Sunday, July 6, 2025

Public Release: Tribulations of a Mage 0.43.0

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

Tribulations of a Mage 0.43.0

Patch:
https://mega.nz/file/b2QjzaiR#Rp_XyXZqAzYnEfjFXDE7fB_IdD7qkxf85AIG0gYQKMc
https://gofile.io/d/yevAPP

PC
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https://mega.nz/file/rr5lxCLC#tl-zuuwNXr1F3O7E4lNIcPxxXMCNLMPmQAL936iaCTw
https://gofile.io/d/66HWxZ

PC Compressed
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https://mega.nz/file/u2IUSaTT#N9AHtwiNGT5HTUMZKAtepCo5VQHwK4Jb6jTI7_v97Es
https://gofile.io/d/D1XDQa

MAC
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https://mega.nz/file/SjxBEboK#NZesgI8KDR9DoAYrbluCwxVCXts0DkVIqPj6slaWmJU
https://gofile.io/d/jrYCwg

MAC Compressed
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https://mega.nz/file/umBlHDQY#l5liAwolFaSJvQGinQzOgA6hzVDa5UFQmk8v77DkKaE
https://gofile.io/d/zsnVNV

Update only
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https://mega.nz/file/GrZl0KyY#Y2USbTuAViS6yMQq7CyNB_KM_Qy_c393Q1RLPG3MbO4
https://gofile.io/d/ylnjV8

Update only Compressed
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https://mega.nz/file/aiBkyZQR#gA6H4ikccj2wuaPc3FQFIQojuAzLzcnWruseBJS82FE
https://gofile.io/d/Q24QSv

Android
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https://mega.nz/file/2mpjRCSL#cw_xo2-QuS2c-c8hceJR_Zr0FYyHOZlcG5UCqyC4cjo
https://gofile.io/d/hfsXAP

Android WT
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https://mega.nz/file/fqRHBbRC#THv8X7dmOEkaMy58bgksPO8Ry2mmdC09it5_W1WUPXQ
https://gofile.io/d/nsnulc

Friday, July 4, 2025

Progress 04.07.2025

Hello all!

Calm before the storm... Right so, the same heads up I gave on Discord couple of days ago, there is a storm heading this way and it should hit according to the latest forecast in 2 or so hours in full force, assuming it hasn't died into drizzle by then. Although considering how I currently feel I'd welcome a good thunderstorm... Anyway, what's up?

The update is done and sent to be tested, I have some minor things to do but those I'll do tomorrow (couple portraits) after the storm has passed, then uploading. I'll upload from the laptop but that doesn't mean much if the power goes out again, been unstable for the last 9 or so hours. Regardless, I'll write the weekend for most parts and start rendering 0.45.0 on Monday.

So then as I'm avoiding spoilers have a motivational/concept render...

Now you are thinking, why would Alexander be armed when he can incinerate people at will? That's because while Alexander is powerful sorcerer, he doesn't have a position where Great Houses (and others) can overlook use of magical powers in a place where there are witnesses and no "supernatural" threat is present. Since the whole magical society is "hiding in plain sight", they are there but they obey certain laws of secrecy. There are ways to mask from electronic devices, as Aya showed in the first Sorcerer, but that still leaves witnesses. Of course, one or two person claiming that they saw magic or monsters is easy to discredit. But twenty or thirty? Slightly more harder, of course there are ways for that as well, but they aren't as easy to do. So the solution? Treat situation like you would be encountering humans, you can quickly swap to spell casting if that isn't the case. Modern weapons might not be as effective as magic, but considering that most entities minions tends to be cultist who are humans?

And that where urban fantasy is generally interesting, the clash between modern society vs magical society. The magical society is required to adapt constantly to the technological changes, it's often cheaper and less suspicious to deploy technological solutions than outright magic. And use of technology free's certain key personnel to do something else. In old times you had clairvoyant watching over your estate, and you would need several of them. Now in modern times, all you need is drones and cameras and you can have someone who can't use magic watching them. With a clairvoyant or two using magical sight when needed. Ultimately, technology complements magic, instead of heavy tomes you can have them on your phone, and access to them almost always. Almost because batteries do run out at the wrong moment... Anyway, enough rambling and back to writing. You all have a great weekend and stay safe out there!

Monday, June 30, 2025

Progress 30.06.2025

Hello all!

Monday... So how are things? The weekend didn't go as planned, unfortunately, the scene I hoped I would be done by Saturday took whole Sunday as well. Annoying but happens. On positives? I just have two scenes left. Not so positives? The two scenes are sort of half of the update. So if update 0.44.0 feels extremely short, you might want to revisit 0.43.0 and the question Eshe asks... Just as a hint. Or toggle it in the debug screen or something. Ah well, just means I need to code while rendering again.

Writing is in okay shape overall, hopefully I get to write some tonight. Truthfully, it feels like I'm stretching things at the moment, but it's more due the fact that I need to pick what to put where. Normally I just write, events come when they come, right now since we are closers to the finale I need to close few threads. So I need to put A there, provide more information with B, then deal with events C and D... while ensuring people who have chosen differently will see something. Eh, it's just writing...

And then a preview... Things are going to the plan, and seeking where the Rose might be found. Maybe. The desert arc is in certain ways interesting, it isn't as intensive as the dwarven city, but there are some information that could have been only gained from this part, well or any other part I would have written of it's stead. It gives more broader perspective of the world and it's struggles at the moment, no you aren't going to solve every problem personally, at least not during the first ToaM, but you can influence on how they go. It is most parts unintentional, but there are hooks left if I ever return to the world to continue easily.

And then something else... I'm not... happy with the expressions. I need test and record what expressions I'm happy with on who, they look fine in the preview but not liking them in the render. Which is annoying, but that's more of a me problem than anything else. Meh, I'll deal with it when the time comes. And now time for a break and then do more renders and write. See you all on Friday...

Friday, June 27, 2025

Progress 27.06.2025

Hello all!

Progress post time! This week has been... okay. Rendering script wise I'm where I want to be. Render count wise? Not really, but that has never actually been that important as is since action sequences easily bloat the amount of renders easily. But it's all good for now anyway, complex scene ahead, and hopefully done by Sunday. But that remains to be seen.

Writing is in okay state. It's easy when you know what you need to write, the problem again is to chose what events you put so there isn't a lot of content hidden from those who made different choices. But it's going decently, at the moment.

Planning how to proceed... This is image is problematic as I can't add light to it, at least not in a way it wouldn't cause more problems than it solves, despite the walls having yellowish tint they are actually white. And white colour means problems when it comes to light as it reflects it, so adding more light would mean the walls would seem to be glowing even when the light is simulating colour of a candle flame. Annoyances of a person who wants "realistic" light. Granted for realism it is way too bright but need to see something... And no, Aisha is preparing some food, not threatening anyone with the knife. Anyway, time for my break then render a bit more. You all have a great weekend!

Monday, June 23, 2025

Progress 23.06.2025 and Changelog for ToaM 0.43.0

Hello all!

Slightly tired, usual summer issues. So what's up? Release day today, had to upload one file this morning to my annoyance. But it's done and it shall commence soon... assuming things don't happen between this post and the next.

Other than that, started rendering 0.44.0 and writing 0.48.0 shall commence later today or tomorrow. Depending on various things.

A quick preview of 0.44.0 then... Got to love "natural" lighting (in both images), modern times are easy to light. 99% of the time light comes straight up in interiors, and it's usually quite bright. In earlier time period? Windows and candles, lots of shadows. And slightly more annoying to make it look clear. None of this is exactly a spoiler, unless you haven't played 0.42.0. Just gathering the group back together, for a bit at least. Who knows what the future brings?

Then we take a quick jump to a different universe. I've said it before, and I'll say it a million times more. Strange things cause ideas to surface. This? This originally started from a thought of what vices you would have if you would be an immortal and would have the means to negate the harmful effects? It isn't really seen in this image, but the bald man has a cigar in his right hand, can see it in the large image if zoomed in at least. Then it spiralled to things. Sorcerers and their guardians, relic of an ancient time. It isn't like they need guardians. Those who can challenge them one on one will wipe the floor with most guardians. But that doesn't mean they aren't useful, they can mitigate their lords temperaments. Calming touch on the shoulder, or even signalling the other lord to keep their head cool. And no, Susan does her job well. She is a soldier, she knows when she can act like herself, and when she needs to "shut up and listen." Although the dagger on the desk and the two Sorcerers looks are a bit foreboding...

Anyway, to the important things.

Changelog: ToaM 0.43.0

414 renders
Implemented the next part of the story
1 hidden image
Codex updated
Grammar, spelling, and other fixes (Thanks to Adry, Shaddy, BryonSmothers3DX, Bread, Oaiki, Horny Toad, Michael Hamill, Orion, Digitalzig, DocrWhoJ, Draco, Cipher)

Release schedule:

$15 Tier: As soon as the post has had its final touches and links been verified.
$10 Tier: 25th of June
$5 Tier: 26th of June
$3 Tier: 27th of June
Public: 7th of July

Checksums SHA256:

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com.talothral.toam-release.apk

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

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Public Release: Tribulations of a Mage 0.42.0

Tribulations of a Mage 0.42.0

PATCH!

Friday, June 20, 2025

Progress 20.06.2025

Hello all!

So... not really that much to talk about today. The rendering is done, the coding is done, post work is done, some minor things need to be done, but those are done after testing is done, which is ongoing. Rendering took a day longer than I wanted, but it happens. Nothing too drastic. And thus it means I will write the weekend, while doing other stuff as well, and then I'll start rendering 0.44.0 on Monday. And speaking of other stuff, motivational render of sorts since no spoilers...

I've been updating the characters for Sorcerer 2 as a small "side project". The "problem" is that I don't know how the story unfolds outside of how it starts and ends as is right now so I don't know who I end up needing for it. Some are obvious since they were part of the "main cast", side cast however? There is Josh, and for those of you who don't recall him, he was the mercenary group's leader, ah sorry, "private security contractor", that company that Alexander works for employs for more dangerous work. And then there is Aina who only had two appearances, potentially. Now I don't know do I need her, but I'd rather have her ready if I do need her instead of doing last minute mad scramble of trying to find the model or how she was made. And that being said, the company is still there at the start of the Sorcerer 2 at least. Why? It's relatively easy to reintroduce the cast to the readers, creates a more natural flow especially since there are a lot of returning cast. It will make sense once things are at that point. Anyway, I'll continue to write, then take a break. You all have a great weekend!