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Who are the Fomors
The Fomors are one of two races locked in a centuries-long war over the right to reach Erinn, a promised paradise. While the goddess Morrighan protects humanity, the Fomors follow their own god, Cichol. Each side believes the prophecy demands the complete destruction of the other. The world and lore article covers the mythology in detail.
The name comes from Celtic mythology, where the Fomorians were a supernatural race associated with chaos and the natural world, often depicted as adversaries of the Tuatha De Danann. The game takes this mythological framework and builds its own fiction on top of it.
Factions within the Fomors
The Fomors are not a monolithic army. Different groups operate with varying degrees of independence. The Gnolls in the Northern Ruins have splintered off from the main Fomor forces and wage their own campaigns. The Kobolds in the Frozen Valley focus more on resource control and territorial defense than outright invasion. This internal fragmentation means "the enemy" is a collection of groups with their own leaders, priorities, and grudges rather than one unified force.
Known factions
Item | Description |
|---|---|
Gnolls | Canine humanoids occupying the Northern Ruins. Led by Gnoll Chieftain Crimsongale. They have separated from the main Fomor forces and raid human settlements independently. |
Kobolds | Strong, stocky creatures controlling the Frozen Valley. Led by Chimpuu Emuloch. They focus on mining operations and resource extraction, making them territorial rather than expansionist. |
Goblins | An upcoming faction set to appear in the Ainle region. Ainle was once a prosperous city that fell to a mysterious disaster, and the Goblins now inhabit its ruins. |
Gremlins | Also scheduled for the Ainle region alongside Goblins. Their relationship to the Goblin faction is not yet detailed. |
The prophecy
The war between humans and Fomors is driven by the belief that Erinn can only be reached by one race. Morrighan told humanity: "Eradicate the Fomor, for their blood will open the gates of paradise. On the day the last drop of their blood is spilled, I shall spread my wings and stand before you." Cichol presumably told the Fomors something symmetrical.
Whether the prophecy is genuine, whether both gods are telling the truth, and whether Erinn exists as described are questions the game's narrative will likely explore. The original Vindictus played with the idea that the gods might not have humanity's best interests at heart, and Defying Fate has room to take those themes in new directions.
Relationship to the player
Players fight Fomors throughout the game as the primary enemy faction. The Kalbram Mercenaries in Colhen deal with the Fomor threat on a practical level. Defending the village and its trade routes rather than fighting for abstract prophecy fulfillment. The narrative leaves room for nuance: the Fomors are fighting the same war humanity is, just from the other side, and the splinter factions suggest not all Fomors share the same motivation.