Offline DAoC v0.31 - Normal maintenance update

Latest v0.31 update — solo Bard stability (September 26)

This small maintenance refresh fixes solo Bard gamebots repeatedly disconnecting
and re-entering the world. A null-group check in the PvE add-mez behavior now
skips group-only control when a Bard is alone. Grouped Bard add control and
ordinary combat remain unchanged. The normal v0.31 game still has no
Sluaghbinder content. The same fix is being carried into the optional
v0.31b and newer v0.32/v0.32b releases.

For a fresh normal install, use the existing DOWNLOAD AND PLAY.cmd helper;
its release manifest now selects
OfflineDAoC-v0.31-bard-guard-update.zip.
Developers can use the
v0.31 source ZIP
or the maintained source branch. The older Bard ZIP is retained only as a
historical artifact: it contains the solo-Bard disconnect bug and should not
be used for a new installation. The v0.3 seed and Git tags remain unchanged.
Release build: zero errors; server tests: 1,979 passed.
The isolated server was not restarted for an in-game verification of this fix.

Previous v0.31 update — Bard combat and Shannon beach rats (September 25)

This is the normal Classic + Shrouded Isles game, without Sluaghbinder.
Use the current DOWNLOAD.AND.PLAY.cmd helper and the fixed ZIP linked above;
the September 25 Bard ZIP is superseded by the September 26 fix.
The helper makes a new v0.31 folder from the preserved v0.3 seed; it does not
overwrite an existing game or save. Earlier v0.31 downloads and the v0.3
release remain available, and the v0.31 Git tag is unchanged.

• Bard companions and autonomous gamebots no longer repeatedly mesmerize
  their ordinary PvE attack target. They continue normal combat and retain
  Bard's secondary-healer role. A grouped Bard may mez a distinct, full-health
  add attacking its party, with a retry delay.
• Stationary companion Bards, Skalds, and Minstrels complete ordinary buffs
  before songs can take their cast slot. When following a moving player, Bard
  travel songs favor speed/endurance; Skald and Minstrel songs favor
  speed/health regeneration. Autonomous gamebot song scheduling is unchanged.
• Shannon Estuary's former single, incorrectly high-level beach rat is now
  level 1, with ten spaced level-1/2 neighbors and normal respawns. A guarded,
  repeat-safe migration applies only to the new downloaded copy's world data.

Developers can use the maintained normal source branch
or the matching editable source ZIP.
The optional class remains on the separate v0.31b release.
The branch Release build passed and the world migration passed disposable
v0.3-base and repeat-install checks. A separate fresh-client gameplay run has
not yet been claimed; the source test project requires the deliberately omitted
private server configuration. No personal database was packaged.

Previous v0.31 update — repeatable Bounty Masters (September 25)

This is still the normal Classic + Shrouded Isles game, without Sluaghbinder. The DOWNLOAD.AND.PLAY.cmd helper now selects OfflineDAoC-v0.31-bounties-update.zip for a new playable copy. The v0.3 release and every older v0.31 ZIP remain available; the v0.31 Git tag is not rewritten.

• Bounty Masters in Cotswold, Mularn, and Mag Mell offer one repeatable hunt at a time. Levels 1–49 hunt a yellow-con monster species; the quest journal tracks kills and turn-in. Kills count matching species in the assigned zone even when individual spawns vary in level.
• Normal completion awards class-appropriate gear and two XP bulbs at the assigned level, scaled by server XP. Unlimited target rerolls halve XP until the contract is finished; replacing a contract you have outleveled is free. Level-50 hunts instead offer major bosses, high-quality class gear, and gold without XP.
• The journal's BOUNTY MAP button opens your current map. Its red target dot appears only while you are in the bounty's zone or dungeon. The master and /bountylocation explain this in game. /stables lists your realm's stable routes.
• The new client and server package includes the journal-packet length fix, so a long bounty entry should not prevent login. It also carries forward the earlier v0.31 maintenance fixes.

This earlier bounty package is historical. For a new installation, use the
current helper and fixed Bard-guard ZIP above; see How to play.
Developers: use the maintained normal source branch
or the newest source ZIP linked above. The optional class is a separate
v0.31b release.

Verification: Release build succeeded; full normal server suite 1,940 passed, 0 failed. Focused bounty/stable tests passed, hash-guarded client patch tests passed, and the package hashes and root paths were checked. This does not replace an in-client gameplay test on a fresh download. The original local Offline DAoC installation and personal saves were not changed.

Previous v0.31 maintenance refresh — September 23

This is the normal Classic + Shrouded Isles game. It does not install Sluaghbinder. Use DOWNLOAD.AND.PLAY.cmd for a new playable folder. The preserved v0.3 release and older v0.31 assets remain available; no tag or existing save is replaced.

Earlier changes

• Savages verify reachable targets inside their assigned camp and no longer let native instant buffs stall melee. Failed route checks are briefly cached rather than repeated every AI tick.
• PvE parties recruit nearby available bots, can fight with a viable reduced roster after meetup no-shows, recover locally after nearby resurrection, and use per-corpse bounded wait timers.
• Reduced dungeon parties can clear corridor blockers after entry. Koalinth and Vendo logs directly showed the old eight-member gate; Keltoi and Tepok were audited without speculative map or spawn changes.
• Small parties avoid one repeatedly unproductive Salisbury spirit cell. Solo repeat-death recovery includes full rest, short-lived failed-camp avoidance, and capped no-XP retry pauses.
• Mularn's audited low stable landing is corrected only after a confirmed ride. Boarding-range and first-leg route checks address repeat boarding and unreachable horse approaches without altering tickets or navmeshes.

That earlier update changed server code only. Its full normal server suite passed 1,909 tests. The AI-created customizations are under the owner's direction and testing; upstream OpenDAoC and third-party client/data rights remain with their respective owners.