Empyreal News

Can you believe that it’s only two days until Empyreal releases?

We’re excited to see how your journey of uncovering the secrets of the Monolith unfolds. To give you a taste of what’s to come, enjoy our brand new character trailer!

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This beautiful rendition of The Parting Glass was sung by the amazing Choral Scholars of University College Dublin.

We’re only a few days away from the start of the expedition. Empyreal will launch at 10AM BST/ 5AM EST/ 2AM PT. What’s your strategy for release day? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!

[h3]What is Empyreal?[/h3]

Empyreal is a complex, challenging, feature-rich action RPG. In a far-flung corner of the galaxy an Expedition arrives on a hitherto unexplored planet to find a colossal Monolith built by a lost civilisation. You are an elite mercenary, tasked with helping unearth the secrets that lie inside.

Over the past few months, we have released several pieces of intel - such as a Gameplay Overview, details of the different members of the Expedition, the different quadrants of the Monolith and how Cartograms are used to get there, and a few of the foes you will face.

While it may feel that you are exploring the Monolith all alone you may find other players coming to your aid when you least expect it. This is through three asynchronous multiplayer mechanics - Trading, Reviving, and Into the Aether.

[h3]Trading and the Mailbox[/h3]

Throughout your adventure, you can send most items - including Cartograms - to another player if they are on your friends list. You can do this via the mailbox in the command centre, near Edmund and next to Rohini.

As you progress through the main story, a Trading Post behind Edmund will unlock. This allows players to sell their cartograms to each other either after using them, or if the cartograms are not wanted. Got a cartogram containing a weapon you already own? Trade it off and pick up something else - someone else could need it more than you. They can even have special properties imprinted into them after trading!



[h3]Reviving[/h3]

During your exploration in the Monolith, you may come across apparitions. Talking to these fallen warriors allows you to donate either one or three of your Reset Charges that will revive a fellow mercenary if they succumb to their fate.

If you face the jaws of defeat yourself and shout into the darkness, there’s a chance another player will heed the call and gift a Reset Charge so you can pick yourself back up and continue on. Be kind and pay it forward for other brave souls, or keep your Reset Charges to yourself and press on - the choice is yours.



[h3]Into the Aether[/h3]

When you defeat a Boss at the end of a Cartogram, an Aether Tear will mysteriously appear. While not big enough for you to enter, it is wide enough for an item to pass to the other side.

If you choose to do this, one of your unidentified weapons or equipment will be sucked through the portal, closing it in the process. Another mercenary will have a chance to receive this item with a special ‘aether touched’ attribute that will provide extra benefits. Likewise, you too have a chance of receiving one of these items from other mercenaries!



Asynchronous multiplayer is not cross-platform, so Steam players won’t be able to trade, revive, or donate items Into the Aether to those on console or on Epic and vice versa - but we're sure there'll be plenty of help out there.

There’s less than a week until the beginning of the expedition! Are you excited? Let us know in the comments below ahead of the big day.

Every face tells a story, and while not all are pleasant, it’s worth getting to know those around you, even just to better understand your mission.

Each character in Empyreal has their own questline, with multiple endings based on your actions. It’s up to you on whether their story has a happy ending, or if their fate was doomed from the very beginning.

In this final part of the trilogy, we’re looking at Hanwyn, Linet, and Isolda, their role in the Expedition, and any interesting information to note.

[h3]Hanwyn Dryden[/h3]



“You will be pleased to hear we have made a significant breakthrough…”

An Emissary of the Crown, Hanwyn Dryden has been sent to appraise the value of the Expedition’s discovery as part of the total audit of Company assets. However, it doesn’t take a genius to see that his attention is drawn to the secrets that are being unearthed rather than his official duty.

While he doesn’t seem to have any weaponry, it would be a surprise if he didn’t have some tricks up his sleeve. Perhaps a bottle of Aqua Vitae may help getting to know him better and understand his ideals.

[h3]Linet Radclyffe[/h3]



“Haha, glad to see your sense of humour is intact through this ordeal. Not everyone here has been so lucky…”

Linet Radclyffe is a hyper-rational, dogmatic archaeologist who seeks to find a logical and historical explanation for the Monolith’s existence.

Throughout your mission, report to her with any artefacts of significance to allow her to piece together the true history of the strange structure. She may even start to believe that not everything can be explained through common knowledge.

When she isn’t busy dusting off old relics, she enjoys drinking some Distilled Spirit.

[h3]Isolda[/h3]



“Surely telling you would ruin my mysterious allure, and we wouldn't want that…”

Not much is known about Isolda - not even her surname. All anyone really knows is that she is an adventurer with a somewhat murky and questionable past, is here of her own volition, and certainly isn’t from Orden like the rest of the Expedition. She also adores Honey Mead.

She has a clear interest in the Monolith and its origins, far beyond wanting to write her name in the history books, or getting a decent payout. As such, she will often lend you a hand with her cannon, and help you with various tasks if you ask.



Missed the previous parts of the trilogy? Read Part 1 and Part 2 here, and get to know the people around you in the Expedition.

In the final blog ahead of our launch (next week!), we’ll be looking at the asynchronous features in place to allow you to interact with other Mercenaries across the rift… Until then, remember: Si vis pacem, para bellum.

Every face tells a story, and while not all are pleasant, it’s worth getting to know those around you, even just to better understand your mission.

Each character in Empyreal has their own questline, with multiple endings based on your actions. It’s up to you on whether their story has a happy ending, or if their fate was doomed from the very beginning.

In this second part of a three-part series, we’ll highlight three more characters, their role in the Expedition, and any interesting information to note.

[h3]John Kent[/h3]



“Well, butter my arse 'n call me a biscuit, you're alive!”

A Smithy from North Orden, John Kent has plenty of colloquialisms at his disposal. In many regards, his bubbly personality is a stark contrast to that of Morys Lovell, but they both share the same chaotic recklessness when it comes to the Monolith. He also likes a nice strong Orden Brown Ale.

He loves to experiment with combining current technology with the unique properties found in the Monolith, for extraordinary, although usually inexplicable, results. Some of them may even be useful to you!

Working with him throughout your adventure has the chance to unlock more wild and powerful combinations - perhaps first tested on his own mace and shield beforehand.

[h3]Raulin Yates[/h3]



“You'll always be welcome in our home if you find yourself wanting company when we're back in Orden.”

The Quartermaster of the Expedition, Raulin has all manner of items, equipment, and other trinkets available to purchase. He is a battle-hardened veteran, having seen his fair share of conflict over the years - giving him an extensive field of knowledge. For now, he has put his cannon away to focus on trading items instead of blows.

As such, Raulin has a unique and pragmatic perspective on life, and the secrets of the Monolith. He is keen to discuss any events or discoveries you make, and won’t shy away from challenging your opinion on the matter - especially over a bottle of Godfrey’s Blood.

[h3]Maria Thornton[/h3]



“A breakthrough like this hasn't been seen in decades, my name will be written into history..”

A quantum physicist invited by Morys Lovell to join the Expedition, Dr Maria Thornton has made incredible breakthroughs in reverse-engineering the Monolith’s Teleportation Technology. As such, she has refined the powerful Cartogram system to get it working, allowing people to teleport into different locations within the heart of the ancient structure.

Now you’re around, she has someone that can make use of her research and harness that power to begin mapping out the complex interior of the Monolith. Interestingly, she doesn’t seem to have a weapon to defend herself if the worst were to happen, but one would be a fool to underestimate a scientist of such prowess. She is known to enjoy a bottle of the finest Melenaisé Port from time to time.



In our final part next week, we’ll be taking a look at Hanwyn, Linet, and Isolda. Until then, remember: Si vis pacem, para bellum.

Every face tells a story, and while not all are pleasant, it’s worth getting to know those around you, even just to better understand your mission.

Each character in Empyreal has their own questline, with multiple endings based on your actions. It’s up to you on whether their story has a happy ending, or if their fate was doomed from the very beginning.

In this three-part series, we’ll highlight some of these characters, their role in the Expedition, and any interesting information to note.


[h3]Morys Lovell[/h3]



“Besides, I bear as much responsibility for this as you... more so, arguably.”

Morys Lovell, the former military commander and now head of the Expedition, is the epitome of a broken man. Driven by a desire to see the heart of the Monolith, his overzealous attitude often leads to risky or outright reckless actions. As a result, his questline is intertwined with your mission of exploring the Monolith’s depths.

The initial failure of the Expedition two years ago has shaken him to his core and his mood erratically swings between rapt optimism and bitter, resentful doom-mongering. He’s often found slumped at his desk, asleep from exhaustion or excess alcohol - or both. When he does have the energy and time to fight, he prefers to use cannon weaponry.

[h3]Edmund Reyne[/h3]



“A Prison... for what precisely, I could not say. But something unholy, of that I am certain.”

The military commander of the Expedition, Edmund Reyne is a rather brusque and authoritative man. Having grown up in a strict house with a military background, you may forgive him for speaking slightly louder than is really polite, and his tendency to waive dissenting voices without a second thought. He does, however, open up if you get him a bottle of Shawdon Whiskey.

The struggles of the Expedition threaten to tarnish his family name, and he is determined to expunge that stain - possibly even by dusting off his trusty mace and shield, depending on your actions. His rash and rather rude, closed-off demeanour and will take some convincing that you’re not just some fool that’s only there for the glory. After all, it isn’t just the loss of the soldiers under his command that burdens his conscience…

Rohini Varma



“There's no escaping death here…”

The lone survivor of that fateful excursion into the Monolith, Rohini has been traumatized by the deaths of her fellow soldiers. This, in turn, has stopped her wielding her glaive.

Listen, understand, and work with her to gradually gain her trust and help her come to terms with her trauma in a healthy and life-affirming manner before she succumbs to the murky depths of her mind. Perhaps you can share a bottle of Saint-Aalis Wine as you talk.



Next week, we’ll be taking a closer look at three more members of the Expedition - John, Raulin, and Maria. Until then, remember: Si vis pacem, para bellum.

Oh, one more thing. You may want to tune into Twitch Galaxies tomorrow at 8PM GMT/ 3PM EST / 12PM PT.