Preludes 11: The Waste Bear

Just a few puffs and you lose your head... Soulframe Preludes 11 is here!

Begin a brand new Fable, unlock the Pact of Bromius and delve into the root-choked Neath’uns. Discover new weapons, armour and foes throughout Midrath. With updates to combat, crafting, customization and more, this Update deepens the lands of Alca in story, soul, and system alike! Fable by fable, root by root, our world grows.

Flap flap, Envoys... to Wevetwood we go!

New Fable: The Waste Bear

An ill omen from sightless witch: 'tis Envoy's fate to battle the three-headed bear. But the elder trees voice a different tale: of a kind Arbearer, tangled in their rotting roots...

Follow the sap-smoke into The Fable of the Arbearer Bromius. A poppet pulls you into Verminia’s cauldron... and a sap-dream of a three-headed bear, dying trees, and a seed that won’t grow. 

Track the Floppet into the Wevetwood, learn to speak tree-tongue with a withered-elm reed, and push through living wards to the circle where the forest’s voice has fallen silent. 

From there, face the Wazzard, a mendicant trickster who steals your Pact and splits into skittering horrors and descend into the Neath’uns before the final reckoning at the Heartroot. 

Free Bromius from corruption, recover the Voicing Seed, replant hope and claim Bromius’ favor as the Wevetwood begins again.

Start the Waste Bear Fable by speaking with Verminia in the Nightfold after completing The Brewer of Hues to receive the Sap Tap tool. Use it to seek Wevetwood Sap in the wilds, then return to Verminia to enter the sap-dream.

Listen to the Song of Waste and Song of Growth (as heard in the Waste Bear Fable) now streaming on our official YouTube channel and music platforms everywhere!

New Pact: Bromius

When giants fall, when fail our brutes,

‘Tis strength to turn to severed roots.

And bear to look within for truce.

Bear the burly pact of the Arbearer Bromius. Be ward of the Wevetwood, regent of the Neath’uns’ roots. Mighty, you must be. Of heft and heart alike.

Courage Arcanic: Rump Thump

Leap... and thump! Enemies in area of effect take damage. Nearby enemies are Staggered.

Spirit Arcanic: Wevetroot

Rouse the ancient Wevetroots. Enemies are caught in the thorns, taking damage over time.

Grace Arcanic: Song of Growth

By sacred song, seeds turn to saplings. Increased armour strength for you and nearby allies.

Passive: Barkbare

Like grafting tree bark. Chance to steal armour strength from target on every attack. Upgrade Pact Arts to unlock this passive.

Passive: Canopy’s Blessing

The trees sing in your favour. Small amount of damage blocked by armour is dealt to attacker. Upgrade Pact Arts to unlock this passive.

Complete the Waste Bear Fable to acquire the Fragment for the new Bromius Pact.

New Dungeon: The Neath’uns

Descend into the Neath’uns, vast root-caves choked with ichor. 

Purge ichor seepage to set the waters running clean, raise living root bridges to forge a path, and push through pockets of Corrupted Sproutfolk, puzzles, and spiders.

Prerequisite: Complete The Waste Bear Fable to discover entrances to the Neath’uns throughout Alca.

New Armour Set: Bromius

Ward of the Wevetwood, his roar be their defender. Arbearer to the voicing trees, his soft paws be their mender. Through bark and bud, The Omen Bear, Bromius.

'Tis no small task to fend the elder trees from Ode'n sludge. All creatures err. E'en the Omen Bear 'Tis strength indeed to rise again, tender as seedlings though we may be. To sing a Song of Growth in a world of wastes. 

Rank up the Pact of the Arbearer Bromius to learn more…

Arbearer's Mask

The hulking helm of the Wevetwood's ward.

Narrowed eyes, heavy with sap. Jagged jaw, bared to snap. The Arbearer's Mask is a wordless threat, a promise of death to those who would harm his forest. Though... It may be lifted just a quick to show the lazy smile beneath.

Arbearer's Pauncher

A wrought iron pauncher of unfathomable heft.

This armour is to Arbearer as bark is to tree. An assault of scratches cover its surface, though no weapon has ever pierced through to the soft belly it guards. Surely, one never will. "

Arbearer's Braes

The Arbearer's laden boots. As thick as Wevetroots.

A bastion of straps support poleyns and mail. Heavy iron plates guard each and every toe. Though the Arbearer's souls are sewn in soft leather. Gentle. So as not to disturb the tender sprouts underfoot.

Fragments for the Bromius armour set will drop from Kabocha.

New Weapon: Marrow’s Bane

A mighty claw, a dripping maw. The menacing cleaver of the Arbearer, Bromius. 

Five sharpened spires glint in the pale Neath'uns light. Be they the teeth of Marrow's Bane? Or the claws of the great Omen Bear himself? Wield this weapon by the Arbrearer's deal: to protect the old roots yet to heal- or to pick your teeth after good meal.

Fragments for Marrow's Bane will drop from Kabocha.

Runes and Totems

A pitter-patter of clever creatures whisper Magicks in the forest, and ‘tis speed of forest-tender that casts it. Find strength within, and fulfill without.

Runes and Totems are the next step in Soulframe’s power fantasy, offering new layers of power and buildcraft. Seek them, wield them, and let Alca’s wilds shape your strength.

How to Acquire Runes and Totems

Runes are elemental powers that embolden your weapon for a short time after triggering Smite. They may remind you of strengths long passed, but given new life. 

Allocated to Melee, Magicks/Flyblades, and Ranged weapons, Runes are acquired by defeating Sub-Bosses around Midrath. 

• Everflame: Melee Rune
• • +40% Flame for 15 seconds.
• Archstorm: Magicks/Flyblades Rune
• • +50% Voltaic for 15 seconds.
• Alca’s Breath: Bow Rune
• • +100% Arcanic for 15 seconds

Totems carry the essence of Alca’s creatures; Envoys can kick like a hare and swing like a squirrel. 

Totems can be acquired in two ways:

• Charm wild animals across Alca:
• • Approach shimmering creatures in the wild.
  • Use Spectral Sight + Light Attack to initiate a melody.
  • Play correctly to calm them and claim their Totem.
• Rescue caged animals:
• • Find caged animals in the wilds.
  • Defend them from any surrounding foe and release them from a Sinecure’s cage to receive their Totem.
  • Totems from caged animals require no musical intervention—they’re already charmed by your courage!

Totems are upgrades that modify your playstyle across three functional slots: Attack, Defense, and Utility. Totems' Grip Type drops at random.

• Beavers: The Maker
• • Attack Slot: Attacks reduce enemy Armour.
  • Defense Slot: Blocking reflects Stagger.
  • Utility Slot: Smite reduces enemy Armour.
• Deer: The Crowned
• • Attack Slot: Primary attacks deal additional Stagger.
  • Defense Slot: Grants additional Stability.
  • Utility Slot: Smites restore Health.
• Ducks: The Yielding
• • Attack Slot: Alt. Attacks (e.g., Throws, Arrow Hail) slow enemy movement.
  • Defense Slot: Grants additional Magick Armour
  • Utility Slot: Perfect Attacks (e.g., Perfect Throws, Perfect Shots, Fully-Charged Cast) have an additional chance to Smite.
• Hares: The Stalward
• • Attack Slot: Staggers on Kicks increase the charge rate of next Heavy/Charged attack.
  • Defense Slot: Additional Stagger Damage on Kicks.
  • Utility Slot: Additional Smite chance on Kicks.
• Rats: The Scavenger
• • Attack Slot: Attacks deal extra damage to a nearby enemy.
  • Defense Slot: Grants additional Physical Armour
  • Utility Slot: Smites cause an area of effect Stagger around the affected target.
• Squirrels: The Messenger
• • Attack Slot: Increased attack/bow charge rate
  • Defense Slot: Grants an increased Parry Window.
  • Utility Slot: Additional chance for Smites on attacks.

Equipping Runes and Totems

Runes and Totems are applied to your weapons! 

To equip: open your arsenal screen and right-click on your chosen (or equipped) weapon to see:

• 1 central Rune slot
• 3 surrounding Totem slots: Attack, Defense, Utility

Each Rune is attuned to a specific Totem:

• Everflame grants an additional Attack Totem slot.
• Archstorm grants an additional Defense Totem slot.
• Alca’s Breath grants an additional Utility Totem slot.

Totems aren’t restricted to a singular slot. Multiple of the same Totem can be equipped (meaning if you have two of The Maker’s Longblade Totems, you can equip both on your chosen weapon!).

Using Runes and Totems in Combat

Runes and Totems, as mentioned, are utilized across four different fronts! 

• Runes require Smite - weapon strikes have a chance to Smite your foes, exposing their souls.
• To activate the Rune, you’ll have to Soul Steal a Smited enemy. This triggers the Rune for a time, indicated by a gauge over your second Arcanic. 
• Totems are always active to modify Attack, Defensive and Utility.

Upgrading Runes and Totems

Use Harmony to upgrade the rarity and effectiveness of your Totems and Runes, up to a maximum of three stars.

Harmony can be acquired by:

• Charming wild animals (the better you play, the more you earn!).
• Freeing caged critters.
• Releasing excess Totems/Runes from the Arsenal.

Verminia Rank-Ups

A bounty of customization comes your way! But, to truly shake the rust and rise above such grayeties, Envoys must increase their Bond with Verminia. 

Increase your Bond by crafting Figments with Verminia.

A note, Envoys: The voiceovers for Verminia’s rank-up dialogues are yet to be implemented. Fear not, the subtitles remain, but audio will be implemented on a later moon.

Bestitching

Bestitching is here, Envoys of fashion and flame’n fit. This new system allows Envoys to change the appearance of Armour while keeping the stats intact: forge your style without compromise.

Moonsteel Thread

A tiny shard of Moonsteel, smelted from a pinch of dust. An invention of the Steelsinger Kane, this sacred alloy was forged beneath Iridris' glow. When struck by a well-wrought blade, it rings a pitch high and true. Perfect for Bestitching. 

Acquiring Moonsteel Threads

Moonsteel Threads are required for each Bestitching transformation. Purchase Moonsteel Threads from Avakot for 15 Arcs (Soulframe’s premium currency). 

To support experimentation during this early phase, 50 bonus Arcs will be added to all existing accounts, as well as 3 free Moonsteel Threads.

Moonsteel Thread acquisition remains limited to Arcs at this time. As the system of Bestitching matures, possibilities for limited or event-based access will be explored.

How to Bestitch

Bring your newly-purchased Moonsteel Thread to Verminia to begin Bestitching your armour. Access Bestitching by interacting with either the Helm, Cuirass or Leggings button.

With Moonsteel ‘twixt your fingers, interact with Verminia and select the Armour slot (Helm, Cuirass, Leggings) you wish to Bestitch over, and select the Armour visuals from the Bestitch Appearance menu.

Once chosen, press Bestitch to complete your transformation! Each Moonsteel Thread is a one-time use, so choose wisely.

Hues

Envoy! You reek of grey. Let us brew some new hues...your outfit could certainly use it, hm?

A new dye system has arrived! Verminia now offers Hues, allowing you to tint your gear with vivid colors and expanded customization.

Acquiring Hues and Crafting Figments

To craft Hues, you must first gather Figments: fragments of style left behind by Alca’s most vivid souls. Figments allow an Envoy to craft a set of Hues. 

You can acquire Figments by completing Fables, levelling up your standing with Enclaves, increasing Bonds with Ancestors, and completing tasks throughout Alca. 

Speak with Verminia to begin crafting your palette using these new materials.

A bounty of à la mode Figments awaits your touch:

• Verminia's Brines: A fragmented figment of Verminia of the coven, Brewer of Hues.
• • Acquired by completing the Brewer of Hues Fable.
• Verminia's Memoir: A fragmented figment of Verminia of the coven, Brewer of Hues. 
• •  Acquired by increasing your Bond with Verminia.
• Rhiannon's Flame: A figment left by Rhiannon of the coven, Fire Mage to Queen Muireall Jotar.
• • Acquired from the Kith of Kings Offerings.
• Epona's Forests: A figment left by Epona of the coven, Druid Ward to the Omen Bear. 
• • Acquired from the Alca’s Children Offerings.
• Sigil: A figment left by Sigil of the coven, seer of the Silent Rose.
• • Acquired from the Silent Rose Offerings.

Once you’ve acquired a new Figment, return to Verminia and select the Brew Hues tab on the left-hand side. 

Under the Cairns tab, select the Figment you wish to create.

Applying Hues

Once crafted and claimed from the Assembled tab, you can choose four specific dyeable sections for each part of your gear: Helm, Cuirass, and Leggings. To access this, press the “Figments” button near the top of the screen.

Each Hue isn’t simply one colour - it’s a shade and spectrum colour picker. Simply click and drag on your selected Hue to choose be allowing you to choose between the entire range of shades

Now, Verminia shouldn’t call you too drab, hm?

New Resources 

As the Wevetwood awakens and Envoys grow in flourish and flair, so too does the land offer new bounty to match their blossoming craft.

These new resources will be essential to forging your identity: whether through Bestitching, brewing Hues, or embarking on deeper Fables and Offerings. From fragrant florals to curious fungi, each carries the whisper of its place of origin… and perhaps a story yet untold.

Here are a few of the wonders now discoverable across Alca:

• Wevetwood Sap: The golden sap of the Wevetwood forest. Sometimes referred to as Voicing Sap, 'tis said to share the wisdom of the elder trees with one who drinks it. Even a whiff has been known to trigger prophetic visions.

• Mourning Bell: A pearlescent flower with its face hung in mourning. On the 'eve the Fire King Fenn Jotar was laid to rest, The Duchess of Skelfland sent one hundred Mourning Bell bulbs across the Salz to be set at his statue's feet.
• Dew Spore: A pinkish 'shroom with a purplish cap. According to Sproutfolk feybles, 'tis bad luck to tread upon a Dewspore! If for no reason other than the sure stain upon your shoe.
• Lullily: A dusky blue flower, downturned like a dripping spout. When properly tended, Lullilies produce tiny drops of nectar dew. They taste of honey and spur a feeling of calm.
• Sangelia: A flower so named for its blood-red petals. Resembling three droplets spilt from an open wound, 'twas once a great threat to leave Sangelium at an enemy's door.
• Soulsbane: A sickly flower of deep purple petals. When brewed correctly, it has been known to cure ailments of the heart. But in the wrong hands, it can be coaxed into potent poisons.
• Will-o-frond: The early sprouts of a Will-o-wing to be. Grandfa oft' said 'twas better to pluck them quick than give 'em a chance to fly off on ya. Though they are rather cute...
• Wyrmwort: A mushroom with glowing green pustules. Old Dendrit wivestales warn children not to touch its cap, lest the warts become contagious.
• Hymn Rose: A wild rose of red. Listen close Envoy, and you shall hear it singing soft upon the wind. Symbolic of a certain silent rebellion- do mind its thorns.

• Mora’s Kiss: A boldling bud that blossoms at dawn and wilts at dusk . A common ingredient among witches and healers, its inner-most whorl is thought to hold a drop of Mora's courage.
• Queen's Folly: A vibrant bloom with petals like the red sun. 'Tis said to have sprouted first upon the hallowed grave of the Midrathian Queen, Finngualla.
• Weepin' Dris: A boldling bud that blossoms at dusk and wilts at dawn. A creature of the eve that drinks moonlight and dew. In its center, the spirit of Iridis holds green and true.
• Fire Fungus: A red-hued mushroom oft' used in stews for its peppery taste. A favourite among Clan Jotar and provocateur of many an eating contest.
• Neathcap: A sap-gold mushroom native to the Neath'uns. It is supposed to have a similar effect to Wevetwood Sap when ingested, though not without the side effect of extreme wambling.
• Toe of Ode: A purplish fungus recently discovered by Rutabag the Sproutfolk. It is named after a rather gruesome affliction which the Ode call Smogswell, in which their alien feet swell and bruise under the heavy Alcan atmosphere.
• Grynnetongue: A deep crimson fungus bent like a lapping tongue. It is rough to the touch, much like a cat's. So named for a creature long extinct.
• Molder Reed: A tall reed with dusty leaves. There are tales of an elder from Roods who could carve delicate flutes from its hollow stalk... What song would a Molder Reed sing.
• Synod's Maiden: A morose stalk with a frilled blossom. Lavender in hue, though not in scent. Thought to resemble the many-layered gowns of Synod's wives.
• Grim Rose: A magenta rose with near-black leaves. Unlike its close relative, the Hymn Rose, it does not sing. Not even a little.
• Eye of Weaver: A single pearl permeates with a bloated tinge of amber brown, in it beholds silken threads of corruption.
• Will-o-wing: A Will-o-wing's willowy wing! A distant relative of Sproutfolk, these little buggers are bane to foragers and farmers alike. Perhaps you'll find some use for their fluttery leaves, at least.
• Jaden Drop: A mushroom of mossy green. Some say they are the tears of Iridis, fallen from the night sky. When boiled, they taste of salt.

New Sub-Bosses

New threats now prowl across Midrath! These powerful foes appear at fixed locations in level 10+ regions. Each displays a boss health bar, drops valuable loot, and can be challenged again after a 3-hour per-account cooldown.

Discharged Nimrod

A cast-out Ode who hits hard and roams open ground, tuned as a fast, punishing duel.

Thrice-bound Impidh

Clad in ancient armour and speaking in twisted tongues, this challenger haunts Alca’s lands.

Etheldred The Weaver

A brood-queen that webs the arena and calls lesser scuttlers to overwhelm you.

Kabocha

Once soulful Sproutfolk turned corrupted commander, be wary of its minions.

Gruul Seeker Ruthos

A stalking hunter, seeking Gruul and blood.

Knell Knight

A relentless Mendicant enforcer clad in heavy armor.

Wraith of Wastes

A mendicant caster from the Wastes, rumored to carry a special totem and staff.

Sinecure-errant Gawth

A mace-wielding foe loyal to the Banneret ways.

New Armour: Mockery Set

Mockery Ilk

Deadwood bound to a creaking iron helm.

Eedred Ilk. The name comes to you in whispers. An ancient voice echoes in these rotted craigs. The Mockery is surely purged from this armour... But its memory persists in phantom aches.

Mockery Binds

A Mockery carapace forged by bark. 

Bones be a puzzle of ancient iron. Muscle be arcs of bark held taught. Tissue be insignia scrawled, but not glowing. Blood be the soul cast 'way once more.

Mockery Douthrot

Leg braces fashioned of Mockery husk.

What markings are these upon the knees? A runic spell broken by Envoy sword? Standing in the grievous greaves of this lost soul, you've the sense that it too was human, once...

New Armour: Starter Armour Sets

New starting armour sets have arrived! Receive the corresponding set upon your choice in the starting screen. Current Envoys will retroactively receive the set that aligns with their chosen Pact.
 

Sirin’s Armour Set

Sirin's Shroud

A loose leather hood in the shape of a sickle.

A shadow cast just over the face. Though it would not lend much protection in battle, this shroud aims to keep its wearer from conflict entirely. Stay hooded, o graceful one.

Sirin's Plainhide

A hide of plain-sight.

Not conspicuously fine clothing, nor noticeably impoverished. No notable insignia to be picked out of a crowd. This traveller's garb is utterly unremarkable, and purposefully so. To hide in the dark is easy. Only Sirin's truest zealots can vanish into the day.

Sirin's Stalks

Typical trousers lined in lowry leaves.

Each step you take falls silent. These trousers do not rustle as you move, nor sound when brushed against a branch, a stalk. A trick of the old Fey trickster himself. Such shadow imbued lowry leaves leave you utterly quiet.

Tethren’s Armour Set

Tethren's Cap

The feather-light leather cap of a Solist Warrior.

Though traditionally worn to pad a heavy metal helm, this braveling's cap will grant light protection in a pinch. Flowing red drapes brush your cheeks like Mora's sunning rays.

Mouth wrapped in leathers, find courage, Envoy, and strike.

Tethren's Tunic

A light tunic of soft-brushed deer hide. 

Despite its levity, you feel strengthened. As though a spark has been kindled within. A warrior you will be, smelling of wet stone and old smoke. Of a fire, long burned out.

Tethren's Roots

Proud-footed boots with upturned toes.

The yellow enamel poleyns shine with the symbol of the Solist. March forth, warrior, in the name of the mighty Fey fleet. On each fair footfall, hear the tapping heels of the many lost who march beside you.

Oscelda's Armour Set

Oscelda's Diadem

A brazen diadem forged in the style of the healer Oscelda.

When placed upon your head, you see her face. But for a moment, the wide blue eyes of The Feyish Witch of Legend. They say her diadem of thorns was a gift from Empress herself.

Oscelda's Blue

A slender sleeve of feyish blue to match your magick arm.

Humble as these clothes may be, they feel petal-soft on the skin. It is the way of witches to dress lightly. Flowing fabrics such as these keep one close as can be to the magicks, ever-floating, on the wind.

Oscelda's Featherbind

A long-as-life strip of fine-woven fabric.

You start wrapping at your toes, then the arch, then your heel... You blink and the binds are suddenly tied above your knee! You feel grounded yet light. As though wearing nothing at all.

New Weapons

The Erstroot

A witching-staff of Wevetroot.

Plucked from the Wastegraves by the Wazzard's own hand, a creeping root steeped in ichor. Be it Ode'n corruption that grants it such power? The darkened trace of magick sap? Or an ancient curse from the Waste Wraith himself?

Fragments for The Erstroot will drop from the Waste Wraith.

Dewelion

A Fey warrior's gloryblade.

Dewelion is a word of the ancient Fey tongue. It means something like 'horizon;' a confluence of opposites; where day and night may meet. For a human steelsinger to have sung these delicate pieces back to former glory... An impossible confluence indeed.

Fragments for Dewelion will drop from the Castellan Boss at the end of Fort Kearnhold's Siege preview.

Witan

Childblade to the glorious Dewelion.

Our oldest tales tell of sacred unions between human and fey-kind. Of children who are neither, yet both. Witan was forged for such a child, its wooden hilt enchanted to grow in pace. Though... It is clear this childblade never reached its full size.

EDIT: Fragments for Witan will drop from Etheldred The Weaver.

Tessard

A serpentine sword that hisses when swung. 

Perhaps an ornamental blade for a hearth-rack of yesteryear. Or a ceremonial sword for an occult order long lost. Whatever purpose she once held, Tessard today is no more than a mockery. What strange runes have carved their way into her ancient face?

Fragments for Tessard will drop from Mockeries.

Stultin

A cut and rusted sword from an era long forgotten.

Stultin, the ancient arm of a fallen mockery. The steel blade was fractured in some unremembered battle, then filed flat in falchion style. The wooden hilt has rotted and dried, near petrified. But the glowing runes... Seemingly etched anew into well-settled rust."

Fragments for Stultin will drop from Mockeries.

Nurash

A cleaver, a heaver, of tarnish and rust.

What strange shapes mar the teeth of this ancient sawblade? What thousand-year tale leads it to mockery hands? Nurash is surely the oldest weapon you've ever held, yet the violet runes glow with fresh life. A new chapter carved in this perpetual fable.

Fragments for Nurash will drop from Mockeries.

New Tailsmans

Talismans return under a new name and purpose! 

Formerly known as Totems, new Tailsmans have been revealed across Alca! Find them to upgrade your Virtues and Defence.

• Synod's Bell Jar
• • Bottled starshine. Lightning in a bell jar. A tiny souvenir of Synod's grand menagerie, far away in castles loft.
  • • Synod’s Bell Jar drops from Rare Ode Chests.
• Orengall's Fang
• • A single pointed canine carved in Omen runes. Dripping red in the paint of her zealots? Or the blood of her foes?
  • • Orengall’s Fang drops from Rare Glades of Andurin chests.
• Direskull
• • A Moonsteel brooch in the likeness of a lycan skull. A warning snarl upon your chest.
  • • Direskull drops from Rare Midrath chests.
• Wazzard's Wish
• • A faint sloshing within this fastened corruption. Be it ichor blood or something sweeter?
  • • Wazzard’s Wish drops from the Wraith of Wastes.

Loot and Drops Changes

Preludes 11 brings a major rebalance to how loot is distributed across Alca! Chests are now your primary source of both uncommon and rare resources, while enemies more reliably drop weapon and armour Fragments, particularly those suited to their enemy type and region.

Joineries in Chests

Joineries can now be found in chests, with specific types tied to each region:

• Verite (Melee) Joineries: Midrath and Ode
• Quicksilver (Ranged) Joineries: Glades of Andurin
• Feybalt (Caster) Joineries: Neath’uns and Crypts of the Circade
• Gildaur (Universal) Joineries: Dermak Undercity

Common chests have a 10% Joinery drop chance, while rare chests have a 35% Joinery drop chance. 

Joineries in Dungeons and Bosses

With the introduction of Sub-Bosses, and in addition to Dungeons, all tiers of Joineries will be more easily acquirable, with each Joinery tied to specific Sub-Bosses and Dungeons:

• All Joineries: Mendicant King, Nimrod, and Vadegar Bosses
• Verite (Melee) Joineries
• • Faction Tales: Overworld Mini-Bosses
  • Sub-Bosses: Sinecure-errant Gawth, Knell Knight, Thrice-bound Impidh
• Quicksilver (Ranged) Joineries
• • Faction Tales: Glades of Andurin Mini-Bosses
  • Sub-Bosses: Etheldred The Weaver, Gruul Seeker Ruthos
• Feybalt (Caster) Joineries
• • Faction Tales: Glades of Andurin Mini-Bosses
  • Sub-Bosses: Kabocha, Ode’n Bisulcam, Sinecure-errant Gawth
• Gildaur (Universal) Joineries
• • Faction Tales: Dermak Undercity Mini-Bosses
  • Sub-Bosses: Wraith of Wastes, Discharged Nimrod

Remember: the higher the level your foes are, the more likely you’ll receive a Blessed Joinery!

Resource Rebalancing

• Resource spawn rates have been adjusted to be more Region-specific.
• Resource rarity has been normalized to better reflect risk and effort.
• Fragments for weapons and armour have been removed from most chests. 
• • These weapons and armour have been moved to Sub-Bosses and appropriate enemies
  • E.g., Sollos-I or Vasp-IV drop from Ode’n enemies.
• Removed rarer gear drops from most enemy types, except:
• • Ode Casters (level 15+)
  • Ranged Hunters (level 15+)
• Changed certain armour Fragment locations.
• • Tuvalkane’s Armour Fragments now drop from Ode Bisulcam’s
  • Orengal’s Armour Fragments, in addition to Tales, now additionally drop from Gruul Seeker Ruthos
  • Tempest and Forgetfire (previous starting Armour) Fragments now drop from Faction Tales.
• Gossamer Quartz has been added to additional pools to alleviate the feeling of being too rare.
• Ode Bisulcam’s now have a chance to drop Scrap material when destroyed.
• Lowered Rare chest spawn rates very slightly.

QOL Drop Improvements

• Added new animation and VFX to loot pickup.
• Dropped loot is now automatically picked up when walked over.
• Loot pickups are slightly delayed to allow Envoys to see what dropped.

UI Improvements

• Life Elixirs dropped from enemies are now red to better match the icon.
• Drop table tooltips have been updated to be more descriptive and accurate.

More Totems, treasures, and rewards are already in the works - stay tuned!

Enemy Spawning Improvements

• Rebalanced the compositions of groups of enemies.
• Patrols are less frequent and now mostly travel along roads.
• Mockeries now spawn at locations like ruins and shipwrecks.
• Combat now more often takes place on flatter, fairer terrain rather than slopes.
• Work continues on placing specific enemy types in consistent regions.

General Additions and Changes

• Added a new Siege preview: Fort Kearnhold
• • A shuttered gate stands between you and the Ode’n blight. In this early pre-pre-pre-Alpha preview of Soulframe’s evolving Siege system, Envoys must breach and reclaim Fort Kearnhold:
  • • Level 35-40 enemies defend Fort Kearnhold.
    • Defeat 2 Bannerette Mini-Bosses who drop the keys to progress towards the Castellan Boss.
    • Fight your way up the Fort to burn out the overlooking Ode’n Balloon.
    • Fort Kearnhold can be re-sieged every 3 hours.
• Added a new health regain mechanic for melee weapons: after taking damage, successive melee hits within a short window will recover a portion of lost health.
• Added new selection grid layouts to the arsenal screen UI, allowing Envoys to view equipped items and toggle silhouettes of uncollected gear. Sidearm slot will remain hidden until first acquired.

• Added the ability to customize the Spirit Guide’s appearance with different skins. These customizations appear during gameplay summons only, and do not affect cinematic sequences.
• • Complete the Waste Bear Fable to acquire a certain Floppet skin...
• Kicking has returned!
• Added Fable-related Pact buy-backs on the weapon rack beside the Arsenal in the Nightfold.
• • Fables are required to be completed before being eligible to purchase.
• Spectral Sight now highlights pickable resources and destructible objects.
• The Nightfold transition is now a half-second hold, rather than a press.
• Nightfold transition now fades to black.
• Joinery Reforge XP Changes:
• • Only Blessed Joineries now reset weapon XP.
  • Blessed Joineries now require a Max Rank (30) weapon to apply, and will not appear as an option otherwise.
• New Player Guidance Improvements:
• • Improved pathing while discovering Fire King Fenn Jotar during The Torment Stag to better guide players to the next stage of the Fable.
  • Added the hint to begin The Steelsinger and discover Tuvalkane sooner, immediately after completing The Last Pensive.
• Non-Blessed Joinery stats have been increased.
• Polished Joineries now share stats with Blessed Joineries, but without the Virtue attunement swap.
• Reduced default inventory slots for new accounts (Pacts to 3, Weapons to 6). Existing accounts have been granted +4 Pact and +16 Weapon slots to compensate for this change.
• Reworked enemy armour scaling, with a clear “X” icon now displayed on enemies nearly immune to certain attacks.
• Updated Smite input on controller to LT + RB.
• Added FX to highlight dropped loot and enabled auto-pickup for loot dropped from enemies and chests.
• Added Stability scaling based on squad size in multiplayer sessions.
• Added armoured Mockeries.
• Added new colours to the icons for Oscelda, Sirin & Tethren Pacts.
• Added the ability to roll through breakable objects.
• Added a new ally healing mechanic to some Ode enemies, allowing them to occasionally heal nearby allies when taking damage.
• Increased range of Spectral Sight.
• Spectral Sight has received new VFX upon activation.
• Material and Drac pickups now display the amount gained and the total number of resources on the right side of the acquired item name.
• Enemies during Rise, Envoy tutorial now spawn at lower levels.
• Moved the World Tree in the Rise, Envoy tutorial closer to the player’s path.
• New Envoys now receive Nettle, a starter sidearm, upon discovering Tuvalkane.
• Garren Rood now requires 3 successful parries to become stunned, rather than 1, during The Torment Stag boss fight.
• Fenn Jotar and Garren Rood’s Armour has been adjusted from Rarity 3 to Rarity 2.
• Updated the chat box UI.
• Squad UI has been stylized to better present information on an Envoy’s squad members.
• Weapon Art icons have been updated.
• Envoy’s can now summon their Sparrow while sprinting.
• Added new animations when blocking an unparryable attack (e.g., Melee parrying an arrow).
• Life Elixirs dropped from enemies are now red to better match the icon.
• The Yoke Idol has been renamed to the Flipple Flute.
• Increased visibility on Virtue buffs earned from Music Shrines.
• Ode Bisulcam’s now have a chance to drop Scrap material when destroyed.
• Envoys can now unequip Sidearms.
• Envoys can now play the Flipple Flute on controllers when pressing Spectral Sight + R1.
• Map Waypoints are now permanent! 
• Added dungeons to Map.
• Revealed location icons will now appear above fog on Map.
• Improvements have been made towards cloth simulations to prevent jittering visuals across different FPS values.
• Improved lock-on of projectile weapons (e.g., Odiac, Precklies) against the Baliq (Corrupted Shrimp!).
• Made the Arcanic tutorial prompt more obvious during the Torment Stag Fable.
• Unified armor set names so that Helm, Cuirass, and Leggings now clearly indicate which set they belong to.
• Eligible Helm visors can now be toggled open or closed in the Arsenal, rather than equipping a separate Helm.
• Improved animations, enemy AI behavior, and overall combat flow, with adjusted time-to-kill pacing and more responsive encounters with enemies.
• Ongoing improvements to player movement and camera behavior.
• Ongoing audio improvements, including new sound effects for enemies, combat, weapons, UI, and environments.
• Sproutfolk now rattle and shake while trapped in cages.
• Increased the Ode’n presence throughout Midrath.
• Enclaves are now hidden on the map while covered by World Tree map fog.
• Continued updates to lighting, VFX, materials, environment, and volumetric fog throughout Alca.
• Improved SSAO quality for smoother ambient occlusion with reduced noise.
• SSAO traces now contribute light bounce for added scene illumination.
• VFX are no longer blurred by TAA and appear more defined.

Fixes

• Fixed Location Motes spawning in inaccessible locations (e.g., in the sky, off a cliff).
• Fixed Envoys in the friend list UI displaying 0 beside their name.
• Fixed point costs required for an upgrade are being displayed when a Pact or weapon node is maxed out.
• Fixed invisible objects in the Undercity, which obstructed player movement.
• Fixed a crash when Gwylen projectiles interact with the Undercity mirror puzzles.
• Fixed resources/currency not updating in real-time after purchasing items from a vendor.
• Fixed certain armour/weapons flickering when equipping a new item in the Nightfold.
• Fixed the chat window not hiding during dialogue sequences.
• Fixed a script error while fighting Mockeries.
• Fixed item tooltip stats showing unnecessary information (e.g., defence on talismans).
• Fixed Orengall appearing invisible after Feral activates.
• Fixed the Faction rank-up button appearing when at the maximum rank attainable.
• Fixed being unable to change Settings values after using the search input.
• Fixed Client map markers not being displayed if the host has their own markers placed.
• Fixed the claim button with Tuvalkane overlapping with the crafting window.
• Fixed Orengall’s Feral passive malfunctioning in multiplayer.
• Fixed being unable to close menus with the same input as opening a menu.
• Fixed the Compass being visible without the Sparrow being activated.
• Fixed Arcanics having infinite cooldown when staggered mid-cast.
• Fixed Faction Leaders disappearing from their hubs while replaying The Torment Stag.
• Fixed players being stuck in the Nightfold after using /unstuck.
• Fixed missed music notes while using the Flipple Flute despite timing to note correctly.
• Fixed Sinecure Weapon Racks not dropping Scrap Iron.
• Fixed Finishers not queuing against staggered or fallen enemies.
• Fixed weapons being unequipped after sequentially casting Sirin’s Glamour and another Arcanic.
• Fixed instances of Nimrod’s first encounter being skipped in The Brewer of Hues, preventing progress.
• Fixed Tuvalkane’s crafting bundle rewarding 3 Vasp-IV Fragments instead of just the 1 that’s needed to craft with.
• Fixed Faction Tale NPCs spawning in inaccessible locations.
• Fixed Orengall’s leg armour tassets not changing colour.
• Fixed players being stuck after falling off the docks in Salzbrim.
• Fixed Avakot sneezing while handing the Envoy the “Talky Ode Thing.”
• Fixed clients not being immune to incoming damage while solving Music Shrines.
• Fixed large loot bags dropped by Bannerets disappearing for the host after being looted by a client.
• Fixed VFX and animations for host sometimes missing when client entered the Nightfold.
• Fixed Clients receiving no tutorial prompts during The Torment Stag.
• Fixed Garren Rood’s charge attack sometimes not dealing damage to Envoy upon during the Torment Stag boss fight.
• Fixed part of Garren Rood’s head clipping, stretching, and bouncing during the transformation cinematic in The Torment Stag.
• Fixed Fenn Jotar speaking while he’s not present during The Torment Stag.
• Fixed hair selection in Warsongs customization sometimes causing distortion to Mother's eye during cutscenes.
• Fixed Spectral Sight tutorial displaying outdated keybinds during The Torment Stag.
• Fixed Oscelda’s Elderbloom being on infinite cooldown if placed during a streaming transition (e.g., Tunnel from Midrath to the Undercity).
• Fixed Envoys drawing their weapon while petting their puppy.
• Fixed the Tethren’s Felllust applying to each arrow in Arrow Hail.
• Fixed missing UI elements in the World Tree popup, including borders and scroll.
• Fixed a bug where the Mendicant King could be repeatedly farmed by clients through host migration.
• Fixed boss health bar sometimes not appearing for clients.
• Fixed clients sometimes appearing sideways in the arsenal screen in Nightfold.
• Fixed a bug where clients appeared invisible with no animation when entering the Nightfold from the host’s perspective.
• Fixed enemy health bars stuttering for clients when enemies were moving.
• Fixed inaccurate “You will be returned to the multiplayer menu” UI message appearing during host migration.
• Fixed loss of functionality while in Orengal’s Werewalker form while entering Garren Rood’s Boss Arena in The Torment Stag.
• Fixed areas of the Crypt of the Circade sometimes spawning very low level enemies unintentionally. 
• Fixed white tarps over murals in the Crypt of the Circade not being destroyed for Clients after puzzle completion.
• Fixed the enemy guarding Tuvalkane’s forge not engaging when attacked from range after dropping the helmet during The Steelsinger.
• Fixed Spirit Guide getting stuck at Verminia’s cave and continuing to guide there after completing The Brewer of Hues.
• Fixed the Spirit Guide flying to distant objectives when Envoy was already near the correct location.
• Fixed pickup notification sounds not playing correctly when collecting multiple items in quick succession.
• Fixed occasional flashes of stretched cloth or foliage appearing over the Envoy, especially when crouching through dense vegetation.
• Fixed a floating chest in the Dermak Undercity.
• Fixed a collision issue in a Dermak Undercity puzzle where a missing ceiling piece caused chains to fail to attach properly.
• Fixed sliding when cleansing a World Tree of corruption.
• Fixed being able to select a Sidearm if that player has no Sidearms crafted.
• Fixed the cursor moving away from a node in the Arsenal when the camera shifts.
• Fixed Envoys being unable to access chat functionality after finishing The Last Pensive.
• Fixed broken dodge animations when casting Orengall’s Werewalker at the same time.
• Fixed the Alca/Nightfold Map prompt not activating.
• Fixed time of day UI sometimes appearing incorrectly when entering the Undercity.
• Fixed setting Graphics to Low, then switching to Default and adjusting display settings (e.g., FoV or brightness) causing settings like Sun Shadows to be disabled or appear stuck on Low.
• Fixed Enclave Map markers appearing through the fog before discovery; they now remain hidden until the Enclave is discovered.
• Fixed Bows not targeting Will-o-wings. 
• Fixed unlocked Ancestors not appearing in the Nightfold after recruiting them.
• Fixed the Circade’s Helm getting stuck on geometry after interacting with Verminia.
• Fixed being unable to invite players when first logging into the game.
• Fixed certain disabled FX resulting in ghosting and shader issues.
• Fixed being unable to send invites to players in the same Enclave hub.
• Fixed Nettle being ineligible for Reforging.
• Fixed Clients loading into Verminia’s cave in The Brewer of Hues after finishing The Torment Stag.
• Fixed a crash after a Mendicant minion throws a projectile.
• Fixed a crash after logging in. 
• Fixed a crash when interacting with Lady Deora in the Silent Rose Hub.
• Fixed a crash during Garren Rood’s boss fight in The Torment Stag.
• Fixed a crash that could occur during the Deora cinematic in The Torment Stag.
• Fixed a crash while fighting the Circade.
• Fixed crashes caused by Faction Tales.
• Fixed a crash after using Cloudquell.
• Fixed a crash when interacting with a World Tree.
• Fixed a crash when reviving.
• Fixed a crash when Will-o-wings attack Clients.
• Fixed crashes caused by Mockeries.
• Fixed a script error caused by the Spirit Guide, which could occur when no destinations were active.
• Fixed a script crash that could occur when leaving or entering Midrath.
• Fixed a rare crash caused by encounters with enemies failing to begin in certain regions.
• Fixed a script crash during The Torment Stag during a Host Migration.