Endless Online 0.4.48 : Dev Post
Shadow Guides
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Dev Post:
The behind-the-scenes work in patch 4.47 is now paying off, with two major community systems set to release together within this patch: a fully functioning Auction House and the complete Shadow Guide moderation system. Both are scheduled for this release, making it one of the bigger feature-releases so far, offering players new ways to trade, engage, and help maintain a more safe and healthy community.
You can read all about the auction systems in patch 4.47. This post will focus on the foundations for the new Shadow Guide system, which was introduced in update 4.44. This new community framework was designed to establish a lightweight and unbiased player moderation layer. Let's dive in the details together:
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New Faction
The castle map has been redesigned, becoming the central crossroads that links both the Jail and the newly introduced Shadow Guide, a mysterious faction that players can choose to join. The Shadow People are a secretive order of watchers who carry the responsibility of guiding and moderating the world from within, blending gameplay with community support.
By shifting moderation toward a system runned by a npcfaction, the feature becomes a natural part of the game's nature rather than an external authority. Players who step into this faction are not just given power: they are stepping into a role with structure, lore, and purpose. And by giving the Shadow People a physical home in Aeven, the entire system blends seamlessly into the world rather than feeling bolted on.
This new faction represents a step toward a healthier, more community-driven environment. The goal is to create fairness through accountability and shared responsibility, reducing bias by placing decisions in the hands of trained, in-game representatives rather than relying on emotion or improvisation. The Shadow Guide is an ongoing experiment, one that will grow based on live testing, community input, and ongoing refinement.
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First Steps
This update builds the very first layer of the Shadow Guide system: the technical foundation that will shape how the faction moderates, communicates, and operates in the future. Early versions will focus on the needed tools, UI's and processes that bring the idea to live. Moderation as an in-game role supported by lore rather than a simple switch of authority. As development continues, players will see more of the shadow guide influence on Aeven.
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Special Quest: Shadow Training (L1)
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Special Quest: Shadow Training (L1)
Quest Giver: Shez the Shadow Mentor
Map: Aeven Castle
Rule: Pass shadow exams
Reward: shadow UI access
Reward: 1000 Exp
Shez asks the player to join the Shadow Guides and learn to keep chat calm and fair.
The player watches training scenes, makes choices like mute or observe, and faces quizzes.
After passing the exams the player may apply for a one week trial as a Shadow Guide.
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Introduction
Shadow Training begins when the player meets Shez, the quiet Shadow Mentor in Aeven Castle. Shez explains that Shadow Guides help the community by staying calm and fair. The player learns about the ways of the shadow guide, and how to stay steady.
Training
Inside the Shadow Training Room, Shez shows scenes with noisy noobs who argue and making trouble. The player must choose how to react, like mute or not mute. Shez teaches that a Shadow Guide avoids drama and makes fair choices.
Final (final) test
After training, the player takes the final (final) exams about muting and managing escalations. Wrong answers send the player back. Passing the test will allow the player to apply for a trial guide term of 1 week.
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Explained: Application Sytem
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what was made:
This update adds the first working system for how players can connect with the Shadow Guide faction. Players can now talk to Shadow Guide NPCs to begin a short quest. This quest explains what the Shadow Guide is, what powers guides have, and what limits are in place. It also acts as a filter, since it can require a certain player level or playtime to apply. The goal is to make sure applications come from players who are serious and active within Aeven.
- A physical presence of Shadow Guides in the castle.
- A pre-quest, used for explaining and training.
- A dedicated Shadow Guide management UI (#guide/#g)
- Shadow Guide application sytem
- Shadow Guide chat channel ( ^chatline )
The server will select a small number of players from the pool as trial Shadow Guides. This selection happens automatically and should provide the Shadow Guide with enough new members, helping to keep the Guides fair and unbiased.
More systems will be needed over time to create proper checks and balances.. Building this structure will be challenging and a gradual process shaped by the community and feedback.
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Explained: Shadow Guide UI
IN PROGRESS
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what was made
Once a player becomes part of the Shadow Guides, a new interface becomes available. This can be accessed by talking to any Shadow Guide NPC or by using the in-game commands #guide or #g.
The Guides UI is the main tool for Shadow Guide members. It connects them to their duties and powers within Endless, giving a clear way to view assigned tasks, manage moderation actions, and communicate with other guides (using the ^ prefix)
This first version of the interface is simple, focusing on function over style. More features will be added as the system grows and as feedback from early Shadow Guide members helps shape how the role works in practice.
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Explained: Shadow dialog UI
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Page: Home
The first page of the Shadow Guide UI serves as the central hub for both guides and trial guide members. Guides can quickly see their current position within the faction, track the number of succesful trial runs completed. Guides monitor their remaining powers, giving them a clear sense of responsibility.
For non-guide players, the interface provides an easy way to apply or (re)apply for a week-long shadow trial term, keeping the system dynamic and fair.
Each week, trial guides will reset automatically, and new candidates will be selected, ensuring fresh participation and bactive guides.
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Page: Logs
The second page is Logs, where all guide actions are stored in a list of logs and can be viewed in detail (by clicking on the lines) by any other Shadow Guide.
Every action, like $mute, global mute, or chat clear, is recorded along with a timestamp and the target player's last chat lines. This gives context and helps other guides to see if actions were fair and justified.
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Page: Memberlist
The third page is the Member List, a handy overview of all current Shadow Guides. It shows each shadow guide's position, total actions, and last visit, helping the team stay aware of everyone's activity and contribution.
Even while appearing under codenames, guides can stay connected and coordinate as a team. Using the ^ command before each chat line, they can communicate safely within the faction, share updates, and strategize without revealing their identities.
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Ideas: Future Ideas
FUTURE
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Possible things that could be added to the Shadow Guide UI in future updates:
- Voting: on more important matters
- Report system: access to the report function
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The jail in Aeven has always felt somewhat disconnected. Let's give the Jail map a more logical placement that fits naturally into Aeven..
Goals:
- Keep the entrance in its classic location
- Give the jail a more logical position in the world
- Improve accessibility to the PK area
Several solutions were considered, such as integrating the jail into a police station. However, due to the limited space around the original entrance, this was not feasible.
The next logical location was the castle, as it historically contained a small jail section. This led to the creation of a new passage between Aeven and the castle: an underground connection that logically links the two areas.
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what was changed
The bank moved up one house into the old potion shop. The potion shop then moved into the gear breaker house. Finally, the gear breaker npc joined the jewel breaker in the jeweler basement, creating an all-in-one gear breaker shop.
After considering all options, this setup made the most sense for a strip of accommodations: church, theatre, and bank. This change also frees up a house to bring back the Theatre, where players can perform, explore a new dungeon, or visit the legendary Hall Of Pain, just as it has always been in Aeven.
 Bank Scroll
The slightly longer walk to the bank is no problem thanks to a new bank scroll that lets players warp directly there to store gold and manage their business.
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Update patch 4.48 is in development.
Thanks for playing Endless Online we are glad you are here. You can find a list of contributers here
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