On your travels in Skystone, you’ll usually be in the company of Rooks trying to establish safe zones on the ground, as they build their network of Ether defenses and chip away at the local Mimic threat.  Areas like the Steam City Ruins have long since been completely abandoned, but in some places there are groups who choose to remain in strongholds on the ground rather than joining Nidaria in the sky.

Deep in the Ferric Forest, there is an isolated tribe of Ferric Warriors who have tried to defend their land, though the continued spread of haze has brought more powerful Mimics to roam the areas around their camp.

These Warriors are outfitted in the traditional Ferric clothing, traces of which are still occasionally worn by Nidarian Ferrics.  The sharp armor on their arms comes from the beak of the Ferron, a sacred bird revered for generations, and is still the standard equipment used by Ferrics when fighting.  The Warriors also garb themselves with its feathers, and wear the bird’s skull as a helmet when in battle.

While the Ferric Warriors are wary of outsiders in their lands, they will soon need your help in defending the camp, and may have some information on the wildfire that is causing trouble for your company of Rooks.

Spread the word!

Posted by Matt under Artwork, Characters | Comments » (4 comments) |

Now that we’ve completed our round of Alpha testing, we’ve been working hard towards our first Beta version of the game, which along with new and polished features includes more areas to explore beyond the Steam City Ruins.  To prove that we’re still alive and kicking, and to show some of what has been keeping us busy, here’s a sneak peak at the first area within the Ferric Forest and some of the Mimics and obstacles you’ll encounter.

Blowgrubs are curious Mimics that float towards you, wanting to see what you look like up close.  This breed of grub doesn’t attack you, though they do get in your way.  Attacking Blowgrubs sends them floating backwards for a moment, before pursuing you again.

Hexaboars lurk deeper in the forest, waiting for someone to cross its path before charging at full speed.  While looking mostly like a mammal, it has six legs like an insect, which gives it an extra boost of speed.  It’s best to jump out of the way before they overtake you, and wait for it to ram its head into a wall before attacking.

Further in the Forest you’ll find tree trunks engulfed in flames,  preventing you from passing.  You’ll have to look around your surroundings to find a way to extinguish the fire before continuing on.

When you make your way to the Rook Commander in the Forest, you’ll find your path is blocked by even stronger flames, as the center of the forest is ablaze with a wildfire.  In later Missions, you’ll work towards exploring alternate paths around the fire in the Forest, and help the Rooks solve the issue of the spreading wildfire.

There’s much more in the Ferric Forest beyond this, and as a whole the area is larger than the Steam City Ruins.  Expect tougher enemies, more difficult puzzles, and new missions once the Beta launches soon!

Spread the word!

Posted by Matt under Game Design | Comment » (0 comments) |