Hi folks!
Our next major update is underway and is expected to arrive in mid to late May. As development continues, you'll be able to access the latest stable builds through the beta branch if you want to dive in early and help squash any glaring bugs or share your feedback before the big release.
So, what’s in the Ironvein Hold update? Well, a lot of things. But let’s focus on what’s already available in beta build 0.7.02 right now.
First off, Dwarves!
Dwarves in Elos share many traits with their typical fantasy counterparts, but they’re also a little different. They don’t live deep in mountain mines. They live by rivers. If you’ve played Chronicles, you might remember them as the River Dwarves.
Their ancestors, the folk of Ironvein Hold, once lived deep beneath the mountains, carving their cities from stone and working metal with unmatched skill. But when the great earthquake shattered their homeland, they had no choice but to leave the caverns behind. They followed the rivers, searching for new lands, and there, in the heart of trade routes and waterways, they rebuilt as merchants and traders.
Though they are traders first, they haven’t forgotten how to fight. Their caravans are well-guarded, their ships armed, and their warriors trained to protect what is theirs. Bandits and raiders have learned to think twice before crossing a Dwarven merchant, the price of such folly is often paid in steel. The axe and hammer remain familiar weapons, but the spear, crossbow, and saber have found their place as well, suited for river skirmishes and caravan defense.
And of course, there's crafting.
Which brings us to the major feature of this update: a fully moddable crafting system.
Crafting in Erannorth Renaissance lets you combine 1 to 8 ingredients. If there’s a matching recipe, you’ll see the result before finalizing the combination. If there are multiple matches, you’ll be able to browse through them. Recipes can also require tools (which aren’t consumed), skill rolls, or even certain companions to assist you.
So, what can you craft? Pretty much anything.
The tech is flexible, and while it’s all there in the beta build, more recipes will be added as development continues, from Cooking to Herbalism and Alchemy. As of now, there are about 40 recipes to discover by experimenting with materials and ingredients.
So the next question is, of course: why craft? And how do all these items actually make sense in the world? Well, for starters, you can upscale items and sell them for profit. You can also use them to fulfill Supply Contracts, which can earn you money, better rewards, and experience.
And what about your adventures? Absolutely.
You may have noticed that you sometimes fail certain Discoveries or succeed in others. That’s because Discoveries have specific requirements, like Skill rolls, tools, and sometimes even items that can be consumed on success. The feedback system has been updated to give you more details about which checks or tools were needed, whether you succeed or fail.
Crafted items will get even more deeply integrated into the world as practical solutions to events down the road. You’ll get extra options in certain situations if you’re carrying the right gear. Having adventuring staples like torches, ropes, or even climbing tools might be the difference between a favorable outcome and a missed opportunity.
Now, as I mentioned, this update is expected to arrive sometime in May. It won’t be all work, though. I’ll be taking my Easter vacation for two weeks in April. Still, many more additions will make their way into the update before it goes public. If you’re curious or eager to try things early, feel free to switch to the beta branch and be among the first to experience the Ironvein Update as it takes shape. Whenever there's a new update in the beta branch, I'll be posting the patch notes in our Discord.
Have fun, and if you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below!