A small indie studio focusing on narrative-driven games and immersive storytelling with diversity. While our works are for everyone, the LGBTQ+ community is kept especially in mind. 🏳️🌈
This blog, the content therein, and any games made by us are for adults (18+) and are not suitable for minors.
A small indie studio focusing on narrative-driven games and immersive storytelling with diversity.
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— The Twilight Order
【❰❬ ᴅᴇᴍᴏ ᴛʙᴀ | ᴘᴏsᴛ | ᴛᴀɢ ❭❱】
A psychological horror/thriller about choice & consequence, TTO follows the tale of the Seer as they navigate the high fantasy world of Yereth-Shai battling demons both literal and figurative. Will they save the world, or will they burn it down?
— The Mystic Pawn
【❰❬ ᴅᴇᴍᴏ ᴛʙᴀ | ᴘᴏsᴛ | ᴛᴀɢ ❭❱】
A high fantasy slice-of-life romance, TMP follows the efforts of the Adventurer as they leave their successful career behind and settle into their early retirement. Who knew running a pawn shop could be so exciting!
this is an extremely short, late night post i am just putting here to let y'all know I have some ~news~ to share (of the goodish kind i think!!), and will be making a more official post in the next few days - just not right now because i am incoherently sleep deprived. 😂
it just occurred to me that there's been an uptick in new follows and general activity on tumblr, and I should probably show some life here to reassure that everything is still Active. 😅 so update soon!
Stella and a Mysterious Person from their past (vague due to spoilers)!
Inspired by & meant as a loosely subversive take on The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini. This is more WIP folder cleanup. It was meant to get fully painted but I am sick of looking at it and actually like it more just lines only. 😂
Talks on the server reminded me how much I enjoy when the usually-smooth Nova is... not so smooth. So, here is an early draft of a scene that does a good job of illustrating Soggy Cat Nova.
The version in this post doesn't include any of the variations or player choices, so don't worry if it doesn't fit the type of MC you want to play. This format just makes it easier to read for now.
Context: Early book one. MC has only known Stella & Nova for about a week. Unexpected disaster separated everyone. This is the route that has MC meeting Andrai first, and this scene introduces Désiré (though the bulk of that has been omitted).
Hope you enjoy!
Your arrival only receives the barest acknowledgment.
There's an uncomfortable mood hanging over the makeshift camp. Like they're all far too busy trying to sink into the ground to notice the new arrivals with the giant tiger. Definitely not what you expected from a crew of criminals.
But, the mood becomes understandable once your taciturn guide leads you to the heart of the camp.
Nova.
How loudly the Nightmare is complaining stifles your relief in finding someone familiar. Or, maybe it was more like whining? You catch at least 4 uses of the word 'terrible' and 6 of 'unfair' before you finally come to a stop at the edge of the group. Definitely whining, then.
"And as if getting shipwrecked wasn't bad enough," they lament, potentially for the 3rd time, "I get washed into a bog! A bog!"
Andrai grumbles beside you, so quiet you assume it is unintentional. "It's a saltwater swamp…"
"I am soaked! I am filthy! Look at my clothes! My boots!"
You glance around at the other faces in the group as the tirade continues, finding no one else familiar. The group is diverse, and they all seem to be withering beneath Nova's complaints. Some meet your gaze but return to shifting around uncomfortably when you don't jump in to save them.
The complete lack of security or suspicion irks you. Whether it is from overconfidence or inexperience, they are far too lax for a group of criminals. You're about to write them off when you feel a strange prickle against your skin. The hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. There is a predator nearby. A threat.
[[ INSERT MEETING DEZ FOR THE FIRST TIME HERE ]]
"You!" The force of the accusation interrupts all else, causing an involuntary flinch. So, Nova has finally noticed your presence.
"This is your fault!" They're standing now, voice shrill and indignant. Their shoulders hiked up to their ears as they point aggressively in your direction. "I never would have had to leave my house if it wasn't for you and your damn Hunter! I hope her armor made her sink!"
"Hey!"
"Oh, don't you dare!" You clamp your mouth shut. Now you get why the smugglers had deflated into an uncomfortable silence and awkward shuffling. This was a rampaging Nightmare no Seer could stop; best to let it run its course, then.
"I have seawater in places it has no business being," Nova continues, ticking off on their fingers. You marvel at how they still manage to strike such a haughty air while looking like a drowned rat. "I'm soaked to the bone and covered in mud, grime, and Void knows what else. This reek I am subjected to is unspeakable, and I promise you, Eau de bog is definitely not in season right now."
The ranger at your side shifts like it physically pains him to not correct the misclassification.
"There is no amount of laundering in the world that could possibly save my current outfit." They gesture wildly at the once-colorful silk of their ensemble, stained and sopping. "Oh, and also! It's a shame that fish don't enjoy the bespoke! Considering all my luggage, all of it, is sitting at the bottom of the ocean right now. An entire wardrobe, worth more than you make in a lifetime, gone, just like that!" They take a sharp breath. Their hands ball into fists, trembling in a uniquely regal kind of rage as their meltdown peaks.
"And my boots, [Name]! My! Boots!"
Silence descends, and it carries the kind of gravity that should only go with war crimes and great tragedies. Though, you imagine Nova finds that appropriate. A glance around confirms the whole camp, save the dispassionate smuggler, seems to be holding its breath. Waiting, still as can be, hopeful the Nightmare is finally done. And, wary of setting them off again.
That hope seems to bloom when Nova finally releases a deep, slow sigh, their tension going with it. It seems they're exhausted from their extended outburst. They start to lean, likely to flop back against the crate behind them in one final act of drama. You teeter on the edge of celebration with the rest, peace and quiet so close you can taste it—
"Oh but, wait."
You blink, a flash of collective confusion when a new voice breaks the silence. All eyes move to watch as the assassin, Stella, materializes next to the dispassionate smuggler as if he'd been there the whole time. He likely was, you realize, and he shoots you a winning smile across the group.
But once more, any relief in seeing a familiar face halts, this time stopped by the dispassionate smuggler. He's finally stopped staring at you to start emoting, eyes closing beneath a furrowed brow. He looks… tired? And you quickly realize why.
"Dreamwalker, babe," Stella coos, grin positively gleeful despite his voice being over-laden with sympathy. Nova's eyes re-sharpen. You swear you see multiple smugglers jolt to stop Stella from speaking. If only.
"There's something weird in your hair."
Time stops. Until, slowly, Nova raises shaking hands to their head, eyes wide. They repeat Stella's claim in a mumble before a look of unadulterated horror skews their face. The no-longer-dispassionate smuggler releases a sigh that can only be described as long-suffering. Andrai is pinching the bridge of his nose in supreme annoyance, the feeling echoed in the chuff let out by his tiger. Stella's grin has become maliciously revelrous as they lovingly deliver the final push.
"Looks kinda slimy, actually. Need some help?"
Chaos descends, and it is a cacophony: Nova's shrieks, the mournful groans of a camp denied peace, and the positively delighted cackling of an assassin who you'd very much like to strangle.
It might be a dumb question but do you have an ETA on any of the demos? I checked the FAQ and I don’t have Discord so sorry if you’ve gotten the question there.
Hey there, Anon!
Not a dumb question at all! Now that you mention it, I probably should put up a note in the FAQ.
As for your question, I, unfortunately, can't provide an ETA. I had hoped to be well into release by now, but shortly after I first made the blog and announced the games I got hit with some major health crisis. I've essentially been bedridden this entire time, so production more or less halted on like... everything. I'm literally more than a year behind my original schedule.
That all being said, however, I can at least say that I am finally, finally doing better. I've been able to get out of bed more in the past few weeks, and have had some energy back. I don't want to make promises yet, but my hope is that this spells good things and progress in the near future.
The short answer: I have no idea when things will be up due to unexpected health concerns, but the projects are not in any way dead and I am still pursuing production.
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@wywrds asked:
oh okay might as well jump here real quick, someone got me thinking of this and then I remember that Syn is sorta new?? To being a god (I think). How does he feel about being a god? What there an adjustment period of some sort for him to settle in and relax?
Asking because someone brought up how ‘made gods’ lose themself and become what people worship (if the whole thing of godship is. People believe in you so much you become immortal)
If syn was always a god then nvm mixing up things
All good questions, which will require some context to answer! But I will try to make this painless, so bear with my lore dumping for just a bit.
Synethiira is an ascended mortal and was originally a regular (albeit magically gifted) elf. His ascension was at age 6, and as he is currently only 128, he's definitely new to divinity in relative terms. But to understand how he feels about his divinity, it's essential to know how the divine functions in this setting and how Syn ascended in the first place.
Let's talk about the divine pantheon and how divinity functions in this setting. First and foremost, before Syn, there was no such thing as a 'made' god or ascension. Gods were 'born' fully formed when a specific sphere or aspect became prevalent enough to warrant a divine vessel to oversee it. Therefore, the pantheon, which consists of 9 gods (excluding Syn), has always been divine beings. Their existences are hinged upon the spheres they preside over since they are the literal manifestation of their domains. They will exist so long as what they preside over exists, and they have power proportional to the breadth of their fields. This is why the gods are very protective of their domains, since the loss of a domain means loss of power and, potentially, erases the need for their existence.
As an example of how this works in practice, the current chief deity of the pantheon is the God of Law, Order, and Judgment, who has gained the sub-domains of Justice, Vigilance, and Civilization. He is actually one of the youngest deities in the pantheon, only arriving in the very early days of the oldest immortal races, and was initially relatively weak in comparison. However, as populations grew and culture flourished into civilization, his domains expanded, and he rapidly increased in power. So much so that he is now one of the most powerful deities in the pantheon and took up the chief position. Whether people worship him or not doesn't matter - the fact that his domains exist and are incredibly potent does.
This system of domains is how the heavens have always been maintained. The gods have been known to meddle to increase their influence to sustain themselves or even steal domains from each other, but they cannot touch or change the fundamental 'rules' of their existence. In this way, the system is entirely unbiased and forces the gods onto an even playing field.
But what controls the system itself, and what makes or unmakes the gods when necessary?
Magic. In this setting, magic is the fabric of the multiverse; it creates, destroys, sustains, and permeates anything and everything. It is the heartbeat of existence and the breath of nonexistence. There was never a god of magic because magic was all the gods and so much more. It is an incomprehensible and undeniable force and has always simply been.
And then Lesedi, God of Knowledge, Secrets, and Discovery, decided to perform an experiment.
Which brings us to context part two: how did Synethiira ascend? In short, Lesedi gambled and broke the system.
To start, it's essential to understand the scope of Lesedi's own domains and, by extension, their nature. As the god of Knowledge, they are omniscient in the most literal sense. This isn't just about facts or learning or logic. This is knowing in the purest sense; they are acutely aware of everything, ever, including any and all potential outcomes that may branch from any and all potential situations during any and all potential times on any and all potential planes or states of existence across any and all potential universes.
Then one day, they stumbled upon this distraught 6-year-old and knew that in a single potential future out of infinite possibilities and failures, he could successfully ascend to ultimate divinity as the manifestation of magic itself. And Lesedi, being Lesedi, thought that would be highly entertaining to see. So they fulfilled their part of this potential future to start Syn on the path and sat back to watch what would happen. Considering the astronomical odds, they were not expecting the future where Syn succeeded would be the one that came true.
Suffice to say, Lesedi knew they were going to be in profound trouble with the rest of the pantheon, what with how they just knowingly helped a child become the most powerful force in all existence.
During his ascension, though, Synethiira the mortal was utterly obliterated so that he could become something far more significant and well beyond even divine understanding. Just like how the other gods are their domains, Synethiira is magic. And, since magic is the fabric of the multiverse, suffice to say, he no longer thinks, feels, or perceives things as an ordinary being would.
So now we can actually get to answering your question! Finally!
How does Syn feel about being a god? He would answer that he knows no other way to feel. Yes, he did retain his life memories before his ascension, but he was six and traumatized. What memories were there were vague at best and felt foreign and uncomfortable to a mind so wholly changed. With time and growth, they simply ceased to matter. Sure, he could hold on to these vague sensations and ideas of mortality, but why would he when they aren't what he knows anymore through lived experience?
Was there an adjustment period? No, and yes. No, because becoming the manifestation of magic came with an innate understanding of all that magic entails. Yes, because his physical form had to do a lot of catching up. Successfully ascending was only possible because he was young and malleable, but the downside was his body couldn't manage the sudden power. Lesedi maintains that the reason Syn still went through a 'normal' growing up process after ascending was a subconscious choice on his part, to allow himself to slowly adjust to his new state of being over time. I suppose you could think of it as divine puberty, almost? But he is competent and comfortable with his divinity now and has been for many, many years.
What about the worship aspect, and how it might change someone? I would say it's entirely plausible even for the typical gods, as there are a good few who let the power of their churches go to their heads even if the worship of their followers has no tangible effect on them. But in Syn's case, it's not really applicable; after all, no one worships the God of Magic because there shouldn't even be a God of Magic. To the rest of the world, magic never changed; it's still the same incomprehensible force it's always been. And Syn is perfectly content to keep things that way.
And there you go. Er... Ask me no questions, and I will write you no essays. My bad. 😅
'Taste In Characters That Tumblr Would Cancel Me For’ Bingo
[ Original Here by @/girlcaligula ]
This was shared in the server and I thought it was hilarious, so I filled it out for my projects (and the one unannounced future project that’s been server only for now).
The result was pretty hysterical, in my opinion, so I wanted to share! 😂
Adrian, author of The Twilight Order & The Mystic Pawn
People With Disabilities Month Featured Author
You are a Seer: a respected member of the Twilight Order. Seers are bound to a Nightmare, making them the only mortals capable of Void magic and, thus, the only ones capable of neutralizing the Nightmare threat. Seers are honored for their sacrifice, as their power, while necessary, is a death sentence. Most die violent deaths from the corruption or simply go insane in only a few short years.
Not you, though. You are special. You didn’t choose the position, train vigorously for years, or undergo the binding ritual that would forcibly meld a Nightmare to your psyche. Your Nightmare has always been there, seemingly because they want to be.
You were brought to the Order as a child when your abilities became known. After many years of study, tests, and training, you have made a name for yourself as one of the most potent Seers in history.
Now the Order is sending you to investigate Void activity reports out of Alli vi Piugio, capital of the merchant kingdom of Chepria. While there, it has become quickly apparent there is more going on than meets the eye.
Figures that being ’special’ would mean you have to literally save the world.
Demo TBA | Discord | Art Blog | Read more about The Twilight Order [here] & The Mystic Pawn [here]
The game focuses on you, the eldest of a family of witches from the small, idyllic town of Ferngrove where nothing ever happens. Your family are witches in a town of humans, and as a result you grew up sheltered and unaware of the magical world, besides the little your parents deemed safe enough for you to know. Other than weak charms and potions of luck, you don’t really know anything about the supernatural world. You left Ferngrove when you graduated from high school and never looked back, becoming a successful journalist at the Echo Gazette in a big city like you always dreamed. Depending on your choices, you have Skyped with your family and they might have taken trips out to see you in the city, but you have not stepped foot back in your hometown.
That is, until you get a call that changes your life forever. Your mother is dead. Aleia Craft. The woman you thought invincible. You must travel home for the funeral and contend with a darker conspiracy. As you begin to unravel the mystery of your mother’s death and the secrets she left behind, you begin to realise she is a woman you didn’t know at all. Soon, you see that there are things at play here bigger than you could have ever imagined. Dark forces conspire against you. It will be up to you whether you can withstand the storm brewing on the horizon. Make allies and enemies, fall in love, hone your magic, and discover your legacy. Be careful who you trust, even those closest to you are not what they seem.
Demo TBA | Author’s Ko-fi | Read more about Witches of Ferngrove [here]
Can you collect all of the fragments, solve the mysteries, and find your way to a happy ending?
In this mysterious otome game, play as a protagonist (name customizable but “Xani” by default) struggling to cope with the hand life has dealt you. Your mother’s death was a tragedy that left you cynical and numb to the world. Now, though, greater challenges are piling up fast - and it all begins when you find out you are not entirely human.
The disappearance of a friend. A sudden attack that leaves you wounded. Mysterious characters entering and leaving your life. Growing bonds. Coming to terms with what exactly “humanity” is…
Please. Find a happy ending. Don’t let tragedy be the only option.
Demo & Full Game | Read more about Heart Fragment [here]
Day 3 of the People With Disabilities Month Featured Author Interviews! Next up, we’ve got…Jess!
Jess, author of Fields of Asphodel and co-author of Diaspora
People With Disabilities Month Featured Author
Fields of Asphodel is a game in which the player takes on the role of the Greek pantheon’s deity of spring, on the eve of their (decidedly political) marriage to Hades, Lord of the Dead. After the constantly-simmering feud between Zeus and Demeter results in the rather unfortunate circumstance of a marriage neither party really consents to, the PC is whisked away to the Underworld, an unfamiliar realm that is all but the antithesis of fair Olympus.
There, they have the chance to make what they will of the lot they have drawn. The residents of the Underworld are an unusual, and unusually-accepting bunch, and there are friends or possible romantic connections to be made as well as a rather odd supporting cast to get to know, from the ever-bickering Moirae sisters to Hades’s young adopted daughter Makaria to Kerberos, the gigantic, fire-breathing, three-headed dog.
But for all its charms—if indeed the PC should find any—the Underworld is not without its problems, and when a mysterious wasting disease afflicts Lethe, the river goddess of oblivion, the entire balance of life and death may be in jeopardy. It will take the PC, as well as the rest of the cast, to not only cure the affliction, but solve the mystery of what’s causing it, and deal with the ever-spiraling fallout of the dead beginning to remember.
Of course, I shouldn’t be misleading—the game is mostly about the relationships between its characters, and found family.
Fields of Asphodel Demo | Diaspora Demo | Discord | Author’s Ko-fi | Patreon | Kraken Studios Ko-fi | Kraken Studios Patreon | Read more about Fields of Asphodel [here] and Diaspora [here]
Day 2 of the People With Disabilities Month Featured Author Interviews! Our next author on the roaster….Alex!
Alex, author of Forgotten Names
People With Disabilities Month Featured Author
You’re one of the five Northern Gates Council members. Your territory is strange to say the least, with eerie, sentient woods and something beyond your border that no one speaks of. You’ve assumed the position as one of the rulers recently, so you’re still trying to figure it out.
That would be hard enough by itself, but one night you receive word from the Silent Throne that you’re being summoned to the court, because something happened. So you must depart immediately.
An uncanny forest, magic, a lost legacy, royal problems and conflict between regions. Welcome to Eblur Kingdom. And be careful not to forget your name
Forgotten Names Demo | Author’s Ko-fi | Read more about Forgotten Names [here]
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What would be the RO’s ideal gift(s) from the Seer?
Mira's ideal gift from a unromanced Seer would be having a Bestie Day together where they can just spend time enjoying each other's company or doing any kind of joint hobbies they may have. Mira would especially be tickled if Seer was willing to spar with them a little bit. Mostly, though, it's about just having some good quality time without any worries or responsibilities hanging over their heads for once.
From a romanced Seer, Mira's ideal gift is pretty similar, but with more focus on letting Mira spoil them without complaint. Mira genuinely enjoys taking care of Seer and pampering them, so being allowed to do so without Seer worrying about giving back or something would be lovely. ....They would still be tickled if Seer agreed to spar with them, though.
Nova's ideal gift from an unromanced Seer would basically be the equivalent of friendship bracelets. Basically just some small accessory (doesn't matter how cheap or tacky honestly) that Seer has the matching pair to and that they can both wear. Definitely bonus points if Seer attempted to hand-make (or commission) something. Nova will love it even if it's ugly tbh.
From a romanced Seer, Nova's ideal gift would be an honest love letter. Doesn't need to be flowery or eloquent, but just having how Seer feels about them, in their own words and writing, would mean a great deal to Nova. They'd likely keep the letter on their person at all times, tucked safely into the hidden pocket inside their robes, over their heart.
Stella's ideal gift from an unromanced Seer would be, unsurprisingly, books! Especially meaningful if Seer went out of their way to find a book Stella's been after forever, or a new installment from a series or author they like or something.
From a romanced Seer, Stella's ideal gift would be giving them a pampered day where they can just lounge around and read, and Seer will take care of them. Doesn't have to be anything super fancy like spa day or something (though they wouldn't say no to a massage), but just letting them have a day where they can quietly luxuriate in their company and indulge in their favorite hobbies.
Désiré's ideal gift from an unromanced Seer is probably helping him out with his daily tasks and responsibilities. Dez never complains, but running an entire community of people & families is a lot of work, and sometimes it's nice to have help. Especially for the more mundane stuff, like balancing the books or taking inventory and stuff. Dez isn't particularly good a asking for help, so if Seer just kinda went 'today I am assisting whether you like it or not!' he'd really appreciate it.
For a romanced Seer, Dez's ideal gift would be... pretty much anything that allowed them to be comfortably physically close with each other (as in non-sexual physical intimacy). Touch is so extremely important to Dez, both emotionally and just as a part of his daily life, so he would appreciate being allowed to indulge in cuddling or even just holding hands or something
Vittore Simone's ideal gift from an unromanced Seer would be them arranging an actual day off for him and then forcing him to actually take it by spending time with him doing fun things, not work things. We know that V uses working as a way to self medicate, but another big reason he never takes time off is because he doesn't want to saddle anyone else with the weight of his responsibilities even temporarily. So if Seer conspired with V's staff to make arrangements for his responsibilities to be handled for the day, that's one big hurdle defeated. Then, filling V's day with quality time and fun stuff not only helps him relax and rest, but fills V's need to keep busy. He's be extremely grateful and probably get some of the best sleep of his life that night lol.
For a romanced Seer, V's ideal gift would be sitting for an informal portrait. Nothing big or requiring much fanfare, but some small portrait that V can carry with him on his business trips (think like a wallet photo). Extreme super bonus points if Seer also writes a mini love note to go along with it.
Andrai's ideal gift from an unromanced Seer would be going on a hike with him, or something else suitably immersed in nature, especially if Seer is usually not the type to like to go do nature-ie stuff. Ideally, Andrai would love if Seer agreed to go for a little weekend camping trip with him in Ongi specifically, since those are Andrai's stomping grounds. He'd enjoy being able to show Seer his favorite places in the forest, and all the beautiful and magical things about it that most non-native-elves don't even know exist. He'd especially love it if Seer asked questions about things they encounter or otherwise was engaged in the trek, because he'd enjoy answering their questions or explaining anything regarding living off nature. He knows it's not for everyone, but the forest is his home, so it would be deeply meaningful to him to get to share it with someone important to him.
For a romanced Seer, Andrai's ideal gift would be to agree to join him on a weekend visit to his family. He is all too aware of how overwhelming his family is, so he gets nervous about them essentially scaring people off, so he usually... limits exposure, if you will. But his family is so, so important to him, so it would mean the world to him if Seer put in the effort to get to know them despite their eccentricities. He doesn't expect Seer to become best of friends with the whole group of them or anything (though he'd be so happy if Seer did find friendship with some of them), but just the effort put forward on Seer's part to have some kind of relationship would have him over the moon.
Vzridmi's ideal gift from an unromanced Seer would be, similar to Mira, having a Bestie Day! She would want to go shopping and go out to eat and just do indulgent fun stuff, especially the more superfluous luxuries they don't normally get to indulge in (like spa day!). She'd just enjoy the chance to spend the day chatting, laughing, and having fun with someone important to her; especially because she knows she sometimes struggles to leave research mode, so being forced to get her nose out of her books and actually enjoy some friend time would be lovely.
For a romanced Seer, Mimi's ideal gift would be a combo of relaxation time and Seer agreeing to let her give them a tour of her lab. Mimi's research and pursuits are derisive at best and she regularly faces a lot of backlash and cruelty from the academic & scientific communities, if they don't outright treat her like a hack or like she's insane. So being allowed to just ramble about her work and the things she's so excited about, especially if Seer is engaged in the conversation and asks questions and such, would be extremely meaningful to her (doubly so if she knows science and research aren't really Seer's cup of tea). She'd especially love if Seer agreed to do a fun little experiment with her; nothing serious, think middle school lab level stuff. Just something small they can do for fun together. Then, after the lab tour, going out to eat and having a relaxing evening together would be the perfect end of the day.
