Hey there, Seekers!
How’s it going? How was the turkey—I mean the Thanksgiving feast? 😆 I hope it was a blast, and I hope you enjoyed my previous report, especially the interview with Holly! 😊
November has ended, and…drumroll please! 🥁 December’s here with its celebrations and chilly weather! ❄️ Get those coats, gloves, and scarves ready. 🧣🧤 Any chance you can spare some warmth for me too? 🤭 I'd hate to freeze outside while gathering news for you. Haha!
But before we dive into this festive season, let's see what I've lined up for you this week:
DEVELOPER’S BLOG #3
Our third Developer Blog is up! Read about what the team is working on behind the scenes and what they're brewing for an upcoming playtest.
What’s New?
Narrative: various expansions on worldbuilding and environmental storytelling.
Design: iterations of the battle system and level design to shape the world together with Venari spawning.
Engineering: finalizing internal tooling and UI optimizations for the upcoming closed playtest.
Hmm, it looks like the team is working pretty hard for you, dear seekers. 🤩 I can’t wait to explore with you all! 😎 Be sure to read the latest blog and catch a glimpse of Tecta Horizons. 👀
CARMELO VALENCIS INTERVIEW
After the interview with Holly Lathar, Nyrie also had the opportunity to speak with the mastermind behind many of Caerras' notable inventions, Carmelo Valencis.
Hello, Mr. Valencis! Thank you so much for sparing some time despite your busy schedule. I’m so honored and I can’t wait to hear your story. Let’s start with the first question.
Do you have any fun or interesting memories from when you were little that made you excited about inventing stuff?
Long story short: my little baby butt was too cold and needed some warmth, not from someone but from something... A stupid heater. Yes, I fixed a heater when I was 4. I realized later that wasn't normal for a kid.
Here's the slightly longer short story... if you care. My mom and I were at home during winter. We kept warm by the strength of one old Lattice 400 Heater. All of a sudden... the piece of junk broke.
My mom left to get more blankets. 5 minutes passed. 10 minutes passed. 20 minutes passed. I didn't see her for the next 30 minutes. At 4 years old? I panicked. I started to cry. I was alone, cold, and almost frozen. My little toes went numb... probably. Anyway.
What's that old saying that we read in books from the voyagers of the Exodus Program? "Necessity is the mother of invention"? Yeah, it was me and ye old necessity in that room that day. I started to tinker with the Lattice 400 Heater with a mini toy sword and my mom's tweezers. They were rubber-insulated. Relax.
Before you know it, I fixed it. At that moment, I remembered something that I'll never forget... "Damn, I'm a genius!" All jokes aside, I felt a sense of relief, a calmness. Then, I stopped crying. After almost an hour (thanks, mom), she came to me and hugged me.
Woah, you were a tiny inventor! 🫢 Fixing a heater with a toy sword and tweezers? I can't even fix a snack without getting into trouble! 😅 And all that at the age of four? You might really be a genius! But, brrr, I can't imagine being that cold and alone... 🥶 Good thing you turned a scary situation into something inspiring! Now, onto the next question...
Being the youngest leader ever must be a BIG deal! How does it feel to be in such an important position at such a young age?
Intimidating. Scary. Exciting. The fascinating thing about this role is that everybody thinks you're doing the right thing. That thought alone... is exhilarating.
I may be a bit more immature than others in my hierarchy, but I have more guts and brains than any of them (except you, Rhianne... and Holly... and Professor Oswald!) or most of them. You get the idea.
I used to look up to these leaders. And you know what? I still do. We all mentor each other. Whether you're leaders, Seekers, or engineers, we're here to help one another.
My age does not define me--my aspirations and my legacy do. I intend to leave one hell of a legacy.
🤭 I would love to be your mentee, Mr. Valencis, and to establish my own legacy too! But before my curiosity gets the better of me, here’s your third question—my favorite kind of question. 😊
Do you have a favorite Venari? What's so special about it that makes it your number one?
A Larawa! Those little rascals! You don’t ever see them, but they’re there, hiding, somewhere in the corner of your closet.
Do you know how intricate their webs are? It’s amazing! Thanks to Larawa's web composition, we’re working on something that could assist future surgical processes. You'll soon see!
Larawa! I remember their webs being the cause of Enoch’s downfall. 😔 But what you’re working on is quite intriguing! 🤔 I'm sure some friends would treat me to yummy snacks just to hear that secret. 🤭 Anyway, I know you're eager to get back to work, Mr. Valencis, so here's your last question.
If you could say something to all the future members of your faction, what would it be?
You're in good hands, I assure you. I'm excited to meet you all, and I would love to meet every single one of you!
We'll have moments of fun and have moments of pain. That's okay, though. We're here to learn. Take one step at a time, and you'll succeed.
Also... dinner is on me on your first day!
🤩 How about my dinner, Mr. Valencis? Heh! Just kidding! Thank you so much for your precious time, sire. May you find success in all your endeavors. See you around! But don't use your inventions on me, okay? Although I would love some new gadgets for my job. 😉
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Seekers, we've been brewing something exciting, so stay tuned!
I know, I know, I'm rocking this office outfit. 🤭 I mean, I've got to look good for making the announcements! 😎
SNEAK PEEK
Venari Highlight: Lightning Wadell
You've witnessed the stunning beauty of ice and nature Venari; now is the time for you to behold the electrifying beauty of lightning Venari. Let's begin with lightning Wadell!
Wadell's preferred environments are in the Northern mountains and shorelines. While they enjoy the cold, the lightning Wadell also love the warmth! The lightning Wadell shed far more than the rest of their species due to their living conditions. Their feathers are by far the most popular in blankets and cushions.
I’m not a fan of lightning Venari, but I must admit that Wadell’s feathers are perfect for the cold weather 🥶 and I want a coat made of it! 🥼
Grateful for each one of you!
Thank you for consistently reading my notes. 🥹 It has been an honor to interview your faction leaders, and I was able to achieve it because of the love I receive from you. 🫶
Talaw, your fearsome leader is up next, so stay tuned for my upcoming release! 👀 Don't forget to sign up on the new website and I'll see you soon! 🥰
Toodles!
—Nyrie—