Hi folks,
Ashwick, the third major update, is now live on the public branch! This update brings a wealth of new content, features, and improvements to enrich your adventures.
While I’ve worked hard to ensure everything is as polished as possible, the scale of this update means there may still be a few lingering bugs—though hopefully nothing game-breaking. That said, the sheer number of changes and fixes far outweighs any minor issues that might be hiding in the shadows. And what better way to uncover them than by sharing the update with everyone? ^^
If you missed the preview post, here’s a quick overview of what’s new:
First off, the Hollow Prize storyline now has a proper conclusion—no more cliffhanger! You can pick up right where you left off at tile 22,31. Forest tiles now include plenty of new events, and you’ll find unique urban events for Friend NPCs. On that note, Friend NPCs can now become Lovers.
NPC interactions have been significantly expanded. You can now spar with them, pick their pockets, or even team up for a heist. If your bond is strong enough, you can recruit them to join your party.
In camp, new interaction options allow you to deepen your connection with companions—connections that might just make the difference between life and death for some of them.
I’m also introducing Werewolves as a playable species. They come with unique traits, including immunity to vampirism.
You’ll also find new job options, from running errands and delivering letters to more clandestine tasks that come with their own rewards.
Arena fights now grant ranks that unlock tougher challenges and better rewards. For top-tier gladiators, there’s even a new arena in Valetport.
Beyond that, this update adds 118 new perks, 37 new actions, a host of tweaks and fixes to improve the overall experience, and introduces more combat encounters to keep things fresh and engaging.
Balance remains a work in progress and will continue to evolve throughout early access. If you encounter any perks that feel too lackluster—ones you’d never consider purchasing even if they fit your build—or any actions that seem too overpowered or underwhelming, please let me know! Your feedback is invaluable, and I’ll always take the time to consider and reflect on it.
I’m also curious to hear your thoughts on the new features. Are there any updates or additions you’re particularly enjoying? Or perhaps some that you feel could use a bit of tweaking? I’d love to hear your feedback!
There’s a lot to dive into, so I hope you enjoy exploring all the new features in Ashwick! Thank you for sticking with me on this journey!
The patch notes below may contain light spoilers, so let's hide them behind the updated Roadmap!
Patch Notes - 27/01/25 # 0.6.27
Bugfixes
- Fixed an issue that prevented a Reyla scene from triggering in Harronwell Manor.
- Fixed an issue with the Perks and Inventory buttons not working while in the Journal.
- Fixed an issue that allowed movement to tiles occupied by dying actors.
- Fixed an issue preventing several Urban events from appearing.
- Fixed an issue where certain scrolling containers jumped directly to the bottom of the list.
- Fixed an issue in the Relationships overview where Thrall NPCs didn’t display "Thrall" as their status.
- The "clear" filter in the perks editor now works correctly.
- Recruitment options for friend or lover random NPCs will no longer appear if they are already recruited.
- The option to recruit a friend random NPC now correctly checks if you can afford it.
- Fixed an issue where the Health and Defense indicators were unintentionally scrollable.
- Fixed an issue where the Lizardfolk portraits could be selected by male characters.
- Fixed an issue where loading during certain conversations that updated quests could cause quests to skip stages, potentially breaking the quest.
- Fixed an issue where the Lua Wound effect was incorrectly adding HP instead of subtracting it.
New Content
- Added a conclusion after "Hollow Prize" to make it less of a cliffhanger and more of a proper ending. Existing characters can now resume from "Hollow Prize" at tile 22,31.
- The "Allow:Defeat" option can now be used as a story band reward in bands with conversations, enabling defeat scenarios instead of a game over.
- Added a list in the Character Sheet showing all actor modifiers granted by perks and equipment.
- Added 21 new events specific to Forest tiles.
- Added new Urban events specific to Friend NPCs.
- Friend NPCs can now advance to Lovers.
- Trades and Tasks: As you journey through the world, you'll now encounter opportunities to take on various trades and tasks to earn your keep. These range from respectable occupations, such as delivering messages or running errands, to more clandestine pursuits, like burglary or smuggling. Each task you complete will contribute to improving your skill and reputation in that trade. (See the Codex entry for more details.)
- Additional NPC Interactions (Based on Relationship Level):
- Most interactions can occur once per day.
- **General Interactions**:
- Introduction: Stranger → Acquaintance; increases Rel.
- Small Talk: Acquaintance & Rel. 5+; increases Rel.
- Trade: Rel. 10+; allows trading.
- Run Errands: Acquaintance & Rel. 15+; earn 10–30 Farthings, increases Rel.
- Listen: Friend & Rel. 35+; increases Rel.
- Spar: Friend & Rel. 40+ & Warfare 2+ & NPC Warfare 2+; increases Rel.
- Duel: Rival & Warfare 2+; increases Rel.
- **Romantic Interactions**:
- Flirt Options: Lover & Rel. 50+; increases Rel.
- Break Up: Lover; lose Rel., reverts to Acquaintance, ends Romantic interest.
- **Shady Interactions**:
- Pickpocket: Rel. 10- & Subterfuge 2 & Not Wary; roll Subterfuge (Easy): pickpocket or lose Rel., Fame, and make NPC Wary.
- Join a Heist: Friend & Rel. 45+ & Subterfuge 4+ & NPC Subterfuge 2+ & Not Wary; roll Subterfuge (Moderate): earn Farthings, increase Rel., or lose Rel., Fame, and make NPC Wary.
- Blackmail (Scandalous Letter): Rel. 5–15 & Letter & Not Wary; roll Coercion (Easy): lose Rel. & Letter, NPC becomes Wary, earn 175–300.
- Con (Treasure Map): Rel. 5–15 & Map & Not Wary; roll Diplomacy (Moderate) or Subterfuge (Easy): lose Rel. & Map, NPC becomes Wary, earn 275–450.
- Con (Old Treasure Map): Rel. 15–30 & Map & Not Wary; roll Diplomacy (Moderate) or Subterfuge (Hard): lose Rel. & Map, NPC becomes Wary, earn 375–650.
- **Recruitment** (Recommended new Game):
- Recruit (Friend): Friend & Rel. 40+ & Not Wary & 750 Farthings & NPC Level ≤ PC Level; NPC becomes party member.
- Recruit (Lover): Lover & Rel. 90+ & Not Wary & NPC Level ≤ PC Level; NPC becomes party member.
- Dismiss a recruited NPC. They will remain as friends or lovers and can be recruited again later. To move them to reserves or back into the party, you can use the party management option instead.
- New Lua extensions:
- Pickpocket: The MC pickpockets a random amount of farthings from the target.
- Earn: The MC earns a specific or random amount of farthings.
- Job: The MC earns a random amount of farthings based on a skill/job and the town size.
- Wound: The actor loses temporarily HP down to 1.
- LogNPCActivity, log an activity specific to an NPC
- HasNPCActivity, checks for an activity specific to an NPC
- Added werewolves as a playable species.
- Werewolves now have the trait Immune to Vampirism (cannot turn into vampires; requires a new game).
- Vampires and dhampirs now have the trait Immune to Lycanthropy (cannot turn into werewolves—reserved for future updates; requires a new game).
- Oscultari have both immunities.
- Added 118 new perks (dual-skill perks, species/heritage-specific perks, and companion-specific perks).
- Added 37 new actions.
- Fighting in arenas now grants gladiator ranks, which affect the arenas you can access, the difficulty of the fights, and the rewards.
- The arena in Llanford now accepts gladiators up to rank 10.
- Talking to recruited random NPCs in the camp will now display their interaction options.
- Introduced an initial framework for companion interactions during camp time. This includes role-playing interactions based on relationship levels and the ability to assign camp duties.
- New Points of Interest/Opportunities/Encounters:
- Llanford's Windmill: The old mill has been overtaken by bandits.
- You can now pick up and deliver correspondence at the postal offices in Llanford, Heygrove, Keywick, Ponthill, Valetport, and Ashwick.
- Added a new arena in Valetport (requires a gladiator rank of 10+ to fight; betting costs 300 farthings).
- Added a new encounter with Lizardfolk in Taymoor Marsh.
- Unlocked a previously inaccessible door in the Llanford Arena's catacombs.
- Added an encounter before reaching Ludo's Hideout.
- Added a supplies chest inside Ludo's Hideout.
- Added additional scenes with Olivia after she becomes a lover.
- Thalia fulfills her promise to visit you at the Golden Sparrow.
Misc Improvements
- Restricted setting Camp to once per day.
- Acquaintance and Friend events are now unique.
- Expanded NPC generator:
- Assigns Physiology & Heritage perks if applicable. (Requires new Game)
- Galdorak & Oscultari portraits will be assigned only to Galdorak & Oscultari NPCs.
- Roving bands will no longer follow into towns but will now persist while the MC seeks refuge in them.
- Made miscellaneous tweaks to Jocelyn's introduction and questline for werewolf characters.
- Updated several graphics with improved versions.
- The "Allow:Defeat" option can now be used as a story band reward in bands with conversations, enabling defeat scenarios instead of a game over.
- Arena in Llanford now accepts gladiators up to rank 10.
- Betting costs for Valetport Arena set at 300 farthings.
- Disabled the dialogue trade option for recruited NPCs, as item exchange can be done freely through the Inventory UI.
- Added a button in the Perk Editor to automatically (attempt to) generate descriptions based on the perk benefits.
- Added the option to read your journal immediately after receiving it from Ennathil.
- Added a different SFX for Successful & Failed checks.
- Updated Unity Engine to 2022.3.56f1.
That's all folks, if you have any questions let me know in the comments below!