The second most daunting task which must be completed to reach our public beta release (coding being the first), is the creation of all the new areas for players to explore. The development of lands continues to grow in a northerly direction. The land developers are working diligently to engineer new areas for the creatures that will stem from a focus on creature code. The creature code is like dessert, and motivates us to move through the daily grind, so that we can spend a few months with nothing but the production of interesting, new monsters for players (who like that sort of thing) to enjoy.
The staff of Lost Isles celebrates two years of game building on October 1st! Stay tuned for more progress updates in future newsletters, or check out what's new on the Lost Isles website at www.lostisles.com/news.php.
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The henge is a member of the goblin species, prefering rocky and barren terrains. Their coloring is generally gray or dark beige, and their thick, bumpy hide simulates the natural stone of their environment. In fact, the main attack form for the henge is to sit totally immobile, resembling rocks so closely as to be nearly indistinguishable, and wait for its victims to walk within range. Henges do not move especially fast, so when they initiate their primary attack, they make it count. Henges also have poor vision, which makes them reliant on their sense of hearing, smell, and vibration, and also makes them equally comfortable in daylight and at night. Henges are the strongest of the goblin breeds, which is balanced by their lack of speed.
The henges have a natural affinity for all things mineral, and are often found toting curious rocks or stones in their great fists. There have been reports of henges confiscating stones and gems from the lifeless bodies of intruders in their territories. In general, the henge is not overly aggressive, tending to attack only when its land is trespassed.
My name is Rankin Slooce, and I felt it was my humble duty to inform you of a nasty feature that very nearly took my life a few days ago just outside of Saotan!
Let me start by asking you not to begrudge a man for getting a tingling of adventuring, but I defied the usual warnings from the militia and ventured to the cliffs north of town. I fancy myself a good climber, so I meandered to the base of the cliff, and made my way up. This is not a letter regarding my skills, of which there needn’t be any doubt. This is a letter of what occurred a short while later.
I made it to the cliff top and headed south on my explorations, as I’d never been up there before. I soon discovered a large hole where the other fork of the Hebi River drops into the underground. Well, as I admired the sight despite the deafening sound, I kid you not when I say that something pushed me right into the hole. Surely the thunderous noise covered my assailant’s tracks. It was probably a grubber. May naktul feast upon their grubber hides.
I digress. This hole! This murderous hole! Are you aware it exists? I was swept into an underground killing chute, which battered my body into rock and crag. After countless minutes, and probably hours, I was deposited into an oddly glowing cave. I thought my respite grand until not a few moments later, I was quite literally sucked through yet another opening, bounded and bashed against the rough edges, and ultimately spit into the sea. I am a climber, not a swimmer. I’d likely have drowned were it not for the waves pushing me to shore.
Take heed to this letter! This hole is a menace, and should be fixed, or stuffed with countless grubbers, or fenced, or something! Or you will find other innocents like me who may not make the difficult journey, and perish, and litter your bay with corpses!
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Get Lost at www.lostisles.com. |
This dock I run in the town of Tsuuka, it’s my own dock, and I built it myself. I kept a roof over my head from the sweat of my brow and the labor of my hands. I never needed help, and I sure never wanted neighbors.
Seems like Tsuuka came up overnight. One day I had peace, and quiet, and my dock was for my boat for my fishing for my eating. Now I gotta put up with half the island coming through. I don’t need a town. Seems like all towns make are problems.
What could some foreign-owned shop sell me that I can't make for myself? Nowadays, all people want are homes filled with shiny items from far-away places. Well, you can keep your strange baubles and trinkets – but if you come across a fine piece of maple, then we can talk.
- GM Qui, the overworked technical lead
"...a bad dwarf is still better than a good almost anything else."
-alpha tester Rhew, commenting on his belief in the natural superiority of.... dwarves
"Shoulda known something bad was gonna happen when GM Horak bet last..."
-alpha tester Nailstealer, learning that you never gamble with the creator of the betting system
"Can we have too many areas where you can fall to your death?"
- GM Shai, in a state of terrain building fervor
