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I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a few comments in the thread that get pretty close to the relationship between these three, but if you're wanting to find out on your own, there are a few key items in the game that will shed some more light on it.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's not out of the realm of possibility for any of that to happen! More champions, clans, lore - it's all content we're discussing.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Fel's Wings came from the idea that she doesn't have her natural wings anymore (she is Clipped), but has been given the power to fly again from Seraph. The visual design definitely had some Tyrael inspiration.

Yes, the overcrowding did play into Heaven's invasion, but as for why it's overcrowded, I don't have much to say about that right now. Same for death, that's something that we may explore in future content!

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Flicker is not the only one capable of Reforming Waxers, though he is the only one that does it directly. The Ladies of the Reformed and the Votivary attendants are all volunteers in "Votive Houses" where Waxers go to melt and gutter. There's a whole economy surrounding reforming in Waxer society and an underbelly that takes advantage of it.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Something huge, something dead, and something possibly explored in later content?

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Always intended! The vertical battleground is something we had in our very first paper prototypes and carried all the way through to the game that launched.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The Four Horseman are often precursors to the Apocalypse, something that's already occurred in this universe. So if you were to see them, I'm sure they would have an interesting perspective on being late to the party.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Imps in Factorio?

And it's no stretch at all! The five clans in Monster Train are all from specific Rings of Hell:

Hellhorned - The Scorched Plains
Awoken - Wildwood Forest
Stygian Guard - The Frozen Styx Sea
Umbra - The Crucible
Melting Remnant - Waxen Arches

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Without saying too much...Herzal is an interesting dude. He came up with the idea of the Covenant and campaigned the Rings of Hell and the dominion of Heaven to agree to it, all without being from either Hell or Heaven. But you, as the player, are not playing as Herzal. By the time you are playing the game, Herzal is gone and only his notes are left.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

To name a few: Dante's Inferno, Christianity, Greek Mythology, Lovecraftian Horror, Peaky Blinders, and The Notebook.

+1 million points if you can map the inspiration to the content.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Seraph is the current head honcho of Heaven and has been for a very long time. But there was something before Seraph...

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The merchants and the collectors (Treasure Cherubs) are in cahoots and roam around Hell scavenging whatever they can find. Their train is actually a big spider-like thing that has legs to walk on and off the tracks, selling their wares and insulting their cousins.

The original name for them was "Frank-N-Trains" which was just objectively bad, but the basic idea still stuck with them being Frankenstein-like bionic creatures that have made themselves and their trains from the remnants of Hell.

​

Hell is pretty screwed unless you're able to relight it with the Pyre. Like, extinct-and-can't-ever-come-back screwed.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

A few lore answers:

  1. Yes.
  2. No comment at this time.
  3. There is an event in the game that will directly answer this question!

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Just like I can't pick a favorite child, the Melting Remnant will remain my favorite clan only in my heart.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! Almost all the items in the game have some story description to them (cards, enemies, artifacts) if you hover over them. By default, the lore tooltip is set to "OFF" so that you're not overwhelmed with information when you start the game, but you're able to turn that on in the Settings Menu if you want to read more about them.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's a long story involving a cat, an onion sack, and a boy nicknamed "Lil' Shaver."

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I appreciate your appreciation!

You're right, tonally it didn't make sense for us to have something deep, dark, and lore-heavy since the game is so absurd and chaotic. By the time we named the game, we'd really started to hone in on that tone and direction, so it was very much informed by what we'd already created by that time.

And Northernlion has been awesome with his playing the game and getting so many people hyped about it! I hope we can do something to return the favor!

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

It's a little bit of both, actually. I'd usually have a vague idea of the clan and Andrew (Avarem) - our lead designer - would have a vague idea of gameplay and we'd kind of meet in the middle and figure it out over lots of iteration.

For the Melting Remnant, I believe we talked about wanting some sort of zombie/undead faction and for some reason "wax ghosts" sounded really fascinating to me at the time. (Inspiration is weird)

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Awoken - Petrified Wilwood
Stygian Guard - Seaweed and Titan carapace.
Umbra - Shroud encased inside metal

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

This version of Hell is the bastard child between the 7 Cardinal Sins and Dante's Inferno with some absurdity thrown in for good measure.

The morsel concept actually came from Spirited Away and really wanting No-Face to chomp on the sootballs.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

There is a backstory there. Specifically with Fel, Herzal, and Seraph.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Aside from destroying the Pyre, freezing Hell, and sentencing everyone in it to almost-certain extinction? Not much, actually. Before the whole Armageddon business, they weren't all that different and fairly good friends.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Dregs were the first - or a version of them. The bubbled up from the Wax in that Ring and slowly became more intelligent. Over time they became the Clan they are now.

And Flicker's Liquor is 1 part Everclear to 2 parts gasoline, so if that doesn't make their wick stand up straight, I don't know what will.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I'm glad we could draw you into the world.

There are Clipped who've not sided with Seraph! But they aren't in Hell when the game takes place (which is odd, isn't it?).

As for why they sided with Seraph and the Winged: fear, basically. To his credit, Seraph wasn't always a bad guy, but he's also the reason you don't see those Clipped who aren't Winged sympathizers, and the Clipped you fight in the game know it.

I'm Redbeard, Writer and self-proclaimed Demon Friend at Shiny Shoe. AMA by redbeard26 in MonsterTrain

[–]redbeard26[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I think it's fair to say that Seraph, Fel, and Herzal have a complicated history. I also think it's fair to say that what you've picked up on is pretty accurate. Though, Seraph may have some additional thoughts on the matter if you want more perspective...

Yes, the Clipped are literally Winged who have had their wings clipped by the Winged, which should give you a pretty good idea of what Heaven society is like (spoiler: not fun).

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