Professor Dragon Posted November 20, 2025 Report Posted November 20, 2025 Hi Everyone, I've put this over to the Issue Tracker, but I'm doubling up here in case you can help here. https://github.com/anegostudios/VintageStory-Issues/issues/7555 My Elk disappeared while in the Chapter 2 location, after a server crash: Spoiler Devastation zone. During a Time Slip, my Elk disappeared. Not found in past or present. His marker is on the map, but he isn't there. I probably shouldn't have taken him there. I definitely shouldn't have put the one book on him that I couldn't lose - the "diary" that I track all of my progress in. It is a player created "Book" written with an Ink& Quill, and yes, it really is the only diary that I have of 14 years in this world. I put the book on the Elk because I was afraid that *I* would die. I thought I could always get the Elk back. . . I do have a game backup, which would include the diary. REQUEST * Anyone got ideas on getting the Elk back? I've tried the usual bone flute, new bone flute, teleporting to and from the location etc. Is there a teleport command (tp) which allows entity teleporting, or teleporting to entities? Is there a way to access the data of the Elk? * Is there any way to retrieve the contents of the book? It is the only custom book I've written. Is it in a file? In a SQL database? I do have a Save backup, which includes a current copy of the book. It is not recent enough really to include other progress, so I don't want to go back to it as a whole. I could load it back up, and if there is a "good" way to get 80 pages out of the book easily, then I'll do it. Note that player books this big currently have a bug where going through the pages is slow. As I said, I've got a Dev. request open, but they are busy, and if anyone has thoughts, that would be great. Thanks, Professor Dragon. 1
Maelstrom Posted November 20, 2025 Report Posted November 20, 2025 I don't know how you did it but apparently Spoiler you timeslipped your elk into the future! Your elk is waiting for you to catch up. 1
LadyWYT Posted November 20, 2025 Report Posted November 20, 2025 Honestly, I have no idea. You've already opened a report for it, so that base is already covered. The only other thing I can think of is perhaps try backtracking the ridden route, and see if he's somewhere along it. Given you mentioned a server crash, it's possible that the server reset the elk to a previous point in time and he's just chilling back at the other location(you know the one) or something. You could also try spawning in another via creative, though I'm not sure this will work. Or rather, you'll certainly have an elk you can ride, but you may not be able to claim it if you had the original equipped with a medallion. 1
Professor Dragon Posted November 20, 2025 Author Report Posted November 20, 2025 7 hours ago, Maelstrom said: I don't know how you did it but apparently Hide contents you timeslipped your elk into the future! Your elk is waiting for you to catch up. I'd like to use BOTH the or emojis against your post, but I can only do one. So you get them here. 5 hours ago, LadyWYT said: Honestly, I have no idea. You've already opened a report for it, so that base is already covered. The only other thing I can think of is perhaps try backtracking the ridden route, and see if he's somewhere along it. Given you mentioned a server crash, it's possible that the server reset the elk to a previous point in time and he's just chilling back at the other location(you know the one) or something. You could also try spawning in another via creative, though I'm not sure this will work. Or rather, you'll certainly have an elk you can ride, but you may not be able to claim it if you had the original equipped with a medallion. I've had a decent go flying around in Creative back over the route into the Devastation, but will give it another go. Didn't find him. Mind you, it was night. If he is somewhere else . . . well, it was a huge trip in and back. The Treasure Hunter I purchased him from is what . . . 80,000 blocks away. (Teleport and check there? Maybe) It will take a while even in Creative with fast fly to cover my trip just from Nadiya to the Devastation. But maybe I'll give it a shot, as you're right, they don't normally "vanish." I'm also not going to risk spawning in another just yet - it might wipe my creature from existence, if he's not already gone. (Hmmm. Backup Save and try it. . .) Anyway, thanks people.
Solution Professor Dragon Posted November 21, 2025 Author Solution Report Posted November 21, 2025 (edited) MY ISSUE HAS BEEN WORKED AROUND I was not able to retrieve my original Elk or my diary from my current world. I have worked around this by: - Taking a current backup, then restoring a prior backup - Opening my book in that old backup, and select and copy each page of text into a separate Notepad++ document. - Restoring to current backup. - Changing to Creative Mode and gifting myself a new Elk and equipment (saddle, harness etc) So my issue is addressed in practical terms. I even gave myself some free upgrades as compensation for the inconvenience. Here is my fresh new Elk, in markedly different colours so that I can distinguish the original if he ever shows up again. ADVICE TO OTHERS Do NOT store anything on an Elk that you can't afford to lose. Eg Food, wood, a bed - fine. One off story mission rewards - nope. If you DO have important stuff to transport long distances (I mean, that is kind of the whole point) or into a dangerous area like the Story 2 zone, then: Take a Save backup before loading your elk. In the course of my restoration attempts, I've viewed a lot of different forums and Issue Tracker posts in different locations, and this issue comes up often enough to take care. ON THE BENEFITS OF OWNING AN ELK These things are AWESOME. I can immediately see that this is a game changer for me. I highly recommend that everyone complete the Chapter 1 Story so that they may buy their Elk. I regret playing for three real world years before getting my first one! High speed travel It is like having a "ground Elytra" from Minecraft. Zoom, zoom, zoom! Bears, wolves See ya later, fellas! Holes I see you coming! Plus I can jump over most, and take less damage if I do fall into one. Extra Storage Speaks for itself. Will help out on complex or large builds. Storage on Demand Doing a build and need to access some resources? Call your Elk and supplies come to you! Thanks all. Professor Dragon Edited November 21, 2025 by Professor Dragon 1
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