o Players are no longer required to kill ore veins to obtain iron ore. Mining equipment is now required to mine iron ore from veins of iron ore. For testing reasons, when the NMD launches, there will only be one area (dark caverns) where mining can be done. New locations will be added during release week.
o Pick axes in the game have been removed or redesigned in anticipation for the NMD. Chances are good you didn't have one of these items in your inventory.
o Shovels have been updated for digging. Chances are good you do not have a shovel in your inventory, but a very week/worn shovel is out there, in the world, waiting for you to find it. Otherwise, you can buy a much better one at the General Store when the NMD launches.
o Digging with shovels now has a small chance to award treasure. The pool is small, for now. Will be adding new treasure on a regular basis.
o All goggles, including Agent goggles, are updated to include a new description that states they award the player a 1% bonus when worn while mining, and a +3% bonus when combined with mining gear.
o Pick axes and shovels are, in addition to tools, also iron weapons with damage ranges between Bronze and Iron. In order to keep them from being overpowered, these items will penalize you if you use them as a weapon.
o Some people have discovered "food points" on some items. "Food points" will be added to food and drink items. You are not required to eat or drink to survive. There is no penalty if you do not eat or drink. You will not receive a message telling you to eat or drink. Every 24 hours real time, you can consume up to 50 food points. After 1,500 points are consumed, you will gain 1 point of perm HP, STAM, or ESS, depending on what you've been eating. Since food and drink is mostly for RP, we decided to add a very SMALL bonus to it for those who consume it. This is not a grinding activity. You will easily consume 50 food points just by eating, so there isn't some crazy thing you have to do. Just buy some food, or find some food, or cook it, or whatever, and eat it.
o The obese merchant now carries some new items in his inventory. If you bought one, you will note that it says you can cook it over an open fire. This option will be available in two locations (maybe 3) at the launch of NMD. I will continue to update this as well. Also, consume uncooked meat at your own risk
o You may find a few items peppered here and there throughout the world. They are trade related items.
