The wildlife of the Riven Realms is not exactly all cuddles and kisses, but we wish to bid you all a happy #WorldAnimalDay on this fine Wednesday all the same.

-The Lost Pilgrims Team

It’s been a while since we posted an update on the release of Sunfire and Moonshadow, and given our previous announcement in May on aiming to release the expansion in Q3 2023, it’s only fair that we share a project update.

In the last few months, the whole team has been hard at work to set up and fill the huge new region we picked for our upcoming DLC that slowly grew into an Expansion. It’s been a daunting task given the size of the Bronze Desert and our goal to keep the standards we set in the main game regarding engaging storytelling and activities. We wanted to pick a region that was not tied up by existing in-world historical events too much, so we can be more free of those constraints when designing new storylines but that freedom also meant that there were more things to expand upon and work out the finer details of – locations, NPCs, dynamics, and storylines. Overall, it has taken a lot longer to create all the content we set out to but we are finally getting there.

The Forest of Shadows is a vast expanse of tangled trees that extends across the western side of the Penumbral Plains, covering the feet of the abandoned mountain range that rises high and stands mighty over the benighted lands. Many theorize that this woodland and the Dead Forest were once united; a tale the proof of which is lost to the annals of time. Old stories circulate about the Forest of Shadows enduring the wrath of the Calamity and its fallout, only to succumb to the enigmatic arachnids that now plague its shadowy expanse. The creatures killed everything there and built their nest in the forest, covering it with their webs so thickly that not even light itself could penetrate them.

The origins of Malkin remain a tantalizing mystery. Among the prevailing speculations the most accepted one is that they are the results of sorcerous experiments. They clawed their way to the summit of the ecosystem following their appearance post-Calamity, assuming dominion with an insatiable appetite and the hunting skills to back it up. Just like many apex predators, they are rare in and around populated areas, but they don’t mind a human snack every once in a while. Their sharp claws and fangs, as well as a deadly fusion of reptilian tenacity and feline swiftness make them formidable foes indeed. Keeping a watchful eye is in the best interest of every traveler,  for to be caught unaware in their sights as potential prey is to court a perilous fate!

This week we’re excited to share one of the expansion’s most intriguing locales: the Fadhuldak Mountains. Part of the forlorn Brown Mountains spanning the western border of the Bronze Desert, the peaks, valleys, and ranges that make up these mountains are home to beastly denizens mostly, although allegedly there are some wayward people prowling these lands, too.

Those of you who have been following what’s going on over at Steam are surely aware of the Strategy Fest lasting from 28th August to 4th September. Vagrus is represented in the festival with a never-before-seen 35% discount! A great time to grab it at this bargain price if you haven’t already.

It’s not every week we have a chance to share something many might find out of place in the Riven Realms, but today is one such day. On that note, let’s cut right to the chase: we’re here to show you a beautiful jungle from one of our newest artists, and boy, we’re pretty stoked about it.

A beautiful place to go bird watching or have a nice picnic with your comes! Perhaps you could pick some berries, relax in the shade, or make friends with the wildlife. Or, it could be that beneath the veneer of colorful lushness lurks something darker, deep in the recesses of the thicket. As always, you shall have to find out for yourself; all in good time, naturally.

Good news, everyone: Vagrus – the Riven Realms has finally gained verified status on Steam Deck! It’s been a long haul, but we have finally reached our goal. We were originally able to attain the simple playable badge, and then, through continuous testing and grit among certain team members, we created and released a build last week that Valve was able to test and approve for verified status. We’d like to express our gratitude to you, the players, without whom we might not have made it this far. The game is already live on Steam Deck, but if you are familiar with it, you may now notice the presence of a new, shiny verified badge. Naturally, we recommend you give it a go!

This week we’re here to bring you another teaser from our upcoming Sunfire and Moonshadow expansion, and this time it is something all but unheard of in the Riven Realms – a settlement virtually saturated with sylvan hues and replete with lush and lively flora and fauna. Revered by many for its serene lakes and verdant life, the oasis of Shahsgabat is a place of wonder and beauty in the otherwise arid wasteland of the northwest.

The Bandul are desert-dwelling nomads native to the Bronze Desert. They live in so-called "sakrets": a couple of families banded together, herding their animals across the arid wastelands of northern Xeryn, between oases they hold sacred and that are integral parts of their roaming lifestyle. If you choose to venture into the northwestern part of the continent, you are bound to encounter them. Whether they will be on your side or your bitter enemies is up to you and the decisions you make in the upcoming expansion for Vagrus.