Vellum News

[p]Hello, Scribes![/p][p]We're over a month into the release of Vellum 1.0 (how time flies!) and as always we're in awe of the staggering support for the game! A couple weeks after launch, Scribes welcomed In Circulation, an Interlude Patch with a new movement spell, QOL changes, and so much more! [/p][p]Since then, we've been hard at work designing the next climactic battles between Scribes and Torn - leading up to a confrontation with the final Torn Lord! Ink and quill at the ready, Scribes...[/p][h3]Vellum 1.1: Beyond releases June 20th![/h3][p][/p][h2]Play Beyond, Vellum's 1.1 update on Steam - June 20th, 2025![/h2][p]Explore the edges of curiosity in Yonder, the realm of the Tangent Lord! [/p][p]As with the other two raids, Yonder will be available in Normal and Hard modes with intense, mechanically complex encounters. You'll have unlimited attempts per run and can tackle these challenges solo or in multiplayer.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Beyond will include new achievements, lore, wardrobe unlocks, nook items, balance changes, and more![/p][p]As always - we welcome you to come play and make discoveries together, then tell us all about it in Discord (and show off your Nook designs)! We'll also be sharing details there on early testing opportunities for this upcoming raid. [/p][p]Thank you for playing, Scribes - and keep your eyes on the horizon![/p][p]- The Vellum Team[/p]

Welcome back, Scribes! It's been almost two weeks since 1.0 dropped and we've been blown away by the enthusiasm and support for Vellum. Thank you!

Today - we're channeling our own 1.0 excitement into Interlude Patch: In Circulation!

This update includes Circulate: a new Movement Spell, Performance and QOL Upgrades, Book Club Reward Updates, Vignette Secrets, an Ascendant Rewards Adjustment, Raid Tuning, Photosensitivity Mode and many bug fixes.

Check out the highlights of this patch below and watch for our next update: 1.1 - Beyond! As always, you can track our journey from the Roadmap in Vellum's main menu (quite the saga!).

Go for a leisurely scroll...

Build momentum with mounting anticipation and a trusty Scroll - then zoom off into and through your foes with the first Movement Spell to have baseline damage!

What wild combos will you skillfully scrawl into existence? Use the new Pages of Power and clever strategy to show the Torn what 'doom-scrolling' really looks like!


Intrepid adventurers may have noticed some extra secrets and rewards in the various Vignettes found within the Tomes. Sometimes these hidden rewards give new Pages of Power, Temp Mana, or other useful statuses.

I dare not speak further of such secrets - only to say that previously secret-lacking Vignettes are now up to date with something more to discover. Happy hunting!


Performance and quality of life have been top of mind for us since the 1.0 launch! With today's Interlude Patch, we're taking a more ink-laden pen to performance! Many of the wild interactions between mechanics in Vellum come down to core building blocks: Projectiles, Areas of Effect, Statuses, and Augments. Improvements in this patch aim to smooth out each of these pillars' performance - both in solo and multiplayer games!

We've also made a number of networking changes and upgrades aimed at improving the stability and synchronization of your team-up scribbling adventures!

Elsewhere, in the realm of Quality of Life - we're directly addressing feedback in a few key areas: we're adding new toggles for photosensitivity and visual effect intensity, we've clarified language and tutorials in the beginning of the game and throughout the Binding/Attunement/Ascendant processes, and smoothing out other experience-impacting bugs!

Please continue to share your feedback with us as you interact with these systems!

The Book Club is now more rewarding! From now on, you'll be able to gain a first-time 500 Quillmark + Gilding bonus from playing new Book Club challenges - the perfect way to spice up your journey as a Scribe. Because Book Club challenges are ink-level-agnostic, tackling the Book Club right after Ascending may be a great way to kickstart your level-ups! On that topic...

Ascending is now more clear, no longer restricts Tome access, and will now allow multiple Bindings to drop at once when Over-binding Tomes! As a bonus - Ascendant Scribes also start with 500 Quillmarks to more flexibly reignite their journey!

Ascending in Vellum is designed to be an optional way to continue playing the game - we want it to be rewarding and fun, but not feel like a mandatory part of your journey. We'll continue to keep an eye on this system - let us know what you think!


We're adjusting and improving many aspects of the Torn Raids - from multiplayer scaling and boss ability frequency to visual telegraphs and Codex hints. Full details are in the patch notes below, but Araxiom, The Taking Tree, Styxen, and both Torn Lords have all received adjustments.

Quillmark and Gilding rewards have also been increased to help celebrate your victories!

Eyes on the Horizon... 1.1 - Beyond is coming soon and the Tangent Lord's curiosity knows no bounds!

In the meantime, come join us in the official Discord to share your feedback and show off your achievements, strategies, and your Reading Nooks designs (in a new dedicated channel)!

If you've been enjoying your time in Vellum, please consider leaving a review on Steam (it's a huge help, we read them all, and we always love to hear about your experiences)!

Thank you for playing Vellum - write on!

- The Vellum Team


[h2]Features[/h2]
[h3]Movement Spell: Circulate[/h3]
- New Spell: Circulate
- Hold & Release: Charge up a Scroll and charge forward when released, damaging foes (Speed and Damage increase with hold time)!
- Tap: Charge a short distance in your movement direction.
- Circulate Pages of Power
- Illuminated Library Race Course
- Illuminated Library Tower Platforming Puzzle

[h3]Book Club Rewards and Ascendant Adjustment[/h3]
- Book Club now grants 500 Quillmarks and Gildings for first-time completions
- Book Club now highlights the cosmetic rewards available (and your progress)
- Ascendant no longer locks access to Tomes (jump into illegible at Level 1!)
- Ascendant now grants a 500 Quillmark starting bonus
- Over-bound Tomes now drop multiple Bindings, increasing with higher Over-Binding

[h3]Performance and QOL[/h3]
- Performance improvements (Enkindle and Many AoEs are vastly improved)
- Network Connection improvements (harder to be disconnected, easier to rejoin, less stress from game actions)
- Damage VFX intensity slider
- Photosensitivity Mode
- Arachnophobia updated for Raids
- Change Ink in Antechamber

[h3]Vignette Secrets[/h3]
- New Secrets can be found in Vignettes, awarding Pages, Temp Mana, and other Statuses
- No changes to Raid or Pride and Profit Vignettes

[h3]Raids & Raid Tuning[/h3]
- Scribes may now swap Signature Inks in the Antechamber
- Quillmark rewards have been increased(100/encounter, 150/Torn Lord)
- Gilding rewards are now visible (25/encounter, 100/Torn Lord)
- Scribes will now be fully healed when defeating an encounter
- An "!" now appears over the Codex when it becomes available
- The Codex now has an introductory UI Tutorial for Encounters
- The AFK timer should no longer function in Raids
- Binding Workshop appied typo fix to Decomposition
- Raid Boss HP Reduced in Multiplayer:
-- 2 Players: - 8%
-- 3 Players: - 20%
-- 4 Players: - 20%
- Araxiom: Reverberate Cooldown increased by 3s
- Araxiom: Awaken, Legions! Cooldown increased by 11s
- Araxiom: Removed duplicate ability in Codex Entry
- Araxiom: Bombardier Broodling now has improved hitbox points
- Araxiom: Burstling Broodling now has improved sound effects while attacking
- The Taking Tree: Beam Walls have increased visibility in their spawn location, with a slight grace period
- Raving Lord (Normal): Will now be immune to damage while channeling a - - Statue (matching Hard Mode behavior)
- Raving Lord: Lantern attacks and Blossom will now target a maximum of 2 Scribes
- Styxen (Normal): Avalanche size decreased by 20%
- Splice Lord (Normal): Foil damage reduced to 35 (was 50)
- Splice Lord (Normal): Wordsmith damage reduced to 30 (was 50)
- Splice Lord (Normal): Jot damage reduced to 15 (was 18)
- Splice Lord: Callback AOE size reduced slightly
- Splice Lord: Now changes phase at 5% higher HP
- Splice Lord: Encounter Info tip is now clearer

[h3]General Fixes and Improvements[/h3]
- New Pages are available for Orange
- Clarified text for some Teal and Orange Inscriptions
- Teal Ink: Now has Book VFX when Signature Spell is ready
- Pink Inscription: Exceeds Expectations now functions as written
- Pink Signature Challenge: Doctrine will now properly record progress
- Spender: Weave targeting has been improved
- Spender: Passage now shows the proper colorization when infused with Signature Ink
- Page of Power: Molten Slag (Wordsmith) will now properly rain metal
- Page of Power: Explosive Payload is no longer lethal to players
- Page of Power: Measured Response credit now persists through death
- Page of Power: Father of Quill has improved targeting
- Page of Power: Four Scour and Seventy - Scour now deals +70% damage to the first 4 Torn hit (had been only allowing 4 Torn to be hit at all)
- Scribes can now collect Signature Challenge rewards from the Cosmetics window (in addition to the Questboard)
- Bindings UI: The rewards section now shows +1 Attunement - which has a hover tooltip for reviewing the system
- Bindings: "Random" will now opt to fill over the Target value if an exact match is not found
- Binding Attunement reward bonus is now properly capped at 600% (and is now appropriately reflected in the UI)
- Binding: Stormy Night will now longer appear purple
- Tome: On the Nature of Seasons now displays hover text and information for the Seasonal Statuses
- Tomes: To avoid confusion, Binding Tome rewards are now hidden until Bindings are unlocked (continuing into the Appendices is still available as usual)
- Vignette: Tundra Pass platforming has been adjusted
- Vignette: Lighthouse has been remodeled (how'd the construction crew even get there?!)
- Vignette: Timeless Alcove will now appear less often
- Vignette: Skyline Belfry has been remodeled (how'd the construction crew even get there?!)
- Library: the Vault jump puzzle will no longer vanish while midair
- Lore: Codex/Cosmetic/Nook breadcrumb pages now appear at Attunement 1
- Lore: "Knowledge, Unending" will now appear in the proper space (should now be collectable for all eligible Scribes)
- Suggested Reading bonuses now properly account for chapters completed
- Curiosities (back items) will now scale properly
- The Abandon Run button will no longer negatively affect performance when spammed
- Improved the performance of high volume of damage numbers
- Nook Object: Money Bag will no longer go invisible (but keep an eye out for thieves!)
- Boss: "Big" Cap VFX will properly clean up after the encounter
- "Donut-shaped" AOEs are now more accurate with their inside calculation
- Updated Bell visuals
- Fixed the elusive "Empty Quillmark Tracker" bug in the Library
- Adjusted text and icons in the FTUX Tutorial Chapter
- Various Vignette Arena structural cleanup
- Fixed various issues with Multiplayer AOE Status applications
- Fixed an issue with Boss reward scrolls not appearing properly in Multiplayer games
- Freeze effects on Zombies will now scale properly
- Entities will no longer turn while Frozen
- Improved the performance of high stacks of various Green and Orange statuses
- Improved the performance of all statuses
- Fixed various stuck camera issues
- Fixed the display of some Nook Items

Hello Scribes!

Happy 1.0 launch week - we couldn't be more thrilled with the outpouring of support and enthusiasm for Vellum! Today, we're pushing a collection of fixes and adjustments with the continued help of our amazing Discord and Steam communities!

Two notable highlights of today's patch:
- Multiplayer Disconnects should happen less frequently
- Significant performance improvements - particularly when Enkindle is used by Scribes

Thank you for playing and for helping us continue to improve the game. Go read a book!

- The Vellum Team


[h2]General, Fixes, Raid Tuning[/h2]
- Generator: Punctuate will properly knock back enemies again
- Spender: Eclipse will appear with bright rings again
- Red Ink: Signature Spell will no longer repeatedly apply its FOV effect
- Pink Ink: Adjusted descriptions in Scriptorium for clarity
- Orange Ink: Adjusted description in Scriptorium for clarity
- Page of Power: Blinding Light will no longer summon such blinding lights
- Adjusted Scriptorium "!" indicator tutorialization
- Spell descriptions in the spellbook have been adjusted - green emphasis is now reserved for gameplay elements, no longer used on flavor
- Barrier recharge will now respect the pause menu (clever find!)
- Ascendant Badge will no longer overlap Health totals
- Nook Item: Brazier may now be placed on raised surfaces
- Vignette: Ashen Conflux adjusted terrain clipping
- Vignette: Skating Rink should now properly award pages in multiplayer
- Num Pad buttons will now display the proper glyphs when bound
- Settings with sliders now have tick-marks denoting their default values
- Status and other effects should no longer persist when returning from Raids
- Pages dropped from Elites should once again be auto-awarded at the end of Chapters in multiplayer games
- Bonus Objective: Go Long! will now display "!" on the goal soaks
- Quest and Signature Challenge tracking should now be updating at the appropriate times
- Performance improvements for invoking high rate of damage/healing effects
- Fixed various typos
- Multiplayer disconnects should happen less often
- Projectiles will now properly re-check their movement speed (example - this may also fix fast Passages or imperceptible/ineffective Blue Signature bolts)
- Various navigation fixes
- Removed some lingering logging tools
- Camera FOV will adjust correctly for UI panels
- Tangent: Glint projectile size will more closely match the visual
- Raid: The Taking Tree should no longer fail to deliver Scribes to towers
- Raid: The Raving Lord's telegraph for Blossom should now properly appear on Normal difficulty
- Raid: The Metaphorest door animation improvements
- Raid: The Splice Lord will no longer use Foil back to back in Normal mode, and will properly apply damage
- Raid: The Plot Device is strong enough to destroy the gate with 2 blasts (was 3)
- Raid: The Plot Device "!" above Scribes will now last for the duration of the applicable ability
- Raid: The Plot Device obelisk deposit area effect indicators have improved visibility
- Raid: The Plot Device Hard mode will now summon Spiders instead of Bears

It's time to grab your quills and inkwells, Scribes; Early Access is now complete!

Welcome to Vellum 1.0 - let's take a look!
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube] Together, you've helped us take Vellum on a journey through 23 major updates - crafting 13 new Spells, three new Signature Inks, hundreds of Pages of Power, new arenas and biomes, Torn Elites and Bosses , a dreamy new Illuminated Library, customizable Reading Nooks, and countless other improvements of all shapes and sizes!

Just to keep track - sneak a peek at all the progress we made since March 28, 2024! For the sake of an image that fit - we combined all the Interlude Patches into their nearest Major Chapter (the in-game roadmap remains uncollapsed, go check it out).




The saga of Scribes & Torn spills over into new ground as we come face to face with Vellum's most perilous challenges yet - Raids! The Grey Area and The Forgery are dangerous worlds containing brutal new bosses, devious encounters, and dramatic confrontations directly with the Torn Lords!


Scribes will be able to take on the intense and climactic challenges of two Raids - each with Normal and Hard modes - setting the perfect stage for uncovering and thwarting the Torn Lords' meticulous plots.

You'll face mechanically complex encounters all fully available solo or with your closest pen-pals. Normal difficulties unlock at Attunement 7 & 14 - tailored for a good early to mid-game challenge, while Hard Modes are built for an end-game experience (unlocking after completing Normal).

By the numbers - Scribes braving these newest threats to the Library will see 4 Major Encounters and 2 Vignettes in each Raid with typical runs targeting 30 - 45 minutes.



The Grey Area is the realm of the Ravings, a forested and decaying keep where Scribes will brave the Raving Lord's twisted view of beauty. If they can defeat an arachnid general, navigate a haunted forest, and nip a terrible plant in the bud - Scribes will reach the Raving Lord's citadel and the malevolent ambition within.



The Forgery is the realm of the Splices, a sandy lava-filled foundry, where Scribes will see the dazzlingly awful machinations of improperly used pages and ink. Here they will confront the Splice Lord after carving their way through his dreadful armory, fearsome constructs, and ever-unfinished fortress.

For the first time, Scribes will battle outside the books and without the help of the Library. How will their Ink fare in the dreaded Torn Realms?


This 1.0 update also brings many raid-related rewards including customization for your personal Reading Nooks and new Pages of Power to use in your Tome runs. We're also introducing a new way to customize your Scribe's wardrobe - Curiosities!


As Scribes encounter the terrors of the Torn Realms, the Codex will update to provide helpful Encounter Info about each challenge within the Raids. Every completion of a Raid will also Stamp Each Page, Spell, and Signature Ink used in your winning builds!




It just wouldn't be a Major Chapter without a whole list of other improvements, would it - and how better to wrap up Early Access than taking a crack at a few community-requested items? Let's review some!

In the eternal campaign to get everyone to read more... Status Effects are now hoverable and include as much supplemental information as possible! Though some select effects may retain their - uh - mysterious natures (we totally know what they do).

We've tackled more areas in pursuit of clarity - in fact - you can now see more areas with today's inclusion of Camera Distance and Camera FOV settings! The Torn never looked so menacingly scary... or so tiny, cute, and far away? On that topic...

Since early on, we've seen feedback on enemy visual clarity. Not only in moment to moment gameplay, but also when picking Torn Pages! Our strategy in 1.0 allows the dreaded Torn to soak up a hint of identifiable color from the Tomes they're invading - but only based on their type! You'll see a bit of Green in Raving foes and abilities, Red in Splices, and Blue in Tangents. This also applies to their names, allowing you to more confidently target the greenish bear over yonder after picking "Ravings will now sit and taunt you after missing 3 spells."




The realms of the Torn hold many dangers and many answers - from the depths of the Raving Lords's Haunted Metaphorest to the Splice Lord's Maxim Excavation, the story of Vellum continues to unfold.

Scribes who best these Raids will prove themselves ready to defend the Illuminated Library from the Torn's next challenge - the confounding secrets of Yonder, home of the Tangent Lord. This third Raid will be available after launch.

Whether you've lived with Vellum over the last year or are just about to crack open the magic Tomes for the first time - we offer you our sincerest thanks and simply cannot wait for you to play.

We're always eager to hear about your experiences in Vellum - they continue to help us make the game better. If you play and enjoy the game, please consider joining our Discord and/or leaving a review on Steam (even if it's only to tell us the name of your favorite book of all time)!

Thank you for joining our book club - enjoy Vellum!

- The Vellum Team


[h2]Raids: The Grey Area & The Forgery[/h2]
- Venture into the Realms of the Torn Lords
- 8 Total Major Encounters & 4 Total Raid Vignettes
- Normal & Hard Modes
- New Cosmetic Rewards: Curiosities
- New Page of Power Rewards
- New Nook Items
- Codex Stickerbook for Victorious Builds
- Music! - underscoring the climactic showdown with each Torn Lord!
- Lore! - uncover answers (and maybe more questions) about the Torn!

[h2]Quality of Life Spotlight[/h2]
- The Torn have new clarity-focused colorations - Splices, Ravings, Tangents and their names and indicators are now splashed with Red, Green, and Blue
- Status Effects are now hover-able to see descriptions and icon
- New Camera Distance and Camera Field of View settings!
- Abandon Run option - Now you can return to the Library without leaving the game or your team

[h2]Balance, General, and Fixes[/h2]
- Generator: Manifest proc chance returned to 50% (was 100% in some instances)
- Spender: Eclipse rebalancing (Duration 15s → 10s, Dmg 12 → 18, Tickrate .4 → .8s, Color Infuse rate every 3rd tick → every 4th)
- Teal: Plot Armor now resets on Death → Revive
- Teal: Resolved stacks increase Attack Speed, Move Speed, and Jump Height by 3% each (was 5%)
- Teal: Barrier regeneration reduced from 3 to 2 (will no longer overcap by default)
- Teal inscription clarification & typo fixes
- Green: Inkling indicator will behave properly at long distances
- Binding: Explosive will now properly show explosion radius in multiplayer
- Enemy Health Scaling curve has been slightly smoothed
- Page of Power: Cull the Weak is now Gulliver (deal +30% DMG to foes shorter than you)
- Page of Power: Giant Slayer adjusted effect: deal +30% damage to foes whose heads are above yours
- Library: Ball-related interaction
- Cosmetics: Names are now rarity/quality color-coded
- Cosmetics: unlocked items will continue to show their unlock method/source
- Pride and Profit: Motherlode can be mined in 3s (was 5s)
- Keyword: Marked now increases damage taken by targets by 30% (was 50%)
- Bonus Objective: Go Long now has adjusted visuals
- Splice: Slimes visual effects now properly scale
- Splice: Rattlespike spike trail ability more accurately matches character facing
- Reading Nooks: Some Coin items may now be placed closer together
- Spender: Weave should no longer seek invalid targets
- Book Club Steam Achievement should now be awarded at the appropriate time
- Signature Challenge: Orange Scour will no longer be improperly awarded
- Signature Challenge: Blue Blot will no longer be improperly awarded
- Tutorial: Joining a multiplayer game without selecting a Signature Ink should now properly equip one
- Cosmetics: Now have progress bars, where applicable
- Postgame UI: scrolling sensitivity increased when reviewing Pages of Power
- Various collision fixes in Arenas and Vignettes
- Self-revive should no longer confuse player control and camera
- Increased visibility of Elite healthbars
- Enhanced visibility for downed allied Scribes
- Improved player / enemy rag dolls
- Networked enemy ability cooldown fixes
- Library color tuning / ink FX update
- Improved metallic nature of mirrors in library
- Fix for Blue Mana interaction with Weave
- Fixed augment radius preview size issues
- Fixed typo in "Hail, Stranger!" page
- Fixed bright pixel in arrow HUD indicators
- Fixed issue with Weave VFX persisting if death occurs while charging
- Fixed issue with multiplayer sync of random enemy actions
- Fixed issue where Motherlode would kill the mining player