SKALD: Against the Black Priory News

Raw Fury and High North Studios have launched their retro-style RPG, SKALD: Against the Black Priory on PC on Steam for $14.99/£12.79/€14.99. To celebrate, players can enjoy a launch day discount, now in effect for 10% off.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Set in a grim-dark fantasy world of tragic heroes, violent deaths and Lovecraftian horror, in SKALD: Against the Black Priory, choices matter as players explore an engaging storyline mixed with crunchy tactical, turn-based combat and character customization.

Inspired by iconic retro RPG titles, in SKALD: Against the Black Priory players explore the thrilling expanse of Freymark and the Outer Isles to uncover the grand schemes of the Gallian Empire. Players will experience an unforgettable story filled with unexpected twists and turns, with a unique mesh of modern storytelling and classic RPG elements, that will seem familiar and yet innovative to RPG fans, old and new.

Players will experience key features including:

• Equipping their heroes using a modern inventory system, fulfilling objectives through quest logs, and reading journals to discover hidden secrets.
  
  
• Unique visuals built from thousands of hand-drawn tiles and images inspired by the legendary Commodore 64 computer, with an optional CRT filter to allow for a true retro gameplay experience.
  
  
• Fighting their way to Level 20 by choosing a character, selecting their stats and building out a party from a series of diverse allies, each with their own skill-set, agenda and personality. Players will meet and recruit fully fleshed out pre-made characters with unique backstories and handcrafted interactions, as well as have options to fill their party: either with ‘mercenaries,’ blank characters that they can build from the ground up to their exact specifications or mix and match as they go. Players can also decide to travel on their own.
  
  
• Deciding between a dozen classes and backgrounds, customizing spells and equipment in order to prepare for the journey ahead and uncovering the schemes of the Gallian Empire while exploring the vast expanse of Freymark and the Outer Isles.
  

SKALD: Against the Black Priory is now available on Steam for $14.99/£12.79/€14.99, with a current launch discount of 10%. Players can also purchase the Deluxe Edition of the game for $22.47/ £17.68 / €14.99 (10% launch day discount also available for a limited time), which includes the full OST and the Reinforcement Pack, as well as a host of gameplay additions such as:

• Three unique backgrounds with additional statistics
  
• Two new wallpapers
  
• A pack of in-game portraits
  
• Golden die to roll, amongst other types, with an all-new animation
  
• An additional vendor: Malachai the Magical Item Merchant
  

For the latest information about SKALD: Against the Black Priory and to join the community, check out the game’s official website, X page, and Discord page.

Everything about Skald: Against the Black Priory feels crafted to lull me into a false sense of security. With its wonderfully garish retro RPG visuals, familiar classes and character options, and simple turn-based combat, I keep being lured into thinking I'm just on a typical fantasy adventure. That only makes it all the more disturbing when I'm reminded that it's not...
Read more.

Skald launches tomorrow (May 30th, 7pm CEST) on Steam and GOG for PC and Mac. It’s priced at 15 USD or as a jam-packed Deluxe edition for 25 USD.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1069160/SKALD_Against_the_Black_Priory/

[h2]Reviews Inbound[/h2]

Today at 4pm CET, the embargo for Skald will be lifted. That means that press and content creators can finally begin talking about the game!

This is an exciting and terrifying moment: The game we sent them two weeks ago has improved on an astronomical scale in the last two weeks and there were of course a bit of rough patches in the press/creator build.



Thankfully people have been beyond helpful in bringing us bug reports and the like and the game has improved vastly because of it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I adore it and I know you will as well!

I’ll post an abbreviated change-log as well as some info for users who have been playing on the press/creator build below. READ IT.

[h2]Launch Build Version Notes[/h2]

The following changes are the major changes that have been implemented since we sent out the press build.

For players using a Press/Content Build: These changes will NOT automatically be added to the press-branch of the game. That branch will be frozen in time for eternity to ensure backwards compatibility and stability (more below).

[h3]NEW FEATURES[/h3]

• The magic-system has been redesigned somewhat, making spellcasters a lot more powerful and fun to play. Also added a few new spells.
  
• Leveling up spellcaster Feats allows you to now manually select new spells (it used to be auto assigned)
  
• The Feat trees for most classes have been reorganized with an emphasis on balance.
  
• The Rogue’s backstab ability is made a lot more powerful by multiplying backstab damage by the weapons critical damage modifier
  
• It’s now possible to “abort” leveling up, meaning you don’t have to spend all your development points each time you enter the Feats screen. This makes it possible to take a break, and examine your character or the rest of the party etc.
  
• Added in the missing end-slide cut-scenes and artwork
  
• Dogs bark when you pet them (!)
  

[h3]MISC[/h3]

• Around 100 typos fixed
  
• Fixed numerous bugs
  
• Added dozens of minor QoL tweaks
  
• Made encumbrance more forging
  
• Made the game a little more willing to give out gold
  
• Added more gold to vendors so it’s easier to sell loot
  
• Added more sound effects
  
• Added a few more alternate solutions to combat situations (stealth and diplomacy)
  

[h3]PERFORMANCE[/h3]

Thanks to feedback from reviewers, we were made aware of performance issues in certain parts of the game. This has slipped past our QA runs because it seems to be system dependent. I’ve done what I can on short notice and the issue should already be better at launch.

In the case that you still suffer FPS drops, try going into “Settings -> Display” and disable “Fancy Lighting” and “Weather Effects”. This should improve performance on all systems. Beyond that, I have a new patch ready to go on Monday, once it passes QA so I feel VERY confident this issue will be resolved shortly.

If you are currently on the press build, you can improve performance by pressing TAB and entering the console command “{clearFogEffect}”. Note that console commands are case sensitive.

[h2]A Note On Press Branch Compatibility[/h2]

This only applies to Press and content creators playing on the games Beta Branch (meaning you activated a press key).

Once the game launches, you have the option of setting the game to the Default Branch. Doing so gives you the proper, updated version of the game. However it is not compatible with saves made on the press branch.

However, you can stay on the press branch as long as you will and finish your run. Just know that the “real” version of the game will be found on the Default branch going forward.

[h2]Wish me Luck[/h2]

I have been getting a lot of questions lately of how to support me as a developer beyond buying the game (Ko-Fi, Paypal etc). To that I say: BUY THE DELUXE EDITION. And if you still have money to spend: Buy the game as a gift to your friends.

What’s more: It also helps the project’s visibility immensely if you eventually leave a review.

I’ve poured my heart and souls into this project and I really hope you all love it as much as I do. Wish me luck and please offer a silent prayer to some Elder God tomorrow at 7PM CEST.

I’ll be here; pacing nervously.

To stay posted, be sure to follow the Skald Twitter and Discord and wishlist if you haven’t already!

Much love,



AL

Just over 50 hours and counting!

The hours are passing by in a fever-pitch at the moment. The amount of polish that has gone into the game since we sent out press-keys is AMAZING. On one hand, I’m sad that the reviewers didn’t get to see all those wonderful updates, but on the other hand, it’s far more important that you – the community – get a game that looks amazing on May 30th.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

I spent all weekend playing through it and let me tell you: If your RPG tastes are like mine, you’re in for a treat. So in other words: you better smash that “buy” button once we go live!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1069160/SKALD_Against_the_Black_Priory/

We’re keeping it safe and saying the game has a core path of about 15 hours but in reality, every single first run I’ve seen has taken 25+ hours and that’s not mentioning replayability.

[h2]Rogue's Gallery[/h2]

Today I’ll do a short feature of the six pre-made recruitable characters in the game. There was originally going to be more of them but I landed on the choice of giving maximum attention to fleshing out a handful of them instead of spreading it too thin.

The upside, of course, is that you can also recruit fully customizable characters if you want a bit of variation, allowing for endless mixing and matching.

[h3]Roland[/h3]

Roland is a sell-sword veteran of countless bloody campaigns. He carries many a scar both without and within. Mercenary work is cruel and unglamorous it would seem.

Roland is a dangerous and brutal man . He’s also laconic and prone to bouts of melancholy but unerringly loyal.



Roland is an Armsmaster. A class that excels in straight-forward and brutal combat.

[h3]Kat[/h3]

Kat is an indentured guild-sailor who was part of the crew of the ‘Zephyr’. She hails from the Imperial mainland where her cut-throat brother sold her into servitude after their parents died. Needless to say they did not part on good terms.

Kat is outspoken and exuberant with a foul mouth that stands in stark contrast to her fair appearance.



Kat is a Thief and excels in stealth and lock-picking. She also employs her deadly Backstab ability in combat to deal large amounts of damage and crippling injury conditions.

[h3]Driina[/h3]

Driina is a cleric of the Sepulchite order, bringing the light of the Golden Dead to the Outer Isles. Imperial religion places great significance upon the dead and the mummified corpses of long dead Magi and Emperors are the Empire’s most prized relics.

The Sepulchites are the custodians of the Dead. This makes a somber and austere lot but they are also experts of the flesh and great healers.



Driina is a Hospitaller: A front line healer combining the sacred magic of the flesh with a robust combat presence.

[h3]Iben[/h3]

Iben is a quiet man with a sharp wit and sharper eye. He’s traveled the Empire far and wide and eventually ended up in the Outer Isles where he found happiness – for a short while. Though he can be humorous and warm when he so wishes, it is clear that he prefers the stillness that only the wilderness can offer.

When pressed about his background, Iben tends to grow distant while he thoughtfully chews his pipe.



Iben is a Ranger. A warrior that combines an unmatched skill in ranged combat with the magic of the natural world.

[h3]Iago[/h3]

Iago is a swashbuckling smuggler hailing from the Ombarian city-states to the south. A man of the world, he’ll tell anyone who will listen (and most who won’t listen) that he owes his legendary good luck to being the favored son of the Blind Maidens.

Iago prefers to never stay in port for long. Something about ‘wronged husbands’ and ‘little misunderstandings’.



Iago is an Officer: A warrior who boosts the fighting prowess of their comrades by issuing orders across the battlefield.

[h3]Embla[/h3]

Running bare-foot through the hedge-maze on the grounds of the Berryn estate. Both of you children: Embla in-front, just out of sight.

That’s how it’s always been.

All is not well in the house of Berryn and you must venture once more to follow her into the maze. Perhaps this time you’ll finally catch up to her.



[h2]In Closing…[/h2]

We’ve been sending keys to content creators and press and word is seeping in that they’re having a lot of fun with it. Are YOU a content creator or a Press person? Get in touch for a key to the game:

[email protected]

[email protected]

See you in just under 50 hours!

AL