The Secrets of Power patch (patch 3.0) was added to Shadowbane on July 21st, 2004
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Sixty years have passed since the War of Talons ended, and now the Aracoix are on the move. Agents of the Empire, including dreaded Skydancer attack troops and Savant mindlords, have come in secret through the Runegates. From the shadows, these intruders have organized the Birdmen into new legions, the first Kh'ree to darken Aerynth's skies in decades. A few Aracoix agents have been captured, and the Conclave of Wizards has managed to wring from them more of the secrets of the Runegates, expanding the Traveler's arts. The other aims of the Aracoix Empire remain unseen, but it is clear the Birdmen are looking for something. In the deeps of the deserts, the Aracoix have found an ancient citadel of the Ardani, a ruined library filled with arcane texts unread by any in thousands of years. What secrets do the Aracoix seek there? The few ancient scrolls and tablets brought back by plunderers and adventurers hint at magical arts and theories unseen since the birth of the world. The Aracoix claim that their Empire shall soon take new Glory in the conquest of Aerynth!
Many among the Wise are worried by the new machinations of the Birdmen, but few of the Nations pay their warnings any heed, for the face of Aerynth is aflame with new strife. Working tirelessly, the Dwarves have managed to reopen the ancient Mines and Lodes of old! Gold, enough to maintain empires, lays waiting for those with the patience to exploit it. Greedy for the wealth these new resources offer, the warlords of all lands are scrambling to claim and hold these goldmines and every mine is now the scene of constant raids and daring struggles. How will this new gold rush reshape the face of Aerynth? Which Nations shall gain the most in the fight for Glory and Gold?
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- Secrets of Power promotional narrative
General Changes
Adjusted the experience curve to make it easier for players to achieve level 45 (and therefore contribute to their guilds). Some players may gain a couple free levels as a result (especially those near the 40 level mark)
Fear spells have been given a slight bump (and should now affect level 60 mobiles correctly, when appropriate)
Silence powers should now dispel chant effects and keep the target from recasting them for a time
Players should no longer get stuck in several buildings in the Amazon Wetlands
Added improved disconnect message when you are disconnected from a server
The Disease cast by creatures has been greatly reduced in length of time
You will now be instantly grounded if you log out while in flight
The daggersmiths on Maelstrom now carry a full selection of items
Gold piles and some other small objects no longer have collision
Added break conditions for bow and crossbow grounding powers
Power buttons will verify their recycle times when you log in
An issue with logging in with the Mac Client has been fixed
Fixed a couple of typos in power names and descriptions
Stamina usage has been reduced while hovering in flight
Shadowbane will be unveiling the first phase of its long awaited "Resource System". This system will be tied to each zone which will offer a resource type. Currently, the only resource in Phase One is gold but further phases may include additional resources such as wood, metals, and ores. It is designed to add smaller, auxiliary points of conflict for players to fight over.
These areas will become highly contested points of interest and will have the opportunity to change hands at least once a day. In Phase One, once conquered, gold mines will drop gold into warehouses in their cities on an hourly basis. This gold will, in turn, be used to automatically pay maintenance cost of those structures that were given access to the warehouse and are protected by the Runemaster. Additional resources and augmentations will be introduced as the system is fully implemented allowing players to upgrade existing and new assets with functions and abilities to be announced.
Furthermore after Phase One is completed, during a siege, the warehouse inventory can be recovered or stolen by anyone. This system will allow nations to focus efforts more on the political and combat faces of the scene and not the maintenance and upkeep of cities.
Phase One of the Resource System has been implemented and most adventuring areas now contain a "mine"
Added a new adventuring zone in the desert with the Epic Encounter containing Shuggroth M'ael
City & Siege
Fortress Assets will no longer go errant on a Guild Leadership transfer; old transfers have not been grandfathered in but transferring leadership once will fix any issues from previous transfers
The 'Tears of Saedron' mouseover now points out that the Discipline rune you choose to remove with the Tears is lost forever
A Nation is limited to holding no more Resource Mines at once than two time the Rank of the Nations' Tree of Life
Added the new Warehouse structure which is available on a Rank 1 Builder (must be used to claim a Mine)
A bug preventing Merchants from being slotted into Elven houses has been fixed
Straight Wall Towers now accept Tower Guards (really, this time)
Some NPCs that were missing 'Kill On Sight' dialog now have some
Elven barracks can now slot the appropriate number of guards
You can no longer delete your own buildings during a siege
Nephilim Runemaster now sells Cult of the Scourge charters
The Spiteful Spire is now debuffing attack speed
Mysteriously, votaries have changed their shape
Fixed the No Maintenance fees on Invorri Walls
Magister Guards will no longer cast amnesia
The War Temple can no longer slot guards
Racial Changes
Fixed the Sub-Race trait rune mouseovers, so they now correctly state what they do.
Added a hood to the Aracoix's Medium Armor set
New Aracoix light armor has been added
A new Aracoix skin has been added
New Minotaur only armor should now be available and only on Heavy armorers
