After first story fragments of the new fantasy online roleplaying game Runes of Magic, a detailed game design document now describes the environment in the starter zone. Illustrated with many original screenshots, the scroll portrays villages, forests, mines, caves and lowlands of the Howling Mountains that every new adventurer will set his feet in at start.

The Howling Mountains, once a meeting place of lower demons and wild hordes, are nowadays characterized by their mellow landscape. Loud screams of former sacrificial rituals resounded through the area before the Council of Varanas and the Eye of Wisdom banished the howling in a great wraith expulsion. Since then humans have settled in the peaceful, hilly ley. The Settler Valley, the Pioneer’s Colony, the Crushed Plain and a windmill serving as Logar’s landmark invite adventures onto a discovery tour through the Howling Mountains. But there are also ominous places there. The Barren Caves for example. Formerly a breeding ground of terrifying daemons they even now instil fear into the humans heart. It is said that goblins now dwell there and that they have begun to look for the daemon’s treasures.

Runes of Magic – a world full of wizardry and adventure

With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free-to-play MMO games. Right from the launch Runes of Magic will convey its absorbing story in over 600 quests embedded in an atmospheric world. Players can choose from six main classes. Combined with a secondary class they dispose of 36 individual character classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts in the later stages of game play. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and players is the possibility to arrange their own virtual homes with individual furnishing. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP as well as demanding dungeons and boss-monsters no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker has developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time frame of three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every three to four months with free add-ons and updates. MMO fans can find first pictures and a registration form for the newsletter on the official teaser site www.runesofmagic.com.

Runes of Magic features

• Free2play, no monthly fees, free download
• Dual class system with switchable primary and secondary classes
• Enthralling background story
• Already over 600 quests and level comprehensive quest series on launch
• Instanced and persistent dungeons
• Individually developed skills and spells
• Armor sets with special bonuses
• Dynamic item system: Upgrades with hundreds of runes
• Activatable PvP system (Player vs. Player duels)
• Epic crafting system with the possibility to improve existing items
• Individual coloring of clothes and armor
• Housing: personalization with individual furniture for players and guilds
• Special zones for guild houses
• Reputation system
• Scalable user interface based on the users flavor (development of own add-ons possible)
• In-game map and radar system to find dealers, resources and quests easily
• Auction house: auction and purchase items
• Teleporting possibilities per runes
• Different and unique mounts
• Controlling with mouse (point & click) and keyboard (WASD or arrow keys) possible

Source: Game Press