Good Evening and Happy Valentines Day One and All!  With it being Friday, we have a new weekly Update of the Avatar for you from the Shroud of the Avatar project.  Lots of Info was covered like always so I will jump into it.

The Poetry Contest deadline was today and the winners will be announced and poems narrated by Holt on a special Live Hangout on February 15th. A Roast shall take place afterward where entertaining anonymous runner-ups are also narrated. The Hangout/Poetry Reading will begin at 7 pm CST, Saturday, February 15th.

We also got our first look at the Founder Houseboat waterfront property. Above is one of the images for you to see. It honestly makes me wish I had more money to give to the game because of not only how beautiful it is, but with the methodical effort going into the multiplayer testing, the staff at Portalarium are really working hard to get the core elements of the game to be top-notch.  I would love to help support them more financially but it just is not viable at the moment in my current situation.  In celebration of today’s test that some of the Dev+ level backers got to take part in, here is a screenshot that was shared with the community.  I give major kudos to those who had the time and ability to help test this feature.  Future tests before the Release 3 test dates are being looked at as well because the online modes are not only a major part of the game, but Lord British himself has encouraged many times that any of the online modes would be the preferred modes for those who play.

 This week we were also teased with a screenshot of the Hearth of Britannia August 2013 Telethon “Cabinet of Virtue”.  This is a unique item that was available only during the telethon as an add-on.  I have to admit as an avid woodworker in my spare time, I really like this design.  I hope those of you who have it in game love it.

Speaking of Add-Ons and Unique Items, Check out the Add-on Store for a new Prosperity Item pack.  By the end of March we should have the conversion capability so if you do decide that any past purchases from the add-on store should be removed and their value converted and added to your pledge level, that should become available soon.

Lastly, I want to let everyone know that we do have a new chapter of “Blade of the Avatar”! If you are an Early Founder, or you purchased BotA in the Add-On Store, then you will find a download link for the current installment of the novel on your personal SotA account page (log into SotA website and click on “Account” in the top-right corner).  If you are a Kickstarter backer you’ll need to have your Kickstarter account linked to the SotA website (click here for instructions to link your Kickstarter account).

Here is a brief excerpt of the latest installment (illustration by Denis Loubet):

Chapter 9: Amanda

Amanda sat, as she did each day, in the seat of the bay window of the small cottage and looked down the street. The small squares of wavy glass fixed into the lead latticework, she could look over the top of the Harbor town of Etceter to the docks beyond. Each day she would watch as the ships came down the coast from the Northwest, or along the eastern shores as they navigated the fringes of the tempestuous Bay of Storms. On a good day, she might catch the dark outline of the Siren Isle sitting on the horizon to the north, but far more often, the perpetual squalls which gave the bay it’s name would veil it from her site.

Somewhere beyond the darkness, beyond the lightning and the fury, Amanda knew each day that Syenna would be coming.

Amanda shifted her legs painfully beneath her. Although they always ached to one degree or another, and sometimes with excruciating pain, she had been determined since her sister had last departed, to surprise her by standing on her own  when she greeted her at the door.

It had now been more than ten months to the day since Amanda had watched Syenna walk down the length of the dirt road and sail away. Every day since, she had begged and wheedled Sarah, the woman who took care of her, to help her to stand and try to once more walk. Sarah had been appalled and, at first, refused. But Amanda was determined, and would not be distracted of her purpose by tapestries, needlework or tatting. In the battle between their wills, Sarah at last succumbed to Amanda’s unrelenting and stubborn assault and surrendered, on the condition that Amanda continue her tatting and to never, ever let the Baroness Agra know that Sarah had ever been a party to such dangerous nonsense.

For Full List of all info covered here as well as info not covered by me from the Update of the Avatar please visit the Shroud of the Avatar website!  I would like to wish you all a wonderful weekend and I look forward to continuing to bring you SotA updates in the upcoming future!