Whispers from the Palace – The Fifth Moon of Testing

Beyond the gilded gates of the Sultan’s palace, word drifts through marble halls and silk-draped chambers. It speaks of a tale still being woven, a story of intrigue, steel, and shadow: Concubine.

Now, as the third moon of testing wanes, our scribes record 1,670 brave testers who have walked the palace corridors, and 9,180 souls who wait at the gates, their hearts set upon the day they may enter.

Messengers have returned from faraway lands, their words carried on parchment, ink, and song. In the grand hall of Discord and the bustling bazaar of Steam, voices rise, some singing of the adventures they’ve had, others offering counsel for the journey ahead. From the storytellers of distant YouTube taverns to the scribes of foreign courts, our tale has begun to travel and we welcome all who would carry it further.

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The Road to the Autumn Festival

With the autumn moon comes the great Steam Fest, where we shall open the gates in Early Access.

Our intent: to let the people wander the palace gardens and shadowed alleys from October, and to unveil the full tale by the first quarter of 2026.

For now, our craft is to complete all the halls and courtyards, perhaps not flawless, but whole. Some rare jewels of design may remain locked away until after Early Access, yet if the palace stands strong and its stories flow, we shall be content. From there, the polishing will continue until every mosaic tile gleams.

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Matters Raised in the Court

Every whisper from the crowd has been heard.

The most pressing trouble when three companions were by your side, their belongings tangled together in the chests has been swiftly addressed, though other matters delayed the update in the test build.

The harsh cry of the rescue cage has been silenced as well. In truth, when the final tale is told, there will be no cages; rescues shall be living moments, hand-to-hand, heart-to-heart, woven into the story’s flow.

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Works of Craft and Design

While the masons finish the palace halls, the artisans tend to its living soul:

• The Lure of Treasure – We reshape the art of loot, so that each coin purse opened and each chest unlocked tempts you further. The rarer your spoils, the finer your arms and armor. This, we hope, shall be ready for the Autumn Festival.

• The Minds of Companions – For now, our goal is to keep them beside you in battle, avoiding their tendency to wander or linger too long in the palace halls. But should a wealthy patron bless our coffers, we dream of giving them true wit, the kind that makes them feel alive, as if stepped out of a tale like Free Guy.

The Furniture of Life – Perhaps a small thing to some, but to us, the ability to touch and use the objects you place in your chamber is the heart of roleplay. The carpenter’s stall has been transformed, now an Ottoman craftsman sells fine divans, low tables, and cushions to suit the palace’s style. Once placed, who would not wish to lounge upon them and capture the moment in a painted likeness?

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A Final Word

The testing days have been rich with lessons and blessings. To those who walk with us, sending their words, their patience, and their belief, we bow our heads in gratitude.

October approaches, and with it, the gates shall open wider. Until then, may the winds carry our story to every corner of the realm.

—Upgrade Team