Alpha Test status

The version of the characters creation system, planned for the first phase of the Beta test, is now finished. Nevrax is focusing on the correction of blocking and semi blocking bugs (a.k.a “A bugs” and “B Bugs”) in order to finalize the Beta 1 version, and they have finished a first phase of frame rate optimization. The tests regarding the basic fighting/magic systems (bricks, progression…) are going on, and we are preparing a short manual for the future beta testers.
Finally, we have just updated the official site, and we are opening today the Ryzom Beta Test registrations on www.ryzom-europe.com. The site will be regularly updated during the Beta Test.

Black Magic

The people of Atys have learnt their magic with the Kamis.
Practising the high arts drains the planet’s life energy, her sap. Cautious of the humans’ selfish nature, the Kamis thus taught their disciple formulas to drain the sap from the caster, and not from the planet herself. Except for the Karavan’s members, each living creature of Atys is impregnated by the sap, so they can all potentially use magic.

The strict rules imposed by the Kamis greatly limited the use of magic by the humans. But some magicians tried and managed, to bypass these kamic rules…

These magicians were able to increase the power of their spells by directly tapping in Atys’ sap. The Kamis promptly discovered this violation, and reacted with much cruelty. Thousands of black Kamis erupted from the primal roots and razed to the ground the cities where the guilty magicians had taken shelter.

Since then, the great civilisations of Atys have strictly forbidden the use of this black magic, as it was called after its adepts encountered their dreadful fate. The foolish ones who tried it knew they would have to face, one day or the other, a black Kami.

Despite the Kamis’ strict vigilance, black magic adepts still exist today. A careful magician can even use this forbidden lore, with moderation. Indeed, the Kamis only detect those who practise black magic intensely.

A black magician has to be cautious to progress. As most of the knowledge from the first black magic users has now disappeared, the only bits of lore left are not enough for a magician to progress correctly, and he will thus need the help of the Kamis.

The ones who choose to follow the way of black magic still have to learn the kami’s teachings to progress, and find a master to learn black magic itself.

Magic is based on the association of words of power in order to build a spell. Black magic is also composed of words of power, that can be associated with all the other formulas created by magicians.

Nowadays the civilisations of Atys have a different stance regarding black magic. The Zorais, faithful disciples of the Kamis, forbid its use and teaching. The Fyros and Trykers forbid its teaching, but tolerate its use as long as the Kamis do not intervene. The Matis are greatly interested by black magic, while hypocritically disowning it. Numerous Matys spells are bordering on black magic…