Hi everyone!
Before launch, I plan to document Broodwood development in these posts.

Today, I created a barebones news system. The announcement posts and announcement messages are managed in that system. The announcement message displays when you first log in. All announcements are out-of-character communication.

Tomorrow, I plan to add a barebones commune status system. This will include a commune message much like the announcement message, but in character. Additionally, the commune status system will track factors such as the spread of Blight, ward coverage, and available resources. For now, I'll add a simple Blight meter. I haven't actually created the script for the Blight spreading, so I'll have to make a placeholder for that.

Also, today, to help brainstorm functionality, I thought of a fun day in the life of my character, Marianne. I found it very inspiring! I'm including it here because it'll be fun to look back and see how the game developed compared to this imagined day.

1 When I woke up, I sensed there had been a blight storm in the middle of the night and some wards were damaged
2 It was the predawn morning, so the commune was still sleepy. No one was around to ask for help.
3 I went to the boundaries, where the warding totems are.
4 I healed seven rooms that had been blighted, each filling an entire shadow crystal
5 While I worked, two blighted beetles attacked me. I killed and harvested them.
6 I cleaned the warding totems and imbued them with celestial light.
7 Two totem crystal had broken entirely, so I replaced them.
8 I was running low on celestial light, so I went to fill my crystals in the moon fields.
9 the moonbeam bugs don't like when I draw upon their light, but they have SO much. They're easy to dodge anyway.
10 one fat bug wouldn't let me get away, so I threw a shadow bomb, then I could escape. I don't want to hurt them.
11 while I was there, I harvested glowing moon flowers for making moon bombs and for a dress I'm making
12 I took my harvest to Beatrice. I earned XP and renown, and I made three moon bombs.
13 I took the crystals I filled with shadow energy to Luna. She emptied them and returned them to me. I earned XP and renown.
14 I asked Luna for more crystals since I replaced two broken ones on the totems. She said she needed help gathering more.
15 I don't like going to the mines on my own, it's too dangerous, so I'll wait until later.
16 By that point, the sun was rising, and I felt Aisling's tug. I flowed to worship. Phoebe and Willow were there.
17 We watched the sun rise and felt the forest spirit move in us. I got a bonus to vitality and earned renown.
18 I asked Phoebe and Willow if they wanted to go to the mines to gather crystals. They said yes!
19 Working as a team is much easier in the mines. Phoebe focused on healing and Willow controlled the shadows while I gathered.
20 We found five raw crystals each and took them to Luna. I earned XP and renown. Luna then gave me two refined crystals, because that's my ration.
21 I leveled up! Not just any level but level 40, my first attunement!
22 I chose to attune with light, so I went to the altar at the moonfields to attune. Phoebe and Willow went with me to cheer me on.
23 For my levelup stat increase, I chose spirit. Now that I'm attuned, I need more magic power.
24 There are so many new spells to learn! I'm excited to get started, but I'm sleepy. Next time!