Chapter 2.2 Core Construction Mechanics

Building Basics
All building occurs in the open world. Players can build resurrection points, homes, stores, and other buildings. NPC can create these too, with the amount they can build based on the limits of their ecological deity's strength.
Every construction and blueprint unlocked adds a new journal entry, with combined unlocks sharing a page.

Construction Legacy
The umbrella of your character's construction legacy is broken down to carpentry, masonry, and foundry. Given the fantasy aspects of Spirit Relics, the terms are used more loosely to fit the world.

• Carpentry

  • Wood, fungal, and other plant material used in its raw state

• Masonry

  • Stone, ores, and other mineral materials used in its raw state

Legacy Progression Visuals
If the resources are available, players will often unlock building styles for both carpentry and masonry. This gives players options for building. If a player starts showing focus in a style, they will unlock unique crafts in their progression, which can eventually lead to carpentry foundry or masonry foundry

• Carpentry Foundry / Masonry Foundry

  • Taking raw materials and mixing them into a viscous state, then shaping, and hardening

  • Often poured into a mould

  • Often takes a few construction steps to complete

  • Is the advanced versions of the prior listed

  • Maximum durability

Starting a Small Construction or Item Placement
Players can see the placement tiles it requires, showing red if it cannot be built there, and the reason why. (For example, not enough space.) Players will place this "planned zone" of placement. Small items and constructions will immediately be placed using resources from the player's inventory. A progression bar will load while the player animates the construction. Players need the right tool to do so.

Starting a Larger Construction
Larger constructions require a player to set stakes down to indicate the construction zone. Construction will not continue until all corners (typically 4) have stakes. From there, players will be able to construct in progression with the needed resources. Players can use resources from their inventory, or items left in a pile around the construction zone. A progression bar will load while the player animates the construction, with resources slowly being depleted from the players inventory, or a pile. The building will partially construct at some intervals of progression. Players need the right tool to do so.

Visuals of Construction
A player can only see their own construction placements. Everyone can see everyone's construction stakes and onward.

Repairing
Overtime, buildings will need repairs if threats break through players defenses. Players will place resources near the repair zone, and a progression bar will load while the player animates the repair.

Players in Construction Zones
Players in a construction zone during the time an asset appears, will turn them into a firefly and be placed out of the building, then return to normal size. Between construction intervals, players can still re-enter, climb, or otherwise be in the area if they have access to it.

How to Replace and Remove Accents and Details
Players can change some sections with different unlocked accents and details by putting the needed resources near the allowed area, and then using the right tools (often a hammer or saw.) Players can replace and remove walls, doors, details, and accents, in custom blueprints with this method.

Builder Traits
Optionally, players can choose traits at character creation to help speed up proficiencies, increase unlock times, construct more complex constructions without a workstation, use less resources, and more.

Construction Failure
There is no construction failure. (Not even a challenge character trait for it.) The construction option just isn't available if they can't, and players can support or not support construction.

Advanced Building - Planning Workstation
Players can eventually use a planning workstation to create more custom blueprints of buildings. These buildings have more wall and accent control. Players can create written crafts of these blueprints to show, use, trade, sell or teach.

Building Accent Sets, Furniture Sets, and More
Players can use skill sets to learn more constructions. Each advancement needing a new slot, same as building advancements. There are other building sets, such as mounted weapons, and other utilities.