The Chronicle
The eras of Novus
A guide to the different worlds and policies that are too often collapsed into one remembered shard.
- 1999
- TUS 0.45d foundation
- 2000–2001
- Later original-shard phase
- Redux
- Classic → Evolution
The 1999 TUS phase
This is the strongest executable foundation: preserved 0.45d scripts, configurations, world saves, rules, and official news. It contains the fifteen-color ore table, Britain vending row, Newby Dungeon, Duel Pits, Chaos Isle, custom eggs and creatures, deed catalog, and late Teleport Center network.
The later original shard
During 2000 and 2001, Novus moved through TUS 0.46 and 0.48e, changed client versions and rules, added custom verdata art, grew its forums and international communities, and developed the large PvP and tournament culture many veterans remember. Later mechanics are documented as later, not rewritten as launch-day facts.
Novus POL
The Dec. 2001 board and transition discussion identify a POL beta after the Sphere shard ended. It retained people and community history but was not the same running Sphere world.
NOS Redux: Classic
Classic is a modern SphereX reconstruction centered on the Dec. 1999 evidence and selected later operating policies. It preserves recognizable systems while replacing unsafe TUS behavior and documenting deliberate hybrid work.
NOS Redux: Evolution
Evolution is new work built on the same persistent Redux world. New systems and areas will be identified as Redux additions. Characters and history continue; Evolution is not a wipe dressed as a sequel.