heya, just dropping by to say this is one of the most amazing wips i’ve played so far. the writing, the worldbuilding, the characters, the interactions, they’re all top notch. definitely buying this later.
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I’m having the same issue. My save file was at the beginning of the previous chapter, and I’m now unable to get past the water guardian in the temple. It gets stuck in a loop, asking the altar blood question over and over, until all my own questions are asked and then it crashes.
I’m very excited to play the new interlude once that’s fixed!
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@Elysian and @MichaelCrank - @BrownBetty had this same issue last update. It seems to be a problem with the individual save file. Is there another you can try?
@Laguz Ugh, I’m so sorry to hear that. I swear, I don’t touch anything to do with the save plugin when I update the game, but stuff like this just occasionally happens to people. I’ll spend some more time trying to look through old troubleshoots on the system, but given how this went last time I’m not too optimistic.
I’m really bummed to hear about the save issues, guys. I’ll let you know if I find anything that looks promising as far as avoiding the bugs or fixes.
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I’d probably have to do another full playthrough considering I only have one saved file. I’m confident that I could remember most of the choices I made so far anyway.
Edited: Just did that and I had no problems with a new playthrough.
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I could certainly understand if that were frustrating though.
Small update, everyone: while I don’t think this will much help people experiencing the issue, I’ve implemented a “save point” at the end of the update, so at least in the future some of these scene-loading related issues aren’t as likely to come up (I think it’s a loading issue; sometimes if a chapter is edited, then a save file that used the unedited version goes bananas).
I know that the one time this came up last update, it was fixed by using a different save file. I’m really sorry this is such a headache, all.
ETA: It would also be useful to know if anyone is not experiencing this issue. Because if it’s universal I might need to revisit this hypothesis about the cause.
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As always, I’m super excited to see what’s next.
About the save files; all three of my save files started me at the beginning of chapter 8 and I’m… pretty sure I actually saved at the end of chapter 8. So that’s a little concerning. And, a much bigger problem, there’s something glitchy with the temple. You know how you have a chance to look at everything and then choose which of the doors you want to go through? Well when I got there this time you have the option of entering the Eye-door first. And that lets you just skip the green and red doors. I know that’s new. It could be another problem with my save files but. Eh. All three of them?
I did manage to get some way into the update before hitting this.
The error message popped up when I pressed enter and then the page froze. I hope that’s helpful because I have no idea what it means.
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This one, I’m familiar with. It happens to my personal save/test files, actually. The issue is that while it saves the variables as though you have completed the chapter, it for some reason sends you back to the start of that same chapter, and does indeed happen whenever I save at the very end of one. (I’d been saving one chapter back because of this, which is exceedingly inconvenient, to say the least).
The new “save point” landing spot I’ve implemented should fix that for future iterations, but those files are for example going to assume that you’ve looked at things and probably retain your injury counts and the like as well, unfortunately.
The other bug with the error, I’ve fixed!
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If I may… as the game is getting longer, and save file problems are… happening, maybe it would be good to consider a chapter warp of some kind, where everything is set to default variables except for maybe some major things like character name, romance etc. (Havenstone did this in his beta of XOR).
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I’m certainly willing to work on something that’ll help mitigate these issues! Could you explain more about what you mean?
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You know, like, while the game is in beta, a choice at the beginning of the game that allows you to move to a menu where you choose a chapter to begin at, allowing the player to effectively bypass playing the game fully again to try a new route or a specific chapter.
Everything minor is set to default variables, except your name, stats, romance if applicable, or relationship values. Havie did this. I don’t really know how. It was really useful as his game grew longer.
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Ah, I understand now. This is absolutely something we can work on. Much obliged for the suggestion!
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This. Update 
I don’t know if I picked the temple options in a different order or what, but I had no problems with them. This sort of bugs are difficult to find and fix and I just want to say that I feel your pain, guys.
Some non-story related stuff
and you sink into the depths of slumber. It’s a couple of days later when Pan and Aisling approach you together.
Maybe put the second sentence on a new paragraph?
They stop withing reaching distance by some unspoken consensus,
Within.
builds around them Pan until it’s in fact difficult to see them directly.
Pronoun and name.
colors blending and sweeping over the the shape of The Omen.
Repetition.
Story (mostly fangirling)
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You broke my Deaman’s heart like three times this chapter. First over his ship; you know he’s in love with that thing and seeing it destroyed was harder than he will ever admit. You’re evil and I love it.
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When Aisling told him she wanted to be the clan’s shaman. His bharda is growing up and starting to be her own person, and although he said he was alright with that he was screaming internally xD
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Everything Pan. The whole we-are-saying-iskendi-but-we-are-so-not-talking-about-the-iskendi chat. Beautiful. Being able to somehow address the elephant in the room is nice and these two need it, even if they are fighting so hard not to think about it.
I especially loved the “What if there’s no other way for them to survive?” option; you could hear the heart-break from over a mile. -
Their chat about Aisling, and Pan being proud of my Deaman because he loves his bharda. So. Very. Married. I felt like they were discussing their child and I’m totally on board for that. You have no right to make me feel this giddy.
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Aisling hugging Pan. Yes.
And that’s all my old-lady mushy feels. Now I can be normal again or something.
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Loved the Interlude from chapter eight. At first my favourite was Pan and then Sangarinus but the last times that I’ve played (not that I’ve played a lot 
) …I think they’re reversing and with the interlude I’ve enjoyed more the Sangarinus’s path… I don’t know, I’ve created two MC it’s impossible to choose between them.
You’re making a great job with Sangarinus and Pan, I like that they’re very detailed and defined.
So, good work!!
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I think implementing some kind of shortcut system would be a very good idea. If this tops out at 16-20 chapters that’s otherwise just an unfeasible amount of re-doing. The game Guenevere (Guenevere (WIP)) had something like what I think @Laguz means. I think that game had a different/simpler stat system, so I’m not sure how that would translate but it might be worth looking at. The author is still active on tumblr and seems very nice if you want to ask someone about it. I saved at the landing point so we’ll see how that works out.
Okay, I have three save files with three different ROs and three different adventure partners in the last chapter so I can give some variety in feedback.
Riona - 2-3-5-5, high humor/low aggression, allied Castulia, RO Sangarinus.
Seighin - 5-3-2-5, high humor/high aggression, allied Iskendi, RO Aisling.
Eithne - 4-5-4-2, low humor/high aggression, isolationist, RO Izzy.
Very long Interlude 5 spoiler stuff;
Summary
I’m not exactly glad that the choice to save the companion or your ship has serious consequences, but I think it’s the right and smart choice, no matter how outraged I am. My poor crew. My poor boat. That hurt. It made me rethink my decisions about saving in chapter seven for a minute. Riona saved Aisling, Seighin and Eithne did not save Pan and Sangarinus, respectively. I’d still save Aisling but. Yeah, it cost me.
Cute detail that if Aisling is in charge of the hospital area it’s efficient, organized and she’s already started drying herbs and if she’s not it’s just a disaster area. Sangarinus can’t stand up in the shelter. Aw, honey.
I think I’ve landed on “Not a real Valravn, just a guardian taking the manifestation most likely to disturb the PC.” I’m leaving room for me to be wrong but that’s where I’m at right now. Riona thinks it was a guardian, Seighin is refusing to think about it now that it’s over and Eithne thinks it might be her father but isn’t sure.
I loved the bird watching joke and so did Seighin.
I liked seeing Pan and Aisling doing magic-science. Aisling was very cute with her little journal and I liked seeing more of how magic is thought to work in this universe. I am 1,000% here for Aisling being shaman. An excellent idea. I’ve been hoping she would end the game as the clan’s shamen since pretty much the paragraph where we find out that the last shaman was a mage. Seighin and Riona support her enthusiastically, Eithne hesitantly. I just can’t play someone who crushes her, that is a level of Jerk I am not able to enjoy. She’s Aisling! The most harmless and inoffensive of all living creatures. And her arguments whenever you try to discourage her are really sensible and hard to counter. Seighin suggested healing, Riona suggested something new and Eithne suggested combat magic, which felt a little inconsistent with her character but I wanted a spread of choices.
The RO scene with Sangarinus was adorable. He makes you a tiny little critter! Having the figurine be customized to your highest stat is a little thing but it’s a nice detail. I think the most shocking twist of this game is finding out that Sangarinus does not give objectively terrible hugs. He hugged someone and maintained eye contact through a personal conversation. He is making huge strides here. The conversation about his trauma was elliptical but did good work. It doesn’t feel like you (the writers) are dragging the information out, it just feels like Sangarinus has a really hard time talking about it and won’t except under specific circumstances.
The RO scene with Aisling. !!! It makes total sense that she would just come out and say she loves the PC. She’s actually known the PC for something like 20 years, had a crush for who knows how long, is aware of her own emotions and willing to express them and recently had to face the prospect of the PC, herself or both of them dying with things unsaid. But it still makes me super happy. Once she’s the clan’s shaman they are going to be such a power couple.
The RO scene with Izzy was great. All the characters have such interesting backstories, I love finding them out. I like the variation in how you can handle the RO routes between characters. Aisling and Sangarinus are always going to go pretty slow, I think Cormac has one speed, Pan has two separate ones depending on whether or not you’ve mutually decided to keep it casual and Izzy is fine with either going slow or not, mostly up to you. I also appreciated on this playthrough (because I screwed up and didn’t notice until I was several chapters too far) that if you don’t lock down Izzy pretty fast Aisling nabs her. There’s a good sense of characters not waiting around for the player, but having their own stories. Minor typo/missed word here.
I’m guessing “Castulia saw no great need”?
I dithered a little about whether to make an effigy of Orlan because it felt wrong to have a funeral for him without Roise being able to attend. I decided on Eithne yes, because she wouldn’t delay doing The Proper Thing by Cine standards for any reason, Riona and Seighin no, because they would prefer to wait until they can get back home and be with Roise for it. But they definitely would think it was important to have a funeral as soon as that would be practically possible.
This is maybe slightly weird but I really liked the funeral? The details all felt very suitable for the Cine and I think characters with any combo of characteristics could find something appropriate to say.
It’s hard to play as someone who won’t trust Aisling, both because pretty much everyone likes you less and because it’s so obviously making things harder than they have to be. Nevertheless I persevered for Eithne. She even snatched the Eye back after getting her ship back like new. I’m trying to walk a line where Eithne cares about and trusts Aisling but is just dead set against magic. It’s annoying.
Riona and Seighin were properly grateful, and I’m hopeful that that will count for something in the scene I’m sure is coming, where you can try to convince the clan to calm down a little about magic.
I’m looking forward to trying to escape the island. I’m guessing that the big choice next chapter will be between to try to control the leviathan and take it with you, break the connection with the Eye and kill it, or just escape and leave it there. Riona and Eithne are both inclined to kill it, Riona because that’s a terrible existence for anything and Eithne because magical creature = kill it. Seighin wants to take it with him see if it can be set up to guard Divio in a slightly less, ah, flamboyant manner but will defer to Aisling’s opinion because she’s the one who would have to actually control the thing. It’s interesting that both Aisling and Sangarinus seem to be leaning toward mercy killing it. As the game has progressed I’ve come to think of them as the two characters most similar to one another, weird as that would have sounded in the beginning.
At the moment Riona is still hoping to destroy the Eye but if that’s not achievable a distant second choice is a tie between giving it to Castulia, possibly in exchange for something (more land?), and keeping it while allying with Castulia. Seighin is wavering between giving it to the Iskendi and keeping it while allying with them. Eithne is going to destroy this stupid rock if it kills her. If that is absolutely, 100% impossible in any way she will grudgingly settle for going back north, wiping out the clan’s enemies and then throwing the damned thing into a fjord.
I had no new error messages at all.
And so, to bed.
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A shortcut system would be much appreciated as I have been avoiding reading new stuff because I can’t devote the time to get thru the whole game (it’s so long and that’s amazing but also it now takes me an hour to get to new material). Fallen Hero has a really good shortcut system for the retribution WIP that I’d recommend checking out.
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Hey everyone!
Thanks for the feedback on the new chapter so far. We’ve spent the last couple of days working on a sort of shorthand save-state creation system (thanks to @Laguz for the suggestion!) It doesn’t let you jump in at any chapter whatsoever, but right now we’ve got 4, 6, and 8 up and running, and we’ll probably include 10 and 12 when we get there, too. We really hope this cuts down on the amount of work you have to do if you happen to lose your save, and we’ve tried to account for all the most major choices in the process.
Of course, it’s completely possible that this system itself will be a little buggy, and I should warn you that you can use it to create “impossible” states (for example, one where your best friend is the one who ends up stranded with you in Chapter 8), but as of the moment I don’t think any of the impossibilities are game-breaking, so to speak. In any case, we also anticipate needing to tweak things, so if you notice anything that doesn’t work like it probably should, feel free to let us know!
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Finally! I am free! :0
Chapter 8 is so cool… so cool. I’m sorry for everyone who got like, Aisling or a wimp MC. You didn’t get to witness Mr. Autism beating the absolute shit out of Mergo’s Wet Nurse on the floor with one raw autistic possibly fractured fist.
autism rights iskendi do not interact
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“fallen asleep, lulled by the hot afternoon and he gentle swaying of the hammock”
the gentle
“White-gold light, shimmering not entirely unlike an aurora of sorts, builds around them Pan until it’s in fact difficult to see them directly.”
???
“The grimace that results is the most discomfort you’ve seen him express, and it fades almost immediately. He sheaths his knife back at his side. His sword seems to be missing entirely—perhaps he lost it to the water.”
To “sheathe” is the verb, while “sheath” is the noun.
I love how not only do you interact with the characters, the characters interact with eachother… no one feels like a satellite character except maybe sometimes slightly Cormac if Aisling is preoccupied since everyone else just avoids him lmao.
You asked some really good questions over the interlude that didn’t have an obvious “bad choice” or even made me feel bad for taking the aggressive or anti-mage tone because you keep the sides balanced. It’s great. Love this. Love Pan.
Well, overall I’ve managed to salvage something of my runs, anyway. Bless you.
love is stored in the autistic sang
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Wow I can’t believe you wrote such a long updates 
My heart was racing when I played this, I didn’t want the demo to end and it kept going for quite some time. Thank you for that 
Pan is just…can I have more of Pan please? My MC can’t live without them. He gave Sangarinus quite a shock when he told the guardian that the one he can’t sacrifice was Pan
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This is a good point. Cormac does kind of feel like he’s out on his own. Aisling is tied in to the plot with magic but also because Pan is mentoring her, and Izzy had an entire side plot for herself. If we aren’t romancing Cormac, he does feel separate in a way. This could be my playthrough, though. He has one of the highest friendships for me which means I didn’t get him in the ziggurat, but I’m also not romancing him, so he’s sort of Not Appearing in This Episode (or episodes) since he’s mostly in the background in group scenes.
Additionally, I’d love more varied interactions between the main 5. What would a conversation between Izzy and Pan or Cormac and Pan be like? Aisling and Sang? The opportunities for awkwardness are truly abundant.
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