You are a Hollow. You’re powerless. Worthless. Forgotten. You’ve had to make your own place in this world for as long as you’ve known. In the world of Noxaria, strength determines your place, you were born without Vis — the very thing that defines humanity’s worth. It didn’t always used to be this way. And for whatever reason, you’re determined to find out why. Why the Vessels treat the Hollow’s the way they do, why you and your people are constantly vilified, why you are forced to constantly live in shadow. In shadow next to a pit that seems to be calling your name. Uncover the truth about what happened that day. On the day of the Resurrectio. It’s either that, or face your impending doom.
>Find out the truth about what happened that day.
>Play as male, female or non-binary.
>Customise your MC’s appearance, name, motives and personality!
Prince of the Sovereign Veil. Also your employer. Distant, intimidating and cold. When he doesn’t think your looking you catch the look in his eyes. Forlorn and lost. His exterior is hard, but once he swears his loyalty to something, he has every intention of fulfilling his duty. Will he let you in?
| You don’t understand why he looks at you with a grief in his eyes. “ “When I am around you, I forget the rest of the world. My duties, My title, my frustration at myself.”
Solan:
Your best friend since you can remember. You guys have stuck together through thick and thin. Through starvation and tears. He’s loyal, inquisitive and a tad bit sarcastic. But to you, he’s never been anything but kind. You were raised together, and you can’t imagine another world in which you were not. He would go to great lengths to ensure your safety. Will your bond survive, no matter your actions?
| His eyes are filled with an intense passion when he looks at you. “Just…I’m always here yeah? Always. To the depths of the void and back.”
Sekhira Aten:
Protective and guarded. Her determination drives her to do things that may be considered impulsive. Lucian’s right hand woman. Highly dependable and practical. She doesn’t trust easily, your either on her side, or in her way. You challenge everything she has been taught and she’s not used to being challenged. Will she view you as an obstacle, or decide your someone she wants to protect?
|“I don’t trust easily. I don’t forgive easily. But when I choose someone… I don’t abandon them.”
Zaira Ankh:
Skittish, defensive and blunt. There is anger there, but it stems from something. And you don’t know what. A constant readiness to fight. She pushes people away before they have the chance to get close, as if distance is the only thing keeping her safe. Eyes always flitting away, her anger masks her fear. Will you show her its okay to trust?
|“I spent years convincing myself I didn’t need anyone. Then you came along and ruined everything.”
Batin Al-Layl:
Snarky, manipulative and ready to stab you at any moment. He’s fucking crazy. He’s hunting you, and he makes it clear that your the prey. Relentless. The most important things to him is probably his dagger. He’s methodical yet violent. He is cruel. He is unpredictable. He is someone you should fear. Why don’t you fear him?
|“The problem with chasing something interesting is that eventually you don’t want to catch it. You want to study it.”
The zylox have plagued humanity for as long as anyone can remember.
They’re the stuff of nightmares. The monsters you tell your kids about to scare them into good behavior. The center of everyone’s darkest fears.
And now, they’re a bigger threat than ever.
Zylox (zy•low) are sadistic monsters that feed on human pain. They’re formidable, with superhuman strength, speed, and agility. They torture indiscriminately, kidnap people in droves, and make up more than half of the crime rate. But recently, they’ve grown cohesive. Coordinated.
Like they’re planning a revolution.
You’re a newly-minted agent at the Zylox Control Corporation—an institute focused on containing the zylox and eradicating all zylox related crimes—and you’ve just been handed your first assignment:
Work with a zylox to infiltrate the most deadliest zylox syndicate to date.
It’s dangerous, deadly, and likely to end in your death.
But you rise to the task.
Sadeans is a dark urban fantasy interactive novel. Features include:
- Customizable character. Choose your character’s gender, appearance, and pronouns. Shape their personality as you play.
- 6 current romance options: 3 guys and 2 girls. You can befriend, romance, or severely enrage any of them.
- Choose your skillset and apply it in combat.
- Fight to stop the Zylox revolution, and uncover groundbreaking secrets about the zylox along the way.
Junit (M, 24)
A captured zylox forced to do the ZCC’s (the Zylox Control Corporation’s) bidding, and your assigned partner. He’s flippant, bubbly, troublesome, and extraordinarily dangerous.
You’ll likely have to keep an eye on him to prevent him from escaping, or, you know, sneaking off to torture some poor soul.
Rion (M, 25):
Cold and quietly sassy strategist. He’s brilliant, calculating, and has a bit of a short fuse. He tends to keep people at an arm’s length, and you’ve never managed to make it past a distantly amicable relationship. But, perhaps that can change.
Aiden: (M, 28)
Your longtime loyal friend who cares deeply for you. He’s your senior agent, and a great recourse. He’s the perfect soldier: strait-laced, by-the-book, and fiercely protective.
Q: (F, 27)
Off-beat, spunky doctor who’s as wacky as she is skilled. Somehow, she always turns on the serious personally like a switch whenever higher-ups are around…
She’s fun and boisterous, but what might you find if you dig a little deeper?
Mermoset (F, 22)
A timid, nervous fellow rookie agent who has low self esteem issues. She seems to harbor a dark past that runs deeper than simple trauma.
Jamie Coleman (M, 24)
Fellow agent who’s sweet, soft-spoken, and determined to do good. As he’s an underdog, it seems your backgrounds are complete opposites: with him having a history of being overlooked and underestimated, and you being an esteemed cadet who everyone always hailed a prodigy.
Still, you may be able to find similarities in the things that matter most.
💰play as a stay-at-home parent that gets entangled in a life of crime!
💰Inspired by the TV show Good Girls, and a little bit of Breaking Bad.
Summary: Life used to be about toddler tantrums and sleepless nights. Now, it’s about dodging bullets and prison bars—thanks to your charming spouse.
It all started when you were almost finished preparing dinner, as you did every night, when your spouse stumbled through the door, bloody and bruised—with a revelation that would shatter your world. Their hidden gambling addiction has racked up a staggering debt, but that’s not even the worst part. They owe half a million dollars to MC-14, one of the most ruthless gangs in the city. You have 8 months to gather the money, or your family will pay the ultimate price.
Thrown into a deadly game you never asked to play, you’re forced to make impossible choices to survive. Can you protect your family? Can your marriage survive this betrayal? Do you even want it to? Will you come out of this situation as the person you always thought you were, or will this dark world you’ve been thrust into reveal who you really are?
💰Customize your character; their name, gender, sexuality, physical appearance, personality, background, choose how birth affected your character mentally and physically, IF they gave birth. and so much more. Customization matters!
💰Choose your character's age; you can be in your early 20s or 30s. Were you a teen parent or not?
💰 Customize your 5 year old child.
💰Determine who you were before you became a parent, how you feel about parenthood and suburban life in general.
💰Do jobs for a criminal organization in order to pay back your spouse's debt, whether you succeed or fail is on you.
💰Determine what kind of relationship you have with your spouse and child.
💰You may have to be a stay-at-home parent but you can choose why you decided to stay home.
💰Get a divorce or try to fix your marriage? It's your choice.
💰Try to manage a double life.
💰Drama, chaos, and more drama.
💰Determine how you feel about the life of crime.
💰Determine what kind of parent you are.
💰Try to revive your broken marriage with your spouse or possibly romance the ruthless leader of MC-14. Maybe even get yourself involved in a messy love triangle….oof, or have some hookups along the way.
💰Try to manage your expenses, pay your bills on time, and for the love of god, don't lose the house!
💰Alaric/Alara Coleman- The Spouse 💍
Age: 21 or 30 (Depends on the MC’s age).
Occupation: A software engineer at Cordovian Technologies. If you choose the teen parent route, the story will delve into how A secured this position at a young age and manages to support a family of three on a single income.
Description:
The love of your life, your best friend, the one person you always felt you could trust without question. There was never a secret between you two… or so you thought. You and A were high school sweethearts, and from the moment you met, you felt something inexplicably special. Smart, funny, goofy, and effortlessly charming, A had a way of making everyone feel at ease, their infectious laughter always filling the room. The A you knew was capable and reliable—loyal to a fault, always showing up when needed. They never broke a promise, and their word was unshakeable. It seemed like A could do no wrong—excelling in every area, from academics to extracurriculars. They were the golden child, the kind of person everyone admired. Yet, in the quiet moments, you couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe no one, not even A, could truly be that perfect… Maybe you were right.
Tropes: High School sweethearts, golden retriever, soulmates.
Red Flags : Deceptive, prideful, egotistical, self-destructive.
Green Flags: Protective, intelligent, self-sacrificing.
Physical Description:
Male A: A stands at 5’9” with a lean, subtly athletic build. His short, wavy dark blonde hair is styled in a textured crop, he has light blue eyes and light freckles that dot only his face. He has fair skin , and his style leans toward a sporty, preppy aesthetic.
Female A: A stands at 5’6” with a lean, subtly athletic build. Her shoulder length, wavy dark blonde hair is styled in beach waves, complementing her sharp blue eyes and light freckles that dot only her face. Her fair skin has a natural, youthful tone, and her style leans toward a preppy aesthetic.
💰Victor/Victoria Delgado- The Leader 💀
Age: 35.
Occupation: Leader of the MC-14 gang.
Description:
V Delgado is a gang leader who embodies cold ruthlessness. From birth, they were immersed in a world of crime, violence, and destruction, which forged them into the stoic, calculating figure they are today. With an enigmatic allure and an icy demeanor, V is a master of control—of others and of themselves. Words are unnecessary to them; actions speak louder, and they lead with unflinching efficiency. Brutality is second nature, and they waste no time or energy on hesitation. Their rise to power came through a mix of cunning and raw force, and they will go to any lengths to maintain their dominance. V isn’t a person to be admired, but something about their very presence pulls at you. They are a living, breathing reminder that not all paths to power are clean—and yet, you can’t help but wonder if, maybe, you could get lost in their darkness.
Tropes: Corruption, enemies to lovers, mama I'm in love with a criminal, dark romance, forbidden.
Red Flags: Possessive, controlling, domineering, dangerous, emotionally detached, unpredictable.
Green Flags: They….like puppies, jk. Determined, strong, resilient, very protective and loyal to those who earn their trust and loyalty (which is very few).
Physical Description:
Male V: Standing at a commanding 6’4”, V Delgado carries a powerful, muscular build. He has an olive skin tone. His short, straight dark brown hair is kept in a no-nonsense buzz cut, matching the sharp intensity of his hazel eyes—eyes that hold a calculating, unnerving depth. A prominent scar runs from the corner of his mouth, slashing upward to his ear. His right arm is covered in a detailed sleeve tattoo of a serpent. V’s wardrobe leans toward practicality—subdued, simple outfits that blend into the background. His nice clothes, always at risk of becoming bloodied or torn, are too inconvenient for him to care about; function always comes before appearance.
Female V:Standing at a commanding 5’11”, V Delgado carries an athletic, hourglass build.She has an olive skin tone. Her waist length, straight dark brown hair is kept in a loose style, her hazel eyes hold a calculating, unnerving depth. A prominent scar runs from the corner of her mouth, slashing upward to her ear, a constant reminder of past conflicts. Her right arm is covered in a detailed sleeve tattoo of a serpent, symbolizing her cunning and dangerous nature. Female V’s wardrobe, unlike male V, tends to be elegant, fashionable, sleek, and refined.
💰Renay Bueller-The Bestie 🫂
Age: 21, or 30 (Depends on the MC’s age).
Occupation: If Renay is 21, she’s currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in graphic design at the University of Ridgepoint. If she’s 30, she works as a graphic designer at Horizon Design Studio.
Description: Renay Bueller is your sharp-witted and fiercely confident friend who thrives on making her presence known. Her quick tongue and sassy demeanor never miss a beat, and she’s always ready with a perfectly timed comeback that leaves no room for hesitation. Renay is unapologetically bold in everything she does, embracing her individuality with a flair that’s both magnetic and unshakeable. Her charm lies in her unfiltered honesty and the playful, yet unapologetic, attitude she brings to every conversation.
Physical Description: Renay has curly red hair that falls just above her shoulder. Standing tall, her frame is full and curvy, embodying a blend of strength and softness. She has light green eyes and a tan skin tone. She typically wears bold prints and bright colors, which reflect her bold and loud personality.
💰Haruki “Haru” Kim- The Jokester 🎭*Possible hookup option*
Age: 20.
Occupation: Works as a goon for the MC-14 gang.
Description: Haru Kim is a volatile and unpredictable henchman, known for his chaotic nature and love of causing mayhem. A fearless jokester with a creative streak, Haru thrives on bending the rules, often disregarding orders and pushing boundaries. Recently, he’s been testing V’s patience with his disobedience, straining the once-solid respect between them. Despite this, V remembers the time Haru saved their life, holding it in high regard. However, there’s a limit to how much disrespect and insubordination V is willing to tolerate before they must make a choice about Haru’s future in the gang.
Physical Description: Haru is of Asian descent, standing at a short height with a lanky frame. His platinum blonde hair is styled in a messy, short cut, often looking deliberately unkempt. He has dark eyes. His fashion leans toward grunge, favoring oversized, worn-in pieces—ripped jeans, band tees, and leather jackets—reflecting his rebellious nature. His overall appearance gives off a carefree, slightly disheveled vibe, perfectly complementing his chaotic personality.
💰Jacob Johnson- The Muscle 💪 *Possible hookup option*
Age: 27.
Occupation: Works as a goon for the MC-14 gang.
Description: Jacob is impulsive and quick-tempered, often letting his emotions drive his actions. Fiercely protective of their gang leader, V, Jacob is known for his intimidating presence and a deep sense of loyalty. He thrives in combat, showcasing impressive skills in a fight, but his reckless tendencies can sometimes jeopardize carefully laid plans. His unwavering loyalty is both a strength and a flaw, as he often charges into dangerous situations without fully considering the consequences.
Physical Description: Jacob is of African American descent, with closely cropped black hair in a buzz cut and intense dark brown eyes. Standing tall with a muscular build, his presence is commanding and his physique speaks to years of physical training and strength.
💰Kenny Lockwood-The Veteran 🪖
Age: 52.
Occupation: MC-14 gang’s second in command.
Description: Kenny is a stoic and disciplined individual, harboring a dark past known only to V. With a background in combat and tactical expertise, he is stealthy and calculated in his actions. Though he often butts heads with the younger, more reckless members of the gang, his experience and steady demeanor make him V’s most trusted and reliable confidant.
Physical Description: Kenny is an older man with a grizzled appearance and a bald head. He dresses in an unassuming, practical manner, blending into his surroundings. Of average height and build, his grey eyes carry a quiet intensity that hints at the depth of his experience.
💰Lauren/Lorenzo Esposito- The Fiancé 💔
Age: 30.
Occupation: Nepo baby.
Description: L. Esposito is V’s fiancé—a calculated arrangement orchestrated by their parents to cement loyalty and strengthen the alliance between the MC-14 and Hollowed Saints gangs. While V agreed to the engagement stoically and without hesitation, seeing it as a strategic move for the business, L’s feelings are far from transactional. Cunning, charming, and adept at reading people, L is a master of manipulation when needed. Yet beneath their calculated exterior lies a flicker of compassion and a surprising romantic streak. They genuinely crave a deeper connection with V and are determined to claim that love—no matter who stands in their way. Watch your back.
Physical Description: L. Esposito has sleek, dark brown hair that falls neatly into place, complementing their warm, light brown eyes that always seem to be calculating their next move. Slightly below average in height with a petite, lithe frame, they exude confidence that makes them seem larger than life. Their impeccable sense of style gravitates toward high-end designer clothing—tailored to perfection, whether in sharp suits or sophisticated casual wear. Female L favors bold makeup, often sporting a sultry smokey eye paired with a classic red lip, embodying elegance with an edge.
💰PTA Demons 👿- A clique of has-beens who peaked in high school and made your freshman year a living hell. Now they’re attending PTA meetings—proof that parenting should require a license. *Will encounter them the most if you choose to attend PTA meetings*
• Amanda Willmont- The “HBIC” 👑
Age: 25, or 34 (depends on MC’s age).
Occupation: Nurse for Redwood Medical.
Description: Amanda Willmont is a former high school queen bee who never quite moved past her glory days. Beneath her deceptively sweet demeanor lies a sharp, catty edge. She’s fiercely competitive, a master of passive-aggressive jabs, and always seems determined to undercut whatever I do, as though winning petty battles is her life’s purpose.
Physical Description: Amanda has long, luscious blonde locks that cascade down her back. Her petite frame stands at a striking, model-like height. She’s always impeccably dressed in preppy ensembles, with pink as her signature color—a hue that dominates her wardrobe. Flawless makeup is her armor, and she never steps outside without every detail meticulously in place.
🧸 Child: Emily Willmont.
• Senae Zitkala- The Follower 📱*Possible hookup option*
Age: 25, or 34 (depends on the MC’s age).
Occupation: Blogger.
Description: Senae Zitkala is a timid and impressionable individual who clings to Amanda’s every word, eager to please. Easily swayed by others, Senae’s insecurity often leads her to seek validation through drama and gossip.
Physical Description: Senae has a medium brown complexion and long, sleek black hair. Her style is refined and reminiscent of old-money elegance, favoring timeless and polished attire. Short in stature with a willowy, graceful build.
🧸 Child: Isi Zitkala
• Dan Meadows- The Ex Jock 🏈
Age: 25, or 34 (depends on MC’s age).
Occupation: Briar Prep football coach
Description: Dan Meadows is a cocky, self-assured jock with a penchant for arrogance and an air of entitlement. Quick to brag about his accomplishments, he thrives on attention and often dismisses the opinions of others. Though confident in his physical prowess, he has a tendency to be air-headed.
Physical Description: Dan is tall and well-built with a lean, athletic physique. His caramel brown hair is often tousled in a carefree manner, complementing his striking green eyes and fair skin. He gravitates toward a sporty, casual style—think fitted tees, joggers, and clean sneakers.
🧸 Child: Kyler Meadows.
💰Jimmy/Jain Lockwood 👮-An FBI agent who also happens to be a ghost from your past—one you wish had stayed buried.
Age: 25, or 34 (depends on MC’s age).
Occupation: FBI agent.
*Serious trigger warnings with this one*
Description: J Lockwood is the FBI agent assigned to a case that entails investigating MC-14. But J is more than just an investigator—they’re a ghost from your past, the embodiment of everything you’ve tried to leave behind. On the surface, J is charming, polite, and socially adept, seamlessly fitting into any environment. Their easy smile and confident demeanor mask a darker truth: a relentless, obsessive manipulator who bends reality to fit their desires. Beneath the polished exterior lies a dangerous fixation—J has convinced themselves that your rejection is merely a challenge to conquer. Where others see professionalism, you see the chilling glint of possession in their eyes. And all you’ve ever wanted is to be free of them.
Physical Description: J Lockwood stands slightly taller than average, with a commanding presence that naturally draws attention. Their thick, jet-black hair is neatly styled, a sharp contrast to their ice-blue eyes that seem to pierce through anyone they meet. J’s pale skin hints at long hours spent under artificial lights rather than in the sun. Their athletic build, honed through discipline and physical rigor, is evident in their poised stance and confident movements. Everything about their appearance suggests control—but it’s the chilling intensity behind those eyes that’s impossible to ignore.
💰Monica Delgado- The Matriarch 👸
Age: 62.
Occupation: Retired.
Description: Monica Delgado is warm, nurturing, and deeply affectionate toward those she holds close, embodying a protective and compassionate mother figure. However, in public and professional settings, she transforms into a fierce and authoritative presence, displaying a cutthroat demeanor that commands respect and fear.
Physical Description: Monica Delgado is a petite woman with an average build. She has dark brown hair interwoven with elegant grey streaks that frame her face. She has hazel eyes, and an olive skin tone. She has a shorter stature.
💰Frank Delgado- The Patriarch 🤴
Age: 62.
Occupation: Retired.
Description: Frank Delgado is a disciplined and calculating man who approaches both his criminal organization and family life with a cold, businesslike mindset. Emotionally detached and lacking empathy, he views emotional bonds as a weakness and struggles to connect with his child. His pragmatic and methodical approach to life has shaped V, who inherited many of his traits, including his reserved demeanor and analytical mindset.
Physical Description: Frank Delgado is a tall, distinguished man with an imposing presence. Despite his age, he maintains a fit physique. He has a full head of grey hair that matches his well-groomed grey mustache and beard. His olive skin tone and light brown eyes hint at a steely, calculating nature.
💰Sarah Coleman- The Loving Mother 🤱
Age: 54.
Occupation: Retired.
Description: Sarah Coleman radiates warmth and positivity wherever she goes. With an optimistic outlook, she sees challenges as opportunities and believes in the inherent good in people. Her kindness is evident in the small, thoughtful gestures she offers to friends and strangers alike. Always supportive, Sarah has a natural talent for listening and uplifting those around her, often placing the needs of others before her own. She approaches life with a gentle resilience, driven by her desire to make the world a little brighter for everyone she encounters.
Physical Description: Sarah Coleman has short blonde hair styled in a pixie cut that frames her face. She has blue and a dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Standing shorter than average, she has a lithe frame.
💰Daniel Coleman- The Loving Father 👨🍼
Age: 54.
Occupation: Retired.
Description: Daniel Coleman is charismatic and has a playful, and lighthearted demeanor. He has an easy going nature and sharp sense of humor making him effortlessly likable, often lightening tense situations with a well-timed joke or witty comment.
Physical Description: Daniel Coleman has greying sandy blonde hair. He has dark blue eyes that often gleam with humor and warmth. He Stands at an average height, and carries a slightly chubbier build.
💰Mandy (last name depending on MC)- Mommy Dearest ⛓️💥
Age: 57
Occupation: Retired
Born In Poverty Background Description: Mandy is a person who has a rough and harsh demeanor, often resorting to verbally or physically aggressive behaviors to gain control. She’s impulsive, and quick to lash out at others, especially when things don’t go her way. She tends to use her aggression to intimidate and belittle those she deems as beneath her. She is crude and trashy and ever since you can remember, her abusiveness has made you feel nothing but emotional and physical pain, constantly creating a toxic environment that you couldn’t wait to escape from.
High Middle Class Background Description: Mandy has always been someone who placed immense value on appearances and status. She’s condescending and dismissive of others, always believing her way is the best way. She has a controlling nature that makes her prone to micromanaging situations and people, especially when things don’t go according to her standards. She’s a perfectionist and that drives her to be harsh, particularly with those who fail to meet her expectations. She has always been image obsessed and is only worried about how people will perceive her life, never caring about how you’ve felt. You couldn’t wait to escape the suffocating and cold environment that she created.
Physical Description: *partly depends on the MC* Mandy has a voluptuous body type, and she stands at a height that is a little taller than average.
💰Bill (last name depending on MC)- The Pawn ♟️*pretty much stays the same regardless of background*
Age: 57
Occupation: Retired
Description: Bill is a passive, mild-mannered man who has always avoided conflict and tends to put others’ needs before his own, driven by a deep desire to please those around him. He is emotionally withdrawn, and rarely expresses his true feelings for fear of upsetting the balance of his relationships, especially with his wife, Mandy. Though he secretly has always supported you, he was too afraid to stand up to Mandy’s controlling nature. He never wanted to disown you.
Physical Description:*Partly depends on the MC* Bill is of average height with a lanky, slightly awkward frame. He has wire-framed glasses, and a receding hairline.
*MC was disowned by their parents, the reason depends on your MC and choices.*
💰Cian Murphy-Leader of the rival biker gang 🏍️ *Possible hookup option*
Age: 25
Occupation: Leader of the Eastside Marauders biker gang.
Description: Cian Murphy is the charismatic and ruthless leader of the Eastside Marauders, a rival biker gang to MC-14. With a mix of cocky confidence and a seductive charm, he commands respect and loyalty from his crew. Cian’s ambition drives him to constantly expand his territory, but his temper can ignite in an instant, especially when betrayed. Though vengeful, he holds onto a strong sense of morality, often struggling with the darker side of his actions. His loyalty to his gang and close allies is unwavering, but the weight of his leadership sometimes leaves him questioning the cost of his ambitions.
Physical description: Cian stands just above average height, with chin-length, wavy auburn hair. He has a lean build. His style consists of traditional biker clothing—leather jackets, worn jeans, and boots—complete with a few personalized touches.
💰Your Child 🧸
Age: 5.
Occupation: Just starting kindergarten.
Description: Your child is a joyful little bundle of light, with an innocence that shines through in everything they do. They’re courageous, never shying away from new challenges, and show a surprising level of smarts for someone so young. It’s clear they have a bright future ahead!
This game is 18+
⚠️Content Warnings: This story has very dark and mature themes such as violence, gang activity, trauma, childbirth, sexual content (optional explicit), unhealthy relationship dynamics, profanity, alcohol, and drug use, struggles with mental health, child abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, self harm, unhealthy coping mechanisms, misogyny/sexism, homophobia, transphobia, cheating/affair? sexual harassment/sexual assault (based on a choice, so don't worry it'll be avoidable and nongraphic. This is NOT done by any RO or by the MC), harassment, mentions of abortion, the MC can be a very flawed and morally grey character depending on player choices, I'll continue to add more if I notice more, or if something is brought to my attention.
Note: I do not condone any of these behaviors; they are solely included to illustrate the moral shortcomings of certain characters, including the MC, depending on player choices.
PLAY THE GAME | ABOUT THE AUTHOR | CHARACTER INTROS | PINTEREST | PROGRESS UPDATES | SNIPPETS
Current Progress: Demo is officially live! Prologue and Chapter 1 released (25k words including code) as of 30 September 2025. Currently working on Chapter 2.
10 years ago, you lost it all.
A single night reduced your life to ash, with only a symbol — a spiral in an open palm — scrawled into the dirt. Your only lead on the ones responsible. You followed every whisper, chased every trail — and they led you to the coral-stone halls of Husuni Palace. Deeper still, they led you to the man behind your downfall — the Grand Vizier.
Now, you're inside. His apprentice. You take minutes in council meetings. You liaise with other council members. You shadow him during the day and debrief with him at night. And all the while, you dig and dig for answers you've spent the last decade chasing.
Nyotani: Walk Along the Stars is a political fantasy IF inspired by the Swahili City-States period and the rich cultures that flourished beside them. Step into the shoes of the Grand Vizier's apprentice — close enough to enjoy a taste of power, but not yet free to seize it for yourself.
Uncover the mystery behind your downfall.
Topple the Grand Vizier — or become his most loyal ally.
Find love with any of 6 romanceable characters.
Align with factions across Nyotani — and watch them support you when the time comes.
Shape the future of the Nyotani Federation — or engineer its destruction.
Get the revenge you believe you deserve — or choose to let it all go.
The stars are always watching. What will they remember of you?
Nyotani: Walk Along the Stars is rated 18+ for descriptions of violence, torture, sexually suggestive content, and psychological and physical body horror.
Features:
Choose from six distinct backgrounds - all with one common thread of loss. Become a downtrodden soldier, a heretical believer, a nameless dockrunner and more.
Define yourself — with 8 different personality traits. Once locked in, these will influence how your apprentice responds to the world — and how the world responds to you.
Define your look — skin tone, hair colour, texture, style, length — as well as height and build.
Play as a man, woman, or non-binary.
Choose your faction — align with any of ten factions across the cities in the Federation, and watch them rise or fall alongside you.
Develop relationships — both romantic and platonic — with a variety of characters.
About the Apprentice:
You were 23 when your life crashed down all around you. You're 33 now —older, wiser — and ready to face your demons.
Romance Options:
The Grand Vizier - Malik Kazim
he/him, early 50s
Suave, mature, with an undercurrent of danger. As the man responsible for your downfall a decade prior, Malik is no easy mark. You work under him, and have made an art out of hiding your hatred. He has a knack for making others want to impress him — an emotion that has not escaped even you. You hate him for it. Appreciate his work ethic. But in the nights where you debrief the day in his office — each of you sharing a cup of steaming tea - you share looks that beckon something more brewing between you.
The Vizier of Trade - Zahra Al-Fazari
she/her, early 30s
Charming, collected, and lovingly shrewd — Zahra is always searching for the best way to turn a situation to her advantage. She's staunchly independent, and her ability to sway anyone to her side — even as she takes more than her share — is offputting at first. In the quiet moments when you work on trade edicts together, when you prove that you are someone she can rely on - she softens. Zahra has lived a life that has only ever rewarded her for being solitary - but perhaps you can teach her that inviting others in isn't so bad.
The Vizier of War - Alimah Akinyi
she/her, mid 40s
Reserved, quiet, and observant — Alimah is the Federation's shield, forged in blood and fire. Behind her honour-bound exterior is a woman who's given up everything in the name of duty — so much so that she doesn't know where duty ends and her life begins. In secret, she mourns — for the soldiers who fell under her command. For the lives she couldn't save. For the life she couldn't live. With you, she allows you to see the grief she won't name. She never lets her guard down… but when she does, you feel it like the long-awaited break of dawn.
The Vizier of the Treasury - Zahir Thamani
he/him, late 30s
Measured, meticulous and composed — Zahir says little, but does a lot. He's nose-deep in his books, and a strong follow-the-money type. Behind his calculating eyes is a man who sacrificed family for principle, and constantly wrestles with himself whether it was worth it. He wears no jewelry, no adornments, and speaks little of his past, if at all. However, what he does notice is you. Remembers how you like your tea. Notices when you're overworked. Provides a listening ear when everything becomes too much. What starts as simple curiosity develops into something deeper - something that makes him question the worth of a life lived entirely alone.
The Vizier of the Seas - Jasiri Mbwana
he/him, early 30s
Light-hearted, charming, and restless — Jasiri is a wildcard whose only loyalty is to the seas that raised him. Born between a noble house and the ocean, he's made a life of slipping between expectations others have held. He moves through life with an open smile and a mischevious wink — but neither of those things can calm the rolling turmoil that exists within. He flirts to disarm, jokes to deflect. But you can catch the shadows in his laughter. The silence in the space between his words. His joy hides the ghosts he runs from. He fears the surrender that comes with letting someone in. With letting you in.
The Vizier of Faith - Nura Saqqafu
she/her, late 30s
Nura Saqqafu moves with grace. Kind and gentle with a strength that supports her actions, she speaks with the voice of the gods and listens with their very same patience. As the first woman to hold her post, she balances the expectations of her people with the nay-sayers of her opponents. Her silver eyes shimmer with quiet rebellion, and her calm hides a rage she is too afraid to name. She prays for the salvation of others, but denies herself that same privilege. She believes love is a sanctuary… and fears she no longer deserves one. It's up to you to convince her she does.
The fate of the Federation is yours to control - how will you mould it?
BLOOD AND IRON is a compelling and mature action IF made for an adult audience. This story includes content that some may find disturbing, such as explicit language, mentions of child trafficking, child abuse, sexism, psychological stress, homophobia, intense violence, death, gore, and much more.
Inspired by Batman, John Wick, Ninja Assassin, The Punisher, and The Equalizer.
ABBREVIATION: B&I
THE CITY BURNS.
CORRUPTION AND CHAOS RULE THE STREETS.
TO SURVIVE, YOU MUST FIGHT.
TO FIGHT, YOU MUST SURVIVE.
- - -
Chicago, 1994.
Chicago bleeds quietly these days. Not in the headlines, but in basements, behind unmarked doors, in the flicker of broken streetlamps, no proper badge patrols.
The world didn’t ask if you were ready. It just kept turning and grinding down the soft parts until only the sharp edges remained.
Raised in a hidden facility outside Chicago, you were one of many children. An experiment in obedience, efficiency, and silence. They didn’t call it a home. They called it a program. And you survived it.
Barely.
They stripped your name. Trained your body. Broke your will, up until they didn’t.
You escaped.
The world didn’t know what to do with you.
But he did—the man who saved you, giving you a name, cover, and a second chance dressed up as a normal life.
By day, you blend seamlessly into the crowd, adopting a new name and working a steady job making pizzas. To the citizens of South Chicago, you’re just another face on the street.
But by night, you take on a different role—one that cleans up the shadows left by a broken system: dismantling organ trafficking rings, confronting human traffickers, and bringing to justice those killers shielded by power or wealth.
But this isn’t just an act of heroism on your part.
It’s personal.
You’re digging through the filth of this city, tearing up every buried secret, because somewhere beneath it all lies the truth.
The Facility.
And the man who ran it.
Whitaker.
He’s not on any official record—and the place that you escaped from doesn’t exist on paper.
But you remember the rooms. The drills. The screaming. The numbers burned into your skin like a barcode.
Every body you drop might be connected. Every whisper might lead back to him.
You’re not a hero.
You’re a survivor searching for the ghost of the man who made you—and the trail of blood he left behind.
The closer you get, the more unstable everything becomes—your past, your purpose, his goal.
You can follow orders. Break free. Burn it all down. But one question echoes through every silence:
Who will you become when you finally reach the end?
Play as male, female, or nonbinary.
Define who you are beyond the number—whether you seek connection, crave freedom, or prefer to walk alone.
Be straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, aromantic, or asexual.
Establish your cover identity—first and last name. C-4 doesn’t exist outside the wire.
Explore Chicago in the 90s.
Experience flashbacks of your harrowing and unforgiving childhood at the facility.
Define your body and presence with scars, tattoos and more, including flavour stats that affect immersion and narrative tone.
Choose out of four languages your MC can speak and understand.
Choose your ride and leave your mark in burnt rubber and broken taillights. Whether it’s a snarling muscle car, a rumbling motorcycle, a rugged Jeep, or a heavy-duty pickup, you’ll be behind the wheel.
Experience a world where the way you choose your character's appearance influences how others perceive and interact with you. (Intimidation Meter)
Choose your physical appearance, build and height—whether towering and lithe, or compact and deadly.
Meet six ROs, each with their own storylines, layered personalities, and emotional arcs that evolve with your choices. It’s up to you to decide how the story unfolds: as allies, enemies, or even the possibility of something more.
Get ready for action. This story pulls no punches—literally. You’ll be thrown headfirst into brutal gunfights, savage fistfights, high-speed car chases, and close-quarters takedowns.
Define your personality through detailed flavour choices: are you brutal or merciful, stoic or emotional, cautious or impulsive, friendly or rude?
Navigate the grim underworld of adulthood: surveillance, corruption, organized crime, and the scars of memory.
Shape your legacy in a world that tried to erase your humanity. It's all down to you C-4.
OPERATIVE D-6 (RO)
Age: 24
Gender: Player-selectable (M/F)
Nationality/Ethnicity: Korean-American
Vibe: Ghost of the past. Loyalty carved from trauma. Quiet intensity.
The Operative — the life you left behind, still trying to follow you home.
D-6 is a shadow stitched to your childhood, moving with a precision that speaks louder than words ever could. They don’t flinch, don’t blink, and rarely break eye contact—yet there’s no threat in it. Just memory. Just calculation. The facility shaped them like it shaped you, but where you ran, they stayed. Hardened. Refined. Perfected into something cold and frighteningly still.
They barely speak, but understand everything. Loyal not by choice, but by conditioning—yet something in their gaze suggests the cracks are forming.
Whether D-6 is here to kill you, bring you back or break away with you… even they haven’t decided. But they’ve always been watching. And they never forget.
The Detective — your ideological foil, and mirror of what you could have been with a badge instead of a body count.
Detective Juno Reyes is the type of person to walk like they carry the whole city on their shoulders, and honestly, maybe they do. Every crime scene clings to their coat, every unsolved case etched into the set of their jaw. They believe in justice, not the easy kind, but the kind that scrapes its knuckles bloody. The kind that keeps them up at night because they still think it matters.
Juno doesn’t trust you. Maybe they never will. But they understand you in the way only someone on the other side of the line can.
Where you cut through the rot with a blade, they try to dig it out with a badge. Righteous, relentless, and furious with the system that fails people like you, and maybe even with themselves for not walking away from it.
- - -
NICO/NIA RUSSO (RO)
Age: 22
Gender: Player-selectable (M/F)
Nationality/Ethnicity: Italian-American
Vibe: Snark-as-armour. Trash-mouth tendencies. Hot grease and soft heart.
The Co-worker — the one who has their worst days, yet still shows up.
Russo talks like the world owes them a fistfight and a cigarette break. All bite, all bark, and just enough burn to keep people at arm’s length. They’ve got grease on their apron, a permanent chip on their shoulder, and a mouth that never learned the word “filter.”
You’re not sure they even like working for their uncle—yet they’re here, day after day, constantly grinding out those shifts like it's a special part of their routine.
They're also halfway through a criminal justice degree at a city college they never talk about unless their arguing with the news playing in the background. Claims it’s all bullshit—cops, lawyers, the system. But you’ve caught Russo studying case law in the backroom between breaks and dead periods. Says it’s for the credits, but the way their jaw tightens during certain stories on the news? It’s more than that.
Their not just pissed off. They're paying attention.
- - -
KIERAN/KIERA MYLES (RO)
Age: 27
Gender: Player-selectable (M/F)
Nationality/Ethnicity: Half White, Half Mexican-American
Vibe: Fragrance, coded language, and too many knives hidden in tailored jackets
The Interloper — the one who wasn’t supposed to be on your radar—but is.
Myles moves through rooms like a whispered secret and the scent of money—sharp, intentional, impossible to ignore. Head high, steps measured, eyes always calculating. They speak in layers, smile in puzzles, and dress like they’re late for a gala or an ambush, maybe both. Everything about them feels curated, controlled… until it isn’t.
You don’t know what they want, not really.
One minute it’s intel, the next it’s something softer, more dangerous.
Myles wasn't part of your mission. Not part of your world. But now they’re in it, circling closer, asking questions with too much knowledge behind the eyes. You're not sure if they’re here to ruin you, or to remind you there’s still something left worth ruining.
- - -
ALEX/ALEXI MONROE (RO)
Age: 25
Gender: Player-selectable (M/F)
Nationality/Ethnicity: Scandanavian-American
Vibe: Softness meets suspicion. The light in the hallway. The warmth in the cold
The Neighbor — the one who sees past the walls and doesn’t look away.
Monroe lives in the unit right beside yours and leaves their window open when it rains. They laugh too loudly at sitcom reruns, forget to water their plants, and hum under their breath while waiting for the kettle to boil. On the surface: harmless. Gentle. The kind of softness you’d expect to break easy.
But there’s something behind the smile—something watchful—subtly. Thoughtfully. The way someone does when they’re used to reading what isn’t said.
Monroe doesn't pry. They just linger. Just look a little too long sometimes, like they’re trying to put a puzzle together without knowing what the picture will exactly be.
The Crusader — the one who wants to save the world, even if it means breaking it.
Carter speaks like every word could spark a revolution, and maybe it could, if they weren’t already carrying the weight of too many failed ones. There’s something magnetic in the way they move through a room, controlled chaos, dressed in confidence and defiance. Their voice carries conviction like heat, and they never seem to doubt it. Not publicly, at least.
They believe in something bigger. In justice. In tearing down the structures that rot people from the inside out. It’s not naive, what they preach, it’s dangerous. The kind of hope that gets people killed. The kind that inspires others to follow anyway.
Carter sees what’s broken and doesn't look away. They demand change, even if it has to be carved from ruin. That makes them dangerous. That makes them rare.
And when they look at you, it’s like they see the potential for something more, something bigger than just blood and vengeance. But whether that makes you want to run toward them or burn everything down before they get too close… that’s up to you.
- - -
ELIJAH CREED
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Nationality/Ethnicity: Irish-American
Vibe: Cigars, classical music, a warmth that never fully hides the hollow spots.
The Father — the one who gave you a name, a roof, and a purpose.
Elijah Creed moves through the world like a man carrying both a lifetime of regrets and the weight of unshakable resolve. There’s a quiet authority in his voice, calm, deliberate, the kind that can soothe storms or summon lightning. His days are marked by the scent of cigars and the soft notes of classical music drifting through the rooms of the home you guys used to share.
He’s not just a guardian, he’s the father you never truly had, the one who took you in when the world wanted to erase you. Behind that steady warmth lies a steel core, forged by loss and haunted by the past. Elijah gave you a name, a place to belong, and a reason to fight, but never illusions that the world outside is anything less than brutal.
He is both shelter and shadow, a man who knows the cost of survival—and who will make sure you never pay it alone.
- - -
MS. CLAUDIA BELLAMY
Age: 54
Gender: Female
Nationality/Ethnicity: American (Afro-Puerto Rican)
Vibe: Gold hoops, chipped nail polish, a cigarette always halfway gone. Keeps a revolver in her sewing kit and a bottle of gin under the sink.
The Landlady — the building’s backbone, eyes, and occasional judge, jury, and babysitter.
Ms. Bellamy has lived in the building longer than the cockroaches, and even they know better than to cross her. Her voice rarely rises, but when it does, even the radiators stop rattling. Always in gold hoops and a housecoat with yesterday’s cigarette still smoldering in the ashtray, she moves like someone who’s already seen the worst and didn’t flinch.
She doesn’t run the building. She rules it, half landlady, half neighbourhood matriarch. Rent better be on time, the hallways better stay quiet, and no one better mess with the kid on the second floor unless they want a lecture followed by a left hook.
She calls your new name like it’s your real one, sees through lies like smoke through sunlight, and keeps a .38 tucked behind the cans of beans in her pantry. Whatever history she has, it walks with her, but she’ll never speak of it unless the city starts burning again. And even then, only maybe.
- - -
SALVATORE “SAL” RUSSO
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Nationality/Ethnicity: Italian-American
Vibe: Loud shirt, louder laugh. The kind of man who sings to the tomato sauce and cries at baseball games.
The Pizza King — a local legend with marinara in his veins and a heart too big for this city.
Salvatore Russo isn’t just the owner of the pizza shop—he is the pizza shop. Grease-stained apron, gold chain bouncing with every belly laugh, and a voice that could carry through a riot. He talks with his hands, loves like he’s got something to prove, and swears every pie has a soul.
To the neighborhood, he’s an uncle. To his niece/nephew, he’s a safety net and a headache. And to you? He’s the rare kind of man who doesn’t ask questions he doesn’t want the answers to, so long as you show up, work hard, and don’t scare the regulars.
Somehow, Sal always knows when to push, and when to just slide you a slice and say nothing at all, but could all the smile and laughter be hiding a deeper truth than what's shown on the surface?
- - -
WHEELS
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Nationality/Ethnicity: Polish-American
Vibe: Motor oil and Marlboro smoke. Burnt fingers. Mismatched socks stuffed into combat boots. A man who can hotwire your car with a bottle cap and grudge.
The Arms Dealer — your supplier and the only man in Chicago who listens to Public Enemy while cleaning an M4.
Wheels moves through the city like a ghost with a purpose—fast, sharp, and unpredictable. He’s not just an arms dealer; he’s a craftsman, a collector of weapons with stories carved into their blades. Among his prized possessions are three custom knives, each named after people who shaped his life, two exes who taught him lessons in pain and betrayal, and one for his mother, the only person he never wanted to disappoint.
His sharp gaze misses nothing, always sizing up threats and opportunities with cold precision. Reliable when it counts, Wheels plays the game on his own terms, offering more than just firepower, he’s a lifeline in a city drowning in chaos, but one that carries a warning: trust him carefully, or not at all.
- - -
DR. SILAS CROSS
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Nationality/Ethnicity: Lebanese-American
Vibe: Tailored suits under his lab coat. Surgical gloves and bourbon. The hum of high-end equipment beneath the jazz playing low through recessed speakers.
The Surgeon — not your friend, not your enemy, just the man who keeps you stitched together.
Dr. Cross is not the kind of man you thank.
You show up bleeding, broken, maybe dying, and he fixes you anyway. No questions. No judgment. Just the quiet clink of surgical tools and the faint smell of antiseptic layered beneath expensive cologne. His clinic hides behind the façade of a luxury med spa, but the back rooms tell a different story. Marble floors, climate control, and machines that hum like symphonies, because pain, here, is handled with elegance.
He wears tailored suits under his lab coat, pours bourbon like it’s medicine, and plays Coltrane through speakers you’ll never find. Every stitch comes with an unspoken rule: you don’t ask about him, and he doesn’t ask about you. His price is steep, but he’s the reason a dozen corpses aren’t yours.
He’s not your friend. Not your savior. He’s the man who puts you back together because it’s the only thing he still knows how to do.
- - -
REESE
Age: 12
Gender: Male
Nationality/Ethnicity: African-American
Vibe: Scuffed sneakers. Sharp eyes. A heart still hanging on.
The Kid — street-smart pickpocket and your stubborn follower.
Reese has a grin too big for someone who’s had to survive this much.
He's the kind of kid who moves through the sidewalks like they belong to him, dodging grown-ups, slipping through crowds, and making wallets vanish. Every rip in his hoodie and scrape on his knees has a story attached, most of them ending with him outrunning someone bigger, meaner, or both.
He also follows you around like a stray cat that decided you were home. Doesn’t care how cold you get, how many times you warn him off. You’re a ghost in a city full of monsters, and somehow, he’s decided you’re one of the better ones. Maybe the only one. But that's for you to decide.
He’s not smart enough to know who you truly are. Not very smart at all actually.
But is young enough to believe that there’s still more to you than what meets the eye.
Since your teenage years, your head's been jammed-packed with nothing but the lyrics and melodies of fledgling songs you dream of performing under stadium lights. With your wild-running creativity as the key ingredient, your recipe for ushering that dream to fruition had it all; talent, a genuine passion for your craft, the fiery determination to do whatever was required of you to make your music the way you wanted to, and—most of all—someone who swore to spend every moment of the journey by your side, leading you by the hand to the top. Success was more than within your reach; all you had to do was grasp it.
It's almost funny how it can all just go… poof, just like that. As if every trace of it vanished into thin air, and your memories are the only evidence it ever existed at all.
Nothing’s ever been easy, but you’re done standing in the wings, allowing someone else to dictate what your future holds. If [i]anyone[/i] thinks they can get rid of you that easily without suffering any consequences for their actions, they have another thing coming.
Inconceivably, after three years of no success in the Angel's city, the stars have aligned, and you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity from a source you never saw coming. Elysium's lead vocalist and Olympian Records' holy grail, a rockstar with the most massive—and arguably most crazed and obsessed—fanbase in the country has clocked you as the next big thing to grace the music scene. They’ve convinced Olympian you’ll be the next them in ten years, placing some high expectations on your shoulders.
Whether their endorsement is a magnificent stroke of luck or a curse that threatens to poison every choice you make from here on out, you'll rise to the occasion because there's no other option for someone like you.
Until you're a star, you'll never stop reaching for the sky.
Play as an up-and-coming singer, determined to fight their way to the top of the charts no matter the cost.
Customize your own predestined star's appearance, personality, and career image. Are you confident or anxiety-ridden? Open and friendly or aloof and defensive? Are you loved by the public or do they love to hate you? Is fame and the stage or your music more important to you?
Design your own music and lyrics, and choose from one of three mainstream genres (rock, pop, or both of them combined: pop-rock) to focus on. Write about whatever your little heart desires, as long as the label approves it.
Choose your biggest strength, the attribute that allows you to stand out above all the others; do you have the voice of an angel, perfect for any type of song? Or are your songwriting capabilities unmatchable by even those who boast the most prestigious awards?
Launch a passionate romance with one of nine available options and try not to let it ruin your budding career in the process. Straying too close to the fire means you're bound to get burned eventually.
Navigate what it means to be an artist under Olympian's label. Are you relishing in the attention and luxury, or is it all a little too uncomfortable? Is every rumor you hear the truth, or are they all coming down from the top? Will you compromise your artistic vision to garner their favor, or will you fight tooth and nail for the authenticity of your music?
Explore LA and Hollywood while experiencing all the fun (and not-so-fun) pastimes they have to offer and meeting some famous names with wildly different intentions.
Open for the biggest band in the country, joining them on their world tour and jetting from place to place on their private jet. Paris, London, Rome, New York, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Orlando: all of it awaits you.
And, most of all, watch as your name goes up in flashing lights and you transform into the star you were always meant to be.
★ The Rockstar: Tristan/Trisha Hydra, aka HADES/MEDUSA (m/f) ★
The witty, hypnotizing, and impulsive egomaniac lead vocalist of Elysium, the band that holds the world record for most-sold album ever. With their endorsement, Hydra seems to have unwittingly taken on the role of your unofficial mentor to the public eye, and you their protégé. Does that mean they truly believe you're meant for the big leagues, or that they made a rash decision in the heat of the moment and now they're facing the consequences?
★ The Traitor: Jonah/Juliette Ziegler (m/f) ★
Formerly known as your partner in crime and now renowned as the Grammy-winning lead singer and songwriter of Hyacinth, the best friend who ditched you to hit it big is nothing like you remember them to be. That mischievous and dazzlingly charming kid with dreams bigger than the whole sky vanished without a trace in your absence. All that remains is a frost so icy you'd almost think you were the one who wronged them.
★ The Ride or Die: Cia/Cian Avila (m/f) ★
Everyone needs someone standing solidly in their corner, especially when it feels like the world has taken up arms against them. For you, that person is none other than your now-roommate and longtime friend. Far too blunt to be welcome at most fancy parties and constantly fed up with something, C has been your rock for the last five years. When LA's being its usual brutal self, you can always count on them to be right by your side, however much they may grumble about relocating here in the first place.
★ The Manager: Ethan/Elena Sun (m/f) ★
Behind every famous superstar on the scene is an equally talented manager. With a cleverness that could rival the King of Ithaca, an unwavering devotion to their client's success, and a creativity that makes you wonder why they don't write the songs themselves, E is the epitome of a perfect manager on paper. But how much of it is genuine exactly?
★ The Pop Princess: Natalie "Marigold" (f) ★
The pop music sensation has another claim to fame than just her music; her widely scrutinized long-term relationship with T Hydra. Even the most astute of internet sleuths can say with certainty that nobody saw that relationship coming. Overnight, she—and her music—skyrocketed to the top of the trending searches. Now, everyone in America knows her name because you can't mention Hydra without thinking of Marigold. She's scored the million-dollar dream life everyone wants, that's what they all say.
★ The Rival: Damian/Devyn Thunder (m/f) ★
Cocky, stuck-up, immature jackass. That's the kindest description you're able to grant D Thunder. Undeniably, they're talented and their voice is one most people would kill for, but all of that's offset by their insufferable face and smug demeanor. You'd sooner launch yourself off a bridge than spend a single torturous minute alone with them, but Olympian has the opposite plan in mind after signing them.
★ The Sweetheart: Stella/Eli Rose (m/f) ★
The other victor of Upstaged Season two and the only child of a beloved late actor, they're (one of) Hydra's notorious rival. You're not sure what rule of Upstaged states it's required to hate your competition to win, but Hydra's certainly followed it to the letter. Rose… you get the feeling they couldn't care less about whatever grudge Hydra holds against them. How could they when they're being pulled in a hundred different directions daily without a break?
★ The Daredevil: Lucifer "Luci" Morningstar (m/f) ★
The Olympian-signed electric guitarist is the classic image of a daredevil; chaotic, reckless, and far too at ease causing havoc. It's hardly a surprise some of the gossip magazines have dubbed them as batshit crazy. An accurate conclusion, they'd remark. You get the feeling they're a little proud of the title, or perhaps they've just chosen to embrace it.
★ The Bodyguard: Bellamy Ortega (m) ★
Cool, calm, and collected isn't enough to define Hydra's personal bodyguard—also coincidentally your new neighbor—as you get a distinct feeling that even getting stabbed wouldn't faze him. So, obviously, Hydra's constant game of putting their life and reputation in danger for the thrill doesn't either. Or perhaps he’s just had a lot of practice pretending it doesn't.
★ Rue Bèrd: (f) ★
A keyboardist signed with Olympian who freelances as your friend in her spare time.
★ Adrian Park: (genderfluid) ★
A producer employed by Olympian and Rue's long-term partner. They're also your friend when they want to be.
★ Karry Cenderat: (f) ★
Elysium's manager who conjures up a miracle every time she keeps another scandal from reaching the press's grubby hands.
★ Billy Matthews: (m) ★
The mysterious owner of the record label who drops by to see how things are going once in a blue moon.
★ Johnny Locks: (m) ★
A sold-out stadium rockstar whose second claim to fame is being dubbed the nicest guy in rock. Also famously Hydra's first, and only, mentor.
★ Samson Ryland: (nb) ★
The bass guitarist of your new band. They're welcoming enough, but you've been around enough musicians to know they're wary of you joining the group.
★ Anthony Lance: (m) ★
The drums, Anthony doesn't feel the need to pretend for niceties sake. He doesn't like you intruding in the band and he makes that very known.
Crescendo is rated 18+.
P.S. There are a multitude of spoilers below this.
All of the following are elements that will eventually be in the final game. There will be specific content warnings available at the start of every chapter. Please read at your own discretion; this story may be distressing for some readers.
Mentions and/or depictions of mild and moderate violence
Mentions and depictions of drug and alcohol use/abuse and addiction
Mentions of suicide, suicidal thoughts, and death
Mentions and depictions of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety
The Vethkai were monsters. Every child in Valdreyn knows this. They ruled for three centuries with blood and terror, and when the kingdom finally burned them out, it took everything it had. The ones who survived fled, hid, or died quietly in the years that followed. The wound they left is still open. Everyone agrees it is safer that way.
Everyone agrees there are none of them left.
There are two.
A sibling separated by fire and desperation, older and alone, who has spent years learning how to look like someone the world will not kill on sight — and how to use that. Someone patient, observant, and more dangerous than they appear, crossing a kingdom on a mission they cannot tell anyone the truth about.
And a sibling taken young, forged in an underground arena by years of training and alliance and the particular cruelty of bonds that were never meant to survive — who is about to win a throne they were never supposed to sit on.
They carry the same curse in their blood. The same history in their bones. The same fear of what they might become if they stop fighting it.
They have not seen each other in years.
They are running out of time.
The Siblings
Both siblings are Vethkai, raised in hiding after their parents were killed in the aftermath of the Ashfall Revolt. Their parents concealed their bloodline for years, living as ordinary people in a village in the western marshes. When the concealment failed, their parents died buying them time to run. The siblings were separated in the chaos — the Elder escaping into the wilderness, the Younger taken by Conclave Seekers who recognized potential in them without knowing what they truly were.
Both carry the Kaimark, not yet fully awakened in either. The Younger's is being drawn out by the pressure of the Conclave. The Elder's is being suppressed — barely — by willpower and need.
Both know what they are. Both are terrified of it. Neither is willing to become what their ancestors were. The Kaimark does not care about their intentions.
The Elder (Player Path A) — Age 22–24
The Elder has spent years surviving alone: learning to read people, to pass as ordinary, to give someone exactly what they need before they know they need it. They are not a warrior by nature, though necessity has made them one. Their greatest and most dangerous skill is understanding people — a talent that borders on manipulation and probably crosses that line more often than they admit.
The Younger (Player Path B) — Age 18–20
The Younger was taken young enough that the Conclave is more their world than the family they left behind. They have adapted, survived, and built relationships inside the arena with full awareness of what those relationships cost. They are pragmatic in the way of someone who learned early that sentimentality has a price.
Characters
Sovan — The Idealist (Gender-selectable | Age 22 | Romance: Path A → Book 2)
Background: Human, former conscript soldier Role: Frontline fighter, de facto group leader before the Elder arrives
Sovan enlisted at seventeen — not out of loyalty to the Triumvirate but because the enlistment bonus kept their family fed through a bad winter. They stayed because leaving felt like giving up on the idea that something good could still come from being where they were. That idea died the night their commanding officer ordered a village burned for suspected Vethkai sympathy. Sovan walked away before the smoke cleared and has not stopped moving since.
They believe the new ruler of Valdreyn is a threat. They believe the Elder when the Elder says they want to change that.
Sovan is not naive. They choose to believe in people as a form of resistance — and that choice has blind spots.
Romance arc: Sovan falls slowly and practically. They show care through action before they ever find words for it — sharing rations, taking the longer watch, stepping slightly in front of the Elder without comment when something feels wrong. Available to both siblings at court.
Tessaly Vorn — The Pragmatist (Gender-selectable | Age 24 | Romance: Path A → Book 2)
Background: Half-elven, information broker and occasional fence Role: Scout, lockpick, negotiator.
Tessaly took this job for access to the Triumvirate's financial archive, which contains records that would end a specific merchant's career and close a chapter of Tessaly's life they have been trying to finish for three years.
Tessaly does not trust the Elder. They never fully do. But they recognize competence, and the Elder has it in abundance.
Romance arc: Tessaly's interest looks like professional attention — they notice what the Elder is good at, remember small things, ask questions that seem casual and are not. If the Elder starts to genuinely matter to them, Tessaly becomes slightly more guarded, which is the most honest signal they know how to give.
Mira Cael — The Wild Card (Female | Age 21 | Romance: opens Book 2 only)
Background: Human, former Conclave Candidate Role: Combat specialist — precise, fast, the most dangerous person in the group
Mira joined three weeks before the Elder arrived. She offered her sword, asked for a cut of whatever they found at the end, and has said almost nothing personal since. She is not unfriendly. She is contained. When the Conclave comes up in conversation, something in her expression closes like a shutter.
Romance note: Mira's romance is intentionally withheld from Book 1. In Book 1 she is a companion, a secret, and a bridge. Her feelings, if she has them, are not something she has access to yet. The romance opens in Book 2 for both siblings.
Corvan Ashry — The Conscience (Male | Age 20 | Romance: Path A → Book 2)
Background: Human, self-taught healer and minor scholar from a small religious community Role: Healer, emotional anchor, the one who asks the questions nobody wants to answer
Corvan grew up devoted to a minor deity of reconciliation and crossed purposes — a faith built around the idea that opposing things can both be true. He left at eighteen out of genuine curiosity: he wanted to see whether the world confirmed his faith or complicated it. So far it has been mostly the latter, which he finds interesting rather than discouraging.
He is genuinely, undefensively good. He will not lie about what he believes to make someone comfortable. He will also heal an enemy if they are bleeding in front of him, without asking who they are first.
Romance arc: Corvan is direct about his feelings in the way of someone who was never taught that feelings are dangerous. If he cares about the Elder, he says so — gently, without pressure — and waits to see what they do with that. A romance with Corvan is the Elder being offered something uncomplicated and having to decide whether they are allowed to want it. Available to both siblings at court in Book 2.
The Conclave Love Interests
These three characters begin their romance arcs exclusively on Path B with the Younger.
Lyen — (Gender-selectable | Age 19 | Romance: Path B only
Background: Human, Conclave Candidate — selected from a fishing village on the southern coast Role: The Younger's closest ally inside the arena.
Lyen arrived at the Conclave with very little — no combat training, no political education, no particular reason to have been chosen except that the Seeker who came to their village saw something in the way they moved through a crowd. They are not the strongest Candidate. They are not the cleverest. What they are is present in a way that is almost impossible to perform: they pay attention to people. Fully. Without agenda.
In the Conclave's environment — where every relationship is a calculation — Lyen is an anomaly. They form a genuine bond with the Younger not because they have decided the Younger is useful but because they actually like them. This is, in the Pits of Varek, a radical act.
Romance arc: The romance with Lyen is the gentlest thing in the Younger's path, and the most costly. It builds slowly — shared meals, conversations after training, the specific intimacy of two people who have agreed, without saying it, that they are not going to think about what happens when the arena opens.
Raeth — The Court Outsider (Gender-selectable | Age 21 | Romance: Path B → Book 2)
Background: Human, scribe's apprentice assigned to the Witnessing Gallery above the Pits Role: The Younger's window to the world outside the Conclave, and the first person to see them clearly
Raeth was assigned to the Witnessing Gallery as a junior record-keeper — transcribing training observations for the Conclave's official archive. They are thorough, quiet, and have developed the specific coping mechanism of people who witness difficult things for a living: they write everything down and feel it later.
Their job requires them to observe the Candidates without interacting with them. The rule is technically followed. The notes Raeth slides under the gallery grate to the arena floor below — small, mundane things, information about the outside world, the occasional drawing of something they thought the Younger might want to see — are not technically interaction. They have told themselves this many times.
Raeth sees the Younger from above, through iron grating, for months before they ever speak through the bars. By the time they do, Raeth already knows the Younger better than almost anyone — and the Younger has been talking to someone who asks nothing of them in return, which is a thing they did not know they needed.
Romance arc: The early romance is built on constrained intimacy — notes, whispered conversations through grating, the specific tension of two people who cannot touch and are thinking about it anyway. When the arena opens, Raeth stays in the gallery and watches. They see everything. Available to both siblings at court.
Vael — The House Ward (Gender-selectable | Age 23 | Romance: Path B → Book 2)
Background: Half-elven, ward of House Orath — raised in the Triumvirate's household as a political arrangement Role: The Younger's unexpected ally in the court above, and a source of information with its own price
Vael has lived in House Orath's estate since childhood, technically a guest, practically a hostage of the Triumvirate's internal political agreements. They are educated, observant, and have spent twenty-three years watching powerful people make decisions from close range. They know exactly how the system works and have made a careful art of being underestimated within it.
The Conclave is, for Vael, something they have watched with complicated feelings for years — not because they know the Candidates personally but because they understand exactly what the Triumvirate is trying to build with it. When they find an opportunity to make contact with one of the Candidates, they take it, partly out of genuine sympathy and partly because having a relationship with whoever wins the Conclave is the most interesting move available to them.
The calculation is real. The sympathy is also real. Vael has spent so long watching the Triumvirate that they have lost track of where their strategy ends and their actual feelings begin. The Younger is the first person in years who makes them want to know.
Contact happens through the court visits — the political theater where Triumvirate-adjacent figures are permitted to observe the Candidates. Vael uses these opportunities strategically, and then slightly beyond strategically, and then in ways they stop being able to justify to themselves as strategic.
Romance arc: Vael is the most complicated of the Path B love interests — someone whose motives the Younger cannot be entirely sure of, because Vael is not entirely sure of them either. The romance involves the Younger deciding whether trust is possible with someone shaped by the same system trying to control them. Available to both siblings at court.
Key Supporting Characters
The Triumvirate
Lord Casvor Dain (House Dain, military) — Pragmatic, cold, comfortable ordering cruelty he does not personally commit. Wants the new ruler as a controllable figurehead. Will discover he has miscalculated.
Lady Fenne Orath (House Orath, trade and taxation) — Patient, playing a very long game. She knows something about the siblings' bloodline. She has been waiting to see if it becomes useful. It will. She is also Vael's guardian, which is not a coincidence.
Aldric Voss (House Voss, judiciary and information) — The most dangerous of the three. He ordered the burning of the marshes village years ago. He does not know the Elder survived. He will find out.
Conclave Master Rethyn
An older official who has overseen three Conclaves. Not sadistic — clinical. The Conclave is a mechanism, and they are its maintenance. They have noticed something unusual about the Younger. They have not yet decided what to do with that information.
The Other Candidates (Path B)
Eight remaining Candidates beyond the three love interests:
Davan Fell (21) — Quiet, northern, has been the Younger's sparring partner for two years. Either genuinely fond of them or has decided that keeping close to the greatest threat is the smartest move.
Sariel (19) — Rarely speaks. Wins every strategy game. The other Candidates are afraid of her.
Fen (18) — Attached to the Younger with the particular fierceness of someone who has decided they are their best chance at survival.
