Pierce the Veil.​

[url="https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/developer-diary/stellaris-dev-diary-376-announcing-biogenesis-and-stellaris-season-09.1732204/"]As was foretold[/url], the [b]Shadows of the Shroud[/b] expansion is coming to Stellaris alongside the 4.1 ‘Lyra’ update. Our seers predict that this next great era begins on [b]September 22nd[/b].

Delve into the Shroud.​

Open your mind and encounter expanded Psionic content, including an Ascension Path situation, tradition tree overhaul, and new advanced governments. Encounter strange new Patrons as you attune and delve. Deeds and Callings lead to Accords and Covenants. Auras grow. These are the tools of those who attune.

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/91034f5854ffcae479ba7d31bac60abd65e3d571.gif"][/img]

While pledging yourself to a Patron is one path to power, others chart their own course towards mastery of the unknown.

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/9833c9ae730043751c3e4dc7ada7780f9fc9c1bc.png"][/img]

Many Voices as One.​

Gestalt empires - both hive minds and machine intelligences - will be able to pursue Psionic Ascension.

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/f5ed401189ceb8c68df0beb54aa8b50758af2beb.png"][/img]

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/dff020c9e53769f12b0b147ed70d04664148f351.png"][/img]

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/1844a4ba25d9c9f09b982d801a05698dc75ffe27.png"][/img]

The Shroud can exert its influence in many ways. In the [b]Shroud-Forged[/b] Origin, an “architect” of sorts has taken interest in some of your drones.

Cut off from the central Machine Intelligence, the demands of these units are ever-increasing.

[i]* The gestalt Hive Mind authority requires either Utopia or BioGenesis. The gestalt Machine Intelligence authority requires either Synthetic Dawn or the Machine Age, though Shadows of the Shroud grants access to the Machine Intelligence authority if you are playing the Shroud-Forged Origin. (Synthetic Dawn or The Machine Age are still highly recommended for a more comprehensive machine experience.)[/i]

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/5c780652a825d388e7dae3dc6a137a70f2e4c46f.png"][/img]

[i]END THE CYCLE...[/i]​

Powers, knowledge, and wealth beyond measure are yours for the taking - and [i]you already know the cost[/i].

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/cb156028ee5eb193a09b0fa43de9bcb162243d4b.png"][/img]

[b]Endbringers [/b]are a Challenging Origin that can bargain to delay the inevitable and acquire even more benefits from this unfathomable pact.

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/698dce739c2a8af40d5485e7da0e0fc0db69df69.png"][/img]

[i]*The End of the Cycle will remain available to players who own Utopia.[/i]

[i]Shadows of the Shroud will also grant access to this feature (in case you do not own Utopia) and exclusive new content that expands it.[/i]

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/d3603dee6487e990c4b6befe0afe5ca59a99ffec.gif"][/img]

[i]TIME IS RUNNING OUT. THE END IS NEAR[/i] ​

[i]...OR FIGHT IT[/i]​

Freedom is meaningless without sovereignty of thought. Shadows of the Shroud introduces the [b]Mindwardens[/b], available either as an established enclave sworn to combat and contain psionic threats, or as a Challenging Origin where you work to establish the first Mindwarden Order.

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/c78856d140f605752cac32c6ed7888546b43f44c.png"][/img][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/3d531b90cc37b5b623ee19af56b26d3bc960f4a2.png"][/img]The Shadows of the Shroud expansion includes:​

• Psionic Ascension (also unlocked by Utopia)​

• Three new Origins:​

  [list]

• Endbringers​

• Mindwardens​

• Shroud-Forged​

  [list]

• Shroud-Forged grants access to the Gestalt Machine Intelligence authority while playing this Origin.​

Six new Civics​

• Chosen / Chosen Executives / Chosen Many / Apostle Network​

• Entropy Drinkers / Corporate Vampires / Parasitic Caste / Energy Extractors​

• Experimental Sentencing / Judicial R&D / Corrective Consciousness​

• Secret Societies / Influential Cartel​

• Superstitious Beliefs / Fortune Enterprise / Zodiac Nexus / Pattern Finders​

• Tankbound / Corporate Thinktank​

An enhanced Psionic Ascension Situation, culminating in advanced Psionic government forms​

A new system for delving into the Shroud itself, including Deeds, Accords, Callings, and Covenants​

Psionic Auras and Seals​

New Patrons and entities to encounter in the Shroud, and expanded content for old acquaintances​

[b]EXPANDED END OF THE CYCLE[/b]​

New Psionic Species Traits​

Psionic Portraits that reflect the change within once their Psionic potential has been unleashed​

Two new shipsets​

• Mindwarden​

• Psionic​

Psionic Diplomatic Room, City Set, Advisor, Music Tracks, and more​

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/74bd7c69faa73744f3a821fea13f78af83ddf36e.png"][/img]

Revelations Come Forth​

This Thursday we will reveal more details about the Psionic Ascension situation, explore the new Shroud panel, discuss how to influence the relationships you have with the entities you may find, and show off the Superstitious Beliefs/Fortune Enterprise/Zodiac Nexus/Pattern Finder set of civics.

[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/9703436/2fb9e92e689c8e9e0d59cfd12434394e15391c0e.jpg"][/img]

[i]SEE YOU THEN.[/i]

[i]Shadows of the Shroud is included as part of [b]Stellaris: Season 09[/b]. [/i][dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3417870/Stellaris_Season_09__Expansion_Pass"][/dynamiclink]