Delphinium Studios

ON HOLD: Muddied waters; an interactive fantasy story game /// Dev: Donovan (They/Them)

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Welcome to Delphinium Studios

Hi there! Here’s the basics of this blog:

This blog is primarily to post updates, extra content, and maybe answer asks about my projects, which as of right now includes a game I’d like to release the first part of within a couple months (Now being Jan 2021) or so- Muddied waters! The game, its premise, and main characters will have their own introduction post.

As of now, I’m the only Dev. My name is Donovan and I go by they/them! 

There will be absolutely no explicit content on this blog or in my games (for the time being at least), and I’d request that any nsfw blogs don’t interact with this blog! 

Feel free to send in asks, message me or submit something if you want! This may change eventually, but for now- anon is on and my ask box will be open indefinitely.

That’s all for now folks, I hope y’all enjoy this blog! 

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Just some alignment memes for the cold, cold winter

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Character Shorts: Ambrose

Quick content warning for mentions of blood, injury, and implied violence.

Ambrose said nothing as Tullia wiped of his back, the two of them sitting in silence in the shadowy threshold of her brother’s home. His clothes were damp where they pooled around his lower back, surely stained with blood and water. 

HIs friend never said much when he came to her like this, even though she usually talked nonstop. Tonight it had been deep scratches in the middle of his back, the skin there bloody and torn messily. 

Naturally there were smaller cuts and bruises, ones he had already resolved to take care of himself once Tullia was done.

An hour later he slipped back into the dark night, wrapped in bandages and bloody cloth. 

“Maybe”, Ambrose mused to himself as he dodged the beams of a guard’s lamp, “I should just wear red and save myself the trouble.” 

He thought that often, but it was rare that anything came of it.

The moon was high by the time he made it back to his home, though home was a generous description to be completely honest. Nestled between the dilapidated homes of the city’s least cared for was an abandoned guard’s post. It was scarcely big enough for him to have room to lay on his back and spread his limbs out; and that was before he had ‘furnished’ it. 

As Ambrose slipped in the entrance, he nearly tripped over a small black form, darting about his home.

“Pumpkin! Are you trying to kill me?” He stage whispered, allowing himself to haphazardly fall back onto his bed. Admittedly it was more some straw, feathers and fleece all stuff in some sacks with a blanket thrown on top, but he found it immensely comfortable and he sunk into it. 

The aforementioned black form hopped onto his chest and curled up, purring as she nuzzled her face into his neck. 

Ambrose was only mildly annoyed by the discomfort the cat was causing him, and he huffed before carefully pulling his legs towards him, messily taking of his sandals and throwing them somewhere on the floor. That would be future Ambrose’s problem after all. 

He settled in and put a hand over Pumpkin’s neck, absentmindedly petting her as he drifted off to sleep.

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Character shorts: Thando

(Thando will be using she/her in this)

In the Queen’s elite guard there were twelve of them. Thando was the newest recruit and the youngest by several years, all of her markings hadn’t even come in all the way by the time she had found herself donning that uniform for the first time. She had traced the beadwork almost reverently, more in awe of what it represented than the quality.

 How long had she wanted this? Recognition. 

How recognizable was she now! In all the trappings of an elite guard, she got stares as she walked across the palace grounds. Children ran up to her and asked her if she was a hero, the kind they had heard of in stories. With her sword at her side, her composure spoke of strength and pride, she was one of a handful picked to keep the queen safe. 

A hero. Recognition.

But in the end, her comrades still poked fun at her. A tall sapling indeed, they’d say, but a sapling regardless. 

“Don’t be so eager to lose the freedom your youth gives you Thando!”

Well intentioned remarks that stung nonetheless. She had earned her place among them, and still she was treated like a child!

Her family was much the same. The day she had received confirmation of her new post she had cheered so loudly that her parents had rushed to her room. 

They had hugged her, told her how proud they were. 

Asked if she was sure this was what she wanted.

What else had she ever wanted? Recognition?

It took Thando four days and five of her new comrades in the elite guard to convince her siblings that she had really gotten the job. Hadn’t she been the fastest of them? The strongest? The bravest? What was so surprising? That someone had finally seen her potential?

The Queen looked at her one night, less sure of herself than she tended to be, rattled by a recent assassination attempt. Thando was the only guard with her by then, the others dispatched elsewhere or injured in the medical ward. 

The guard rested in the window, ever watchful as the queen flipped through a book, though she seemed to barely notice the words on the page. She had met Thando’s eyes,

“I’m glad you’re here, I feel safest with you.”

If Thando hadn’t already sworn all she was to her queen, she would have done it then and there. She seriously considered it regardless. She didn’t realize she was crying until her queen was rushing to her side.

This was what it felt like to be seen and acknowledged. Recognized.

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Love Interest: Ambrose

Age: 25

Gender: Male, uses he/him

Height: 5′7

Bio: Living in what’s usually considered the underbelly of his society, Ambrose takes care of his community, who like him- are usually looked down upon. To make money, Ambrose participates in an underground fighting ring, along with taking odd jobs for traders and craftsmen. He’s got a soft heart by nature, but he goes through life with his cynical and witty nature front and center, leaving little room for his more gentle attributes to shine through- at first.

Traits: Intelligent, street smart, generous, very aware, a bit reserved emotionally, can come across as harsh or blunt

Appearance: Ambrose has a fairly average, muscular build, with light brown skin, dark grey eyes, and short auburn hair, He has a Roman nose with a scar across his nose bridge, as well as facial piercings including a snake bite and a bridge piercing. He’s got pointed ears and various scars scattered across his body. He wears a short light colored toga that ends at his knee, with short sleeves and no decoration or extra layers, along with some simple sandals.

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Love Interest: Guthrie

Age: 24

Gender: Male, uses he/him

Height: 5′5

Bio: From a family of Nobility and politicians, Guthrie spent most of his life moving all over the world. He looks forward to inheriting his parents position and being able to help people! Guthrie is a kind soul, but his lack of actual life experience because of his upbringing and his blind optimism make him rather naïve.

Traits: A social butterfly, super sweet, hopeless romantic, optimist, is rather naïve (as mentioned before)

Appearance: Guthrie is short and has a sort of chubby build, with dark plum tinted skin, dark eyes, and fluffy light pink hair, shaved on either side and usually pulled up. He’s got a round nose with an inwards curving bridge and freckles on his face and shoulders (mostly). He also has pointed ears. Usually he wears light blue pants that flare at the bottoms, and a translucent blue top with cut out shoulders, bell sleeves and a split at the stomach, and light colored flats. 

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Love Interest: Beryl

Age: 24

Gender: Nonbinary, uses they/them

Height; 6′0

Bio: Beryl is from a rowdy seaport that’s mostly frequented by pirates and traders. They spend most of their time travelling and taking odd jobs. They seek excitement and are no stranger to the wilder aspects of life.

Traits: Kind, creative, emotionally intuitive, adventurous, tends to be impulsive

Appearance: Tall and hefty, with light brown skin, warm brown eyes, and dark brown hair that goes a bit past their shoulders, with a green streak. They have thin browns, a triangular design painted around one eye, a medium sized nose, a tooth gap and a bit of facial hair on their chin. Beryl also has pointed ears with several piercings. Generally they’re wearing a loose white blouse, a green waistcoat, a light colored skirt, a pink beaded sash, and a sleeveless overcoat that’s half purple, half magenta, as well as some gold detailing and chunky brown boots.

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Love Interest: Ada

Age: 23

Gender: Female, uses she/her

Height: 6′2

Bio: Ada is a guard in one of the Black Iron mountain cities. One of many children and much like many citizens around her, Ada strives to stand out and wants to make a name for herself.

Traits: Brave, strong willed, ambitious, kind hearted, can be pretty unsubtle and hard headed

Appearance: Ada is tall and solidly built with light skin, usually flushed pink, silver eyes, and white hair, usually kept up in a ponytail that reaches the bottom of her neck. She has a thin nose with a strong bridge, dark blue eye makeup that spikes down onto her cheeks. Ada has pointed ears, sharp teeth, the beginnings of horns starting to grown in, usually covered by her hair, as well as some mystery features that will be revealed later on ;) She’s usually wearing a high necked, long sleeved blue dress that reaches her ankles, a fur lined black cloak, and black gloves. Usually her outfits include patterns metallic trims and cuffs.

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Love Interest: Jing

Age: 26

Gender: Female, uses she/her

Height: 5′9

Bio: The only child of Clearwater city Counselman Lan Shengli, Jing has spent most of her life navigating delicate situations, political and personal. She’s trying to find a balance between other’s expectations for her and what she wants for herself. Used to tense discussions and mindless pleasantries, Jing has little experience in situations that include genuine words and actions.

Traits: Diplomatic, proud, straightforward, levelheaded, can be rather prissy and upright. 

Appearance: Jing has a lithe build, with incredibly light cool toned skin, dark eyes, and dark blue hair styled into a braided up-do, with bangs and a loose strand by each ear that reaches mid-chest. She has a medium sized, softly rounded nose. She wears light blue and purple eyeshadow. Jing has pointed ears, slightly webbed hands and feet and her skin shimmers slightly.  She usually wears dark blue dresses with transparent sections silver accessories.

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Love Interest: Thando

Age: 22

Gender: Genderfluid, usually uses he/him or she/her, occasionally they/them

Height: 6′5

Bio: The youngest of 3 children and the Queen’s elite guard- Thando is used to being teased and left behind, despite their advanced skillset. Still, they won’t let those things stop them from reaching their goals or dampen their spirits! 

Traits: Charming, Loyal, physically adept, humorous, a bit of a smart-ass at times

Appearance: Thando is tall and slim, with dark brown skin, rust colored eyes, and dark hair styled into Bantu knots with two strands by their ears that reach a bit past their shoulders that have beads at the ends. They have thick, angular brows, a wide mostly flat nose, dimples, and several beauty marks on their face, Thando has pointed ears markings on their body similar to the color of their eyes (not usually visible). They’re missing their left (from their perspective) arm from the upper half of their bicep down. Usually they’re in their uniform with mainly consists of a high necked, sleeveless dress cut off around their knees, dark red pants, foot wrappings, a beaded necklace and some beaded arm bands around their upper biceps. 

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Muddied waters

Muddied waters is an upcoming interactive novel focused on a colorful interpretation of fantasy worldbuilding, murder mysteries and political intrigue, and building relationships with the main cast! 

You play as a traveler in the city of Clearwater, where a training seminar is currently being held for soldiers, guards, and other elite warriors from all around the world. After a local official dies under mysterious circumstances, the state of international politics is perilous as old wounds are reopened, tensions reach a head, questionable decisions are made, as well as surprising alliances. You will travel with the main cast to attempt to assist in smoothing out the situation  before the world falls into chaos. But will international relations be the only ones formed during this journey?