Writing lore about our player races was one of the most important aspects of developing the IP for WildStar, as they provided the foundation for the most memorable characters and stories in the game. These were by far our most detailed and comprehensive documents, outlining histories, personality profiles, speech patterns, naming conventions and implementation guidelines for our designers. They were the bedrock of our creative design.
Below are short excerpts from a much longer lore document for the Granok - one of our playable races.
OVERVIEW
The Granok are a boisterous race of battle-tested, hard-charging mercenaries that lead the Exile Free Companies. Banished from their home planet after a bloody war with the Dominion, the Granok spent the last two centuries lending their considerable combat skills to anyone in the galaxy willing to pay their price. Since finding common cause with the Exiles, these soldiers-of-fortune have made the long journey to Nexus—and have sworn to defeat the invading armies of the Dominion no matter what the cost. Rowdy, reckless, and unyielding, the Granok are always leading the charge into battle—they are absolutely vital for the Exiles continued survival on Nexus.
LORE BRIEF
Homeworld
The Granok are from Gnox, a world inhabited by a stunning variety of organisms made from living stone. The climate of the planet is harsh and unrelenting, with violent elements that batter the creatures on its surface day and night. As a result, most of the flora and fauna have evolved to be extremely sturdy, the Granok being a stellar example of the toughness and strength of a typical Gnoxian creature.
History
Until a few hundred years ago, Granok civilization was a primitive scattering of isolated communities with only the most rudimentary level of technology. In time, the Dominion sent Mechari to Gnox to study and observe the Granok—but "differences of opinion” led to the Mechari's violent demise. The Dominion considered this an act of war, declaring the Granok a dangerous, uncontrollable race that needed to be eliminated.
The Dominion attacked Gnox in 1221 AE, assuming they would quickly eradicate the primitive, disorganized Granok tribes. But unexpectedly, the tradition-bound Granok adapted, capturing Dominion weaponry and ships and turning them to their own use. Though the Granok succeeded in driving the Dominion off the planet, the aftermath of the war left Granok society divided between traditionalists and the Free Companies led by Durek Stonebreaker—forcing Durek and his followers to leave Gnox and became traveling mercenaries.
During their travels, the Granok mercs often teamed up with the wandering group of human rebels from planet Cassus. When news of Nexus arrived, the Granok joined with the humans, the Mordesh, and the Aurin, agreeing to serve as their standing military when they arrived on the new world. Now, with the arrival of the Dominion on Nexus, the Granok look forward to cracking some skulls and teaching the Dominion another painful lesson.
Industry
Granok do not engage in heavy industry, instead only building things necessary to conquer and defend their territory—such as siege engines and defensive bulwarks. They often make their own weapons and armor. They also continue to work as mercenaries when not on duty with the Exile Free Companies.
Religion
The only things the Granok mercs hold sacred are gold, steel, and beer, though on Gnox, they once followed a rigid code of conduct called the Way of Stone. The strict military discipline of the Free Companies has largely replaced any lingering religious tendencies.
Communities
Granok communities are known as holds. Their leaders are known as chieftains—an anachronism from their more primitive origins—although most prefer the shortened term Chief. Brewmasters are also highly respected members of the hold, and their taverns are usually filled with raucous Granok mercs drinking beer and telling war stories.
Faction
The Granok's pure hatred of the Dominion immediately determined their alliance with the Exiles—but they also love a good fight, especially one where they're considered the underdogs. Without the Granok's physical toughness and military expertise, the Exiles would never have been able to withstand the continued attacks of the Dominion military.
PERSONALITY PROFILE
The Granok are the toughest creatures in the universe. For instance, a Granok wouldn't just eat steak—they'd eat bear steak, with a side of steak, and wash it down with a steak-flavored smoothie. They aren't afraid of anyone or anything. Most Granok are unbelievably reckless—they always leap before they look, and figure they're tough enough that it doesn't really matter who or what they land on. They are abrasive, crass, and loud—but not in the I-need-to-show-you-how-tough-I-am kind of way, but in the I'm-actually-so-tough-that-I don't-give-a-rat's-ass-about-what-anyone-thinks kind of way.
The Granok love to fight. The meaner and harder the fight, the better. They're the kind of people that fight better the harder they get hit. They're the Rocky Balboas of our universe. They are the friendliest people around when they're relaxed, and absolutely terrifying if you get on their bad side. This general attitude carries over into their mercenary lifestyles. They like combat—bullets-flying, knee-deep-in blood-and-guts kind of combat. They're the kind of soldiers that run laughing headlong into a hail of bullets because… well, just because. The Granok don't like to lose. Not ever. And they never, ever, leave a man behind.
And Granok like to drink beer. Seriously, they really like to throw them back. Cup holders and bottle openers are standard accessories for anything they make. They also really like to smoke cigars. Most Granok stores sell beer and cigars like other stores sell gum or aspirin. The only time a Granok isn't smoking a cigar or drinking is when they’re asleep, fighting, or when they’re dead. When they drink, they're either fighting or telling stories about fighting or fighting about the stories being told. When not on the battlefield, most Granok can be found in the brewmaster's tavern—and they only leave when their spouses decide it's time to drag their asses home.
