Happy New Year!

It doesn’t seem like long since it was 2006, and we were just stepping over the threshold into ‘07 - and now it’s January 1st, 2008.

An lot has occured in the past year; Infinity Engine and Oblivion mod releases, new communities, arguments, resolutions, new forums, discussions and more. It’s been a busy year, especially for the modders who have slaved away for many hours at their computers to present us with new releases, and the Staff who work tirelessly to make this place as good as it possibly can be.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to SHS in some way over the past year, and I hope the next year is just as productive, fruitful and enjoyable as the last for everyone!

Now, I have a question for you.

What were, for you, the highlights of 2007? Be it in the modding world, the gaming world or even the real world, what were the best things to happen in the past year? Post your answers here!

Have a great new year, everyone!

- Liam

For the second part of day 7 of 12, we are proud to present a new mod in progress for Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn which adds a new joinable Drow into the game during the Underdark portion.

Xulaye Despana - sister to the insidious Phaere and daughter of the fearsome Matron Mother Ardulace. Will you help her in her ascent to power? Betray her? Attempt to turn the woman from her dark ways?

Xulaye joins your party at the beginning of the Ust Natha section of the Underdark. But watch your back; she is Drow to the core, and not unintelligent. Arrogance, ambition, cruelty and ruthlessness dominate her dark heart.

True evil lies in intent - and the wherewithal to carry it out.

You can view Xulaye’s page on the website here, learn more about the mod here, and check out her forum here!

- K’aeloree/Liam

For day 7 of 12, the Indira NPC for BGT-WeiDU v10.3 has been released! This update features a revised French translation courtesy of d’Oghmatiques.

You download download it here and check out the BGT forum here.

- K’aeloree/Liam

Hello everyone!

What would be a better way to start the new year 2008 than with a dual-contest to get the creative juices going! By saying dual-contest, I really mean that we have two contests running at the same time - you can find an art contest from the Layers of Reality, and from the Scribbles of the Wall you can find the fiction contest!

There is a catch however - both contests have a theme that all entries should follow: Team Spirit! Think about it - what is Team Spirit, how could you depict or describe it? In what situations does it occur, what would lead into feeling strong Team Spirit? Get immersed, use your imagination and creativity, and remember that humor is not by any means forbidden. ;)

A contest must always have a prize as well, and this time our winners in February will be treated to creative products based on their own work. The winners of the Fiction contest will get illustrations of their winning stories, while the winners of the Art contest get short stories based on their winning drawings!

Come join either or both of the contests! Entries are welcome from 1st January to 31st January. See more information and read the rules in the contest topics!

SHS’s Art Contest || SHS’s Fiction Contest

A very happy New Year from myself! May it be creative and full of inspiration!

-Ilmatar / Lina

For the second part of day 6 of 12, I’m happy to present an interview with Azazello, one of the kings of the Mega-Install!

Azazello has contributed in various ways to many of todays mods, and is a very avid supporter of the Mega-Install; he’s always there to help those with trouble, and has written several guides and tutorials for those interested in creating Mega-Installs. He is also currently working on a new version of BP with several other modders.

To learn more about Azazello, read on here!

- K’aeloree/Liam