Greetings Warriors! A month has passed since our Closed Beta playtest, and we're here to bring updates on the latest developments with Havenhold. One of the most exciting game feature we're adding (one that a lot of you have requested), is the Sect system!
Chaos beneath the Peaks
From the formless Hundun chaos, worlds emerged - unstable, impermanent. The Great Thousand Worlds were born into the Eternal Cycle. All rise, all fall. And none escaped, but that was until the First Taichus discovered a path out of the chaotic Worlds...
The Taichu Warriors trained themselves in the secrets of divine martial arts. Through blood, sheer will, and cultivation, they formed pockets of power across the fragmented Worlds, each one challenging others for dominance. The most powerful Sects ascended the sacred slopes of Kunlun, in search of the ascension path beyond the mortal Cycle.
There, in the shadow of the divine, they seek more than power. They seek to break free from the wheel of reincarnation. Those who devoted themselves to the Mountain God found their strength multiplied: skin like iron, steps like storms, minds sharp like obsidian. But this was not charity—it was favor. Conditional, shifting, and brutally earned...
Sects
“Finally!” — Yeah, we know what you're thinking.
One of our biggest goals with the new Sect system has always been to give more control to how your Sect grows and thrives. During our April playtest, we used a simple faction system as a placeholder, while we worked on something with much more depth. Systems that would allow you to experience creating and building up your own sect, choose your allies, and deciding exactly where—and how—you want to build your legacy within a World. Each Sect begins with a strategic choice: where on the map will you plant your roots? Your Sect's starting location is a choice that impacts your access to resources, proximity to allies or rivals, and your strategy for the 14-day Eternal Cycle. This is about more than just claiming a spot, it's about creating a base to expand your influence, and turning your Sect into a real force to be reckoned with.
Planting your roots on your very own piece of land
If you've been with us since the early playtests, you might remember the co-op base-building feature, where you built out your base with your Sect members. We've taken a hard look at it since then—redesigned things, and remade a few aspects of it to have it fit into our game experience better. Your Sect will start with humble beginnings — makeshift wooden pickets. But with teamwork, it'll evolve into a mighty stronghold. Work together with your Sect members, build defensive structures, offensive weaponry, and create a sense of pride that unites your Sect. And yes — this is where the battles happen too. Control over access points will be fought for, and defended against, through these stronghold battles (siege).
Build your Sect's base from the ground up
But it's not all about brute strength, and the spiritual side of Havenhold plays a big role here: the Mountain God. Sects aren't just about might and steel — they're also about faith. The Mountain demands offerings, and those who give in earnest are rewarded with unlocked knowledge, and powerful blessings. As a Sect, you'll be able to coordinate rituals, and make offerings to the Mountain God in exchange for advancements of your Sect. It's a team-wide effort to not just achieve shared goals, but remind you of the shared faith. And in return? The Mountain might just give you the edge against competing Sects.
Offerings are carried out at the offering altar
This system is a reflection of core experiences that we want to build into Havenhold: choices, community, and competition. Whether you're starting your own sect or joining forces with others!
Till next time,
From all of us at Wolfpack Games
Wishlist Havenhold on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2015760/Havenhold/
Discord: https://discord.gg/havenhold
Twitter: https://twitter.com/playhavenhold
Website (sign up for future playtests!): https://www.playhavenhold.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmRqaLdiusy5FKg4dk2New