Release Notes for Serpent in the Staglands

Patch 18 (09 January 2017)

Added Erlein's Handbook bonus goodie
Some maps causing occasional performance hiccups have been fixed
Combat performance update
Herbology UI has been updated
Polymorph Wolf no longer utilizes range of missile weapons equipped
Sound and Music levels balanced since last update

Patch 17 (28 December 2016)

In celebration of the Winter Solstice and Necholai’s worst after party, we’re ready to release update 17! We’ve been poking at Shroomers and Serpent for a while now to optimize a lot of the behind-the-scenes systems, especially load times. The engine has been updated and with some heavy optimization to art and loading structures we’re looking at 60-70% speed increase. Maps should load in at ~5 seconds, depending on your system or how large the map is.
Besides that we’ve had some other system updates for stability and content tweaks listed below.
We have some art and content for the expansion, A Banquet For Fools, that we’re planning on releasing next year. There is the perfect amount of monks, mead and illuminated manuscripts.
Merry Christmas!
Joe & Hannah

System

Load time optimization
Revamped ammunition system — for fringe cases of some equipped ammo disappearing on game loads

UI

Cursor can move off the edge of the screen in windowed mode in Windows

Gameplay

Stabilized fringe cases of temporarily de-syncing party order in inventory screen when a member is removed in certain conversations
Seraphim will allow you to retry to let him in your party after refusing him.
Various dialogue and NPC inventory tweaks

Patch 16 (15 October 2015)

UI

Added diagonal direction option to keys (can hold two at once)
Various spelling updates in conversations and items

Gameplay

Trap re-loading bug in Lumen Caverns fixed
Kyrilu dialog endless loop fixed
Cave Journal in Ista Cale populates as normal under all conditions

Balance

Spider summons do less poison damage
Goblin summons: -1 Dex
Ista Cale Manor and Lighthouse Guards AC, Dex, and Str upgrades
Octavian & Mya stat upgrades all around
Ice Spider AC upgrade
Slavers: Dex upgrade
Slaver Cook: Str upgrade
Fighting Pits: various Str, Occ upgrades for opponents

Skills/Spells

Nauseate: Cast times updated
Strangling Vines: Cast times update
Searing Light: initiates hostility
Siphon Poisons: skill and proc times now accurately affecting each other
Arcane Attack: displays all hit information in game feed, small tweaks
Feverish Haze: proc inconsistencies fixed
Arcane Shield: Description update
Festering Ooze: Description update
Morph Into Cat: Description update
Morph Into Bats: Movement speed updates, INT-dependent
Polymorph into Wolf: weapons disappear under all situations now, duration time fix, various tweaks
Hallucinogen: Fixed disappearing enemies (if they travel off screen from fleeing and return)
Foul Creep: Stat affliction now works under all circumstances
Amplify: augments cast speed as expected
Shimmering Scales: Math update
Blood Cocoon: Math tweak for healing output
Parasitic Orb: General and duration updates
Planar Jump: Damage fix for all situations on use
Turn to Stone: loops spell cast on miss now (instead of stopping), game feed updated to reflect
Magic Shield: Protections end as expected, various stability updates and description in game feed

Patch 15 (8-14-2015)

UI

Smooth Pixel option added which blends pixels edges and creates smoother text and ‘oil painted’ effect on the art.
Implemented a smoother scroll for the dialogue menu
FIXED player selection hot keys interrupting incantation typing
Missiles listed more accurately as 0d2 instead of +2 in inventory descriptions
new Game Tips

GAMEPLAY

FIXED locked door in Hallowed Doors after saving
FIXED Mikalus is in Lebez after leaving your party
FIXED Kreel can use Quick Strike upon joining your party

SKILLS

FIXED NPC spell casting aimed at target instead of location to left when casting Magic Shield
FIXED Snapping Muscle potions working as expected

Patch 14

Enemy Posions — changed: FROM procing every 5 seconds, 5 rounds at 1d5 TO procing every 3 seconds, 10 rounds at 1d8.
SKILL: Rapid Draw: working as expected in all circumstances
SPELL: Arcane Shield: Spell has changed to reflect description (OCC changed to FullOCC)
SPELL: Amplify: if stopped during recasting, there is a fringe case where it could stack or stay over the course of the map — fixed.
Racial Trait: Disciples: There was an issue where this could override other health boosts from stat distribution during character creation – fixed.
SKILL: Pin Shot: fixed description error
Gameplay: Possible fix for a fringe case where enemies (who can initiate dialogue) are killed, with auto-pause on (with enemy sighted / not in combat), and are disabled from executing their deaths. Fix in place.
Racial Trait: Faithful: description error updated
ITEM: Inquisitor Mask updated with description stats
UI tweak for Auto-pause toggle appearing correctly
Various spelling errors fixed
COMPANION: Serafim had a hole in his dialogue events where you could get him in your party after talking to him twice without the necessary Nobility points.
Secret room in Hallowed Doors ground visual fixed.

Patch 13 (15.07.2015)

UI

Various spelling/grammar updates for inventory items and dialogue
Targeting consistency with AI OFF updated – only targeted enemies will be attacked, rather than toggling an attack state. Also fixed various other fringe cases with targeting walk or enemies to follow through as expected.
Issue with Fuldea Mare crossing getting visually removed from overworld map fixed
Duke of Whales text conversation loop fixed
If stat numbers get too low they turned into decimals, fixed
Fixed potential issue with arrow count dropping to zero transitional or saving hiccup
Fixed issue with Gabi where she wouldn’t display correct dialogue if talked to prior to getting quest

Spells/Skills

SPELL [Morph into Fiend] displays appropriate game feed info on proc
SPELL [Siphon Poisons] game feed display updated
Fixed issue with Seismic Swing not displaying/working correctly
Fixed fringe issue when polymorphing while polymorphed or interaction and equipment not being usable again

Gameplay

Goblin King – removed instance where you could submit Necholai
Fixed ending scenario with companions being visual where they shouldn’t
Fixed a few various quest saving issues if saving/reloading during interactions [Bruul, Lumen Targ Constable, Kreel]
Kreel conversation issue in Hallowed Doors fixed
Fixed interaction issue with Bloodless prior to polymorph
Fixed an issue where there were two clickable locations for a corpse’s head on the ground in Lebez, now just the one is there and is easily clickable, the empty one made that difficult to get right
If traveling with certain requirements to Lev, only Southern guard gives XP as expected (removed Northern XP gain)
Fixed issue in Fuldea Mare crossing with the rope-use to descend where it removed >1, now just removes one to be used.
Nobility bookshelf in a Fuldea Mare Crossing Ruin fixed for use with 5 Nobility
Fixed visual issues with FOW visual size and night-effect if changing or selecting characters within inside/outside sub-maps during night or day. Visuals as expected now
Fixed issue with adding some Companions more than once or twice after removing (without binding)
Fixed loot issue where some enemies drop rates were too high (harvesters and some other various non-critical drops)

Patch 12

Additions:

Can now hotkey party members 1 – 5 for selection (available in HotKey Options menu)
Priority Balance:[SPELL] Amplify: initial casting potency reduced
Toggling AI button now automatically directs character appropriately on switch

Minor Updates:

Various Spelling errors fixed
Issue with Sapphires racial trait for some merchants corrected
Removing a party member with allocated stats are now saved correctly when returned to party
[SPELL] Eclipse: Fixed an issue where it could stay on target after casting completed UI issue with saving on overworld map removed
Padurii cave issue and Hallowed doors issue fixed a fringe case that could occur if saving and exiting or using puzzles (blocking the trigger)
PROF modifier now visually working correctly in all cases
Issues with some enemies not reacting to death in fringe cases of pausing/overloaded with stats, fix in place
Issues with some Companions not appropriately utilizing skills and spells when first entering party now corrected

Patch 11

UI addition/suggestions:

Updated Spellbook and Warbook with procing information (numbered the every “X”)
Selecting [existing] save field no longer has blank save slot name
Tooltip updates for AI functionality update to reflect states (passive, aggressive, off)
AI-off — targets now continue to attack targets
Nobility crests ease-of-use update for various functionality, brainwashed now follow you longer
Racial traits now visually display in game feed when used, not just character sheet
Incantation ease-of-use update: curses now show up in game feed!
Rally and other on-start Warbook skills now even easier to use – now trigger when a character just attacks target (swings or shoots missile).
Missile damage additions now show up in Physical Damage
Traps now have a hover state for easier selecting when disarming

Other/Minor updates:

Ethereal weapon now adding [INT] mod where intended
Philosophy stat-check skill could display stacked amounts of stats for enemies if continually checked, fixed to display relevant only post-polymorph armor set may not (visually) return as normal, fixed
Incantation for citrine now working as intended
Backup if something occurs wrong during saving/loading for NPC inventories – critical items will now always verify on load
A couple items could be ‘consumed’ if right clicked that shouldn’t have been, fixed
Various item description updates to reflect stats
Couple modifier issues with Zana Spell fixed
Cat and Bat Polymorph spell descriptions updated
Autopause now works with NPC’s that turn hostile during conversation
Darius’s fox now loads in correctly if saved nearby
Some traps didn’t save correctly before or after discovery, fixed
Companion Notol gains relevant XP like other companions when joining party
Fixed issue when polymorphing at the end of the game
Various art-tweaks and layering in maps
A dresser in Orf’s Bridge Inn now locked appropriately

Patch 10

New AI button toggle to turn AI completely off (online manual and tooltips to be updated soon!)
Additional hotkeys (R used to be accounted for) added that weren’t available before
Possible skill deactivation for some users when entering new maps, fixed
Cursor remains visual if scrolling when dialogue starts
Ranged user still had opportunity to close distance with target under rare circumstances, fixed
Various item description updates for stat accuracy
Some overworld map boundaries centered

Patch 9

General:

Trap description update
Rune book requires a bit more precision, cannot be activated until returning to scene
Binding a character after they attempt to abandon you changes their portrait appropriately.
Soul bound companions, once dismissed, cannot be found again
Emerald Metalis barracks map could have issues when entering with full party, fixed
Harvester animations may not correctly play burrowing animation, fixed so it always plays
Bruul hostility fixed which could occur for some players
Various merchants in Rumin and Corem given more money (only occurs if you haven’t visited yet).
Some companions, when released, could be found again with duplicates and wrong inventories, fixed to have correctly saved inventory and without original clone
Hitting barrels no longer procs combat-starting skills
Less chance of enemies spawning near you upon load if in hostile area (unless you missed some in the grouping you are in/near)
Additional thieving imps added to various NPCs

UI:

Toggle added for running the game in background if you’re experiencing memory allocation issues on Windows, advised to leave this turned off
Magic Axe description updated to correct skill name it augments (Crushing Blow -> Seismic Swing)
Arrow keys to move camera now have hotkeys
Chain whip description updated with correct stats
Ringmail Coat: New — description update for correct stats
Various helms and rings updated with correct AS stat reflection
Attack speed number could display to a large decimal, fixed

Skills/Spells:

Turn to Stone damage output changed in game feed: once proced it instantly kills target — no longer displays target’s health as damage
Poison Weapon damage reduction, but now includes any Skill points in Herbology Aptitude to give a flat bonus
Amplify visual effect positioned correctly
Shimmering Scales had chance to stack AC bonus, fixed
Searing Light effect could linger above enemy cast on it if interrupted, fixed

Patch 8

Gameplay:

Ending scenario which can cause characters not to move fixed
Repeated tombstone in Lumen Targ fixed
Ista Cale Moon Lord Shrine layering issue resolved
Camp water layering issue resolved
Fire imp random encounter now spawns correct enemies in the West
Re-entering areas through different entrances set you in correct position
Economy adjustment for sell prices and merchant purses
Lebez cellar exit easier to navigate to
During confrontation in Lebez someone could spawn over an object, resolved
Ista Cale dresser that was bugged with trying to spawn dialogue now fixed
Bruul island raft now saves correctly visually
Bruul dialogue update
Kyrilu from Emerald Mines now sells as intended
Mines superintendent now closes dialogue properly
Enemies will not cast Shimmering Scales on your party
Enemy spells could start in wrong location visually, fixed
Iele could be frozen when hit in some scenarios, fixed
Fuldea Mare layering issue on tower
Returning spice mission from Lev now grants reward
Untouchable objects in Lumen Cave near fields fixed
2 chests found in Lebez that were not clickable now open as expected
Grigore of Rumin now sells wares via dialogue
Imps now have their attacking sounds in all scenarios
A few art layering issues in Corem resolved
Catalina convo may get interrupted in Ista Cale, fixed
When someone is walking toward you to commence dialogue, you cannot pause or quick save

UI:

Item description update to show stats on top.
Small portrait update
Emerald Mines map navigation map error resolved
Progression to get from 3 to 4+ WPN Prof made smaller
WPN Prof reaching 9 stars now shows correctly
Updated minimap FOW to display cleaner
Moving units now stop when paused
Margarita now conducts conversation when intended
Mod numbers for CS properly reflect item deduction/enhancements
Mod numbers for CS go to shorter decimal now
Meads and torches in early areas may not stack, fixed
Dressers in Lumen Targ that were inoperable should now in all circumstances
Gems: removed numbers next to them in inventory
Two low-tier wands averrable have updated descriptions with more info
Can now open the Incantation Book from the quick-inventory
Can now cast spells when targeting portraits right when you enter a level
A handful of map’s camera boundaries for the overworld map were too wide, fixed

Skills/Spells:

Resolved issue with pausing during spell-proc and having cast speed set to 0
Skill Strafe: no longer shows up in their hover description if they recently took damage from it
Skill Poison Weapon: appropriate damage reduction
Spell Arcane Attack: increased damage output
Spell Eclipse: reduction, online tables being updated soon with newest information
Skill Shield Bash: applies item AC to damage appropriately in all scenarios now
Skill Concentrate: no lunger duplicated in character sheet
Disabled traps turn into disabled trap art, instead of just disappearing now
Wolf Form doing intended damage now
Some de-buff incantations resolved when it could land on caster instead of target
Imp stolen stats now count towards unlocking tiers of Spell and War books

Patch 7

Some whips not recognizing Mind-Crack now appropriately do
EastWood Bow animation update, internal update to not allow a shield to be equipped with it
Certain spells that are used from a distance, interrupted by moving, and returned to casting sometimes show them firing from the wrong angle, now always fire visually appropriately.
In some rare occurrences a name wouldn’t be associated with an action in the Game Feed, should all display as expected.
Corrected issue with Goblin King / Goblin Captain in some rare scenarios try to both talk to you at once, could cause errors with dialogue.
Ranged characters, if already target something could sometimes run up tot their target if they were given an action to attack them again. This has been fixed so they always stay at a distance while targeting, no matter how many times they target.
Lebez rock walls missing navigation walls needed to walk around fixed so you walk around them
Oil Spill traps sell value reduced
Both arenas could have an issue with continuing them after winning or losing that first fight, fixed for both
Trap price fix to remove selling exploit
Bartender at Duke of Whales could have issue opening inventory, fixed to open as normal for everyone
Woods Edge fake-cave removed
Item modifiers for Cast Speed now properly reflect their stats given in the Character Sheet (number to reduce into negatives, instead of raise)
Enemies, while becoming visible, can no longer be attempted to to talk to
NPC Stela could have an issue joining your party under certain circumstances, fixed
Block on typing numbers
Some bodies they may not have been visible in Hallowed Doors now always show up
Bloodless will now appear as intended for all users

UI

Select-All Hotkey now updatable as expected
Fixed hole for instances of the hotkey tooltips failing to visually reflect updates
Straight Edge New and Used now have their correct stats.
After transition to town, all party members selected automatically
Rare issue with merchant inventories able to be seen on other merchants fixed
Credits scroll sheet now moves farther down to view end of text.
Wand/Boots items go to correct slots in inventory
Merchant screen descriptions no longer show up in your inventory upon exiting

Skills/Spells

Mind Crack (fix listed above for item requirements)
Shield Mastery: reduced amount of AC provided by level, at 15 points it caps at 1d15 (increases with 1d[skill PNT] now)
Blood Cocoon and Greater Blood Cocoon reduced healing capacity
Hallucinogen magic damage reduction, enemy ailment preserved
All on-start skills now wait for your first swing/missile, to help optimize the amount of time they are active for
Shield Bash in-game description updated to be accurate with damage dealt
Spearhead skill description updated
Blinding Shield and Split Arrow have updated descriptions
Spearhead could on occasion keep character running at that speed until next combat, fix in place

Mid/Late Balance

The mid to later levels of the game have been balanced to fight a full party of optimized combat and magic focused characters
Slight AC increases (matched by level/individual character) for most monsters and mortals
Overall DMG and War book PNTS for high level fighter enemies, Slavers now have Warbook Skill: Silence at lvl 13
Increased INT and OCC for mages along with increased Spell points for spells to match level more appropriately. Increased shields for those applicable (tower, slavers).

Patch 6

Lumen Cavern location with island camera boundaries fixed along with save issue for character there (will retroactively fix your game if he was missing).
An issue with Foul Creep that could arise that made it difficult to target has been fixed, will target and hit as normal
Oil traps now sell for appropriate amount
Ending can account for having a full party of avatars properly now
An issue with traps that could arise while detecting and disarming fixed
Conversation with Ista Cale constable fixed with accusation option ending correctly
Lev over-world ambush maps now always have Crawlers spawn correctly if chosen for ambush
Lev Soldier repeatable conversation fixed [Windows]
Given correct items by Hunters now when following that arc
Issues that could arise with Linguistics pick pocketing power words now working as intended
Pillar entrances near ruins now only open as intended
Polymorphing and moving between overworld (or loaded) maps triggers characters to return to normal first
Spell issue with Planar Jump for some players now resolved, skill points save correctly on level up
In westernmost lighthouse you can now leave through main door from the inside
Agile Fighting skill (when equipped) during level up now fixed overall EXP reduction for killing enemies small rebalance of some mid-late game enemies for added STR, DEX, OCC

Patch 5

Scene load fix affecting some Windows and Linux users
Inventory Item typos fixed
Rumin Ruins map exit point fix
Tratis Saltis inner-tower exit point fix
Selection-box fix if using quick-inventory
Window resizing (when in window mode) now saves through scenes
Hallowed Doors art fix in sub-outside area