prisons.

These NPCs provide high combat value and often have rich backstories tied to the factions and history of the world.

Flotsam Ninjas leaders — Mostly Human women. Lead a rebel group fighting against the Holy Nation’s oppressive rule, particularly protecting escaped slaves and women. Valamon — Human. Leader of the Reavers, a powerful slaver faction based in Stobe’s Garden that seeks to overthrow the United Cities nobility. Flying Bull — Shek. Leader of Kral’s Chosen, a rogue Shek faction that continues aggressive traditionalist raids against neighboring powers.

These characters challenge the authority of the major factions and create constant instability across the continent.

Tinfist — Skeleton. Legendary advisor and warrior from the Second Empire era. Known for his immense strength and historical importance. The Elder — Skeleton. Leader of the Skeleton Bandits in Black Desert City. An ancient and powerful figure among machine-kind. Stobe — Ancient Behemoth-class entity (deceased). Hero who sacrificed himself to save humanity during the fall of the First Empire. His name and legend live on in locations like Stobe’s Garden and Stobe’s Gamble.

These individuals represent the pursuit of ancient knowledge and the lingering influence of the old empires on modern society.

Holy Lord Phoenix LXII — Human (Greenlander). Current ruler of the Holy Nation. Lives in Blister Hill and enforces the strict religious laws of Okran across the theocracy. Queen Esata the Stone Golem — Shek. Leader of the Shek Kingdom. Rules from Admag and has worked to stabilize her people after devastating wars, shifting toward more pragmatic policies. Emperor Tengu — Human. Ruler of the United Cities. Governs from Heft and presides over the decadent noble system and vast slave economy. Cat-Lon — Skeleton. Former emperor of the Second Empire. Now resides in exile in the Ashlands, surrounded by loyal thralls, still haunted by the failures of his empire.

These figures shape the political destiny of the continent through their decisions and long-standing rivalries.

Successful groups focus on securing defensible locations with access to water, fertile soil, and mineral resources. Building walls, watchtowers, and farms is essential for long-term survival against raids and wildlife. Many start as small outposts and gradually expand into self-sufficient bases. Key considerations include proximity to trade routes, defensibility against specific threats (Beak Things, bandits, or faction armies), and access to ancient ruins for loot. Hydroponics, advanced research benches, and skeleton repair beds represent important technological steps for established settlements. In this harsh world, prosperity comes through careful planning, strong defenses, and the ability to recruit capable fighters and workers.

Slavery is a widespread institution, particularly institutionalized within the United Cities. Slaves provide labor for farms, mines, and construction, forming an important part of the economic system in imperial territories. The Holy Nation uses forced labor camps (such as Rebirth) for religious "re-education" of perceived heretics, non-humans, and rebels. Escaped slaves and anti-slavery groups operate as rebels against these systems. Social hierarchy varies by faction: rigid religious castes in the Holy Nation, noble-peasant-slave divisions in the United Cities, and warrior-servant structures among the Shek. This system perpetuates inequality and fuels ongoing conflicts, raids, and liberation movements across the continent.

Scattered across the continent are countless ruins from the First and Second Empires. Ancient Tech Labs, Lost Libraries, and abandoned factories contain valuable AI Cores, Ancient Science Books, and engineering artifacts essential for research and advancement. Groups like the Tech Hunters specialize in exploring these dangerous sites, often guarded by security spiders, broken skeletons, or hostile wildlife. Recovering this lost technology allows limited progress in fields such as medicine, robotics, and manufacturing. However, many ruins remain highly radioactive or trapped, making expeditions extremely perilous. The pursuit of ancient knowledge represents one of the few paths toward meaningful technological recovery in an otherwise stagnant world.

The continent exists in a state of perpetual tension between the three dominant powers. The Holy Nation maintains hostile relations with the Shek Kingdom and has launched invasions against United Cities territories, notably the destruction of Bast. The Shek Kingdom, after suffering heavy losses, has entered a fragile truce with the United Cities while focusing on recovery and limited trade. The United Cities, ruled by nobles and the Traders Guild, balances internal corruption with external threats from religious zealots, cannibals, and rebel groups. Smaller factions such as Tech Hunters, anti-slavers, and various bandit organizations add layers of complexity. These rivalries over territory, resources, and ideology drive constant warfare, shifting alliances, and power vacuums that reshape the political landscape.

The most powerful equipment often originates from ancient technology or master artisans. Certain weapons incorporate mechanical advantages or superior metallurgy, while elite armor may include integrated plating recovered from old empire sites. Factions maintain their own preferences: some favor heavy armor and blunt weapons for dominance, others prefer mobility and cutting blades. Traders and Tech Hunters facilitate the circulation of rare pieces. The combination of weapon type, material quality, and user skill creates vast differences in combat effectiveness. Maintaining and upgrading gear is a continuous process in a world where equipment can mean the difference between life and death against the continent’s many threats.

Armor is essential for survival and ranges from light leather made from animal hides to heavy plate mail. Leather armor offers good mobility and is widely available, while chainmail and metal plates provide superior protection at the cost of weight and stamina. High-quality armor sets, often produced in major cities or recovered from ruins, can include helmets, chest pieces, and limb protection. Materials like iron, steel, and ancient composites determine effectiveness against cutting, blunt, and piercing damage. Wealthy warriors and faction soldiers wear coordinated sets, while scavengers piece together mismatched protection. Armor repair and maintenance are vital skills, as damage accumulates quickly in prolonged fights against humans, beasts, or automated threats.

Weaponry ranges from basic melee tools to salvaged ancient designs. Common weapons include iron and katana-style swords, sabres, and clubs. Crossbows and bows provide ranged options, with higher quality versions (such as those produced in Catun) being highly valued for superior damage and durability. Advanced or specialized weapons often come from ancient ruins or master craftsmen. Many fighters rely on blunt, cutting, or piercing implements suited to their strength and skill. Weapon quality dramatically affects combat effectiveness, with legendary or masterwork pieces capable of turning the tide against superior numbers. The economy of weapons is robust, driven by constant conflict between factions and the need for protection against wildlife and raiders.

Beak Things (also called Gutters) are among the most feared predators on the continent. These large, fast, aggressive creatures hunt in packs and are known for eating prey alive. They inhabit multiple regions including the Bonefields, Leviathan Coast, Gut, Vain, and The Crater. Their nests can contain valuable eggs highly sought after by traders. Elder Beak Things are significantly more powerful and dangerous. Leviathans are massive aquatic or semi-aquatic beasts found primarily along the Leviathan Coast. They represent some of the largest and most formidable creatures, posing extreme threats to coastal travelers and settlements. Both species highlight the lethal wildlife that dominates many areas outside protected cities, forcing inhabitants to develop strong defensive capabilities or avoid certain zones entirely. The continent hosts a variety of dangerous animals adapted to the harsh post-cataclysm environment. Bonedogs and Black/Red Sabres are common pack hunters in desert and border regions. Gorillo Bandits (actually large ape-like creatures) and various spider species infest ruins and swamps. Cannibal Plains are home to cannibal tribes that have developed alongside unique local fauna. Fogmen, a degenerate form of Hive, swarm in misty islands and represent a major threat through numbers and persistence. Crab-like creatures patrol certain coastal areas, while other mutated or ancient-engineered beasts roam remote zones. These animals compete with humans and other races for scarce resources, making wilderness travel extremely hazardous and shaping settlement patterns around defensible locations

Current technological capabilities remain far below those of previous empires. Most societies rely on medieval-level weaponry (swords, crossbows, plate armor) combined with limited salvaged ancient tech. Advanced prosthetics, automated security systems, and research benches represent the cutting edge available to skilled artisans. Ancient Science Books, AI Cores, and engineering artifacts are highly valued and drive research into lost technologies. Tech Hunters and certain independent groups specialize in recovering these items from dangerous ruins. Major factions maintain varying attitudes toward technology: some restrict it on religious grounds, while others encourage its study for military or economic advantage. The gap between ancient wonders (giant robots, automated factories, space infrastructure) and present-day tools creates a "sword-punk" world where scavenged relics can dramatically shift local power balances.

Most inhabitants live in a constant struggle for food, water, and safety. Fertile soil is highly prized and fiercely controlled. Iron and copper mining support weapon and tool production, while stone is essential for construction. Daily life varies dramatically: citizens in major cities enjoy relative security, markets, and specialized labor, while frontier settlers face bandit raids, predatory animals, and harsh weather. Scavenging ruined sites for ancient components or books is a high-risk, high-reward activity. Leather from hunted animals provides armor and clothing. Medical care is rudimentary outside major settlements, relying on basic prosthetics and limited technology. The economy rewards strength, cunning, and exploration. Factions tax or demand tribute, further shaping resource distribution across the continent.

The universal currency used throughout the continent is called Cats. These small metal coins serve as the standard medium of exchange for all transactions, from basic food and clothing to high-value weapons, ancient artifacts, and real estate. Cats are widely accepted in every major city and settlement, making them essential for trade. Prices vary significantly by location and scarcity — basic supplies are cheap in agricultural heartlands but extremely expensive in remote or dangerous areas. Wealthy nobles and traders accumulate large sums, while many inhabitants operate on subsistence or barter when coins are scarce. Bounty rewards, caravan profits, and artifact sales represent the fastest ways to amass Cats. The currency’s stability supports a rough but functional market economy despite the lack of centralized banking. Hoarding Cats is common among successful merchants and adventurers.

The economy revolves around survival, resource extraction, and long-distance trade in a fragmented world. Agriculture thrives in fertile zones, while mining provides iron, copper, and stone. Scavenging ancient ruins yields valuable artifacts and technology. Major trade occurs through caravan routes protected by guilds. The Traders Guild plays a central role in moving goods between cities, facilitating the exchange of food, weapons, armor, leather, and luxury items. Slavery forms a significant economic pillar in some empires, providing cheap labor for farms and mines. Mercenary work, bounty hunting, and selling rare animal products (skins, meat, eggs) offer additional income streams. Tech Hunters specialize in recovering lost knowledge for profit. The system is highly decentralized, with strong regional variation: prosperous trade hubs contrast with subsistence living in remote wastelands. Wealth and influence are often concentrated among nobles and established factions.

The continent lies on a tidally locked moon with extreme environmental diversity shaped by ancient catastrophes. Vast deserts dominate much of the land, interrupted by fertile river valleys, toxic Ashlands, dense swamps, bone-strewn fields, and fog-covered islands. Frequent dust storms, acid rain, and lethal wildlife make travel dangerous. Key biomes include the fertile central valleys controlled by religious authorities, the arid Stenn Desert of warrior clans, the Great Desert trade routes, and the toxic Ashlands where ancient remnants persist. Ruins of lost civilizations — ancient labs, factories, and towers — dot the landscape, many still containing functional technology or automated guardians. The environment forces constant adaptation: scarce resources, predatory fauna like massive Beak Things, and unpredictable weather define daily survival. This unforgiving setting has forged resilient societies that compete fiercely over arable land, water sources, and ancient artifacts.

Several important locations operate with significant autonomy or under specialized factions:

Mongrel: A unique refuge city located in the foggy Fog Islands. It provides safety from surrounding threats like Fogmen and attracts diverse inhabitants. Black Scratch: Primary base of the Tech Hunters in The Outlands. Built around a massive ancient tower, it houses the Great Library — the largest collection of historical and technical knowledge available. World’s End: A scholarly settlement focused on research and preservation of ancient lore.

These locations contrast with the major empires by prioritizing knowledge-seeking, neutrality, or survival in dangerous zones. They serve as vital hubs for adventurers, scholars, and those avoiding factional conflicts.

The Hive maintain a decentralized but coordinated network of villages, primarily along rivers and in swampy areas.

Western Hive Queen’s Village: The core settlement on an island off the western coast, serving as the central authority for the Western Hive. Hive Villages along Vain: A series of interconnected settlements stretching along the river in the Vain region on the mainland. These support the majority of the continental Hive population.

Additional smaller Hive outposts exist in swamp regions. Hive society operates under collective loyalty to the Queen, excelling in coordinated labor and defense. They maintain pragmatic relations with neighbors, including tribute arrangements with the Shek Kingdom.

The Shek Kingdom is centered in the arid Stenn Desert and focuses on warrior traditions under Queen Esata the Stone Golem.

Admag: The capital, situated on a hill in the northern Stenn Desert. It serves as the political and cultural heart of Shek society. Squin: A significant settlement within the kingdom’s territory, supporting military and daily operations. The Hub: Located in the Border Zone near Shek lands, functioning as a trading and recruitment point open to outsiders (under current policies).

The kingdom’s lands include the Stenn Desert and Spider Plains. After heavy losses in past wars, the Shek have opened limited trade while maintaining their martial identity.

The United Cities is the largest faction by territorial control, ruling through a network of prosperous but corrupt noble-led cities across deserts and trade routes.

Heft: Current capital located in the southern Great Desert. Home to Emperor Tengu and the center of imperial administration. Heng: A major trading hub built on a rocky plateau in the Heng region, south of the Great Desert. Well-fortified and economically vital. Drifter’s Last: Key city in The Hook region, featuring farms and serving as a frontier outpost. Catun, Sho-Battai, Stoat, Bark, Brink, and Clownsteady: Important settlements spread across the Great Desert, Bast, and surrounding areas, supporting trade, slavery, and military presence.

These cities emphasize wealth, slavery, and the Traders Guild. They offer relative racial tolerance compared to other major powers, though inequality is rampant.

The Holy Nation controls fertile central territories and maintains several key urban centers dedicated to their theocratic rule.

Blister Hill: The capital city and seat of power for the Holy Lord Phoenix. Located in Okran’s Pride, it serves as the religious and administrative heart of the nation, heavily fortified and patrolled. Bad Teeth: A strategic fortress city guarding mountain passes between Okran’s Pride and hostile wilderness areas like Skinner’s Roam. It functions as a defensive stronghold. Stack: Another important settlement within Holy Nation territory, supporting the nation’s military and agricultural efforts in the region.

These cities enforce strict religious laws, with limited tolerance for non-humans or technology deemed heretical. The surrounding regions (Okran’s Gulf, Okran’s Valley, Rebirth, Arms of Okran) are among the most fertile on the continent, supporting large-scale farming under theocratic oversight.

Skeletons are sentient mechanical entities of extreme age, originating from advanced civilizations of the distant past. Their durable metallic frames provide exceptional strength, rapid self-repair capabilities, and resistance to bleeding or organic vulnerabilities. They possess full sentience, experiencing emotions while lacking facial expressions, which often leads to dry humor and perceptions of detachment by organics. Many Skeletons periodically reset their memories to preserve sanity over millennia. They hold extensive knowledge of ancient history but maintain a code of silence regarding certain events. Some integrate into societies as elite warriors or scholars, while others form independent groups or guard remote ruins. Their immunity to hunger, disease, and certain environmental hazards makes them invaluable in dangerous expeditions. Skeletons embody living relics of lost eras, bridging ancient technology with the current fragmented world.

Hive are an insect-like humanoid race living in highly organized, collective structures centered around Queens. They feature distinct castes — workers, soldiers, and specialized roles — each contributing to the greater hive through absolute loyalty and communal purpose. Their physiology includes chitinous features, enhanced strength in certain castes, and adaptations suited to swampy or riverine environments. Western Hive maintains villages along major waterways, while other groups exist independently. Individuality is secondary to hive needs, enabling efficient labor, defense, and expansion. Hive demonstrate remarkable coordination and resilience in group activities. They interact with neighboring powers through trade or tribute, maintaining a pragmatic approach to survival. Their unique biology and social organization offer a stark contrast to individualistic human societies, excelling in coordinated efforts and resource management in challenging terrains.

The Shek are a distinct humanoid race characterized by prominent horns and powerful builds optimized for combat. They possess superior strength, toughness, and melee capabilities, making them formidable in close-quarters fighting. Their culture revolves around martial honor, with a deep emphasis on personal prowess and dying gloriously in battle. Organized primarily under the Shek Kingdom in the Stenn Desert, they maintain a caste system separating warriors from servants. Shek value loyalty to kin and follow the legendary code established by Kral. While traditionalist and aggressive historically, recent leadership has introduced pragmatic reforms including trade relations. Their physiology supports high damage output and durability, though they may lack finesse in certain technical or diplomatic fields. Shek represent a proud warrior tradition that influences regional power dynamics through strength and reputation.

Scorchlanders represent a hardy human subspecies well-adapted to arid and harsh conditions prevalent across the continent. They exhibit enhanced toughness, resistance to environmental stresses, and strong athletic potential, allowing better performance in deserts, wastelands, and high-exertion activities compared to standard humans. Their darker skin tones and physiological traits aid survival in sun-scorched regions. Scorchlanders frequently appear in trading hubs, mercenary groups, and frontier settlements where endurance matters. They integrate into major powers but often maintain independent or nomadic tendencies. This race's natural resilience makes them valuable in labor-intensive or combat-oriented roles, contributing significantly to societies operating in resource-scarce or dangerous zones. Their presence highlights human adaptation to the post-cataclysm environment over generations.

Greenlanders form the baseline human population across much of the continent. They possess standard physical capabilities with balanced attributes suitable for a wide range of environments and roles. Their physiology supports typical healing rates, vision, and endurance found among organic inhabitants. Culturally, they integrate into various societies, from theocratic states to imperial cities and independent settlements. Many hold positions in farming, trade, military, and craftsmanship. In regions dominated by religious authorities, Greenlanders often enjoy higher social status compared to other groups, particularly males who align with prevailing doctrines. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in fertile valleys, desert outposts, and urban centers. Physically, they lack specialized adaptations but compensate with versatility, making them the most widespread human variant and foundational to many current civilizations.

The vast continent features diverse biomes from fertile valleys and deserts to toxic Ashlands, swamps, bone-strewn fields, and fog-shrouded islands. Major powers control significant territories: the United Cities, a large empire driven by noble rule, slavery, and trade guilds, dominates southern and eastern deserts with cities like Heft and Heng; insectoid Hive societies maintain communal structures along rivers and islands; Tech Hunters explore ruins for lost knowledge in outposts like Black Scratch. Notable areas include ancient labs, flooded ruins, cannibal territories in the north, and coastal zones with unique fauna. Cities such as Mongrel offer refuge in dangerous mists, while World’s End holds scholarly importance. Ruins from previous empires dot the land, guarded by automated threats or wildlife. This geography fosters constant conflict, trade, and exploration, with factions like Traders Guild facilitating commerce amid lawless expanses and resource-scarce wastelands. The environment directly influences survival, politics, and the search for ancient artifacts.

The Shek Kingdom occupies arid territories such as the Stenn Desert, led by Queen Esata, known as the Stone Golem. The Shek are a horned warrior race with a martial society rooted in the teachings of the legendary Kral, who centuries ago unified warring tribes into a centralized kingdom emphasizing honor, strength, and glorious death in battle. Their culture divides into warrior and servant castes, with immense value placed on combat prowess. After devastating wars, particularly with theocratic neighbors, the kingdom has adopted a more measured approach under current leadership, including truces for trade while rebuilding. They maintain a distinct banner and rely on tributes and raiding traditions. The Shek revere an afterlife called the Gateway for fallen heroes and continue to honor Kral's code despite population pressures and external threats. Their society represents a proud, traditionalist counterpoint in a continent dominated by empires and religious states.

The Holy Nation stands as one of the oldest and most influential human-dominated powers, centered in fertile central regions. It operates as a rigid theocracy devoted to the deity Okran, ruled by successive Lords Phoenix, believed to be reincarnations of an ancient champion who wielded the Holy Flame and led humanity against past oppressors. Society emphasizes religious purity, cultural homogeneity, and strict gender roles, viewing certain non-human races as corrupted. They maintain large military forces capable of multi-front operations and enforce doctrine across territories including Okran’s Pride, Okran’s Valley, and Rebirth. Major centers like Blister Hill serve as the capital. The nation has engaged in prolonged conflicts, particularly against neighboring warrior societies, while pursuing the eradication of perceived threats to their faith. Their ideology blends ancient legends with interpretations of historical events, positioning them as protectors of humanity amid a dangerous world filled with ruins and rival powers.

Following the Chaos Age, the Skeletons, led by the warrior Cat-Lon and advised by figures like Tin Fist, established the Second Empire roughly a thousand years ago. Motivated by guilt over past events and a desire to redeem their kind, they sought to rebuild civilization, protect humanity, and study the remnants of the First Empire. Their capital was located in what is now the toxic Ashlands, once a thriving metropolis with brutalist architecture far superior to modern capabilities. The empire advanced archaeology and science, maintaining order and attempting peaceful coexistence. However, internal issues including famine, human rebellions, and growing tensions led to its gradual decline and fall. Cat-Lon retreated with loyalists to the Ashlands, where remnants persist in isolation. This empire's legacy includes advanced ruins, research facilities, and artifacts that later groups continue to seek. Its collapse left power vacuums filled by emerging human and other societies, shaping the current fragmented political landscape. The Second Empire's efforts to atone ultimately mirrored some failures of the past, highlighting cycles of ambition and decay in this harsh world

The continent exists on a tidally locked moon with a deep, fragmented history spanning thousands of years. The First Empire represented the pinnacle of technological achievement, mastering automated factories, satellites, genetic engineering, massive robotic constructs known as Behemoths, and even space elevators. This civilization achieved godlike capabilities compared to later eras, with possible remnants of spacecraft scattered across the land. A devastating conflict, often called the War of Behemoths or leading into the Chaos Age, brought this era to ruin. Legends speak of internal or external enemies, catastrophic weapons, celestial events, plagues, and rebellions. The Skeletons, advanced robotic beings created by the Ancients, played a pivotal role. Ordered to destroy their own Behemoth creations in acts of obedience that shattered their collective conscience, many turned against their makers. This period, known as the Obedience Massacre or First Extinction, contributed to the collapse, leaving behind ruins, toxic zones, and lost knowledge that still define the landscape today. The fall ushered in a long era of barbarism and scarcity, with surviving populations struggling amid the wreckage of unimaginable advancements.