Progress 04.11.2024

 Hello all!

Rendering is going well, I have one scene (and a bit of other) to left to render, but it will take a few days due the amount of renders needed.

As for writing? It's in a good state. Weekends are always good time for writing so I'm now a bit ahead of where I should, so all is good in that front. Now just some "auxiliary" writing and things should be good for this update.

And then Riya and Aisha having a discussion. I was debating on showing this, but then I realised it doesn't matter much without the dialogue. The choices in here are, sort of important. I've talked about the multiple "story lines" that are woven together to some degree, there are choices that affects the personal lines, and then choices that affect the other lines. I call those "fates", there has been fates that have been "solved". Nelda, Mistress Lian, the first group of Gladelings you met, Gudbrand, the thieves in Qishu just to name a few. And those consequences are told in game. Some of those have ripple effects to later (for example the Banshee fight few updates ago, Yuu identifies one of the Banshees as Mistress Lian if she died), and it might not be so smooth in the dwarf city if the Qishu thieves aren't in good shape. And I kind of dread those words now. Anyway...

And then there is this. This was originally supposed to be one of the hidden renders, but it doesn't fit with the lore that is in place. Yes, I know, I can always alter it if I wish, but I don't want to. Despite what you could think, having rules are important when writing a setting. It keeps consistency. Anyway, it was titled "meeting the heralds" in concept stage. And thus it is time for my break and then back to rendering.

Progress 01.11.2024

Hello all!

Friday, progress and stuff...

Rendering. Hmmm, render count wise I'm technically 9 renders behind, and in relation to the script? I'm just where I want to be with it. Technically, I wouldn't be even that 9 renders behind, but set building takes its time.

Writing is in meh state, I'm in more or less in schedule just it's the time to actually write the things down has been limited this week. Ah well, time to panic and catch up by Monday as usual, joking on that part. And then some pretty pictures.

A bit catchup with Maevra and Mal, who still hasn't killed each other. That's a good thing. There isn't that many details being told about the plan intentionally, partially it is because there isn't a plan existing that goes exactly like it has been planned. Except in movies. And I don't want to tie myself to do something specific, I know how it all goes down in both good and bad. But potential environments determine the finer details which might amount some rewriting on how things are going.

Than one of the rarer environment previews. I ended up liking this environment sure it's a bit darker light wise, but it is a cave with crystals, glowing mushrooms and plants. At times when I build sets it feels waste of time, but then when you start rendering and see the end result? It's always worth it.

And lastly... As a creator you will look ahead, what's next. This was one of the concepts that might have been, but the writing took into other directions than this. Could it still happen? Maybe, right now I'm more focused on the next even in the dwarven city, what comes after? Well the direction and the major things are known, but there are room for other things. Maybe something surprising can be sneaked in...

Anyway, that's it for today. Have a great weekend you all!

Progress 28.10.2024 and Changelog for ToaM 0.26.0

Hello all!

Combo post again since why not? So yeah the thing is uploaded and something came up that warranted to make a patch, it isn't mandatory by any means as there is no functional issues. But more of that in the release post.

Rendering of update 0.27.0 has begun, and writing of 0.31.0 is as well. So there is that for progress really. Short and sweet.

And small preview of 0.27.0, the day of departure... there are a few short scenes still at the empire at the start of the update, after that we switch back the tower for a few updates so things can get in motion there, and the plot after the invasion to the dwarven city.

And then just something for fun. Honestly this was just for fun, didn't need any particular testing or anything, just felt like rendering it. Although I admit, the green fog effect is... interesting. Not what I expected. Mostly positive surprise. Anyway... the change log.

Changelog: ToaM 0.26.0

• 277 renders

• Implemented the next part of the story

• Added things to the codex

• 1 hidden image

• Grammar, spelling, and other fixes (Thanks to Adry, Shaddy, BryonSmothers3DX, Bread, Oaiki, OBE, Draco, Gambit, DocWhoJ, MG, Horny Toad, Anon1234)

Release schedule:

•     $15 Tier: As soon as the post has had its final touches and links been verified.

•     $10 Tier: 30th of October

•     $5 Tier: 31st of October

•     $3 Tier: 1st of November

•     Public: 11th of November

Checksums SHA256:

7D9570E30B7196976E7E4CF8CC34E963E9A2661B3E2D5354A79B5731FF140488
ToaM-0.26.0-mac-C.zip

8EE4CD4546EAEA7A0B3291B4163FAFD0EED3924EB9F1FAC154FA14FF9C48D965
ToaM-0.26.0-mac.zip

AAD92D6C6CE7AA2EAC8919BA5BF9973925A38ED80DB266222DFF7A249937FEDA
ToaM-0.26.0-pc-C.zip

D81E68C4BF146304A640424A6D18331E08D96C1F639E0D873BC2781FF75F8DC0
ToaM-0.26.0-pc.zip

D834529C12696DDB67D22AF47D66F30AED78E06F1126CE921DC5A6C999BFB278
ToaM-0.26.0-Update-C.zip

0A4B496733D02B2AF852E8929FA984683E80189617DC009D71C2FE8B6B0E8229
ToaM-0.26.0-Update.zip

98DDB1E10866D0A77B25142F22A05641357D8F853F2D4B27BF6EE551AE111F1A
com.talothral.toam-release.apk

8EE1FA2EB0268889EF364E3E2BB50A8337D148EA53011CAC905D841E4A4C9AD8
com.talothral.toam-release.apk (WT)

Public Release: Tribulations of a Mage 0.25.0

Tested and played through it a few times, and all the saves worked. But that doesn't mean things didn't slip by. So, as always, if there are any issues, please report them on Discord if possible. That way, I notice them quicker. https://discord.gg/GJK5kfKypg

Not much to say here really. Stuff happens, couple relatively important choices to be made. Some might backfire some might not, the usual. But enjoy!

PC

85F9418683F227D360A091690D20EA00F1AEBA6110F550657EDAC04CEB0EB41

• https://mega.nz/file/nnBGCRTa#sJOXjs4suxkuuUK8JxyWkoHPsIxiSi6zavE37dhCUL8
• https://gofile.io/d/hAfnXY

PC Compressed

157E30E913B442E6B361F9292C8FFA929318B8F6AAA753BADE7B1BCEBD506B59

• https://mega.nz/file/G7ZhUDpQ#SW1N7uuOBuHrgcsKAxjjLFBvEp-RE9XNbXsIhCFRTz8
• https://gofile.io/d/qpBOex

MAC

80FC1990F914CBFDAA186B14F161C8F3FF8AA722ABFE39A56FA100D130DACD6B

• https://mega.nz/file/LmwVhRpY#avqpHmk2ctKhoealm3gE_rQzGSywbbqEjmxTQl86q-4
• https://gofile.io/d/xnI4E2

MAC Compressed

7C21E56C5DA94C242B0DE9B6443AD764392BD956EE78E97B1757B7A40963C52D

• https://mega.nz/file/uvJFXBaa#Cu8nEpH9yuyc4QTw3q5r7P_gRyi3LjP1OMqZYiT9fzA
• https://gofile.io/d/9MZNIS

Update only

CF6C55CA603DF107D9369185510BF10D47B4A86AFC7ADC8CEEA80B241F1D1D2B

• https://mega.nz/file/PiIVCJrD#y3Xd9UCYdpppkeKHovk47CWCJfXmYyCEEu8Hh7fh3vo
• https://gofile.io/d/3SaeVg

Update only compressed

F60EBF7341EBE1C35EEFD9AA15DA9EA7F368158ACDABBAAD6C9EBB3D0C0E8BFB

• https://mega.nz/file/qyYjgb6D#ACYlm2gCPRB3dyr585rHnaEMGr0LeA_3dkXPb-qjVD0
• https://gofile.io/d/UVLveI

Android

60F508FE7C635B72684C6A3BF52E9DCD6F33104BD16853DF3DA10AE9B592B01F

• https://mega.nz/file/PmYSRBbS#rM_TbYNDSACeiAZZYFf5rlorcvFow_ApjppP5Fg4UaI
• https://gofile.io/d/TPrRMn

Android WT

7997888D41AE5EAA68C89F3A7A6AF929827A7644DAA0E8D9DC607589F0E3D29C

• https://mega.nz/file/63pkWJZT#sOpPTwV0xVp3P53Cm-BjGv43ca8qFdg3gUgnKsfRDwI
• https://gofile.io/d/gT189t

Progress 25.10.2024

 Hello all!

So, update 26 is mostly done, it's tested and proofread and I have some coding and auxiliary renders to do, namely bits and pieces for the codex that I apparently forgot last time and some new additions. Although the entries were made for most of them. Thus it's on schedule, more or less. Should be able to do the builds tomorrow, assuming nothing breaks.

And as usual, I'll write the weekend and then start rendering 0.27.0 on Monday. So... that's about it for the progress.

Then we'll see once again one of the motivational renders, of sorts. Wanted to know how the environment worked. It good. And then ages ago, there was a comment about the sword, which is fair question why use one when you have magic? Answer is simple it depends on what is happening. Take this image for example. There is three different kind of opponents, two ghouls (the one that is flying from the fire and one running), spectral undead that is manipulating the armour and... the big tentacle thing in the background. The ghouls are easy, just need some fire and done. The spectral one is more complex thing. They can be dealt with similarly to the Banshee's Tomas fought, but that isn't the problem. The problem is the big guy in the background.

Assuming it is unknown enemy it would be wise to reserve the magic you have and deal with the spectral foe with enchanted weapon. Or spell blade in this case that is harmful to them. Then you can try to fight the unknown enemy. And yes, I have a lot of strange things in my library that are just waiting the right time to be used...

Anyway, have a great weekend you all!

P.S. Have one of the renders from the codex as a small bonus... still dislike the amount of fur though. And while I remember, there is slight name change from what it is in 0.25.0, nothing drastic. Just something else fitted better in the end.

Progress 21.10.2024

Hello all!

Monday... and final scene to render. Although due the amount of renders it will take a couple of days. But I'm happy with the progress overall, back to the original rhythm about.

And as far as writing goes, it's where it should be at this stage. So all is good on that front.

So I ran out of stuff I can show for various reasons, so something that was in the back of my mind. That and it helps to deal with annoyances. Anyway. It did server couple of purposes. Testing certain render settings, the environment, and one of the effects. Anyway, back to rendering for a bit then short break.

Progress 18.10.2024

Hello all!

Rendering is going smoothly enough, so far anyway. I'm roughly where I'm supposed to be, but still some ways to go.

Writing is eh, it's going. Again, it's not a thing I'm worried as is, just trying to figure out is the right spots for the events, is it now or after next "big adventure". And that brings me to the choices in update 0.26.0. There are choice in it, but... some of them are hidden behind things you have chosen before or haven't chosen.

For example, relatively mild spoiler by the way, providing a certain potion for the Empire. First notifying its existence happened in update 0.23.0 (to the Seeker). In 0.25.0, you were able to offer it to the Empire. Now in 0.26.0 it comes up again, potentially, and assuming you knew about it. If you didn't offer it to the Emperor, you can offer it to the Academy. Each of these choices affects two things, first one is the "fate of the Empire"-plotline, second is more personal. Depending on the choice combination, everything can be good, "neutral" or bad, both personally and for the Empire. So depending on the choices, there is something you need to think carefully in the future... So anyway, you might encounter 2 or up to 4 choices in the update, depending on the things you've done in the past.

And a small preview of things. 0.25.0 featured the Emperor for a large portion of the update, on 0.26.0 it is the Empress. Although there is one slightly questionable design choice during the update, but frankly it's because I'm not too keen on fighting dForce for several hours to get things right. And... I know some of the things aren't exactly right aesthetically. But it is fantasy setting and there is some room to play with things. Some will have explanation in game, like certain name that pops up during this update. So to anyone who it might seem off the explanation will come in a few updates. Not sure was it in 0.27.0 or 0.28.0.

And then there is this... I'm not entirely sure why I made this, but it was one of those things that needed to be made. Eh still related and kind of interesting in a sense. Anyway, have a great weekend you all!