Frogster Interactive has announced that Chapter III: The Elder Kingdoms, the next chapter of Runes of Magic, will hit live servers this May. Chapter III will bring a new continent for players to explore, replete with new dungeons and unexplored regions, as well as a new skill system, and a bump in the level cap to 60.

Additional details available below:

Chapter III – The Elder Kingdoms will take players to the newly rediscovered continent. Here, the old kingdom of Dalanis lies in chaos and turmoil with plotters scheming behind the throne of the child-king Callaway. Little remains of the old glory of the ruling dynasty from the time of the legendary King Kalume. In total desperation, the people long for the return of their ancient heroes. So now it is up to all brave adventurers to support the young regent and bring order to the chaos.

Adventurers will be able to take their first steps into a kingdom full of intrigue and uprisings when they enter the Thunderhoof Hills, the first territory in the The Elder Kingdoms. A new zone concept has also been created for the new chapter of Runes of Magic. The new continent has moved away from closed territories and has evolved into versatile and varied landscapes. When gamers journey to the Thunderhoof Hills they will first enter the forest, pass by waterfalls and then enter one of the three new cities to trade and meet other players, or explore a mystery shrouded graveyard of long dead kings while staying within the same zone. One of the new instances, the Dungeon of Dalanis, leads adventurers into the world of shadows beneath the Thunderhoof Hills. Here dreadful terrors lurk that can only be overcome by mobilizing everyone in your group.

The history of the old kingdoms of Runes of Magic will be told in Chapter III through many new quests. Level 55 and above adventurers will become familiar with a new skill system where they can select from a pool of special abilities which will be available to them in combat. There will also be plenty of opportunities to try out these new abilities in the new chapter, including in conflicts with other guilds. The Elder Kingdoms also expands on the existing opportunities which guilds have to equip their castles with new buildings. Rival guilds will also be able to lay their hands on siege weapons. Quests for whole player communities, Player vs. Player rankings and reward systems, as well as a new battlefield – the Tyrefen Mountains – bring additional depth to the PvP game. Three additional mini-games have also been built into the game.

More information on Chapter III: The Elder Kingdoms is available here.