Shepherds of Haven (WIP) (DEMO UPDATE: 3 Aug 2021)

I admit I was guilty of this, not fanfics, just hating the character a lot (my rivals were always the nicest girls too lmao) I wish rivals came back though… Anyway guess I kinda grew out of it and now I just like the competition. I’m not going for Blade though .

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Just found this game! I wish I’d followed it earlier, I’ve really enjoyed the little bit of the demo I’ve played so far(up to the Shepherd recruitment). I see that I missed the boat on the alpha but hopefully I’ll be sharp enough to get in on the beta!

Quick question — I’ll have to set time aside for a full demo run later but do we meet all the characters from the OP in the demo? Specifically, I’m wondering if we meet Lavinet in the demo. I’m a sucker for nobles.

Also, @rinari I see you’re studying for the LSAT? Good luck. The test is a beast but familiarity will help a lot. The games were the trickiest part for me too but they’re also the part that are most capable of improvement with practice. You’ve got this!

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If I remember correctly, we haven’t met the majority of the main cast yet. Most characters we currently discussing are based from the ShOH Tumblr and some post by the author. :slight_smile:

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Ahh. Got it. So I will have to wait for the beta I suppose. Darn. But I appreciate the info!

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Thanks for the kind words, @Iello! I can always add you to the backup list in case anyone drops out of the alpha (which is possible, considering I haven’t opened it yet…)

Only Trouble, Tallys, Shery, and Blade are available in the current demo. Here’s a breakdown of when the other characters can be encountered, but you don’t have to read if you want to avoid spoilers! (This is a rough approximation: I may change the order when I get to them)

Prologue and Chapter 1: Blade, Shery, Trouble, Tallys, Prihine, Caine
Chapter 2: Chase and Riel
Chapter 3: Red OR Ayla
Chapter 4: Halek
Chapter 5: Lavinet and Mimir
Chapter 6-11: shenanigans

Thank you so much for the well wishes! I’m slowly but steadily (incrementally) improving at the logic games haha, so I definitely feel encouraged! Thanks for the tips! :grin:

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Oh, yes please! I’d be very happy to be on the backup list, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Interesting, thanks! I’m usually spoiler-averse but I figure if I’m interested in testing I’ll also be reading spoilers, so might as well!

No problem. Whatever method (charts, drawing, etc.) works for you and makes the games feel more comfortable is the way to go, because time is the greatest enemy during the test and so comfort and familiarity is key. Good luck!

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Wow…I just wanna say, I’m sooooo impressed with this game!:smiley: I haven’t finished the demo yet, but everything about how you’ve organised the forum page, particularly the tabs for story and character profiles ect, is just so perfect and well thought out…It’s weird, but its the kind of thing I personally really appreciate. Then the game itself is so intriguing as well, your writing style is quite descriptive and emotive and I can feel a lot of worldbuilding slowly being revealed in loving strokes as I move through the story. Very excited and keen to read more!

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Takashi is working oc fanart for Shepherds of haven when he come back hope you like it p.s he miss you guys in theard :grin:

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there a way to survive without being a shepherds?

No. Being a shepherd is a central point to the plot

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Added! :slight_smile:

I’m going to try to keep the alpha as spoiler-free as is feasible just to see how testers react to upcoming story events without priming (this way pacing and surprises can be evaluated with unbiased eyes) but I’d probably avoid the Tumblr to avoid spoilers, haha!

Wow, thank you so much, @Left4Bed! I’m eager to hear your thoughts once you finish the demo! And thanks so much for the kind comments on the OP tabs haha, it was how I procrastinated so I always thought it was excessive! XD Again, thank you so much for your wonderful feedback, it was great to hear!

Edit: As an update to everyone, I have made some progress on Chapter 1 (Trouble’s route, which features an inordinate amount of choices to throttle/beat people up), but I’m not happy with how Tallys’ route (basically complete) turned out, so I’ve been reading a lot to think through the roadblock and will likely revamp it! Thanks for your patience, I am puttering on the game behind-the-scenes, slowly but steadily! :slight_smile:

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are the Inquistor only take norm in there ranks or they invite any race who believes in their fuck up faith

Inquisitors are only Norms! The Shepherds are unique because they’re mainly Diminished, who were never part of the Autarchy until now!

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Just played the demo. Greatly enjoyed it! It is rather interesting working for a tyranical government that specifically oppereses you. Some nice moral quandaries. I have also enjoyed meeting the characters so far and look forward to seeing the rest added with time.
Those inquisitors are a nasty piece of work! I am interested if we get to weigh in on the whole succession issue as the two heirs are both kinda aweful… Also, is Lavinet related to the noble you have the, um, honor of escorting in the prologue?

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Thank you for the kind words! And yes, I know some people playing will chafe at the idea of working for the Autarchy even as the Autarchy doesn’t respect them, but I think it’s an interesting (and unique) position to be put in and the fact that things can change helps! I’m glad you’re enjoying it!

:face_with_hand_over_mouth:

Yes, actually–Lavinet is Prihine’s older cousin!

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I agree! It would be one thing if you were forced in the Inquisition (which seems like the closest thing there is to a secret police) but you are instead working for an organization which is working towards a greater good.

Excellent! Gonna be honest, Lavinet is my planned main RO, so I may have saved Prihine slightly because of that! Although not sure I could just let the kid die, so glad I could save both.

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Some character art I made using these character generators!

Summary


Blade, tired boi

Shery, sans glasses

Ayla

Trouble, without gold ring in his eyes

Tallys, missing freckles

Halek

Red, with pinker hair than normal

Lavinet

Shery again, not very blonde but with glasses

Riel

Chase

I just realized I didn’t do Mimir so I will find one for her next, haha!

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There’s my girl–

And have some extra Lavinet, on me!

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Thanks! They are all really great portraits! Also, I feel considering she still has hair that Lavinet is not necessarily in court :stuck_out_tongue: Also the fact she at least has purple hair, and the nobles at court are so vain that they would have no hair than grey hair, gives me some Hunger Games Capital vibes. I have my problems with the series, but the Capital was so gloriously over the top and I feel it suits Haven just as well.

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Lavinet is part of the Iron Court, a more regional court to the North which is more minor than the Sun Court (essentially federal), which has not yet gotten the news that no hair is fashionable. :laughing: And once she gets to Haven and finds it out, she deliberately decides not to shave it as a gesture of defiance!

I see what you mean about the Hunger Games! I never saw the movies but I heard their fashion was completely over-the-top, which is also the case with bored nobles who want to stand out and catch the Autarch’s attention in Haven! :laughing: Lavinet’s hair starts out auburn-ish when you first meet her in the game, but she ends up dyeing it in a fit of trying-to-give-herself-a-new-identity! :laughing:

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