Caverns and Dryads update 1.4.5 and plans

Release 1.4.5 of Caverns and Dryads is a bug fix one but includes some small improvements. For example: in loot, you don't have to waste your food or potions to make space, because you can eat and drink them instead of dropping them. Also some things give you more information, like for example: when there's wind or a flood, you will know how much steps will they last when you camp. 

The full list of changes is on Steam. But here I'll show you some previews and tell you about some possible new features that will come after I add the Emerald City update.

Because the game doesn't end with that. Actually, my plan is to never end. But as good series, there are small endings, like episodes. I'll explain this below.

A PREVIEW OF AN IMAGE OF THE EMERALD CITY

In some milestones of the game, with the new adventure, you will see full screen illustrations of some dramatic moments. This is one when you reach an important place inside the Emerald City.

I will not spoil which place it is, and what will happen here. 

You can also download this image and use it as a wallpaper, because it's big.

And here's the full image of Tamzyn's illustration for the update announcement, in case you want to see it, because in the announcement there's only a part. I am not sure if I will include it in the story, maybe in the next episodes.

And here's a part of one of  the 3 boss monsters. Yes, it's a small portion. I don't want to spoil the surprise. What kind of monster do you think it is?

I can give you some hints of the other two: one is a classic fire spitting monster (quite hard to beat), and the other is an invention of mine but similar to an ogre (a bit easier but don't underestimate).  This one is the third and dangerous final one:

Once you succeed in the fight against this monster, you will also get some more spells, one of them of sacrificial magic and very powerful (although you have to be cautious because it's sacrificial), and others useful for some situations outside of battle.

If you missed it, also check this other post, about things that I will be adding in the 1.5 major update when it's ready, and about new character Aubeline.

HOW WILL THE STORY CONTINUE?

If you already did the intro, the story begins with a trivial encounter. But they already feel they match quite well, as they have lots of things in common. 

As they get to know each other, that feeling grows. If you did the Purple King (Heroes of Subterranea) story, it ends in a point in which they can no longer lie to themselves. 

This story of the Emerald City will face them against many conflicts. The external one is to overcome the boss battles, the exploration of dangerous places, the long distance missions... until they get the key to the Emerald City, and get the spells to save Tamzyn's mother.

There are other problems to take them away from each other. You will start to see them. Those problems will grow in future chapters. It's not convenient that they stay together, it's dangerous, it's forbidden.

When they end this mission, they are supposed to separate. Do you think they will do that? Why?

Do you think I will give you a happy ending for this episode, or will I be an annoying prick and make a bitter ending? I will not spoil the end, but comment! :D

SOME FEATURES AFTER I FINISH THE EPISODE OF EMERALD CITY

I use to let the ideas grow in my mind some time until I implement them. So I am considering these for middle term future:

- As suggested by Daurialol, I plan to remake the cities mechanics, so you can go to the part of the city you need (directly to inn, bar, shops, blacksmith...) but will also keep the random encounters on the streets. This way cities will be more useful for players and still keep some kind of unpredictability. But I think it's ok to let players do what they want in the city, without having to enter again and again.

- Houses: they will be composed of rooms. You will add rooms as you like, for different things. This may open fun possibilities. I specially think about the laboratory and making potions, with all those items that you find sometimes that are useless in this moment (like stones, bones, gems...)

- Create some special places in detail, like the palace of the Purple King, and other special places in some cool ones like the now closed Dark Palace or Underground Palace.

- Mechanics for situations like one of the heroes being kidnapped, and rescue.

- Upgrade some places in the city like the bar having different situations, the shops being divided in some different kinds, the inn having some situations, good and bad. 

And this for now. I have other ideas but better keep them to myself until these are done. If you have some cool suggestion, just tell! 

I hope you like all that you've read, and thanks for playing! :)