This is going to be a quick little update for the Field Guide and KIE in general. First on the docket is a preview of  Patch v.02 (which will likely be released in the first week of March, depending on what sort of feedback is given), then a bit of concept art regarding the Jovo Extraction Conglomerate.

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Patch Preview:  Early Access Patch #1 (v0.2)

Here's a link to the patch notes google doc.

This patch includes some updates to flavor text and correction of typos, though these still remain WIP.

The main meat of this patch are the reworks of weapons from the Hercules, Firefly, and Scarab license, including the removal of the Wireless Shield Transfer System from Scarab II and replacing it with a new Type-8 Combat Shield for players who want a more close-and-personal build. The T3G/P Padrino (Hercules III) also gets its Charge mechanic tweaked and the Charged profile has been changed to be a massive line effect, the Plasma Drill (Firefly I) no longer Burns but instead inflicts Heat, and the Type-12 Particle Manipulator (Scarab III) has been reworked to not less terrible.

Core Bonuses have been reworked or replaced: Hardlight Chrysalis now provides a bit of Overshield instead of extra Accuracy, Direct Neural Interface is a Reaction rather than a weird Stun effect, and Motherlode Munitions has been replaced by a new Core Bonus called "Scavenger's Instinct".

The Scarab Frame itself has Wireless Shield Transfer turned into a Trait, Hive Defender passive got some wording tweaks, and Hive Defender: Overcharged has been reworked to be a bit more interesting.

Please let me know your feedback here, either as comments in the document, on this post, or in the dedicated forum thread on the Pilot.Net discord server. As said, these are all subject to change.

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Now, onto the Field Guide preview, which means more concept art. A bit less than last time, though more focused.

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Jovo Extraction Conglomerate

The JXC hold a special place in my heart for being the first original element of Jovo I had a hand in creating, and are intrinsically tied to the micro-campaign on a west marches server that started this all. Their logo is intended to be a bit of graffiti or markings from before their founding, created as a way to show solidarity between workers without alerting the Chartered Companies. Their relationship with Union is bumpy at best, despite their similar ideals, though not outright antagonistic like that of the other corporate entities that operate under Union Charter.

Lore Excerpt:

The Jovo Extraction Conglomerate is a worker-run mining company based on Jovo, and is one of the largest non-Union, non-Corprostate entities on the planet. While they lack the institutional knowledge and regulatory enforcement of a corporation, the JXC is known for its fair pay, good working conditions, and other benefits that other “Gold Rush” companies tend to avoid. While primarily using homegrown technology that is refined with direct feedback from workers, the JXC also purchases a large amount of equipment from offworld. One of their most well-known pieces of equipment are the Dunescarab-class Autonomous Mining Rig Platforms, which are massive drone vehicles operated by extremely intelligent and independent machine minds.

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JXC Salih Base

Salih Base is, out of universe, the first base I had written up for JXC. While it's not their headquarters (if they even have one), it is relatively important, and its location near the Rubble has made it an important holding for the organization.

Lore Excerpt:

"Originally constructed by a now-defunct and long-forgotten corporation, Salih Base had started off as a ghost town when it was acquired by the JXC. Foreman Salih led the reconstruction efforts, turning it into one of their largest hubs and personnel, and after her death in 4993u during the “Bloodied Years”, the Base was named in her memory."

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JXC Trades With Rubblefolk

The JXC and Rubblefolk have similar goals, and the proximity of the Rubble and Salih Base mean that there was an opportunity for a mutual trade (it also doesn't help that they were both attacked by Lysenko-Rasolka goons at the same time). There's even an autonomous (independent) Rubbleborn under the name of Yce Koale. This bit of concept art displays a meeting between the JXC and some Rubbleborn (who, in Rubbleborn style, have decided to bring everyone with them).

Lore Excerpt:

"The JXC was one of the first organizations to make contact with the Rubbleborn, and the Rubble’s relationship with Salih Base is of a mutual trade agreement of both technology, ore, and knowledge. Other Conglomerate crews do not necessarily see the Rubble as a competitor, but have found it difficult to interact with these people. Thus, JXC primarily stays out of the affairs of the Rubbleborn, with the only exception being their newly-led “Rangers” division, who run regular exercises inside the Rubble itself."

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Again, I feel like I need to thank Raigmann for his work. KIE literally would not exist without his help, so give him a visit.

And, of course, thanks to everyone who has checked out and supported this project by downloading it, leaving a review, or throwing it into a collection.

Progress is slow and incremental, and often times it can be frustrating to have to wait (or in the case of a creator, trying to get something done but running into mental blocks). However, I thank everyone for their patience, and while I cannot promise a date for when the full Field Guide is announced, I also must restate that progress is being made, even with other responsibilities.

Next month's update will likely include the preview of a rather belligerent or antagonistic faction with ties to the Rubble, and it's not the cultists.

Until next time,

- Max