depths asunder

devblog for pirate IF depths asunder. [she/her]

[depthsasunder-if]

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.

[DEMO TBA] 𓊝 [CHARACTER POSTS]

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 :)

[depthsasunder-if]

If this is spoiler than feel free to ignore obviously, but will there be a chance of mutiny? I mean pirates be pirates at the end of the day and I wouldn’t be surprised if one happened if MC doesn’t appease the crew often.

Maybe........

[depthsasunder-if]

thank you for 1k followers wow! I've been working hard on the demo! My silence is mostly just because I'm prioritizing the demo so we can have something to talk about once it's out :)

[depthsasunder-if]

My Captain naming the ship after their best friend and first mate ? No, it's not an obvious crush, they just appreciate their first mate so much. So, so, so much.

Gaelin would secretly love that but they wouldn't admit it.... <3

[depthsasunder-if]

BODYGUARD TROPE ROMANCE? I’M IN

YAY

[depthsasunder-if]

Every time I read the Introduction I get real excited about the story! So in the meantime I started to collect names for my future ship. I'm somewhat between "thorny rose" and "black swallow".

Do we, as a Pirate, get to choose a title as well? Like Morgan has "deadeye". Then I can start to think of some for my pirate too hehe.

You do get to choose a title, yes! It will be a set of options with a backstory, but if none of those interests you, you will be able to type it in. The only thing is that there won't be a backstory for it, so MC will respond with a vague, "if I tell you, I'd have to kill you" or equally humorously dismissive quips like that!

[depthsasunder-if]

would mc and morgan’s rivalry carry over to their romantic relationship as well? i love that kind of banter soooo much 🫶🏻 i like when the spark stays instead of it dying the second they get into a relationship

their banter will still stay! Morgan's personality is a big part of the rivalry because Morgan naturally likes to provoke and get on people's nerves, and that definitely doesn't go away in a relationship with them aha

[depthsasunder-if]

Am real excited about annoying A with a very scandalous MC haha, but what about the bodyguard thing? I'm certain there must be a MC gets hurt because they had to protect A, despite their differences if any. Can't wait for that tbh. How A will take that, someone risking their literal life for them <3 Sooo excited for their dynamic yaay!

A is so easily flustered due to their upbringing it's kind of funny. And yes, MC will probably be close to death so many times that A may just start panicking and wondering why the hell they came on this ship in the first place.

A is used to having guards, but having a pirate go above and beyond to protect them will make them confused at first. Pirates have a very specific reputation and if MC treats them a certain way, it'll basically destroy their worldview a bit. Nobles and pirates don't mix. Never have, but their partnerships are a necessary evil. A was taught to treat pirates like the scum under their boot, or that's how most people in the nobility treat them.

Excited for their dynamic! Opposites attract trope is my fav.

[evertidings]

any upcoming/new ifs that you're excited about?

the best thing about this community is that there're always new games to be excited about. these are just a few that are on my radar <3

project dark, @projectdark-if

gods and villains, @godsandvillains-if

stonewall, @stonewall-if

depths asunder, @depthsasunder-if

lamb to the slaughter, @hvllowheart

the scars i live with, @thescarsilivewith-if

the great protector, @greatprotector-if

viper and dove, @viperdove-if

bloody desires: the cure, @bloodydesires-if

[depthsasunder-if]

Been working on the demo! (It’s quite a lot.)

[dianathelouisgirl]

pov: you're the pirate captain 🏴‍☠️

[depthsasunder-if]

HI! First off i want to say im very excited for this game(i fuckin love pirates there needs to be more pirate games) the story already has me hooked and the the demo isnt even out yet.

I do have a question about the most important RO the ship. I was wondering if we will get to choose what kind of ship it is(brig, frigate, etc) or will it always be the same ship?

thanks and I agree!! And I do want to do that. I’ve been doing research on the different types of ships and their benefits/possible weakness to incorporate that in sea battles! 🤭 For right now, there will be different types!

[depthsasunder-if]

I love how close Gaelin and MC are. It sure would be a shame if MC was on a different romance route, but their bond and intimacy with Gaelin led to misunderstandings with the other ROs. 🤭

Very interesting thought...🤭

[depthsasunder-if]

Jgjsjskglskdk. Now I can't help but imagine S saying to MC they're over 300 (i mean i guess? Given the fact there's 12/13 lunar cycles a year), hence the common misconception that merfolks have centuries long lifespans.

The opportunities for jokes that can be made...it would be very funny!

[depthsasunder-if]

What kind of magical items can MC get during their voyage??? I have a desire to know if Jack sparrow compass will be added into it. I do love that compass.

There will be magical items like that :) There's quite a few I have in mind that can either help or harm MC's journey. They stop at a lot of places.

I kind of imagine a Nathan Drake scenario on MC's stops where they have to venture to the craziest places to find the treasures!

[depthsasunder-if]

How old is the MC and the casts?

Right now I'm thinking 28 for MC.

As for the rest of the cast:

A is 32.

Gaelin is 30.

Morgan is 30.

Castor is 25.

Merfolk don't count the years but rather lunar cycles but that would be a lot lol physically they're 26.

Ruth is 14

[depthsasunder-if]

thank you everyone <3 600+ already is wild but I'm working hard on the demo since I think a demo would serve as a better introduction than anything else :))