Under The Yoke (tuxdb.com)

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Under The Yoke Devlog #2 All Hallows Eve Special

Welcome Ladies and Villeins to a spooky special Halloween Under The Yoke Devlog. For our new Steam friends, Under The Yoke Devlogs have typically taken the form of talking about the history behind a subject before cracking into how we represent it in gameplay, so if youre not big on history, feel free to skip ahead to the In Under The Yoke section.

In History

Halloween, has its roots in the Middle Ages, though not quite how we celebrate it today. Originally known as All Hallows' Eve, it was a blend of both pagan and Christian customs. The term "Halloween" itself is a contraction of "All Hallows' Eve," referring to the night before All Saints' Day on November 1st. All Saints' Day was a Christian feast that celebrated all the saints, known and unknown. In the early Middle Ages, this day became an important occasion for religious observance. However, Halloween was deeply intertwined with ancient Celtic and Roman traditions. The Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, played a significant role in shaping the Halloween we know today. Samhain was believed to be a time when the boundaries between the living and the dead were blurred, and people lit bonfires and dressed in costumes to ward off evil spirits. People would attend church services and pay homage to the saints, lighting candles to honour their memories. At the same time, there were remnants of the Celtic Samhain festivities, such as carving turnips or beets into lanterns, which would later evolve into the pumpkin jack-o'-lanterns we use today. The tradition of dressing in costumes during All Hallows' Eve was also present in medieval times. People believed that by disguising themselves as ghosts or other supernatural beings, they could confuse and avoid encounters with the restless spirits that roamed the Earth on that night. This practice is reminiscent of the modern custom of trick-or-treating, although it had a slightly more sinister purpose in the past. Like contemporary Halloween, medieval All Hallows' Eve had its own culinary traditions. Special dishes and treats, such as soul cakes, were prepared and offered to the living and the dead. It was also a time for various forms of divination, with young people attempting to predict their future spouses or fortunes through rituals and games.

In Under The Yoke

Its strange to think that Halloween has survived so long, in one form or another, but there were actually a great deal of Holy days and Feast days which medieval people celebrated that we no longer celebrate. Under The Yoke helps to immerse you into the past by reviving these celebrations. For each medieval festivity, we have multiple events that can occur. You may be thinking, 250 Christmases is an awful lot of events to write, and youd be damn right. Hence why, each in game year the game decides which events to serve you as the player, then on that chosen date the game will hand you an event, whether its about All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, Michaelmas, Lent or any other event. These events can help to improve your standing in the village, win over the heart of the girl you fancy, give you a chance to profit or just improve your mood. By not serving an event for each festival each year we also help to keep them fresh. Alright, a lot of history and a bit of actual info on the game, I think that counts as a Halloween Treat? Subscribe for more either below or to the side, and Wishlist Under The Yoke to experience a most spooky medieval Halloween.

[ 2023-10-31 16:45:15 CET ] [ Original post ]

Under The Yoke

Priory Games Developer

Priory Games Publisher

Q1 2024 Release

Action Indie Strategy Casual RPG Adventure Simulation F2P Sports MMO Racing Singleplayer Multiplayer Coop EA Tags

Game News Posts: 39

🎹🖱️Keyboard + Mouse
🕹️ Partial Controller Support
🎮 Full Controller Support

Positive (40 reviews)

https://www.priorygames.com/

Steam Store

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Step back in time and embark on a remarkable journey through the heart of Norman England, spanning over 250 years of fully realised Medieval English history.

Begin your humble life as a lowly serf playing your own custom character. Armed with just an acre of land, a ramshackle cottage, and enough provisions to survive winter, your quest for prosperity begins.

Guide your family through the Middle Ages, from one generation to the next. Each character boasts distinct personalities, needs, and skills, and it's your duty to oversee every facet of their lives, from their livelihoods to their social circles and even their daily sustenance.

Every character possesses three defining traits—Mind, Body, and Spirit—that dictate their compatibility with others, preferred activities, and unlock unique event options. Choose wisely, as each trait brings both advantages and disadvantages, impacting their daily toil and needs.

Keep your characters content and productive by attending to their essential needs:

Satisfy their Taste with over 50 authentic medieval ingredients.
Grant them Rest, allowing them precious respite from their laborious routines.
Nurture their Faith through immersive Middle Ages church experiences.
Foster their Social connections by participating in genuine medieval social gatherings and building lasting bonds with fellow villagers.

Surviving in the Middle Ages demands a diverse skill set. Master the arts of Farming, Herbalism, Cooking, Husbandry, Carpentry, and Tailoring as you engage in the myriad tasks of a medieval peasant's life. From plowing fields to shearing sheep, there's always work to be done, though the season and the changing value of goods will keep you on your toes.

While you focus on your family, the village thrives around you. Forge friendships, pursue romance, and interact with your neighbours. But beware, as rival families vie for elections and jury seats. Consider forging alliances to collectively prosper.

Life as a peasant extends beyond the fields. Enhance your cottage and garden with handcrafted furniture that can elevate the value of your goods, whether for personal use or lucrative market sales. If space becomes a constraint, negotiate with your Lord for a larger cottage or garden to accommodate more furniture.

Farming entails more than just crops—farm animals provide vital resources. Purchase and breed cows, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens, each with their own unique needs and benefits. Opt for the strength of an ox or the speed of a horse, or reap the rewards of wool from sheep and the fertiliser from pigs.

Revive the age-old Hallmote tradition—an annual gathering of villagers to address legal disputes and elect local officials. Dive into the realm of politics, with rewards for winning elections and voting for allies. Your male family members might also be summoned for jury duty during village disputes.

Negotiate your feudal dues and responsibilities with your Lord. From farmland to meadowland, your home to your garden, all aspects of your life are open to negotiation. As a serf, you'll toil on your Lord's demesne or face fees, but earning their respect could pave your path to freedom. Rise to a freeman status and expand your rights, from baking your own bread to hunting in the forests. Under The Yoke intricately replicates the medieval rights system.

Immerse yourself in medieval England's vibrant tapestry through a dynamic event system, featuring hundreds of unique events that ensure every play-through remains fresh. From social intrigues to attending church, your choices shape your family's legacy throughout the ages.

Experience history like never before as your characters respond to the pivotal events of their time. With our dynamic event system, we weave 250 years of history from 1085 to 1335 into your personal narrative, enabling you to walk in the shoes of the common man as the world evolves around you.