So, I’d like to address an underlying problem within the world of Cairn.
I noticed that despite being made out to be the hero of the story, you as the protagonist are really more of a genocidal maniac.
To make myself clear, let me break down all of the evidence.
First off, although violence seems to be the only way for humanity to survive, you go around murdering any form of life passing your way, completely throwing of any natural balance left in the world of Cairn. Yes, you are being attacked on sight, but invading the natural habitat of wild animals would render most of them aggressive. Even if humanity managed to come out of this a-ok (which, let’s be real, not gonna happen at this point), there would be no way of sustaining the species with the lack of food already and the huge disruption in the ecosystem you caused.
Secondly, we can not expect “friendly factions” to be friendly due to our service to the world, but rather due to the generally absurd power level of the main character. It seems more logically sound to assume that the fear of you potentially going rogue leads these factions to tolerate your destructive behavior, than to think that they are truly supporting an unorganized demi-god that just happens to fight for their cause at the moment. Thinking one step further, it might even be likely that these factions conciously send you on the most dangerous missions for the chance of getting rid of you, while you fulfill your gore-riddled power fantasy.
But lastly and most importantly, you are not just killing mindless beasts (mind you, the very foundation of Cairns fragile ecosystem) and hostile entities, but growing societies on vastly different cultural levels. It is easy to assume that Cairn would have had a single dominating species before the Grim Dawn (that being Humans), but seeing as any organized creatures not stemming from aetherial corruption or the void are also inhabiting the world as we know it, it would be foolish to think that only humanity is allowed to flourish again.
By this I am referring to the likes of Slith, Trolls and of course Grobles.
Starting with the Slith, we can observe “a primitive tribal hierarchy” as well as some basic religious believes as evidenced by their own totems and “shamanistic behavior” (“Origin of the Slith - Page 3”). In addition they seem to be adept in weaponry and craftsmanship, as they build and use their own tools, cages and spears. Now, the Slith are monsters of human creation, leaving some merrit of human superiority and agency over them although they clearly posses emotion and the capability of suffering -“Its eyes stared back at you with a hint of human sorrow” (Origin of the Slith- Page 2).
Going on to the Trolls, we do not have documented proof of their inner beings, we can clearly differentiate multiple occupations. This is most prominent in their capability to breed animals and build farms. Their only somewhat domesticated farm animal seems to be the Stonetusk Boar, which they herd and defend with automated weapons. It is unclear whether they build these rifles themselves, but they posess knownledge of their function and use and even go as far as to split into different lines of work around the farm.
Finally, we come to the most worrying problem, this being the despicable genocide on Groble society at large. This species lovingly titled as a “foul beastkin” by the magistrate of Burrwitch not only shows signs of a cultured society but exceeds that of humans in many areas by a long shot.
The Grobles have developed a complex religious system including deities with seemingly elemental properties as we can deduct from differing shamanistic outfits, spells and totemsand altars. Adding to that, they are capable of building larger villages or inhabiting former fortresses (Tyrant’s Hold).
The hierarchical structures we were able to observe in the Slith and Trolls are expanded upon in groble culture, not only accounting for religious leaders but different military ranks ranging from trackers to warriors and leading towards Dranghouls. I am including the Dranghoul here since Bloodfeast the Ruthless is described as a Groble tyrant, leading me to believe that this is the mature phase of one and the same species. Even if I am to err, this would mean that Grobles and Dranghouls live in a positive symbiosis or rather a multi-species society, something Humanity clearly hasn’t mastered yet (But maybe there is still hope).
This, in consequence, would mean little Grobles are not just of smaller height, but rather Groble children. Considering that they are often found in small groups with one or two larger Groble Shamans, this might be an indicator for an educational system such as a Groble Daycare. This is supported by the fact that their movement consists very much of waddling around as human toddlers would. This would also mean that their wooden weaponry is not meant for combat but as a child’s toy. Assuming that we invade on what is essentially a Groble Daycare center or field trip, it is only natural to be met with defensive hostility.
It is also important to make a division between different Groble clans. As of known, there are five Groble clans with different physical features and skin tones. These clans do not live in seclusion and hostility and show no signs of racism. As evidence we need to look no further than to Tyrant’s Hold again, where the Ember and Stone clan live together under the same rule. Again, this does not apply to Humanity, as peaceful groups such as Death’s Vigil are being openly attacked by religious fanatics without any form are jurisdiction in place.
In fact none of the beastkin species mentioned above are showing signs of aggressive behavior towards their natural wildlife, leaving it mostly untouched or domesticate it in small groups.
So it seems that the Grobles as a peaceful society have superceeded Humanity in its spirit. Thus it is also easy to see why Groble genocide seems to be of no concern for human authorities as the human race doesn’t seem to be content to live in harmony among equals.
Thank you for listening to my concerns, maybe with your help we can work towards a more peaceful Groble-Human relationship!
#GrobleNation
