Vapourware Unforetold: Witchstone (formerly Project Witchstone) - "living world" sandbox RPG with turn-based combat - CANCELLED

[Hobo Elf]

I was right, unfortunately. The scope was too big for them.

 

[cyborgboy95]

 

[Contagium]

Nothing they've released for an update has instilled great confidence. "Don't worry, it's coming out, it's going to be great!"

-Stirring Dragon Games

 

[d1r]

Well they said they're funded and development will go beyond 2021 so supposedly they're deep in development.

They posted job postings in June:

Mid/Senior Online Programmer (Network/Replication/Server)

I guess they're actually going to add co-op, following their inspiration, D:OS.

Canada/Quebec Based

Absolutely everything you have to know about this game and its future.

 

[FFTW]

Just saw this post on their twitter. It is disappointing that the first update after over a year was basically a nothing sandwich. After all this time they should have posted an update that actually has some information, even if they had to wait some more before doing so.

 

[cyborgboy95]

Dev Blog #5: Game Overview
Origins, Vision and Challenges

Greeting Adventurers,

It’s been a while since we last spoke to you all. First and foremost, we’d like to once again answer our most commonly asked question: Yes, Project Witchstone is very much still in development!

During our 2 years of almost complete silence, the team at Spearhead Games has been hard at work on the game, making sure you all get to experience a beautiful and groundbreaking cRPG. We decided that now’s a good time to finally show you all some of the progress made on Project Witchstone and some of the innovations we are bringing to the genre. As such, we will be releasing blog posts on a monthly basis.
For the first post of our return, we thought it would be good to remind you what Project Witchstone is all about.

Origins, Vision and Challenges

A key inspiration for Witchstone was the experience of playing a tabletop RPG, where the possibilities of roleplaying characters seem limitless, the feeling that the story is impacted by your decisions and that you have meaningful agency with the game’s world and its characters (at least with a good game master )

While Witchstone has the look and feel of a cRPG, we don’t see it as being a traditional cRPG. Through its underlying combination of narrative, faction and NPC systems, we’re building the game with freedom of choice at its core, where those choices can have meaningful impacts on the game’s world as well as the story of your character. Unlike most RPGs, no quest is mandatory, no character is essential, and no choice is either good or bad.

Whilst this goal will provide an incredible opportunity for players to shape endless new adventures, this also poses some challenges, mostly learned behaviors and expectations from traditional cRPGs.

In more traditional cRPGs you are traveling through predetermined paths. You’re guided on paths through the highs and lows and the story is paced to match it.

We’re trying to break this on-rails, pre-determined experience and enable true freedom: the ability to work towards your chosen goal in any way you see fit. With Witchstone, you can experience your own story and shape the world in your own way but still feel the depth and quality of that journey.

We want everyone’s journey and progress to their goal to be genuinely unique; however, we also need to ensure that the experience doesn’t feel directionless.

The key high-level goals we are striving for are:

Gameplay is never directed

• Witchstone is, fundamentally, still an RPG. We need to introduce the various systems including the features, and of course, the content to the player.
• We want the players to have an idea of what’s possible and what next steps they could accomplish towards their goal.
• That said, we also want to avoid leading and hand-holding the player too much and need to challenge some of the players’ learned behavior from playing other RPGs.

Every playthrough is unique

• A different outcome to what the player is expecting shouldn’t be considered a failure. Instead, it should be just another challenge or another way to achieve your chosen goal. This idea should shape the core of the unique, emergent journey each player will experience.

Please let us know in the comments what excites you the most about Project Witchstone.

And finally, we’d like to thank all of you who have stayed with us these past 2 years, even if we didn’t talk at all about the game. Your continued support and curiosity has meant so much to the team. We promise never to disappear like that again.

 

[FFTW]

Dev Blog #5: Game Overview
Origins, Vision and Challenges

Greeting Adventurers,

It’s been a while since we last spoke to you all. First and foremost, we’d like to once again answer our most commonly asked question: Yes, Project Witchstone is very much still in development!

During our 2 years of almost complete silence, the team at Spearhead Games has been hard at work on the game, making sure you all get to experience a beautiful and groundbreaking cRPG. We decided that now’s a good time to finally show you all some of the progress made on Project Witchstone and some of the innovations we are bringing to the genre. As such, we will be releasing blog posts on a monthly basis.
For the first post of our return, we thought it would be good to remind you what Project Witchstone is all about.

Origins, Vision and Challenges

A key inspiration for Witchstone was the experience of playing a tabletop RPG, where the possibilities of roleplaying characters seem limitless, the feeling that the story is impacted by your decisions and that you have meaningful agency with the game’s world and its characters (at least with a good game master )

While Witchstone has the look and feel of a cRPG, we don’t see it as being a traditional cRPG. Through its underlying combination of narrative, faction and NPC systems, we’re building the game with freedom of choice at its core, where those choices can have meaningful impacts on the game’s world as well as the story of your character. Unlike most RPGs, no quest is mandatory, no character is essential, and no choice is either good or bad.

Whilst this goal will provide an incredible opportunity for players to shape endless new adventures, this also poses some challenges, mostly learned behaviors and expectations from traditional cRPGs.

In more traditional cRPGs you are traveling through predetermined paths. You’re guided on paths through the highs and lows and the story is paced to match it.

We’re trying to break this on-rails, pre-determined experience and enable true freedom: the ability to work towards your chosen goal in any way you see fit. With Witchstone, you can experience your own story and shape the world in your own way but still feel the depth and quality of that journey.

We want everyone’s journey and progress to their goal to be genuinely unique; however, we also need to ensure that the experience doesn’t feel directionless.

The key high-level goals we are striving for are:

Gameplay is never directed

• Witchstone is, fundamentally, still an RPG. We need to introduce the various systems including the features, and of course, the content to the player.
• We want the players to have an idea of what’s possible and what next steps they could accomplish towards their goal.
• That said, we also want to avoid leading and hand-holding the player too much and need to challenge some of the players’ learned behavior from playing other RPGs.

Every playthrough is unique

• A different outcome to what the player is expecting shouldn’t be considered a failure. Instead, it should be just another challenge or another way to achieve your chosen goal. This idea should shape the core of the unique, emergent journey each player will experience.

Please let us know in the comments what excites you the most about Project Witchstone.

And finally, we’d like to thank all of you who have stayed with us these past 2 years, even if we didn’t talk at all about the game. Your continued support and curiosity has meant so much to the team. We promise never to disappear like that again.

I am hearing lots of awesome and very ambitious ideas, but I am not hearing any explanation for why they were completely silent for two years. I am also not hearing "we made a deal with this publisher" or "we intend to release it on early access on X date" or anything concrete whatsoever. Instead of making me excited this post makes it sound even more like it will be vaporware, which is pretty unfortunate.

 

[cyborgboy95]

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1064120/view/6739118272383315179

Dev Blog #6: Companions Overview
Hello again, Adventurers,

Today, we’d like to share with you a sneak preview of the design for companions in Project Witchstone.

Companions are a staple of cRPGs. The majority of the most memorable characters in the history of the genre are companion characters. Our interactions with them are what we vividly remember from these games. We hope that this will also be the case in our twist on the conventional cRPG.

"Recruiting Companion"

In Witchstone, you can recruit up to three companions into your party. While we do have recommended companion characters, you are free to recruit anyone in the world. It doesn’t mean that everyone will gladly accept to join you though. Some will take a bit of convincing.

The people you recruit will become invaluable both in and outside combat. Of course, they are more than just tools - they are also distinct characters with their own motivations and personality, and can react accordingly. Let’s take a deeper look.

Controls and Interactions
On command, companions perform various actions for you and, depending on their own abilities and traits, open up some possibilities that wouldn’t be otherwise available to you.

During combat, you control all their actions, including movement. As the leader of the pack in a dangerous situation, they will follow your instructions without question as it is a matter of survival.

Outside of combat, you can also can give them orders, including having them interact with various elements (traps, doors, people):

• Using any of their powers and abilities
• Using their skills, such as sneaking, lockpicking or disarming traps.
• Waiting for you at a specific location (useful to prepare an ambush, for example)
• Picking up or stealing items

"UI Mockup"

But that doesn’t mean they will do your bidding like mindless robots. As mentioned previously, our approach for companions is that they are distinct individuals, and not simply extensions of your own character. While you are their leader, they do not follow blindly.

Outside of combat, they may be reluctant to perform certain actions, if such actions go against their values or if they can lead to getting harmed or killed.

For example, a good-natured wizard will refuse to throw a fireball inside a tavern. Or a Blade Master with no knowledge of explosive devices won’t blindly agree to try to disarm a trap.

However, you can always convince them to follow your order. You may attempt to persuade them on why it’s important they comply, or you may be the kind of leader that uses intimidation and threats to make their followers bend to their will. Of course, how you treat your companions may affect your relationship with them over time.

"Companion refusing order"

Appreciation and Reactions
Companions, like everyone in the game, also react to what you do. Depending on their own personality, they may approve of what you do, or go all the way to being appalled and leave the party. The aforementioned good-natured wizard would be strongly opposed to any harm done to civilians (should he, of course, actually witness you performing the deed!).

More than that, companions are active participants in your story. They may propose an approach to solve certain challenges or encourage you towards a certain goal. They will speak up but in the end, it is completely up to you if you want to heed their advice or do things your way.

"Want to talk icon"

Ultimately, how you treat your companions and depending on your actions, companions may evolve into unwavering allies, or sworn enemies that will actively try to stop you.

That’s all we have on companions for now. What do you think?
Let us know here or on our socials.

 

[cyborgboy95]

Meet Lurken, one of the companion you can recrute in #Witchstone
His taste for risk and chaos promises an exhilarating journey...

 

[cyborgboy95]

Dev Blog #7: Narrative Character Creation
Hello adventurers!

For this Dev Blog we wanted to share some work in progress on our character creation process.

Defining your character is what puts the RP in cRPG, and is a crucial first step to any adventure. The imagination you bring to your character is what turns a bunch of stats and numbers into a living, dynamic person that can change the world.

When you launch into your journey with Witchstone, you will immediately be able to define who your character is, not just the class you want to play.

“What could this mysterious “Endurer” ancestry be?”

Once you’ve determined your ancestry and appearance, you’ll get the opportunity to share your origin story with a key NPC. Of course, if you’re playing the classic cloak-and-dagger, brooding-in-the-dark-corner-type, you’ll be able to decline sharing such personal details, and go straight to the finer details of character creation.

Creating Your Origin Story
In Witchstone, your words are just as powerful as your weapons and spells. You’ll be able to feel that power right at the jump as you define your background.

“Build your background through dialogue”

Through dialogue, you’ll have to answer the following questions about your character:

1. What happened to your family?
2. What kind of environment did you grow up in? Were you raised by politicians? Did you fight for survival in the wilds? Or did you enlist at a young age, knowing only the battlefield?
3. What skills did you use to get by?
4. Why are you traveling to Kalsundia?

Once you’ve finished, your character will be granted an archetype, specialty, as well as skills, attributes, and abilities that best match your origin story. Of course, you can always go back and change things to your liking! However, every origin combination features a balanced build that is well suited to tackle the challenges of Kalsundia.

“There are a large variety of archetypes and specialties to choose from”

The Right Tools for the Job
With so many ways to accomplish your goals in Witchstone, it can be hard to wrap your head around all the options at the start.

With the origin system, you get the opportunity to describe in an action-oriented way how you want to play your character. Will you turn to violence only to a last resort, relying on mediating conflict between the warring factions? Will you lie and manipulate others to do your bidding? Or will you rely on your power to subjugate the island to your will?

Of course, regardless of where your character has been up until their fateful journey to Kalsundia, nothing is set in stone. The charlatan can always commit to honesty, and the scholar can always eschew the pen in favor of the sword.

That’s all we have to share for now, but we want to know, what kind of character do you usually like to play? Do you think you’ll go for your tried and true archetype, or will you see where the origin system takes you?

 

[cyborgboy95]

Dev Update #8: Map Preview - Free Fortress
Hello Adventurers!

For today’s Dev Update, we want to show you a sneak peek of a map of the game: the base of the Free Legion faction, Free Fortress!

As one of multiple faction bases, this area will be explorable later in the game, as you make alliances and enemies of the main factions of Kalsundia. Will you ally yourself with the Free Legion and climb their ranks to gain the respect of their leader Tory Chanley? Or will you raid the Free Fortress alongside the Commonwealth or the Brightwind Clan?

Please keep in mind that this map is currently in development and that every part of it is subject to improvements.

Entering the Free Fortress

Situated in the northwest desert region of Kalsundia, the Free Fortress, much like its name suggests, is a fortified construction initially built by the Avondus Empire, for their invasion that failed. Built on rocky terrain, it is now the central home of one of the main three factions of the game, the Free Legion. Militaristic by nature, their might is on full display here; while some parts of the fortress are open to adventurers and merchants, they are reminded of the Legion’s power at every corner.

The Center of Power

Free Fortress’ main building, the War Room, is where Tory Chanley, the Free Legion’s commander, receives common folk in her audience chamber, which is well-guarded by her Shock Troopers. At certain moments of the day, she retires to the War Table with her trusted lieutenant to plan the faction’s next moves.

If someone decides to make an enemy of the Free Legion, this may offer easier assassination opportunities than a direct assault; taking advantage of climbing skills to reach the ramparts, and sneaking skills into back alleys, might allow you to reach a backdoor! You may even discover a hidden vault somewhere…

Legionnaires in Training

Now, it wouldn’t be a military headquarters without Training Halls, wouldn’t it? This restricted portion of the Fortress is where new recruits train under the watchful eye of Drang Rimmator, a veteran commander of the Legion. This building becomes a prime defense location in case of enemy assaults; but perhaps an individual who’s sneaky enough could get through it without alerting anyone?

Defending the Citadel

With its many bridges and lookouts, the Free Legion can see any threats and react promptly. With ballistas on their walls and armory stockout, they are well-prepared for enemy assaults. Unless the assault comes from within…

A Time and Place for Everything

The Free Legion may be militaristic, but they are also pious and respect their dead. This is an area for them to find peace and collect themselves; a small cemetery on the side of the Temple of Maurauth, one of the ancient Lynite gods. Please don’t step on the flowers or desecrate the graves!

Temples were often used as refuges and hidden passageways were often used to get the common folk out to the countryside in case of assault.

Some concept art for Free Fortress

That’s it for today! We hope you appreciated this first look at the Free Fortress. With a good mix of exploration and loot for everyone, and locked-off areas for people that aren’t friends of the Free Legion, we’re building this map to offer something for every playstyle, with some epic fights on bridges and between ramparts if one decides to wipe the faction out, and many side paths and locked doors for the sneaky types.

What do you appreciate the most about the feeling of coming fresh into a new town or city, ready to be explored? Let us know below!

 

[cyborgboy95]

Dev Update #9: Cleric Class
Hello Adventurers,

Today, we'd like to talk to you about one of the core classes in our game - the Cleric. The Cleric is a divine spellcaster class that combines strength, wisdom, and faith to protect allies and smite enemies. They are an essential part of any adventuring party.

The Cleric, like the other core classes, has many subclasses - each with its own unique playstyle and ability sets. Let’s take a quick look at some of them!

As the game is currently a work in progress, some of the information below may be inaccurate by the time you play Project Witchstone.

War Priest

The War Priest is a warrior of faith who blends melee combat with divine magic. They are experts in battle, capable of calling forth holy power to smite their enemies and protect their allies. They are the sturdiest of the subclasses, being able to wear heavy armor and having a slightly higher hit dice versus their counterparts. Much like the Fighter class, they can also wield martial weapons making them a formidable frontline force on the battlefield.

Some of their abilities include:

Smite
A powerful melee attack that deals extra damage and radiates holy energy. The real power behind Smite is that the War Priest does not have to sacrifice attack actions to use this ability, which allows him to tap into a source of extra damage at the cost of mana, should they need to do so during their turn!

Lay on Hands
A versatile yet powerful touch-based healing ability that can be used in the heat of battle to restore a friend or himself, and clear negative status effects. Much like Smite, some of the power of this ability comes from not tapping into the War Priest's action economy, and can be used alongside an attack or spell on their turn.

Divine Ward
A protective barrier given to a friendly target that negates enemy status effects. Sometimes being proactive instead of reactive is a good idea, especially when you are about to fight a creature that, say, likes to paralyze your allies during battle. Following a recurring theme here as well, just like Smite and Lay on Hands, this ability does not tap into the War Priest's standard actions economy, making this ability fairly easy to use on one's turn along other actions.

Sage

The Sage is a specialist in the study of life and restoration. They are wise scholars who use their vast knowledge and divine magic to protect their allies and bring light and protection to those in need. They are the ultimate support cleric subclass, as they provide the strongest healing, warding and protection toolkit to their party. They can also wield light and holy magic to defend themselves should the need arise.

Some of their abilities include:

Consecration
The Sage can mark an area as sacred. The consecrated ground heals allies and damages foes alike. A great area denial tool that allows the sage to pick a spot where he can fight on his own terms, or simply heal or damage characters in a wide area around himself.

Bolster
A powerful ability that raises a friendly unit's maximum HP for a set number of turns. Perfect to supplement the survivability of your frontline, should the challenge ahead prove to be especially daunting.

Radiant Presence
A Sage's presence on the battlefield is always a welcome sight, unless you're on the opposing side. Radiating around the Sage is an aura that benefits friends and hinders foes on every turn while it's active. This effect grows stronger as the Sage progresses in experience.

Witchfire Priest

The Witchfire Priest is a passionate zealot who wields the power of witchstone to purify the unworthy of its use. They are a force to be reckoned with, using their spells to ignite their enemies and turn the tide of battle. Of the subclasses, they are the most offensively-minded. Their spells are focused on dealing damage or controlling the battlefield, making them ideal for players who enjoy a more aggressive playstyle.

Some of their abilities include:

Deconstruction Aura
A unique Witchfire Priest ability that causes any artificial constructs, undeads and demons around them to wither over time. Every turn spent around a Witchfire Priest channeling this aura will cause damage to those creatures until they are no more.

Witchfire Overload
Witchstone users beware, Witchfire Priests have a heightened magical influence on any Witchstone objects. As an ability, they are able to jam, overload or disable any source of witchstone, sometimes to the unfortunate surprise of their owner. Wield a witchstone-powered device in front of a Witchfire Priest at your peril!

Arcane Training
A Witchfire Priest is in a unique position where they are the only subclass that can double-dip in both Arcane and Divine spellcasting without multiclassing. Through Arcane Training, they are allowed to pick a few specific extra spells throughout their spell progression, only those spells are of Arcane nature, rather than Divine.

So there you have it, the Cleric and some of its subclasses! Whether you prefer to be a warrior of faith, a wise scholar, or a passionate zealot, there is a subclass for everyone.

We hope this gives you a better understanding of this class, and we can't wait to see what kind of characters you all create.

 

[cyborgboy95]

 

[cyborgboy95]

Dev Update #10: Map Preview - A Frontier Town Called Howling Valley
Greeting Adventurers!

A few weeks ago, we previewed the Free Legion faction’s base, the Free Fortress. In today’s Dev Update, we’ll explore another town - one controlled by a rival faction to the Free Legion, the Commonwealth.

The recently established town of Howling Valley already has quite the history. Situated directly south of the port city of Kalsundar and accessible by train, it is also where you will make a big impact early in your journey across Kalsundia! Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Please keep in mind that this map is currently in development and that every part of it is subject to improvements.


A Blessed Town

Founded and led by a priest, Howling Valley is known for its unusual shrine. While most shrines are built of stones and decorated with ornate statues of gods, Howling Valley’s shrine is constructed with repurposed pieces from the caravans of a scouting convoy.

Some of the current residents of Howling Valley are people who were in the convoy. They were searching for a good location for a new train station and outpost when thunderbeasts ambushed them. Surprisingly, during the chase, the thunderbeasts gave up and ran away. The priest and leader of the convoy (now current leader of Howling Valley) believed the valley where the beasts fled from to be blessed and ordered the construction of the shrine and train station.


A Commonwealth Town

Not long after the founding of the town, the Commonwealth came and also started building in Howling Valley. The Commonwealth sent up one of their young rising stars to take care of the planning, construction, and recruitment. It was a resounding success as the faction gained a fortified mansion and also now generates income through the stables and train station warehouse.

The Commonwealth have to keep all their properties well-guarded as many rival factions and bandits might want to snatch them away. Alarms and traps are set up in case someone does manage to sneak past the guards. As for the mansion, it is built on a cliff ledge and designed so that an invader has no easy way to reach the leader’s office.


A Mysterious Town

The mystery as to why the chasing thunderbeasts ran away that day has yet to be resolved. As well, the shrine is surrounded by rock pillars with shining lights, but their function remains unknown.

Researchers who have tried to dig deeper into the ground were met with fierce resistance from the founding priest. The leader of Howling Valley would rather not risk disturbing anything in this blessed area. But many believe that something ancient lies under the town.

Some Concept Art

I hope you enjoyed this look at Howling Valley and its history. Let us know in the comments what you think of the look and feel of this town.

We’ll be back next month with a Dev Update diving deeper into the setting of the game and it’ll come with a big surprise for you all! Stay tuned to our posts!

 

[Abu Antar]

Project Witchstone Has A New Name

Greetings Adventurers,

We are excited to reveal that Project Witchstone now has a real name…

A final name, a fresh new look, and some updated screenshots on our store page can only mean one thing: we are getting close to officially releasing the game.

Hope you are all ready to join us on this journey!

Wishlist to support Unforetold: Witchstone!

 

[cyborgboy95]

FAQ Unforetold: Witchstone
We're truly grateful for your enthusiasm and interest in Unforetold: Witchstone!

With the game currently under development, there are aspects we're fine-tuning. For now, here are responses to some frequently asked questions we've been getting.
We will continue to update this FAQ as needed.

Q. What kind of game is Unforetold: Witchstone?
A. Unforetold: Witchstone is our upcoming living-world sandbox RPG, designed to take inspiration from both great CRPGs of the past, as well as traditional tabletop RPGs, and meld it together with our unique approach to story design and player agency.

Q. When will Unforetold: Witchstone launch?
A. Unforetold: Witchstone is currently in development, and while we're making great progress, we haven't set a definitive launch date yet. Rest assured, as we get closer to completion, we'll be sharing more details about the release. Stay tuned!

Q. Who is the developer of Unforetold: Witchstone?
A. The game is developed by Spearhead Games, the creators of Omensight and Stories: The Path of Destinies. The team is based in Montreal, Canada and has been around since 2012.

Q. How long has Unforetold: Witchstone been in development?
A. We started work on Unforetold: Witchstone immediately after Omensight. This game has been in development for 5 years now.

Q. What platforms is Unforetold: Witchstone going to be released on?
A. Witchstone is only planned for release on Steam at the moment. More platforms may be announced later in development.

Q. What combat style will Unforetold: Witchstone have?
A. Combat in Unforetold: Witchstone is tactical turn-based. Like most other decisions the player has to take in the game, we like them to have the time to think about how they would like to approach any encounter.

Q. Can players customize their character in Unforetold: Witchstone?
A. Absolutely! RPG players will feel right at home with our character creation options, including ancestry, background, class, etc.

Q. Is Unforetold: Witchstone going to have co-op mode?
A. We hope to be able to add co-op in the future.

Q. How do I participate in playtests?
A. You can sign in via our form here: Unforetold: Witchstone form ---> https://forms.gle/YQ3PxzEoDRWVP1LY6 and if you’re selected, we’ll reach out to you for further details.

Q. How do I know when playtests are happening?
A. Keep an eye out on Discord and our socials for playtest updates.
https://twitter.com/WitchstoneGame
https://www.facebook.com/WitchstoneGame/

Q. Will Unforetold: Witchstone be supported on Steam Deck?
A. We want Unforetold: Witchstone to run on as wide a range of specs as possible, and of course Steam Deck is a part of that investigation. We'll have more to announce in due time.

Q. What are the system requirements?
A. Min Spec:

CPU (Intel Core i5-3470/AMD A8-7500)
GPU (Nvidia GeForce GTX 760/AMD RX 480)

Recommended Spec:

CPU (Intel Core i7-6700/AMD Ryzen 5 1400),
GPU (Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060/AMD RX 580)

RAM 8GB

OS - Win10
Direct X - 12

Q. Will there be controller support?
A. Yes, our intention is to have controller support but we still need to figure out if this will be at the launch or after.

Q. What languages will Unforetold: Witchstone be available at launch?
A. Currently the game is in English only, but we're planning to eventually add support for French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese

Q. How much will Unforetold: Witchstone cost?
A. We will announce pricing information closer to release.

Q. What tech are you using to develop the game?
A. Unforetold: Witchstone is being developed using Unreal Engine 4. For this project, we have built many in-house tools to make our work more efficient.

Q. Will Julian Casey (We Happy Few, Assassin’s Creed franchise) be returning as a voice actor?
A. Yes, the streak continues. We’ve worked with Julian on every game and we’re not going to stop anytime soon.

 

[Bastardchops]

That is one shit name.

 

[Infinitron]

Huh, they've got Greenwood.

Exciting news! Legendary writer, game designer, actor, and scriptwriter Ed Greenwood joins us to help create Unforetold: Witchstone's seamless fantasy world. Through masterful world-building, Greenwood is working to connect story elements together into one cohesive universe.

 

[mindx2]

Huh, they've got Greenwood.

Exciting news! Legendary writer, game designer, actor, and scriptwriter Ed Greenwood joins us to help create Unforetold: Witchstone's seamless fantasy world. Through masterful world-building, Greenwood is working to connect story elements together into one cohesive universe.

Real humble guy right there, doesn't like to toot his own horn does he...

 

[Alienman]

I wonder if he does extra gigs as Santa during Christmas.

 

[cyborgboy95]

Dev Update #11: The World of Horiza
Written by Ed Greenwood
Today, I'm here to tell you about the world of Horiza!

As we look down on the endless sea, behold two continents. The large one is Orwindar, and the smaller one below it is Kalsundia. Orwindar is split into two warring empires: Avondus on the west, and Nethick to the east, with a war-zone between them.

Avondus is sophisticated but weary and jaded, and its elven rulers place magical compulsion bonds of loyalty on their citizens; humans do most of the daily work. Nethick is ruled by liches, who work dark necromancy to control their citizens, who have long been outnumbered by their undead relatives and ancestors. Both empires have lost the gods who once led them daily, but what they are today was shaped by those gods. Who are dead, or trapped deep beneath the earth, after wars among them and the treachery of their formerly trusted servants, the Old Dwarves, back in Eolithic times. There are rumours—there have always been rumours—that one day they will return.

As we move south of Orwindar, we reach Kalsundia - the setting of Unforetold: Witchstone.

Kalsundia is a wild frontier, truly ruled by no one. Reptiles large and small—dinosaurs, to us, but “thunderbeasts” to Kalsundians—roam these largely mountainous wilderlands, in which can be seen the titanic skeletons of leviathan creatures who perished long ago.

Kalsundia is a chance for a new life for anyone who escapes the Orwindan empires, and it’s also a place both empires are interested in and will likely soon invade and seek to conquer, for it is the source of the richest lodes of witchstones, which are rare and worn out on Orwindar.

Witchstones are what makes this world different.

They are gems of various sizes and hues, that absorb and store the raw energies of the world. When mined, cut, and polished, their wild energy discharges become focused, so they can serve to power furnaces, lamps, firearms, and hundreds of other devices. (They also give off light, and so illuminate Kalsundia.) Of old, the dwarves crafted such things, and some of their largest and most impressive Eolithic creations still function, awaiting new wielders (perhaps you).

These days, a faction of Kalsundians known as the Brightwind Clan dedicate themselves to making witchadar devices—but there are other factions active on Kalsundia, from the law-and-order Commonwealth to the militaristic Free Legion and the sinister Order of the Departed. Not to mention bandits and pirates galore. All of them seeking witchstones, and power. Just like the Orwindan empires across the pirate-infested seas.

Brightwind

Commonwealth

Free Legion

Order of the Departed

These factions don’t get along. Warfare is nigh-constant, and everyone wants their freedom. Usually by taking away someone else’s.

Some of these players are running out of time. A mysterious malady afflicts the elves, so that they waste away. They don’t talk about it, but it gnaws at them just the same.

Kalsundia has a train, and tall fortresses, and its main port of Kalsundar has been there long enough to have decaying “old” buildings that were built recently, and crowding, and intrigue aplenty, with smugglers and spies.

Yet beyond its gates, and the end of the train lines, much of Kalsundia is a wilderness “out there,” and folk talk in the inns and taverns of ghosts, and demons, and strange magic as old ruins are discovered. A lot of it hasn’t yet been properly explored, and bandits and prowling monsters are everywhere, so exploration isn’t a matter of picnics and afternoon strolls. Most explorers, sooner or later, just don’t come back.

So Kalsundia is one big cradle for adventure. We’ll take a closer look at it next time!

 

[HoboForEternity]

I hope it isnt just divinity original sin clone

 

[Tyranicon]

Dunno anything about the game, but the title is giving me big Forspoken vibes, and I'd think devs would want to distance themselves pretty far from that garbage.

 

[cyborgboy95]

Dev Update #12: Adventuring in Kalsundia
Unforetold: Witchstone is set in the rich, historied world of Horiza, where tired warring empires on the large continent of Orwindar look to the smaller, frontier continent of Kalsundia for the highly-prized witchstones, gems that store and discharge energy and so power many useful things—including deadly weapons.

Folk who sail the pirate-infested, stormy seas to Kalsundia see it as a chance to build new lives, free of the empires—for now.

You are one of them..

Kalsundia is a land of mountain ranges, tundra, verdant forests, and rolling plains, roamed by thunderbeasts (dinosaurs), some of which the humans, elves, and dwarves have domesticated. Others are raiders, or gladly eat people. They range from the hand-sized gothogs and thusk, often kept as pets, right up to the forest-shaking long necks, and the deadly roarjaws. A hungry roarjaws is often the last sight a Kalsundian settler sees.

Settlements are few and far between across Kalsundia, and law and order is more of a notion than reality, though warring factions impose their own harsh justice where they can. We’ll explore them later.

So what awaits you, in Unforetold: Witchstone?

Kalsundia offers you a chance to forge your own life. You choose your goals, you define success—though as one grizzled old prospector famously said, “Success in Kalsundia is staying alive.”

He hasn’t been seen for years, though they did find his hat. There was a lot of blood on it.

Some folk want to destroy witchstones. Others want to keep them for themselves, and even regard people not of their group as profaning witchstones if they handle them. Still others want to craft new and better devices to harness the power of witchstones. You can choose which of these approaches suits you—or you can choose to walk alone.

You can stay factionless, or join a faction, even rise in the ranks to perhaps lead a faction, and shape lives for all in Kalsundia. Or you can work with one faction on one aim but ally with another faction on another. There are no “right” or “wrong” roads, but there are roads that will take you where you want to go, and roads that will lead you to doom. So you can play the game over and over, trying for this goal or that one, and riding with this faction or that one. Kalsundia is a great big sandbox you can have fun in.

Kalsundia has its oddities, its remarkable sites. From the skull-and-ribs rock promontory of an ancient monster that looms over Kalsundar, the smelly crowded port that’s usually the first place a voyager to Kalsundia sees, to the Emasu at the other end of the continent, the fossilized remains of a gigantic, dragon-headed ocean creature, signs of the ancient past are everywhere. Pack merchants following trails from town to town will often pass huge bones jutting up from the earth, and there are tales of strange magic that lurks in Eolithic (ancient) ruins “somewhere out there.” As an adventurer in Unforetold: Witchstone, you will be one of the brave few who goes out there, and explores those ruins, and perhaps even enjoys that old prospector’s success: staying alive.

Some will achieve much more than that. Some adventurers will change the world.

Most believe that the witchstones will be the key to the future: using them in the right way, perhaps in ways not yet thought of, to shape better lives for all.

Others mistrust the witchstones, warning that they corrupt (as, they say, has happened to the elves, who suffer the Hollowing) or carry the curse of the Lynite-gods upon the dwarves—so that if you handle witchstones too much, or dare to try new uses for them, that curse will afflict you.

Many who shun witchstones look to another road to power: factions, working together with others, strength in numbers. They may be right, but the problem is that the factions on Kalsundia are fiercely opposed to each other, and work for aims that conflict. They can’t all win, and they can’t all be right.

Faction preparing to go raid a building

Faction in combat, raiding a building

The Commonwealth faction, for example, wants the will of the people to prevail from one coast of Kalsundia to the other, a law and order that always seems to involve public hangings.

Whereas the Free Legion wants to turn to martial law, with the Legion ruling Kalsundia as one great military camp, having vanquished all foes.

And there are many small but ever-rising factions like the Luck Turners, who raid others and are seen as bandits bearing a grand name; every charismatic and successful adventurer can lead such a faction, which is why they spring up as fast as they are smashed or collapse when their adventurer-leader dies.

And every faction has its spies, and its agents implanted in the ranks of other factions, so you can never trust a fellow faction member. Folk who came from Avondus may still be bonded, a compulsion bond riding their minds that will force them to do what Avondan commanders want them to do…so it seems your mistrust is well founded. And make no mistake: rising within a faction or getting the aid of a faction always has a price, and for adventurers that usually means a dangerous mission, often to explore the hostile settlement of another faction, or an ancient ruin sane folk stay well away from.

So go it alone or join a faction, it’s hard to get away from factions in Kalsundia. Which is why we’ll dig deeper into the factions next time.

 

[Zombra]

I just heard about this. I'm very impressed with everything they're saying about player agency, and it looks like they have solid systems designed to back it up. Will watch with great interest.