Update 8 (27/09/2025): This update adds around 71k words, bringing the total to 327k words. So… good news and bad news, haha. The good news is that the update is finally out and it’s the biggest one so far. The bad news is that it’s not quite as large as I originally planned, and it doesn’t close out Chapter 2 yet. There’s a lot I want to go over, so if you can, please take a moment to read through this post, I’ll explain where things stand and what my plans are going forward.
Originally, I wanted this update to cross 100k words and wrap up Chapter 2. But as I’ve mentioned before, work has been piling up, and I just couldn’t keep writing at my old pace. I already have plenty of drafts for the rest of the chapter, but nothing even close to polished enough to release. I don’t think I could finish it in less than a month, and since the last part of Chapter 2 will be packed with action (and hopefully the most fun to read), I’d rather take my time with it and add more variations. That’s why I split things here instead. It’s been nearly three months with no new content, and I didn’t want to leave you guys waiting any longer, and also because I was eager to finally share this part.
With this update, I was mainly able to:
Introduce the first of the three main antagonists finally.
Add the first alternate POV chapters.
Experiment with a new money system.
Explore more with coding and behind-the-scenes tweaks.
This has honestly been my favorite update to write so far. There’s so much lore and foreshadowing sprinkled throughout the dialogues, and I can’t wait to see what you guys notice. That said, I did have to cut a lot for time. Some scenes may feel a little rushed, that’s temporary. Since I’ve been writing without much feedback, I thought it’d be better to release what I have now, then dedicate the next update to expanding and improving based on your responses.
Before we dive into the update details though: does anyone know how to make a blog or page for a project on Tumblr? Almost every author here seems to have one, and I’ve never used it before. I thought it could be a nice way to try promoting the game to more people.
But anyway, spoilers to the update bellow, I recommend only reading this after finishing the update:
This update focuses on preparations for the siege of Laphis. Here are some areas that were cut short or postponed, and that I plan to revisit in the next update:
- Exploring Laphis: I cut a lot to avoid dragging the pacing, but I do want to expand this later.
- The map: The free Inkarnate version limits me, so it’s simpler than I’d like, but I cant really pay for the premium now. The palette is meant to feel yellow-orange, like a savanna, with more varied architecture.
- Recruiting the giants: Originally meant to be longer, with more interactions with Walls and tests with the giants. Cut for pacing, but I’ll expand it.
- Hunts with Ruby: Planned more, but cut for time. More options will be added.
- Camp preparations: There were supposed to be events with Lyra, Cassiel, and Arael too. I’ll add them again of course, but I’d love to hear if you have any ideas on what to do with them.
- Thalassari encounter (if you roared): This follow-up was cut for now but will definitely be in the next update.
- Optional POV chapters (Walls and Ruby): Postponed since their scenes might expand.
- Romance scenes (Ruby and Walls): Also postponed for the same reason.
- Optional POV chapters (Ecbert and Theresa): Still coming, just held back for time.
- Advancing poly relationship with Lyra: Will appear in the next update.
- Bringing the Lyra topic up to Arael: Next update.
- Handing out the gifts: Too many variations to finish in time, so postponed.
- Recruiting Captain Glade: Will be in possible next update.
Map of Laphis, still a WIP. It shoud show up when exploring the city.
When I say “next update,” I don’t mean Update 9 (where the battle starts). I mean Update 8.5, which will focus entirely on improving, expanding, and polishing what’s here, and most importantly, adjusting things based on your feedback.
There shouldn’t be any game-breaking bugs, but I haven’t been able to test everything. If you spot errors or weird loops, please let me know.
That’s all for now. Thank you all so much for the support and the patience, it means a lot!