Framed and fired, you've been cast out by the force you once served. Stripped of your badge, you must dive into a shadowy conspiracy to uncover why. The deeper you dig, the more dangerous the truth becomes.
DEMO (September 12, 2025)
⋄ Create a character that reflects you—choose your name, identity, and orientation.
⋄ Build trust, spark romance, or stir conflict with five gender-selectable characters.
⋄ Uphold the law and your oath—or break both in pursuit of your version of justice.
⋄ Go undercover and investigate in secret. What truths will surface when no one’s watching?
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
AUGUST MERRITT [M/F]
Stubborn, fiercely competitive, and relentlessly driven, August has been your closest ally since the academy—your partner, your confidant. But something’s changed. A fracture you didn’t see coming. Can trust be rebuilt… or is this the beginning of their downfall—at your hands?
BLAIR DAVIS [M/F]
Stoic, guarded, and seemingly as emotionally unreadable as stone, Blair is the youngest police chief in Runswick’s history—and your commanding officer. Will they let you in… or keep you at arm’s length forever?
WREN REID [M/F]
Cunning, charismatic, and always one step ahead, Wren is the elusive criminal who’s haunted your career—and your thoughts. Now, against all odds, they’ve come to you for help. Can you put the past aside to protect them… or will this be the trap that finally brings them down?
NEVE HALLOWAY [M/F]
Quietly tenacious and endlessly curious, Neve is Runswick’s soft-spoken investigative journalist with a sharp eye for the truth. They've been seeking your partnership for years—driven, patient, and unwavering. Will you finally join forces… or keep them at a distance once again?
CASEY CARRINGTON [M/F]
Laidback, kind, and effortlessly outgoing, Casey is becoming a steady presence in your life—offering support as you navigate unfamiliar paths and challenges. But sometimes, you wonder if their warmth as simple as it seems… or is there something else beneath the surface?
(this list is mainly ways non-locals can donate but by extension offers a lot of resources and places to volunteer in the Twin Cities + there are specific ways to donate time under the cut which can be adjusted to your local neighborhood)
full credit to cataloo from r/minnesota [x]
🩵Immigrant support
Immigrant Defense Network – coalition of 90+ groups organizing rapid response and collecting evidence.
Immigrant Law Center of MN – free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees.
COPAL – advocacy, organizing, phone hotline. Focus on Latine community.
Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) – education and protest organizing.
Interfaith Coalition on Immigration – advocacy, aid, events.
Monarca MN – training and phone hotline.
Unidos MN – education, protests, advocacy.
Center for Victims of Torture – advocacy and mental health services for immigrants and refugees.
International Institute of Minnesota – refugee resettlement group that provides support and legal help to vulnerable new-to-country families.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota – offers services to refugees, including legal aid to non-citizens.
🩵Food support
If local, food donations are welcome, otherwise monetary donations help these types of orgs source what is most needed
VEAP
Second Harvest Heartland
Every Meal
The Food Group
Meals on Wheels MN
Find a local food shelf
🩵Mutual aid funds & community support
Community Aid Network
Twin Cities Trans Mutual Aid
Leo's Tow (Venmo @leostowingmn) is towing cars back to families if a car is stranded when someone is detained.
🩵More links
MN50501 Mutual Aid Linktree – well-organized list of various Twin Cities groups.
Mplsmutualaid Linktree – many neighborhood and individual GoFundMes listed here.
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine – see Food Drives and Fundraisers.
Stand with Minnesota – extensive list of organizations, mutual aid, and crowdfunding campaigns.
🩵Donate blood
Memorial Blood Center declared a blood emergency on Tuesday, Jan 13. MBC is the blood supplier for both tier 1 trauma hospitals in the metro area (Hennepin County Medical Center and North Memorial Health).
American Red Cross
🩵Donate food or other goods
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine – see Food Drives and Fundraisers.
Volunteer your time (under the cut)
🩵Mutual aid
Reach out to your neighbors – especially if you know they are staying home right now – and ask if they need groceries or toiletry items. Offer to pick up prescriptions, give rides, or shovel their driveway. If you know them well, bring them a treat that you know they'll enjoy. Or just ask them how they're doing and let them know you are there to support.
Connect with any of the orgs above and see if they are looking for volunteers.
Connect with a church or mosque in your area. From u/MuddieMaeSuggins: "I know a lot of regular Redditors are not religious (myself included) but like it or not this is a where a lot of community organizing happens, especially in immigrant communities."
Connect with your local school's admin office and/or their PTA. It's ok to reach out even if you don't have kids at the school. PTAs are organizing mutual aid for school families, safe rides, school observers.
🩵Activism
Find an official protest or other event via Indivisible, 50501, FREE AMERICA, or MIRAC. Students at many high schools are staging walk-outs; if your local school is doing this, reach out to school leadership or the PTA and ask how you can support as a community member.
Join the effort to stop Hilton from housing ICE by booking hotel rooms and then cancelling at the last minute. This action can be done from home! The effort is being organized by Sunrise Movement, who are telling activists to target specific hotels one-by-one. More info: SHUT DOWN HILTON
Find people in your area who are actively monitoring ICE and/or stationing themselves in high-traffic areas and ask how you can help. Check for local FB events where people are organizing and just show up.
At minimum, read the COPAL Handbook before you go out to observe. The DFL, Monarca, and other orgs have been hosting online trainings for constitutional observers (though these fill up quickly).
When you see ICE in action, start recording. Be as loud and as disruptive as possible: honk your horn, set off your car alarm, blow your whistle. Let people know that ICE is in the area. If you see someone being detained, try to get their name and a phone number to call their emergency contact.
If you do not feel comfortable observing ICE in person, there are ways you can support from home. Just ask the people who are organizing in your area. I have social anxiety, and I had never participated in any kind of political action before this past Saturday. If I can do it, you can!
Local organizers are requesting that people who help monitor ICE DO NOT participate in 1-to-1 mutual aid efforts, as these can put the families you are helping at risk.
If you have friends/acquaintances who are sympathetic but not politically active, reach out to them. Show them that they're not alone in feeling helpless. Pick a few low-commitment actions from this list and do them together.
the immigrant law centre of minnesota is providing free counsel to people who are currently detained. msp mag has a longer list of rent relief & mutual aid funds to donate to. ice violence is only going to escalate from here; if you're not in the twin cities and have the means please consider supporting from afar 💗
Your vision blurs as pain overwhelms you, gnawing at your every nerve and scorching your muscles in one, all-consuming sensation of pure agony. Consciousness slips from you, blocking your ability to hear the screams of distraught, the roar of rage and the promise of bloody, destructive revenge.
You are the renowned General of Kinbrold. You are known for your unerring judgement, compelling leadership, and masterly tactics – though you cannot say whether such commendation is deserved. After all, you are merely a shell after your first – and only – indiscretion in battle stole your memories.
DEMO
Three years later, your mind is tearing at it's seams. Your nights are plagued by terror, your days loomed by exhaustion and dread. Your thoughts work against you, thrashing like a caged beast in the confines of your skull. Perhaps that’s all you are – a beast satiated only by bloodshed.
To soothe the war waging inside yourself and the emerging conflict between two nations, you must determine where the truth begins and where it ends.
◈ Create your own character; select pronouns, gender identity and form a personality among other character-defining features.
◈ Form relationships with a variety of characters. Befriend, romance or antagonize five gender-selectable characters.
◈ Discover more about yourself; uncover your history and discover your future.
◈ Bring peace and prosperity or chaos and destruction. Whether your path is of tranquility or ruination is up to you!
Romance of Kinbrold
Morris/Mira, Royal Majesty of Kinbrold. Infamous for their cunning and scheming nature, M is a merciless leader. A trail of blood seems to follow their every choice, often by your hands. Many wonder whether you are merely a pawn in their games. Yet you know them as anything but ruthless.
Elric/Eloise, Lieutenant-General of Kinbrold. Aloof and stoic, E is as dutiful as they are paranoid. Their loyalty does not waver, though where – or more specifically, who – their allegiance is pledged to is unclear.
Alban/Annabelle, the Royal Majesty’s Servant. Bashful yet incredibly compassionate, A’s friendship does not need to be demanded or requested. Their steadfast devotion is always present, but you know there are secrets below their surface. After all, they’ve never been able to look you in the eye.
Romance of Locbraulm
Royce/Rose, Royal Majesty of Locbraulm. Many speak of R’s tender heart, though you have experienced anything but. In battle, their warriors are relentless and seem to target you. You believe R is much more sinister than what others believe, and they seem to be out to get you.
Conrad/Colette, Lieutenant-General of Locbraulm. Legends speak of C’s skillful battle tactics, though they have not been in combat for years. Recounted tales of C’s jovial personality and good humour led you to believe they are good. But they wronged you, and you can’t forgive them.
Orvyn/Orella, Mercenary Captain. Once a knight-errant and now a sword-for-hire, O is as spirited as they are unconventional. Equal parts charm and mystery, they move through the world untethered and unpredictable—and for reasons still unclear, you’ve captured their attention, for better or worse.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. While it draws inspiration from historical themes and settings, it is not intended to be historically accurate.
It’s been a while since I’ve been around, and I want to be honest with you. Lately, I’ve lost all my motivation for IOWT and I think it’s time for me to officially step back for a bit. I’m giving myself some space without any pressure to write or be active, so I’ll be taking a hiatus for the foreseeable future
I’m not sure when inspiration will find me again, but before I go, I want to say how deeply grateful I am for every bit of love and support you’ve given to IOWT and to me. It has meant more than I can put into words
Loved the whole thing! MC's about to lose his goddamn marbles and I am very excited for it. Also the hug with August was delightful and I can't wait for more. (Though, that being said, I read through all the options and I might need to try Blair's romance next...)
I did have one question - what on earth were most of them told to think MC might have died? Just that there was a shooting during the transfer? Was a bit surprised (in a good way) at all the panic!
being that the incident is obviously an active investigation, details released to the public were super limited. all the ro's were essentially told that there was a shooting and that the mc was present during it.
considering all the... stuff... that's been happening (ie: bodies, creepy men following them in the woods), they all assumed the worst.
I'm going to try writing a ro pov of the exact moment they heard about the shooting and include it in the next update!
To be honest the encounter with the chosen RO or person to look for MC during the interrogation felt short, maybe a small POV of the RO or person picking up and driving them etc. MC after would be nice just a quick glance at what they were thinking during those moments (could totally be patreon clusive though don't mind dropping a few bucks to catch a glimpse of what's inside their head)
But everything else sounded nice, you can feel the build up to something larger going on, it would be nice to have Mc react the inmate being killed though in different forms, I get dissociating and reliving it in your head is common, but maybe an Mc that panics and scrambled to check on the inmate in denial until Someone shakes them or snaps them out of it making them final confront the fact the inmate is dead, just suggestions though I really enjoyed the chapter over all <3 can tell you out your heart into the chapter and I was clawing and grasping at any glimpse of August 😔
Ooh, I'm dumb and never even thought of an RO POV in this chapter. Anon... you're a genius. I'll definitely give it a shot (haha... see what i did there?) and include it in the next update if it turns out okay!
I think the idea of having different ways to respond is a great idea too! On a personal note, I'm a first responder and I've seen some... stuff. I think I've been projecting a lot of myself and my own responses into the MC, so it's never occurred to me that other's may have a totally different reaction aside from... an almost indifferent shock?
Thank you for the suggestions! I appreciate you so much ♥️
Oooooo I think August is already involved in trying to find answers tied to the spade tattoo stuff. I think that they're in too deep and know it's dangerous.
They said all they wanted was for MC to be safe. I think that they would do anything to male MC be safe, even if it meant MC hated them for it. They don't want to explain themselves because they know MC would try to get involved. I think they planted evidence to get MC fired to get them out of there and so they would no longer have cop resources. It also explains their reaction when MC got hired at the facility. I think August knows ALOT more than they have let MC know, all for the protection of the person that means the most to them. It would also explain why THEY were out without police to look at the body. How did they know it was out there? Wren mentioned leaving before cops got involved, so no one else was with him. If there is a dead body, you expect cops to swarm to the area. Also August shot a man. He would at minimum be facing an investigation for the shooting, so I think he's working under the radar a little too
Anyway, I could be wayyyy off, but you wanted to know what we thought and that's some of the MANY thoughts I'm thinking. As always, the chapter was a joy to read. I haven't finished Blair's or Casey's routes yet but I'm working on it right now. I LOVED Wren's the scene in their apartment was SO CUTE!
Hmmmm this is just how i feel but I feel like when u choose a guy, it just fast forwards into the choice and it becomes a scene with just u and him and its a bit jarring to me especially when the previous part was an intense discussion. Like if u choose to go with neve and wren against august on that dead bod investigation, i expected august to have a little spiel of asking MC not to go or just be in disbelief before she ignores him and goes with them, but instead they just jump into a scene where its just them 3 and no reaction from August. The story is not flowing very well when that happens and it breaks my immersion like i can tell im just reading something than "living it". Im not sure if what im saying is coherent. Sorry im v bad at explaining and English is not my 1st language
this is totally fair, and i can definitely see how there's some disconnect between scenes! after rereading, i agree with you regarding that specific moment.
i'll do my best to improve the flow in the next update! thank you for the feedback ♥️
my curiosity is KILLING me. i want to hear all your thoughts on the new chapter — the good, the bad and the ugly. what did you like? what did you hate? what do you think is missing? what do you want more and/or less of?
