A blog for 'The Fernweh Saga', an interactive fiction series by Aelsa Trevelyan. Book One Release Date: Jan. 5, 2023.
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Some homecomings feel more like rude awakenings, but this one will become a waking nightmare. Find love while exposing the secrets of your eerie hometown!
The wait is finally over; Book One of The Fernweh Saga is out now for you to experience! 💚
✨DEMO✨ | GooglePlay, Steam , Apple, Choice of Games
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🌲TFS Patreon🌲 (New, alpha content from Book Two available!🎉)
TFS: Book One Achievement and Stat Guide 🏆📊
Thank you for your support and reblogs of this post are appreciated! 😊
The Fernweh Saga: Book One is a 600,000-word interactive, romantic thriller novel by Aelsa Trevelyan. It's entirely text-based, without graphics or sound effects, and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.
Return to a small town that you now feel a stranger in. It has been years since you were sent away following the tragic house fire that claimed your parents' lives, but the death of your grandfather has brought you back. While grim circumstances overshadow the visit you never planned on making, there are also opportunities to reminisce, reconnect, and reunite with old childhood friends, rivals, and neighbors. Familiar faces are all around, but will they aid or hinder you as your return trip spirals into a dark mystery and you start experiencing vivid nightmares? Begin to unravel what is going on in this seemingly idyllic, forested town.
A feeling of unease grows with each sleepless night spent within Fernweh's borders, but you can't leave yet…
It won't let you.
Play as male, female, or non-binary–with options to be gay, straight, bi, asexual, or poly.
Develop the beginning of a unique and enduring romance with 5 potential love interests.
Influence relationship dynamics with a cast of characters from your past and present.
Experience how your personality, habits, decisions, and relationships impact your visit to Fernweh and how you confront what lurks within the town.
Discover that things aren't always what they seem by making connections and noticing links.
Fight, resist, flee, struggle, or give in to whatever is invading your nightmares and the town; there is more to it than a boring ole monster…Much more.
Fall in love, forge friendships, and uncover your past while spiraling into a mystery.
Reblogs of this post and spreading the good news are immensely appreciated. I'm grateful for all of your support, and I hope you have fun in Fernweh! 🌲💚
hii aelsa! stoked to see you more active on here again & so, so excited for more fernweh. i hope this doesn’t sound too forward and i don’t mean to pressure you but any chance we could peek at a devlog?
Hi Anon,
Thank you for your warm welcome! 🥹
Oof, you're too kind. I've been quite literally lost in Fernweh, keeping my head down while writing, but I'm trying to post now and then to offer some reassurance (or at least unhinged, tempting tags) to readers. It's sometimes me handshaking the TFS grandfather. I've grown so used to that relative isolation and quiet while writing. Onwards to your ask!
No worries, please! I'm glad that you're curious about Book Two.
🌲~Progress Update Lite~ 🌲
(I'll eventually do one that's more 'official', thank you! 💚)
I had a rough start to this year with my mom (accident, surgery, and on-going recovery for her ability to walk) that impacted my writing pace at the outset of the year, but! She is improving with each day.
I've mostly resumed my typical, stringent writing schedule. I work on TFS every single day (aside from like mid-January, February, and early March of 2026 where irl was hectic.) I can't quite say when my hopeful finish date is for this second entry; I don't want to mention a date and then disappoint. I can say that it should easily be 3.5 times the first one—over 2 million words for you to explore—if not more with how its variation is stacking ever higher! (A scene I'm working on rn features R's teasing/drama. It was supposed to be 3, but it's now 15-ish distinct ones based on past dynamics + choices, each one a few pages. 😎)
I've made significant headway filling the outline at this point.
A few of the latter chapters are behemoths, so it's hard to neatly gauge without getting into wordcounts, which vary by chapter (for instance, one of mine is 45k, another is 300k, lol), and greater story context.
My sincere hope is that readers experience how I've improved across the two entries in the series. More choices, variation, smoother style, and more fun for you! Naturally, I know part of that's going to come once I release the actual demo, though hopefully you're intrigued by the snippets, teasers, and other posts on here (or free ones on Patreon) that provide glimmers of what's to come! Progress remains steady and constant, and I'm extremely grateful for your support, kindness, and patience. 💚Wishing you all the best!
Bonus Snippet from Book Two:
James
"How'd you know?" he murmurs.
"Just did," you admit. "I needed one too."
After your hushed truth, James solidly rests his palm on your back, never pushing you closer but proving he's there. Your hug lasts for an indeterminate moment that's as repairing as it is soothing until he eventually separates. You shake your head before he can speak—before he can express the emotion that far exceeds 'gratitude' as if you profoundly saved him by taking the time to care and listen. You smile briefly to blunt your refusal. "Would you thank me if I tripped you next? What then?"
"You wouldn't."
"I might."
James doesn't offer a counter, his whole-hearted trust in you apparent from his lips curving in genuine fondness.
"I would," you weakly assert. "Like, if I had to trip you because—because there was a bear trap or something in the path. I could."
"Then I'd fall on it…"
"I would time it correctly."
James's smile broadens, although he sides with your logic, nodding.
Jane
"How'd you know?" she murmurs.
"Just did," you admit. "I needed one too."
After your hushed truth, Jane solidly rests her palm on your back, never pushing you closer but proving she's there. Your hug lasts for an indeterminate moment that's as repairing as it is soothing until she eventually separates. You shake your head before she can speak—before she can express the emotion that far exceeds 'gratitude' as if you profoundly saved her by taking the time to care and listen. You smile briefly to blunt your refusal. "Would you thank me if I tripped you next? What then?"
"You wouldn't."
"I might."
Jane doesn't offer a counter, her whole-hearted trust in you apparent from her lips curving in genuine fondness.
"I would," you weakly assert. "Like, if I had to trip you because—because there was a bear trap or something in the path. I could."
"Then I'd fall on it…"
"I would time it correctly."
Jane's smile broadens, although she sides with your logic, nodding.
can we hc that j created the nickname that b now calls us?
Fellow angst enjoyer spotted, hello Anon! 👀
It's fine to headcanon that.
It comes up in the series as something you'll tailor according to your Returning Visitor and your angst preference, but that's ~eventually~.
We only learn J's nickname in Book Two. It's somewhat choice-dependent now that I think about it... (I've likely mentioned it on Tumblr once.) There's a chance that A either states it in front of you or that you overhear what it is. Later, your MC could slip up and refer to their childhood friend in this manner if they're emotional/stricken in a particular scene. 🥹 There is also a set scene with J's mom where she'll mention heartbreaking details that link back to this nickname and the new, melancholy meaning it took on during your absence from J's life.
I need to say that my favorite gender flavor writing for an RO is R at the cabin when a short RV tries to look outside. I burst out laughing when I realized the dialogue was different; R is the funniest person ever and I love them
Hi Anon,
I hope you're doing well! 💐
That's one of my favorite variations for R in the first book. I'm happy that it made you laugh--Reese's adorable teasing versus Ruby being somewhat surly and supportive of fellow 'fun-sized' RVs. I enjoyed coming up with both. The timing of this ask is perfect! I'm working on a scene where R is low-key being a drama king/queen while you're sleuthing somewhere. Their playfulness eases the creepiness (and the potential guilt/trauma that your MC may be buckling under, depending on what you believe truly happened.)
I'd tease it here, but... It's in my phone's memos. >.> One line is like:
"You're going to make this everyone's problem, aren't you?" S blankly addresses R. "It isn't that bad."
"A regret, but yes, I am."
Another part is R 'mmm-ing' luridly enough that J ends up dropping smthn (on the JR route) while B and S are in caught in the crossfire that is the trio doing whatever it is you're *gestures vaguely* ... doing.
Your ask makes me psyched to get back to its variation. I'm excited for you to spend time with R and witness their quippy humor!💚
Happy birthday babygirl Mal, you would have loved the song A Burning Hill by Mitski!
And I am a witness watching it
I stand in a valley watching it
And you are not there at all
I'm feverishly rotating these lyrics in my mind, especially this one due to 'be seen':
I can at least be neat, walk out and be seen as clean
Mal has certain views that relate to this^ that you'll uncover in unexpected ways. It comes up in the middle of Book Two during scenes you might unlock. I typed more and sort of spoiled something, which wouldn't be a gift to them, lol, but... They have thoughts on 'purity' and how clean their hands are when touching your Returning Visitor (if your RV is romancing them in a relatively nice/humane manner.)
Mal would view you using 'my' to refer to them as a gift sweeter than any offered cake, Anon.
Thank you for your birthday wish. In honor of their day, I'm excited to tease a scene Mal-mancers may come across in Book Two. 👀 It depends on how you're treating them; this variation is about desire.
(Both versions are down below!)
The Waiter
Slowly, you pivot around to lean against the counter's edge, which lets you better take in who's silently stalking into Turn the Page. Mal locks eyes with you in an instant, tempting the charge of tension you've already satisfied once in his bedroom and then nearly again in his kitchen. It's something you distinctly remember when you're tricked into pressing back into the countertop by Mal's arrival. It's cocky. He reaches around you to set a to-go cup perfectly in line with the other mugs.
It isn't a justification.
There's no need to encircle you in the curve of his arm while the full brunt of his piercing gaze rests on your side profile. It trails lower in a tantalizing once over that's rather exposing. You straighten up in response. This rivals what you were doing earlier to admire Mal, except it's controlled with an emotional distance that could be yawning. Is he searching for something…? "Mal," you murmur.
"Mmm-hmm?"
That same exact goading hum is what you felt between your parted thighs before he took things further. You swallow roughly at the memory, especially when he flashes an indulgent smile your way that has a hint of his canine teeth. It's sinful, but you like it.
Mal's toying with you stops once he pulls away, his fingers spanning your lower back in the whisper of a touch just in time for Alina to join you both. She likely didn't see anything. You're on opposite sides of the counter with Mal leaning in to slide the drink he made out of the line-up.
*page_break
"I still think you should suggest to Clyde that colorful cups would be prettier," Alina says before scooping up the to-go cup. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me," Mal replies, his smile ebbing away as he indicates the coffee cups lining the counter. "But do explain this…"
"It's latte art! Wanna help me? You're way better at this stuff, please? It could be a demo."
"Alina, I have—"
"You can show me the wrist flick technique and how to do the drip. I've been reading up on it, but I'd learn more from you—it'll be fun."
Alina's slight dimples paired with her doe, green eyes would topple most people, if not crumble them, but Mal withstands both. He checks a nearby clock and then nods his acceptance rather than caving. Their close friendship may be why this worked at all.
"Only one design."
"One and done," Alina happily agrees. "Unless you want to make more sometime."
Mal trades a brief look with you where your need for payback shines through. "Let's see that magic touch of yours," you coyly encourage him. He steps around you to follow Alina to the fancy coffee machine that just beeped, although he lingers close by your side for a tense second.
"You'd rather feel it."
His murmur is filled with a knowing quality you didn't expect to pang through you—the confident certainty. Mal walks away as if nothing happened, greeted by Alina's fanfare about agreeing to help her out. You grip the counter before moving to watch them.
_ _ _
The Waitress
Slowly, you pivot around to lean against the counter's edge, which lets you better take in who's silently stalking into Turn the Page. Mal locks eyes with you in an instant, tempting the charge of tension you've already satisfied once in her bedroom and then nearly again in her kitchen. It's something you distinctly remember when you're tricked into pressing back into the countertop by Mal's arrival. It's cocky. She reaches around you to set a to-go cup perfectly in line with the other mugs.
It isn't a justification.
There's no need to encircle you in the curve of her arm while the full brunt of her piercing gaze rests on your side profile. It trails lower in a tantalizing once over that's rather exposing. You straighten up in response. This rivals what you were doing earlier to admire Mal, except it's controlled with an emotional distance that could be yawning. Is she searching for something…? "Mal," you murmur.
"Mmm-hmm?"
That same exact goading hum is what you felt between your parted thighs before she took things further. You swallow roughly at the memory, especially when she flashes an indulgent smile your way that has a hint of her canine teeth. It's sinful, but you like it.
Mal's toying with you stops once she pulls away, her fingers spanning your lower back in the whisper of a touch just in time for Alek to join you both. He likely didn't see anything. You're on opposite sides of the counter with Mal leaning in to slide the drink she made out of the line-up.
*page_break
"I still think you should suggest to Clyde that colorful cups would be prettier," Alek says before scooping up the to-go cup. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me," Mal replies, her smile ebbing away as she indicates the coffee cups lining the counter. "But do explain this…"
"It's latte art! Wanna help me? You're way better at this stuff, please? It could be a demo."
"Alek, I have—"
"You can show me the wrist flick technique and how to do the drip. I've been reading up on it, but I'd learn more from you—it'll be fun."
Alek's slight dimples paired with his doe, green eyes would topple most people, if not crumble them, but Mal withstands both. She checks a nearby clock and then nods her acceptance rather than caving. Their close friendship may be why this worked at all.
"Only one design."
"One and done," Alek happily agrees. "Unless you want to make more sometime."
Mal trades a brief look with you where your need for payback shines through. "Let's see that magic touch of yours," you coyly encourage her. She steps around you to follow Alek to the fancy coffee machine that just beeped, although she lingers close by your side for a tense second.
"You'd rather feel it."
Her murmur is filled with a knowing quality you didn't expect to pang through you—the confident certainty. Mal walks away as if nothing happened, greeted by Alek's fanfare about agreeing to help him out. You grip the counter before moving to watch them.
Most readers won't have an idea of who C is yet, but I love that you're thinking ahead, Anon! 🙂↕️You will be meeting them in the eventual demo because they appear in Chapter 1 of Book Two before having scenes throughout the second book. They are another bloodline heir; I won't spoil beyond that until you come across them.
As for your question:
(I got distracted by Megan Fox GIFs when trying to convey a coy, shrugging type of answer.) We'll have to see how it works out; however, from the first book, readers know I like to hide routes/paths/options, which has only increased since Book Two should be 3.5 times longer.
They're more likely to become a problem first, but perhaps, C could multi-task? 😏 Best wishes! 💚
