Divine Punishment

「 ✦ It who feels the rage of many ✦ 」 ╰┈➤ Development Blog for the IF Divine Punishment (Seven ✦ they/he ✦ 21)

[if-divinepunishment]

If a soul is born without resonance, what does it echo instead?

✦ Rating: 18+ (Mature Themes, addiction - substance use, Strong Language, Emotional Abuse, torture, violence, sexual assault, explicit sex)

✦ In Thalwood, the trees don't just whisper, They sing. And when they fall silent, we hold our breath.

It has been many centuries since you made the mistake of stepping out of line. Before this room, and before the horrors inflicted upon your body and soul you were someone – something.

Anger. Rage. Wrath.

Though, those titles were much prettier when first bestowed upon you like an act of love. Now the only acts of love given to you are the cuts of a blade and the painful tugging of a cleaning cloth.

After years, and years of pleading to be forgiven and begging for your sins to be released, you are dismissed from the celestial realm to continue your divine punishment. As if centuries of pain weren’t enough. You find yourself vulnerable in a world you’ve dreamt of exploring before.

Altheria.

Unfortunately, your newfound freedom is fleeting.

Just as you awaken on the moss-covered ground, you’re struck with the bubbling frustration of a man standing no more than ten meters in front of you. His sloppily managed magic shackling you once again. Not by a God this time, but by pale, shaking, mortal hands.

✦ In this interactive fiction you will be able to

‣ Customise your character’s appearance, gender (male, female, non-binary), personality, and sexuality.

‣ Meet and romance (or don’t romance), antagonise, or befriend some interesting human companions. - Please note that being in a romantic relationship does not mean you have to persue sex or physical intimacy.

‣ live as familiar and experience whatever that entails.

‣ Explore the town of Thalwood and learn about the Ethereal Harmonics.

‣ Find about about Thalwood's history and solve some of it's mysteries.

‣ Escape from the chains binding you to your abusive creator and their flock of angels and enact revenge.

✦ Nyneve Minowa (he/him) RO

Age: 25

A 5’11, pale, slender man covered in black clothing. He has silky, black hair that cascades down his back. His blue eyes seem to look past your skin and right into your mind sometimes. Though, you suppose that’s because you’re his familiar.

A scholar in Ethereal harmonics, he holds the ability to gain power from the Angel he worships – rage. Which happens to be you.

Currently, he spends all his time with you. However, he used to primarily spend time studying the Ethereal Harmonics.

Tropes: Worshipper/worshipped, stuck together, forced proximity, secretly pining.

Green flags: smart, protective, observant, dependable, curious, loyal.

Ethereal Harmony - Emotant

Red flags: Possessive, emotionally constipated, prone to anger, cynical, confrontational.

✦ Nami Lovecroft (she/her) RO

Age: 26

A 5’6, chubby girl with deep, cool tone brown skin and a flat nose. She’s covered from head to toe in modest clothing. Her black hair is natural in a small Afro. She carries on her a beautiful rosary and you can help but notice how her dark brown eyes light up when she looks at it, a stark contrast to the uncomfortable grimace she pulls when she speaks to you.

Often seen volunteering in the church, maybe she can give you a mortal perspective on Altheria, your creator and the angels.

Tropes: apprehensive friends to lovers, deconstructing harmful religious beliefs (together), forbidden love.

Green flags: Kind, generous, Passionate, Merciful, gentle.

Red flags: initially hostile, heavily (toxic) religious, very guarded, insecure, Naive,

Ethereal Harmony - Virtuant

✦ Crew Ledger He/him (RO)

Age: 40

A 6’4, stocky man with tanned skin with a roman nose. Usually wearing his ‘comfortable inn-keeping clothes’ for the inn Harmon’s Rest. His curly brown hair reaches just past his ears and his cheeks are flushed. His sleeves are rolled up and his arms are covered with hair. His green eyes seem to almost sparkle as he talks about his seven-year-old daughter Laverne.  On his right wrist he has the names Liren and Laverne tattooed in cursive.

He spends most of his time with Laverne or manning Harmon’s Rest.

Ethereal Harmony - Virtuant

Tropes: Single parent, big secret.

Green flags: Eager, nice, affectionate, good parent, animal lover.

Red flags: Cagey about past, stubborn, addiction.

✦ Ahri Magnolia (she/they) RO

Age: 29

A 5’4, plump person with tanned skin and a flat nose. They wear elegant, ‘sharp’ looking clothes that drape her in a cloak of mystery. Black and dark red, straight hair that reaches her shoulder blades tied in a half-up half-down hairstyle, with a sharp jewelled hairpin that dangles when she walks. their hazel eyes are as sharp as their voice and her confidence radiates into any room she walks into.

She spends most of her time solving disputes in Thalwood.

Ethereal Harmony – Desirant

Tropes: Messing around first, shameless flirt, sworn off relationships.

Green flags: Empathetic, charming, observant, strong willed, capable.

Red flags: emotionally unavailable, non-committal (no cheating), closed off, mildly manipulative.

✦ Cazine (they/them) RO

Age: 23

A 5’6, lithe person with brown skin and a hooked nose. They wear androgenous clothes and heavy jewellery. Their wavy hair is black and is short in the morning and long at night, however they aren’t open to explaining why.  Their left eye is black, and their right is covered with an eyepatch. They don’t seem to very invested in anyone, however they are uniquely interested in you.

They lead a hunting and foraging squad in Thalwood. It's said they get their keen aim and steady hand from hours of painting.

Ethereal Harmony - Emotant

Tropes: Found family, traumatic past, gender identity issues.

Green flags: resolute, resourceful, independent, flexible, open-minded, preceptive.

Red flags: Avoidant, careless (to self), quick tempered, stubborn, sarcastic, impatient, impulsive.

✦ Aquine (They/She/He/it)

Your creator, and the creator of all things living. Though she was once brimming with ambition, emotion and desires all you’ve seen the last few centuries is their blank excuse soul. You’ve felt her warmth and devotion and now you feel her icy hot bite and the ripping of your wings.

Soon, you will get revenge.

✦ Envy (he/him)

The second angel ever created by Aquine. Always watching and always wanting more of you. He was your dearest friend, but recently you’ve realised he’s nothing but the knife that stabs into your back. Now, you’re sure he would have torn the wings from your back himself, just to see your face as he did so - if Aquine would have allowed it. Yet, he settled on exposing your expedition to Altheria. And in the end, he got what he wanted, he got to drink you up and spit you out for good.

✦ The Angels

Woven from Aquine’s heart are her beloved Angels. As a testament to his love and affection towards the first living beings they’ve ever created, they forfeited their emotions, desires and virtues. Thus, the first Angel dubbed ‘the Prototype Angel’ was given her hatred. A boon for her future creations to share – the gift of never feeling hated.

✦ The Ethereal Harmonies

Not a person, rather a thing given to human-kind. Given to the people to connect divinity and mortals. Through the Ethereal Harmonies humans may request boons for power from an angel through the devotion of desire, emotions, or virtue.

✦ Demo - TBA ✦ Spotify Playlist - Cazine, The Prototype ✦ Pinterest - TBA ✦ Character arts - TBA (when I have some money I want to commission some artists!)

✦ Severe content warnings for the following: Self harm, suicidal ideation, torture,transphobia, child death(mentioned), addictiom, abuse, sexual assault and abuse, flashbacks, recovery from trauma, disordered eating, power imbalances, re-traumatisation, animal death through hunting for food, Sex and suggestive themes, death.

(The sexual abuse, assault, abuse, and torture happen to MC. These scenes will be skippable however they will still happen.)

This list may be subject to change while the interactive fiction novel is in development, please keep a regular eye on the contents warning list on this page as the chapters update.

✦ Additional disclaimers and information

I am a novice writer and am doing this as a passion project for fun. I will try to be as quick as possible but I have zero coding experience. I will give as many updates on this blog as i can though.

(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) .ᐟ.ᐟ

Character asks & POV are okay, nsfw is okay, if I don't want to answer something due to being uncomfortable I won't! I appreciate YOU if you have read this far into my little post.. I'm quite nervous but really proud of this idea!

[if-divinepunishment]

Does every emotion/personality trait (? english isn't my first language sorry) have a corresponding angel?

Yes but not all of them are significant! Aquine's emotions, virtues and desires are all represented by an angel

[if-divinepunishment]

I can't wait to write the Mc's dynamic with the other angels (other than Envy) specifically Joy, Wisdom, and Sorrow.

I've been brainstorming ideas, and concepts for them and I cannot wait.

There won't be a lot of content with them in the prologue, but there will be enough to give you an idea of who they are!

(I'm thinking of writing little snippets about them here sometime this month)

[if-divinepunishment]

good news everyone! starting today I am on break for a month!

hoping that I can get as much done as possible! If the prologue is not written by the end of this break I'll cut the prologue release in half then code and release it!

[if-divinepunishment]

Nyneve is crazy about the MC, and I saw that it's up to the MC to decide whether it's romantic or platonic. Obviously, I'm going for Nyneve romantically without a second thought. I'll gladly reciprocate any advances from him — he's just adorable. My MC is the clingy and affectionate type, so I hope he doesn’t mind dealing with that 🤧

Nyneve: Did something happen?

MC: …Nothing. You're just cute. I love you.

*kisses his cheek and clings to him like a koala*

Nyneve is great, I do love having a character pine - even if it's platonic. I mean he already cares about the MC even before you meet.

I do love a character that cares a lot but struggles to show it. I tend to romance those kinds of characters because personally, outright affection freaks me out. In real life you've gotta be really close to me to get that sort of close affection out of me.

I like when my romances come with a few thorns and I feel like Nyneve is a reflection of that.

Nyneve would love your MC but he would totally pretend not to, at least initially. In my brain he might as well have cat ears and a tail - he's basically your standard cat.

I've got to be so real Nyneve is really just my favourite tropes rolled up into a pining ball of mild attachment and anger issues waiting to explode with love.

I can't wait to write his scenes. they will be extremely fun.

( PS I wish I wasn't so slow at writing, it's actually a little sad lol. I thought I would be much quicker at writing - who would've known a beginner writer would write like a beginner writer...)

[if-divinepunishment]

I don't understand gender roles myself to begin with, so I think I can do a pretty good job of playing an MC who doesn't. I still have no idea why so many people online randomly assume I'm a woman -- and only online, since I look way too masculine to be mistaken for a woman in person. People definitely assume I'm a man in person. But I'm sure it has something to do with gender roles because nothing else makes sense.

I'll for sure have options for people who want to play and Mc who doesn't understand gender roles!

I get that, I have always been the type to do what I want with gender. I wear and do what I want - just because. I kind of rejected gender roles from a fairly young age anyways. So I can relate to the sentiment!

Who knows, I tend to find that a lot of the time people will assume they are talking to someone who is the same gender as them online. I think if people aren't sure they tend to look for familiarity in the unfamiliar.

[if-divinepunishment]

Hello~ I'm new here :D so of course I stalked the entirety of your blog and came across the post where MC possibly being transphobic to Cazine was mentioned in the ask about what the ROs want/need/dread to hear

And honestly I feel like MC is more likely to be confused by the existence of gender roles more than anything 💀 They are a divine being and a hella old one at that. "Why does being a man or woman matter....? Literally anyone can do that-" - MC probably.

I think they'd find the concept of gender roles to be fucking stupid 😭

hiya Anon, thanks for the ask and welcome!

I agree with you, the likely hood of the MC ever being transphobic would be impossible not only because i wouldn't allow it but also because their own creators gender is simply not that simple. Aquine is literally every gender that her followers believe they are. Not only that but the angels learn how to change parts of their body as they mature anyways so they can literally change their perceived gender. I do think the idea of MC being like "just change your body lol" to Cazine is very hilarious and I want to implement flavour text for the MC specifically about gender roles. Especially if the MC does change their body/gender upon maturity.

I think playing around with gender dysphoria or simply wanting to change aspects of your gender (without the dysphoria) would be really fun for me to write especially with the angels in mind, so I am going to do that.

I know your ask wasn't really about that, but it opened the flood gates for me to talk about gender fuckery (my favourite topic) soooo yay.

the mc would for sure find the concept of gender roles to be so unnecessary. Which Cazine would appreciate. I could also see the MC observing human gender roles like how we observe animals through a nature documentary. The idea of MC being like ah! this is how the humans do things is really funny. And the idea of the MC trying to imitate human behaviour (especially if they suck at it) would be funny.

Thanks for your interest in the story! I always appreciate getting asks they are so fun to write about.

[isabellebissonrouthier]

reblog with a spoiler for your wip with zero context. no context allowed.

[if-divinepunishment]

He walks towards the blinking lights in the trees, they call to him - they're so beautiful. He watches them dart between each other, like they're playing a game. He wants to join in. He crosses the threshold, feet sinking into mushy ground.

Wandering through the playground where life meets death.

[finitatis]

[if-divinepunishment]

This week I took a bigger break from writing because of everything that was going on, I want to write tomorrow, however I have to clean my whole house because we have someone coming to fix it - if I can I'll try and write like 2-5k words. I want to flesh out meeting Envy asap!

(i also have the task of writing about the other angels - who aren't yet mentioned in the pinned post, I think I will make a seperate post about them.)

Not all of the Angels will have major roles in the story but there are some who do.

I'm also thinking about writing short stories to tide people over when waiting for content - I might start writing them and then slowly release them coming up to the demo release or after the demo release. Not 100% sure.

[if-divinepunishment]

Would LI's fantasise about MC during the crushing stage? If so, what would they fantasise about specifically?

I think all of the ROs would fantasize in some sort of way. With Nyneve and Cazine fantasizing the most.

Some slight NSFW under the cut

Nyneve would fantasize about being intimate with you, specifically after spending time with you. He'd wonder what your bond would feel like during sex, and if angry sex would make you feel more than non-angry sex. He'd probably feel really embarrassed about it, but he'd also think about being domestic with you - like doing chores together and living day to day life together. I think he'd have less shame about wanting to have sex with you weirdly enough.

Nami would fantasize about cuddling with you and being affectionate with you. She'd specifically fantasize about public displays of affection, like hand holding and small kisses on the cheek. She wouldn't sexually fantasize until being in a relationship.

Crew would fantasize about sex; he's a very sexual person. He'd wonder how you sound when moaning. He'd also fantasize about spending time as partners together, but that wouldn't happen as often. As his own insecurities makes him think that an actual long-term relationship is unlikely.

Ahri would fantasize the least, I think they wouldn't allow themselves to fantasize, they'd internally yell at themselves. But they would lie and say they do just so see you squirm. And then once she acknowledges their own feelings the flood gates would open, and they'd fantasize about you non-stop.

Cazine would fantasize about any intimacy you have with them. You two accidentally bumped hands? They are replaying that scene over and over in their head. They remember if your hands were cold or hot. They wonder if you sleep well, are you clingy, do you like affection, would they be good enough for you.

Once they realise that they have a crush, it's over for them.

hope you enjoyed <3

[if-divinepunishment]

(nsfw)

I have to ask a classic- during crushing stage, how would the Ros react if they accidentally walked in on the MC jorking it and they heard the MC moan their name?

ooooh, I love that. God that would be so humiliating lol.

NSFW under the cut

Nyneve

He is immediately affected by you moaning his name and he hides behind the door to listen and get off with you. Quickly pushing down any guilt.

Nami

She immediately retreats, and you hear her run away before she comes back, almost instantly to apologise and run away again.

Crew

He's weirdly torn between wanting to come in and have fun with you and wanting to let you keep your dignity. He ignores his own arousal long enough to go deal with it on his own. Knowing that at least you feel interested enough in him that he can just proposition you later.

Ahri

She also leaves, but she makes sure you know that they know what you were doing. They leave to tease you, and they verbally tease you the next day.

Somehow you know though, that she feels the same way.

Cazine

They are also immediately impacted, and they know they should leave. They rub their legs together as an attempt to relieve themselves and they listen. Their heart beating fast and their thighs slick.

[if-divinepunishment]

How would each LI handle a break up?

Sorry for the wait friend.

Nyneve

Nyneve is torn between locking themselves in his room and escaping through books and running around until they can't think. He becomes an innsufferable asshole to be around and is short with everyone.

Nami

She gets even more unhealthy about volunteering and while still nice becomes somber. Even when she sounds happy her eyes are still filled with glassy tears.

Crew

He has a few unhealthy habits he falls into - so to not succumb to that he spends almost every waking moment with Laverne.

Ahri

She works, and flirts superficially to get over it. Until (after a long time of faking it) they realise they arent actually healing, and then they cry into their pillow.

Cazine

The last major relationship breakup they had was extremely traumatic, so they have no idea how to cope with this without... packing up and moving away for good. But they have built a life worth living here so they lock themselves away to mend their heart.

[if-divinepunishment]

How would the ROs react if they saw someone flirting with MC? You can choose whether MC is being receptive to the flirting or uncomfortable (or maybe even both, separately)!

Sorry for the wait!

I'm going to go ahead and assume that this is in the crushing stage for simplicity. I think some of the answers here have the MC not quite against the flirting but also not completely in on it. Except for Cazine where you're not interested at all. (and Crew where u are totally fine with it lol)

Nyneve

He watches as someone flirts with you, waiting - hoping that you'll turn them down, your body language doesn't betray how you feel, and it makes him itch with anxiety. He wants to cling to you and secretly ward everyone away from you. Maybe you can feel the uncomfortable knot twisting in his stomach, calling you back to him - but maybe you can't. He can tell the moment you feel it, your eyes drifting towards him, you smile and say your goodbyes and for a moment he feels like a light house as you drift towards him. Then the feeling in his stomach turns to something a lot less sinister.

Nami

She watches as you dance and talk to someone, the floor practically vibrates as people dance around you. That stranger talking to you is certainly interested. They slide closer to you and Nami's breath hitches. She has no right to feel upset about it. She knows the thing you two share, your relationship is nothing more than her own empty pining and yet she wants to hold you close. Close enough that everyone knows that you two are intertwined.

You stand up and look right at her, like you knew where she was from the moment you walked in. You're ignoring the stranger so desperate for your attention, for her. She wants to ask you to dance, she wants to ask for more, but all she can do is wait for you to lead her, and you do.

Crew

He glances at you as he pours drinks, steady hands and muscle memory precise and clean. He hands it off to someone and takes time to study their flushed cheeks and the way they saunter over to you drowsily. Amusement coils up his spine as he watches you giggling, you don't drink until you look at him. Eyes asking, is it okay- is the drink safe. And once he nods his head dips slightly you drink, eyes keeping contact with him. A drop of liquid sliding down your cheek.

The stranger watches the two of you, cheeks flushed redder than before, and they lick their lips.

The two of you becoming three in your little game he knows he will win.

Ahri

She's by the bar watching you, a few seats away. Resting, sweat beaded on your forehead and a gifted drink in your hand. You're looking up at someone she doesn't recognise, a traveling thief surely. They flirt and lean towards you - something sinister in their gaze as they look at the necklace draped over your neck. Her jewellery announces her movement, metal on metal. Your gaze drifts towards her as she walks over to you. In the dim light you remind her of a lamb, eyes shining and cheeks red as you look at her. No wonder this wolf wants to eat you up.

Cazine

Their hand played with the beaded bracelet on their wrist, twirling it as they watched you. They'd let you wander for a moment too long as they talked to an Auntie at the market. You were practically buzzing with glee at all of the shops. They'd noticed briefly at one point your gaze settling for longer than usual at a shiny rock - secretly they bought it for you. But now, you weren't smiling, nor excited.

They were quickly approaching, making sure to be silent as they listened to the stranger ramble. Their words dripping with honey and overly dramatic, their nose scrunches up. They quickly decide that it's only funny when they do it to you.

Your smile reappears when they come into view, and you practically run towards them. Their eyes meeting with the strangers. An unspoken conversation.

Go away.

[if-divinepunishment]

"sexual assault and abuse" <- Envy's doing? He sounds a bit.. obsessed. Unhealthily.

kinda a spoiler but...

Yes it is. He's obssessive, and manipulative and an asshole. I'm still not 100% sure how to go about those scenes. I'll figure it out.

I think he's interesting to write, I've never written a character so manipulative, terrible and charismatic before.

[if-divinepunishment]

Also in the intro post I changed Envy's description because as I fleshed him out and thought about him more his character became more clear to me.

(god I hate him so much but I also love him so much)

[if-divinepunishment]

sorry i've been slightly inactive I am currently dealing with some major IRL stuff! I'll get to the asks as soon as possible <3

[if-divinepunishment]

hi guys sorry for the long waits life is kicking my butt lol.

This post will go over a life update thingy, and my own issues. Basically I'll talk about why i was away lol. if you dont want to see that then dont click read more.

Mental health & talks of meds ahead

TLDR is that you guys should have ur asks completed by tomorrow, and ill go back to writing tomorrow too.

You guys should have your asks completed by tomorrow, I'm also going to designate like 5 hours to writing! (im very excited to get to write more of envy)

On another note, I have to go to the doctors for a med review so yay. I'm not sure why - I think it's uni stress and a different event that happend - but all of a sudden my meds stopped working. That hasn't happened to me in years, and unfortunately I got my psychosis and hallucinations back after years of not having them, so i need to go back on my antipsychotic medication. I also need to get ADHD meds back because wow - i forgot how hard it is to live life unmedicated with ADHD

Don't worry though peeps, I'm alive and okay and nothing bad happened AND nothing bad will happen. I am really in tune with myself when I'm struggling so i took a step back from life to focus on me!

I am sorry for getting all personal but yeah, time to go back to being a well oiled cazine simp machine.

Also for any future life updates or breaks ill be using the tag DP:7

Seven out (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) .ᐟ.ᐟ