Welcome to v0.5.0 – the biggest evolution of Guardian Realms since the demo launched. This update delivers new combat mechanics, dynamic character events, new quests, visual updates, and an entire food & cooking system. Let’s break it all down:

⚔️ Combat Overhaul & Class Rebalancing

• 🧠 Cooldowns Added – Skills now have cooldown timers to encourage tactical play.

• ✋ Skill Limit Introduced – You may only equip 4 active skills at a time. These can be swapped outside of battle.

• 💪 Class Rebalance – Skills, stats, weapon/armor proficiencies have been overhauled across the board.

• 🔨 New Weapon Type: Hammer – Heavy, slow, but satisfying.

• 🛡️ Guard Skill Reworked – Now also restores a small amount of HP and MP when used.

• 🐺 Fauna Now Escape – Passive creatures will now attempt to flee battles, rather than stand there and die.

• 🧙 Stefan Buffed – He’s deadlier and more versatile now. Watch him shine.

• 🧑‍✈️ Prison Guards Buffed – These guys don’t mess around anymore.

• 🩹 First Aid Nerfed – Too good before. Now it’s in line with intended pacing.

🗺️ New Quests & World Interactions

• 🐶 Nelly the Dog Questline – Help the goodest girl in Hollowhaven!

• 💧 Water from the Well Event – A flavorful new side interaction.

• 🎣 Fishing Rod Animation – Visuals now match the action. Fish responsibly.

• 📜 Town Hall Quest Board Added – Accept side quests straight from the bulletin.

• 🛠️ Town Hall Remodeled – The building’s got a new look on the inside.

• Brine the Hero - removed! 
  

🔥 Food System Complete!

• 🍲 Campfire System – Fully scripted, with recipes tied to actual ingredients.

• 🌿 Ingredient Loot Added – Found in chests, foraging nodes, and around the world.

• 📚 Recipe Books Placed – Learn new meals by discovering books scattered across the world as loot, and in shops.

• 🛍️ Food Shop Added – Located at the Inn for all your culinary needs.

🧭 Event & Dialogue Improvements

• 👨‍🎤 Chainmaster Pixel Art Updated – Fresh visuals for one of the key figures.

• ⚔️ Defeat Reactions Added –

  • Zack Briar, Morrin the Vulture, and The Chainmaster now appear in scenes post-battle.

• 🏕️ Jess & Stefan at Camp – They now stand at camp with contextual dialogue before joining the party.

• 🖱️ Mouse Input Compatibility Improved – Events now play seamlessly when clicked, not just when walked into.

• 🏷️ Mira → Marah – Name change for consistency in lore, and an inside joke with our haram one, Aunt Isrien.

🖼️ Miscellaneous Enhancements

• 🚶‍♂️ Sprites Made Taller – Adjusted to better fit the world’s visual tone.

• 🌊 Wave Sounds Fixed – No more ocean ambiance playing indoors in Hollowhaven.

• 🔁 Transfer Locations Adjusted – You now appear slightly away from doorways, not inside them.

• 🎮 TP > SP – Changed the term TP to SP to match Guardian Realms TCG terminology.

• 🎬 Prison Instance Fight Scene Rewritten – More intense, more cinematic.

This update represents a major leap forward in Guardian Realms’ progression. From just a demo into a game with soul, systems, and structure. The world is filling in fast, and it’s thanks to your feedback and support that it continues to grow.

As always, pelase explore, test, and let me know what you think. Your journey is just beginning.

- DeeZie