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Factions and NPCs - Version 4 vs Version 5
May 14, 2026, 11:51 AM
Added Faction Mechanics table (ally cultivation, favor trading, bribery), Confirmed Factions table, and a hedged note on unverified named NPCs
May 25, 2026, 09:27 AM
Add wikilinks to table cells (3 new links)
11Overview22The world of Zhou is populated with factions and NPCs that react to Cheng's actions and choices. Faction reputation, NPC relationships, and time-based schedules create a city that responds dynamically to player behavior.44Major Factions66Multiple factions operate within Zhou, each with their own relationship meters and gameplay rewards:88Star Fall Society: the primary resistance faction, led by The Master. Alignment provides stealth tools and non-combat mission pathsCelestial Defectors: former servants of the Celestials who have turned against their masters. Aligning with them teaches Cheng high-risk, high-reward combos that favor aggressive, all-in combat styles1010Building reputation with specific factions unlocks unique element modifiers for the Elemancer system, crafting recipes, and exclusive quest lines.1212NPC Schedules1414NPCs in Zhou follow daily schedules tied to the game's time cycle. Vendors open and close their shops, civilians follow work-home routines, and patrol routes shift between day and night. Zifei Wu gave the example of "someone gets off work at 7 PM," meaning players need to plan their approach around NPC availability. A target might be vulnerable only during their commute home, or a contact might only be reachable at their workplace during business hours.1616Relationship System1818Cheng can build relationships with individual NPCs through conversations, quest completion, and repeated interaction. Completing side quests increases relationship points, and these points influence the main story's difficulty and available paths. The developers gave a direct example: befriending an NPC who controls a building can lead that NPC to remove the guards, opening a non-combat route through an otherwise heavily defended mission area.2020Some NPCs interact with both of Cheng's identities through the dual identity system without connecting them, creating complex social dynamics where information learned in one identity can be leveraged in the other.2222Vendors2424Merchants throughout Zhou sell crafting materials, consumables, and equipment. After major quest completions, certain vendors rotate their inventory to include rare cores available on a weekly basis. Regular visits to vendor districts reward players with access to materials that may be difficult to find through exploration alone.2626Companions2828Certain NPCs join Cheng as temporary companions during specific missions. These allies provide combat support and narrative dialogue, but they are not permanent party members. Their availability depends on story progression and relationship status.3030Faction Mechanics3232The Steam store page lists three social mechanics that thread through faction interaction. Each is exposed through dialogue, NPC schedules, and mission consequences across the campaign:3434MechanicWhat It DoesWhen It MattersAlly CultivationCheng builds relationships with key NPCs over time through repeated interactions, side quests, and faction-aligned choicesUnlocks safe houses, vendor access, and unique mission approaches; some quests open only once a faction trusts ChengFavor TradingExchange information, services, and items with NPCs in return for ongoing access or future helpUsed to bypass guarded checkpoints, get vendor discounts, and recruit temporary allies for mission objectivesBriberyDirect payment to rival or hostile NPCs to ignore Cheng's actions, look the other way, or provide intelLower-tier alternative to ally cultivation; faster but less reliable, with NPCs sometimes flipping back or alerting their faction3636Confirmed Factions3737FactionRoleStatus in BuildStar Fall SocietyAnti-Celestial resistance; trains and shelters ElemancersConfirmed; led by The MasterCelestialsDivine antagonists who rule Zhou after The God FallConfirmed; reveal trailer shows Celestial Wardens in combatSteam SoldiersMechanical infantry serving Celestial control over the capitalConfirmed in gameplay trailer; some drop a giant hammer that can be picked upVendors and CiviliansNon-aligned merchants, market stalls, and residents whose schedules create stealth windowsConfirmed via store page mention of vendors with rotating stock3939Notes on Faction Standing4040Specific named NPCs beyond The Master have not yet been confirmed in publicly available press materials. Treat any name you see in trailers or interviews as preliminary until Pathea publishes a character roster or until additional gameplay footage confirms a recurring role.
