Overall, the content added with this update is again pretty chunky: ~117k words added in total.
Total word count is at around 409k words (excluding menus and startup); the average playthrough is probably around 120k words, just under ~30% of total word count.
I do think this chapter will feel faster than the last couple - at least it did for me, when playtesting - I think that's due to a mix of action and branching.
Outside of the content outlined below, I’ve made some substantial reworks again to the menu system, including written flavourtext for the MC's relationship bars with certain important characters. There's also some fun stuff with the Mastery bars which you'll see once you get there.
Some things to look out for in Chapter 4:
Conclude the Pactbinder's first term at Hightower at last.
Take your end-term exams.
Grow closer to a collegemate - potentially romantically. Or spend time with the whole crew!
Delve into Old Hightower.
A reunion.
I hope that you enjoy the release, and please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any feedback or commentary. As always, views on the game so far and comments are truly gratefully received.
I’m especially interested to hear if the cast is still working for you and how you found the romance scenes. I’d also love to hear about your Pactbinders, and whether there are any points where you feel the narration or the options available to you didn’t give you an option that worked for your character.
Finally - please do share your stats in the report at the end of the chapter with me - these are hugely helpful for my work balancing each chapter (plus I love seeing how everybody is running through the game!).
Thanks for sticking with the story (and welcome to those new to Pactbinder!)
woaahh thank uuu for the tag xixixi @aquaticmercy 💕
i think this is the closest i can make and it's quite accurate actually likeeee i do look like this once or twice a month or whenever i'm in the mood to fully dress up mwuehehe 😆 and i love all black style 🖤
no pressure tags : @sharkisrinon (and whoever else wants to join) 🤗✨
work in progress | ~85k words incl. code | last update: 07/02/2026
What would you do, if you knew how it would all end?
BLUE-BLOODED is a romance, low-fantasy, and mystery interactive fiction set in a medieval world of magic, power, and vengeance. Unveil the secrets lurking in the shadows and behind the throne, and shape the fate of both your own life and the world.
SYNOPSIS
Your story begins where you die, and your fate is far more grim than the pretty fables recounted in books of fantasy and enchantment. With your untimely demise comes the world's end, all whilst you lock gazes with the person who caused it.
But before you can proceed, you are thrown back to the beginning— back to day zero, in a tranquil village on the outskirts of a kingdom where magic vibrates in the very air and power is worn as a royal mantle.
The day the herald’s prophecy comes to fruition, a knight arrives to your village, bearing the emblem of the Crown. By will of the Crown, you are forced to join the blue-bloods who are flocked like cattle into a carriage drawn by horses. You and your neighbor are taken from your homes to be trained within the imperial stronghold.
Despite your predicament, there's something itching the back of your mind… Your neighbor’s eyes oddly remind you of something.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
We are thrilled to finally announce the first release of Blue-Blooded! This initial release includes the Prologue and Chapters 1, 2, and 3. Please note that we are still fine-tuning and balancing the game's stats to ensure the best possible experience!
If you would like to report any bugs or constructive criticism, please feel free to do so via open asks or through our forum post HERE.
INTRODUCTION | LORE | RO APPEARANCES | VALENS TAG | CALDER TAG | SIBYL TAG | ERIS TAG | ANSWERED ASKS
For nearly three years, a mysterious creature has terrorised the region of Gévaudan. Described by survivors as wolf-like and relentless, it kills indiscriminately, taking men, women and children alike, leaving behind only what the strongest could stomach. Many have taken up arms, from simple farmers and hunters to soldiers and even nobles hungry for glory.
None have succeeded.
To this day the mystery remains. Is it a wolf? A hyena? A werewolf? A wizard, or simply a human murderer? Somewhere between folklore and nightmare, between cautionary tale and genuine terror, the Beast of Gévaudan still eludes all.
Only one person knows the truth.
You.
Why?
Because you are the Beast of Gévaudan.
An 18th century interactive fiction set in rural France, while inspired by the real historical legend it is not an accurate historical one.
Play as a werewolf navigating grief, secrets, and survival in a world that would destroy you if it knew what you were. The Church and the Third Estate cast long shadows here, but misogyny, homophobia, racism and transphobia, while rooted in that history, have been deliberately pushed to the back. The fights were fought but the scars remain.
Play as a werewolf who is struggling with control over its form.
Full character customisation: pronouns & gender, hair color and texture, height, skin color, personality (between 4 possible), your job (between Blacksmith and Doctor), and more...
A reverse thriller at its core: you are the killer. You are what everyone is hunting. How long can you keep this up?
Navigate the politics of 18th century France: the Church, the Nobility, the Tiers État, and what it means to survive in a country on a verge of revolution, that was never built for people like you in the first place.
Branching narrative shaped by your choices: what you do, who you trust, what you hide.
Themes of grief, identity, redemption, found family, social and economical class, faith, and the particular terror of being known.
Four romanceable characters all with their own secrets, or, if that’s not your thing, play the friend route
Louisette "Lou" Valet
she/her | the innkeeper
(Lou is a trans woman and a lesbian)
Description: rozy skin often sunburnt, green-blue eyes, red curly hair, and freckles. She has the brightest smile in all the village.
Vibes: Your closest friend, your steadiest constant, the person who stayed when everyone else stopped trying. A friends-to-lovers romance for those who believe that the most terrifying thing in the world is letting someone who already loves you, sees all of you.
Camille Antoine
they/them | the king’s hunter,
(Camille is Non-Binary and Demi)
Description: warm black skin, tall, dark eyes and long eyelashes, with long locs tied in an intricate ponytail, broad shoulders. They're quite strong but in a slender way.
Vibes: they were sent by the king himself to do one thing: kill the Beast of Gévaudan. They don't know they've already met it. Warm, composed, and irritatingly good at everything. They try to hide the weight of expectation on their shoulders. A romance for those who like the workaholic golden one; who wish to see the person behind the veneer.
Alexis Chastel
she/her or he/him | the gamekeeper
(While Alexis gender is selectable, they are more of a "masc" person)
Description: Tall and strong in a heavy way, Tan skin, littered in scars, hazel eyes and a brown buzzcut.
Vibes: more comfortable in the forest than in any room with people in it. Alexis knows this land better than anyone. They know every trail, every creature, every hiding place. Quiet, but not unkind. The kind of person who shows up rather than speaks up. A romance for those who like gentle giants and Strong Silent types.
Hyacinthe
she/her or he/him | the bard
(While Hyacinthe gender is selectable, they are more of a "fem" person)
Description: French-born and Indian-descend, brown skin, dark hair, deep brown eyes, hair tied in a ponytail and a crooked nose. They are on the smaller side of average.
Vibes: Passing through, as always, and armed with a smirk that suggests they know something you don't. Hyacinthe arrives with a song, stays for reasons they won't admit, and leaves before things get complicated. A push-and-pull romance for those who like a reformed rake
[DEMO]
Content warnings: violence, gore, death (including animal and human death), themes of grief and loss, religion and class as sources of conflict, body horror (transformation), strong language.
coach said serving face is as important as serving balls or something along those lines. ANYWAY. here's my own interpretation of the entire Cargill Men's team (even tho they have two nonbinary members)
all characters are from @collegetennisoriginstory !!
18+ interactive fiction story dealing with sensitive topics like abuse, self-harm and addiction (plus future optional sexual content). Read at your own discretion.
One of the major themes for this story is identity vs. conformity. As such it is not possible to play as anything other than male or female at the start with he/him and she/her pronouns. There will be opportunities later in the story to identify as trans or non-binary and adjust your body, name and pronouns accordingly. Be warned that such changes and queer relationships will elicit a reaction from characters in the story, but don't let that stop you from being yourself.
Love is the greatest weapon of all, but its absence is not peace.
At the age of twelve, your parents’ abuse couldn’t be concealed any longer. Now—a year later—you’re in a new home, still reeling from the unfairness of it all. A nasty habit that destroys delicate skin helps, but so does playing your well-loved guitar to escape a world that scares you. Exceptional talent, but an inability to fit in, you're left instilled with mistrust beneath a layer of yearning for something you’ve never had. Taking a desperate approach to change your life, you sign up for Stagebound; Britain's largest singing competition.
Young and scared, you reveal something you can’t take back, only to deal with the aftermath your whole career. An outstanding career as a guitarist in a band consisting of people you didn't know before the competition; people your age who will struggle alongside you as you navigate the music industry for many years. The strongest bonds break the loudest... can you really trust the people you didn't get to choose?
Consists of III acts spanning 3 chapters each.
Act I: The Stagebound competition and the aftermath spanning a year later.
Act II: The band breaking into the US market and dealing with all things Hollywood.
Act III: Reunion album and tour years down the line.
Customise your MC! From looks to personality to behaviours, make a character with a predetermined backstory your own.
Struggle with all aspects of fame, or embrace the rockstar lifestyle and shower in the attention.
Keep the peace or stir the drama! With bandmates like these things are sure to stay interesting.
Fight against the constraints of the industry. Queer or otherwise unconventional? Your path to self-expression won't be easy but no less worthwhile.
Your horrific public past haunts you. Will you fall into a rabbit-hole of vices or find healthier ways to cope?
Greylin/Greyson 'Grey' Charter [f/m]
"They told me I couldn’t, so I did it twice and took pics."
Outgoing and confident, Grey doesn't allow themself to go unnoticed. They chase good times unapologetically, but remain ambitious in all their pursuits. They're charismatic despite how stubborn they tend to be, and they work hard to conceal their unpleasant tendencies. They idolise performers who dominate the scene—wild, eccentric, impossible to ignore. Getting them on stage is easy. Getting them off, however…
As the lead singer and you as the guitarist, you could be a powerful duo—be it forged in friendship or rivalry. Either way, Grey can take you to the highest peaks, and the lowest valleys. The journey won't be easy, but if you make it you'd have someone that would believe in you till the end of time.
Finley Beckham-Barlowe [f/m]
"Music unlocks the soul; that's why it's called a key."
Closed-off and understated, Finley is used to getting overlooked. They fit the image of the cool bassist on stage, though the same easy-going attitude doesn’t quite carry off of it. Quiet by nature, they still voice their opinions without hesitation. They're also not one to conceal their emotions intentionally, and love music that convey feelings in a raw manner. Getting them on stage is of little issue, it’s the spectacle beyond performing that leaves them weary.
As the bassist they could be the rhythm to your melody or the chain to your freedom. They can guide as easily as they obstruct, and the dynamic between you would be a constant push and pull. Finding balance won't be easy, but if established, you'd have an anchor for life.
Bem Adeleke [f/m]
"There is strength in crying and in numbers… so crying about maths is the epitome of strength!"
Friendly and eager, Bem sets out to win people over. They're a natural mediator functioning as the backbone of the band, yet unfamiliar with the drums, they constantly scramble to keep up with the rest of you. They live in constant movement, much like the dance music they're drawn to, rarely slowing down to think about themself. Getting them on stage is the hard part; everything after is what they live for.
As your drummer they sit at your centre without meaning to, trying to be a steady baseline without matching the tempo required. When the beat does drop however, you know who'll break their back trying to catch it. But heartbeats are tricky and synchronization can't be forced. If developed naturally, it would mean two lives equally intertwined by the pace you've set.
Irene Svetla
Pop-star phenomenon and Britain's sweetheart, Irene was a contestant on Stagebound a decade before you. Winning the competition meant skyrocketing to fame in an event that still leaves her reeling. She's your self-imposed protector and can be your greatest ally as well as your biggest obstacle.
Zakari 'Zak' Hakim
Underground artist turned mainstream as hip-hop exploded in popularity and carried overseas. He knows the industry well and bears it with a grin. Zak grants you the most freedom but the least guidance, focused solely on increasing your reach even if it means stretching you thin in the process.
Chris Feldman
Veteran from the glory days of the seventies and eighties music scene, Feldman carries the scars of a rockstar with understated pride. When music shifted and his band became obsolete he took a backseat as a producer and manager instead. Feldman knows all about the hidden corners of the industry and the danger of vices. He's there to toughen you up, and give you the reality check you didn't ask for but might have needed.
Stagebound is a WIP slice-of-life/fame IF story with optional romance. Things are liable to change, bugs are likely to occur and typos will slip through. Feedback is always appreciated. Your thoughts matter. It helps me shape this story into the best it can be!
As an author I do not use, nor support the use of generative AI. I do not consent for my work to be used to train these models (though I doubt that matters).
Is there anything more profoundly human than to cry?
Orphaned from a young age, you do what you must to survive. But what happens when something sinister disrupts the mundanity of your everyday life?
You begin as a child born to a native mother and a colonist father. Although you are shaped by both cultures, neither has always been eager to claim you.
Amidst war and an ongoing colonisation, you must find your place within the Kingdom of Yawa, or die trying.
Ascendant is an Epic-Fantasy inspired by the ancient Kingdom of Majapahit. This interactive fiction also draws inspiration from ancient manuscripts (such as Pararaton and Negarakertagama,) colonisation and local Southeast Asian folklore, but is otherwise entirely fictional in nature, and therefore, does not contain 100% historical accuracy.
Features:
- play out your backstory
- play as female, male, or nonbinary
- decide the fate of those around you
- face the consequences of your own actions
- play as one of the mythological races based on Southeast Asian folklore
- romance your companions
- or have short (and long) flings
- delve into the magical Kingdom of Yawa and discover its secrets
- uncover your family's secrets
TW: Heavy, mature themes and discussions, such as body horror, war crimes, sexual themes and discussions, cults, religious trauma, colonisation impact, banning of native languages, child abuse, and other potentially triggering materials
DEMO - soon | Playlist
Note: As the local law bans NSFW content, I will adhere to it by making future sex scenes non explicit (i.e. not mentioning any body parts and focusing more on the intimacy rather than the sex itself,) as otherwise, I'd have to do 12 years in prison. 😭🫶
Romance Options
The Knight, Arya Civa (M)
"Hell could not claim him,
yet he yearned for its still and icy embrace."
As the miracle son of the Mahapatih (prime minister,) Civa is raised to be a great warrior and to someday lead the Yawan army to glory.
However, you see cracks forming underneath his composed elegance as he bears the expectations of those around him.
Playlist | Moodboard
The Serpent Spy, Laoly Gülo (F)
"There she stood,
venom drips from her tongue as she stayed blindly devoted to a lost cause."
Born into a family of Naga performers, it didn't take much for her to fall in love with the art of Ronggeng dancing, captivating her audience wherever she goes.
Yet you realise early that her charms conceals an ulterior motive.
Playlist | Moodboard
The Winged Scholar, D. Solisa (F/M/NB)
"So sang the winged creature,
its voice heavy with longing as it casts its gaze unto the void."
D's future is as bright as their mind, set to be one of the best poet Yawa has ever seen, they shouldn't have to hide their real identity.
But with everyone carrying their own prejudice beliefs about the winged people of Wandan island, it was easier said than done.
Playlist | Moodboard
???
"Faithless, pathless, kinless.
How cruel had the world treated you...
and yet, you persist."
You won't be meeting this character for a while, don't worry about them :))
Dear friends, it's back on the fascist table and if you have a second to spare, I'd appreciate your signature as much as all common sense human beings out there. No special register for inter* trans* and nonbinary* folks in Germany. No forced outing at every fuckin federal office for no reason.
You do NOT have to be a German citizen to sign it. Every signature is appreciated. Sharing welcome too.
Hello, may I see your invitation, please? Ah, yes, welcome! Please, leave a note for the happy couple to read on their honeymoon.
And take a seat, the ceremony will start very soon.
———
Since the blog has hit the 1000 followers milestone, I've decided to release the demo earlier than planned, as a way to thank you all for your continued support.
Insurrection: HAWKS is a character-driven work of interactive fiction set in a world where superpowered beings must grapple with their purpose, persecution, and promise of godhood. A world where you, and your fellow agents, may be all that stands between it and fate’s insurrection.
You have inherited a soul-touching power through the Gifted bloodline: more specifically, the Gift that allows you to become a blood-eating copycat. Now, you must use the ‘Gifts’ of others—or your own skill—to save the world from a delusional man and the rebellion behind him … all while avoiding the pitfalls of losing your heart, mind, and soul.
Warnings (prone to change): Blood / Bleeding & Minor Cutting (Not Self-Harm Related), Minor Character Death, General Violence, Prejudice / Discrimination, Abuse / Abuse of a Child (Vague, Mentioned, NPC Backstories - Not MC-related), Abduction, Sexual Content
ROs | CARDINALS | Characters of Note | Mechanics | Factions | Demo TBA | Forum TBA
These are the titles branded onto the CARDINALS. They are no strangers to the judgment of the masses. It is to be expected as a rising organization fighting for the rights, and perhaps even the supremacy, of the Gifted. They know that there is something tainted in their hearts, and something pure about their dreams. It is a common reality among their small sect of humanity: those who have been granted hereditary abilities once associated with fiction, from origins unknown. Self-possessed abilities that bear the strength to topple the world or rule it.
They are your brethren, these Gifted.
But you are not a CARDINAL.
Welcome, Agent Mockingbird, to the HAWKS!
In this sector of an international agency known as WINGS, you are to serve on the front lines of the world’s greatest threats of insurrection. Primarily, undermining and counteracting the CARDINALS at every turn.
At least, that is what your superiors (captors) hope you will do.
Are you ready to stand against the CARDINALS? You must prepare yourself to face against the personalities of the Inner Circle, as well as their own deadly Gifts. Led by a man losing his grip on humanity. Commanded by a Grim Reaper with a lost love for life. Guided by a healer with a savior complex. But the three central leaders of this rebel organization aren’t the only notable threats out there.
All eight of the Inner Circle, and an additional newcomer, stand between you and the stability of the world. And as you quickly unveil the nature of their latest plot, you may find yourself opposed to what will be humanity’s saving grace or final tragedy. Fate has written you off as a withered pawn. But fate has little say when its ethereal order falls to a dream’s insurrection.
Are you ready to stand up to—or for—the HAWKS? Will you push back against the organization, or pick fights against the agents within it? Will you embrace the WING’s cause as your own, or choose to embrace the people who serve that cause? Perhaps you’ll find love with a fellow Specialist Agent— a love that will be condemned by those who stand against your kind. Or maybe you will fall for a Supervising Agent and suffer the burden of a forbidden romance.
Every Gifted has a Gift. It’s in the namesake. Yours concerns blood-eating. Gross, and slightly creepy on paper, but it’s invaluable to your new team at Division-01. Consuming the blood of a fellow Gifted grants you a temporary possession of their own unique gift, with an added twist.
Whoever’s blood you consume connects you to their psyche, their soul. A consequence that may bring opportunity and harm depending on how you play it.
Be careful when deciding whose blood to use when in perilous danger. There may be a long-term impact from being too reliant on a specific person’s soul.
Customize your protagonist: name, gender, personality, body type, facial appearance, region of origin, tattoos and marks, former career, and more!
Choose the core emotion of your psyche: sadness, anger, fear, joy, or apathy.
Nine ROs: a regretful romantic, a shy visionary, a stern leader, a conflicted protector, a dutiful soldier, a lively wildcard, a soft-hearted hot-head, a curious tinkerer, and a lost soul.
Minor Romances: Other characters who may have an attraction towards you but, for one reason or another, will not manifest into fully committed long-term partners. Their feelings, however, may persist alongside the development of your official relationship - a troublesome predicament for some and a challenge for others.
Determine your allegiance to the CARDINALS, the HAWKS, neither, or both.
Tailor your personality! Are you a stoic optimist that’s shy yet eager to protect your friends? Or are you an honest loner with a cruel streak that’s known for their humility? Whatever feels true to you!
Wield powers once thought to be unimaginable— with the unintended consequence of tapping into the psyche of your team! But remember, there’s a chance that the Gifts of the HAWKS will not be the only ones you taste. Exercise caution where you may. Or … don’t. The choice is ultimately yours.
Discover the motivations behind the CARDINALS Inner Circle. Extend to some your hand in friendship, earn the respect of a few, or make the personal hit list of others. Maybe even find everlasting love with one (at your own risk). Just know that some are more dangerous to provoke than their peers.
Live by your ambition, or sacrifice your deepest wants for a new purpose (or person).
Earn the respect, friendship, contempt, or love of the HAWKS and CARDINALS - and choose whether to honor or betray these developing bonds.
Tame or Be Overcome by your Gift in accordance with its origin.
Play a hand in how Gifts are perceived and developed in those around you.
When the CARDINALS test the limits of reality and fate, you must take a stand. Be that through your friendship, your love, your desperation, your authority, your manipulation, or your bloodthirst.
View the full character profiles linked here to see Artbreeder images of an RO’s likeness, background details, and more! Below will be descriptions about the main ROs and an explanation on minor romances.
