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Lore Update #5 - The Dragons of Black and Gold



Imagine a world on fire, where mortal lives are forfeited to any beast that craves their flesh, where dwarves can be buried beneath their mountains forever in an instant, and the gold of The Four Kingdoms lies amassed in the lairs of great dragons. This is every dragon’s dream, and an objective that was set to them eras ago. At first, there were many dragons fighting alongside the Mother of Betrayers, burning and pillaging the lands of Karak-Hohn, Baga, Larastir, and Edherest. They destroyed countless halls and cities, and killed many in their rampage, an accomplishment they are proud of. But after years of being hunted by the dwarves and the fall of the Mother, most of the dragons have flown away from the continent, back into their homeland.

Now only four remain, each having carved out their own domain in the Split Kingdoms. They are each more vicious than the other, competing amongst themselves for the honor of being the greatest dragon that ever lived, a legend along with their mother, Geis. Today we’ll discuss two of the four dragons, Shadis, the dragon of Black and Razen, the dragon of Gold.

[h2]Shadis[/h2]

Shadis lives in darkness, in the depths of a cave, waiting for those dim enough to venture in and meet their end. He is different in appearance from other dragons and it is rumored that there is more to him than meets the eye. He is after all, a lord of the shadows. Unlike his vicious and bloodthirsty siblings, Shadis prefers magic to combat and uses his skills as a necromancer to defeat his enemies. He then resurrects his slain enemies to serve as his personal guard and watch over his treasure as he hunts. Many tales have been told about Shadis, speculating about his strange appearance and the oddness of his powers that surpass the magic that dragons usually have. Whether he is really just a dragon or perhaps a demon in disguise remains a mystery.

[h2]Razen[/h2]

Nestled at the top of a dwarven mountain, a golden giant keeps his eye on all that happens below and terrorizes anyone who is foolish enough to approach, leaving no survivors. Long ago, Razen came to the continent, thirsty for dwarven blood. The dwarves made a plan to bring an end to his rampage by trapping him in molten gold, poured from above so that it would envelop him completely, but the trap failed. Razen emerged with his scales as hard as metal with a new armor of gold, a golden dragon. Ever since, he’s continued to devour hapless dwarves, descending from the top of his mountain to attack unsuspecting caravans. Razen’s golden coat has exacerbated his greed, making him horde more treasure than any other dragon.

[h2]Discover New Content Every Week[/h2]
If you missed any Lore Update post, explore them here:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2948134480314900440
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2948134480286416728
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2947008021749049042
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2947007387768598012

We hope you enjoyed this foray into the rich world of Alaloth. Which dragon did you find the most interesting? Share your thoughts with us on Steam and Discord.

Lore updates will be posted on Steam every Wednesday* and will introduce key characters, companions, guilds, places, monsters, stories, gods, legends, and so on, to give you the full picture of the work we’ve done to bring this epic world to life. A brand new piece of art will be available every Monday* as well!

Be sure to check Steam every other Friday* to get an update on Alaloth’s development. The updates will give a general overview of in-game content, explain gameplay features, give insight into the gaming tech we use as well as reveal other game-related content.

*Based on external and internal factors, the frequency may change.

[h3]Follow our official channels to stay up to date:[/h3]
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our Newsletter Check out our Steam page



https://store.steampowered.com/app/919360/Alaloth_Champions_of_The_Four_Kingdoms/

Development Update #3 - The animation process of Alaloth



Alaloth has a very complex combat system which is a key part of its gameplay, so the combat animations had to be both functional and impressive. We chose Alaloth’s fighting styles and their animation after a long period of study and comparison together with our tech-animation department and designers. We wanted Alaloth’s combat system to be as spectacular as possible. The system we settled on allows you to choose from and improve 5 different fighting styles, all with their own unique animations—one-handed, one-handed + shield, two-handed, dual wielding, and polearms.



The animations we ended up using were taken from our libraries and then modified by our animation team to adapt them to the needs of our designers and maintain a unique visual style. We utilize both motion capture and handmade animations and Root Motion is essential for us to make movement and combat as real as possible. Once all the animations were put into our test environment (we call it the Dojo) and selected, we moved on to managing the animator controllers in Unity. During this development phase, it was important to maintain a dialogue between our coders and tech-artists to ensure the best possible management of the animations and transitions. Our goal of course was to have everything be as smooth as possible, so to do that, we needed to set certain mechanics in our animator controllers to create a unique common base set to start from for each fighting style.



Each fighting style was designed in a way that the timing and combos would give the same feel and so enhance players’ experience with all 5 fighting styles. Light attack animations and heavy attack animations are used in each style, and thanks to our animator controller, we were able to manage combos consisting of only light or heavy attacks, or a mix of both. In addition, we introduced a multidirectional dodging system to give the player a tactical advantage by being able to dodge attacks in all 4 directions once an enemy is locked onto.




Enemies in the game also use this animator controller system and, thanks to a complex AI, they can manage a series of fighting styles and behaviors—from the most cautious to a more aggressive and brutal style. Finally, closely related to the VFX department, we have unique animations for unique skills. In Alaloth you can customize your character by choosing different Ways of Power, classes, and skills. Each one of these has its own animations, changing accordingly with the chosen fighting style.



But in the world of Alaloth there are not only warriors looking for fame and fortune. In each city, town, or tavern you will find different NPCs and animals, each with their own set of animations, according to the situation or task they are carrying out. Plamen is a living world and we transmit all of this through the scenes of everyday life with tons of gestures that are scripted by our writers and to allow players to appreciate each dialogue and all the small details that make the lore of Alaloth unique. With all of this we hope to make Alaloth’s world as immersive as possible.


[h3]Follow our official channels to stay up to date:[/h3]
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our Newsletter Check out our Steam page



https://store.steampowered.com/app/919360/Alaloth_Champions_of_The_Four_Kingdoms/





Lore Update #4 - The Plamen Travel Guide



Champions!
Let’s continue our journey through the world of Alaloth. You’re already familiar with the Kingdoms and their cities, so it’s time to stray off the beaten path.

[h3]Journey through Plamen[/h3]
As you travel across the lands of The Four Kingdoms, you will find yourself in cities, caves, ruins, and dangerous areas. Some of them are revered and often worshiped by the kingdom they are found in as special points of interest.

Each of these places are considered important monuments to the culture of their kingdoms, and the envy of many. They often mark moments in history that could not be forgotten.

[h2]Points of interest in Edherest[/h2]


[h3]The Sea of Stars[/h3]
Located at The South Sea of Edherest, this shore is unusually calm and holds shimmering lights that shine at night. The lights take the shape of constellations that are not present in the night sky and have bewildered scholars for ages. The waters are considered a sacred place, blessed by the gods, and thus no warship may enter the territory of the Sea of Stars and no blood may be shed in its vicinity.

[h3]The Tears of Light[/h3]
Vaizmil’s face shines through a remarkable sculpture carved into the cliffside here. A true testament to human art that encapsulates nature’s beauty, the Tears of Light fills all that look upon its grace with awe. Waterfalls flow from her eyes like tears, grieving the death of the Goddess of Light.

[h3]The Turquoise Ice[/h3]
Nestled beneath a glacier, there lie beautiful gems and crystals that shine their light through the ice, changing its colour to turquoise. It remains unknown why the gems are buried inside the glacier, but most can agree that the spectacle of the ice and lights is surely divine.

[h2]Points of interest in Larastir[/h2]


[h3]The Sentinels[/h3]
Towering over the landscape, the Sentinels, huge monoliths, were formed by the fierce winds of the southwest, originating in Chillwitch. Having contended for their possession for years, the dwarves and elves came to an understanding that the stones should be protected together rather than fought over.

[h3]The Gloworm Caves[/h3]
To the south of Dawn’s Rest lie the Gloworm Caves, brimming with resins that shine like gems, reflecting the light of the stars into the beautiful landscape. They open inside the ancient forests of the world, surrounded by trees that were petrified long ago.

[h3]The Waterfalls of Wishing[/h3]
North of the elven city of Nir’Lathias, the Waterfalls of Wishing astound those who are fortunate enough to see them. The bizarre saturated colors of the water and plants comes from, as legends say, the magic of fairy creatures that dwell in the area, though nobody has seen them.

[h2]Points of interest in Karak-Hohn[/h2]


[h3]Bingel, The Hawk[/h3]
Carved into the stone by strong winds and shaped into the form of a woman with an eagle head, Bingel is viewed by the dwarves as a protective idol of their culture, a sign from the sky goddess that the heavens will not harm them.

[h3]The Bloody Lake[/h3]
The mountain’s blood flows down to this lake, tainting it as red as can be. Some say that the blood comes from the dragons slain by the dwarves in days past. But the reality is much less interesting than the tale woven into the place, as the color originates in the rusty water and diluted minerals that come from the dwarven mining camps.

[h3]The Eye[/h3]
The highest peak of the Giant Knee, the Eye overlooks an impressive landscape spanning several hundred feet below it. The beauty one sees when embracing the view is unparalleled. For that reason the dwarves consider The Eye to be sacred ground where funeral rites are held.

[h2]Points of interest in Baga[/h2]


[h3]The Spoor of Gorbag[/h3]
South of the Great Mothers, a great depression named The Spoor of Gorbag cuts the land that looks as if a giant horse smashed the ground with its hoof. The crater runs deep into the ground to the point that water springs from its depth. The orcs have been trying to devise a plan to channel the water to their towns for a long time.

[h3]The Well of Baga[/h3]
In the light of dawn after Baga’s humiliation in The Valley of Storms, a hole appeared, running deep into the ground until no man could see its bottom. It is said that inside the rift the body and spirit of the hero Baga still roams, restless from his failure. The orcs regard it to be a sacred place that serves as a reminder of the horrors that Baga’s pilgrimage wrought upon the Desolation.

[h3]Kima, The Volcano[/h3]
A small active volcano by the southwest border of the Desolation. Frequent seismic activity savages the land, and the volcano is prone to eruptions. The gas spewing from its depth gave birth to many poisonous herbs, fatal to most.

[h2]Discover new content every week[/h2]
If you missed any lore update post, explore them here:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2948134480286416728
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2947008021749049042
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2947007387768598012
We hope you enjoyed this introduction into the rich world of Alaloth. What did you find the most interesting? Share your thoughts with us on Steam and Discord.

Lore updates will be posted on Steam every Wednesday* and will introduce key characters, companions, guilds, places, monsters, stories, gods, legends, and so on, to give you the full picture of the work we’ve done to bring this epic world to life. A brand new piece of art will be available every Monday* as well!

Be sure to check Steam every other Friday* to get an update on Alaloth’s development. The updates will give a general overview of in-game content, explain gameplay features, give insight into the gaming tech we use as well as reveal other game-related content.

*Based on external and internal factors, the frequency may change.

[h2]Discord Kingdom Allegiance[/h2]
Lately, we also introduced an Allegiance feature on the game’s official Discord server. Those of you who are already in the server or just joined it, have to decide to which King or Queen you want to swear your allegiance.

For now, the roles are just a display of your allegiance. In the future, they will play a greater part in community activities.

Make sure to pick your Kingdom now and discuss your homeland’s lore with your fellow countrymen.

Enjoy your stay!

[h3]Follow our official channels to stay up to date:[/h3]
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our Newsletter Check out our Steam page



https://store.steampowered.com/app/919360/Alaloth_Champions_of_The_Four_Kingdoms/

Join the Discord AMA!



[h3]Champions![/h3]
To end this particularly strange year on a positive note, we are hosting an Alaloth - Champions of The Four Kingdoms AMA today (December 23) at 7pm UTC on the game’s official Discord server.

If you haven’t yet, join the server, and start typing your questions in the #ama channel to give us a heads up.

Developers of the game (Gamera Interactive) will be available to answer any and all questions you have about Alaloth and its development. Don’t miss it!

Set a Steam reminder or mark your calendar and get notified when the AMA starts:



[h2]Discord Kingdom Allegiance[/h2]
Earlier today, we also introduced an Allegiance feature on the game’s official Discord server. Those of you who are already in the server or just joined it, have to decide to which King or Queen you want to swear your allegiance.

For now, the roles are just a display of your allegiance. In the future, they will play a greater part in community activities.

Make sure to pick your Kingdom now and discuss your homeland’s lore with your fellow countrymen.

Enjoy your stay!

[h3]Follow our official channels to stay up to date:[/h3]
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our Newsletter Check out our Steam page



https://store.steampowered.com/app/919360/Alaloth_Champions_of_The_Four_Kingdoms/

Lore Update #3 - The Fifth Kingdom & Those That Covet it



[h3]Champions![/h3]
Before you set off on a quest to find The Fifth Kingdom and free the world from Alaloth’s influence, let’s consult old tomes to learn more about the history of the Kingdom. Read a tale of ambition, ignorance, and manipulation.



[h2]The Fifth Kingdom [/h2]
At the dawning hours of the Second Era, the Goddess of Light, Vaizmil, looked upon the world and saw only conflict and war. She saw friend turned against friend, and disloyalty and pain. She saw a realm disjointed by falsehoods when it could have been one prosperous kingdom. Thus, she came up with a plan.

The Fifth Kingdom, a kingdom that was to be in the center of The Four Kingdoms, was at that time a vacant land with a mighty abandoned city, ripe for the taking if one was brave enough. Vaizmil convinced the All-Father to enact her dream through trickery, telling him that only the strongest realm would be able to claim the Fifth Kingdom and rule over all others. But the reality was that she had no intention of leaving The Fifth Kingdom to competition. Her purpose was unification, as only with the united force of The Four Kingdoms would the land truly know peace.

Vaizmil was so set on her ambition to save the mortal realm and the All-Father on the prospect of combat that they did not think of the rules he’d set up long ago, prohibiting him from intervening physically in the mortal realm. The moment The Fifth Kingdom was created, the Mother of Betrayers was free to revolt against the All-Father.

Vaizmil realized her mistake and the Mother’s plan and tried to warn the gods of the war that was coming, but none would listen. As a martyr, she confronted the Mother and her son, Alaloth, alone, only to be murdered. But when she died, her life force spread across the kingdom in shards in the hope that they would one day help the mortal race enter the Fifth Kingdom.

With Alaloth’s victory over The First Pantheon and his mother, he saw himself as beyond the gods. He attempted to cross into the mortal realm via The Fifth Kingdom, but the moment he set foot in it, he was chained to the ground, unable to move, stuck forever. His sheer presence in such a holy place has corrupted the Kingdom and spread his venom into the ground.

There is only one way to restore the world to what it was before Alaloth ravaged the lands with his Tempests—gather the shards of Vaizmil’s life force and conquer The Fifth Kingdom for the good of the whole mortal realm.



[h2]The Spectral Circle[/h2]
Since the moment Alaloth was born, he had already planned to betray his mother. With his powers of manipulation, he had convinced a selected few in the mortal realm to wait for his descent and be his mortal army as he took over their world.

These few formed what is now known as The Spectral Circle, a cult that worships Alaloth and revels in the corruption he brings to the world, caged in The Fifth Kingdom.
The goal of the Circle is to spread his corruption further, seeding chaos inside The Four Kingdoms, and defile their gods.

Their ultimate goal is to release Alaloth from his chains and let him wreak havoc on the realm, taking it as his own. They expect to be rewarded for their efforts and will go to any length to show devotion to their lord.

They are hunted all across the kingdoms, but like cockroaches they always reappear, corrupt the young, and increase their ranks faster than any cult the world has ever seen. They care nothing for mortal life and accept their death as part of Alaloth’s plan. They fear nothing and their ideology will survive as long as Alaloth is alive. While the other kingdoms and groups want The Fifth Kingdom for themselves or for the good of all mortal beings, the Circle merely wants it as a tool to free their lord—the Kingdom and the world mean nothing to them.

[h2]Discover new content every week[/h2]
If you missed any lore update post, explore them here:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2947008021749049042
https://steamcommunity.com/games/919360/announcements/detail/2947007387768598012
We hope you enjoyed this introduction into the rich world of Alaloth. What did you find the most interesting? Share your thoughts with us on Steam and Discord.

Lore updates will be posted on Steam every Wednesday* and will introduce key characters, companions, guilds, places, monsters, stories, gods, legends, and so on, to give you the full picture of the work we’ve done to bring this epic world to life. A brand new piece of art will be available every Monday* as well!

Be sure to check Steam every other Friday* to get an update on Alaloth’s development.The updates will give a general overview of in-game content, explain gameplay features, give insight into the gaming tech we use as well as reveal other game-related content.

*Based on external and internal factors, the frequency may change.

[h2]Discord Kingdom Allegiance[/h2]
Earlier today, we also introduced an Allegiance feature on the game’s official Discord server. Those of you who are already in the server or just joined it, have to decide to which King or Queen you want to swear your allegiance.

For now, the roles are just a display of your allegiance. In the future, they will play a greater part in community activities.

Make sure to pick your Kingdom now and discuss your homeland’s lore with your fellow countrymen.

Enjoy your stay!

[h3]Follow our official channels to stay up to date:[/h3]
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our Newsletter Check out our Steam page



https://store.steampowered.com/app/919360/Alaloth_Champions_of_The_Four_Kingdoms/