Relic - Introduction

Relic - Legendary Tool Progression

What is Relic?

Relic transforms ordinary Minecraft tools into legendary artifacts that grow in power alongside their wielder. Through dedicated use, tools gain Renown (experience), unlock Inscription Sockets, and can be imbued with powerful Inscriptions that enhance their capabilities.

Progressive Power

Tools level up through use, becoming stronger over time. Every action with your relic brings it closer to legendary status.

Deep Customization

Install inscriptions to customize your relic’s abilities. Choose between combat prowess, mining efficiency, or utility enhancements.

Meaningful Choices

Limited essence capacity forces strategic decisions. Balance powerful effects with available sockets.

Full Integration

Seamlessly integrates with all Matcha! mods. Unlock inscriptions through Journey, enhance with Glamour’s skin system, and more.

Core Concepts at a Glance

🗿 Relics

Any tool or item can become a Relic using a special catalyst item. Once awakened, the item begins its journey to legendary status.

✨ Renown

Renown is the experience system for relics. Gain renown through use:

Mining blocks (pickaxe, shovel)
Harvesting crops (hoe)
Defeating enemies (sword, axe)
Fishing (fishing rod)
Taking damage (armor)

🔮 Inscription Sockets

As relics gain levels, they unlock Inscription Sockets - slots where powerful modifications can be installed. Higher levels unlock more sockets, allowing for increasingly powerful builds.

🌟 Essence Capacity

Every relic has limited Essence Capacity based on its material (diamond, netherite, etc.). This limits how many and which inscriptions can be installed, requiring strategic choices.

📜 Inscriptions

Inscriptions are the modifications themselves - from simple stat boosts to complex scripted behaviors:

Keen Edge - Increase damage
Vein Miner - Mine entire ore veins
Chain Lightning - Lightning chains between enemies
Auto-Smelt - Automatically smelt mined ores

Quick Example

Let’s see a simple progression path:

Step 1: Awaken

Use a Relic Catalyst on a diamond pickaxe to awaken it as a relic.

Level 0
15 Essence Capacity
0 Sockets

Step 2: Gain Renown

Mine blocks to gain renown and level up.

Stone: 1 renown
Ores: 3-5 renown
Rare ores: 10+ renown

Step 3: Level Up

At level 5, unlock your first socket!

Install Swift Mining inscription for +25% mining speed (costs 3 essence)

Step 4: Build Power

Continue leveling to unlock more sockets. At level 15, add Fortune Glyph. At level 30, add Vein Miner.

Your relic is now legendary!

Why Relic?

For Players

Long-term Goals: Tools become more valuable over time, creating attachment and investment
Build Variety: Multiple inscription combinations allow for unique playstyles
Visible Progress: Clear progression path from basic tool to legendary artifact
Multiple Specializations: Build different relics for different purposes

For Server Owners

Engagement: Provides long-term progression that keeps players active
Flexibility: Fully JSON-configurable for any server type
Integration: Works with existing Matcha! mods for deeper gameplay
Balance Control: Fine-tune progression speed and power levels
Event Content: Easy to create limited-time inscription events

System Flow

flowchart LR
    Tool[Ordinary Tool] -->|Relic Catalyst| Relic[Awakened Relic]
    Relic -->|Use Tool| Renown[+Renown]
    Renown -->|Level Up| Socket[Unlock Socket]
    Socket -->|Install| Inscription[Add Inscription]
    Inscription -->|More Power| Stronger[Stronger Relic]
    Stronger -->|Continue| Renown

    style Relic fill:#4CAF50
    style Socket fill:#2196F3
    style Inscription fill:#FF9800

Thematic Terms

Relic uses mystical terminology for all systems:

Concept	Relic Term	Description
Item Upgrade	Relic Awakening	Transform tool into relic
Experience	Renown	Fame gained through deeds
Level	Relic Level	Legendary status
Mod Slots	Inscription Sockets	Places for power inscriptions
Modifications	Inscriptions	Mystical enhancements
Slot Capacity	Essence Capacity	Maximum power containable
Mod Cost	Essence Cost	Power required per inscription

Documentation

Overview & Design Complete technical overview and design philosophy

Example Configs Full configuration examples and file structure

Gameplay Loop Progression paths and server implementation examples

Integration Examples

Journey Integration

Unlock inscriptions by completing Journey tasks:

{
  "task_id": "defeat_elite_four",
  "rewards": {
    "scripts": ["player.unlock_inscription('champion_strike');"]
  }
}

Venture Integration

Send relics on training ventures:

{
  "venture_id": "relic_training",
  "rewards": [
    {
      "type": "script",
      "script": "player.active_relic.add_renown(500);"
    }
  ]
}

Development Status

Concept Phase

Relic is currently in concept/design phase. Development timeline:

Phase 1: Core relic system (awakening, renown, leveling) - Not started
Phase 2: Inscription system and GUI - Not started
Phase 3: Scripting and events - Not started
Phase 4: Cross-mod integration - Not started
Phase 5: Polish and balance - Not started

Estimated Development Time: 8-13 weeks

Next Steps

Ready to dive deeper into Relic’s design?

Read the Overview - Detailed technical design and systems
Explore Configurations - See how to configure relics and inscriptions
Study Gameplay Loops - Learn how to implement engaging progression paths