I love writing these small devlogs, as always, we’re excited to share more of our work and our upcoming faction. They really have been growing in the background, and now it’s time for them to take root and spread their influence. We've been hard at work behind the scenes. There might be one or two nature-related puns too.

Development is moving along steadily. Maps are being shaped, and perhaps most exciting for this pixel-packed devlog, our artists are hard at work making everything look absolutely blooming fantastic.
But before we dig into today's topic, there is one very important thing you can do to help us grow: Wishlist Roots. Springtime demands it

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3511790/Songs_of_Conquest__Roots/

Today we are digging into the molded, fungi-covered glory of the Roots Wielders. Writing about them is a bit different from our other factions, and that is largely due to the unique nature of the Roots themselves.

As we have mentioned before, Roots is more of a hive than a melting pot. That makes their Wielders stand out. Rather than individuals rising to power, the Roots repurpose the fallen, attempting to grow something new from what was left behind. Most of the time, the result is a broken vessel—a husk with no will at all besides that of the Tree Mothers.

But every so often, the process works. What emerges is something more: a vessel able to carry the words of the Tree Mothers, channel essence, and spread the will of the Roots across the land.
These Wielders are transformed entirely. Who they were no longer matters—at least not to them.

So let’s get started. I will not reveal every Vessel today. Instead, you will get a small smörgåsbord (we are Swedish, after all). Some things are better saved for the upcoming trailer and release.

What hides behind those grey mysteries?For the Roots, everything is a tool for the greater cause, and their Wielders are no exception. It does not matter whether the repurposed Vessel was once Vanir, Rana, or something else entirely. The only thing that matters is the new purpose.

Perhaps you can even guess what hides behind some of the silhouettes. A few clues may already be sprouting.

It has been a wonderfully strange challenge cultivating these unique Wielders. Though they share certain traits, being formed from creatures in various stages of decomposition, It has been up to our artists to capture that blend of decay and identity.

We are still holding back a few of the more curious Vessels, like Prowl and Honey, who stand out from the patch in very specific ways.

Of course it is not just our 2D team bringing them to life. Songs of Conquest would not exist without our pixel artists. They are not just crafting our units they are also, creating the avatars that will, through your tactical brilliance, help the Roots spread across the land.

I told you Honey stood out!Now some of these Wielders, or Vessels deserve a little closer look, while I can't share their specializations just yet, they are still being changed and tweaked I can give you some more beautiful art and a little bit of a backstory, so lets look at a former noble and a fungus-covered Vanir!

Gro Aelgrim has turned into Grow.

This mighty and proud Vanir was first introduced in our last DLC, as part of a backstory tied to his very much alive brother and a Challenge map. If you want the full picture, we recommend playing Vanir.

What we can share here is that Grow is one of the newest Vessels of the Roots, created specifically to serve as a voice for the Tree Mothers in their dealings with their sometimes hostile neighbors, the Vanir.

Grow will also take center stage in an upcoming Challenge map that dives deeper into his transformation and the goals of the Roots. It’s a story-driven experience that will help you cultivate a better understanding of the faction and its mechanics.

He looks healthy to me, don't know why his brother is complaining. There is a special connection between the Faey and Roots, and Flora is a part of that bond. Once a proud Faey noble, she now serves an even greater purpose in her new role as a Vessel for the Tree Mothers. What might interest you is that the Faey have no true presence in the Bleak East that the Roots share with the Vanir. So, how did the Roots get hold of a Faey noble’s corpse?

Flora is also one of the new Wielders who has received some extra attention, and I’m excited to give you a closer, more rooted look at her. Now, keep in mind that this is still a work in progress, but it should give you a good sense of what’s to come.

Still noble!

And with that final glimpse, we wrap up the third devlog about Roots. There is more on the way soon, and I would love to hear what you want to see next. Would you like a closer look at the mechanics, a peek behind the curtain at how we create our pixel art, or perhaps a more thorough look at the lore behind them?

I am also eager to hear your guesses about the Wielders (or Vessels) that I showed, and the ones still hidden. Reading your theories, feedback, and ideas is one of our favorite pastimes. It keeps the creative soil rich and full of surprises. Okay, that was the last pun, I promise.

Thank you all for your continued support. It means the world to us.

/Anders and everyone at Lavapotion