Play Release 138!

Greetings Fellow Avatars!

Release 138 goes live May 30th at 10:30 AM CDT.

Welcome! The Catnip Games development team marks this monthly release of Shroud of the Avatar with new content and improvements. For Release 138 (R138), we offer three renovations.

For those wishing to participate in any community activities, upcoming one-time and recurring community events have been announced! Be sure to also review the Player Guide and Known Issues for additional information on recent changes and upcoming fixes.

News Announcements

Community Updates

 

New Britannia Housing Renewal Project

Earlier this month, Scottie and I streamed a developer work session of over five hours on Twitch. This month, we have completed the cleanup of the Wood and Plaster Row House set (2-, 3-, and 4-story models). This model rowhouse is the default house that appears on a row lot and is the basis for a number of other row models.

In addition to fixing all of the known visual issues and stuck spots that have been reported, Scottie found hundreds of polygons and faces that were hidden within walls, taking up extra draw time and GPU memory. He also found thousands of disconnected vertices, which cause the game engine to try to calculate their purpose and draw requirements on the fly during game play.

I have rebuilt the prefabs, organizing the objects and building a proper Level of Detail (LOD) implementation, and optimized the textures to enhance their appearance in game.

We now have a good baseline to work from to create a set of new row houses, while still continuing to repair the existing ones. This is one of our longer projects but, when done, the results will really enhance the game experience. More updates to come in the coming releases!

– Ravalox

 

Release 138 Patch Notes

Below are a list of the updates that are live as of Release 138 in the game of Shroud of the Avatar! Polish, additional improvements, and bug fixes are inbound for R139 next month. We hope you enjoy the changes that are live today as of Release 138!

Crafting, Decoration, Gear, & Inventory Item Changes:

  • A recipe for a canvas cot has been added to housing decoration merchants in the Perennial Coast. SOTA-72511
  • Made coil of rope placeable as deco. SOTA-72507
  • Fixed all known bugs and a ton of other issues found in the 2-, 3-, and 4-Story Wood and Plaster row homes, rebuilt the LODs, and optimized and enhanced the clarity of the textures. SOTA-72119
  • Fixed the light leakage from the back and sides of the regular-sized cast-iron fireplace. SOTA-56891
  • Improved appearance of pinecones. (There was no normal.)

User Interface, Store Information, Inky, & Lua Changes:

  • Made a /brigade slash command to open the forum post on joining the Bug Brigade. SOTA-72510
  • Corrected the size of the Xenossian Decorative Cistern icon. SOTA-72474
  • Novian tulip mania comes to an end: The Yellow Tulip Cluster store set has been corrected to deliver a few large and many small, rather than the other way around.

World and Quest Changes:

  • Aether Tetras have emerged and bullied the Neon Tetras into hiding.
  • Aerie: Corrected grammar in Shandala Truesong’s “rumors” response. SOTA-72513
  • Ardoris: Added a Bug Brigade Recruiting Center at the dock opposite the east road.
  • Braemar: Re-added a missing tooltip to the Massively grave marker.
  • The Breach: Moved several floating paver stones to the ground. Adjusted terrain to block a hole that exposed the underside of a dock platform. SOTA-72518
  • Castle Atos: Returned the bind functionality to this city’s town crier. SOTA-72520
  • Yew: The bank’s vault now has a unique key. There are no longer two Jaanrae NPCs; one is now Lyris. SOTA-72515, SOTA-72514

Player-Owned Town Changes:

  • Lightbringer Retreat: Added a new village north of Ardoris on Novia.

Player-Owned Dungeon and Basement Changes:

  • Eliminated a Duplicate ID for the Lava Fishing Grotto room.
  • Adjusted placement collision for the Ancient Stone Breakaway wall T hall piece.

 

Latest News and Q&A in the First June Livestream

The post-release Community Livestream is Monday, June 2nd at 4PM CT on Twitch! Join Stephen “Ravalox” Reinen and other members of the development team for a 1-hour community livestream!

To enter the prize drawings, type “swooning June” into any in-game chat channel OR make a purchase on the website Add-On Store at any time on the day of the stream; that is to say, after midnight CT.

Please submit questions using in-game universal chat by typing “askadev” before your question. We’ll do our best to answer these questions live on the stream. Watch on Twitch, Friday at 4PM CT!

Members of the Shroud of the Avatar development team stream on twitch.tv/shroudoftheavatar — be sure to get the channel on follow for notifications so you can join us right as we go live! Also, if you’ve missed our latest streams, check out our archive of content at our YouTube Channel. Like! Follow! Subscribe! Prizes!!!

Don’t forget to also join the Shroud of the Avatar team and community over on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShroudoftheAvatar/ and on Discord at https://discord.gg/shroudoftheavatar.

 

Sales and Bonus Events

To mark the approaching end of spring, from May 30th through June 9th:

  • Crown Store sales will be 30% off.
  • Crowns of the Obsidians will be 20% off.
  • Deed Upgrades will be 20% off.

 

Release 138 Subscriber Login Rewards

Don’t stay outside too long without protection! I’m not sure if a beach umbrella is a bludgeon or a polearm, but an iron chair is clearly ranged. The Rewards Program login items for Release 138 are a Gothic Wall Mirror, a Scalloped Beach Umbrella, and a Small Black Iron Garden Table and Two-Chair Set.

Subscribers to the Rewards Program must log in during Release 138 to receive these special login items.

The Shroud of the Avatar Rewards Program lets you earn the best rate on purchasing Crowns AND receive monthly reward items! For a low monthly price, you will receive the following:

Tier 1  $9 (plus tax)  900 COTOs and 3 Obsidian potions monthly
Tier 2 $18 (plus tax) 2000 COTOs and 6 Obsidian potions monthly
Tier 3 $27 (plus tax) 3500 COTOs and 9 Obsidian potions monthly

  • 900 Crowns of the Obsidians every month
  • Monthly Login Reward Items (about 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
    • 21 Months: Keeper of the Bond
    • 24 Months: Keeper of the Promise
    • 27 Months: Keeper of the Covenant
    • 30 Months: Keeper of Countless Devotions
    • 33 Months: Keeper of Thirty-Three Corpions
    • 36 Months: Keeper of Thirty-Six Serpents
    • 39 Months: Keeper of Thirty-Nine Tulips
    • 42 Months: Keeper of Forty-Two Roses
    • 45 Months: Keeper of Forty-Five Lilies
    • 48 Months: Keeper of Forty-Eight Daisies
    • 51 Months: Keeper of Fifty-One Staves
    • 54 Months: Keeper of Fifty-Four Daggers
    • 57 Months: Keeper of Fifty-Seven Arrows
    • 60 Months: Keeper of Sixty Swords
    • 63 Months: Keeper of Sixty-Three Coins
    • 66 Months: Keeper of Sixty-Six Gems
    • 69 Months: Keeper of Sixty-Nine Jewels
    • 72 Months: Keeper of Seventy-Two Goblets
    • 75 Months: Keeper of Seventy-Five Rings
    • 78 Months: Keeper of Seventy-Eight Amulets
  • Pick any Dye 12-Pack every 6 months
  • Pick any three (or six, or nine, for higher tiers) of these 7 Obsidian Potions every month:
    • 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
    • Potion of Stamina: Decreases focus use from sprinting
  • While subscribed to the rewards program, players also receive these special bonuses:
    • Obsidian Potions are significantly more powerful!
    • 24 Additional Deck Slots!

 

June Login Reward

A black metal chair might be uncomfortably hot in August without shade, but it’s not summer yet! Each account that logs in during the month of June will receive a one-time gift of a Black Iron Garden Chair.

 

Crown Store Updates

New in the crown store for today’s release:

  • Large White Iron Garden Table and Five-Chair Set
  • Small White Iron Garden Table and Two-Chair Set
  • White Iron Garden Chair 3-Pack
  • Wooden Garden Bench
  • Weathered Garden Bench
  • Octagon Beach Umbrella
  • Spiral Beach Umbrella
  • Dark Gothic Wall Mirror

…for June 1st:

  • Large Black Iron Garden Table and Five-Chair Set
  • Black Iron Garden Chair 3-Pack

…and for June 13th:

  • Gothic Wall Mirror
  • Scalloped Beach Umbrella
  • Small Black Iron Garden Table and Two-Chair Set

The Summer Seasonal store items will be available through Monday September 22nd:

List of Summer Seasonal items:
  • Firedancer Outfit
  • Fire Dance Emote
  • Fire Dance Cross Emote
  • Flame Scimitar
  • Flame Shield
  • Flame Stained Glass Table Lamp 3-Pack
  • Flaming Bagpipes
  • Hula Emote
  • Island Spear
  • Island Flower Crown
  • Island Dress

 

Bug Brigade & Testing Directives!

The Bug Brigade was established to improve how the community and the development team work together to improve the game. Since the Brigade’s inception, the program has gone through a number of changes and was eventually placed on hold. The stability of the game is as important to the development team as it is to the players, therefore the program was revamped and was relaunched.

The Brigade has been up and running and the volunteers (Alley Oop, Echondas, Flair Minamoto, and Justyn) are in a good rhythm for verifying and submitting bugs to the developers. If you have reported a bug that has not yet been addressed, please be patient while the backlog is being worked. The Brigade is working diligently to clean up the backlog of bug reports posted by players on the forums.

Every month, a considerable amount of development time will be spent working many of the verified bugs which have been submitted to the team by the Bug Brigade. This focused effort on bug fixes would not be possible without the recent efforts of the Bug Brigade. Please take the time to thank these bug hunting aficionados when you encounter them in your travels!

In turn, the development team would like to express a big thank you to the Bug Hunters! These community members are doing a fantastic job bringing so many bug reports to the team, and they’re doing it in a way which makes the process smooth and efficient. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Much improvement has been noticed by the development team and we’re so very excited to see the program’s continued success!

The development team would also like to thank all of those who take time to participate in QA Testing Directives. Thanks to your hard work and dedication, many issues and bugs can be identified and fixed prior to content going to the Live Server! Keep up the great work! For those that wish to participate in future bug hunting endeavors, please check the forums regularly for upcoming QA Testing Directives.

Don’t forget, the Bug Brigade is open to all players in good standing and bug rewards are SWEET! They will be awarded on a monthly progression basis with only minimal requirements to qualify. The available rewards to receive in progression via qualifying participation are as follows:

  • Antennae Head Gear and Forum Title 1: “Bug Hunter”
  • Single Ant Cloak
  • Lady Bug Backpack
  • Bug Painting A and In-Game Title 2: “Associate of Aphids”
  • Ant Farm
  • Insect Leg Table
  • Many Ants Cloak and In-Game Title 3: “Bachelor of Beetles”
  • Bug Painting B
  • Bug Sprayer and /bugspray Emote
  • Bug Painting C and In-Game Title 4: “Master of Moths”
  • Butterfly Chair
  • Corpion Chair (Pictured Below)
  • Yellow Fireflies VFX and In-Game Title 5: “Doctor of Dragonflies”
  • Hacked Oracle Flyer
  • Giant Butterfly Pet (Blue)
  • Butterfly Mask
  • Dragonfly pet
  • Fairy Wings
  • Monarch Butterfly Pet
  • Dragonfly Wings
  • Hacked Oracle Crawler
  • Blue Butterfly VFX
  • Orange Fireflies VFX
  • Orange Butterfly VFX
  • Autumn Fairy Wings
  • Green Fireflies VFX
  • Landing Flies 3-pack
  • Blue Fireflies
  • Mounted Ladybug Specimen
  • Mounted Rhinoceros Beetle Specimen
  • Mounted Firebug Specimen
  • Mounted Diving Bug Specimen
  • Mounted Asian Ladybug Specimen
  • Swallowtail Butterfly Pet
  • Mounted Potato Beetle
  • Silver Bug Sprayer
  • Mounted Maybug Specimen
  • Mounted Stag Beetle Specimen
  • Mounted Hissing Cockroach Specimen
  • Yellow Ladybug Backpack
  • Baby Black Widow Spider Decoration Pet
  • Red Fireflies
  • Baby Green & Yellow Spider Pet
  • Purple Fireflies
  • Black Butterfly Mask
  • Bug Painting D
  • Mounted Minotaur Beetle
  • Gold Bug Sprayer
  • Baby Black & Orange Spider Pet
  • Orange Butterfly Chair
  • Common Bug VFX (Choose One)
  • White Butterfly Mask
  • Golden Dragonfly Pet
  • Bug Painting E
  • Common Bug Pets (Choose One)
  • Purple Butterfly Chair

If you’ve come to think of Shroud of the Avatar as your home, sign up and help make New Britannia a better place to live! To learn more about joining the Bug Brigade, please read the announcement thread by Ravalox in the main Bug/Feedback forums.

 

Streaming Program

Streamers of Shroud of the Avatar can participate in a program to showcase the game and be rewarded for their efforts. Any player in good standing who wishes to be included in the Streaming Program can contact Laney via in-game mail with their Character Name and Twitch Channel information. If you have already signed up for the program in the past, fear not: you’re on the list and you don’t need to reapply.

Streaming Rewards Program participants must adhere to our Terms of Service (TOS) and Community Rules while Streaming Shroud of the Avatar.

Streaming Rewards Program participants must stream at least 10 hours of Shroud of the Avatar ACTIVE game play to remain in the program with reward accrual.

Streamers will receive a one-time digital reward of in-game items after meeting the program’s requirements: Streamer’s Cloak, Streamer’s Camera, and the LIVESTREAMING title.

Rules:

  • To qualify for Streaming Rewards, each streamer must continue to meet the minimum requirements for 60 days after application.
  • To accrue additional rewards, Streamers must stream SotA a minimum of 10 hours per month, tallied on the 1st day of each month, to remain in the program.

Monthly Streaming Bundles:

On the 1st of each month, qualifying streamers will be eligible to receive 50 Streaming Bundles. Bundles will be sent out to Streamers via in-game mail.

A few things you need to know:

  • Streaming Bundles are intended to be given away to stream viewers, not consumed by the streamer.
  • Streamers are not allowed to put paywalls in place for the Streaming Bundles. (For example, giving away Streaming Bundles once the stream reaches a certain number of bits, subscriptions, or donations).

Other Items of Note:

  • Streamers in the program will be included in the SotAbot StreamPop function, appearing in the player-streaming channel in Discord.
  • An optional fan graphics kit is available to the participating streamers as well as all players of Shroud of the Avatar, which includes graphics, overlays and other material.
  • Streamers must be actively playing the game during their streams. Being away from the keyboard (AFK) for short periods is acceptable. If Twitch indicates the streamer is playing SotA but they are streaming other content or a timeout/login screen, they risk being removed from the program.

 

Upcoming Release Dates

Be sure to check out the Upcoming Events page for spotlighted events plus links to various areas to post or find events on our forums. The upcoming 2025 Release Schedule is as follows:

  • This Release 138 – May 30 (Quality of Life)
  • Release 139 – June 24 (Quality of Life)
  • Release 140 – July 28 (Content)
  • Release 141 – August 28 (Quality of Life)

 

Community Events & Resources

Greetings event holders and event attendees! So many fun and exciting events are available in the upcoming weeks. Be sure to get out there and participate, make some new friends, perhaps make some great emote, recipe, or gear trades, or get some adventuring and role-playing into your mix! Here are spotlighted events or updated community resources that we’ve noticed popping up lately on the official forums.

Recurring Events:

  • Lightbringer Isle Auction: This newly-resumed auction will be held by Hemnu Lightbringer the Sunday after each Release at 2000 EST / 1900 CST / 0100 BST / 2400 UTC.
  • The Nebula Time Trials are intended as a fun competition amongst players, but also a way for players to compare builds, playstyles, learn from one another and just generally have fun together. Each trial will consist of a challenge along the lines of “kill this mob” or “complete this quest” and while prizes will be awarded based on completion time, everyone who enters will receive something. Check this main post for links to the individual trials as they occur.
  • Monthly Release Fishing Contests: This is a rotating, multi-location contest sponsored and organised by Rajazel, The Town Museum and its Governor Diablotine.
  • Trash to Treasure Dropped Items Turn-In: Introducing Trash to Treasure 2.0! Some unscrupulous fella has been flooding all of New Britannia with junk: Headdresses, Wings, Backpacks, assorted miscellany of every sort. It’s time to clean this trash up and so a bounty has been placed on all gear crafted by Coswald Dirthmire that is turned in each contest period!
  • Mad Splatter Tea Party: One Sunday of each quarter, Lily Byrd hosts a tea party in her back garden at her home in Jade Valley. There are drinks and eats, there is sometimes music, there are often party games with prizes, and sometimes they just sit and talk about life in Novia. All are welcome to join but this is a role playing event tea party: please come as your avatar!

Community Calendars:

  • Avatars Radio Calendar: Just when are all those talented DJ’s and streamers broadcasting? Don’t just guess, check out there very helpful calendar! Never again will you wonder when’s the best time to tune in!
  • NBNN Calendar: This calendar provides a great schedule for NBNN and WRFB programing as well as many other community events. If you’re a fan of the Laz & Jack show or even if you’re hoping to catch them in action for the first time, this is the calendar for you!

Community Event Resources: Here are some fantastic resources for tracking down community events or posting your own events. Become involved! Create! Explore! Make friends! But most of all, have fun!

  • One-Time Community Events Forum: Sometimes events happen only a single time, so you’ll not want to miss out on these events as they occur. Check out the forums routinely to spot these!
  • Recurring Community Events Forum: Some events occur on weekly or monthly schedules which are a great way to routinely meet up with friends and to make new ones. Be sure to check this forum frequently for new events or time changes to existing ones.
  • Player Event Trophies and Special Item Requests: Would you like to request a special trophy or renamed item for a player event you’ve created? Head on over to this thread to see what’s available and to obtain more information about request procedures.
  • Player Radio Station Forum: If you want to check out the latest and greatest from our in-game radio stations, go to the radio stations forum! If you’re a DJ, be sure to advertise your time slot and venue in this forum.
  • Player Livestreams & Videos Forum: If you’re searching for a Shroud Streamer to watch, head on over to the streamer forum! If you are a live streamer for Shroud of the Avatar, be sure to advertise your Shroud stream by posting in this forum.
  • Town Directory Forum: Want to find a town to live in or get your town listed in the directory, head over to the forums and check it out!
  • Guild Directory Forum: Looking for a guild or want to get yours posted in the guild directory? Head on over to the forums and check it out!
  • Fire Lotus Tavern: This wondrous role-playing and story writing forum is the spot to be if you love fan fiction and role-play.
  • Community Resources: Looking for links to community and official resources for Shroud of the Avatar? Well look no further. On this page you’ll find links to a plethora of helpful resources created by the dev team or the community.

So many options to stay tuned-in with fellow community members. Please take advantage of all these wonderful options. Happy adventures, Avatars!

 

Project to Support: Ma Vie en Rogue

Sorceress Dragon of the team behind the Ultima Dragons’ 25th Anniversary Bash is creating a new, narrative-driven Roguelike RPG, Ma Vie en Rogue! The game will feature fun, engaging gameplay, many varied worlds, unlimited character customization, dozens of unique NPCs, pets, and monsters, sweet pixel art, and so much more. Richard Garriott has given his official endorsement, so watch for the Lord British character and Ultima-inspired Easter eggs! The Kickstarter is now closed and early access release is expected in coming weeks. Check it out on Steam here!

 

Project to Support: Inside a Kid’s Mind


Chris Spears’ daughter Maxine has, for a school project, opened a webstore of various items printed with her artwork. Go have a look Inside a Kid’s Mind!

 

Project to Support: Shard RPG

Shard Studios invites you to enter the fantastic world Dárdünah, the vast shard of a shattered realm, as presented in the colorful pages of the SHARD RPG! Many years in the making, this system allows players to choose from a wide variety of animal people who are the main cast of the many adventures this otherworldly setting offers. Skyships glide through shimmering clouds past majestic crystal peaks. Giant insects prowl alien jungles or lurk in the sparkling emerald seas. Warriors with blades of diamond and amber duel across crimson sands. And mystics chant in shadowy chambers as their spirits wander abroad.

  • Intro Sheet: For a quick glimpse into the world of Dárdünah, be sure to download the intro pdf! It’s packed with great information and features beautiful artwork, not unlike the artwork found throughout the many pages of this gaming system’s gorgeously designed manuals.
  • Core System Manuals: It’s easier than ever to delve into Dárdünah, World of the False Dawn, with the Basic Compendium and the Magic and Martial Arts books! They contain everything you need to begin your adventures, and include instructions for the ritual magic and martial arts combat systems. These manuals also include 90 new Animal Templates upon which to base your character!
  • Other Shard RPG Products: So many more manuals and gaming materials are available! Everything an avid tabletop role-player and game master needs to delve into the world of Dárdünah!

So if you’re ready to experience a gaming world like no other, check out what Shard Studios has created for tabletop role-players on the Shard RPG official website! You’ll most certainly be immersed and amazed by the offerings of the Shard RPG!

 

Project to Support: Embers Adrift!

Help support one of our team members’ other projects, Embers Adrift! Check out their official trailer here.

 

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.



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