Enthralled Godir,

It's been two days since you declared your love for the Tentacle and joined us in celebration. Eldritch Realms & the Mystic Update have been a massive undertaking and we're glad to finally have been able to share the fruits of our labor. Not everybody has embraced the Tentacle yet, but we'll surely convince them.

The Mystic 1.1 Update introduces a new Spell, available through Umbral Dwellings and the Umbral Disciples Society Trait, that grants all your units Umbral Immunity. This spell supports especially players that employ non-racial/summon units to better navigate the Umbral Abyss. Included alongside this are tons of other tweaks and fixes, all of which you can read below.

May your Pantheons thrive

Game Version: 1.007.002.94821

• Added Ritual of Gloomveil
  
• This Spell grants all your Units Umbral Malady Immunity.
  
• This Spell is given by Umbral Dwellings and the Umbral Disciples Society Trait
  
• Updated text is not translated
  
• Units raised after combat will now receive ranks from the Wizard Tower upgrades and Astral Binding.
  
• Dark “Warlock” - Increased Weakening Bolts Frost damage from 8 to 10.

General

• Pushed a new iteration of the grammar engine along with grammar fixes for multiple issues in all languages.
  
• Fixed the “Cleansed” Achievement triggering whenever any player would build a Sanctuary Outpost. It now only triggers when you have built the Sanctuary Outpost

AI

• Excluded the Umbral Abyss from Auto-Explore AI Behaviour
  
• Fixed an issue where the independent mission did not take into account that a city may change side.
  
• Fixed an issue where the AI would not construct Sanctuary Outpost as they were considered too far away.

Art

• Fixed an issue where the Living Fog increased in size to be bigger than the Balor
  
• Fixed an issue where Elf-Reaver Tyrant Knights would break when affected by the Naga Transformation.
  
• Fixed an issue where the “Great Bombard” was affected by the Gloom Strider Major Transformation
  
• Fixed an issue where the Constrictor had a glitched Death Animation when affected by the Gloom Strider Transformation
  
• Fixed an issue where Ascended Eldritch Sovereigns would clip through the floor in Magehaven

Environment Art

• Fixed an issue where there were visible seams in one of the Umbral Abyss regions containing the other Fallen Tower Ancient Wonder.
  
• Umbral Seed Combat map has a more restricted camera now to stop the map’s edges from being easily visible.
  
• Fixed an issue in the Shadow Tear Combat map where the bridge over the gloom river was not walkable.

Visual Effects

• Fixed an issue where the Infusion PFX where misplaced on the Godir Bow
  
• Fixed an issue where the Magical Wards minor transformation would not be visible on Mystic Potential Rulers
  
• Fixed an issue where the Ratkin Eyes would be removed when Awakened.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Legion of Zeal PFX would be in the ground for Afflictors.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Level Up PFX would not trigger when confirming a Hero Skill.

Culture

• Fixed an issue where the Production Cost of Mystic Capstone structures were too low.
  
• Fixed an issue where several spells did not receive an Overcharged effect
  
• Fixed an issue where Summon Summoning Rift was not considered a Hostile Action
  
• Fixed an issue where Summoning Rifts could not be Dismantled
  
• Fixed an issue where Cyphers of Dissonance applied to all Unit Types

Events

• Fixed issues where the effects on Story Events (buttons) would sometimes not correctly handle the results of gaining/losing allegiance with an Umbral Dwelling when in the Umbral Pact stage.
  
• Fixed an issue where sometimes the effects of declaring a war would be falsely listed in a Story Event or one of the buttons in the event if it was not the Player that would be declaring the war.

Faction Content

• Fixed an issue where Mana Addicts would no longer give the Mana Addicts property to all your units.
  
• Fixed an issue where Empowered by Magic would not trigger if the unit first received Physical Damage.

Happenings

• Fixed an issue where Cosmic Happening overview map markers would sometimes not be removed when the happening ends.
  
• Fixed an issue where Units with the Unit Enchantments that give Zeal of Faithful did not correctly get Angelic Potential and were condemned during the Dawn of the Lodestone Major Cosmic Happening.
  
• Fixed an issue where Astral Travel was still cast-able during the Phase Shift Nixing Cosmic Happening.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Call Blightfall Combat Enchantment could target friendly units, this now correctly only targets enemies.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Call Blightfall Combat Enchantment from the Blightfall Cosmic Happening did not inflict Diseased on targets.
  
• Fixed an issue where Call Blightfall could target friendly units.
  
• Fixed an issue with broken text inserts for the Call Arctic Blizzard Combat Enchantment from the Rays of Winter Cosmic Happening.
  
• Fixed an issue where there was an empty tooltip for the Wet status effects in Call Arctic Blizzard.
  
• Fixed an issue where Call Arctic Blizzards damage triggered on friendly units, this now only affects enemies.
  
• Fixed an issue with broken text inserts for the Call Blinding Sands Combat Enchantment from the Cosmic Winds Cosmic Happening.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Call Blinding Sands Combat Enchantment did not use the correct icon.
  
• Fixed an issue where the armies spawned by the Ravenous Visitants Cosmic Happening would not be removed when the Cosmic Happening Ends.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Immobilized effect from Invading Sylviculture was permanent.

Toll of Seasons

• Changed that targeting of the Toll of Seasons to also include AI Players during Multiplayer games, in Single Player this was already the case.
  
• Fixed an issue where two additional flavor Narrative Events related to the Toll of Seasons would never show as part of the regular story flow.
  
• Fixed a crash that could occur in the Toll of Seasons due to a resource being incorrectly DLC locked.

Interface

• Fixed an issue where heroes in the crypt could not be inspected
  
• Fixed an issue where Reaver Culture Rulers could no longer use the intimidate option on Free Cities.
  
• Fixed an issue where in some languages the race name would display as red while there was no issue with this name.
  
• Fixed an issue where some settings would fall off the screen in the advanced setup while having the largest interface scale setting enabled.
  
• Fixed an issue where the teleporter button would show before the destination was revealed, or failed to show at all when there were multiple teleporters in one province.
  
• Fixed a crash that could occur when selecting a unit through the army panel and promoting it with Astral Echoes.
  
• Fixed a crash that could occur when you open the spellbook before a combat is resolved and then hover over an inspiration after the combat is resolved.
  
• Fixed an issue where remembered Transformations were removed from the Spellbook after a save/load cycle.
  
• Fixed an issue where Sanctuary Outpost income was included in the Outpost Header.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Faction selected after applying a filter remained displayed after pressing the "Random Faction" button
  
• Fixed an issue where the Faction would not show during the loading screen when the faction was randomly generated.

Controller

• Fixed an issue where controller prompts for the tabs in the army overview would not be shown on controller
  
• Fixed an issue where the first button in a story event screen would not be the default selection with a controller.
  
• Fixed an issue where the controller close prompt would be in the wrong location in the sector screen
  
• Fixed an issue where the sorting headers in the equipment list would not be reachable with a controller

Modding

• Fixed a crash that could occur when starting a game with mods that interact with Mystic Cultures
  
• Fixed a crash that could occur in faction creation when it failed to fill in the sliders correctly from modded data.
  
• Fixed a crash that could occur when alignment data wasn’t set up correctly from modded data.
  
• Fixed a crash that could occur when creating massive maps where it would go over the maximum province limit.

Multiplayer

• A takeover involving both another client taking over the independents and a client controlling their own units and those of a friendly free city, will no longer break in multiple ways.
  
• Fixed a soft lock that would happen when two players trigger a takeover at the same time.
  
• Fixed Combat Takeover not properly triggering during Hotseat

Out of Syncs

• Fixed a rare case where the game got stuck in an infinite loop of out of syncs upon victory being achieved.
  
• Fixed an Out of Sync caused by a free city being occupied by a player.
  
• Fixed an Out of Sync related to city ruins assigning a side to districts.

Story Realms

Tharru’Cath

• The sanctuary region now features a few more gold, food and mana nodes
  
• Removed the umbral spawner at the entrance of the Wizard's Story Region
  
• Slightly reduced the amount of mountains on the world map
  
• Slightly reduced the amount of Gloom on the world map
  
• Fixed an issue where there was a broken event image when the player reached a default victory

Arcalot

• Fixed that converted and routing units with umbral transformations did not count towards delaying Lithyl’s ritual.
  
• Fixed that player units with umbral transformations wrongly counted towards delaying Lithyl’s ritual when killed by players outside the umbral alliance.

Spells

• Fixed an issue where Consecrating Firestorm was not shown during Combat
  
• Fixed an issue where Consecrating Firestorm could not be cast in empty non-friendly provinces.
  
• Fixed an issue where Consecrating Firestorm could be cast in friendly provinces.
  
• Fixed an issue where Consecrating Firestorm could be cast in Ancient Wonder Provinces.

Umbral Abyss

• Renamed the Rift Towers to Satiated Abductor Tower
  
• Fixed an issue where a Army on top of a Umbral Gate could not be attacked
  
• Fixed an issue where the Umbral Patrols were static and Dynamic Patrols would not spawn until turn 20.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Umbral Abyss Region with a Fallen Tower Ancient Wonder in it would not have a Beacon of Light

World Map

• Fixed a crash when an infestation tried to spawn a hero with the new subcultures
  
• Fixed an issue where releasing a city as a vassal would sometimes not spawn a new ruler for that city if it used to be a free city before and/or if its former ruler was recruited.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Tagfilters on Draft Structure Rank Bonuses were incorrect, resulting in several units not receiving their Rank Bonus correctly.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Wizard Tower: Teleportation Circle awarded +1 Rank to Magic Origin Units.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Shipwreck Pick Up was awarding too high reward sets.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2401860/Age_of_Wonders_4_Eldritch_Realms/


Thank you for all your support, and we will see you again soon:

• Share your thoughts on the Forum[forum.paradoxplaza.com]!
  
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The depths of the Umbral Abyss are yours to conquer in the Age of Wonders 4: Eldritch Realms expansion. Terrify your foes as an Eldritch Sovereign, wield mighty new tomes of magic, survive world-altering global events and lead your people against the darkness before it spreads across the realms. Return to Athla with new Forms based on classic races and come to its defense in an epic clash that will determine the fate of the world.

Revealed within the Astral currents is the Mystic Update. This Free Update, available to all owners of Age of Wonders 4, brings a rework of the Mystic Culture which introduces three Subcultures as School of Magic. Venture into Unknown Realms, with the support of your improved armies, and earn more Pantheon Points with rebalanced and new actions that reward Pantheon XP.

Check below for all the details on the Eldritch Realms Expansion and the Mystic Update.

Game Version: 1.007.001.94582

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2401860/Age_of_Wonders_4_Eldritch_Realms/


New Forms: Insectoid & Syron
Two Classic forms come forth from the Shadows with reimagined looks. The Syron and Insectoid have a deep history in Age of Wonders, having been at the center of the conflict with the Umbral Abyss. The Syron have been reimagined with aquatic details and astral body patterns, keeping some of their original elvish visuals while introducing a flair of beauty and alien. The Insectoid, originally imaged as Shadow Demons, have been a long-running feature in Age of Wonders. With this new Insectoid form you can define what they were like before and after Urrath’s Corruption.

New Godir Origin: Eldritch Sovereign
Ancient beings of terrible power, the Eldritch Sovereigns have been corrupted by the Umbral Abyss and possess a unique Thrall spell casting mechanic. Choose your path as an Eldritch Sovereign ruler and decide between Dominating your foes, Manipulating the flesh or Wild, chaotic magic.

• Gain access to a new Thrall Resource and cast unique Ritual Spells & handle Events using their Eldritch might.
  
• Gain access to a powerful Sovereign Skill Tree that replaces the Warfare Skill Tree. Unique Minor & Major Specialization allow you to tap into the experience of being an Eldritch Ruler.
  
• Gain a unique piece of Equipment called a Relic, a base upkeep of 5 Mana and cannot equip Leg or Mount Items. They are considered Magic Origin Units with Floating World Map Movement and Slow Movement in Combat.

New Tomes
Tap into the dark corners of Magic with two new Eldritch Tomes. Begin your journey with the Tome of the Tentacle, introducing you to the various ways Tentacles can offer a solution. Fully embrace your fascination with the Gloomstrider Transformation found in the Tome of Corruption. This Tome turns your enemy’s strength against them, transforms buffs into debuffs, or steals them for your own units. For those strong enough to reject these dark temptations we introduce the Tome of Cleansing Flame. A tome for the forces of light to strike back against the darkness of the abyss! Summon Cleansing Flames into battle to burn Heretics whilst protecting the Faithful.

New Layer: Umbral Abyss
A dark domain of Corruption and Fear threatens to consume the realms of mortals. It includes new tactical combat maps, a dozen unique locations to explore and exploit and new Umbral Dwellings inhabited by Umbral demons. These denizens of the abyss are corrupt creatures dedicated to the destruction of the light and invasion of the realms. The abyss will harm units who venture in it, but immunity can be gained by forging an Eldritch Pact.

New Content: Cosmic Happenings
A classic feature returns with the reimagined Cosmic Happenings. This brand new class of global events are designed to bring exciting and unpredictable effects. The happenings include 4 mini crises events, called the Toll of Seasons, featuring unique tactical maps, units and mechanics.

New Story: Shadows & Torches
The Story in Age of Wonders 4 reaches new highs in this epic conclusion. In the furthest corners of the Astral Sea the war between the forces of light and dark wages ever on. This eternal conflict sends waves across the realms that awakens a slumbering corruption within. As the light struggles against the overwhelming darkness, twisted tendrils spread and latch onto forests and mountains, hearts and minds, twisting everything they touch.

Even More Content
While we’re sure the above has your mouths watering, there’s even more that you can enjoy. Further included in the Eldritch Realms Expansion are:

• 8 Achievements
  
• 6 New Music Tracks
  
• 5 New Premade Rulers
  
• New Realm Templates & Realm Traits
  
• Beetle & Death Beetle Mounts
  
• New Eldritch Interface Skin & Banner Emblems

Mystic Schools of Magic
The Mystic Culture has been reworked and now supports three different Mystic Schools that specialize in particular aspects of spellcasting. The School of Attunement is the default Mystic subculture and is closest in function to the pre-existing Mystic Culture. The School of Potential specializes in experimentation and heavily favors spellcasting over conventional combat, while the School of Summoning instead relies on immensely powerful Astral Origin units to deliver them victory.

Unit Viability Update
We’ve done a review of Unit pacing and Culture Presence throughout the game and made several changes to improve Unit Viability and Culture Relevance. In its current iteration, there exists a pretty rigid tier system, which results in higher tier versions of a unit role always outclassing those of a lower tier. The changes we made aim to let Tier 1-2 (and to a slightly lesser extent T3) units be viable options for their roles in the mid/late game with the right investment.

Combat Takeover
This brand new feature offers exciting ways for you or your friends to be more engaged during Combat. With the Control AI Allies option enabled, you will automatically take over the units of any AI Allied forces/reinforcements during Manual Combat. When Multiplayer Takeover is enabled in multiplayer games, players are able to step in and take over AI controlled units in manual combat against other players.

Unknown Realms
When starting a new Game you can now choose to venture to an Unknown Realm. At the start of the game all Realm Traits are hidden and are gradually revealed throughout the session. Unknown Realm Traits can also be added to Custom Realms, these traits are automatically replaced with a random trait in-game and hidden until revealed.

Quality of Life and more
For each Major Update we don’t just work on new Content, Balance Changes or Fixes. We always try to dedicate some time to improvements that make the game easier or more accessible to use. With the Mystic Update we have a brand new set of Quality of Life Improvements for you to enjoy.

Developed a vast library of Custom & Pantheon Heroes and struggling to find who you want to play with next? Ruler Filters allow you to find exactly the Ruler you want by offering a wide variety of Filter Options. Item Forge Blueprints make forging items easier than ever, Animation Speeds Settings have been reworked so you can select a Default Animation Speed individually for the World Map and Combat ranging from Off to Very Fast.




Watch the Feature Highlight videos:

• What can kill you in Umbral Abyss? Eldritch Realms overview pt.1 by ‪Fableheim‬
  
• Eldritch Sovereigns, new forms & tomes! Eldritch Realms Overview by ‪Fableheim‬

Watch the Dev Streams!

• Eldritch Realms First Look: Syrons, Insects, New Ruler and Map Layer!
  
• Eldritch Realms First Look: What's in the Umbral Abyss? | Dev Stream
  
• Tome of Cleansing Flame & Story realm Sneak peek! | Eldritch Realms Dev Stream | Age of Wonders 4

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2401860/Age_of_Wonders_4_Eldritch_Realms/


Thank you for all your support, and we will see you again soon:

• Share your thoughts on the Forum[forum.paradoxplaza.com]!
  
• Chitchat on Discord[discord.gg]!
  
• Have fun with us on Twitter!
  
• Follow us on Facebook[www.facebook.com]!
  
• Subscribe to our Reddit and YouTube!