The surface is off-limits.
No matter what kind of pipe dream you're trying to chase, what manic imagination lured you into believing it's better than the underground shit-hole you grew up in—you'll die there.
They'll kill you. They hate your kind. That's why you're down here in the first place. Don't forget it. Stop trying to look for an exit that doesn't exist.
You are what's known among your people as a seer. Born with the ability to hear the wailing of ancient souls, you move about the underground with your friend, your partner, and your soul-bound to banish them.
If you don't answer their call, you'll end up just like them. Angry, despaired, and clinging to things long past. Your sanity, for one.
People like you are fickle. Your soul has been whisked away into the beyond before. It's a miracle you're alive. People like you are rare. Sacred. Needed to keep your home safe.
So what's going to happen if one day, the call comes from beyond the walls you know? A home with no apparent exit? If you make it outside, will you survive?
Will people try to kill you like they did with your ancestors? Will you manage to soothe the spirit that called to you, or will you go insane while trying?
Or perhaps, will it lead you through an elaborate court full of intrigue and betrayal, where you are forced to pretend to be someone you couldn't be any more different from?
Someone who left behind a murky legacy in their death. One that you're now tasked with solving.
Your closest confidante, and an easily irritable man. Growing up, Páv has always been gifted when it comes to magic. He's a lot stronger than you in that regard.
Thankfully, your close bond allows you to dip into his arcane reservoirs, so that you're not just standing off to the side when combating vengeful spirits.
He'd like it if you were more cautious with it, though. Killjoy.
— He/Him - Bisexual - Introduced in Ch. 1 —
Future ruler of Chánjuān—Land of light.
They have an easy-going attitude about... Anything of importance, really. To a worrying degree. You don't know why they're so respected among court with an attitude like that.
It doesn't help that they refuse to personally debrief you about the wild goose chase they've sent you on.
— They/them - Bisexual - Introduced in Ch. 3 —
Right hand advisor of the sovereign.
A medium—just like you, he claims—and aspiring court mage, who specialises in fortune telling and being the most vain person in the room at all times.
He's charming, flirtatious, and frankly a little intimidating with his quick wits and forked silver tongue.
— He/him - Bisexual - Introduced in Ch. 3 —
You didn't expect a guard to be so easy with her smiles, nor so generous with her attention. Not just with you—with anyone.
She's tall, broad-shouldered, and unmistakably capable. At times, she seems like your only ally who's sound of mind. And her loyalty runs deep.
Maybe a little too deep.
— She/her - Lesbian - Introduced in Ch. 4 —
A noble whose electric-blue gaze seems to pierce right through you. As if seeing beyond that puny façade you're desperately trying to keep up.
He doesn't have the time nor the nerve to fool around, and he makes this very clear at all times. Assertive as they come. Not just matching, but surpassing Páv's caustic streak.
That resolve seems to falter a little around his fellow mage and royal advisor, though.
— He/him - Bisexual - Introduced in Ch. 4 —
You know her so very well, don't you?
You better act like you do, and act good, you hear?
Good luck.
— She/her - Bisexual - Introduced in Ch. 5 —
A fully customisable MC: Name, Pronouns, Gender, Sexuality, Appearance → (Please note that the character whose identity you assume later on is male, and you will be addressed as such by a variety of characters)
A character-driven story with a cast of six romanceable characters, including two planned poly routes (and a pending toxic third one...)
Navigate the royal court and all of its intrigues, and solve the mystery which the strange ghost call has left in its wake.
Your very own feline familiar!
And a lot of optional dynamic smut scenes down the line...
Please make sure to tag me in any posts that remind you of the story/characters, fan art (I love seeing MCs), etc! And don't be shy to suggest more choices to better roleplay as your MC. I can't guarantee that I'll include them, but I will absolutely read and consider any ideas. 💜
-
Hi! Can I ask what poly routes and what types (like all dating or a V poly) are planned if that's not a spoiler/trouble? I'm eyeing multiple characters and can't choose for the life of me, so and I wondered if I could solve this problem of mine by making them kiss too :3
It's alright if not! I'll wait for the reveal whenever it happens
Hi! I was admittedly very unsure how to answer this more in-depth without spoiling too much about character dynamics, so I'll be curt:
I can't wait to learn more!!! I really love Czech names and culture. My first exposure as a kid was Pat & Mat (I know it isn't just Czech but it counts), though dubbed. Not that the culture will be explored in this game because this seems like its High Fantasy with just Czech names in use. Other than that, Zima from Press Play and maybe a character or two from College Tennis are the only others I can think of. The art you've commissioned as well as your graphics are very nice. They remind me of games I've enjoyed in the past. Not to mention all the use of purple. The mystery and intrigue in the description is also very nice.
Also
"Your closest confidante, and an easily irritable man." I like that a lot. I love prickly characters.
I do try to include small nods to slavic culture here and there (i.e MC mentioning Medovník at the end of Ch. 1). The main draw of my inspiration for the underground comes from Czech historical periods of religious persecution and political oppression, though. Some of the character's experiences are also directly inspired by my grandfather's stories of his escape from Czechoslovakia!
I would love to loredump about it all, but it'd be a MASSIVE spoiler, unfortunately! 😔
Thank you so much for the kind ask, and I'm glad that Páv caught your eye! I love writing his interactions with MC, and there will be a lot more to come for his character. 👁️💜
question: what does the "Please note that the character whose identity you assume later on is male, and you will be addressed as such by a variety of characters" in the intro post mean exactly? are we going to possess someone in the court? can we still play as a non-male mc? sorry for the confusion and hope u have a nice week. loved the demo and páv!
Your MC can be any gender, with any pronouns!
However, for plot reasons, you will eventually have to impersonate a specific male character. Some characters (ROs) have to play along and treat the MC as him while the disguise is in place, while others outright don't know it's a façade, so will therefore refer to the MC as said male character—name, title, and pronouns.
In private, and provided that they know, characters will refer to you with the correct name and pronouns of your MC.
I put a disclaimer since I figured these circumstances might be uncomfortable for some readers. In part since I also plan to explore the identity incongruence more in-depth. Not just based on gender alone, but also when it comes to status, and the personality expected of your MC to display.
Your MC, regardless of gender, can decide how they feel about this. They can even like it to some degree, and explore why that is or vehemently reject and bury that thought.
I'm so happy you enjoyed the demo!! Thank you for reading, I wish you an amazing week as well! 😊
Yeah that was ignorant on my part. Very sorry about saying that about his name. It just for some reason reminded me of when fantasy games such as D&D take Slavic names and rearrange them or take letters out instead of making up their own names but that doesn't excuse how mean that sounded even if I didn't intended for it to be. Also very happy about the MC also having long ears!!!
No worries anon! I didn't take offence to it.
There's some other Czech words sprinkled throughout the first chapter, and once you're going to pick your MC's names in a later chapter, the suggested choices will be Czech as well! Though, of course, you can also pick your own, and it doesn't have to be Czech! 😊
I wonder what the rest of the names are? Pav's name sounds like altered-for-fantasy Russian (not that thats a bad thing) The artwork is lovely and so are the synopsis and details. I wonder if MC will also have tall ears? Most of the time in fiction where you can romance a magical elf or fae* (not that they're always called elves or fae) the main character is almost always a human or has the appearance of one.
*just placed so I can share my dislike of most depictions of fae in media that have romance in them.
Páv's name is Czech! It means peacock. So far the plan is to reveal the other RO's names/art shortly before I upload the chapter in which they appear in.
And don't worry, MC can absolutely have long ears! The ears have nothing to do with being an "elf". Majority of the people in this world have long/pointed ears (including all of the ROs). Páv's are just particularly long, lol.
Thank you for the sweet words! 😊
