Developer Secrets & References
The developers of Emberbane left their mark throughout the game. Here are the most interesting secrets.
The "Kickstarter" reference. In the starting area, there is a statue with a plaque that reads "Funded by 5,000 brave souls." This is a reference to Emberbane's successful Kickstarter campaign. The statue is in the center of the starting village. Interacting with the statue gives a buff called "Backer's Blessing" which increases experience gain by 10% for 1 hour.
The "Dark Souls" reference. In the Fire Temple, there is a message on the floor that reads "Try finger but hole." This is a direct reference to the Dark Souls message system. The message is in the first room of the Fire Temple, near the entrance. It is written in the same font as Dark Souls messages.
The developer cameo. One of the NPCs in the starting village is modeled after the lead developer. He is the blacksmith. If you talk to him multiple times, he eventually says "I should really fix that bug in the Ice Caverns." This is a fourth-wall-breaking joke about game development. He also sells a unique item called the "Developer's Hammer" which increases crafting speed by 50%.
World Lore & History
Emberbane's world has a deep history that is revealed through environmental storytelling.
The Elemental War. The world of Emberbane was once at peace, with the three elements in balance. But a cataclysmic event known as the "Elemental War" shattered this balance. The war was caused by a group of mages who tried to harness all three elements at once, creating an imbalance that nearly destroyed the world. The remnants of this war are visible throughout the game — ruined temples, scarred landscapes, and elemental anomalies.
The Titans. The Titans were ancient beings that embodied the elements. The Inferno Titan represented fire. The Frost Titan represented ice. The Storm Titan represented lightning. The Titans were sealed away after the Elemental War, but their power still lingers. The three main bosses of Emberbane are the guardians of the Titans' prisons.
The Void. The Void is the space between elements, a realm of pure nothingness. It is the source of the imbalance that threatens the world. The Void Temple is the final area of the game, where you must confront the source of the elemental imbalance. The lore suggests that the Void is not evil — it is simply the absence of balance, and it is spreading because the elements are out of harmony.
Missable Items & Equipment
Several powerful items in Emberbane are easy to miss. Here is where to find them.
The "Elementalist's Robe." Reduces elemental switch cooldown by 50%. Found in the Arcane Library, in a locked chest that requires the "Library Key." The key is held by the librarian NPC, who only gives it to you if you have completed the "Elemental Balance" quest.
The "Ring of Balance." Increases all elemental damage by 15%. Dropped by the Storm Titan. The ring has a 100% drop rate, but only if you defeat the Storm Titan using ice attacks. If you use other elements, the ring has a 0% drop rate.
The "Amulet of Synergy." Increases elemental reaction damage by 25%. Found in a hidden chest in the Fire Temple. The chest is behind a false wall in the second room. The wall is marked by a slightly different texture — look for a section of wall that is slightly darker than the surrounding area.
Fun Easter Eggs & References
Here are some fun easter eggs that are worth seeking out.
The "chicken" easter egg. In the starting village, there is a chicken that follows you around. If you lead the chicken to the blacksmith, the chicken lays a golden egg that sells for 1000 gold. The chicken respawns every 30 minutes, so you can farm golden eggs.
The "Minecraft" reference. In the Ice Caverns, there is a block of ice that contains a chest. Breaking the ice reveals the chest, which contains a "Diamond Sword" — a reference to Minecraft. The Diamond Sword deals 50 damage and has a unique blue glow effect.
The "cat" easter egg. There is a cat that appears in random locations throughout the game. If you find the cat in all 5 locations (starting village, Fire Temple, Ice Caverns, Storm Peaks, Void Temple), you unlock a secret achievement. The cat does nothing gameplay-wise — it is just a fun easter egg for observant players.