Don't Cry For Me is a fantasy story set in a low-magic world. The world is a cruel place, and most intend just to survive. You want to thrive.
Play as the second child of the greatest general that the Empire of Dacian has seen in a generation. However, to your father's dismay, you are a daughter rather than a son. His dismay only deepens when you are followed by your twin sister.
Your childhood is a happy one, despite your father's disappointment with your sex and your mother's resentment. You played with your siblings and friends. You even got to meet the royal family.
When Emperor Velen is overthrown, you are a month off from turning eighteen. A barbarian, Cahir of Leofrey, takes the throne and ten days after your birthday, your sister and you are summoned to serve as concubines.
How will you cope when you are hiding a secret? That a voice plagues you most days and nights, urging you to do things that ought not be spoken about? Will you be able to claw your way to power?
Play as a young woman whose fate you control.
Customize your character, and her family as a result.
Enter the palace and capture the eyes of the most powerful people in the realm, or rebuke tradition and stay true to your heart.
Gain power for yourself or for the benefit of those you care about.
Choose to let your heart, your brain, or both to guide you in relationships with the Emperor, the Empress, your childhood friend, and a mysterious figure.
Discover where the voice that haunts you comes from...
All have their cons. Some have their pros... Perhaps one of them will help you get to where you want to be.
Emperor Cahir of Leofrey
A barbarian. He stole the emperor's throne and desecrates the legacy of those who came before him by keeping the company of witches and warlocks. He killed the entire royal family, save the eldest daughter, who is now his empress.
Appearance: Cahir stands at 6'3' (190 cm). He has platinum blond hair that only reaches his ears. His skin is pale, and he has icy blue eyes that make him look unnerving. He is thirteen years older than the MC.
Empress Sirin Daken
The eldest and favorite child of the Fourth Daken Emperor. After Emperor Cahir killed Emperor Velen and his son on the field of battle, he took Sirin as his wife to give his reign legitmacy. As expected, she hates him and wears black to show mourning for the family her husband killed.
Appearance: Sirin is a tall woman, standing at 5'7" (170 cm). Her long, glossy black hair is unstyled and her tanned skin is flawless. Her dark brown eyes seem empty. She is six years older than the MC.
Yves/Yve
Y has always been a friend to you. Whether that is all they are, or if they are an adopted sibling or a bastard of your father is up to you.
(Note: If female, Yve will pretend to be a man to join you in the palace.)
Appearance: Y is tall, standing at 5'9" (175 cm) if female and 6'1 (185 cm) if male. They have shoulder length brown hair, piercing green eyes, and dark olive skin. They are one year older than the MC.
???
Is there anything to say about a man you do not know?
Family is important, isn't it? After all, your family may be all you have to fall back on.
Kaiyan, Your Father
Your father is a hard man to know. He spends almost of his time at home with your brothers. Is it regret that flickers in his eyes when the Emperor Cahir summons you?
Asya, Your Mother
Your mother is prone to melancholy and her health is frail. She turns to witches to regain her health and retain her beauty. She blames Suna and you for her illnesses and Lukhan's condition.
Tian, Your Elder Brother
Your elder brother and your father's perfect son. He is shaping up to be a talented soldier, but can he live up to your father's legacy?
Suna, Your Sister
Your identical twin sister. She is content to follow your lead. Whether she is a welcome follower or not, you are the person she relies on the most.
Lukhan, Your Younger Brother
Your younger brother inherited some of your mother's frality. He is smart, but rarely tries to use his mind. Sometimes you wonder if he hides behind his health as a shield.
This story is an incredibly dark one. Content Warnings include the discussion of miscarriages, child abuse (and the discussion of it), misogyny, and optional incest with an adopted sibling or a half-sibling (there is a choice to be unrelated). There will be more Content Warnings added as the story progresses and will have a dedicated screen in the Demo.
been doing notecard doodle commissions at our local furmeet. it's been great fun drawing so many characters in such different ways. here's a collection from the first meet back in May!
Don't Cry For Me is the working title of the interactive fiction novel I am working on.
The Empire of Dacian has been ruled for the last one hundred and twenty-three years by the Daken Royal Family. In the twenty-eighth year of the reign of the Fourth Daken Emperor, a barbarian king began his war to take the Empire for himself.
During the thirty-second year of the reign of the Fourth Daken Emperor, he succeeds.
Your father, a fierce supporter of the Fourth Emperor, is told he must send both his daughters to serve the new Emperor as his concubines ten days after your and your twin sister's eighteenth birthday.
There's a voice in your head, and it won't go away.
This story will be incredibly dark. It is not for the faint of heart. The main character is female. There will be no gender choice.
It is for those who are over 18 only.
All of the ROs are red flags.
Cahir, the Emperor. Your husband, so to speak.
Sirin, the Empress. Your trainer and the daughter of the former emperor.
Yves/Yve, the Knight. Your childhood friend and sworn protector.
???, the ???. He has ceased to be a person. All he is is vengeance.
I will create a proper introduction post in the future, along with a link to the DEMO when it is available.
