soooo I like to browse cogdemos.ink every couple weeks or so and stumbled upon this WIP purely by accident, and it’s awesome (+extra points for not using an AI-generated cover image)
I’ve only gone through it once so far as a maven, but I really love how often and how naturally other characters refer to the player’s strengths/weaknesses/reputation in interactions that make sense. So many fun, distinct characters (Raum ily!!!) and so many ways to build the player character of your dreams. Others’ mileage may vary, but I’m so weak for a casino setting or an investigation moment or a masquerade-ball-assembly type experience and there’s a little bit of everything here for me to chew on. And oh lord was I chewin
If I did have one gentle request, it would be to include a section that described the different factions - there’s one for the major players and one for locations, but having that reference in moments of “okay do I support this group/person or not” would be lovely
Thank you for sharing this WIP with us!!! I love it and am excited to read more!!!
@fellglow Thank you! I am inclined to grant your request; the glossary currently has a line on two of the factions but expanding this is probably a good idea. I’ll probably have it unlock more information about the factions gradually as the MC learns (plus some of the factions don’t exist during chapter 1), in the same way the Dramatis Personae expands and changes currently. I will say my aim - and one I may not acheive - is to make no faction objectively ‘right’.
@wraithmaster20 I’m afraid not; my personal preference on magic stats/routes is all or nothing. The ‘magic’ equivalent here would be your body adapting to unlock new abilties which I do intend to play with (but I can make no hard promises about at this stage).
I loved the game & the ability to tell no one mc’s affiliation and just smile haha
was wondering if romancing Margrave would be and option? I have to say (if available) I cannot resist the angst of his route (probably the biggest if we both try for the throne )
with usually playing charming and suave mc I could be a great asset to him (only if he doesn’t still hate me, even after losing the duel)
I hope you are at least considering making him a RO <333
@Treidis If you didn’t get caught cheating, he probably likes you more if you beat him a duel. I don’t want to spoil where things can go with the Margrave (not least because it may change) but it’s very much possible to end up his firm ally or enemy. You’re not the first person to express an interest in him as RO… What I may do, after chapters 5 and 6 are drafted and previewed, is make a poll to see which characters people are romancing/want to romance. No promises, I’m afraid
This has become my favourite WIP. Ive played it countless times, trying out every role. Carnifex and Maven stand out the most. A Carnifex with Decree feels so fitting. A humorous Maven with stealth reminds me of Loki.
The Archivist is amazing and I can’t wait to learn more about him and his background as a Fallen Angel, I wonder if he knew the MC if the Angel backstory is selected?
Are you planning on adding any more backstories for the MC. An Angel who willingly went to Hell because it looked exciting. A Mortal Doctor who wishes to heal Hell.
@GuyIncognito Thank you, that’s very kind. The current plan is that angel MCs will get a unique conversation with the Archivist about their history and origins (with an equivalent conversation for chthonian and mortal MCs) where this question will be explored and answered.
I’m not currently planning to add any more backstories, but nothing is fixed. The 9 backstories aren’t a cosmetic choice like, say, skin or eye color (which adds little-to-no extra work/branching). Your chosen backstory isn’t not going to rewrite the plot, but it will come up… which means adding more is more work for me. I may alter or swap some of the backstories, however, we shall see.
That’s completely understandable. I only asked because the way I played a Maven MC, none of the Angelic backgrounds matched who they have become. Wrath was the closest one but my MC specialises in Charm and Stealth.
Just responding to confirm that I got the same thing after challenging Margrave to a friendly duel. So yeah, I didn’t free the prisoners or lie to him about anything, I challenged him to a duel instead of him challenging me and he still had the line about “our quarrel”. So I can confirm that it’s a bug. Also 100% agree with the person who asked for a Margrave romance, I want to smooch the armour man.
@stuartmartyn Have you played Tyranny? Because there’s a few things in this game that remind me of it. Specifically, Shrike reminds me a lot of Verse, with her backstory of being a part of the furies and losing her sisters before joining the MC, one of the factions having “chorus” in their name and being comprised of criminals, one of the characters in the opposing faction (Margrave) being trapped in their armour, to the point people are wondering if there’s still a person underneath it… And if this is all a coincidence and you haven’t played the game, I recommend it, it’s so much fun.
@Kaiju Huge thank you to and and alienburger for reporting that bug, I have (hopefully) found and fixed it. I’ll update the game files accordingly shortly.
I’ll have to check that out. The faction names have shuffled around a bit (and I’m still not happy with some); I think in my initial drafts the Chorus were the Choir but I decided that was too heaven-coded, and the Masqued’s faction were almost the Chorus at one point (because of the Greek Chorus).
Are you planning to add more customisation, such as the MCs hair and MC clothing. I imagine a Maven MC would dress in a robe similar to the one Darth Sidous wore when battling Maul and Savage
@GuyIncognito Possibly with hair, though I think some features (especially if they never/seldom come up in narration) are easier to leave to the player’s imagination. Outfits are somewhat the same, but the current plan is there will be a few moments when the player’s clothes have some minor plot relevance (as seen in chapter 3) and they’ll be given a choice or given an outfit as a consequence of their choices.
As always, I can promise nothing at this stage (I may change my mind, editors and beta testers may weigh in, etc)
The world-building, events, characters, and choices are delectable. Chefs kiss.
It felt badTM to fight Argoz (I knocked him in an eye) and cause a bunch of mook’s final death. Failing was still an interesting scene, though.
I picked a seneschal with finesse for my first play experience and I’ve had a good time so far feeling like the boogeyman. Especially felt during the scene when apprehending Meret. I loved the flavor of MC perched on scrolls and gliding amongst the books. I also enjoyed the follow up of guiding Meret around his contract and the fiction he wrote.
When I came upon the background options in chapter 4, I was delighted. Not only by the amount of options (options within options!), but also by how fun it was to feel “Wow, this really ties together this particular MC neatly. The pieces are coming together” when I had no idea that the choices I was making could find that kind of satisfying cohesion. And also seeing how other character builds/choices could also find that exact feeling if it is wanted. [Insert Kronk “it’s all coming together” meme here]
I also called Raum’s bluff, so maybe more people will be seeing those scenes than you may expect?
The void scene in chapter 4 “Quivering pseudopods reach out from the mass, forming gummy hands before dissolving.” RAUM. my heart hurt.
I am eagerly awaiting the next chapters.
‘Missing’ options
A wish for me would be to ask Archie about the books we can catch him with “what are your thoughts? Would you recommend I check it out after you?” hehehe
When the group and Caecilia are attacked, I was disappointed to not be able to use finesse to attack firs, but I also get it. Everyone else did some really cool stuff, though.
Spotting typos and bugs.
When investigating Ragdan’s room:
It’s mostly filled with books, scrolls, pages and notes, though you can see a few other effects. A knife A small clockwork device. [Missing a period between knife and A.]
Chapter 3, intermission:
You turn to your Raum and ask how they’re finding the show. [Is that “your” supposed to be there?]
Chapter 4:
Still, there is a strange solidity to iCaecilia and she is quite vile. [rogue i in front of Caecilia? Unless this is an iCarly reference lol]
@saltwaterwitch Thank you very much! I have fixed those typos my end. Options to tease Archie more are coming in future chapters.
Calling Raum’s bluff was something that seemed so obvious to me that I actualy wondered if it was a bad choice (an option nobody picks or a choice with a blatantly ‘correct’ option is a waste of words and effort), but none of my friend testers did it, so I am happy to see people it getting some clicks.
I may tinker with backstories and I’m curious to see which people are picking, so here’s a poll. Anyone reading this who hasn’t played the game to completion, be warned it’s a huge spoiler. If you’ve done multiple playthroughs, pick your favourite or whichever you picked as first option (your preference).
Backstory poll!
Human, eternally reincarnated conqueror
Human assassin/lesser scion/retainer/crimelord/officer/vizier
I definitely feel like Falling out of sheer curiosity and wanting to understand meshes extremely well with an MC that wants to find the truth of things and really enjoyed that it feels like it ties in very well with the finding a way out of hell aspect seeing as we fell in the first place because we were trying to understand how souls were heading in.
I chose Zelot Angel as I love playing as a Warmonger Carnifex. Though I really liked the Mortal Conqueror, it felt so fitting, I love the idea that they have conquered the world in so many lives that Hell itself is the only place left.
I chose chthonian predator as I was playing a Carnifex and really liked the idea of them always having been “the hunter” even back when they were basically a mindless beast.
What an absolute treat to come across! I’ve only played through once so far as a maven (with emphasis on Silver Tongue & Resolve, and let me tell you, I LOVE Resolve), but I was so entranced. First, I love the world-building - it didn’t feel overwhelming to jump into, and I could easy follow along with the way information was introduced. I felt like I could make informed decisions about the factions by the time it came to needing to make those decisions. Speaking of the factions, they were so distinct from one another with fun dynamics, and the characters associated with each one are all so engaging in their own way. I definitely want to replay to try aligning with each one.
I love the way the demons are so physically varied! I was so excited to read what they looked like each time a new character was introduced.
I loved the way the MC’s backstory was buit upon over time, and so that when in Chapter 4 you could choose their origin, there were choices that felt right and wrong to me as to what fit the character I had built. Having that come in far later than expected was such a good choice. I also enjoy how the given scars consistently come up in the narrative and in the MC’s thoughts, and take on different meanings - like becoming solidarity with Lykaeon.
Our current three companions are engaging in their own way, and it was so hard to choose who to hang out with and learn more about! Ended up going with The Archivist mainly- he’s so adorable desperately clinging on to the thinnest veil of neutrality- but Raum and Shrike are both so fascinating as well. I love Shrike’s backstory, and think that the conversation in Chapter 4 really allow a depth to her and potential future paths that are so exciting to consider. I’m so curious about everything going on with Raum! I must admit as a result of their introduction I have consistently been viewing them as a mass of wet, writhing tendrils and despite knowing they could change I was still surprised when they weren’t described as such in Chapter 4, lol.
On a more specific level, I gotta say that I have a soft spot for Lykaeon, and an even softer spot for Kruach. I am joining the petition to make him a love interest, I just want to give him a little kiss <3 I can’t wait to see him again!!!
And what a cliffhanger to leave it on! I’m so excited to see how things proceed. I suppose none of this was really any sort of useful critique or suggestions, but I have just been having so much fun. Thanks so much!
(+extra points for not using an AI-generated cover image)
)
(only if he doesn’t still hate me, even after losing the duel)