Out of the Dark is an interactive fiction set in a medieval fantasy setting, inspired by slavic mythology and folklore.
You wake up after a vivid nightmare with almost no memories, except those of a dream you’ve just had.
What happened before you went to sleep you don’t know, and the room that greets you when you open your eyes doesn’t seem any more familiar than the forest from your nightmare. In the small village in the north, that seems like it’s been forgotten by the gods and most people, you have to collect the pieces of your life.
Friendly faces are scarce here and the few people that are well-disposed toward you act too suspiciously. Who to trust is for you to decide and that decision can hardly wait. Dreadful things start happening around you; monsters and malevolent spirits roam too close to the village and some think you are too blame. And maybe they’re right. Maybe they can sense it, this unnatural hunger and darkness swirling inside you since you woke up. You can certainly feel it, clouding your mind and chipping off pieces of you.
And the ominous words from the nightmare are spinning in your head.
“Enjoy your gift. She will come to collect the debt soon.”
Feedback I'm looking for
— Prose and language. English is not my first language, and although I read a lot, I still will likely have mistakes and some weird sentences. I would like to have those pointed out to me. Now, prose is probably a matter of taste, but I would like to hear opinions about it as well, as improving the quality of writing is important for me. I would like to have any weird dialogue or expressions that don’t make sense in english pointed out as well.
— Pacing. An I giving too much time to scenes that seem irrelevant or rushing to scenes that need to be expanded more? I know I tend to repeat myself sometimes or giving more attention to the things that don’t really need it. I try to catch these things myself, but I miss something I’d like to know.
— MC. They are somewhat semi-defined, but I still want to give freedom in regards to how you react to things and NPCs. If you see some scene where you think there could be more options, let me know. I might not add anything, but will keep it in mind for later portions of the story.
— Anything else, really. I don’t mind blunt or harsh criticism, as long as it is respectful. A lot of things might to be changed in this particular story, but I will remember any feedback I find useful for the future.
Romantic options
DANKO/DANKA. They are a dull winter sun, pale and barely warm. Their eyes are frozen rivers that only come alive when they settle on you. Their pale, frightened face is the first thing you see when you wake up from a terrible dream, hurt and devoid of all memories. They say they’re your friend and you can’t feel any threat from them, but a nagging feeling of uneasiness creeps up inside you every time they refuse to meet you eyes when you start asking questions.
VASILISA/VERAN. A witch, a healer, a recluse. In the village they are regarded with unease and grudging respect. You come to their home for help and they provide it, albeit reluctantly. They are guarded around everyone, but you, along with Danko/Danka seem to be the last people they want to deal with. Alas, neither they nor you have much of a choice; no one else can help you with the strange curse that afflicts you.
NEREV. TBA
YARA. TBA
Updates/Wordcount
Prologue: 4k
Chapter 1 (updated 03 June, 2026): 34.2k
Total: 38.2k
AI Disclosure:
No — This project does not contain the output of Generative AI
Yes — This project contains the output of Generative AI
