the bonewitch

reni (she/her) dev blog for the bonewitch. asks welcomed. main blog @moariin

[thebonewitch-if]

The Bonewitch is a horror fantasy inspired by the German Baroque period. This is a standalone IF and is currently in progress.

Content warnings: Please note the game is rated 18+ for scenes including body horror, trauma, blood, drug/alcohol use, dubious consent, sexual content, and mentions of cannibalism.

PLAY THE DEMO / RO INTROS

You are a Bonewitch, born into a bloodline steeped in ancient magic. When you came of age, you were whisked away to the imperial palace to fight and bleed for country.

Soon the wrong kind of blood stained your hands and their words plotted against you. Spared from the executioner's sword, you were exiled to an island, left in isolation.

Alone and scared, perhaps angry, you left to wonder what went wrong. They promised you a pardon, but that was a lie. When a herald summons you to return home years later, you want to feel relief.

Now serving as a confidant of a disgraced noble, you are to realize your role holds more weight than you imagine. You can try to return to normalcy: reuniting with old friends and your past, or perhaps someone new. Despite the freedom, you dread becoming a pawn once more. These years living on the island made you different, your emotions raw.

Will you piece together your mind or let your sanity crumble?

Play as female, male or nonbinary character.

Customize your name, gender, sex, family lineage, and appearance.

Select one out of the three origins to shape how you perceive the world, and how others perceive you. Some scenes will vary with branching options.

Romance one of the four love interests and flings: all of them, or no one.

Choose your patron god and strengthen your devotion. Or stray from their path.

Navigate court politics, befriend, or perhaps make enemies.

Understand (or not) why you are summoned to return. Something in you has changed, and so has the world.

MILENA DORN , the noble (f) - The youngest sibling of House Voryev. You have known her for years, you know every laugh lines, her dislikes and fears. Since your separation, your kinship with her is a distant memory. Nowadays, she only speaks in riddles. (PLAYLIST)

IHRIN CZERNIAK, the knight (m/f) - One of the friendly faces you meet. Newly appointed knight with a heart of gold, and a former soldier of the Nasherein army. But beneath their adoring eyes, there is only pain, both body and mind. (PLAYLIST)

FLORIAN (m/nb) / FLORCIA (f) , the godling - As a child of a god and a mortal woman, they are already been blessed and cursed since birth. Yet, they are nothing more than another replica of the Pale God. Silver hair with porcelain skin, a perfect body in every way. (PLAYLIST )

VINZENT / VANESSZA MASING, the tailor (m/f) - They work for the imperial family as the royal tailor, a respectable position. Vicious, perhaps commanding, they hold some power influencing the court fashion and to a lesser extent, imperial treasury. (PLAYLIST)

[thebonewitch-if]

just wanted to say i played the game for the second time a few days ago and absolutely loved every minute of it. your storytelling and prose is amazing, i have no words heheheh <3

thanks so much for playing and your kind words! i’m glad you love it, also the fact you played it twice! means a lot

thanks for reading!

[interact-if]

You can find all of the submissions for the Fantasy Interactive Fiction category down below!

(Not listed in any particular order—top games in each category coming soon)

Ongoing

A Thin Line Between Desires by @theostwistedtales

The Gray Ascendancy by @thegrayascendancy-if

The Sword of Rhivenia by @theswordofrhivenia 

The Marked by @peonyb

The Lost Bride by @thelostbride-if

The Midnight Bay @midnight-bay-if

A Tale of Crowns by @ataleofcrowns

Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse  @stygiansun-totaleclipse

Wayfarer by @idrellegames

Shepherds of Haven  by @shepherds-of-haven

Cantata by @fir-fireweed

When Twilight Strikes  by @evertidings

The Lonely Shore by @thelonelyshore-if

God-Cursed by  @wings-of-ink

The Bastard of Camelot by @llamagirl28

Crown of Exile by @ramonag-if

Misplaced by @calliopefiction

Wolfsbane by @wolfsbane-if

Pactbinder by @pactbinder-if (mentioned in action/adventure)  

The Nameless by @parkerlyn

Tales of Wocdes: The Silver Protector  by @tales-of-wocdes

Small Fires by @smallfires-if

The Exile (also mentioned in action/adventure) by @exilethegame

Speaker  by  @speakergame

Pro Patria Mori by @pro-patria-mori-if

Kindling  by @kindlingif

Island of Whispers  by @islandwhispers-if

Anything for the Crown  by @anything4thecrown-if

Guardian of Time by @guardian-of-time-if

Crown of Ashes and Flames by @coeluvr  

The Sovereign’s Ring  by @thesovereignsring-if

Garden of Bones  by @gardenofbones-if

The Pretenders Guild  by @thepretendersguild

The King’s Hound by @kal-down  

Golden Ashes* (Demo unavailable—currently being rewritten) by @goldenashes-if

Skin & Scales by @skinandscales-if 

Honor Amongst Thieves (also mentioned in action/adventure) by @leoneliterary

The Rot of Witchwood by @rotting-ink

Venturis by @venturis-if

Ashenmaw - Dragons of Marrowoods by @ashenmaw-if

The Well of The Divine by @well-of-divine-if

Chains of Destiny by @chains-of-destiny

RPG in Another World  (also mentioned in action/adventure) by @drowsyruigames

Burning Academia by @burning-academia-if

The Abyssal by @theabyssal

The Ballad of the Young Gods by  @childrenofcain-if

Softly, Opulent by @softlyopulent-if

The Eternal Library  by @leiatalon

Hyperion by @hyperion-if

God Syndicate by @god-syndicate-if

Forever Gold by @lsdoiphin

The Abyssal Song by @ri-writes-if

Bladeweaver by @bladeweaver-if

The Brightest Stars by @brighteststars-if

Summoners Return by @king-of-fae

The Bonewitch by @thebonewitch-if

The Iron King’s Heir by @ironkingsheir-if

Fellow Traveler (urban modern fantasy) by @robotvampire

Thicker Than  (modern supernatural) by @barbwritesstuff

Wolf Set Free (modern supernatural) by @wolfsetfree-if

Sanguine Sky (dark fantasy) by @sanguinesky-if

Bride of Shadows (dark fantasy) by @mortish-writes

Weeping Gods by @jcollinswrites

Completed

A Mage Reborn: Book One by @mage-parivir (sequel in the works)

Love the Guard, Be The King by @ligiawrites

The Night Market Book One by @night-market-if (sequel in the works)

Lovewood by @lovewoodvn

Arcadie: Second Born by @sofia-d-asb (sequel in the works)

The Second Sight: Dead Reckoning by @spoiledblogif (sequel in the works)

Choice of Rebels: Uprising (sequel in the works) by Joel Havenstone

The Wayhaven Chronicles (book 1-3 completed, book 4 is in the works) by @seraphinitegames

Their Majesties' Pleasure by @leiatalon

Ink and Intrigue by @leiatalon

Hearts in Hades: Divine Passion by Lidia Molina Whyte

NonPlatonic Forms by @alexis-royce

The Case of the Serialized Killer by @alexis-royce

Blood Moon (supernatural/modern supernatural) by @barbwritesstuff

Fields of Asphodel (sequel in the works) by @chrysanthemumgames

The compiling was done by a small team, so do bear with us if you spot any errors! You can DM us or leave a comment to let us know!

[thebonewitch-if]

THE BONEWITCH ; Soldier!MC           — later known as marrow of blackwater.

“ Promise me. Promise me my ill, rotting dreams are still favorable. ”  

It is said what is broken cannot be mended. Years of isolation has granted them a gift from the lonely shores of Waganecht Cliffs. A gift to reshape old destines and dynasties across their spine.

It is said what is broken can be forgotten.

Background

You joined the ranks of the Imperial Army, following your mother's footsteps. And with your exceptional gift, you are soon enlisted to master your talent in combat. You learned to fight with rifle, and combat comes easily for you when it comes to summoning bones from small carcasses, shaping them to your will. A shard, a needle, or a scrying knife.

In this route, you will later chose one of the four family backgrounds. Each background will have their own flavor text and at some point influence the story, powers, characters, and endings.

Below is a brief description to get a feel of the four backgrounds.

Rehn

MC resided in Sarcherin, a small town famously known for its church-goers and merchants. Their craft was nurtured in scriptures, devoting their life to the gods.

Falkenthal

Despite being a bastard child of House Falkenthal, MC refused to let their upbringing get in their loyalty to the imperial army. Still, every action they took reflected upon the nobles. They are simply honest, but uptight in some occasions.

Nowak

To be a Nowak is a means to be a celebrity. MC grew up among a long and powerful line of Bonewitches. They are tend to be stronger than most Bonewitches.

Sykas

Born as a commonfolk, they have nothing to their name and taught themselves to harness their magic through creative means.

art cred: Fred Uhlman (German/British, 1901-1985), Welsh Hills. 

[thebonewitch-if]

THE BONEWITCH ; Soldier!MC           — later known as marrow of blackwater.

“ Promise me. Promise me my ill, rotting dreams are still favorable. ”  

It is said what is broken cannot be mended. Years of isolation has granted them a gift from the lonely shores of Waganecht Cliffs. A gift to reshape old destines and dynasties across their spine.

It is said what is broken can be forgotten.

Background

You joined the ranks of the Imperial Army, following your mother's footsteps. And with your exceptional gift, you are soon enlisted to master your talent in combat. You learned to fight with rifle, and combat comes easily for you when it comes to summoning bones from small carcasses, shaping them to your will. A shard, a needle, or a scrying knife.

In this route, you will later chose one of the four family backgrounds. Each background will have their own flavor text and at some point influence the story, powers, characters, and endings.

Below is a brief description to get a feel of the four backgrounds.

Rehn

MC resided in Sarcherin, a small town famously known for its church-goers and merchants. Their craft was nurtured in scriptures, devoting their life to the gods.

Falkenthal

Despite being a bastard child of House Falkenthal, MC refused to let their upbringing get in their loyalty to the imperial army. Still, every action they took reflected upon the nobles. They are simply honest, but uptight in some occasions.

Nowak

To be a Nowak is a means to be a celebrity. MC grew up among a long and powerful line of Bonewitches. They are tend to be stronger than most Bonewitches.

Sykas

Born as a commonfolk, they have nothing to their name and taught themselves to harness their magic through creative means.

art cred: Fred Uhlman (German/British, 1901-1985), Welsh Hills. 

[thebonewitch-if]

dropping the S!MC post as promised today, just finishing the edits! it’s been so long since i touch on making graphics lol. can’t wait to show more about the family name/background you get to pick in the reworked prologue.

after that, i have two more MC posts to make next. they will also have a small intro about the family name so each origin will have their own flavor text.

[watermotif]

once i get taken out back and shot i'll be fine

[spies-if]

💌 SAVE THE DATE 💌

On Sunday, June 21st, at 3PM (BRT), get ready to finally play the demo of In Sickness, In Health, and In Espionage. Walk down the aisle, and deal with everything that comes after that!

@interact-if

[interact-if]

Interact-IF Genre Lists (May 2026): Voting

🎉 The submissions for the Interact-IF genre lists (May 2026) are in — and now it’s time to vote! 🎉

Over the past week, we've received submissions for an incredible range of games across 5 genres.

We move into the next stage of the Interact-IF Genre List Event: COMMUNITY VOTING!

Vote for your favorite submitted games in each genre category HERE! Whether you’re cheering on longtime classics, hidden gems, or newer projects that deserve more eyes, this is your chance to help spotlight the games that made an impression on you.

Voting will run from now till May 21. Once again, here's the link to the form for voting.

*Note: For the sake of voting fairness, IFs that have been submitted to more than one category have been included in only ONE category. However, in the rec lists, the IF will be included in any/all categories that it appears in. If you think a game should be in a different main category from what it's listed as, you can DM us or leave a comment at the end of this form to let us know. 

If you missed out submitting a game to the rec lists, you can use this google form to submit the game, but do note that these would not be eligible for the voting round. This will be open until May 21 as well.

GENRES:

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

Action/Adventure

Modern/Slice-of-life

Historical Drama

[interact-if]

Last day to cast your votes!

Results and full rec lists will be out May 24!

[thebonewitch-if]

Since I reached 1k followers (love you all!), I thought I can do something for you guys. You get to pick what content like to see in order.

what should I post next?

family tree edit

character study

MC origin intro posts

ROs intro posts (part 2)

other

Voting ended onMay 19

[thebonewitch-if]

You guys just want spoilers 😔 but first MC intro will be going out SOON

[thebonewitch-if]

Since I reached 1k followers (love you all!), I thought I can do something for you guys. You get to pick what content like to see in order.

what should I post next?

family tree edit

character study

MC origin intro posts

ROs intro posts (part 2)

other

Voting ended onMay 19

[thebonewitch-if]

SIREN IMAGERY PLEASE EXPLAIN 😍

This is still in the works, and it will happen in the timeskip aka the current timeline.

If you pick the maestro origin, you get several defining choices that shape how your MC will perceived by other people. You can be elusive or bloodthirsty in this route. If you really want to, your MC can drown sailors/merchants or tie them to a raft and let the ocean decide.

M!MC will have a epithet with something eluding to the choices you pick. I feel the maestro origin with siren imagery makes sense. Don’t worry the other origins will get their own epithet and bad decisions.

But MC being a dumbass, they don’t know they’re THAT famous over the pond.

[ryebreadgf]

[thebonewitch-if]

Adding some options to adopt a little bone critter for D!MC and bunch of siren/ocean aesthetics to M!MC, but giving nothing (trauma) to S!MC just shows that I do not have favorites and love all of them equally

[slowlikehoney1996]

t shirt that says “i used to be worse”

[thebonewitch-if]

Without spoilers (unless you want to spoil ofc), what is something you're really excited to write about/for us to experience in your IF?

Oh there’s a lot I’m excited to write about!

I think you may like to experience is the seeing the progress of your MC’s appearance the more they use their powers.

Just for a quick example, since D!MC can mold entirely new creatures from bones, they get to wear a skull from their own design. M!MC’s powers eventually cause their body to show full skeletal tattoos. S!MC with body horror for obvious reasons.

Another I won’t spoil for now is you can also get bad or neutral endings.

[ahsteria]

me and my massive throbbing enormous dripping guilt complex