An earth-shattering defence against Nordic invasions.

Posted by Arkaash on Apr 1st, 2013

Please note the date of publication of this article...

Here at Archon Entertainment, we've been having some serious discussion about the direction we want to take Luftahraan, and the main focus for our team. We've reached a conclusion that we are all very pleased with, and made a decision that has given the development process a new lease of life. We hope you will all be as excited about the announcement as we are!

The first part of our announcement today is the Dwemer Arsenal. The Dwemer who lived in Arkngzul, the tower in Luftahraan, spent many years researching magical artefacts from across Nirn, cataloguing and storing them in great vaults beneath the surface. In order to defend their priceless range of artefacts, the Dwemer began research into a system of weapons with which they could defend themselves - the Dwemer Arsenal was born. Initially this was a small scale production with which to arm the Dwemer Spiders and Centurions already defending the facility but, as assaults from bloodthirsty Nords grew ever more frequent, the Dwemer spent more and more of their time inventing and building advanced platforms with which to defend themselves and, eventually take the fight to their Nordic enemies.

We would like to take this opportunity to present some of our high-quality renders of a select few items in the Dwemer Arsenal:

The two weapons above - the DWEMER A.P.M.A.P.S (Anti-Personal Magicka Accelerated Particle System) and the DWEMER A.B.S.C.E.S.S (Anti-Building Strategicly Cataclysmic Enchanted Subsidence System) will both be featured as playable weapons in Luftahraan and their intelligent use will help the player greatly in conquering the threats of Arkngzul.

We also planned to announce the DWEMER T.A.N.K.S (Tactical Assault Nightmare Kinematic Solution), but unfortunately the advanced weapon system became delayed in a muddy field somewhere and couldn't make it to our presentation.

Our primary focus shift involves our second announcement today. We have decided to move our focus away from an engaging and deep story to implement a new concept that makes heavy use of the Dwemer Arsenal, and is something that we, as a team, feel Skyrim, and the Elder Scrolls as a whole, has been missing. We plan to introduce a fully integrated competitive multiplayer system into Luftahraan and the surrounding areas. Players will be able to set up their own private servers and customise their own set of rules, from determining the starting level of players to the weapons and items allowed on the server.

When logging in to a server, players will be able to select which level up bonuses go into health, magicka and stamina, attribute perks up to the level chosen by the server and then customise their initial loadout. Will you play as a heavily armoured knight in Steel plate, wielding a greatsword, or perhaps a lightly armoured, nimble character wielding the A.P.M.A.P.S?

The fights themselves will be either free-for-alls or team-free-for-alls located in and around Luftahraan, with items such as additional weaponry and potions scattered at strategic locations in each level. We are proud to announce four of the levels that will be available at launch for our players to enjoy:

Sovereign Hall - Players will be able to fight inside of this landmark, using the tight hallways and large open rooms, often with balconies and multiple entrances to gain a tactical advantage over their opponents.

The Lower City - The tight, winding streets of the lower city will provide an exciting battleground for our players, with the more able participants able to take to the rooftops to rain fire (perhaps literally) on the heads of their unwitting foes.

The Oessen Valley - This wide open, natural paradise is a perfect location for players to make use of the long range of the A.P.M.A.P.S. and A.B.S.C.E.S.S weapon systems, taking out enemies from across the map.

Arkngzul Research Facility - the dark, creepy lighting inside the Dwemer Tower is the perfect backdrop for a stealthy character looking to get the drop on their enemies, and the enclosed spaces, together with countless secret passages, found in this level will be a nightmare for the unaware, and the unprepared.

Finally, we would like to unveil our primary villain, and talk a little bit about his motives. Desann was born in Black Marsh, but moved to the city of Luftahraan 22 years ago after his parents were killed by Khajiit bandits on a raid from Elsweyr. He has spent much of this time exploring the tower of Arkngzul and assembling and repairing many ruined items from the Dwemer Arsenal. He is known amongst the city-folk for his weapon - the Dwemer Light-Sword, a lethal blade of light far more potent than an ordinary weapon, and capable of cutting through solid rock.

Desann plans to use the crowning achievement of the Dwemer in Arkngzul, a device of unbelievable power and volatility, to destroy the entire desert province of Elsweyr in one assault to get revenge for the deaths of his parents, and is close to achieving his goal. It is up to the player, and a small squad of elite guards chosen by the Sovereign, to stop him, and save the Khajiit!