Avatar’s Update #356: Play Release 71 Now! Q&A Livestream Today!


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

News Announcements

Community Updates


Play Release 71 Now!

Release 71 successfully launched Wednesday, October 30, with thousands of backers downloading, patching, and logging in to check out the changes! There’s lots of new content to explore, including:

  • Tartarus Level Polish & New Content
  • Despair Polish
  • Decoration Palette
  • Gold and Silver Scrap
  • Agriculture Economy Balance
  • Batch Crafting Improvement
  • Wyvern Trophy Head
  • Winter Holiday Recurring Items Return
  • R71 Rewards Program Items: Fall Theme!
  • November Login Reward: Turkey Statue
  • Performance Improvements
  • More Bug Fixes
  • and more!

Check out the Release 71 Instructions update for detailed information about all the new content.

If you have not downloaded the game yet, go to www.shroudoftheavatar.com and click the “Play Now” button. The game is also available on Steam.

Release 71 Player Instructions

Release 71 Known Issues


Questions & Answers Livestream Today

Another content packed weekly Community Livestream is today, Friday Nov 1, at 4 PM CT on Twitch! This week we are going to focus on answering throughout the livestream, so submit them in Twitch Chat during the livestream and put !Question at the beginning of your text.

Release 71 Rewards Program Exclusive Items (Fall Theme!)

Autumn is finally here so we decided to make the Rewards Program items for Release 71 fall themed! Reward Program members will receive these exclusive items immediately upon logging in during Release 71!

  • Scarecrow Mask 
  • Giant Gray Squirrel Pet 
  • Giant Scarecrow Statue

As usual we will be giving out prizes at 4:15 and 4:45! To be eligible all you need to do is either make any purchase in the store or log into the game and type “Leaves are falling all around” in the chat window (no purchase necessary).

Watch on Twitch today, Friday at 4 PM CDT!

Are You a Livestreamer?

Get this exclusive in-game Streamer Camera for being a veteran of our Livestreamer Program!


Release 71 Livestream

The Release 71 Livestream is set for Friday, November 8, at 3 PM Central Time! All Avatars from around the world are welcome to join us in the livestream activities. We will be talking about , answering questions, and handing out prizes.

Livestream Schedule (Central Time Zone)

Monthly livestreams are on Twitch and include answers to your gameplay questions, deep dives, prize giveaways, and more! Here is the schedule:

  • 3 PM: Introductions
  • 3:30 PM: Scenes Tour: Tartarus (new content), Despair (polish)
  • 4:15 PM: Lava Fishing Contest
  • 5 PM: Ending Announcements

To participate in the Lava Fishing Contest go to Oracle Colossus and start fishing at 4:15 PM (you can also try whispering one of the devs for a teleport). The best trophy fish (longest) caught by 5 PM will win a prize! NOTE: We will be verifying location and time!

Win These Great Prizes!

We will be giving prizes away on an hourly basis with many being given away multiple times. Enter for a chance to win a prize by either logging into the game and typing “Leaves are falling all around” into chat OR by purchasing any item from our webstore during the livestream!

  • Puzzle Tree Cloak
  • Ornate Elven Longbow
  • Reaper Sapling Pet
  • Ornate Elven Planting Beds Set
  • Epic Common Aspen Tree
  • Elven Tree Town Home

Submit Your Questions

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

Watch on Twitch Friday November 8 at 3 PM CDT

Expirations

The Spooky recurring items will be expiring today, until around this time again next year!

  • Undead Specimen Vats 
  • Giant Lich Statue with Magic Portal Dungeon Entrance 
  • Giant Grim Reaper Statue with Magic Portal Dungeon Entrance 
  • Ornate Giant Grim Reaper Statue with Magic Portal Dungeon Entrance 
  • Ornate Scythe & Pattern Pack 
  • Dead Tree with Spider Webs 6-Pack 
  • Day of the Dead Masks
  • Spooky Emotes: Breathe Spiders, Rain Spiders, Puke Blood, etc.
  • Woven Spider Web Cloak 
  • Spider Web Cloak 
  • Ornate Spider Legs 
  • Zombie Pets


11/1 Crown Shop Updates

Greetings Avatars,

The Crown Shop is packed with new items this week including Fall Trees and a Pirate Airship Home!. Also it’s the last week for Spooky Seasonal Recurring items which expire for another year next week on November 8! Additionally we are continuing the spooky theme for the Vault with this year’s final round of expired spooky items including the much sought after original Witch Hat!

  • Pirate Airship Home: Piracy is no longer just something to be feared at sea! Pirates have taken to the air as well! Some of these fearsome airships have been converted to luxurious homes for the wealthy and can be purchased from the Crown Shop.
  • Fall White Birch Trees: These trees not only have fall hued foliage, they also have falling leaves! You can find them in the Crown Shop.
  • Spooky Seasonal Recurring Items: With Halloween coming up we have brought back all of the Spooky Seasonal Recurring items to the Crown Shop for a limited time! Get them before they expire again until next year on November 8!
    • Undead Specimen Vats 
    • Giant Lich Statue with Magic Portal Dungeon Entrance 
    • Giant Grim Reaper Statue with Magic Portal Dungeon Entrance 
    • Ornate Giant Grim Reaper Statue with Magic Portal Dungeon Entrance 
    • Ornate Scythe & Pattern Pack 
    • Dead Tree with Spider Webs 6-Pack 
    • Day of the Dead Masks
    • Spooky Emotes: Breathe Spiders, Rain Spiders, Puke Blood, etc.
    • Woven Spider Web Cloak 
    • Spider Web Cloak 
    • Ornate Spider Legs 
    • Zombie Pets
  • The Vault: Current round of Vault items are available until Thursday, November 7 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, etcGrim Reaper Mask
    • Grim Reaper Statue
    • Ornate Skull Candle
    • Stone Zombie Statue
    • 2017 Large Headless Horseman Grim Reaper Statue
    • 2017 Headless Horseman Grim Reaper Statue
    • Witch Hat
    • 2017 Ornate Scythe
    • Obsidian Tower Village Home


November Login Reward: Turkey Statue

Today is the first day to login and obtain the November login reward! To celebrate Autumn (and the traditional feasts of Thanksgiving here in the United States), every player who logs in during the month of November will receive a unique Turkey Statue!

Fun Trivia: Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the turkey the national bird of the United States but the Bald Eagle ended up being chosen.

To receive the rewards simply login to the game before the end of November and check your rewards tab!


Release 71 Reward Program Exclusive Items: Fall Theme!

Autumn is finally here so we decided to make the Rewards Program items for Release 71 fall themed! Reward Program members will receive these exclusive items immediately upon logging in during Release 71!

  • Scarecrow Mask 
  • Giant Gray Squirrel Pet 
  • Giant Scarecrow Statue

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


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:

  • UPDATED: 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
  • NEW: Unique Lord of the Isle Home (to be revealed later)
  • UPDATED: 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)
  • NEW: Unique Lord of the Isle Dungeon Room (to be revealed later)
  • 1400 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.


Haunted Homes Tour & Various Other Livestreams (YouTube)

The Haunted Homes Tour livestream was incredible! Here is the livestream from our YouTube channel in case you missed it:

Atos and others also sometimes livestream and you can check those out on our YouTube channel (complete with “Mojito the dog” cam).  Note that if you subscribe to the channel you will be notified when they go live.


Upcoming Events Calendar

Be sure to check out the Forums Recurring Events section for other events!

Nov 8 – Release 71 Livestream
Nov 17 – Release 71 Dance Party
Nov 21 – Release 72
Nov 22 – Release 72 Livestream
Dec 12 – Release 73
Jan 30 – Release 74
Feb 27 – Release 75
Mar 26 – Release 76


Community Event: Immortal City’s Annual Halloween Ball & Costume Contest

[Forum Post by Alleine Dragonfyre]

Immortal City’s Annual Halloween Ball at Chaotica!

From the Main Gate follow the Burning Skeletons

Friday November 1

8 PM – 12 AM NBT

Best Costume Contest

Celebrity Judges

1st Prize 5000 COTO

2 1000 COTO 2nd Prizes


Community Event: The Ancient Novians Have Landed… Halloween Party – Britt Mart

[Forum Post by Tailz]

Join us throughout the day and night!

If you are participating in the Costume Contest, please post the screenshots in this thread or private message them to me on Discord.

All Avatars are invited and welcome!

We look forward to seeing you!

Britt Mart Halloween Party & Costume Contest 2019

Saturday Nov 2nd all day at Club UFO!

Party Begins with Wake Up New Britannia from 7-9 AM

Followed by DJ Justyn from 9 – 11 AM

Then Fionwyn’s Wylde Safari from 6-8 PM

Followed by DJ Justyn from 8 PM – ???

All on WRFB

To get to Club UFO use the the teleport sign to go to Town Boundary 2


Community Event: What happened at River’s Cross in Jade Valley?

[Forum Post by Lily Byrd]

Have you found this temple? Do you know what it’s for? What’s in the basement that no one wants to talk about? And where have all the residents gone?

Come on down to the Dragon’s Breath Inn in the hamlet of River’s Cross near Town Boundary 2 (or 3) in the Player Owned Town of Jade Valley.


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 – Avatar Express

[Forum post by Vladamir Begemot]

The Avatar Express is a Shroud of the Avatar fan news site!

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

SotA_NewPlayerWelcome_Forum

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.