Hey all! I have an update on the story outline that is a little bittersweet! Gifted isn't going anywhere, but the changes I'm making are massive, but very exciting for me.
Firstly: the demo (linked here) is no longer canon. Nothing from the original demo will be carried over to the next draft.
The demo I've written and published above, and will remain available to play, was my first foray into interactive fiction writing, and though I'm quite proud of it on its own, when attempting to elaborate on its concept, I found myself roadblocked and unsure where to go with the plot and MCs story. However, I love the world id built, and didn't want to have to scrap it and put the ROs in a whole new world, which leads into point two...
The ROs & Gifted World remain
Shana & Karim are still around, and their backstories are still the same, so asks pertaining to them as people still hold up generally speaking. However, In this new version of the story, we have 4 ROs; 2 from the OG story/plot, and 2 new characters. The story of gifted is still set in the same fantasy world as the original, though MC is new and improved! The main changes are to plot & MC's character/backstory.
Gifted is changing majorly, but the more things change the more they stay the same.
I do want to apologize for these changes and stringing folks along for a story that no longer exists. I am not sure that I will not use those plot bunnies in a future project, but for gifted, it was creating more problems than bringing joy, and that felt like a waste of the world & cast.
In the next days I'll be reviewing things and preparing a new intro post, but the original gifted demo will stay up for archival purposes and those who wish to retain access to it.
I apologize again for this inconvenience, and thank those ready to give Gifted: Version 2 a chance.
Below the cut you'll find a summary of the future story. Please determine for yourself if this is something you wish to see. Regardless, thank you endlessly for the love & faith you've given me this far.
Many thanks & much Gratitude,
Maybe 💫
(read more for summary of Gifted 2:)
You are a master mercenary, known far and wide across the seaside kingdom of Verena.
In the past, you were not picky with jobs, picking up anything that would ensure you'd be fed and warm come winter. However, in the past few years, your work has earned you a reliable customer base and income. Now, your alias is one of the most renowned within your home city. Such renown has led to an extremely risky—and well-paying—job to land into your lap:
To assassinate the last remaining heir of the Verenian royal family.
That alone would be risky enough to make most mercenaries decline— however, the details and pay for the job are enough to have you considering it. Your task is to infiltrate the castle staff with the help of an established spy, and are given a year to assassinate the heir in a public fashion—making the chances for escaping with your life much more challenging.
You are a street rat. A survivor. You have no allegiances to this family, this government—should you go through with it? Take the down payment and run? If you do kill Verena's Heir, who—or what—will take their place? Would you save your home, or doom it to a worse fate? If you did worsen things, would you be capable of living with yourself after?
Hey yall!! i know the titles a bit disappointing, but as ive been freed from uni until april, i sat down to work more on gifted, and i found that i was unstatisfied with how the prologue plays out. thus, i am wanting to revisit and rewrite the project from the ground up.
TLDR;
Gifted will stay up until a rewritten version is ready to play. The unfinished chapter 1 has been uploaded HERE to allow players to meet the ROs
My other project, Count The Stars, will be my main focus due to the more manageable and beginner-friendly scope.
What Does This Mean?
Well, it doesnt mean this blog is going away, or i am--but the gifted i want to create has a large scope, especially with flavor text and future stats and codex entries. TLDR; its a big project, and not the kinda thing to figure out as i go along. so, for now, i have to take it back to the plotting board, so to speak.
Where Are You Going?
I am going to revisit gifted's introduction and overarching story. Until now, ive always uploaded fics as i wrote them, but for a story like this thats not possible, since reuploads would be far more annoying. Gifted will remain available to play until I've got the new version done, which will revamp the prologue. The gifted that is currently available is, essentially, a look into what the story will feel like in the future.
What Now?
The blog & itch page will remain publicly available. I will keep ask games going and answers asks and reaction requests as they come in. Gifted will also have it's first chapter pre-rewrite updated, so people get to meet the ROs before the hiatus. Once gifted looks more like what i imagine in my head, i'll announce a new upload with a nice elaborate post and everything.
If you want to keep following what i do, i'm going to link my other tumblr blogs below, including the blog for my other project, count the stars.
Youre on hiatus but your other if isnt?
count the stars is more linear and planned out, while gifted is a highly customizeable high fantasy adventure. CTS is a contemporary romance with mc's gender set in stone; Gifted is an underbaked action story with a level of investigative mystery. It's my own fault for jumping the gun on gifted, and something i will keep in mind going forward.
TLDR;
Gifted will stay up until a rewritten version is ready to play. My other project, Count The Stars, will be my main focus due to the more manageable and beginner-friendly scope.
Thank you for reading, and happy semester break to my fellow students!
[17] What is their biggest struggle that no one around them is able to understand or believe?
For everyone you want to answer for! 😇
Shana
self-confidence
despite being very good at estimating her abilities and her natural leader qualities, shana doesn't much believe in herself, which is likely do to a lifetime of being considered a failure... but i think people really struggle to believe her, even when she does admit to this :(
Karim
bulldozer-personality
Karim can be a bit presumptous and prone to dragging others along, even when they don't much care for whatever he's planning. This is also why he appreciates Shana, bc he can rest easy knowing she won't tolerate bs she doesnt believe in
Rahel
avoidance
rahels character arc is about admitting what happened to them rather than denying its effect, so i think their entire character struggles with the urge to just ignore things :,)
60 questions that can be made into an OC ask game, or you can just fill everything out yourself to get to know your character a little better :)
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[1] What first impression do they typically make? Are they likeable from the get go, or take time to grow on people?
[2] How does their social personality differ from how they act when they’re alone?
[3] What emotion is the hardest for them to deal with?
[4] How physically and emotionally affectionate they are?
[5] Are they good at keeping secrets?
[6] How direct are they in conversations, do they speak in hints and riddles or bluntly say what they think?
[7] Are they a good liar, and what would they probably lie about?
[8] How open they are about their true feelings, both positive and negative?
[9] What is their love language?
[10] How quickly do they fall for someone?
[11] What are small things that make them happy?
[12] How high is their self-esteem?
[13] What kind of sense of humor do they have, if any?
[14] What does it take to make them laugh, and what does their laugh sound like?
[15] How do they act around people they don't like?
[16] Do they easily rely on others to help them out, or prefer doing everything themselves?
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[17] What is their biggest struggle that no one around them is able to understand or believe?
[18] Do they ever have to hide their identity and for what reason?
[19] If they could change one thing about their past, what would they change?
[20] When they’re sad or upset, do they need company or some time alone?
[21] When they’re sick, would they want others to visit and take care of them, or they would rather prefer not to be seen at not their best?
[22] Do they have nightmares, and if yes, when did they start and what are they usually about?
[23] What was the worst, the darkest period of their life that they have been through?
[24] How hard it is for them to not allow their emotions to cloud their judgement?
[25] Do they have fears and phobias, and if they do, do they usually keep it to themselves or talk about it openly?
[26] Do they have any physical or mental ilness, how do they handle it and how open they are about it?
[27] Do they have any scars, how did they get them and how do they feel about them?
[28] What is something that they will never be able to forgive?
[29] How do they deal with loss, stress and anger?
[30] What are their most healthy and most unhealthy coping mechanisms?
[31] How hard it is for them to own up to their mistakes and wrongdoings?
[32] Is there something they've done in the past that they deeply regret till this day?
[33] What are one of their fondest and most treasured memories?
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[34] Do they have vices they don't want others to know about?
[35] Do they like their own appearance, and what do they do, if anything, to alter it in any way?
[36] Do they own items that have sentimental value?
[37] How would they spend a lazy day when they have nothing specific to do?
[38] What do they usually do or where do they go when they need to feel comfortable and safe?
[39] What are their sleeping habits and favorite sleeping position, either alone and with someone?
[40] How picky they are with food, do they have specific dietary requirements based on their health or culture?
[41] What’s their usual morning routine?
[42] What is their idea of a perfect friendly hangout and/or romantic date?
[43] Do they enjoy flirting or being flirted with?
[44] On a party, where would you find them?
[45] For an event, would they dress like they typically do, or go all out?
[46] Would they rather dress to look attractive or to feel comfortable, and what would they never wear?
[47] Do they drink alcohol, and if they do, how much and how often?
[48] Are they, or were they at some point in their life, a part of any subculture?
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[49] Do they possess any unexpected skill or knowledge that surprises others, and otherwise, what is something anyone would assume they know or can do, but in fact they don’t?
[50] What are they really good and really bad at?
[51] How good are they with money?
[52] Do they speak any other languages aside from their own?
[53] Do they like to sing and how confident they are with their singing?
[54] Do they like giving gifts, and how good are they at picking good gifts?
[55] How long does it take for them to make a new place feel like home, and what do they need for it?
[56] How would they react to hearing a dirty joke?
[57] What was the most stupid or dangerous thing they have ever done?
[58] In the situation where they had to choose, would they rather stay loyal to their morals or to people they love?
[59] What would they want to be remembered for?
[60] If they were to commit a crime, what kind of crime would it most likely be?
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some of these question were written myself, some are the courtesy of my friend, and some were brought from my questionnaires in my old fandom. if you use them, please reblog or link back to this post
Quick PSA: If you see any links in the comments of my Itch game page saying Update Here, do NOT click on them. It’s not me, it’s phishing and likely malware. They’re getting trickier now. The one I just deleted was actually called “Updates” in the profile name and had a link to itch, so it looked halfway legit.
I delete and ban these as I see them, but they pop up daily. I may not be as quick to delete them while I’m away, so I wanted to throw up a warning here on tumblr.
I will NEVER post updates in the comments section. All updates will always be announced in my devlog and come from my actual game page.
im sick so ur gonna have to wait for an official post but if u dont mind scuff the prologue has been updated with the new ui and a slight rewrite link here!!
11. What's their favorite food/least favorite food?
24. Other sleeping habits?
Answering together! Sorry for the wait~
24. Other Sleeping Habits?
Shana is a light sleeper who can conk out anywhere. You'll get to see yourself but when she wakes up she startles awake a bit lol
Karim is a heavy sleeper who kinda starfishes. Also can sleep anywhere but if you wanna wake him you might have to slap him a lil
Rahel is the most normal, except for the fact that they look like a corpse. Arms crossed, straight on their back... They barely make a sound, which is probably the creepiest part.
12. Are they a picky eater?
Shana used to be, and she still struggles with dishes that have too varied textures. She doesn't like being caught off guard
Karim isn't picky at all. He has his preferences but he'll eat just about anything
Rahel... I think they aren't picky but they're not adventurous enough to try new dishes anymore lol
11. Favorite & Least Favorite Food
Shana loves street food; kebabs, fried dough, chocolate covered fruits... She got a sweet tooth!! She also loves Chebakia as a treat...really doesn't like apple pie, though. The contrasting textures are upsetting somehow
Karim will eat just about anything but I think he loves beef dishes especially and fried veggies :3 I think he can't handle sour candy and generally sweets aren't a favorite
Aside from expensive wine, Rahel loves fried fish type of street food! They were raised on the most expensive culture but they really came to prefer more accessible foods. They really don't like sushi
🗣️ Voice
1. Are they talkative?
2. Is their voice quiet or loud?
3. Do they have unusual speech patterns?
4. Do they have an accent or dialect?
5. Do they like to sing? Are they good at it?
🖐️ Hands
6. Left handed, right handed, ambidextrous?
7. Neat or messy hand writing?
8. Do they draw/paint a lot?
9. Are they good or bad at making handicrafts?
10. Do they need their hands occupied a lot? If so, what do they do?
🍛 Food
11. What's their favorite food/least favorite food?
12. Are they a picky eater?
13. Any food they avoid for reasons other than taste?
14. How are their table manners?
15. Do they rather eat too much or too little?
16. Do they prefer to eat alone or with company?
17. Are they good at cooking?
🛏️Sleep
18. Morning person or night owl?
19. Easy to fall asleep or insomniac?
20. Light or heavy sleeper?
21. Do they move around a lot while sleeping?
22. Are they used to sleeping around others or alone?
23. Do they snore?
24. Other sleeping habits?
Hey btw if you feed my art to AI in any way I hate you, personally. The only AI you should be using is autocorrect, and I am not even being slightly cute or silly when I say that.
Generative AI is both environmentally reckless (while also disproportionately affecting poor, black neighborhoods), AND theft. On all moral levels it is unethical. If you think feeding art to AI is a compliment, it's not.
If you're confused by a detail in a piece of writing, there are other ways to pursue clarity:
sending asks to authors
Discussion with fellow fans/friends (speaking out ur questions helps in understanding)
Googling specific things
Searching blog tags--its always possible the fact you found confusing was already asked about!
Please don't run to chat bots to understand a piece of writing, authors are happy to elaborate and bots arent worth destroying our world for, both socially and physically. If you're a role player or want more content, it's never to late to:
Pick up a pen and paper and pull up art tutorials on YouTube
Ask for roleplay partners on social media tags
Open a document and start writing
Reblog & like & comment on fanfic & fanart--encouragement keeps engagement alive!
With how destructive AI is, you have no excuse. I understand being impatient but in a world that is moving this fast, and idealizing an even faster pace--it is essential to learn to build your tolerance for patience.
My boyfriend glanced at my phone from like five feet away and went “oh you looking at the standard model” like SIR why can you recognize this equation by shape
Thoughtful, understanding and kind, Shana is the eldest daughter of the ancient Aatkani household. At 27 years old, she is considered one of the quickest spellcasters in recent history, though she lacks any material credentials beyond hearsay. She is a curvy, 5'7 tall woman with loose auburn curls, warm brown skin covered in freckles, and large brown eyes. Shana is playful, charming and witty, always willing to throw herself to the wolves for strangers' lives. As a folkhero to her home, her selflessness extends to you, even if you fight her every step of the way.
Sarcastic, optimistic and shrewd, Karim is the middle child of the Salah family, who own a bakery in the mining town of Kupfer. He is a fat, 5'5 tall man with curly dark hair, darker brown skin and sharp brown eyes, and at 25 years old, the youngest mage to pursue the title of Professor. Karim is bold-hearted, eloquent and passionate, and always seems to be tinkering away at something. As an artificer, he is a pioneer in the field, as until now, magic has been a luxury afforded only to the upper class...
& you know what it actually IS lifechanging to smile at strangers & say please & thank you & goodmorning & compliment someones outfit & help someone in need & be more accepting of loving other people just because they are other people!!!
