Thanks Anne, understood. It’s gold advice 
3 Likes
Interest check~
Hey there. General Ke- ah, no. Anyway.
I’m writing a story in a somewhat uncommon setting, and before I’m going really heavy on the coding (which I’ll have to) (but which will also not be a problem, I’m good with coding, I work in IT), I’d like to hear what people think of the idea in general.
(General) (I’ll use that word a lot here. it’s a good word. you might want to use it as your title in-game! or not, that’s fine too. you’re the… boss? leader? you can decide later, no pressure.) (also, I like explaining things in brackets, so there will be a lot of those here, too. not in the game though (probably), so don’t worry.) Game Concept:
Equal parts Romance, Dress-Up Game, and… Grand Strategy. But focus is on Role-Playing, first and foremost.
Setting:
Alternate (but non-fantasy) 1920s; Russian Civil War/Chinese Warlord Era-inspired.
General Story:
You’re a (very customizable) child of the ruling Imperial Family. Until one day, when said Imperial Family is toppled by a popular uprising and very messily executed. Well, technically you’re still their child of course, it’s just that your parents and siblings are suddenly dead. You are not, though, and you intend to keep it that way. Which is hard when you technically being the entire Imperial Family now is something a lot of people have a hard time tolerating, one way or another.
Thankfully, you have a few loyal(?) companions at your side, as well as their equally loyal (to them, at least) troops - and thus the potential to build an army and properly reclaim your place in this country.
Opinions on what that place is supposed to be vary greatly, however, and at some point (ideally before you’ve gained ultimate victory over your rivals and are stuck with a set of supporters with very specific expectations) you’ll have to figure out what you want to do.
Features:
- Customize your character! (in a lot of ways, including, of course, gender)
- Customize your army! (in a lot of ways, including, because why not, gender)
- Build your own train! (the armored variant, with big guns and, if you want to, a cinema!)
- Romance one of 10 (subject to change, maybe) exciting (author’s subjective opinion) characters (there are a lot more characters of course, but those are not romanceable for various reasons)!
- Be the best-looking Warlord of them all! (opportunity to eliminate competition will be given)
- No personality stat checks! RP to your heart’s content! (characters will react differently depending on your personality, but it will never block you from success. losing a battle might, though…)
- Reclaim your parents’ throne, abolish it in favor of democracy (having an army is very helpful for election campaigns, by the way), or become (= proclaim yourself to be) a Saint chosen by the Gods! Or… just rule. Your army is justification enough.
- Die! (eventually. hopefully not too soon. in any case, you will certainly become metaphorically immortal if you play your cards right.)
Special Features (same as Features but vaguely more meta):
- Save system! (high priority for me)
- Be autistic! (or not. but the option is there, and it will change a lot.)
- Toggleable hints! No more guessing how characters will react. Highly recommended if you are autistic or choose to be in-game.
- Talk a lot! Or not at all. Or anything in between.
- Do warcri- I mean, boost morale by solidifying cohesion through shifts in personnel.
- Build your own train! (already mentioned in the normal features, but isn’t it cool?)
- Ride a horse! (or use other modes of transportation. a cool car or an even cooler… alright, I already mentioned the train enough.)
- Red flag ROs! But also conventionally friendly ones. There are a lot of them after all, so I hope your favorite stereotype can be found as well.
- Trauma! Which is a main theme, actually. Or rather, dealing with trauma, in an ultimately hopeful and positive way. You will overcome. Everything will be fine, because you’re a good person (opinions of characters in-game may vary based on your actions). You can also choose to ignore this completely and be fine from the start, if you want to.
Non-Features:
- Poly romances. Sorry, can’t write them.
- Trans MC. Sorry again.
- Actual Evilness. In-game ‘evil’ actions will always stay in the realm of ‘dealing harshly with enemies’, not go into actual ‘being a really bad person’ territory.
- A title. For now. I’ll think of one in due time, I promise.
- A lot of other things not specifically listed here.
Note: the general tone of this game will be way more somber than my description here, but there will be light-hearted banter too (if you meet the right characters and/or choose to have a certain personality).
60 Likes
It sounds good! I’m getting big Romanov, missing Anastasia energy from this description. I have just a few comments.
Firstly, 10 ROs is a lot if you want the romance to be more than background stuff. I’m sure it’s possible to make 10 good, unique ROs, but it’s got to be hard. So I would keep that in mind.
Secondly, I’m just wondering why they chose to keep the MC alive? I won’t keep coming back to the Romanovs, but they killed the children because they didn’t want anyone trying to retake the throne. Is the MC in hiding, or was there a reason to keep them alive?
6 Likes
But Charles II survived the English Civil War although Charles I was executed, no?
They might’ve taken some inspiration from there as well.
2 Likes
Thanks for the feedback!
I’m also a bit anxious about the number of ROs, but I counted the unique characters where the option would make sense and this is the result… I’m doing the five ‘core’ ones first, though, and then add the others one by one, maybe do interest polls once I have enough done to set up a WiP post.
(You won’t encounter all of them during a single playthrough anyway, as that depends on which regions you choose to go to, and in which order.)
As for the question how the MC survives… minor spoilers (all of this is in the prologue):
The rebels do not choose to keep you alive. The default route is that they try to hang you with the rest of your family, but you survive (still researching the medical details to make this realistic); or, if you set yourself up to be a crowd favorite, they’ll sneakily put you in front of a firing squad along with your servants, out of the public eye. But lots of things can go wrong with that, and they will.
(also, note: the Romanovs, and not only their children, were initially spared; they were only executed later, when Ekaterinburg was under siege and their capture/liberation by White forces was imminent)
19 Likes
Hey everyone,
I’ve got two story ideas I have been plotting for the past month. I’m kinda of curious to know which one you all find more interesting. That way, I can focus on the one that garners more interest and start the writing/coding process.
Thank you!!
Mark of Sybil
Once a tranquil and thriving realm, Essia now stands tainted by foul magic.
The turning point arrived in the form of a blood-moon eclipse, which unleashed an overwhelming surge of arcane energy upon the realm.
Magical beasts emerged from the shadows, and ancient monsters slipped through the ruptured veil- propelled by the unleashed magical torrent.
Shortly after, infants were born with an unfamiliar Mark etched into their skin. This mark was a clear sign of their inherent connection to the magic that now coursed through the realm.
A sinister Magic that carries Sybil’s taint. (I will refrain from going into Sybil’s story since I don’t want to info-dump a lot)
The Marked are still treated with scorn to this day, as they possess powers no human should have. The realm eventually came up with a solution to deal with them, and so the Hunter’s Guild was formed where the Marked were sent to train to hunt the monsters that ravish the realm- as they are the only ones capable of doing so.
You are one of the unfortunate souls who bear the Mark of Sybil. Confronted with this newfound reality, you are forced to make a choice: align with the Hunter’s Guild, and embrace your role as a monster hunter, or risk the threat of execution by defying your fate.
Yet, when a mysterious group of Marked band together to threaten the peace, you find yourself thrust into the middle of the turmoil. Their goal: to take back their freedom, to reclaim their right to a normal life.
With a looming war on the horizon and long-concealed truths beginning to surface, you stand at a crossroads. Will you remain a bystander, fight to maintain the peace, or align yourself with the rebels in their uprising?
Dreamwalker
In a world where dreams hold as much power as reality itself, a unique group of psychic individuals known as Dreamwalkers exist. They possess the skill to craft dreams of varying depths, planting thoughts and emotions, altering perceptions, and weaving intricate illusions in the dreamer’s subconscious. They can subtly implant ideas into a person’s mind and even manipulate their core beliefs.
Yet, such power doesn’t come without setbacks. Many Dreamwalkers tether on the edge of reality and dreams, often struggling to discern between the two. In extreme cases, some practitioners become trapped within dreams, unable to wake themselves up again. To anchor themselves, most Dreamwalkers rely on a totem – a tangible object that serves as a grounding point, reaffirming their connection to the waking world.
You are a Dreamwalker who belongs to an esteemed family of psychics. But, when your family died in a fire one night leaving you as the sole survivor, you left the practice behind in hopes of pursuing a normal life. Yet, when a mysterious figure from your past comes knocking on your doors- you are thrust back into the life you thought you had finally escaped.
Illusions begin to blend with reality. Memories long forgotten resurface with newfound clarity. Who will you trust? Is the truth you believe in merely a construct of your mind?
For as a dreamwalker, you are never truly awake.
- Mark Of Sybil
- Dreamwalker
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voters
6 Likes
I voted for the first one, but I do like the second one. There just wasn’t as much about the plot to go on
3 Likes
Honestly both sound like cool and relatively unique ideas but I do love defying fate and also hunting monsters so I did vote for the mark of Sybil. However if in the future you decide that you’d also like to write dreamwalkers you would have my support
2 Likes
Simple enough stuck between writing for these two genders and was hoping the find people here, could help me out.
- Vampire Hunter
- Cyberpunk/Vigilante
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voters
2 Likes
If you write a vampire hunter book, will we play in the Victorian era or the 21st century? (Or another date)
I would prefer.the 21st century
2 Likes
Oh I see I love the idea of playing a vampire hunter with a assault rifle. I also love hunting undeads I will definitly vote for vampire hunter.
So I want to make a game, but I am an indecisive little shit that can’t choose which idea I want to pursue 
so I turn to you, the people for help.
Gilded Cage
You were still a child when the Zephyran hounds razed hell on your homeland. Overnight, everything and everyone you knew and loved withered before your eyes, claimed by the flame and the ashes.
You were fortunate enough -or unfortunate, depending on how you see it- to survive that fateful night. Instead, heavy chains were placed around your wrists and you were sent away to whoever would pay to own you.
Some masters were kinder than others. But captivity tastes just as bitter regardless of how opulent your cage is.
And this is the most opulent cage you will ever be locked in. The Jade Palace is where you being shipped off to this time. The capital of the grand Zephyran Empire. The very same that ripped your childhood apart.
You have been selected to join the imperial harem of Sultan Ahmad, an honor bestowed only upon the most beautiful and worthy of servants.
Regardless of how you feel regarding this great ‘honor’, you are every bit as powerless to fight against it as you were to defend your homeland when the Zephyrans came for you.
Don’t despair yet, child of the Ancients. There are many opportunities in the Jade Palace for those who wish to seek them.
You may find yourself pulling the strings and changing the course of history, whispering in the ears of royalty, marching bravely into battle, even escaping and claiming your own freedom once and for all, away from this mess that was inflicted upon you. If you play your cards right, you may even one day become the parent of the next Sultan.
Beware however. There are many who will stand in your path. The worst enemies are hidden not in the shadows but amongst our closest of friends.
Glamour
It is the roaring 50s and you are the moment. You are a star, gracing the big screen, walking the red carpet, leaving your mark on the streets of Hollywood.
Your fans adore you. Your enemies grow green with envy. Everyone wants to either have you or be you.
The life of a star is not meant for everyone though, darling. From noisy paparazzi to obsessive fans to the dark underbelly of Hollywood, one can easily be torn down from their pedestal. Drugs, alcohol, partying, hookers, affairs. Maybe a few covered up murders, but who cares about that? Who can blame you for engaging in the high life?
Don’t forget the scandals… oh, those tricky little rumors spread faster than wild fire. Unfortunately for you, you are the subject of the latest piece of meat for the media to chew on.
Your image hangs from a mere thread- and along with it, the status you have sacrificed so much of your soul and dignity for.
Scramble to pick up the shattered pieces of your life or embrace your role as Hollywood’s villain.
Backstage
You are not getting paid enough for this. Like nowhere near enough.
You are the manager of the world’s most famous band. Most would think that is a pretty good deal. You get to travel the globe, make a bunch of money and mingle with celebrities and elites.
Little do they know the truth of it. Because your group is a walking talking fucking PR nightmare.
From the lead singer organizing orgies on rooftops to your guitarist getting drunk on stage and vomiting on a fan to the drummer being filmed saying slurs, you are about to lose your fucking mind.
All this is made no easier by the fact that you are still going on world tour, one which cannot be canceled and is entirely sold out.
Take your bottle of vodka or your pills (though preferably not both at once) and travel the world as you try to manage the image of these absolute chaotic dummies, make the tour the best possible and pursue your own interests while not losing your sanity.
Nightingale
Your family name is known for all the wrong reasons. Still, much shock spreads when you are brought before the authorities. The charge? Attempted manslaughter.
The father you have so reviled for his neglect proves useful. He pulls strings and calls for favours and within a fortnight, the charges are dropped.
But you can’t stay at home, where you will forever be seen as the kid who got away with murder. Instead, your father sends you off -whether you want to or not- to the Obsidian Academy, which he also attended at your age.
The Obsidian Academy is grim and dark, as if from a whole other era. The residents of the halls are just as peculiar and secretive. Why does your roommate have scratch marks on their wall? Is it your idea or does the Queen Bee have concerningly sharp fangs? And why does everyone keep calling you a ‘nightingale’?
- Gilded Cage
- Glamour
- Backstage
- Nightingale
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voters
10 Likes
Of the four the gilded cage is my favorite followed by nightingale far as summarys go which ever yiu end up doing good luck and looking forward to seeing what comes. 
3 Likes
Thank you! At this moment Gilded Cage and Nightingale are 50/50 so that is really funny to me 
I can’t wait to see which one of the four wins either! Though don’t worry too much. Even if your faves don’t win, I am planning to make all of them at one point or another. This is more so which one I will focus on/develop first.
4 Likes
My favorite is the Gilded Cage, but I also like Nightingale and Glamour
1 Like
I am glad you liked them! Nightingale and Gilded Cage are kind of in a constant struggle for that number one spot so I have a feeling one of your faves will be chosen.
Poor Glamour is getting little to no love though. RIP Glamour 
1 Like
Is is safe to assume that Zephyran empire is inspired by Ottoman empire?
1 Like
Indeed it is! Of course, there will be differences between the two (for example the Ottoman sultans did not have magic-probably), but the general structure of society/the harem will be quite similar to the way the Ottomans operated.
2 Likes
Hmmmm I see it could be a very interesting experience for me considering I am a history nerd and a Turkish but I also like the nightingale I am not sure which one should I pick both of them sounds great
1 Like