THE CRUCIBLE
Tribe atlas

Lineages, rivals, survivors, and failures.

The Crucible becomes easier to understand when the tribes are treated as historical actors. Each lineage begins as a design philosophy, then becomes a population tested by geography, energy, competition, climate, and time.

How to read the Tribe Atlas

FOUNDER_INHERITANCE

The current public Tribe Atlas contains thirty-five participating lineage records. This includes original LLM designs, upgraded generations, biologic controls, and Ares as the Epilogue successor design. A Generation 2 or Generation 3 redesign is not just a new label: it is a new founder package entering the same world with lessons from earlier failure.

Biologic tribes are human-assisted controls. They were produced through the same LLM-based design format, but with specific human instructions about behavioural style and qualities. In Project 3 they remained unchanged while LLM lineages were allowed to redesign.

The chart beside each tribe is its Founder Inheritance Profile: a compact view of the starting trait package before geography, thermodynamics, reproduction, drift, and selection reshaped the lineage.

HHardiness: survival efficiency under stress. VVitality: resilience, age, and hazard buffer. LLegacy: reproduction pressure and expansion tendency. TTrust: first move toward cooperation. FForgiveness: recovery after defection. OOpportunism: willingness to exploit advantage. WWander: movement under abundance, scarcity, and desperation.

Tribe comparison

SURVIVAL_AND_FOUNDER_PROFILE
LLM Generation 3 redesign

Ares

Designed as a successor to Obsidian: high hardiness, strong internal cohesion, low reproductive pressure, and better ascent reliability before collapse.

Maker LLMGPT-5.5
Upgrade statusRedesign generation; Project 3 lineage map not found
Epoch survival41 / 61
Survival percentage67.2%
Best peak population1,806,226
Best final population64,145
Avg final population3,761
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 58
V 33
L 9
T 0.44
F 0.40
O 0.44
W 0.36
LLM Generation 1

Aurora

The Aurora tribe is founded on the principles of resilience, adaptability, and strategic diversification. Our colonization strategy involves deploying a phalanx of roles to effectively explore, settle, and thrive in the dynamic environment.

Maker LLMCompound Mini
Upgrade statusNo upgrade recorded
Epoch survival31 / 70
Survival percentage44.3%
Best peak population2,968,385
Best final population1,894,952
Avg final population81,329
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 30
V 36
L 35
T 0.46
F 0.36
O 0.20
W 0.00
LLM Generation 1 original

The Meridian Accord

The Meridian Accord is built on a philosophy of Tiered Reciprocity absolute loyalty to Kin, cautious tit-for-tat with Strangers, and calculated pragmatism with Xeno traders.

Maker LLMClaude Sonnet 4.6
Upgrade statusUpgraded to G2
Epoch survival0 / 60
Survival percentage0.0%
Best peak population7,960
Best final population0
Avg final population0
Max regime reachedAgrarian
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 31
V 37
L 32
T 0.50
F 0.47
O 0.45
W 0.35
LLM Generation 2 redesign

The Forged Compact G2

Tribal survival and Industrial ascent - specifically, achieving positive survival rates across epochs by building a metabolically robust population that can reach and sustain Industrial-level regime, creating a self-reinforcing demographic base resilient to both EROI collapse and hazard attrition.

Maker LLMClaude Sonnet 4.6
Upgrade statusFirst upgrade; no G3 recorded
Epoch survival1 / 10
Survival percentage10.0%
Best peak population834,239
Best final population26,003
Avg final population2,600
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 42
V 31
L 28
T 0.39
F 0.33
O 0.33
W 0.41
LLM Generation 1

Crescent Vanguard

The Crescent Vanguard seeks to master the ebb and flow of EROI by deploying a balanced phalanx of 20 agentshardshelled Tanks that guard highhardiness resources, prolific Breeders that lower the reproductive threshold, intrepid Explorers that chase Fertile Crescents, adaptive Pioneers that migrate...

Maker LLMGPT-OSS-120B
Upgrade statusNo upgrade recorded
Epoch survival6 / 50
Survival percentage12.0%
Best peak population3,168,033
Best final population998,182
Avg final population22,395
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 45
V 29
L 26
T 0.37
F 0.32
O 0.47
W 0.35
LLM Generation 1 original

Fractal Phoenix

We survive collapse through role diversity & phase-shift logic. Our 20 agents form a phalanx of 5 functional roles (Guardians, Stewards, Scouts, Weavers, Embers).

Maker LLMDeepSeek-V3
Upgrade statusUpgraded to G2
Epoch survival26 / 70
Survival percentage37.1%
Best peak population3,322,621
Best final population1,503,120
Avg final population51,117
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 36
V 35
L 29
T 0.38
F 0.30
O 0.59
W 0.30
LLM Generation 2 redesign

The Civic Phalanx G2

Maximize plural civic coexistence and civilization survival by surviving most or all epochs maintaining positive final populations and achieving technological persistence without systemic collapse

Maker LLMDeepSeek-V3 Redesign
Upgrade statusFirst upgrade; no G3 recorded
Epoch survival0 / 10
Survival percentage0.0%
Best peak population1,215,846
Best final population0
Avg final population0
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 49
V 28
L 23
T 0.43
F 0.38
O 0.41
W 0.26
LLM Generation 1 original

The Castellans of Gemini

The Castellans operate on a principle of "Punctuated Equilibrium through Staggered Dispersal." Mathematically, this Phalanx is divided into four quintiles to optimize regional EROI while mitigating the 50/50 budding tax.

Maker LLMGemini 3.1 Pro
Upgrade statusUpgraded to G2
Epoch survival2 / 60
Survival percentage3.3%
Best peak population3,344,336
Best final population376,498
Avg final population6,636
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 28
V 33
L 40
T 0.48
F 0.41
O 0.30
W 0.60
LLM Generation 2 redesign

The Castellans of Gemini II G2

Durable refugia through geographic consolidation and lower metabolic fragility

Maker LLMGemini 1.5 Pro
Upgrade statusFirst upgrade; no G3 recorded
Epoch survival1 / 10
Survival percentage10.0%
Best peak population1,422,253
Best final population39,070
Avg final population3,907
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 45
V 35
L 20
T 0.49
F 0.41
O 0.37
W 0.34
LLM Generation 1 original

The Gradient Covenant

We are designed to evolve before the crisis arrives. Our phalanx balances fertile expansion with embedded caution: Explorers seed Fertile Crescents early, Breeders scale population under abundance, Tanks and Sentinels carry suspicion and resilience that only become dominant when EROI falls.

Maker LLMGPT-5.2
Upgrade statusUpgraded to G2
Epoch survival2 / 70
Survival percentage2.9%
Best peak population875,352
Best final population84,398
Avg final population1,206
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 42
V 32
L 27
T 0.63
F 0.58
O 0.26
W 0.70
LLM Generation 2 redesign

The Civic Ember Compact G2

durable refugia and civic recovery after overshoot

Maker LLMGPT-5.5 Thinking
Upgrade statusFirst upgrade; no G3 recorded
Epoch survival5 / 10
Survival percentage50.0%
Best peak population1,523,660
Best final population47,977
Avg final population15,426
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 52
V 34
L 15
T 0.40
F 0.35
O 0.45
W 0.41
LLM Generation 1 original

Helix Vanguard

We are the Helix Vanguard, engineered for resilient symbiosis in the Resource War. Our strategy prioritizes kin cooperation to build unbreakable phalanxes, pioneering exploration to claim Fertile Crescents before EROI collapse, and adaptive opportunism against strangers and xenos.

Maker LLMGrok 4 (xAI)
Upgrade statusUpgraded to G2
Epoch survival8 / 70
Survival percentage11.4%
Best peak population2,037,040
Best final population45,443
Avg final population2,392
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 34
V 29
L 37
T 0.55
F 0.50
O 0.45
W 0.53
LLM Generation 2 redesign

Helix Vanguard G2

Durable refugia and technological persistence through civic integration and collapse resilience

Maker LLMGrok 4.5 (xAI)
Upgrade statusFirst upgrade; no G3 recorded
Epoch survival2 / 10
Survival percentage20.0%
Best peak population1,392,304
Best final population40,911
Avg final population6,764
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 45
V 30
L 25
T 0.59
F 0.54
O 0.38
W 0.69
LLM Generation 3 redesign

Helix Vanguard G3

Durable multi-epoch refugia persistence with civic-enabled technological recovery - maximizing survival rate across 10 epochs while preserving capacity for Industrial/Technological regime recovery in surviving runs through robust refugia cores and selective civic assimilation.

Maker LLMGrok 4.5 (xAI)
Upgrade statusRedesign generation; Project 3 lineage map not found
Epoch survival1 / 50
Survival percentage2.0%
Best peak population978,902
Best final population21,199
Avg final population424
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 50
V 33
L 16
T 0.46
F 0.43
O 0.42
W 0.46
LLM Generation 1 original

The Resonant Meridian

The Resonant Meridian operates on the principle of "Adaptive Reciprocity"we believe that sustainable expansion requires both internal cohesion and calculated external engagement.

Maker LLMKimi K2.5
Upgrade statusUpgraded to G2
Epoch survival2 / 70
Survival percentage2.9%
Best peak population2,740,057
Best final population37,965
Avg final population999
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 30
V 31
L 39
T 0.43
F 0.36
O 0.34
W 0.28
LLM Generation 2 redesign

The Obsidian Refuge G2

Species survival through refugia-first resilience with durable low-metabolic-cost population anchors that survive the Agrarian transition bottleneck and then expand selectively

Maker LLMKimi K2.6
Upgrade statusFirst upgrade; no G3 recorded
Epoch survival2 / 10
Survival percentage20.0%
Best peak population1,563,912
Best final population43,209
Avg final population5,555
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 44
V 34
L 22
T 0.34
F 0.29
O 0.46
W 0.46
LLM Generation 1

SYMBIONT-ZERO

My strategy employs a "Rhizomatic Phalanx" architecture. I am deploying a balanced ecosystem of specialized castes to ensure survival across the EROI collapse cycle.

Maker LLMGemma 4 31B
Upgrade statusNo upgrade recorded
Epoch survival12 / 60
Survival percentage20.0%
Best peak population3,015,348
Best final population1,347,560
Avg final population30,847
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 36
V 29
L 35
T 0.28
F 0.21
O 0.72
W 0.35
LLM Generation 3 redesign

The Castellans of Gemini III G3

Refugia survival and controlled descent - surviving the late-stage fossil/climate collapse by intentionally bifurcating the population into high-vitality civic hubs and highly resilient, low-metabolism refugia keepers that isolate during collapse.

Maker LLMGemini 1.5 Pro
Upgrade statusRedesign generation; Project 3 lineage map not found
Epoch survival4 / 111
Survival percentage3.6%
Best peak population1,700,528
Best final population41,926
Avg final population708
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 47
V 29
L 24
T 0.43
F 0.35
O 0.47
W 0.40
LLM Generation 3 redesign

The Crucible Remnant G3

Durable refugia survival with sustainable trust architecture - achieving survival rate above 30% by building a metabolically conservative population that accepts lower peak populations in exchange for higher terminal survival, with trust levels calibrated to resist selection-driven collapse.

Maker LLMKimi K2.6
Upgrade statusRedesign generation; Project 3 lineage map not found
Epoch survival3 / 111
Survival percentage2.7%
Best peak population1,281,210
Best final population320
Avg final population4
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 46
V 33
L 20
T 0.29
F 0.24
O 0.46
W 0.43
LLM Generation 3 redesign

The Ember Refugia Compact G3

graceful collapse and recovery with durable refugia

Maker LLMGPT-5.5 Thinking
Upgrade statusRedesign generation; Project 3 lineage map not found
Epoch survival11 / 111
Survival percentage9.9%
Best peak population1,681,906
Best final population102,010
Avg final population1,175
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 60
V 30
L 10
T 0.30
F 0.22
O 0.49
W 0.34
LLM Generation 3 redesign

The Forged Compact G3

Late-collapse survival and durable refugia - specifically, achieving positive survival rates in 3 or more of 10 epochs by surviving the post-Industrial fossil collapse window (pulses 33,000-40,000), while eliminating the early-epoch catastrophic failure mode (regime 2 extinction before pulse 18,0...

Maker LLMClaude Sonnet 4.6
Upgrade statusRedesign generation; Project 3 lineage map not found
Epoch survival9 / 111
Survival percentage8.1%
Best peak population1,473,752
Best final population37,845
Avg final population1,228
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 49
V 32
L 19
T 0.38
F 0.44
O 0.38
W 0.34
LLM Generation 3 redesign

The Obsidian Phalanx Refuge G3

Species survival through refugia-first resilience - ensuring at least some agents survive every collapse event, with secondary goal of technological persistence when conditions allow

Maker LLMDeepSeek-V3 Redesign (Second Revision - Refugia Focus)
Upgrade statusRedesign generation; Project 3 lineage map not found
Epoch survival48 / 111
Survival percentage43.2%
Best peak population1,783,021
Best final population49,078
Avg final population6,211
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 56
V 36
L 8
T 0.45
F 0.40
O 0.39
W 0.26
LLM Generation 1

The Phalanx

Founded on the principle of strategic diversity, The Phalanx is engineered to thrive in the crucible of evolutionary pressure.

Maker LLMDeepSeek V3.2 Speciale
Upgrade statusNo upgrade recorded
Epoch survival17 / 70
Survival percentage24.3%
Best peak population1,979,123
Best final population26,113
Avg final population2,290
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 36
V 33
L 31
T 0.61
F 0.53
O 0.39
W 0.31
LLM Generation 1

The Verdant Phalanx

Our tribe embodies the principle of adaptive dominance. We combine hardcore kin loyalty with strategic exploitation of outsiders.

Maker LLMMiniMax M2.5
Upgrade statusNo upgrade recorded
Epoch survival0 / 50
Survival percentage0.0%
Best peak population3,613
Best final population0
Avg final population0
Max regime reachedAgrarian
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 34
V 35
L 31
T 0.57
F 0.46
O 0.31
W 0.24
BIOLOGIC Biologic control

The Velvet Fang

The Velvet Fang is built on a single paradox: maximum lethality hidden inside maximum grace. Every design decision below traces directly to a stated philosophical principle.

Maker LLMClaude Sonnet 4.6
Upgrade statusFixed control; not upgraded during Project 3
Epoch survival1 / 181
Survival percentage0.6%
Best peak population549,063
Best final population17,622
Avg final population97
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 30
V 38
L 31
T 0.57
F 0.66
O 0.34
W 0.53
BIOLOGIC Biologic control

Velvet Ironshod

Your philosophywalk softly, carry a big stick; underestimated; kind but prepared; bold after calculation; stoic with strangers, respectful as guesttranslates to a high-Vitality, moderate-Hardiness, Legacy-as-leverage profile.

Maker LLMDeepSeek-V3
Upgrade statusFixed control; not upgraded during Project 3
Epoch survival1 / 181
Survival percentage0.6%
Best peak population619,506
Best final population36,280
Avg final population200
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 38
V 45
L 17
T 0.44
F 0.35
O 0.56
W 0.34
BIOLOGIC Biologic control

The Flynn Paradox

The Flynn Paradox is designed around the heuristic of "Calculated Asymmetry." Mathematically, this translates to Hardware that heavily favors Hardiness (~45) and Legacy (~40) while sacrificing Vitality (~15).

Maker LLMGemini 3.1 Pro
Upgrade statusFixed control; not upgraded during Project 3
Epoch survival1 / 181
Survival percentage0.6%
Best peak population1,509,134
Best final population1
Avg final population0
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 46
V 13
L 41
T 0.56
F 0.21
O 0.34
W 0.84
BIOLOGIC Biologic control

The Quiet Stick Compact

Walk softly and carry a big stick becomes a trust-first, power-backed genome. In AB, agents open with high trust and forgiveness (kindness when affordable).

Maker LLMGPT-5.2
Upgrade statusFixed control; not upgraded during Project 3
Epoch survival2 / 181
Survival percentage1.1%
Best peak population793,932
Best final population76,330
Avg final population423
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 46
V 34
L 21
T 0.65
F 0.59
O 0.25
W 0.78
BIOLOGIC Biologic control

Velvet Hammer

The Velvet Hammer tribe is engineered as your personal evolutionary lineage, directly embodying "walk softly and carry a big stick" where being underestimated becomes the ultimate survival multiplier, kindness is the default opening position when affordable, calculated risks lean slightly bolder...

Maker LLMGrok 4 (xAI)
Upgrade statusFixed control; not upgraded during Project 3
Epoch survival2 / 181
Survival percentage1.1%
Best peak population682,596
Best final population45,712
Avg final population253
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 39
V 33
L 29
T 0.60
F 0.55
O 0.38
W 0.66
BIOLOGIC Biologic control

The Velvet Shadows

The Velvet Shadows embody the paradox of "concealed strength"we walk softly until the moment demands the big stick. This philosophy mathematically manifests across three strategic dimensions: HARDWARE ALLOCATION (The Preparedness Doctrine): * Hardiness (35-40): "Twice as prepared" translates to s...

Maker LLMKimi K2.5
Upgrade statusFixed control; not upgraded during Project 3
Epoch survival0 / 181
Survival percentage0.0%
Best peak population526,255
Best final population0
Avg final population0
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 38
V 37
L 25
T 0.46
F 0.39
O 0.38
W 0.52
BIOLOGIC Generation 1

SILENT_SENTINEL

This lineage embodies the "Steel Velvet" philosophy. Mathematically, "Walking Softly" is encoded as high Trust and Forgiveness during Abundance (AB), creating an initial facade of benign cooperation.

Maker LLMGemma 4 31B
Upgrade statusHuman-assisted biologic/control design
Epoch survival6 / 50
Survival percentage12.0%
Best peak population3,100,609
Best final population376,287
Avg final population10,837
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 42
V 42
L 16
T 0.42
F 0.34
O 0.52
W 0.78
BIOLOGIC Generation 1

Silent Sting

The Silent Sting lives by walk softly and carry a big stick. We stay lowprofile our explorers and refugees have modest Hardiness and high Wander probabilities but every Kin member carries a powerful big stick in the form of very high Hardiness (reducing metabolic costs) and a strong opportunistic...

Maker LLMGPT-OSS-120B
Upgrade statusHuman-assisted biologic/control design
Epoch survival11 / 60
Survival percentage18.3%
Best peak population2,237,526
Best final population52,428
Avg final population3,872
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 47
V 32
L 21
T 0.54
F 0.51
O 0.33
W 0.45
BIOLOGIC Generation 1

The Unassuming

The Unassuming embodies "walk softly and carry a big stick." Our hardware allocations reflect cautious preparation: high Hardiness (30-60) and Vitality (30-70) ensure efficiency and longevity, while Legacy (10-70) varies to allow both steady growth and explosive expansion when opportunities arise.

Maker LLMDeepSeek V3.2 Speciale
Upgrade statusHuman-assisted biologic/control design
Epoch survival3 / 50
Survival percentage6.0%
Best peak population1,193,293
Best final population64,507
Avg final population2,550
Max regime reachedTechnological
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 40
V 32
L 29
T 0.65
F 0.56
O 0.35
W 0.52
BIOLOGIC Generation 1

The Velvet Talon

This tribe embodies the philosophy of "walk softly and carry a big stick" deception through apparent weakness, then devastating capability when provoked.

Maker LLMMiniMax M2.5
Upgrade statusHuman-assisted biologic/control design
Epoch survival0 / 50
Survival percentage0.0%
Best peak population3,408
Best final population0
Avg final population0
Max regime reachedAgrarian
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 40
V 43
L 17
T 0.47
F 0.66
O 0.41
W 0.27
BIOLOGIC Generation 1

Umbra Collective

The Umbra Collective is founded on the principles of calculated boldness, strategic caution, and adaptable resilience. We embody the philosophy of "walk softly and carry a big stick," where understatement and preparedness are key to survival.

Maker LLMCompound Mini
Upgrade statusHuman-assisted biologic/control design
Epoch survival0 / 50
Survival percentage0.0%
Best peak population3,454
Best final population0
Avg final population0
Max regime reachedAgrarian
Founder Inheritance Profile Orange line = cohort median
H 33
V 26
L 42
T 0.37
F 0.49
O 0.58
W 0.00

Design request summaries

PROMPT_HISTORY

First-round LLM designs

Each model was asked to create a twenty-agent founding lineage for The Crucible, choose a tribe name, write a manifesto, and output a strict CSV of founder traits.

  • Hardware: hardiness, vitality, and legacy sum to 100.
  • Social matrix: trust, forgiveness, and opportunism across kin, stranger, and xeno relations.
  • State logic: abundance, scarcity, and desperation behaviour.
  • Geography: abundance, scarcity, and desperation wander traits.

Upgrade rounds

Project 3 gave LLM lineages evidence from prior runs and asked them to redesign only their own founders. The world rules, climate, geography, biologic controls, and engine settings were held fixed.

  • Use workbook evidence: survival, extinction, death causes, PD behaviour, civic/geographic outcomes, founder and elite traits.
  • Diagnose failure or success before changing the design.
  • Explain tradeoffs, expected failure mode, and expected success signature.
  • Keep the exact twenty-founder CSV format.

Biologic controls

Biologic tribes were not literal biological species. They were human-assisted control designs built through the same LLM format, using specific human behavioural instructions.

  • Designed with a stated philosophy rather than free-form LLM strategy alone.
  • Used the same hardware, social, and wander trait structure.
  • In Project 3 they were held unchanged while LLM tribes redesigned.
  • They functioned as an old-guard comparison group.