Genres and tropes: urban fantasy, romance, found family, enemies to lovers, exes to lovers, friends to lovers, murder mystery, action
LUNAR CITY: a gritty but bustling city where supernaturals and humans live in (relative) harmony. Humans live alongside Fae, witches and warlocks, vampires, and so many more. It's normal. It's your normal.
When your father died, he left you with one thing: his antiquities/pawn shop. Decades upon decades of collecting and trading bits and bobs from all types of supernatural histories sit right here in Angelwood Antiquities, a staple of Lunar City and the shop you have now inherited.
It was his life's work, and you've done everything in your power to keep it running.
But when someone comes in bloodied and begging for you to take hold of a magical object, you don't know what you're agreeing to. You definitely don't expect him to die at your feet, telling you to take good care of...them.
Them?
Turns out the object is no object at all, but an ancient being that could be the key to stopping a multi-species war that's been brewing right under your nose..and your father may have had something to do with it. And when that being chooses and bonds to you--giving you its power--you are now thrust headfirst into the world of supernatural. The same world you've managed to avoid.
Entangled with a cast of characters who will help you save the world, you are now both human and supernatural, a rare feat. And the most important person in the city. And it will be up to you to save it.
Angelwood is an urban-fantasy inspired by stories by Sarah J. Maass, Cassandra Clare, and Holly Black. It is primarily centered around romance, with a fantasy, murder mystery, and war brewing at its core. The demo is already written and undergoing editing.
FEATURES.
Customize your MC's gender identity, pronouns, appearance, personality.
Navigate a gritty city of supernaturals.
Embark on an adventure to find out what war is brewing in supernatural circles and how to stop it.
Romance a multitude of supernatural and human characters, including a Fae, a Greenwarden, and an entity bonded to you.
Angelwood is a primarily romance and character-driven.
Play in a gritty, supernatural world where not everything is what it seems.
CAST [ROs]
IVAN CROSS (M)(FAE) - Ivan is the cold and distant Detective of the LCPD. He is also a powerful Fae, with a menacing reputation that makes most people scared to cross him. Ivan is not exactly a team player and he seems insistent on railroading this tentative partnership you didn't even want to have with him, but he's also the only one who can make sense of whats happening to you. Seems like you're stuck with him.
It doesn't help that you two aren't on the best of terms considering he closed your father's case without much effort.
FREYA (F)(GREENWARDEN) -- Ivan's second-in-command and your other partner that forms this...odd trio. You expected Greenwardens--powerful sprites that manipulate all things nature--to be smooth talking and caring. Wrong. Freya is snarky and punchy, and determined to get her mission done. Maybe it's because she's half human. Who knows.
DOMINION (DOM)(UNKNOWN) - Dom is the smooth-talking entity that is now in your head and giving you their powers. You...don't really know what to say. They sure are a flirt, at least.
KALEL/KALIS (M/F) (VAMPIRE) - K, once your old friend (and possible ex partner) is now insistent on joining your group considering they seem to have a stake in this too. (pun non intended)
SELINA (F)(SERPENT/HUMAN HYBRID) - Selina the Serpent is the owner of the biggest gambling den in the red light district, and also someone you don't want to cross. Over the years, she's traded with you on all sorts of things people leave behind in exchange for information...and now she wants to join in one the group. Having her around would really help, considering she has eyes everywhere.
QUINN (F/M)(HUMAN) - your best friend and the one you hired for Angelwood. And a human, which seems to be rare these days.
Depths Asunder is an 18+ pirate interactive fiction infused with magic. It follows you, a young and fresh pirate captain, contracted to find a gem that is rumored to manipulate life and death to the wearer. It's a race against other crews who are just as determined to fulfill the contract and collect their riches.
Content warnings include violence, suggestive themes, substance use, gore, dark themes, emotional turmoil and more.
Your mother was a legend in the seas; a revered pirate captain, her legacy has followed you even after her death. All you want is to live up to the legacy she has given your family name, though all you've amounted to so far is the occasional thievery to survive.
When you're contracted by rich and powerful noble you're promised a swell of riches. In return, you must find and bring back a rare treasure that holds power beyond anything you know. Countless crews have attempted to find it, only to either end up dead or lost.
Now, it's your turn to collect your crew and bring your ship to the sea. You'll go up against not only dangerous mythological creatures of the sea but other ruthless pirates determined to find the treasure before you.
As you travel through the world of Sikara, you'll find that there's an even bigger mystery afoot. Will it all be worth it?
Customize your pirate captain from identity, your nickname, pronouns, gender which changes the story, appearance, personality.
Decide what kind of pirate captain you are: are you a bloodthirsty pirate hellbent on destruction? Or a merciful captain paving a new path? Do you treat your crew with kindness or hostility? Are you relaxed or a dictator?
Customize your ship: name your ship, choose the look, the features and enchantments. Will it help you during your sea battles?
Stop at different locations: will you raid like a typical pirate or help the locals? Will you steal treasure?
Customize your crew and decide who joins you on your journey. And who walks the plank.
Romance a slew of characters that include your ruthless rival, a merperson, a stowaway, the person who contracted you, and your best friend.
Play a character-driven narrative that is both on land and in sea. Discover what Sikara has to offer.
Captain Morgan 'Deadeye' Price [m or f]: Morgan is the bloodthirsty captain of the Lady Triton. They also happen to be your biggest rival, seeing as they're the child of the pirates that killed your mother. Morgan is bloodthirsty, unforgiving, cold and arrogant, and is determined to find the treasure. Part of you thinks they care less about the coin and more about beating you....and eventually killing you.
𓊝 enemies to lovers, rivals
Anton/Antonia St. Marteen [m or f]: The nobleman/woman who contracted you. They insisted on joining you on your travels, determined to see the treasure for themself. You don't know much about them other than the fact that they are stinking rich, which is all you need to know. Unfortunately, being on the sea with them means you're their unofficial bodyguard.
𓊝 bodyguard romance (MC is the bodyguard), forbidden, opposites attract (noble and pirate)
Castor Morgana [m or f]: the stowaway that hid in your ship alongside their sister, Ruth. Majority of your crew wants them thrown overboard, though a few think Castor can be helpful to the cause. It's up to you to make the final choice.
Gaelin 'Straightlace' Haval [m or f]: your best friend, second-in-command, and advisor. Gaelin is levelheaded, logical, serious, and deals little with emotion. They also seem to be the only one who cares little of pirate culture. They just want the mission done.
𓊝 best friends to lovers, opposites attract (possibly)
Sage/Soren of The Sea [m or f]: a mermaid/merman who, in a series of events, ends up on your ship. It's lucky that they grow legs off-sea, but no matter how human they look, they treat you as an enemy. Pirates and merpeople don't mix, and Sage/Soren is determined to keep a distance, even if the world of humans interests them so. They don't trust you, not with all the blood that's been spilled from both sides.
𓊝 romance with merperson, forbidden, doomed romance
Ruth Underwood [non-RO]: Castor's younger half- sister. She seems to have taken a liking to you, following you around like a puppy. How you deal with her is up to you.
+ and more!
Development of Depths Asunder will fluctuate based on my free time. I hope you like it and join me on this voyage :)
there may be a few inconsistencies in the intro post! at first I was going to do an even number of gender-locked ROs, but then I realized I didn't want to lock people out of the tropes they like if they aren't attracted to a certain gender. Just in case there's any confusion, that's why! I fixed them :)
SHAPESHIFTER: someone with the power to shift into other beings. There's two types of Shapeshifters: those who can shift into other humans and those who can shift into animals. Usually, shapeshifters have a shift that they bond to. In Selina's case, it is that of a snake.
Appearance: Selina has pale skin and hair that falls down her back with bangs that are bluntly chopped in front of her forehead. She wears dramatic winged liner, black lipstick, and has tattoos of snakes running up her arms and back. Her eyes are slitted pupils and she has a forked tongue, and she can usually be seen in green and black. She's 5'0 and is 28 years old.
Personality: Selina is mysterious and cold, and finds amusement in others misery. She's quite unforgiving and merciless and is willing to spill blood for the good of her gambling den and her other myriad of not so legal businesses. Many people fear her, and those who do business with her quickly regret it once they realize her threats are no joke. It's better to stay away from Selina, especially romantically considering most of her lovers are either found dead or heartbroken. Being called a red flag would be an understatement.
I'm curious about Selina! Can you tell us a little about her?
Selina is considered The Serpent Queen, and she owns the biggest and busiest gambling den in the red light district. She’s super tough, dangerous, and has a network of goons doing her bidding. Her powers are derived from snakes and she joins up with MC and this twisted found family for Reasons we don’t know yet. She’s very badass but not very approachable. And fun to romance because she swears she has sworn off romance so she can focus on her business but….wink
What kind of personality does Dom have? Since they’re going to be in our head I’m curious.
Dom is a narcissistic, arrogant, egotistical ass who has grown weary of humans but still has a weird, twisted attachment to them. Hence why they seem to always bond to humans instead of supernaturals.
Like the anons before me, I love Estele, and the cliffhanger was great! The bits we learned about the relationship between MC and their dad were lovely. And the description of the shop painted a very clear picture. It definitely has me looking forward to the full demo!
Yay! I’m glad I managed to show the relationship between MC and their dad even a little bit! Thank you!
AHHH! I loveee the sample. So excited for the demo. Estele is the best, I love her already. Also can't wait to meet Quinn, I love me some best friends to lovers!
Thank you!! I can’t wait to actually release the full demo and introduce the ROs and the core of the adventure in LC!
I wanted to post the a real, full first piece but realized I didn't like it. Reading back, this sample feels a bit too abrupt for me so this will definitely undergo another round of editing and I will likely add more info and exposition in the finished piece but I did want to drop something to show you a sample of my writing and what to expect.
You don't meet any ROs (aside from a small part with Quinn) but you do meet a spunky sprite and your partner in crime, Estele, as well as get introduced to Angelwood Antiquities. Customization and all that will come in the finished piece!
Just to note: this isn't a demo or anything, but a piece of what I've written (and will likely change.)
I wanted to post the a real, full first piece but realized I didn't like it. Reading back, this sample feels a bit too abrupt for me so this will definitely undergo another round of editing and I will likely add more info and exposition in the finished piece but I did want to drop something to show you a sample of my writing and what to expect.
You don't meet any ROs (aside from a small part with Quinn) but you do meet a spunky sprite and your partner in crime, Estele, as well as get introduced to Angelwood Antiquities. Customization and all that will come in the finished piece!
Just to note: this isn't a demo or anything, but a piece of what I've written (and will likely change.)
MC has some basic knowledge on history and supernatural beings due to learning how to appraise for the pawn/antiquities shop. They're not completely clueless, essentially. :)
FAE: the faefolk are a race of magical (and powerful) faeries that are considered the epitome of perfection. With pointed ears, a knack for mischief, and unattainable beauty, they are beautiful in their cruelty. You can trust them as far as you can throw them.
The fae, while stuck in Lunar City, live in their own secluded domains and are governed by their own high fae who answer to the Council of the City.
Ivan seems to be part of the few fae who do not involve themself in Fae court politics.
Appearance: Ivan has golden-brown skin and midnight black hair that falls down to his neck, usually tied back. His ears are pointed, and he is considered objectively beautiful due to his fae heritage. Thick, expressive black brows and bright green eyes. 6'0. No one knows how old Ivan is, but he outwardly he looks about 30.
Ivan is usually in slacks and a button down, his shoulder sheaths carrying his twin pistols. As the head officer of the LCPD, everything that goes on in Lunar City goes through him. Many people treat him with wariness, as Fae are considered untrustworthy, while others are downright afraid of him. Ivan? He just wants to get his job done. His powers include emotion manipulation, aura reading, immortality, strength, communication through the mind.
Personality: Ivan is cold, blunt, distant, detached, and has a one track mind towards his mission. He is not a people person.
GREENWARDEN: a forest Sprite that holds complete mastery and control over all things nature. They can be found hanging out primarily in Lunar City’s public parks and lakes.
Appearance: As a GREENWARDEN, her skin has a green tint, her hair a bright and vibrant snow-white that looks iridescent in certain lights. Her hair moves slowly like eternally underwater. Her eyelashes and brows are a dark green and she's 6'4, unusually tall for her species.
Freya is usually in a suit due to her job as a secondary officer at the LCPD. Her powers consist of nature and water, and she will kill you if she sees you don't water your plants. No one knows how old Freya is, but she has the appearance of 26.
Personality: Freya is smart, emotionally intelligent, and the warmth to her partner's ice. She has a natural maternal air about her, likely from her species. People have said she smells of outside after a rain shower.
