Project DARK is an 18+ character-driven SPY IF inspired by a rather eventful weekend binging on Mission Impossible movies. It can be described as Suicide Squad meets Mission Impossible. MC, a retired villain, will be a new operative in a team to bring down their old best friend.
You were a jewel thief and hired mercenary, outsourcing your skills at thievery and espionage for all types of...shady characters. Yeah, you were aiding in the possible destruction of the world in exchange for money, but details, right?
You were the best in the business alongside your partner, Spider. You're not supposed to get close to people in this business, but Spider somehow weaseled into your life and became your best friend.
But then they died, killed by operatives of Mission Shadow, the one organization that has been hunting you down since day one. You decided to retire, changing your name and identity in an attempt to make an honest and private life of what you have left.
Until Project DARK finds you.
Project DARK: an experiment to put the most together the most skilled shadow villains to train and defeat the biggest threat they've faced.
Your best friend, whom you thought was dead.
They need you and your skills. You know Spider best. No longer are you the villain, but a Project DARK operative joining as the newest recruit to the ranks.
Good luck.
Customize your operative from appearance, personality, gender identity.
Tailor your past: were you a merciful villain, or a merciless one? Did you make enemies or try to make friends? Liked for being kind and easy to work with or hated for being the literal worst?
Romance members of your team or your target, with some having special relationships.
Choose what kind of operative you'll be and shape the dynamic of the team.
Try not to fall into old habits and get sucked into the dark world of crime. You left that life for a reason.
THE TARGET | Spider [m or f]: your old best friend and the new target. They've been busy since their 'death' and have grown a network of connections that can dismantle the world as you know it. They're apparently planning something big. Big enough that the organizations of the world created Project DARK to take them down.
Special romance: can have had previous thing with them that was never confronted or simply have been best friends.
THE LEADER | Elias/Elena Steel: one of the best operatives, personally recommended by MI6. The only non-villain on the team, E is also appointed leader and doesn't like you much, considering the fact that a mission of yours ended with their closest partner dead. While you may have not pulled the trigger, E blames you all the same.
Strict and as cold as steel, it makes sense why E is the one with the team on their shoulders.
Special romance: enemies to lovers. E hates your guts.
THE SECOND IN COMMAND | Nick/Nina Sharma: second-in-command and a retired illegal weapons dealer, N is, surprisingly, E's closest friend. N has long given up that life, but before their new work as a operative, you knew them as a distant associate. You two have crossed paths on multiple occasions, most of them happening with them almost killing you or vice versa. N can't help but be nice, but you can tell they're not really a fan of you.
Special romance: may have had a lapse in judgement and have had a one night stand...or multiple.
THE BRAINS | Zane/Zena Omari: One of the most skilled hackers and a familiar face on the FBIs most wanted list, Z is on the team in order to be able to go back home without getting arrested. Oddly enough, they're not what the media says they are. Friendly, warm, comedic. Z seems to be having too much of a good time, even with the circumstances surrounding their presence.
THE WEAPONS EXPERT | Luca/Lucia Cruz: L doesn't know you much, and doesn't care to. Hyper-focused on the mission, L's disinterest in you is a breath of fresh air. You don't know what they did and how they got here, but you do know they were facing a life sentence. Still, things aren't always what they seem.
Depths Asunder is an 18+ pirate interactive fiction infused with magic. It follows you, a young and fresh pirate captain, contracted to find a gem that is rumored to manipulate life and death to the wearer. It's a race against other crews who are just as determined to fulfill the contract and collect their riches.
Content warnings include violence, suggestive themes, substance use, gore, dark themes, emotional turmoil and more.
Your mother was a legend in the seas; a revered pirate captain, her legacy has followed you even after her death. All you want is to live up to the legacy she has given your family name, though all you've amounted to so far is the occasional thievery to survive.
When you're contracted by rich and powerful noble you're promised a swell of riches. In return, you must find and bring back a rare treasure that holds power beyond anything you know. Countless crews have attempted to find it, only to either end up dead or lost.
Now, it's your turn to collect your crew and bring your ship to the sea. You'll go up against not only dangerous mythological creatures of the sea but other ruthless pirates determined to find the treasure before you.
As you travel through the world of Sikara, you'll find that there's an even bigger mystery afoot. Will it all be worth it?
Customize your pirate captain from identity, your nickname, pronouns, gender which changes the story, appearance, personality.
Decide what kind of pirate captain you are: are you a bloodthirsty pirate hellbent on destruction? Or a merciful captain paving a new path? Do you treat your crew with kindness or hostility? Are you relaxed or a dictator?
Customize your ship: name your ship, choose the look, the features and enchantments. Will it help you during your sea battles?
Stop at different locations: will you raid like a typical pirate or help the locals? Will you steal treasure?
Customize your crew and decide who joins you on your journey. And who walks the plank.
Romance a slew of characters that include your ruthless rival, a merperson, a stowaway, the person who contracted you, and your best friend.
Play a character-driven narrative that is both on land and in sea. Discover what Sikara has to offer.
Captain Morgan 'Deadeye' Price [m or f]: Morgan is the bloodthirsty captain of the Lady Triton. They also happen to be your biggest rival, seeing as they're the child of the pirates that killed your mother. Morgan is bloodthirsty, unforgiving, cold and arrogant, and is determined to find the treasure. Part of you thinks they care less about the coin and more about beating you....and eventually killing you.
𓊝 enemies to lovers, rivals
Anton/Antonia St. Marteen [m or f]: The nobleman/woman who contracted you. They insisted on joining you on your travels, determined to see the treasure for themself. You don't know much about them other than the fact that they are stinking rich, which is all you need to know. Unfortunately, being on the sea with them means you're their unofficial bodyguard.
𓊝 bodyguard romance (MC is the bodyguard), forbidden, opposites attract (noble and pirate)
Castor Morgana [m or f]: the stowaway that hid in your ship alongside their sister, Ruth. Majority of your crew wants them thrown overboard, though a few think Castor can be helpful to the cause. It's up to you to make the final choice.
Gaelin 'Straightlace' Haval [m or f]: your best friend, second-in-command, and advisor. Gaelin is levelheaded, logical, serious, and deals little with emotion. They also seem to be the only one who cares little of pirate culture. They just want the mission done.
𓊝 best friends to lovers, opposites attract (possibly)
Sage/Soren of The Sea [m or f]: a mermaid/merman who, in a series of events, ends up on your ship. It's lucky that they grow legs off-sea, but no matter how human they look, they treat you as an enemy. Pirates and merpeople don't mix, and Sage/Soren is determined to keep a distance, even if the world of humans interests them so. They don't trust you, not with all the blood that's been spilled from both sides.
𓊝 romance with merperson, forbidden, doomed romance
Ruth Underwood [non-RO]: Castor's younger half- sister. She seems to have taken a liking to you, following you around like a puppy. How you deal with her is up to you.
+ and more!
Development of Depths Asunder will fluctuate based on my free time. I hope you like it and join me on this voyage :)
there may be a few inconsistencies in the intro post! at first I was going to do an even number of gender-locked ROs, but then I realized I didn't want to lock people out of the tropes they like if they aren't attracted to a certain gender. Just in case there's any confusion, that's why! I fixed them :)
I wanted to post the a real, full first piece but realized I didn't like it. Reading back, this sample feels a bit too abrupt for me so this will definitely undergo another round of editing and I will likely add more info and exposition in the finished piece but I did want to drop something to show you a sample of my writing and what to expect.
You don't meet any ROs (aside from a small part with Quinn) but you do meet a spunky sprite and your partner in crime, Estele, as well as get introduced to Angelwood Antiquities. Customization and all that will come in the finished piece!
Just to note: this isn't a demo or anything, but a piece of what I've written (and will likely change.)
Genres and tropes: urban fantasy, romance, found family, enemies to lovers, exes to lovers, friends to lovers, murder mystery, action
LUNAR CITY: a gritty but bustling city where supernaturals and humans live in (relative) harmony. Humans live alongside Fae, witches and warlocks, vampires, and so many more. It's normal. It's your normal.
When your father died, he left you with one thing: his antiquities/pawn shop. Decades upon decades of collecting and trading bits and bobs from all types of supernatural histories sit right here in Angelwood Antiquities, a staple of Lunar City and the shop you have now inherited.
It was his life's work, and you've done everything in your power to keep it running.
But when someone comes in bloodied and begging for you to take hold of a magical object, you don't know what you're agreeing to. You definitely don't expect him to die at your feet, telling you to take good care of...them.
Them?
Turns out the object is no object at all, but an ancient being that could be the key to stopping a multi-species war that's been brewing right under your nose..and your father may have had something to do with it. And when that being chooses and bonds to you--giving you its power--you are now thrust headfirst into the world of supernatural. The same world you've managed to avoid.
Entangled with a cast of characters who will help you save the world, you are now both human and supernatural, a rare feat. And the most important person in the city. And it will be up to you to save it.
Angelwood is an urban-fantasy inspired by stories by Sarah J. Maass, Cassandra Clare, and Holly Black. It is primarily centered around romance, with a fantasy, murder mystery, and war brewing at its core. The demo is already written and undergoing editing.
FEATURES.
Customize your MC's gender identity, pronouns, appearance, personality.
Navigate a gritty city of supernaturals.
Embark on an adventure to find out what war is brewing in supernatural circles and how to stop it.
Romance a multitude of supernatural and human characters, including a Fae, a Greenwarden, and an entity bonded to you.
Angelwood is a primarily romance and character-driven.
Play in a gritty, supernatural world where not everything is what it seems.
CAST [ROs]
IVAN CROSS (M)(FAE) - Ivan is the cold and distant Detective of the LCPD. He is also a powerful Fae, with a menacing reputation that makes most people scared to cross him. Ivan is not exactly a team player and he seems insistent on railroading this tentative partnership you didn't even want to have with him, but he's also the only one who can make sense of whats happening to you. Seems like you're stuck with him.
It doesn't help that you two aren't on the best of terms considering he closed your father's case without much effort.
FREYA (F)(GREENWARDEN) -- Ivan's second-in-command and your other partner that forms this...odd trio. You expected Greenwardens--powerful sprites that manipulate all things nature--to be smooth talking and caring. Wrong. Freya is snarky and punchy, and determined to get her mission done. Maybe it's because she's half human. Who knows.
DOMINION (DOM)(UNKNOWN) - Dom is the smooth-talking entity that is now in your head and giving you their powers. You...don't really know what to say. They sure are a flirt, at least.
KALEL/KALIS (M/F) (VAMPIRE) - K, once your old friend (and possible ex partner) is now insistent on joining your group considering they seem to have a stake in this too. (pun non intended)
SELINA (F)(SERPENT/HUMAN HYBRID) - Selina the Serpent is the owner of the biggest gambling den in the red light district, and also someone you don't want to cross. Over the years, she's traded with you on all sorts of things people leave behind in exchange for information...and now she wants to join in one the group. Having her around would really help, considering she has eyes everywhere.
QUINN (F/M)(HUMAN) - your best friend and the one you hired for Angelwood. And a human, which seems to be rare these days.
You are a Warden, a monster hunter who has come to the Kingdom of Auris which has become the forefront runner in it’s acceptance of magic and supernatural alike within the West Highlands. But when strange happenstances occur, you are called upon not just because of skill, but also because of your condition. A condition you’ve lied about for last 12 years.
Unearth the secrets that magic holds as a new form is discovered.
Befriend or romance those who attempt to worm through the cracks of the mask you wear. Or will you fight to keep them at arms length?
Regardless of where your journey takes you, your feathered friend will be at your side. As he always has been.
This story will be 18+ for the following reasons:
Explicit and erotic intimate scenes
Death, including of a child
Violence, blood and gore
Thoughts of suicide
Mentions of suicide
Self harm
Explicit language
Mental trauma
Horror elements
Feelings of being watched
NOTE: Your character will be pretending to have a disability (blindness), not because of a disorder but out of self preservation.
This list may be updated.
You are running away from your past. As you take a this new job, you're forced to confront it. What vices do you use to cope? Will you learn to rely on others or will your raven be your only source of comfort? Will you feel guilty for your lies? Yours will be a journey of self-forgiveness, or maybe you'll only fall deeper into despair.
Play as a man, woman, or non-binary. Gay, straight, or bi.
Plenty of customization options from physical appearance to clothes.
Φ Admos de Le Wren ─ Male | Draconian | Second-Born
After being chosen as the new Dragon Lord, Admos feels a deep guilt for the rift it caused between his 13 siblings. Will you guide and help him come to terms with his position? Will you be the snake or the song bird that whispers in his ear?
Φ Lyth/Lyari de Le Wren ─ Gender Selectable | Draconian | Tenth-Born
After deciding to become the Viceroy of Auris, Ly helps Admos keep the kingdom in check by doing all of the dirty work. But how far will they go to protect their brother? Do they remember that they too have wants and needs to be tended to? Is their aid only hindering their brother's ability to rule?
Φ Leese/Lea van Laere ─ Gender Selectable | Human | Vampire
When this knight was turned into a vampire in their previous home, they were forced to flee and have come to hate what they are. Always throwing themself head first into every conflict in hopes that one will end them. But not everyone is a monster. Will you help them see that?
Φ Xiang Xiaowen/Xiaodan ─ Gender Selectable | Human
An ambassador who was sent to Auris to assist the Dragon Lord with matters involving the Council. Xiao fought hard to gain this role. As to why? Well...maybe they'll fill you in.
Φ Gabriel Duarte ─ Gender Selectable | Human
Assigned to you as an assistant of sorts, this recently knighted guard is thrown into a pit of nightmares when a simple scouting mission went wrong. Will you help them find peace once again?
Φ Hestia ─ She/They | Elf? | Witch
Even the most kind have their secrets.
Φ ???
Poly Routes: Lyth/Lyari and Gabriel | Leese/Lea and Gabriel | Xiaowen/Xiaodan and Hestia
Sorry for disturbing u - by a question that maybe it's stupid (so feel free to just ignore) - but I get interested in your interactive fiction and wondered where I can find it :D
Hello! I'm working on it! Should be out late August. Thank you for your interest. :]
will we be able to have changed in our 'retirement' as it were? I'd be interested in defining past!villain!MC as a ruthless horror, but being able to behave differently in the present, for instance. Super interesting concept for a game!
Yes. The MC that you are in the present doesn't have to be who you were in the past. MC could've been a ruthless killer with no regard for others during their heydays but could now be very soft, pacifist-type in the present.
I wonder, how Project DARK is going to make MC... behave. I mean, what they're going to do if MC backstab the team as soon as they made contact with Spider? E and N is loyal, Z make a deal and L is mystery for now, but what kind of hook they have on MC except prison/execution and threat of violence?
Well, MC was in hiding and did a damn good job of it before they found them but it was still hiding. Execution and prison are pretty damn convincing, at least for MC now who has managed to create a new, peaceful life for themself.
MC also has other reasons for helping Project DARK, but it's spoilery so I'll keep it for the demo :). There will be a list of choices in the beginning that's basically declaring your main 'motivation' for going through with this.
BUT I never said you can't betray Project DARK. The siren song that is the criminal underworld is an enticing one, hahaha.
