Soulframe Preludes 9

Soulframe Preludes 9 arrives, inviting new and returning Envoys to choose their Pact. Align with one of three revealed Factions, each offering new unique Pacts and gear. Wield the crackling force of Odiac, cleanse corrupted trees to reveal hidden corners of the land, and uncover focused paths through Faction Tales. As Midrath expands, so too does the path ahead. Read on to see what’s new!

 

An Invitation... Choose Your Pact

New and returning Envoys now begin their journey by selecting a Pact aligned with Spirit, Courage, or Grace. This choice determines your starting Pact, signature weapon, and handcrafted Totem that grants passage into one of three revealed Factions. 

Pledge your Spirit to Alca's Children

Roused by rain, was she, a new witch abloom in the garden of Eldveil. Share the pact of the Fey healer, Oscelda. Fend the thriving, tend the ailing, and mend the damned. Have Spirit, Envoy. For all of us living share the same breath. Forget it is so, and choke.

• Pact of Spirit: Oscelda
  • Bestone: Cement your enemies to stone... for time. Apt to shatter under strikes or be free all the sooner.
  • Elderbloom: Reap the long-sowed seed of the Elderbloom. Restore Life to all Envoys within the puff of pollen.
  • Phantom Flock: Hail Alca’s winged children. A flock of phantom songbirds attack your target. Singing revenge.
  • Passives (Upgrade Pact Arts to unlock passives):
    • Creeping Thorn: Alca defends her children. Enemy attacks may be met with Creeping Thorns, which slow movement and deal damage over time.
    • Vernal Pool: Water is life. Arcanic powers recharge more quickly when standing in water.
• Odiac: The crackle of lightning, bottled up one's sleeve.
• Sproutfolk Seed Totem: A large seed, smoothed and worn by the passing of many hands. Held to the ear, one may hear a gentle heartbeat.
• Fipple Flute: A whistle carved of willow wood. Whether sparrow’s song, or breeze through trees, Alca speaks in music.

Pledge your Courage to the Kith of Kings

Chief of the Solist Warriors, was she, wreathed in flame and fury. Claim the pact of the Fey champion, Tethren. Raise your sword to sun, howl the Felling song. Have Courage, Envoy. For a warrior's heart is both weapon and armour. And a human heart can crack.

• Pact of Courage: Tethren
  • Felllust: Summon the wrath of The Felling. Consecutive melee strikes deal accumulative damage.
  • Call of the Ancients: Sing the auld warsong. Attract attention from nearby enemies. Increased damage. Increased defense.
  • Clash: Sound your ensign. Stagger and Stun enemies within your shockwave. Increased defense against Stagger.
  • Passives (Upgrade Pact Arts to unlock passives):
    • Conquerer: Each battle, a drop in the well of war. Absorb a small amount of Life from enemies you fell.
    • Pounding Heart: A warrior knows when to retreat. Low Life triggers increased speed.
• Sollos-I: A standard issue broadsword for Ode’n Gruul-Seekers.
• Medallion of Mora: A golden medal, emblazoned with the face of the red sun. ’Tis almost too hot to touch. Almost.
• Fipple Flute: A whistle carved of willow wood. Whether sparrow’s song, or breeze through trees, Alca speaks in music.

Pledge your Grace to the Silent Rose

Borne of a moonlight pond, was he, with an arrow ready-nocked. Take the pact of the Fey assassin, Sirin. Learn the trickster's glamour, wear the ranger's shroud. Have Grace, Envoy. For a well-aimed bolt may end a world. It has done so once before.

• Pact of Grace: Sirin
  • Picktrix Powder: Cast a cloud of magick dust. Enemies are blinded, leaving them vulnerable to sneak attacks.
  • Trick of the Light: Set free your trickster shadow. A decoy draws enemy fire and explodes when foes get too close.
  • Glamour: Cast a veil of magicks to hide you from your foes. Float like a nightmoth and attack from behind.
  • Passives (Upgrade Pact Arts to unlock passives):
    • Shrouded:Child of the shadow. Threats glow clearly in the dark.
    • Pickpocket: Use your Glamour to sneak up on enemies and steal loot from their pockets.
• Thistle: A well-worn hunter's bow. Lightweight and well-balanced despite it's age, Thistle has the mark of a Roods craftsman. The handle is grooved around your fingertips like an old friend. You've much in common with whoever held it last. Of that, you are certain. (Formerly known as Blitzel).
• Rose’s Bodkin Totem: A brooch of sword-sharp petals. Though delicate, it is strong. One wonders how it’d fare when thrown.
• Fipple Flute: A whistle carved of willow wood. Whether sparrow’s song, or breeze through trees, Alca speaks in music.

*All existing players will be presented with this choice upon login.

*New Pacts bring Arcanics once found in the old Fey Pact.

 

New Faction Enclaves and Faction Tales

Each Faction now calls home to a unique Enclave - the halls of the Silent Rose, the stone-clad seat of the Kith of Kings, and the sprouting sanctuary of Alca’s Children. 

Alca’s Children Enclave

A Sproutfolk hidey-hole tucked away in Hilly-Den. Lit by flickering wisps, washed in elfin breeze, this ancient Fey sanctuary holds still an air of magicks. Here, the Sproutfolk evade their Ode'n labour to rest and revel. 

Kith of Kings Enclave

Heralded by his towering throne. Haunted by his subjects, stone. The crumbling crypt of The Fire King, Fenn Jotar. Hidden away in an untouched pocket of his Undercity does his body rest... and his restless soul wander.

Silent Rose Enclave

The old sailor's district of Dermak, kept discrete by a sea cave entrance. In eras past, these halls were filled with pirates, evading Midrathian law. Today, they house a new kind of rebel. In the Enclave's deepest reaches lies a relic preserved by layers of ale. The Drippin' Flagon."

Seek out your chosen stronghold and complete an introductory event to officially join their ranks.

• For those that pledge Spirit... Beloved when lost, but loathed at home. I crave a jewel, borne not from stone.
• For those that pledge Courage... When twin suns sleep. When mem’ries creep. A spirit sweeps. Keeper of keys.
• For those that pledge Grace... “Not so close, Can.”

Faction Tales offer a new repeatable system of branching objectives and mini-boss encounters. Earn Faction XP to unlock exclusive rewards and gain Faction standing. Discover your Faction and speak with your Faction’s leader to begin.

*Faction Switching (Coming Soon): The ability to switch Factions will arrive in a future update, allowing you to earn the Pacts tied to other Factions through progression.

 

New Weapon! Odiac

The crackle of lightning, bottled up one’s sleeve. 

Odiac is the mechanical power source of Ode’n casters. Fixed upon the wrists, its rapidly oscillating spheres generate voltaic charge. With no more than a gesture, its master may cast homing bolts of lightning and summon Lectric Shields at will. 

Fragments for Odiac will be available from Faction offerings or if the Spirit path is chosen at the start of your journey.

 

New Gear Slot: Totem

Envoys may now carry a Totem - a piece of gear worn like a charm upon the neck. Granted upon pledging to a faction, each Totem offers recognition among its kin and grants the bearer the voice to speak with their chosen order. 

 

Bow Combat Rework: A Return to Range

Bows have been rebalanced to better fulfill their role as true ranged weapons. Primary attacks now prioritize shooting over melee, with refined aiming and faster shot cadence to help arrows find their mark.

Arrows are now functionally infinite. Sneak attacks and finishers still shine, but Envoys can now lean into the swift precision of a ranger, loosing arrows from afar with greater intent. But be warned: enemies are keen to your drawn bows, and will attempt to dodge your shots.

New mechanics:

• Quick Shot: Swift and sharp. Ideal for chaining headshots and mid-range pressure.
• Heavy Shot: Designed for long-range control. A charged, precise strike.
• Arrow Hail: Launches a volley skyward, raining arrows in a wide circle. Effective against groups. 

Additional enhancements:

• Extended zoom while aiming to better line up distant targets.
• Aiming mid-air slows your descent, giving airborne archers a chance to strike true.

Bow Combat Arts have been reworked to reflect these changes.

 

New Enemy: Corrupt Ode Dog

A new Corrupt Ode hound now prowls the wilds of Alca - tread carefully, Envoy, and seek to free them from the Ode’n reign.

 

World Trees: Uncover Alca Once More

It is bad luck indeed to harm one of Alca's own World Trees. They are widely considered to have been planted by Fey in the era before humankind... Though there is much speculation as to why.

Throughout Alca, sacred trees lie wounded. By pulling free what was once forced upon them, Envoys cleanse these sacred trees and restore their breath. In turn, the mists part - revealing surrounding regions on your Map. What once wounded now leads the way.

 

Map Expansion

Midrath has opened further for exploration. New paths wind through once hidden wilds, offering new locations to unveils and secrets yet untold.

Some areas remain a work in progress as the island continues to take shape.

 

Loot Drop Adjustments

Loot drops are receiving refinements to provide more opportunities to acquire Fragments and materials. These are our first steps towards improving loot acquisition and making loot progression more accessible.

Tales and Faction Loot Pools

• Faction Tales feature focused reward pools with Faction-specific drops, making it easier to earn rare rewards upon completion.
• Previously, as more loot was added to Sparrow’s Tales, rarer drops became increasingly more challenging to earn. With the addition of Factions, Faction Tales, and their own distinct reward pools, there’s now less competition between drops.
• Faction standing rank-ups will grant loot rewards at each rank standing tier.
• Standing rank-up rewards will also be offered  from Faction leaders with Faction reputation at the appropriate ranks (from which these rewards can also drop)

Chests and Crates Rework

• Overworld Ode chests now appear in two rarities: common and rare, with reworked drops including rarer materials, increased Dracs, and Fragments.
• Gathannan Fragments have been added to rare chests in the Glades of Andurin.
• Chest distribution has been condensed, replacing an overabundance of excessive chests with fewer, more rewarding ones.
• Destructible crates and boxes now yield further increased amounts of common and uncommon crafting materials.
• Dynamic encounters, such as Ode camps, will more consistently contain caged critters or a chest, rather than both.

Enemy Loot Drops

Enemy loot has been diversified, with enemies now dropping uncommon and rare Ode-specific crafting materials and weapon Fragments, alongside the usual Dracs and Health Elixirs. The amount of Dracs found in bags dropped by fallen enemies has been increased.

 

New Weapon! Duhk Halic

Forged of fever, wrought of wrath. The Ode’n lance, Duhk Halic. 

An Ode’n instrument of corruption. Even the Nimrod who wields it suffers from its venomous touch. Whether Omen beast or sacred tree, wherever Duhk Halic finds its mark, a wound spews ichor. Though... your weaver ways seem to have purged this wretched lance of corruption... For now.

Fragment for Duhk Halic will be earned after healing all World Trees across Alca.

 

New Pact: Mora's Hand

Her ever-flame will she impart,

To braving souls with burning hearts.

Not life nor death will do you part. 

Take Mora's Hand, Envoy. Make a pact with the red sun. An honour once held only by the mighty Kings and Queens of Midrath is yours. Do not sully her flame.

Ignus Wroth

Wake the old flame, set the earth ablaze. Enemies in area of effect take fire damage.

Ember

Do not stroke the quiet ember. Enemies that dare attack trigger a blast of defensive flame.

Inferno

Cast an arc of inferno. Bonus damage if the target is already on fire.

Passive: Hungry Flame

The fire within burns ever brighter. Taking fire damage increases weapon damage. Upgrade Pact Arts to unlock this passive.

Passive: Smolder

Targeted enemy heats up under your gaze, taking increasing fire damage till they burst into flame! Upgrade Pact Arts to unlock this passive.

 

Idol Removal

To reduce complexity and prepare for future systems coming in Preludes 10, Idols have been removed from all Pacts. These will return as mythic-tier earnable weapons - bringing their power back with a more focused purpose in your arsenal.

 

Premium Currency Testing

Initial testing for a new Premium currency has begun! Currently, test implementations can be found in Avakot’s Gots and Tuvalkane’s crafting menu. More details will emerge as testing progresses - stay tuned!

 

General Additions and Changes

• Improved Health Elixir Scaling: Health Elixirs now scale with maximum health, allowing higher-ranked Envoys to recover more with each use.
• Improved lock-on system to better select and snap to nearby threats in combat.
• Improved animations, AI behavior, placement, and combat for Ode enemies.
• Improved unarmed run, longsword, dual sword, and forward dodge roll animations for a smoother and more natural feel. Further refinements to other weapon grips will come in future updates.
• Improved the functionality and flow of the elemental hazards which lurk in the Undercity.
• Dungeon layouts have been trimmed to reduce excessive backtracking and dead ends. Envoys should now find a more focused path through the depths, with fewer winding detours and shorter overall length.
• Adjusted enemy scaling across Alca to increase danger as you venture farther from the starting area.
• Added “Swap Motes” functionality to the Weapon section of the arsenal screen as Fire King Fenn Jotar has found other matters to attend to... *Please Note: The full new system of Runes and Motes, first shared during Soulframe Devstream 5, will now arrive with Preludes 10.
• Added air stall jump mechanics to weapon attacks, allowing Envoys to briefly suspend in the air when striking mid-jump.
• Added new mirror and elemental puzzles in the Dermak Undercity.
• Added Dracs and premium currency to the Inventory screen.
• Added new UI icons to the compass to show enemies and objectives.
• Added reactive pulsing glow visual effects to the compass when inside an objective area.
• Moved the compass to the top of the HUD.
• Adjusted the size and layout of the Arcanics HUD to reflect the removal of Idols and improve overall visual spacing.
• Made the Health UI slightly more visible.
• Removed yellow tint and scaling from Smite damage numbers to reduce confusion.
• Reduced instances of Stagger inflicted by enemies to improve combat flow and prevent players from being repeatedly stunned when surrounded by enemies.
• Reduced Garren, Deora, Nimrod’s health to account for the removal of Idols.
• Increased river, forest, and cave resource spawns to support wider exploration across the expanded map.
• Refined the new player tutorial flow to offer more natural pacing and guidance for newly awakened Envoys.
• Reworked and improved rope and grappling hook mechanics.
• Made optimizations to level loading and memory.
• Optimized world resource spawning to improve performance.
• Ongoing audio improvements and fixes including new sound effects for enemies, combat, weapons, UI, Fables, and environment.
• Ongoing improvements to lighting, VFX, environment, Volumetric Fog, graphics, and materials across the world of Alca.
  • Dynamic Reflections: Outdoor scenes now feature improved reflections. Water and metallic surfaces dynamically respond to time of day and lighting changes.
  • Mesh Streaming: Distant meshes now stream in only when needed, improving memory usage and efficiency.
  • Volumetric Fog & Landscape Optimizations: Refined rendering of fog and landscapes improves overall performance and framerate stability.

 

Fixes

• Fixed Envoys who entered soulmode while loading into the Silent Rose Enclave being unable to exit until leaving.
• Fixed an issue where dying in the Silent Rose Enclave loading tunnel from fire damage would return Envoys to Midrath in a ghost-like state, preventing enemies from detecting them.
• Fixed dynamic reflections in the Silent Rose Enclave causing flickering and unintended colorful lighting.
• Fixed cinematics in The Shewolf Snared appearing darker if the Envoy was in Nightfold when triggered.
• Fixed various animation issues and added new animations for Orengall's cubs during The Shewolf Snared.
• Fixed Orengall falling out of the world whilst ambushing enemies during The Shewolf Snared.
• Fixed Cloudquell not removing Nimrod’s lightning shields in Nimrod’s final encounter during Brewer of Hues.
• Fixed the poppet not being highlighted in Soulmode for clients during The Brewer of Hues.
• Fixed Deora sometimes going idle during combat in The Torment Stag. 
• Fixed the host’s animation state persisting in the Tuvalkane cinematic during The Steelsinger when triggered by a client, causing the host to appear running in place.
• Fixed Sparrow’s Tale UI taking priority over tracked Fables, preventing the active Fable objective from being displayed.
• Fixed Dracs sometimes not dropping when intended.
• Fixed multiple bugs that could cause Envoy colours to unintentionally reset after applying customizations at Verminia’s station.
• Fixed clients in Nightfold seeing a floating head instead of the host’s proper cosmetics during cinematics.
• Fixed clients who died while in Orengall’s Werewalker losing all functionality and becoming a camera following the Host.
• Fixed clients not seeing Ode Bisulcam fire animations.
• Fixed Voltaic Snares sometimes not successfully trapping Envoys.
• Fixed visual issues that could appear when disabling Volumetric Fog and Lighting in the Video settings.
• Fixed various environmental decorations in the Dermak Undercity that could allow for out-of-bounds exploits.
• Fixed some elevator levers in the Dermak Undercity not being interactable.
• Fixed flickering water reflections in the Nightfold.
• Fixed flickering water in the eastern part of Midrath.
• Fixed a corner in the Bastions where Envoys could fall through the map.
• Fixed a water hazard in the Undercity that could be repeatedly drained by reusing the crate prompt, causing the cinematic to replay over and over.
• Fixed Envoys getting stuck in a flooded puzzle in the Dermak Undercity where the raft could be sent across the water without the Envoy on it, leaving them trapped.
• Fixed a rare bug where the vine door in Undercity mirror puzzles could seal in and trap players.
• Fixed the overabundance of dead ends appearing at the beginning of Dungeons.
• Fixed various minor level holes and issues throughout the Undercity and Midrath.
• Fixed foot sliding and unnatural leg movement during stop animations.
• Fixed Envoys sometimes shuffling legs awkwardly in the arsenal screen.
• Fixed Envoys appearing to limp awkwardly while walking due to animation errors.
• Fixed unnecessary delays when loading Fables, including skipping resource loading for already completed Fables.
• Fixed a script error that could occur when opening the Map while controlling the bird after death.
• Fixed menu sometimes getting stuck and controls locking up if the player died while navigating settings or switching tabs in the pause menu.
• Fixed reward UI notifications displaying excessive vertical spacing when multiple items were collected.
• Fixed Avakot’s Gots music not playing continuously when navigating sub-menus.
• Fixed the Map cursor moving unintentionally when closing the Map with a controller.
• Fixed a bug where player input could be unresponsive when exiting the pause menu.
• Fixed dying with unsaved Settings changes causing players to become stuck on the confirmation screen.
• Fixed a script error caused by Avakot’s Gots.
• Fixed a script error caused by swapping Pacts in the arsenal screen. 
• Fixed a rare crash caused by talking in Recruiting chat.
• Fixed a crash caused by loot chests.
• Fixed a crash caused by Glamour.
• Fixed a crash caused by music statues.
• Fixed a crash that could occur when swapping Helms in the arsenal screen.
• Fixed a crash that could occur when finishing speaking to Avakot in multiplayer. 
• Fixed a crash caused by Orengall Pact’s Howl.
• Fixed crashes that could occur due to DirectX 12.