Store Updating on December 27th By Vye

Hail and well met, Elyrians all,

Note: the release is coming out on the 28th instead due to an unforeseen issue.

The update to the store will be released on December 27th! This update brings two major changes:

Modern layout

New pledge packages

The layout is in-line with the Version 3 we are planning for the entire site next year. It has responsive design so it seamlessly works on mobile, tablet, desktop, or whatever bizarre device with a screen and internet access you find. As a side note, we officially support IE11 and up. If you are not using a modern browser, I don't know what to say...

Our goal with the layout is to help folks, both new and existing, navigate the packages to find the one that is right for your playstyle, access-level, and pocketbook. It is also exceedingly attractive now that we have a talented, full-time, 2D artist in Scarlet!

Let's go over the changes to the packages that you can expect next week. If you were on the fence about upgrading or laying something away, consider this your final warning!

Please note, the items listed below are just the top highlights, not the full package listing.

Adventurer Packages

Elyrian $40

This package is equivalent to the previous Elyrian package, but no longer on discount. Package highlights include:

Access to the game at Launch

1 Spark of Life & 3 Souls

Exclusive wallpaper

Elyrian forum badge

Pioneer $70

A combination of the previous Adventurer and Patron packages, this package includes:

Beta 2 Access

1 Spark of Life & 3 Souls

Pack Mule

Adventurer's Pack

Founder $100

This package is equivalent to the previous Founder package. We are removing the previous Beastmaster package, but the Founder package included all of that for the same price anyway. Highlights of this package are:

Beta 1 Access

2 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Horse & mule

Founder's & Adventurer's Packs

Gentry Packages

Bloodline $125

Also equivalent to the previous Bloodline package and is still a great deal. Notable highlights are:

Beta 1 & Exposition Access

2 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Custom Surname

Family Coat of Arms

Settler $175

The old package was called Merchant and had most of the same rewards as this package. However, this package will have more Exposition Points to better help settlers of Elyria shape the world in Exposition. Here are the highlights:

Beta 1 & Exposition Access

3 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Custom Surname & Coat of Arms with extra colors

Merchant's Pack

Proprietor $225

The Ursaphant Rider package is no more but you can still get one starting at this package. Like the Settler, we want to encourage more world building in Exposition so it will have increased amounts of Exposition Points rather than Merchandise Credit. Other highlights include:

Alpha 2 & Exposition Access

3 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Surname & Coat of Arms with extra colors & sigils

Ursaphant

Merchant's Pack

Aristocracy Packages

Mayor $250

Like Proprietor, the Merchandise Credit has been replaced with more Exposition Points. Other notable rewards are:

Alpha 2 & Exposition Access

Barony & Mayor Title (can become Baron or Baroness if pledged to a Duke or Duchess)

Family Name and Supporter heraldic achievements for your Coat of Arms

3 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Upgrade from an Ursaphant to a War Trison

Magistrate $500

This package does not include a County like the previous $500 package. It was a very popular package but the remaining County supply is low so we have moved that to the new Courtier package. There are also quite a lot of people who are intending to give away their Title so we decided to make a package that better reflected what people were after here - namely Alpha 1 access. It also includes:

Alpha 1 & Exposition Access

Barony & Mayor Title (can become Baron or Baroness if pledged to a Duke or Duchess)

Fully furnished Villa

6 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Name a constellation

Governor $750

Similar to previous package adjustments, this has Exposition Points instead of Merchandise Credit. There is also no longer a Design Experience at this price. Instead, we are including a fully-furnished Manor house for your settlement so that you may focus your Exposition Points on developing a great city. Here are the package highlights:

Alpha 1 & Exposition Access

Barony & Mayor Title (can become Baron or Baroness if pledged to a Duke or Duchess)

Fully furnished Manor

9 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Name an historical location

Nobility Packages

Courtier $1000

Most of the rewards that used to be in Count/Countess, Artisan, and Brew Master are now available in the Courtier package. Merchandise Credit has been changed to Exposition Points. You may still choose your Design Experience from the ones that were possible in the old packages. Other highlights are:

Alpha 1 & Exposition Access

County & Countess or Count Title

Helm and Mantle heraldic achievements for your Coat of Arms

11 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Design Experience: tattoo, hairstyle, or consumable

Royal $5000

What once was Weapon Master, Celebrity, Artificer, and Duke/Duchess is now rolled up into the Royal package. Like Courtier, there's more EP and your choice of Design Experiences. Here are the package highlights:

Alpha 1 & Exposition Access

Duchy & Duke or Duchess Title

Crest and Motto heraldic achievements for your Coat of Arms

16 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Design Experience: personal weapon, shield, armor, or relic

Studio Tour & Launch Party invite

Monarch $10000

Rewards from the old Chimera and King/Queen packages now live in this package with the same exceptions as Courtier and Royal. Package highlights include:

Alpha 1 & Exposition Access

Kingdom & Queen or King Title

A unique crown

Fully custom Coat of Arms

21 Sparks of Life & 3 Souls

Design Experience: creature, world event, boss, or castle

Studio Tour, Launch Party, and Weekend of Gaming invite

You will be able to see the full details of the new packages when they drop on December 27th. Overall, it is a better deal to get the original packages. If you have an existing package and are looking to upgrade, doing so after December 27th will mean you will be upgrading to the new packages.

The exception to this is Layaway. If you put one of these original packages on Layaway, you will reserve the original rewards. It comes at the cost of not owning the tiers in-between. For example, if you are currently pledged at Founder (now $100) and you have aspirations to be a Baroness (now $250), you may put the Baron/Baroness package on Layaway before December 27th to get the full, original package. However, once you've paid $150 total, you will not have unlocked the Exposition Access from the old Bloodline package, nor the 225 total EP. You would not receive those rewards until the entire $250 is paid off. Please note that if you are laying away a package that includes selection of a settlement, there will be a cap on number of settlements on a server. It is first-come, first-served on locking in those slots. You lock in your slot by paying off the package entirely, not by laying it away.

Also, if you cancel your Layaway after December 27th, you will only be able to apply your Store Credit to the new packages. If you put King/Queen on Layaway to 'lock in' the original packages, but only ever intend to pay $2000 hoping to score the Celebrity package, you are in for a bad time. You'd have to cancel your layaway at some point and reapply it to a new package that won't be as good as Celebrity. In short, only lay away a package you are sure you will pay off before you want the rewards.

I don't say these things to frighten or coerce you, but to give you full disclosure on your options so there is no confusion. If you find these options to be acceptable, grab those gift cards and head to the store to snag an existing package before the new ones roll out on December 27th!

Pledged to Your Continued Adventures in Life, Both Actual and Fantasy,

Vye