Before we decided to split the update into multiple parts, Instruments of Destruction and the Deserters & Disciples DLC were always planned to go hand-in-hand, with divinity binding the features and content together thematically.
The common thread with new areas we've revealed, the new classes of that update, and some of the new equipment and spells, is right in line with this next feature that we're ready, at last, to share with you.
IOD:Part 2 Shrines and Altars Dev Diary
We're eager to finally reveal these new features to the dungeons, coming to the eagerly awaited (FREE) Instruments of Destruction: Part 2 expansion. Watch this Dev Diary to get a taste of how Shrines and Altars will impact your dungeon runs:
Offerings and Favor
Each run, adventurers will each choose for themselves how much they want to appeal to the Eternals by using their Shrines and Altars. You can simply ignore the Eternals and their places of worship. But by sacrificing an item, Favor is granted which you might later lean on to help you through your quest's trials.
Your Favor with the Eternals is shown as pips in the Shrine or Altar UI. (more is usually better!)
Note that your total Favor is the same across all Shrines and Altars! So devotion in your offerings are recognized no matter where you prefer to pray for aid.
When you beg the Eternals for help at any Shrine or Altar, their Favor for you is considered with the reward provided. As you beg for help, expect their total Favor for you to wane! Those with NO Favor, or very little Favor, might be better off showing their devotion with more offerings first.
Finding Sanctuary
A Shrine or Altar is installed for pilgrims on most floors. Occasionally multiple may spawn in a single place, with the possibility of discovering more including Treasure Rooms, or even on Transition Floors! To a devout adventurer, finding a shrine is a great way to offload a high-value item that is otherwise bogging down inventory, with the promise of a big supernatural payoff sometime in the future.
It's smart to use Shrines and Altars to empty your backpack when you're dragging around items that you can't find a buyer for, and your party will never use! Plus the Eternals love it!
Which is best for you depends on your role and your needs:
Altar of Ascension - Favored by spellcasters, this Altar provides two major opportunities.
1 - The provision of one random spell in the school of your choosing which is competitive with your current abilities. This makes sure you have a chance to keep training your favorite magic, even though you don't know what spell you're going to get! And don't worry, it won't provide a spell you don't already know!
2 - The chance to gain an ascended spell! These are exceptional powers which are either improvements upon, or inspired by a memorized spell you select. They are always a bit more challenging to cast than their host spell, so are great for continuing your training!
In both cases, the spell can be learned by any one person in the party! It can be a good strategy to share the wisdom the Eternals grant to you!
Chorale Shrine - A favorite for high Charisma adventurers due to the chance they have to provide a Musical Instrument, which are otherwise only carried by Bards! Short term buffs provided by the Orchestrion's song, or scrolls, are great for more confident pacing. They may also dispense holy Liturgies which you can use to improve your Favor with the Eternals! Who doesn't like a chance for a freebie?
Altar of Supplication - Particularly useful for adventurers who are in dire need. Whether low on HP, MP, or food, this altar can rescue a failing quest. Here the Eternals can also sense if you lack the tools needed to exercise your skills properly, potentially providing the right item just when you may need it. Great comfort for the desperate.
Divine Anvil - Favored by those who are reliant on their equipment, the Divine Anvil can repair or improve the tools you already depend on. Do you only have a single weapon or book which you really need to use, but is in decrepit condition? This Shrine will make sure your gear doesn't forsake you, that is, if the Eternals favor you.
Trials and Ordeals
As covered in the end of the video, you shouldn't expect the Eternals to offer blessings without taking the opportunity to test you. A wide variety of conditions might afflict even the most devoted adventurer after praying for help. You may need to prove to the Eternals that you are worthy of their Favor as they make your path a little more difficult in the short term!
Revelation!
We hope you've enjoyed this introduction to Shrines and Altars! There's still a bit of wait, but we hope that showing you this progress makes the wait a bit more bearable!
What's Taking So Long!?
We'd love it if we could pinpoint when everything's gonna ship, and we all expected to be done quite a bit sooner with IOD. Please trust that we're working as hard and fast as we can without losing what we think is going to make this update BIG FUN! If you're new here, this is just how we roll.
We don't take the quick and easy way out when we think something could be cooler if we put more love into it! For example, the Altar of Ascension essentially doubles the amount of spells in the game! Of course, the VFX, SFX, gameplay function of balance all has to be implemented and then tested. This AFTER we already dramatically increased the game's spell quantity in Instruments of Destruction: Part 1. So we're really doubling down, quite literally. And that's just speaking for this impact of one Altar.
Does this help us ship new updates more quickly. Absolutely not. But is it RAD?! We'll let you be the judge, but at Turning Wheel, we think it's very rad.
In any case, we'll be letting you all know as soon as we have a public beta available when we're closer to launch! Until then, we appreciate your patience and attention. We just love this game, and we believe that you feel that when you play.
Barony Bundles!
Over the summer we teamed up with 3 different games in cross-promotional bundles! Now is the perfect time highlight them while you await IOD: Part 2.
Gunfire Reborn
This action roguelite shooter is a blast to play in 1-4 player co-op. If you're looking for a game with shooting and fast-paced action, but love the rogue format and co-op, you'll have a great time with Gunfire Reborn!
SWAPMEAT
We on the Barony team have some friends over at OMG, the creators of SWAPMEAT. Another 1-4 player game, packed with chaotic action! We enjoy and are happy to recommend it, particularly if you have a wacky sense of humor, and enjoy adapting to crazy new character builds in your game-night runs with pals.
Bonehold
If you like Barony more for the rogue-style crawl, then you may find Bonehold to be right up your alley. This game has very focused gameplay around classic dungeon action and exploration, giving it a snappy feel that's easy to pick up and play. They even have a Barony-inspired achievement!
We can't say enough nice things about these teams who we've worked with to provide a few bundles where we think your tastes might overlap!
Finally, if this is your first Autumn with us, we hope that you're getting chance to enjoy the Barony Scarony theme! Just fire up the game, and you'll experience a totally overhauled audio/visual experience that makes the dungeons even spookier. Same gameplay, but the Halloween spirit follows you into the dungeons! Of course, this can be disabled with the Online > Festive Themes option. Just click on the in-game banner (shown above) to jump there quickly.
Until Next Time ...
do try to stay alive out there!
