For over a decade now, Skywrath Mage and Vengeful Spirit have been ambiguously entwined. Eagle-eyed players noticed that they come from the same town, seem to have related backstories, and might even be dating. Pretty mysterious stuff.

Earlier, we dropped a comic that solved those mysteries, but introduced an even bigger one: "Why are you posting comics instead of updates?"

We can now reveal the answer: Because we've just released The Markets of Midgate, the first act of an ongoing story event called Crownfall, filled with legendary heroes and unique rewards. In this act alone, you can expect dozens of new cosmetic sets, taunts, creeps, emoticons... are we forgetting anything? Oh right, and two brand-new Arcana, one for each of Crownfall's main characters.

So what is Crownfall? It's something completely new that we've wanted to try for a while. And when we say new, we mean new— a new way of telling stories, offering rewards, and making it more fun to win every game of Dota. And it's available right now to all Dota players for free.

Honestly, it's a little hard to describe in a tiny blog post. But luckily, the description is exactly website-sized. Go read the details here. Or, if you'd rather just play instead of hearing us describe it, boot up the game and enter the world of Crownfall for yourself.

A young princess, betrayed by her sister on the day of her ascension. Her wings torn from her body.

Thrown from the highest tower of the Ghastly Eyrie. Left for dead. Found by a god. Turned into a spirit of vengeance.

A Skywrath Mage, sworn to serve the murderer of his beloved. His life and powers forfeit should he betray his captor. Waiting for his moment. To avenge the one he loves.

A dying god. Starved of followers by an evil Queen. Wasting in the ruins of a condemned temple. The last of her powers leaving her. One last chance at revenge.

Vengeance is coming. The Flightless will rise.

A crown will fall.