Hello again everyone! I've got an exciting update for you this week! 

A highly requested feature will be implemented in the vampire route! I'm happy to announce the Pets system is getting expanded! Specific pets will now be able to join Mila in battle! Let me give you a rundown on how I will implement this change in game...

As of this update, three different Pets will be able to join Mila: Vicilla, Lauren, and Edith. You may only have one ally with you at a time and you can visit their locations to swap with them when you want. Each of these allies serve a different role in battle. Vicilla is a berserker with high power, though at the cost of being uncontrollable. Lauren is nimble and can cast healing spells and buffs. Edith can distract enemies and tank hits better than other allies. Each ally's level scales to whatever Mila's level is, so even if you don't use them, they won't be left behind in power.

However, by raising their affinity, you can unlock stat increases and additional skills for them! A prompt will appear once you have reached a certain affinity threshold and that is your cue to go speak with them at their designated location to raise their level! 

Affinity can be raised in multiple ways: Defeating enemies together, completing quests with them, and giving them food. Due to this specific change, all food items may only be used outside of battle. However, the best way to increase their affinity is by taking them out on a dinner date!

By taking an ally with you to the new Humilem Bistro, you will be able to order food and drinks for your date. Each girl has specific tastes, which you may infer from their support conversations. If you purchase a meal that suits them, you'll receive a larger affinity bonus at the end of the date!

Be aware, although your allies are vampires, they aren't "immortal". They can still get defeated in battle!

When you obtain your first ally, you will also unlock the "Resurrect" Skill, which will revive an ally at a hefty cost to HP and SP. Allies regen HP and SP slower than Mila and generally have lower stats. Their combat options are also much more limited. Most concerning, if Mila falls in battle, her ally will immediately join in her demise!

Mila's servants must ensure their Mistress survives no matter the cost!

This particular update to the Pets system has taken a bit of time for me to get working properly and there is still a good amount of tweaking I'll have to do to the difficulty to get it right and not feel overpowered. I still have a lot of additional writing to do for each of these support conversations, but I feel that the effort will be worth it, because the main appeal of the vampire route is going around and turning girls into vampires. It would feel pretty shallow if you were unable to explore some of the girls you turn, so I hope that the players will create a bond with their favorite girl and get to know them!

Before anyone asks, this dating sim aspect of the Pets system will only be for these three characters for now. I wanted to create three different class archetypes for the allies and with how I have currently designed this system and with all the writing I still have to do... It was just too much to include in one update. Bianca and Ophelia will get their time to shine as an ally eventually. I have specific plans for Bianca actually, that I wish I could share, but you'll all just have to stick around to find out!

*Whew* That was quite a lot to go through! I hope you all are excited for this change and are looking forward to interacting with these new allies. One last thing to share before I end it for this week. I finished the wolfy version of the Vicilla art from two weeks ago. Here's a small teaser:

The full version is currently available for all my $5 and up patrons. Check it out if you want to help support me. 

https://www.patreon.com/MKRUdesign

That's all I have to share with you this week. Until next time everyone!