We've been developing tonight, and here's what's new.
Charter Stones: Villages have a new authority object available, the charter stone. Each village can have one charter stone. From now on, when you start a new character, you will start the game at one of the available charter stones, free of choice. If you happen to pick a bad one you can switch to a different stone as long as the "Baby Blue Eyes" status effect is active. Right click the Charter stone to bring up the charter stone selection dialog. If you pick up an item you will lose the "Baby blue eyes" status effect. If no charter stones are available, and only then, you will start by the ring of Brodgar. As soon as there is at least one charter stone active, the ring of Brodgar seizes to be the default log in position.
If you are a member of the village who owns a charter stone, you can make it your default starting location.
Please note that new players who spawn by your charter stone will *not* automatically become members of the village. You still have to swear them in, and they are, of course, unable to touch, steal or destroy stuff on claims.
The ring of Brodgar is still available as a travel destination (as is, btw, your Charter stone), but this will be removed when the infrastructure for doing so is in place. Start building your crossroads.
It is also possible to summon you by your charter stone using a stench.
Other: Cursor and icon for harvest action. New object, clay cauldron. The clay cauldron halves the quality of boiling water in it, and takes a while to heat up before it can be used for cooking. Candles in candelabrums now burn for seven ingame days.
Enjoy.