Lore for Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty covers information related to the story, setting, and the world of the game. It consists of details regarding the origin of the game, symbolic locations, culture, including beings that co-exist in the mythos of Wo Long Fallen Dynasty. The game is set in China during the chaotic Three Kingdoms Era where it tells the tale of a nameless militia soldier fighting for survival in an alternate, fictional version of the Later Han Dynasty period.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Lore
From the depths of darkness, a dragon soars.
The story takes place near the end of the 2nd Century, in 184 A.D. China, when the country was thrown into turmoil, bringing about the end of the long and prosperous Han Dynasty. Their fall from power is precipitated by the Yellow Turban Rebellion — a peasant uprising led by Zhang Jiao, fueled by the people's growing discontent and dwindling trust in the House of Han. Zhang Jiao's Way of the Taiping saw its dangerous rituals desecrating the land, converting blind believers and empowering them. These events take place as a growing demonic infestation is ravaging the country, which thrusts the Nameless Protagonist into action as they attempt to supress the revolters. In all the chaos, the Protagonist has a chance encounter with a young man, beginning the tale of legends in the making.
Historical Figures and Heroic Icons
On their journey to quell the thre ats in the country, the Protagonist will come across key characters who are an integral part of the Three Kingdoms saga. The majority of these are still unknown as the story focuses on the very beginning of these prominent events in China's history. Players familiar with the Dynasty Warriors titles are sure to recognize some of these key players who were building their legend during the Fall of the Han Dynasty and other scenarios revolving around these events.
Of the massive roster of characters in the Dynasty Warriors games and the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel in general, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liang and the almighty Lu Bu have been confirmed to be in the game, with many more such as Zhou Tai and Gan Ning likely to make an appearance.
The Warring States of Ancient China
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will take players through the beautiful albeit war-torn landscapes of ancient China. From the snowcapped Taihang Mountains and the beseiged passageways through the Yellow River to Luoyang, the grand capital city of the Han Empire.
With the ever-looming threat of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the growing Demonic horde, each location is fraught with peril and obstacles to overcome, as well as secrets to discover.
Records of the Three Kingdoms
The Records of the Three Kingdoms is a historical work set in China 180—280 AD. It covers the struggle for supremacy between the three states of Cao Wei, Sun Wu, and Shu Han.
The work begins in the final years of the Later Han Empire and then recounts the rise and fall of each of the states. It was compiled by Chen Shou, an official of Western Jin, the dynasty that formed after the Three Kingdoms period ended with China's unification. The Records are split into three books—the Records of Wei, Wu, and Shu—and these are
further divided into volumes that cover individuals' achievements. The work later inspired the widely beloved Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a work that blends the historical account with fictional elements from folk stories.
Elixir
Consuming this mystical drug brings about an exponential increase in the body's Qi, granting strength that exceeds normal human limits.
The highly coveted recipe requires human Qi in order to refine, and is known to only a handful of warlocks of the eternal way. To the common people, elixir is the stuff of fairy tales; only a handful of elites have ever obtained it. Its effects are diverse and range from raising the morale of an army to healing wounds. However, misuse releases an
overwhelming amount of Demonic Qi that transforms people into demons. Legends tell of several kings in ancient times—including the First Emperor of Qin—meeting tragic ends after being overcome by elixir's Demonic Qi.
The Eternal Way
The eternal way is practiced by warlocks who utilize techniques such as Qigong, meditation, and alchemy with the aim of becoming divine immortals.
Those aiming to prolong their youth and lifespan are called alchemists, and their efforts focus on methods of manipulating Qi's flow and using breathing techniques to transfer their consciousness to their Elixir Fields. Warlocks have been prominent throughout Chinese history: there are tales of some using their knowledge to gain fortune by taking
advantage of curious individuals in positions of power, and in historical records, there are mentions of men who lectured on how to gain immortality in exchange for food and lodgings, while the Feng Shan book in the Records of the Grand Historian tells of the immortals on the holy mountains of Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou where Elixir could
apparently be obtained. Xu Fu, who incited the First Emperor of Qin to drink an immortality brew, was also a warlock. Those who study the ways of Taoism are recognized as taoists.
Genuine Qi
This is the yang energy within Qi.
It is the counterpart of Demonic Qi, and is thought to be beneficial to living beings. Its awesome energy manifests as an orange light as it flows from the Elixir Field below the navel out to the Qi pathways extending throughout the body. Wielders of Genuine Qi must have either trained in the eternal way or obtained the favor of a Divine Beast. It is claimed that all of the great figures who left a mark on history were imbued with Genuine Qi. The original creators of Elixir had only intended to provide an artificial source of Genuine Qi, but the power lust of those who sought it led to it becoming a source of Demonic Qi instead.
Wizardry Spells
Called sorcery by some, wizardry spells are cast through manipulation of the body's Qi. Since ancient times these techniques were thought to be the domain of sorcerers whose primary aim was to prolong their youth and lifespan, or to gain the ability to fly. However, there are several branches to wizardry spells, including transformation, divination via feng shui, and the perception of spirits. Many of the famous generals of the Three Kingdoms period used wizardry spells to their advantage in battle, bestowing their weapons with the forces of yin—yang and the Five Phases, as well as healing injuries.
Demonic Qi
This refers to the yin energy within Qi.
It is the counterpart of Genuine Qi, and is thought to be harmful to living beings. Its awesome energy manifests as a blackened red light as it flows from the Elixir Field below the navel out to the Qi pathways extending throughout the body. Misuse of Elixir produces a surge of Demonic Qi that transforms people into demons. Demonic Qi also results from human conflict, and the larger the conflict, the more rapidly it accumulates.
Demons
A demon is a creature born from Demonic Qi.
They have red—black pupils and almost all have grotesque forms terrifying to humans.
If enveloped by Demonic Qi, a human or beast gains immense strength, but loses their sanity and becomes a demon. Users of elixir have also been known to become demons, with this coming at the cost of their self—awareness and sanity. There have been instances of people with formidable psychological strength—including certain generals—that
resisted the sanity-stripping effects of Demonic Qi and instead became half—demons. There is also a special breed of demon that results when someone blessed by a Divine Beast is consumed by Demonic Qi.
The Five Phases
Astrology and Divine Beasts
Events
The Fall of the House of Han 176
The Later Han Empire had a stable beginning with the reigns of the founder, Emperor Guangwu and his three successors. For some time after, each emperor died young, and while a child was on the throne, real power was in the hands of the two competing factions of officials and eunuchs. In the twilight years of the Han Empire, the officials hatched a plan to oust the eunuchs, but it came to light and they themselves were purged in what became known as the Disasters of the Partisan Prohibitions. The eunuchs thus gained far-reaching and nigh-on unopposable authority, with Zhang Rang of the Ten Eunuchs in particular wielding enormous influence. They were known to overlook the misdeeds of their family members and flatterers while forcing unreasonable burdens upon everyone else. The people seethed with hatred for them, and trust in the House of Han eventually collapsed.
The Yellow Turban Rebellion 184
In the final years of the Later Han Empire, a series of natural disasters inflicted misery on millions, and with the political situation aggravating matters, more and more bandits began to emerge. Amidst this, one man claimed that the House of Han had lost the Mandate of Heaven and sought to hasten its fall. This was the religious leader Zhang Jiao, the founder of Taiping Taoism—he gathered believers through preaching, before using Elixir provided by a mysterious Taoist to convert them into an army of demonic soldiers. The uprising that ensued was called the Yellow Turban Rebellion from the color of the garment the believers wore. It was a peasants' revolt on an unprecedented scale and the first religious conflict in Chinese history.
The Yellow Turban Remnants 185
Although the Yellow Turbans spread rapidly, they gradually lost territory as the imperial and militia forces fought back fervently, and their momentum was lost when their leader Zhang Jiao was killed by the protagonist. However, the chaos was far from over as other bandit groups that shared the Yellow Turbans' cause, such as the 'White Wave' and the 'Black Mountain' bandits, continued to kill and pillage. In response, the elite Army of the Western Garden was set up in the capital, with figures like Yuan Shao and Cao Cao among its leaders. The court also adopted a suggestion by Liu Yang, a member of the extended imperial family, and reintroduced the provincial governor system as part of efforts to strengthen their regional forces and prevent future discord. These actions would end up playing an unexpected role in the Warring States period that followed.
Dong Zhuo Takes the Capital 189
The eunuchs' corrupt administration did not let up in spite of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the hardship of the populace only grew. He Iin, the emperor's uncle and the imperial General—in—chief, was convinced by Yuan Shao to have the eunuchs eliminated. However, he was killed before taking action after Zhang Rang caught wind of the plan. Yuan Shao was enraged and swore vengeance on Zhang Rang—and he later achieved this on a mission alongside the protagonist and Cao Cao. With Zhang Rang dead, his cache of elixir and control over the emperor were taken by an opportunistic warlord who had arrived in Luoyang from the border region. This was Dong Zhuo, a cruel and brutal man whose rule saw the nation fall into yet greater chaos.
The Coalition against Dong Zhuo 190
Zhang Rang's death was followed by the ousting of the emperor in favor of a puppet to Dong Zhuo, who thus became the most powerful man in the empire. His tyranny knew no bounds, with any opposing him ruthlessly killed and imperial treasures taken for his own. This conduct outraged the lords of Guandong, and they joined together to form a coalition army under Yuan Shao's leadership. They then advanced on Hulaoguan Pass which was the eastern barrier of Luoyang. Clashes ensued between Sun Jian coming from Jing Province and the formidable Hua Xiong, and also between the sworn brothers—Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Pei—against Lu Bu three—on—one. The man reputed as the greatest warrior in Dong Zhuo Army was driven off after the protagonist joined the fight and the Battle of Hulaoguan Pass ended with the coalition's victory.
Luoyang in Flames 191
Dong Zhuo was on the back foot against the coalition, causing him to move his base of power to Chang'an and send his elixir cache to Meiwu Fort. He abandoned Luoyang, but not before igniting a blaze that consumed the city and sending a demonized force to infest the area. The once—glorious capital was utterly ruined, and the descent of a cloud
of Demonic Qi heralded the arrival of Taotie. The members of the coalition were shaken by the horrendous sight, and with some giving up the cause to return home, their unity was lost. Distraught, Yuan Shao declared the dissolution of the coalition. Cao Cao was the only one who held to the cause, and he pursued Dong Zhuo into his territory—but fruitlessly, as he was unable to muster the strength to take him down. He therefore returned to his home territory with his betrusted general Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan to set about strengthening his army.
Sun Jian's Death 191
One of the great heroes of the Battle of Hulaoguan Pass was Sun Jian. Taking note of this, Yu Ji sought to bring Sun Jian over to his cause, and kidnapped his daughter-in-law Da Qiao as a bargaining chip. Sun Iian was enticed into going to Xiangyang in the heart of his enemies' territory in ling Province, but in the end he refused Yu Ji's offer. Thus seeing Sun Jian as a threat, Yu Ji pierced him with elixir-laced arrows, transforming him into a demon. The protagonist managed to slay the demonized Sun Jian, returning him to human form to convey his wishes to his sons in his last moments. The version of events differs in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where Sun Jian is drawn into the Yuan clan conflict and allies with Yuan Shao's younger brother Yuan Shu. He dies in an attack on Yuan Shao's ally, the ling Province Inspector Liu Biao, when he is ambushed by concealed archers.
Dong Zhuo's Downfall 192
Still possessing elixir, Dong Zhuo's power remained immense even with the loss of the sacked Luoyang. But it was not to last, for while banqueting at Meiwu Port, he was betrayed by Lu Bu and murdered. Lu Bu then took the fort's elixir cache for himself, and set out to Zhongyuan along with Zhang Liao. Identifying the threat Lu Bu posed, Cao Cao established a force to eliminate him. According to historical records, Dong Zhuo had made Lu Bu his foster son, but was betrayed after a scheme was set in motion by a chief Han official, Wang Yun. After this, Lu Bu is believed to have wandered Zhongyuan while seeing off attacks from Li Jue and Guo Si, generals who had served Dong Zhuo. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms gives a fictionalized version of events, with Lu Bu being incited to murder Dong Zhuo by Wang Yun's foster daughter, Diao Chan.
Liu Bei Wanders 194
In Zhongyuan, Lu Bu took Puyang from Cao Cao, but soon lost it after Cao Cao's general Xiahou Dun struck back. He then attacked Xu Province—a territory that Liu Bei had gained through an alliance he formed after the coalition's dissolution with the province's inspector, Tao Qian. Zhang Fei was deputizing for Liu Bei at the time of Lu Bu's assault, but failed to repel him. Lu Bu set himself up in Xiapi, while sending Zhang Liao to Xiaopei. His defensiveness in spite of the advantage elixir gave him was perplexing to Cao Cao and Liu Bei, but they continued their assault, albeit cautiously. The historical version of events was that Lu Bu took Xu Province while Liu Bei was away attacking Yuan Shu, and, wanting to retake his territory, Liu Bei allied with Cao Cao to defeat Lu Bu.
Lu Bu's End 199
The allied forces of Cao Cao and Liu Bei flooded Xiapi where Lu Bu was entrenched, by draining a nearby river. As this was happening, Lu Bu faced down Yu Ji, having used the elixir as bait to lure him out. Taking elixir himself, he managed to corner the Taoist, but Yu Ji injected him with a further dose, causing him to lose his mind. The protagonist was left with no option but to kill him. Yuan Shao then arrived with an army of demons, assaulted the city, and took possession of the elixir and Lu Bu's beloved steed, Red Hare. Historical sources say that when Lu Bu was facing defeat, Yuan Shu, wishing to make an alliance, proposed a marriage between his son and Lu Bu's daughter. However, this came to nothing after Cao Cao intervened to sabotage their relationship.
The Battle of Guandu 200
The final battle took place at Guandu. On one side was Cao Cao supported by the protagonist and Guan Yu, and on the other was Yuan Shao's overwhelming demonized force created by the elixir taken from Cao Cao and bolstered by Yu Ji's sorcery. Yuan Shao had the upper hand after conquering a number of Cao Cao's bases and turning Liu Bei into a demon, but in the end he was no match for the protagonist and their trusted allies. Yuan Shao made a final speech before passing on, and his elixir and territory then passed to Cao Cao, who was thus set up to gain hegemony over the land. Historical sources say that Cao Cao endangered himself on the eve of the Battle of Guandu by defying Dong Cheng, a relative of the emperor, and that he lost further allies through a scheme of Yuan Shao's. However, a successful raid on his enemy's supply depot at Wuchao saw the battle turn miraculously in his favor.
