Avatar’s Update #367: Release 74 Livestream Today! Combat Balance & LOTI Mansion Tour!

Greetings Fellow Avatars! Here’s what we have for you in this week’s edition of Update of the Avatar:

News Announcements

Community Updates

New Lord of the Isle Mansions!

As we step deeper into 2020, more and more exciting features will become part of our gaming world, to include the introduction of an entirely new architecture concept. The first lot size to receive this new architecture is the castle-sized lots for the Lord of the Isle supporters. As time progresses throughout the year, homes of this style will become available for other lot sizes. Be sure to pop on over to Hometown and check out this truly spectacular new home. This is just one of the many fantastic additions coming to the game this year. Read more about what’s on the horizon in the Shroud 2020 Vision post by Chris Spears!

Combat Balance & Lord of the Isle Mansion Tour Livestream Today!

Another content packed weekly Community Livestream is this Friday February 7, at 3 PM CT on Twitch! Ravalox and friends will be giving a role-played tour of a decorated Lord of the Isle Mansion in Hometown which are in-game and soon to be distributed to Lord of the Isle supporters. Also, Chris will be diving into combat balance discussions and Q&A with the community.

As usual we will be giving out prizes! To be eligible all you need to do is either make any purchase in the store OR log into the game and type “Love makes the world go round” in the chat window (no purchase necessary).

3 PM: Introductions and Q&A
3:30 PM: Lord of the Isle Mansion Tour
4:00 PM: Combat Balance and Q&A
5 PM: Ending Announcements

We will be answering questions throughout the livestream, so submit them in Twitch Chat during the livestream and insert !question at the beginning of your text.

Watch on Twitch today, Friday at 3 PM CDT!

Bard Skills Updates

Hail musically inclined Avatars! We’ve all been anxiously awaiting the addition of the Bard skill tree into the game, and portions of it will be patched in shortly. Already, master artist Damon has created art for the new skills, and here are just a few to whet your appetites. Many more skills are yet to be revealed in the Bard skill tree, so stay “tuned” Avatars! This, plus so much more is coming to you in 2020! This is going to be a fantastic year for Shroud of the Avatar. Be sure to check out the Shroud 2020 Vision, Bards are just the beginning!

Anthem of Alacrity: a new buff for your entire adventure party!

Atonal Aria: Causes AOE damage and boosts aggro!

Bard Innate Ability: what passive bonuses might this ability reveal?

Concussive Canticle: this musical ability is a damaging area-of-effect attack!

Ditty of Detection: this melody reveals hidden entities surrounding the bard!

Mastery: this ability is reserved for only the most talented of minstrels!

Melody of Mending: this soothing tune heals surrounding party members!

Valentine’s Day Vault Round!

Current round of Vault items are available until Thursday,February 14 at 10:30 AM Central Time. At that time, the next round of 9 items will be available for two weeks, and then the next, etc.

2016 Cupid Heart Cloak
2016 Valentine Hearts Cloak
2016 Valentine Card 5-Pack
2016 Cupid Ensemble
Double Smoke Heart Emote
Smoke Heart Emote
Triple Smoke Heart Emote
Heart Tub

February Login Reward: Breathe Hearts Emote

The /breathehearts emote has arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day, known as “Sequanna’s Day” in New Britannia. This new festive emote will be added to your character’s emote list for February’s login reward. Just log in during the month of February to receive this free reward!

Release 74 Reward Program Exclusive Items: Valentine’s Day Theme!

Winter has arrived so the Rewards Program items for Release 74 are Valentine’s Day themed! Reward Program members will receive these exclusive items immediately upon logging in during Release 74!

Heart-Shaped Footstool
Heart Top Hat
Heart Spear

NOTE: You must login during the release to receive each release’s exclusive rewards.

The Shroud of the Avatar Rewards Program lets you earn the best rate on purchasing Gold Crowns, AND receive exclusive monthly reward items!

For the low price of $9 USD per month you will receive the following:

- 900 Gold Crowns of the Obsidians every month
- Exclusive Monthly Reward Items (~ 3 per month)
- Exclusive Title every 3 months
  - 3 Months: Keeper of the Faith
  - 6 Months: Keeper of the Word
  - 9 Months: Keeper of the Vow
  - 12 Months: Keeper of the Flame
  - 15 Months: Keeper of the Oath
  - 18 Months: Keeper of the Pledge
- Pick any Dye 12 Pack every 6 months
- Pick any three of the 7 Obsidian Potions every month, including:
  - Potion of Capacity: Increases carrying capacity
  - Potion of Conservation: Reduces reagent use chance
  - Potion of Expedience: Swift gathering on all gathering skills
  - Potion of Precision: Increases Meticulous Collection to all gathering skills
  - Potion of Preservation: Reduces armor and weapon damage
  - Potion of Reclamation: Increases Salvage and Repair to all production skills

New Store Items

Lots of great decoration items were added to the store this release to include a Crystal Chandelier and a long chain version, Goofy Fish Trophies, and long-chain iron chandeliers with brighter lighting to help illuminate those vast halls and chambers. Additional items include bathroom fixtures, new shelving and a giant snow paver pack!

Crystal Chandelier
Long Chain Crystal Chandelier
Goofy Fish Trophies
Long Chain Iron Great Hall Chandelier
Long Chain Iron Chandelier
Fancy Bathroom Sink
Fancy Kitchen Sink (will patch in early R74)
Fancy Indoor Toilet
Fine Oak Bookshelves (Empty, Pack of 3)
Snow Paver (Pack of 14)

Are You a Livestreamer?

Soon, the Streaming Reward Program will be returning. As the details are getting reworked, we’ll reveal more information. Traditional streaming rewards included an exclusive in-game Streamer Camera for being a veteran of our Streaming Program! Expect the camera reward to return! More goodies will come to your way as the program fully develops. Thank you for streaming Shroud of the Avatar!

Lord of the Isle Episode 2 Bundles

As one of the biggest and earliest supporters of Episode 2 you will be granted the largest lot deed in the land (Castle), the title Lord (or Lady) of the Isle, a tour of the Portalarium Offices, and dinner with the game leaders including Lord British himself! Only 24 of these unique bundles will be sold!

Complete List of Rewards:

Lord of the Isle Place Anywhere Castle Lot Deed: Tax Free Forever (when placed in a POT) and Tax Free for 1 Year (when placed outside of a POT). Placeable on water as well as land!
Title: Lord of the Isle or Lady of the Isle
Unique Lord of the Isle Home (to be revealed later)
NEW: A Festival of the Avatar FULL ticket (which includes admission, King’s Dinner, Barons Men Play, A Heraldry Banner) and one additional guest at a discounted rate.
PLUS Choice of any 1 House currently available in the store
Castle Basement currently available in the store of your choice
Castle Wall Set currently available in the store of your choice (with enough for Castle Lot)
Unique Lord of the Isle Dungeon Room (to be revealed later)
140,000 Crowns
999 Bank Slots
Pick 12 Prosperity Tools
2 Unique in-game items (to be revealed later)
Early Access to Episode 2
Episode 1 Box and map signed by the team
1 hour one on one with Chris for design discussion (via video-conference)
One real silver ring crafted personally by Lord British: Numbered 1 – 8
In-game version of the Lord British ring: Numbered 1 – 8 (including a place-able decoration version)
Tour of Portalarium Offices
Fine dinner and drinks with Lord British, Darkstarr, & Atos at a location TBD in Austin or NYC.

NOTE: Digital items that are currently available will begin delivery as soon as Release 62 (Jan 31). Other items will be delivered at a future date TBD.

NOTE: Travel costs NOT covered by Portalarium for Tour & Dinner.

Recent Shroud of the Avatar Livestreams (YouTube)

Atos and other members of the Shroud of the Avatar development team go live very frequently on our TWO Twitch Channels: twitch.tv/shroudoftheavatar and twitch.tv/communityoftheavatar — be sure to get these channels on follow and get the latest information right as we go live! Also, if you’ve missed our latest streams, check out our archive of content at our YouTube Channel (complete with “Mojito the dog” cam). Like! Follow! Subscribe! Prizes!!!

Upcoming Events Calendar

Be sure to check out the Community Events section of the forum for events hosted by our wonderful community members! Below is a list of additional events as the year progresses:

2020 Events
Feb 27 – Release 75
Mar 26 – Release 76
Apr 30 – Release 77
May 28 – Release 78
June 25 – Release 79
July 30 – Release 80
Aug 27 – Release 81

Meretz: Win a Obsidian Tower Town Water Home (No Trade)

Whether you move a little or a lot, as a Meretz user you rack up valuable Meretz Points (MPs). The more MPs you have, the more stuff you can buy!

Think: in-game SotA goodies, Sweepstakes entries, Relics by Rild giveaways, and tons more. With Meretz, we launch several sweepstakes every month. This month, we’re giving away an Obsidian Town Tower Water Home (No Trade)! You can also enter to win a Relics By Rild $50 Gift Card and other cool prizes. AND, use your MPs every day for in-game items like potions and emotes.

What’re you waiting for? Download Meretz TODAY!

Community Events: Sequanna Fashion Show

[Forum Post by Minerva]

The Cat Walk is waiting for you! Join us for the first Sequanna Lingerie Fashion Show

When: February 14th – 6PM CT
Where: Ordinis Mortis, Beneath the Sequanna Brasserie Restaurant

The event will start after the Valentine Dinner at the restaurant. Please message @Minerva or post below if you would like to have your moment under the disco ball. The models have dressing room available to prepare for their big moment! We are looking for male and female models to show their sexy outfits and lingerie. This is a time to be creative and show your inner diva. You would like to model, but don’t feel you have the style to pull it off, there are people that like to help. On the other hand, if you don’t like the attention, but love to create outfits, there is a place for you. Please comment in the forum thread or message @Minerva for more information.

The guests have a hot tub to view the show! Relax and enjoy the creative community we live in. We look forward to sharing this fun evening with you!

Community Events: Festival of the Avatar Heraldry Contest

[Forum Post by Flair]

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

The Festival of the Avatar shall be an event beyond any experienced this side of a moongate! Imagine a reality where Avatars from all different worlds and shards come together under a single banner to feast, fight, quest, learn, and enjoy general hobnobbery. More information will be published soon about the Festival with dates and an itinerary of events. In the meantime while we prepare the official website for our grand reveal, we need your help with designing the official Festival of the Avatar Heraldry!

We need your help!!!

We are sponsoring a contest to create the Heraldry that the Festival will use on it’s official releases and website. Submissions should be 300 DPI, have a print size of 18”x18” and be received by February 11, 2020.

Please send all entries to: contest@festivaloftheavatar.org

Please do not use copyrighted images or material in your submission, it must be an original creation.

The winner will receive an in game (SotA) full set of specially crafted (light or heavy) armor, a cask of their choice and a banner, all with the Festival Heraldry imbued upon it. In addition, a signed* official banner used during the Festival (real world item – delivered after the Festival’s completion).

The winning entry will be used, whole or in part, for the Festival of the Avatar. The entrants understand that they are releasing submitted artwork and usage rights to the Festival of the Avatar. Author of the winning entry will get credit as the original artwork designer.

* Physical Banner will be signed by Lord British, Darkstarr, and Atos … With possible bonus mystery signatures. For more information and questions, visit the original post on the forums.

If you have an event you’d like publicized during the Weekly Updates, contact Elgarion on the forums!

Community Events: Mad Splatter Tea Party

[Forum Post by Lily Byrd]

The Mad Splatter Tea Party takes place every 3rd or 4th sunday of the month, which is a tea party in my back garden at my home in Jade Valley. There are drinks and eats, there is sometimes music, there are often party games with prizes, and sometimes we just sit and talk about life in Novia. Not only are you welcome to join us but I would like to find out how to have this added to the community calendar here in the forums.

Location: Lily Byrd’s Cottage and tea garden is south of the Hall of Inquiry and Learning.
Time: Every 3rd or 4th sunday of the month, 3ish CT
Atire: This is a role playing event tea party come as your avatar

We play games, we eat cake and drink…various teas and drinks… There are goofy prizes for winning games if we play them. See you there, Lily Byrd.

Community Events: DJ Asclepius Rockin’ a Different Schedule

[Forum Post by Asclepius] Be it known to one and all that that Asclepius has decided to shift his monthly time slot on Virtue Radio! So the random rocking singalong, swinging and headbanging with DJ Asclepius that happens only once every 4 weeks will from this week on (starting on the 5th of February) be happening at 8 PM US CT. It’s just what you need after a long day at work–a nice evening show to unwind and get you refreshed! Tune in via the Avatars Radio link on your aether device, or point your browser to https://zcu.io/jXP8

Community Events: 4th Annual Valentine Dinner

[Forum Post by Minerva]

A night of fun or romance is waiting for all on the banks of the river in Ordinis Mortis. You are cordially invited to our Valentine Dinner at the beautiful Sequanna Brasserie.

When: February 14, 2020, 3 pm to 6 pm CT
Location: Ordinis Mortis (right near the entrance of town)

The event will be followed immediately by the Sequanna Lingerie Fashion Show. You can come alone and meet new friends or with a party, or come as a couple for a quiet night together. Sitting arrangements are available for everyone, and there is a chair waiting for you. We are taking reservations, please message @Minerva or post in this thread to save your place and time. We are also currently looking for staff, if you would like to be involved please message @Minerva. There a number of places you can be involved from server, chef, photographer, or something new…

Project to Support – Crowfall

Be part of shaping the next great MMO by becoming a Crowfall Backer! Crowfall is the first and only online Throne War game. You can win. Join intense PvP battles that demand strategy, survival and a fierce competitive spirit. Reap the spoils of war as an Eternal Champion!

Claim virtual territory on behalf of your guild or faction. Capture mines, mills, and quarries to secure resources, build castles, and besiege your neighbors. Scavenge artifacts and relics from the Dying Worlds and install them in your temples to grant blessings to your vassals. Capture lost spirits to do your bidding — or bind them into your weapons to infuse them with sorcerous power!

Project to Support – Pantheon Rise of the Fallen

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen takes place on the high-fantasy world of Terminus, a wildly diverse land formed from fragments of many different realms and times, bringing with them their unique civilizations and deities. Explore long lost realms, as their people and cultures vie for power and form alliances, struggling to gain a foothold in an unfamiliar world. Uncover civilizations and awe-inspiring locales that offer incredible adventures for you and your friends to experience. Enter a world where the environment itself tells the story and where content is always king!

UPDATE: We were stunned to learn of the untimely passing of Brad McQuaid recently. He was one of the true pioneers and visionaries of our industry who brought Everquest to us. We have few words that can express how much we respect him; so we choose to honor him with a flaming sword tomb in Brittany Graveyard that reads: “Aradune: For the Brightest Flame Burns the Least Long”.

Project to Support – Avatar Express

[Forum post by Vladamir Begemot]

I’m pleased to report that The Avatar Express is clacking away furiously. News is being delivered and we have established systems to deliver it directly to your brain. You can use one of those systems by following us on Twitter at @avatar_express. Even more reliable due to its fully automated nature is joining us on the Discord server. News items are posted there via RSS. Or you can subscribe to RSS directly on the site.

If you run an event, quests, etc, please consider helping out by self reporting. The Shroud community is big, and many things are happening that are never seen by others. With 10k monthly users, we would need a full time staff to track down everything that is happening.

You can fill out the contributor form, message @that_shawn_guy here or post in the Discord server that you would like to help. There is no committment once signed up, you can post as much or little as you like.

Writing up your own events has several benefits beyond the immidiate exposure. It serves as a record for others to see the history of New Britannia as we create it, in an attractive format. Publishing in the Express also has a higher chance than the forums of being seen by search engines and random readers, thus bringing more eyeballs and new players to the game.

It will even make posting in the forums easier! You can upload images to your news item, and then link to those images in your forum post. No more need for 3rd party image hosts!

So if you have something going on in your guild or town, or want to be a Reporter, Cartographer or Historian, please join us!

Resources – Players Helping Players

The official SotA New Player Welcome Forum and the Player Created Resources Forum have the best player created resources for Shroud of the Avatar, whether it’s a Player Written Guide, a Video Walk-through, or a Wiki-type Website.

Visit the official Community Resources page for a complete listing of all things community.

Inuphet