Hoxxes III

Lore & Background

The history of Hoxxes IV is written in blood, sweat, and rock. Before the arrival of the dwarves, the planet was dominated by an aggressive ecosystem of chitinous predators that ruled both the surface and the deep caverns. The Swarm, as they are known to the DRG, possesses a hive-mind intelligence that allows them to coordinate attacks with terrifying efficiency, turning every mining expedition into a potential war zone. The dwarves arrived not as conquerors, but as laborers who saw value where others saw only danger. Their heavy machinery and specialized equipment allowed them to carve out temporary bases in the most unstable regions of the planet. The relationship between the miners and the planet is one of constant struggle; every tunnel dug invites a new wave of enemies, yet the allure of the rich veins hidden beneath the crust keeps the dwarves returning time and again. Legends among the crew speak of ancient structures or geological anomalies deep within the core that predate the Swarm's dominance, though these remain largely theoretical. The true story of Hoxxes IV is one of resilience, where the sheer willpower of the dwarf race allows them to extract wealth from a world that actively tries to crush them.

In Their Own Story

The airlock hissed open, releasing a puff of pressurized steam into the humid, sulfur-choked air. 'Rock and Stone!' shouted the Gunner, adjusting his helmet as the neon glow of the cave walls flickered against the darkness. Below, the ground trembled—not from an earthquake, but from the rhythmic thumping of thousands of chitin-clad legs approaching. The Scout had already rappelled down into the abyss, marking veins of glowing Mithril with his laser pointer, while the Engineer frantically deployed a sentry turret to cover their flank. 'We've got company!' yelled the Driller, spinning up his drill bit as the first wave of Hoppers screeched from the shadows. It was just another Tuesday on Hoxxes IV: drink deep, dig hard, and hope the bugs don't eat you before the extraction ship arrives.

Reader's Guide

Hoxxes IV features four distinct biomes, each presenting unique environmental hazards that dictate mission strategy. The Jungle is dense with vegetation and toxic spores, limiting visibility and requiring careful navigation to avoid ambushes from above. The Cave system offers tight corridors and verticality, perfect for defensive chokepoints but dangerous due to unstable rock formations that can collapse under heavy fire or seismic activity. Lighting is crucial here; without adequate illumination, the Swarm will strike unseen. The Foundry biome introduces extreme heat and lava flows, which damage health over time if dwarves linger too close. This environment forces players to move quickly between safe zones while managing the intense thermal output of their equipment. Finally, the Necropolis presents a dark, eerie atmosphere with limited natural light sources, making flashlights and flares essential for spotting enemies hiding in the shadows. Each biome affects gameplay by altering enemy spawn rates, line-of-sight mechanics, and the effectiveness of certain class abilities.

Did You Know?

• The planet's atmosphere is so toxic that dwarves must wear full environmental suits at all times to survive outside their ship.
• Mithril, a rare metal found in abundance on Hoxxes IV, is essential for constructing advanced technology and weaponry across the galaxy.
• The Swarm exhibits hive-mind behavior, allowing them to coordinate complex attacks that can overwhelm unprepared mining teams.
• Seismic activity on Hoxxes IV is so frequent that it often triggers cave-ins, adding a layer of environmental danger to every mission.