Design Notes

July 22, 2025

Player Housing Spotlight: Beast Beach Bash by Apo11y0n

Seas the Day at the Beach

Hi heroes! Are you enjoying your summer? Looking to take a tropical vacay without breaking the bank ~or~ searing your skin with the sun’s relentless rays? Oh boy, do I have the perfect place for you! Head on over to Apo11y0n’s Royal Beach Tent on the Safiria server, a quirky coastal creation that fuses beachside shenanigans with monster mayhem, moglins, and sneaky squeaky rodents!

“I hid 12 rats in the house, can you find them all?” Apo11y0n states, probably laughing from afar as I struggle to find more than 3 rodents. It’s seriously the hardest scavenger hunt I’ve ever embarked on!

But the real charm of this player housing build is the story each room tells. From jungle chaos to ocean oddities, every scene feels like a mini adventure built with intention, humor, and just the right amount of weird. Go grab your magnifying glass and sunglasses, and let the Beast Beach Bash begin!

Room 1: A Foliage-Filled Frenzy

We begin our tour with a jungle party so chaotic it feels like a nature documentary chugged 15 cans of Moglin Energy Drink. A lion looms over a litter of felines mid-melee, all the while a crew of colorful NPCs tries to keep the peace. Geopetal’s a stone-cold bouncer, Ballyhoo’s blazing blue amongst the bushes, and Twilly? He’s stunned into silence, frozen mid-word, while Zorbak declares “Chow Time!” before feasting on… whatever the hecc that green blob pile is under his feet. Melted Frogzard, perhaps? Check the Zard on the left; he’s all Surprised Pikachu meme.  

“The tent is making weird noises, but you also hear the sounds of partying further down the beach,” Apo11y0n says, waving us over. “Let’s ignore it for now, and party on!” 

Room 2: Freaki Tiki and the Briny Bar

Take a few sandy steps down the shoreline and things get… even freakier.

Memet is playing bartender while moglins and moglinsters soak up vacay vibes and fruity bevvys. Twig’s attempting pickup lines next to a HeroSmash hottie — “everything’s fine” Twig assures, but that lil moglin looks like he’s getting burned bad. Meanwhile, more HS heroes fly on in, Scurvy’s found something shiny, there’s a duck holding a revolver because why not, and a mariachi band politely awaits a tip. Twilly kindly offers a golden moglin statue, but the band only wants ACs. Go figure.

“Beyond the braziers, at the brink where the beach meets the briny blue, with baited breath we continue to the next room,” our host beckons, drink in hand, clearly unfazed by the madness unfolding behind them.

Room 3: Sandcastle Showdown

Here, the situation gets serious.

A massive kraken has stolen a koi from a keg… yes, really. A stoic samurai squares off against the squid in a seafood-themed showdown, and, should he emerge victorious, will probably evolve into a Master Sushi Chef. I’m pretty sure that’s how Itamae are made IRL. 

Twig and Quibble, having plowed through 10 cans of Moglin Energy Drinks, have gone full architect, crafting a sandcastle big enough for critters to crawl inside. Cute colorful crabs line up to wait their turn while a cat Cthulhu (obviously Cathulhu) wonders if it’s selfish to swipe some shellfish. 

In summary? Squids and samurais and sandcastles, oh my!

But don’t kick off your ruby slippers just yet, Dorthy. There’s one last wild place to explore.

Room 4: MONSTER MAYHEM!

This final room is where the beach party takes a dark turn.

You step inside and suddenly — BAM! Air conditioning! jk lol. Monsters. Monsters everywhere! A gallery of ghouls, dragons, and all your favorite baddies are packed shoulder to shoulder inside one enormous tent that somehow fits them all.

It’s epic. It’s ridiculous. It’s so AQW.

“WOAH! Looks like this tent is big enough to BATTLE in! Monsters GALORE!”

You try counting them all, but lose track at around 20. One is definitely breathing. Another might be staring. The exit is just behind you… but are you sure they’ll let you leave in one piece?

Shorelines, Sunsets, & Shenanigans

Apo11y0n’s Royal Beach Tent is equal parts scavenger hunt, beach party, and monster mash. This four-room saga dares you to laugh, squint, and probably question your counting skills at least once.

From baddie brawls to moglin mixers to grand theft kraken, every room in the Beast Beach Bash is an absolute blast!

And remember: there are 12 rats hidden throughout.

No way you’ll find them all.

But you’ll have a great time trying.

Visit /house apo11y0n today and equip your curiosity… and magnifying glass!

Battle on,
Beleen, Apo11y0n, and the AQW team

July 01, 2025

Player Housing Spotlight: Dragonas95’s Undead Castle on a Giant Corpse

Welcome to Your New Favorite Death Fortress

Some players build cozy cottages. Others design elegant elven retreats. But Dragonas95? They said hecc nah and went full necromancer instead. “So how should I explain my obsession with this house???” Dragonas95 laughs — maniacally ofc. “Well I mean first off, it’s a castle on a dead dragon corpse that moves around with necromance magic. IDK what more you need than that XD.”

But we need more! And Dragonas95 delivers. 

Originally eyeing in the whimsical Cotton Candy Cottage (a solid choice, no doubt), Dragonas realized it just couldn’t contain the full scope of their shadow-saturated vision. But when they laid eyes on the ShadowScythe Castle, it was love at first sight… and love at first Shadowscythe.

The Grand Tour of Doom… with Lattes?

Dragonas’s castle has a deadly, dramatic, and dangerously caffeinated vibe. Each room is packed with personality, power, and probably a few cursed relics.

🪑 The Throne Room of Influencers 

“A throne room with the most influential people (still working on that 😦)”

Complete with an iron throne, iconic celebrities, rare dragon eggs, and skeleton guards. Game of Bones, anyone?

🥁 The Rock Venue / Ritual Chamber  

“Ancient rituals held in my basement and most importantly, a ROCK BAND 😄.”

Yes, you read that right. Most castles have creepy basements. But Dragonas has a battle-of-the-bands arena in theirs. You should expect power chords and critical hits!

🔑 The Vault of Vaults

OMG there’s so much gold! Stacks of treasures so tall they make Greenguard's economy nervous. Don’t mind the police cruiser… it’s probably fine.

💥 Castle Arena

It’s a fight to the undeath! This battleground pits the fiercest combatants in Lore against each other. Definitely need a refreshing coffee after your latest victory.  

☕ SCARBUCKS

Welcome to Lore’s most exclusive coffee shop! Try the Bone Brew, the Graveyard Grind, or a classic Skele-latte. Bring your own reusable coffee cup — because littering is for monsters!

🎮 The Gamer Den

A cozy room with plushies, toys, a gaming rig, and maybe a cursed manga collection. This is where all the dark plotting and light reading happens.

🔥 Chill in the Heat

Next to the Gamer Den is a lava-lit lounge, complete with a cauldron of fresh-brewed Moglinberry juice! Folks from all over Lore flock here if a cup of coffee is not their cup of tea.

🎄 The DoomKnight Before Christmas

It’s Christmas in July! Dragonas has dedicated the final room to the final month of the year, when Frostval festivities are in full swing. Sing carols with the Christmas crew, eye presents under the tree, and snap some selfies with some elves! Elfie Selfies, anyone?

Progress Towards Progress

Just like IRL, a house is always a work in progress, and Dragonas95’s home is no exception. Dragonas has pushed the limits of AQW player housing customization with incredible creativity and charm, and is excited to add more interactive objects in the future.

“I hope you enjoy this little achievement in my life :D.”

Life achievement unlocked, Dragonas, and Featured Housing Spotlight achieved!

With no locked doors, no moats (yet), and no shortage of ghoulish glamour, Dragonas95’s house is open to the public and absolutely worth the visit. Whether you're here to duel, admire the decor, or sip your SCARBUCKS in peace (or, um, pieces?), there’s something here for every aspiring villain, hero, or coffee connoisseur like yours truly.

Search for Dragonas95 in-game and tour their dead dragon corpse castle today!

Battle on,
Beleen, Dragonas95, and the AQW team

June 16, 2025

Player Housing Spotlight: Chateau Swaggy by Amora

Wedding Surprises Abound!

Last week’s Fanart Spotlight featured the real-life wedding of longtime AQW player Wulff Hunter, complete with a heartfelt musical remake of his childhood band’s song. (Yes, I’m still crying happy tears & toe-tapping to the beat.) And while Wulff and his beloved said “I do,” this week we’re spotlighting someone still waiting for her true love… but who’s already built the wedding venue of her dreams!

Meet Amora, a romantic soul who built her home, Chateau Swaggy, back in 2022 after the AQW Housing Quality-of-Life update. As she puts it:

“I love love, and my house is based on love of course!”

Every room in Chateau Swaggy is dripping with details, warmth, and a sense of storybook whimsy, everything we know ~and~ love about the world of Lore!

🧺 The first room welcomes visitors with a lovely picnic scene, complete with cute critters and fresh flowers.

🎂 The second room is the wedding space itself, filled with a layered cake, colorful presents, and music playing in the background.

🍳 In the third room, Amora brings the cozy vibes with a fully decorated kitchen — because love is best served hot, right?

☕ To the right is the backyard, a peaceful patio set, and coffee for two.

🌹 More room to roam — and snap screenies with the guests, ofc.

🌌 On the roof, lovers (or besties!) can stargaze together beneath the night sky.

🛏️ To the left of the kitchen is a sweet and dreamy bedroom, and just beyond that, a tidy bathroom.

🎤 And tucked away in a cozy entertainment room, there’s karaoke and a hot tub — the perfect way to end any fairytale evening.

“I’m so excited to finally be able to share it!” Amora exclaims, her excitement palpable from the depths of Discord. And I’m so excited to spotlight Amora’s house this week, too!

Whether you’re planning a fantasy wedding of your own or just stopping by for a tour, Chateau Swaggy is the place to be if you believe in love, laughter, and lots of loot.

Waiting to Wed… but the Venue is Here!

Will Amora find true love in Lore? Only time (and perhaps a RNG) will tell. But one thing’s for certain: she already has the venue picked out, the menu prepped, and the playlist queued! Manifest your dreams, heores, and one day they’ll become reality!

But until that fateful day arrives, Chateau Swaggy stands as a tribute to love in all its forms:

romantic, platonic, and maybe even chaotic, since… well, hot tub karaoke is sure to land some critical hits! Unless it’s got me singing 🙈 

Lots of love and battle on,
Beleen, Amora, and the AQW team