Anabasis: Exo Ascension

⚠️ EXO ASCENSION ADVISORY NOTICE ⚠️

REDSTONE POLLUTION WARNING

WHAT IS POLLUTION?

Redstone machinery gives off pollution: a hidden world value representing how much energy and interference your technology is bleeding into the environment.

As pollution builds up, it draws the attention of the Exo invaders, determined to stop any civilization that advances too far.

REDSTONE UPDATES

Every time a redstone component turns on or off it adds a small amount of pollution.
This includes levers, torches, repeaters, and dust changing power levels.

Tip: Localized, compact industrial districts emit far less pollution than sprawling redstone systems scattered across the world.

PISTONS

Pistons are among the most polluting blocks in existence.
Each extension or retraction releases a large burst of redstone flux.
Automated piston farms or door systems are major contributors to global pollution levels.

BEACONS

Beacons are the most extreme source of pollution.
Their constant energy pulse rapidly amplifies pollution generation, skyrocketing global levels in seconds.

Activating a beacon is effectively a signal flare to the Exo forces, declaring your advancement to the universe and triggering an invasion almost immediately.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS & SIGNS

As pollution rises, the world subtly darkens.
The sky reddens, strange auroras appear in the air, and streaks of light begin to appear across the sky. A warning that the Exo are drawing near.

STAY HIDDEN

Careless redstone engineering can quickly transform your base into a pollution hotspot.

If you wish to stay undetected longer, keep your industrial districts compact and minimal, and above all else, avoid beacons entirely.

Remember: Every pulse of redstone brings the Exo one step closer.

⚠️ EXO ASCENSION FIELD MANUAL ⚠️

ENEMY INTELLIGENCE DOSSIER: KNOWN EXO UNITS

XE-03 ICARIS — "THE DRONE"

A small, floating reconnaissance drone.

Drifts passively through the air, slowly closing in before firing precision lasers.

Behavior: Weak but persistent. Often deployed as frontliners that push the opponent back.
Tactics: Eliminate quickly with AOE damage, e.g. fireworks. They’re fragile, but can overwhelm when ignored.

XB-04 LAMIA — "THE LEECH"

Aerial parasite resembling a segmented worm with four insectoid limbs.
Flies overhead, dives and attaches to players. Must be struck to dislodge.

While attached, Lamia drains energy, causing the wires along its body to glow green > blue > red as it charges.
When fully charged, it performs a devastating laser attack on its next dive, dealing heavy disruption.

Behavior: Evasive and coordinated. Will hover out of range in groups before swarming once the target is distracted.
Tactics: Watch the skies whenever you can. Keep distance and clear them early before their numbers grow.

XE-08 TALOS — "THE GRAPPLER"

A humanoid exoform with two heavy mechanical arms.
Built for restraint and disruption.

Talos charges and grabs players, throwing them across the battlefield.
It deals little no direct damage, but being thrown into a hostile crowd or large heights can be fatal.

Behavior: Slow and stalwart
Tactics: Keep distance and focus fire when isolated. Never engage in close quarters near swarms.

XB-16 ARACHNE — "THE SIEGE SPIDER"

Massive, spider-like assault unit. Moves slowly but with unstoppable momentum.
Highly armored and difficult to destroy.

If it closes the distance, Arachne uses its limbs to pin prey, immobilizing them for finishing attacks by nearby drones.

Behavior: Slow-moving, immobilizing tank.
Tactics: Maintain distance, focus last. Avoid enclosed area or being surrounded.

XA-05 GORGON — "THE WATCHER"

A massive floating core suspended with 8 trailing tentacles.
Appears passive, even curious at first. Without warning, its central eye can emits a scanning cone.
Those caught within are aggroed upon by Gorgon, who pounces with inhuman speed, pinned and constricted by its its mass of tentacles.

Behavior: Ambush predator.
Tactics: Keep your distance if you can. If you notice it watching you, create some distance before its too late.

⚠️ REPORT ALL EXO SIGHTINGS IMMEDIATELY.
Prolonged engagement is not advised. These entities are coordinated, adaptive, and extremely dangerous.

⚠️ AETHERION, THE TERRAFORMER ⚠️

Designation: XC-88 — Herald of Salvation

ROLE:

Planetary Reformer
Aetherion is sent by the Exos to restore balance wherever civilizations overreach. Its goal is not to exterminate, but rather to reset the world, correcting the excesses of wasteful organic lives and technological interference. Appears during stage 7 of the Exo Ascension, the current last stage. Upon death, cleanses the planet (i was rushed there will be more to this i promise).

COMBAT:

Four mechanical appendages extend from its sides. Each functions independently, constantly charging and firing sustained terraforming beams. Destroy an arm to disable its weapon and weaken Aetherion.

When all four are destroyed, Aetherion is forced to the ground, exposing its core.

⚠️ WARNING:
Aetherion’s arrival marks full-scale planetary reformation.
Terrain, debris, and mechanical hazards will destabilize rapidly.
Engage with caution: failure to destroy it results in total world reset (not actually).