So this has been rattling around in my brain for years now but for some reason it's been bugging me a lot for the past week or two, so I want to know if anyone knows what I'm talking about
So in mid-late 2018 I started playing The Arcana, and I had binged all the routes and was waiting for updates (at that point all three routes were attending/getting ready for the masquerade). At the same time, there was another dating sim kind of similar to the Arcana that either my bestie told me about or I found and told her about. I don't remember much of it, in part because it's been about seven years and it was like brand new I think.
Things I know and remember for sure
It was available in 2018 for iOS, and then eventually removed from the appstore itself, it's not even in my app history and that goes back all the way to 2014. It might have been available for android too as that was what my friend had.
The setting was not too dissimilar to The Arcana's? It was a fantasy world and the main city was vaguely Arabian and in the middle of a desert, with it all taking place in the royal palace.
We were a magic user and brought to the palace because of it, I believe we were brought there to do a job but we could have also been brought as a prisoner. I could also be getting characters mixed up but we were definitely magic.
The characters that had sprites were all men, I don't even think there were any women besides MC. The artstyle was very much anime ikemen but if I recall right, I think they all had darker skin. (And by darker I mean a shade or two below Crayola's tan pencil crayon, but having a predominantly and very clearly not pale/white cast was surprising at the time)
All that was out was the prologue, we weren't at the point where we could try picking out a love interest. I want to say it was either 3-5 short chapters or one awkwardly long chapter.
I remember the menus and loading screens having pastel colours and white swirly floral shapes/borders, but I only remember pink and purple being used, I think for the actual app's icon.
Things I might be misremembering
I feel like I saw a few reviews bashing on the game for trying to be like The Arcana whenever I'd check for updates
I don't think we ever got into the actual dating part before the app disappeared, but I can't confirm that because I can't remember if I had deleted the app already
MC might have been gender neutral? I don't remember there being an option to change pronouns but I can't remember if we were ever addressed as a woman or not. (You know when someone writes for gn reader/characters but you can still tell they were imaging a female character? I think those were the vibes.)
If we weren't a prisoner, one of the love interests was, and I think I remember a scene where we encounter him and get in trouble because he's dangerous
I do not remember the name of the game, the names of the characters, or the devs behind it. I don't really remember the plot but we didn't even get into the story before it vanished. I'm not expecting a full fledge or even playable game. I honestly want to know if anyone else remembers this game so I'm not going crazy.
Q1: Why does Taqtu wear his jacket despite it being so hot?
A1: He feels comfortable in it, and is very stubborn. He’ll get heatstroke before removing it, he’ll die in style!
Q2: How did Mukondi know the MC was an Oracle, or is it not a secret when they're not on diplomatic missions?
A2: The state of the MC as an Oracle is private, and only known by government officials, and close family (If they have such). Because Oracles are rare, and protected.
Mukondi did know the MC was an Oracle when she was added as an ambassador. She knew the info, and heard a story of the Oracle’s odd medical condition (Fainting, generally weak, etc.). So Mukondi knew, and they had an alibi ready in case the Oracle fainted, grew weak, or did something similar, in order to help cover for the MC.
Q3: Do you think you’ll publish the story in writing if you’re unable to get an artist? Would a Kickstarter be something you guys would be able to do or want to do in the future?
A3: It’s a possibility! I am indeed thinking about doing something along these lines, it just takes a lot of time and energy to do so. An artist may be hard to get right now, but doing Patreon, Kickstarter, or Ko-fi is not a bad idea.
Q4: Is there any social media to follow y'all together or separately to see what you do next?
A4: I’m not really big on social media, and I currently use my twitter for my Final Fantasy character, and Dice giveaways. I’m a fairly private person, so no social media, but the Discord Server is still up, and you can contact me there if necessary.
I may open a Stellamore Twitter one day, we’ll see!
Q5: Would you guys ever consider putting the game together as an interactive fiction?
A5: That was the starting plan/idea! Something to have on your phone, where you can experiment with your decisions, it all changes with you! But that stopped unfortunately, life happens. But that was indeed the starting plan/concept!
Q6: The Li’s and Children?
A6: Most of them are decent parents, however some of them would’ve had an issue of “Oh, small person, hiiii~”.
For further reference:
Taqtu is a happy dad “Let’s go champ!” “Play ball!”.
Seneca is a gentle father.
Waauru and Mukondi are “Let’s go to Mcdonalds!” type of parents.
Ariki and Cipactli are sweet, if their kid fails, they kiss their forehead and give a lollipop.
Dior and Halle are “Oh hi small child.” “Oh we’re hugging?” *pats the child awkwardly like a cat*
Q7: What would it take to keep this project going?
A7: While I has seen people offering help, I don't want to put fans and lovers of the game into a position where I cannot financially pay you back! The game consumed lots of time and effort. Even if you want to work for free, I don't feel comfortable taking that offer! If I cannot pay you back in some way, or make it worth your time, I don't want to pull you all into it! I love the game, the story, and want to continue it! But there’s a LOT going on, and having fans work for free will bother my mind.
Q8: What are details about the world that you'd like to share, but wouldn't have come up in the game?
A8: Well, we have several ideas about the world. If anything, having the backstory of other characters and knowing how they came to be, but we couldn’t do that without making the game/story “extra fat” so to speak.
The story with Halle was very interesting! But we couldn’t put much information to it without “bloating” the game.
If I had to think of specific details? What really comes to mind is backstories for characters prevalent to other characters’ story! People in the background!
The merfolk and their warlord, the Marakihau, how they’re such an important exporter of crystals.
The Marakihau and melusine.
The Ijiraat against the Jotunn. Their difference in mindsets and conflict.
Like we could touch this with Taqtu and Halle but we couldn’t do much or not move the story.
The Faelands, inspired by philippines, but they’re very “background/low mentioned” in game.
The crystals! There is more going on there that we couldn’t add!
And lots of worldbuilding that doesn’t affect the main plot, or characters’ stories that couldn’t be added.
Unplanned/Spontaneous Questions:
Q1: Is the Emperor religious/devout?
A1: He is, but not nearly as hard as his wife. He was a commoner until he raised in rank through military might.
When the Empress was young, one day she snuck out of the palace, and the two encountered each other, and he fell in love with her. So he went up many stations to marry her, gaining favor and whatnot.
Q2: Cipactli and religion?
A2: He is very religious, does proper worship, but is more a man of science and progress. He feels there are more uses for crystals, and that we should expand for the betterment of the people, but that is in conflict with the fact that the empire is made of “warriors and priests”.
Q3: I know the MC can kind of be changed up. Do you yourself have a headcanon for the MC?
A3: We as the devs, didn’t exactly insert ourselves as the MC? But we basically imagined ourselves working in the palace.
Luna being the “Royal artist” making the royal portraits.
Warie being the “Head butler/maid/steward”
And I’d (Gogo) be the “Royal caretaker” of the cow.
So during a route, when the MC is trying to hide in the palace, they could find us 3 in a closet taking a “cookie break” due to stress, an easter egg of sorts haha.
Q4: Once the barrier went up, what happened to Cici’s brother?
A4: The Empress said “NOBODY TOUCH MY BABY!”. Size wise, the barrier got some of the palace, and parts of the town around it, so it did get some everyday people, their homes, and shops.
If you take the route to stay outside with Halle, there’d be an Empress speech towards the inhabitants trapped within (She’d have Cipactli and baby brother) showing that the barrier doesn’t scare her family, and it won‘t “go freely” so to speak. Afterwards, he was in “baby jail” so to speak, but wasn’t alone as he had his dog :)
Q5: Can we become a consort for the Empress?
A5: She can have multiple consorts, yes. Some Empress’ go towards monogamy, some don’t. The current Empress says “I like this himbo, he’s mine” (About the current Emperor) and seems fine with just him.
Q6: If someone were to stream what’s currently available of the game on YouTube or Twitch, is that okay?
A6: Yes! I want more people to be interested! Seeing you all want us to continue and support us is really encouraging!
Q7: Can we kiss the Li’s?
A7: You cannot hold hands! Sooooo….. If you insist!
Q8: Does the Oracle get paid for being an Oracle?
A8: They do but it’s a weird situation. They’re the “astrology teller”. So they have a steady income. They don't have a mansion nor are they rich, but they will be able to afford a nice hut and raise a family of 4.
And the government would want to hide the fact that they’re an Oracle, and want them to lay low.
Q9: Would it have been possible that the Li’s be down for a polycule?
A9: Yes. Cipactli to Taqtu. Or Seneca to Taqtu (That one is a hot mess).
Taqtu and Halle would be at the same place.
Taqtu would have been respecting of him and his limitations, accepting the jotunn people, overcoming prejudice, respect and nature and the empire.
Halle would be dealing with isolation, the same as the humans, but trying to stretch out globally, go around traditions making way for the future, building courage, and old magics.
Q10: Any funny moments you had planned?
A10: Besides our “Cookie break dev” easter egg, in Cipactli, Mukondi, and Waauru’s routes, we’d have a bit of “shenanigans' with the dog. But that’s about as far as we’ve done for any of the routes.
Q11: Which of the characters do YOU want to kiss?
A11: My boy, my baby, Seneca. And Halle.
Q12: Is Mukondi? okay?
A12: Yes. She’s a politician, stress is a part of her job, she’s fine.
Additional Info given by Gogo:
I’m thinking about turning Stellamore into a novel or something of the sort, giving you insight into the story and writing!
Maybe doing a Ko-fi or Patreon with goals towards giving more story and information! Maybe even things about specific characters!
Writing a story is difficult, and I don’t have the “braincells” for it sometimes.
We just try to have certain themes connected to characters.
And that brings up a good point! We tried to have an MC who isn’t “bland like bread”, which can be an issue of Visual Novels, or games like this.
So, if I approach this in a writing way, would ya’ll feel comfortable with me trying to give the MC personality?
Would you want the same Protagonist in each route, or have different MC’s as oracles? Sort of changing protagonist per route? (Seems like a general yes in opinion from who was there) So having each Oracle have different personalities, each route having a different take on the MC! (It’d help with story, worldbuilding, etc.) and could help expand on the Li’s more too!
We tried to make the Li’s open to the MC, but some of them do have certain preferences, like Dior who wants someone cultured/invested in the world!
Headcanons on how the LIs would react to the Oracle suggesting they could start a family once their situation becomes more peaceful.
This request is, as the kids say, “BUSSIN’” (Admin Yara help!!! My older millennial is showing 😫)
Cipactli:
Surprise will be the first thing that crosses his features. Sure, as a royal its was always expected of him to produce an heir to the thrown, however he never expected to find someone he truly loved and that would love him back in order to do so. And then you entered his life and basically turned it upside down and now you have the AUDACITY to come in and tell him that you want to start a family with all misty eyed and looking the way you do.....sign him the fuck up.
He will be so thrilled and just might get slightly misty eyed with you. After all that has happened in Huatzintepec and now finally living in a world surrounded by true peace; he couldn’t imagine a more perfect world and partner to raise and grow a family in and with.
Regardless of wether you both decide to adopt or have your child the fact remains that Cipactli will absolutely R E A D E V E R Y B O O K A V A I L A B L E that might help/ease him into parenthood an DESPITE his preparations he still was not ready (cause who really is am I right). As soon as the child is here he will panic; is he good enough, is he prepared enough, will his child love him, etc., etc. You will most definitely need to help him get out of his own head and reassure him that he will be a wonderful father.
Mukondi:
Mukondi would be ecstatic at the idea of starting a family with you. Although she will be slightly apprehensive at first due to her duties as the human representative of Saiph; most of her insecurities and fears would lie on whether or not she would spend enough time with your child when, as it is, she barely has enough time for herself. Of course, this would be something discussed between you both before any definite decision is made and you both mutually agree that this would be easily solvable by hiring or staff/representatives to take her place in her absence (make👏🏻her👏🏻 realize👏🏻she’s👏🏻not👏🏻an👏🏻island👏🏻and👏🏻it’s👏🏻OK👏🏻TO👏🏻ASK👏🏻FOR👏🏻HELP👏🏻AND👏🏻NOT👏🏻BEAR👏🏻EVERYTHING👏🏻ON👏🏻HER👏🏻OWN👏🏻).
She would be the first one to bring you ideas for baby names whether you like it or not. Lists, upon lists of baby names and meanings, Mukondi does not want to give her child a basic name that everyone has. To her there is allot in a name and it’s important to her that this child knows the thought and care that was meticulous placed in choosing a name that they would be proud to bear.
Mama Mukondi is simply the best mother, hands down, no 🧢. She will spoil them rotten but she isn’t above disciplining when she has to. When it comes to her family pride is the only word that comes to minds, so many things were lost during that time in Huatzintepec but so much more was gained, and for that she couldn’t be more grateful.
Ariki:
At first, he’s super excited, 10/10 yes lets have a child together (very excite, much wow). However, after his initial reaction, there may be some doubts that will settles in. Not because he doesn’t want to, but because he needs to make sure that this child will be supported and loved by both of you. By this, his intentions are not doubt IN you or your capabilities to love anyone but it’s more security that he seeks in your relationship.
It is commonly known for merfolk to be very particular about their life partners, some spend years assessing and building a relationship until finally they feel secure enough to start dating, get married, etc. and this is no exception when it comes to building a family together. There is no doubt in Ariki’s mind that the depth of is love for you is endless, so even though he has his initial hesitations, it’s not something you can both talk about. Set up a game plan, share your insecurities, assure him about your intentions, be completely transparent. Once everything is discussed you can expect Ariki to go right back to the happy baby boi that he was when you first mentioned starting a family together.
Expect Ariki to be super excited about decorating his future child’s room. He would come up with motifs and colors, and of course you would put everything into a cohesive idea which you can both execute without the child’s room being overwhelmed with Ariki’s excitement. HAND MADE DECORATIONS FROM PAPA ARIKI!!!!
Dior:
“....so like...you wanna get a puppy or something...?” (let me also express that if you have a puppo/catto that you call family you are very valid cause same...anyways) Don’t hold your breath on getting an excitable reaction from Dior...you won’t. They might even, lowkey, seem repulsed by the idea of family mainly cause most of the time it involves children.
Look me in the eyes and tell me that Dior would find the idea of a small humanoid being that needs constant attention, screams when displeased, and might have the nerve to grow up and defy any rule set in place by Dior appealing in the slightest. Dior already fills out all those position why in the world would they want a second them. But being serious for a moment; Dior, much like Ariki or any species of merfolk, most definitely consider this a very prominent step in their future. So it is a very real thing that Dior may suggest getting a pet before a child. Much like Ariki, sit down with them, talk with them, discuss any insecurities (cause believe me they’re there). And in reality, it might take a long time for Dior to come around to the idea of a family with you. The one thing that Dior most certainly wants to make sure is that you know that they love you and they consider you their family/whole world regardless of children status.
EVENTUALLY, and with lots of physical, emotional, and mental preparations, Dior will come around, they might lean more towards adopting a child that may be slightly older but still young enough that they can help raise. Trust and believe that Dior will have matching outfits with their mini me. “You may be only 3′ tall and know a total of 4 syllables but thats not an excuse to not look your best, especially not when you’re with me”.
Waauru:
You and Waauru must’ve been together for a long time for you to bring up the possibility of raising a family together, and even more surprising still that she agreed so plainly to you.
Waauru is not one to beat around the bush specially not when it comes to you, she has always prided herself of being completely open to you. You will always know how she’s feeling even when she tries to shut you out, so when the time came in which you began to plan, envision, and execute a future with her with the possibility of children she was roarin’ and ready to go. Topics like these are oddly comforting to Waauru due to the love she has with her own family and with you as her partner the conversation most definitely came up even before you were to meet her family.
The idea of starting/continuing her family’s legacy with you fills Waauru’s heart with so much joy. She loves you so much and the fact that you’re in her life simply astounds her. Waauru never thought she could reach this level of serendipity and sereneness in her life after everything she’s been through. Most of her amazement comes from the fact that she is inspired by you and all that you were capable of doing despite being thrown in the thick of a political discourse and was the tipping point in bringing it all of it to a climax. Now she gets to do life with you as you both prepare for the latest addition.
Halle:
*ERROR 404 HALLE’S FUNCTIONING BRAINCELLS COULD NOT BE FOUND*
Oh boy, you did it, you broke the man. Only the heavens know how much was taken out of him to even talk to you in a full sentence, he still doesn’t know how he’s in a relationship with you, and now you want a F a M i L y!!! He’s gonna need a minute...no really. The request will catch him so off guard that he might need a moment alone to himself and his thoughts and in all honesty it might bother him slightly that you asked this of him. This will, of course, lead you to ask why to which he responds : “Well aren’t ‘we’ enough, why do you want to bring another being into our dynamic?!?!” With that he’ll storm off leaving you confused and a little hurt, but for know you drop the topic and just let him reconvene with himself. In his moments alone he sighs and thinks to himself: “...why did I say that?...you know thats not true Halle...?” Deep down, yes, yes he does want a family to call his and he couldn’t imagine doing so than with you; now he’s left rattling his brain trying to figure out what could’ve caused such a reaction...fear
After several hours of processing and coming to terms with himself, Halle comes back to you. Bright red face with so much embarrassment over his behavior with you, apologizing profusely for walking out on you. In these cases just hold his face, look him in the eyes, center him, ground him, and sit him down. When his able to breath at a steady pace again, expect the flood gates of emotion to open. He very rarely opens up but when he does it’s to you and only you. The main thing he focusses on though is this feeling of fear in the back of his mind much like Cipactli, only difference is that his is rooted in his own self conscious view of himself. Remind him how great of a friend, partner, lover, and man he is; remind him that what you asked doesn’t have to be done now, it is a very big step and something you can both talk and prepare for. This eases him, you both want this, just not right now and that is perfectly fine with both of you. Whenever you’re both ready he will be the proudest man in all of Saiph with you and your family by his side.
Taqtu:
*Queue the water works 🥺*
This man will be ✨E M O T I O N A L ✨Let him get it out, crying will ensue, but don’t worry these are happy tears. Taqtu has always been a family man, whether its been with his own family or his people in general; he considers the people he grew up with, raised him, played with him, babysat him, the children in his clan that came after him, all of them he considers family so it’s safe to say that when you brought this desire to his attention he was so excited.” WAIT?!?! REALLY?!?! Your not yanking my chain are ya...wait...really, you meant it? Oh Sweetpea, you’ve made me the happiest man”. He didn’t think it was possible to fall more in love with you, but here he is, head over heels (SIMP)
The other thing that has him all giddy is that he also gets to tell his tribe about this newfound journey you both are to take. The Ijiraat as a whole have suffered so much loss that whenever there is a new addition its a full on celebration. When you and Taqtu decided to begin your relationship, the whole tribe threw you both a party celebrating you as one of their own. The news of starting a family won’t be any less of a celebration, if anything it will be even more so. It’s a new chapter in both of your lives that might spring forth a new life. It has been one of his unspoken dreams to start a family of his own one day and finally being able to do so with the love of his life by his side elates him. Taqtu does not know what he did to deserve you, but he thanks every star in the sky for that fateful day he ran into you in the streets of Huatzintepec.
Seneca:
Seneca, like Halle, will be freaking out about it as soon as the suggestion leaves your lips; most of his reasoning being out of insecurities as well. However, unlike Halle, the main reason for his objection is because in reality he never knew what family was. How can a man who grew up without family be able to take care of a family of his own. Seneca does not expect you to do all the work in creating and raising this family by yourself, he wouldn’t allow it. Even so, he couldn’t see himself playing any significant part in the family dynamic that you so desire to have with him.
The idea of a family seems really nice to Seneca, poetic even, something he has probably talked about and studied as a disciple of the Sun god. It is a concept that is hard to grasp when the closest thing he has had to family is you. He, like Dior also, will take allot of: time love, and most definitely patience in order to even begin processing what you’ve asked. It is advisable in these instances to let him know that you understand where he comes from and that there is absolutely no rush for him to decide on this. In reality, family is more of a wound to him than something to look forward to, which is something that he is able to comfortably disclose to you after giving some thought to your request. Seneca follows by later stating: “...wounds are meant to heal, not fester. And if you will continue to have me and love me, the wound will heal...when that day comes I will be more than willing to create the most beautiful life that you deserve my sunshine...” (I’m NOT crying, you are).
Whether you both decide to have or adopt your new member of your family, on that day Seneca will learn what it means when people say love at first sight is real. One look at your child and his heart soars. He is grateful for the time that you gave him; it allowed him to heal so that way he could stop bleeding on the people that never hurt him, and with his new future with you he is certain that your family will only grow in love.
