The Onyx Empire: My Love for Tortles and the Rise of a Military Power

If there’s one thing I always try to work into any campaign, it’s Tortles. I’ve always had a love for the race—their stoic nature, their resilience, and the fascinating way they fit into a variety of stories. So, when I began developing The Ardinock Chronicles, I knew I had to find a way to give Tortles a significant role. And that’s how the Onyx Empire was born.

In my home games, the Onyx Empire was something I had casually established without much backstory, and not really Tortle inspired. They were simply there as a powerful entity in the world. But for the Ardinock Chronicles, I wanted to give them a richer, more dynamic origin—a force that’s not just there but rising. Rather than starting with an empire that already exists, I thought it would be more exciting to introduce players at the moment when the Iron Shelled Tortles are beginning their occupation of Ardinock, setting the stage for what could become a large-scale conflict.

Iron Shelled Tortles and Their Industrial Vision

The Onyx Empire is not your typical group of Tortles. These are Iron Shelled Tortles, a militaristic and industrial faction with a singular vision: to dominate not only the southern side of Ardinock but eventually the entire world. The idea of an army of Tortles, clad in iron and running massive factories and mining operations, really appealed to me. They’re not just about conquest—they’re about building, using both technology and magic to craft weapons and create massive constructs that will allow them to control the land.

At the center of this vision is the Terraformus, their ultimate project. Picture a Megazord-like super construct, something capable of reshaping the island of Ardinock and giving the Onyx Empire near-unlimited power. This isn’t just an empire built on brute force—it’s built on innovation, and that’s where the real threat lies.

Technology, Magic, and the Bafflestone Gnomes

The Onyx Empire’s technology is a blend of magic and industrial might—black powder cannons, explosives, and a whole arsenal of magically enhanced weaponry. But here’s the twist: the Tortles didn’t create all of this on their own. In secret, they’ve been working with the Bafflestone Gnomes, using the gnomes’ expertise in engineering and magic to help bring their vision to life.

At first, the Bafflestone Gnomes are simply curious—they see this partnership as a way to explore new technological frontiers. But the deeper they get into it, the more they realize they’re not just creating weapons—they’re helping to build an empire. And by the time the gnomes realize what they’ve done, it might be too late. This partnership between the Gnomes and the Tortles highlights a central theme I love to explore in world-building: curiosity versus consequence. Just because you can create something, does that mean you should?

The Long-Term Vision for the Onyx Empire

The Onyx Empire isn’t just a short-term faction. I want them to eventually become a major governing force on Ardinock, and possibly even on a global scale. Their rise from a relatively small faction to an unstoppable empire is a storyline I’m excited to explore in future campaigns. The idea of Tortles, a race often depicted as peaceful and reserved, turning into an industrial powerhouse is something that adds layers to the typical fantasy narrative. It subverts expectations in a way that’s fun for both me and my players.

Faction Involvement: What Does the Onyx Empire Mean for Ardinock?

The rise of the Onyx Empire will send shockwaves through the world of Ardinock, drawing the attention of every major faction in the land. What does the appearance of this military-industrial power mean for the secretive GleamWands? They might see the Onyx Empire as a growing threat to the balance of magic and step in to prevent the empire’s spread.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Hand may look to meddle, using the chaos of the Onyx Empire’s expansion to further their own dark goals. Will they seek to manipulate the empire from within, or perhaps fuel the flames of destruction for their benefit? And what about the Trydentai? This opportunistic faction could see the Onyx Empire as a lucrative business partner, providing weapons to fuel their war—or arming those who seek to resist them, selling to both sides in their ever-profitable way.

As the Onyx Empire pushes into more towns, the Umbra Crux might be hired to defend communities caught in the crossfire. These elite monster hunters could find themselves battling the empire’s war machines and magical constructs in an attempt to protect the innocent. And finally, could this rising empire become the target of the mysterious Remedium? If hired, the Remedium would see the Onyx Empire as just another corrupting force that needs to be wiped out in their own purifying way.

With the Onyx Empire now part of the world of Ardinock, the interplay between factions is only going to get more intriguing. Every faction has something to gain or lose from the rise of this empire, and players will have countless ways to engage with these conflicts, shaping the fate of Ardinock as they choose their allies, enemies, and battles. And of course, that’s not even mentioning the role players themselves will play in this grand unfolding story.

Wrapping Up: The Factions of Ardinock Are Set

With the Onyx Empire fully realized, we’ve laid the groundwork for a rich world filled with complex powers and intriguing conflicts. It’s clear that the stage is set for a world teeming with possibilities.

Each faction brings its own unique flavor, giving players and storytellers alike a dynamic environment to explore. Now that the major players are on the board, we can start to zoom in on the smaller details—the characters, locations, stories, and quests that will make up the heart of The Ardinock Chronicles.

With the canvas of the world painted in, we have endless opportunities to explore how these factions intertwine, and how the players will ultimately shape the course of Ardinock’s history.

From here, we’ll dive deeper into the adventures, the magical items, the hidden secrets, and the personal stories that make up the world. The factions are established, and now the real fun begins.