WARNINGS: Violence, gore, mature language, general struggling, realism, sex and sexual themes.
Genre: Apocalyptic horror.
“AND THEN THE WORLD ENDED. Everything came crashing down for my already screwed up life when those... creatures came, infected. Trapping me into another cage that we now call life. Running, fighting, scavenging, hiding… is on repeat constantly. Just a never-ending cycle of fighting for your life. Living is so.... exhausting. Not even living, just surviving.” I cleared my throat.
“I discovered secrets that I still cannot wrap my head around. Secrets that would have ruined everything. I'm sinking into it all.”
“Despite the chaos, there was a shining light in my corner. A group.” I smiled.
“We worked together and fought people, the world, as best as we could with our little but growing knowledge. Being a team was a little rocky in the beginning, but we knew making it through this mess would be easier if we had each other. Or at least by a little.
“But...” I took a long pause. Heaviness filled the air, like there was a pressure drop. It was almost as if we both knew what it meant without words. My eyes fixated on the floor as I felt my eyes watering, just a bit.
“Good things don’t always last. If I learned anything, it was that. And now, I’m here, alone.” A heavy sigh escaped my mouth, and my shoulders weren’t tense for the first time in what feels like forever.
“I should’ve been there....”
My hand reached for his, tight but gentle. “It’s okay. There was so much going on, anyway. What matters is that we’re together now.”
He smiled for a moment before his eyes descended into thought. “But what... really happened? I mean, that was so vague.”
My mind flashed through the events since the outbreak. Faces, sounds, smells, places. All kinds of feelings, even ones I can’t describe, weighed on my chest; so much in only a few seconds. “Well, what do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
The apocalypse engulfed you, and along with the rest of the surviving population, no one knows what’s happening. Or so you think. Infected overran the world, leaving most of the population dead. Streets are quiet, and houses are empty. Sometimes you just want to go home, but then you remember, there is no home to go to. Anyone would go insane, losing everything all at once.
Supplies linger, but they have run thin in the chaos as you survive in conditions you never would’ve expected; leaving behind the expected comforts of what you knew. Everything you wanted you could get with ease, but now you scavenge for food in a world where everyone and everything is out to get you.
People changed after the apocalypse, and that is ever so clear as you fight, not only infected but raiders who will do anything to get what they want. But not everyone you come across will have such nefarious intentions. There are also the compassionate, helpful people, but there are also people who sit in the middle, balancing their morality.
The road of survival will test you mentally and emotionally. Leaving you wondering if trying is really all that worth it. Many more questions linger in your mind, even dark ones that hide in the far corners of your head, gathering and waiting for you to break. But you won’t break, because you’re a fighter; you’ve always been. When an infected comes charging at you, you’ll stand your ground. Why?
‘Cause that’s just what you do.
Scavenging rabbit hole to gain supplies.
Customize your character's name, gender, pronouns, sexuality, eyes, hair, and more.
Personality and skill stats.
Romance one or two of the four characters in the next section, or just be friends.
Survive against raiders and infected.
FYI your parent's names are Elena and Pedro, if you don't want the same names as them.
| Caleb ??? | 23 | He/Him
Gender: Cis man
Sexuality: Bisexual
Race: African American
Appearance: Dark brown buzz cut, dark green eyes, and dark brown skin tone. Has a heart tattoo with the letter C on the inside of his wrist.
Body Type: Muscular, little to no definition, mass.
Height: 6'0
A brooding leader who leads with rationale and determination. He keeps his heart closed to anyone, fearing his past would come back and haunt him once again. His loner and cold nature holds him back from truly connecting with those around him. At the end of the day, his leadership is strong, keeping his group together like he knows he has to.
| Sudiro | 22 | He/Him
Gender: Cis man
Sexuality: Bisexual
Race: Javanese (Indonesian)
Appearance: Black, slightly wavy neck-length hair, dark brown eyes, and tan skin/honey skin tone. Back tattoo, neck tattoo, leg tattoo, stomach scar, hand scar, cheek scar, nose and ear piercings.
Body Type: Lean and defined.
Height: 5'7
Loves to live life on the edge and have fun. Jokes are his protection. His dream was to see the world, but it was abruptly crushed. Despite his adventurous nature, he is extremely pessimistic, always thinking of the worst. He can be snarky and rude, but deep down, he is caring and compassionate. Will those walls come down? Either way, he won't be listening to you anytime soon.
(Javanese people don't have last names.)
| Rue Benson | 21 | She/Her
Gender: Cis woman
Sexuality: Lesbian
Race: African American
Appearance: Dark brown shoulder-length dreads, eyes, and skin tone. Double sleeves and hand scar.
Body Type: Muscular/Ripped, in between definition and bulk, straight waist.
Height: 5'8
A kind-hearted soul who goes out of her way to help others. She knows how to handle herself but prefers to avoid confrontation. Gentle but strong. Her life before the apocalypse was a mess, and that mess only became worse. The world around her collapsed into moral ambiguity, but she stayed true to herself. But sometimes people can be too good.
Dana Léon | 21 | She/Her
Gender: Transgender woman
Sexuality: Bisexual
Race: White
Appearance: Light blonde armpit-length hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Freckles. Eyebrow scar and earlobe piercings.
Body Type: Toned and slender.
Height: 5'3
Can be mischievous from time to time and is very self-assured. A little flirtatious, too. Doesn't think she needs anyone else and can survive on her own. But doesn't actively push others away, just stays alone as a first choice. Idealism keeps her going as she always tries to see the positive. She tells herself that the world will go back to the way it was all the time, even if she knows it's not true.
NOTES:
This game is 18+
If you have any suggestions, corrections, or criticism, feel free to tell me, unless it's something I already cleared up or went over, but I will not accept hatred. I want to grow, not to be put down.
I'll update this post if there are changes regarding anything that is considered a warning.
I used AI somewhat for my code. Until recently, I didn't realize how bad that was. My future projects will be free from any AI, and this project will be as well as it progresses. If you want to stay, I appreciate it, but if you don't, I understand. It's something I'm not proud of, to be clear.
Hey guys I know its been a hot minute. I've been putting this off like crazy. But I'll be diverting my attention onto a different story with easier software. I don't even open twine or write anymore, so I have to step back from BLIGHT. I still want to continue it eventually, but I dont want to write a story where theres constant hiatuses. I've only had two but still, considering the complexity and how I'm feeling, I doubt I wont have more. I dont want to disappoint anyone because I dived in too deep. So for now, I'm gonna work on a different project before im two years in with 5 chapters. No shade to anyone else, that's just not me. I'll link the new blog for the new story when I'm ready if you're still interested in my writing. Its a frustrating situation but I know what's best for me. I've lost the spark I had when I first started, and I'm not gonna keep forcing it when my hearts not in it. I'd rather step back now before I or any readers get seriously invested. Thank you to everyone who supported me and my work. I'll definitely be continuing writing just with a different approach this time. Instead of releasing by chapte, I'll release chapters in chunks or until Im completely done so there's always something. ♥️♥️♥️
Okay, that post I just made forget that it happened. I scheduled it and thought I'd be done with Chapter Two, but im not, so that's a little too soon right now lol. I totally forgot about that 💀
Ok, next poll! Since im getting close to the end of Chapter 2...
Do you want me to change the story from 1st to 2nd and edit Chapter 1 now so you get everything at once, but it takes longer or finish Chapter 2 now then do the rest at a different time.
Do you guys feel more connected/emotionally connected to 2nd or 1st person stories? I've been more drawn to 2nd person lately, but I would have to change like everything. I wouldn't mind if you guys preferred 2nd person.
When your Pinterest board for your future if after blight or after another one was created in your personal account and now you realize your screwed because you need to use your interactive fiction account for interactive fiction releated content.The board has 480 pins... and my second one, yes, there's a second one, has 156. When blight is over... im so screwed its not even funny. Can't a girl hyperfixtate in peace? Jeez.
Wonderful! Haha! Future me will have to find 480 pins for a second time! 🤗🌈
It's with a troubled heart that I must share... I've been dealing with a burnout. I don't know how this came to be. Maybe my mind wasn't ready for a long-form horror project. Maybe it's the doubts and the harsh self-critics. Maybe it's the unspoken expectations in modern IFs, especially in the community here on Tumblr.
I didn't interact with said community up until I first published my 20k-word demo of Stillwater. My game wasn't meant to be romanced-focus, and I eventually felt pressured to follow this direction to fit with the masses. I should have stuck to my guns, but the damage is already done.
I don't dislike romance, but it's just—I've been feeling that the vision is not exactly what it was meant to be. I'm just feeling pretty conflicted at the moment. There's a really juicy plot twist I reslly wanna get to, but I don't know if I can find the energy to do a full rewrite. I could push forward with the format I currently have, but regardless, I think I need time to mentally recharge 🥲
ADHD sucks ass in the sense that I feel drained once by hyperfixation dissolves. Repetition kills me. I wish I was joking when I say it took me 4 years to complete the Witcher 3 and the two DLCs because I can't stick to the same thing for more than a month.
With that said, I've been thinking of a smaller, cozy fantasy game that could hopefully be published by HG. To my one and only darling Patreon supporter, I'll be pausing content on the following month because, well, I won't have much to show with kinktober approaching and my lack of IF content.
All in all, nothing is getting cancelled. Nothing is changing for Sanctum either. I just have a troublesome firstborn child.
I hope to not disappoint you all too much. Thank you for your understanding<3
The first draft of 2.1 is completed! I just need to adjust the text for each path for editing when both drafts are done. It's at 7,622 words right now. Compared to other if authors my number is kinda sad but hopefully I can reach 10k when its all done. That would be pretty cool. I doubt I could ever reach 30k plus like thats crazy to me. Doing all this in google docs is kind of a mind fuck though. I used a website that could help pathing, I think it was called miro but I kept forgetting to use it lol. To conclude, progress is being made. This chapter is definitely getting a lot more loving so I hope you enjoy it!
I hate that scene in chapter one where stupid guy who fights Rue shows up out of bumfuck nowhere and gives you a random item like some strange fantasy nightmare. It gives ME nightmares actually. What was I thinking!? Burn it. Burn it. Burn it. The start of my if career is plagued by that ridiculous scene. Probably the whole of ch 1 too. Its sooo rushed. Horrible introduction. Me busting my ah trying to implement the inv into the story as if I didn't write rabbit hole scavenging into my notes as an idea. Hate that scene. Like what even...
I'm at almost 5,000 words and not even close to being done! The length of this chapter is a big step up from the first one. I'm actually writing so much, I don't really know where to end 2.1 lol. The second half will probably be around 2,000, maybe more if I really start cooking (dont bet on it just yapping). Which is crazy. I've flown through all my stories so this is a big writing shift for me. I actually wrote all my issues stated in poll so I can check off that one. Did I write them all down? Yes lol. Did I have to? No, but I felt like they were all important to take a look at and fix. I think I'm in order of most voted. It's 1 am as I'm writing, I am not checking 😭
I can't wait to get out of this stupid ass prison. I have do research on prison layouts and I have to explain where the hell your going which is boring. Not just boring but repetitive as shit. "You take a left and go up the stairs. You walk along the hallway to the control center in the far right corner." You have to maunever through a whole prison, not just one part so I will be saying the same thing 5 times. Like, bruh, my head hurts. Best believe I will flying through the scenes so quickly (haha I remembered I'm bad with pacing so I do kinda have to sit in those scenes for a little bit. describing turning and walking over and over again. my creativity can only so far 😭)
Good news, I started writing again! Nothing crazy of course but 2.1 is sitting at around 2,000 or almost 2,000 words. Am I 100 percent happy with what I wrote? No. It's still a very rough draft but plot related and how it would move it, I like it. I'll edit this post later to look more official with the heading and everything. No dates until it releases. That was definitely my mistake among others, when creating this account. Didn't really know how to pace myself or if I should. Sometimes you never really know how to do something until you get it there and figure it out, lol. Especially since if is so niche, so a lot of the stuff you learn is while doing it.
My love for writing is growing back to the state is used to be slowly but surely. Oh and thank you to the people who leave me messages/asks it's really helped me a lot get through this hump and keep me inspired; no pressure to do just saying thanks for the people who have! Thank you to everyone who's stayed here waiting (some of you probably just forgot you followed me but that's besides the point lol.) I really appreciate it. More updates will be coming, no timeline just in the future; nothing crazy though as you can see ❤️❤️❤️
Just want you to know, Dana and Rue and MC are just running circles in my head, like when characters get knocked out in old cartoons and they set up little images that run around their head like twisted little baby mobiles
Haha! Ty so much! Ill let you know when the juices start flowing because I want to get back to writing asap. I love that you love them <3
Shut up, nobody cares about your game so you're always involving yourself in drama to get followers
You know what anon, you're so right.
The 20k clicks I have on my IF are just ghosts. And so are the 1k+ followers on here.
And I only involve myself in "drama" to gain more followers from people who have less followers than me, not because I want to back up my moots and show them they're not alone.
wow sewer rats are really getting bold these days, they even try to socialize now!! clearly, they've yet to learn manners, taste and empathy, but small steppy is better than no steppy
This mindset nowadays of individuals and everyone for themself is really icky. Like (this side of) tumblr is a space for the if COMMUNITY. That's the whole reason why we post on social media: to connect and share with other like-minded people who enjoy interactive fiction. It's not about "involving yourself in drama to get followers" it's about connecting with other if authors in the name of community. Reblogging and responding to other if authors to get followers isn't even bad anyway like interacting with the community is how you get your name out there as an up coming creator. Marketing and what not. Nothing shady about it, it's just a good tactic to spread awareness that you exist and to drive people to your game. What's so wrong with having an opinion and wanting to share it? That's whole purpose of social media besides making friends. Some people man. I haven't played your game (yet) but I'm sure many people adore your work ❤️
Some IF writers are making their own neocities sites and posting their IFs there, here's a post with advice on how to make a site in case: https://www.tumblr.com/harlequinoccult/790005081761284096?source=share
(I'm sending this to all IF writers I haven't seen mentioning anything, hope OP doesn't mind 🤭)
And it's free (unless you want to add extra stuff like on-site music i believe)!
Haha, copy pasting all my story shit to notes bc haha I don't have another platform on my phoneee. Temporary until I find one that I won't have to pay for because I don't care that much abt extra features I just wanna write lol. Love how people's documents are getting deleted. Just because I have abandoned stories in docs doesn't mean I want them deleted like those are my babies. And all my written down ideas, like my memory is horrible of those get deleted I might cry. But um... at least I have notes. (Wow it's been that long since my last post? Damn. Anywayy... I think I have to read that book I just ordered. No gay from what I know so not as excited as Hearing Red)
