(This is an open thread, for I do not hold the privilege to amend my posts otherwise. Please, I kindly ask you not to edit this first post by yourself unless you’re a moderator, as it’s my book’s first line of presentation, as well as a diary on the updates! Thank you, now, enjoy this game and its discussion, I’ll be keeping in touch down below ^^)
AUTHOR NOTE:
Hi!!
At last, we’re here, my dear reader. After more than two years of sweat and tears, you and I are witnesses to this book’s full release, the end that lays foundations to the fresh beginning of a bigger journey. I cannot express just how grateful I am to everyone who’s been supporting me throughout this time, to each who wrote their lovely messages and useful advise that helped me keep improving with my every chapter. The road ahead doesn’t look long, now - there’s only some re-writing left, and then, I’m submitting this project to the judgement of Hosted Games. If we’re lucky, this is but a step in a story that has not yet seen its rightful end.
FULL BETA-BOOK IS NOW UNAVAILABLE: A DEMO VERSION HAS BEEN ENABLED UP TO CHAPTER 5.
Now that the long weekend has ended, I’ll begin with my thorough re-read of the book, a re-write of some sloppy scenes and a proper check of stats and their effect on your experience, to make sure this game is enjoyable and worthy to be officially released. I thank you all again for your patience, for your support and love - I’ll do my best to bring you a good final product.
This is a fantasy story that takes place in a world far away from Earth – a place called Therania. Albeit there was some interaction between Therania and other worlds a long time ago, now it’s solely a tale from their lost past… or at least, that is the most common belief. Regardless, this story does not focus on extraterrestrial connections: its plot revolves around the people of Therania and their lives, their history and – what’s more important – their ‘determined’ future.
IMPORTANT : This is a story about people, their wishes and perceptions, their love and suffering. It does not intend to lecture, nor it tries to convince anyone. The characters around you will have their thoughts and defects – however, just like in the real world, the beauty resides in that difference.
TRIGGER WARNING : This game contains scenes of violence, including sectarian ceremonies and fight descriptions: please be careful if violence, kidnap, cult sects, death or murder (inflicted both by your MC and other characters) is a trigger for you.
KNOWN BUGS:
Sometimes, the image for Chapter 5’s title doesn’t appear at the beggining of the chapter. I’m unsure why, and thus the bug still persists.
THINGS TO DO IN THIS DEMO:
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Set off on a new adventure towards Neutral Lands, to meet a mythic creature of all answers - The Visionary.
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Gather up to 3 companions to help you in your quest - befriend, romance or rival them, the choice is yours.
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Buy a horse - we know you want one.
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Fight, conjure, support, speak or think - choose your way of handling a tricky situation.
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Explore the kingdom of Hero up to Menai's shore, in search for someone - or something - to aid you in your journey.
The DEMO version of the book runs up to Chapter 5 and contains 276K words overall. I will be putting up updated versions of the first chapters as I work my way through them, so expect the DEMO version to become a polished reflection of what the final book will look like!
SCALES OF JUSTICE
LINKS
DEMO (Current update: chapters 1-5) → https://dashingdon.com/play/myimaginedcorner/scales-of-justice/mygame/
TUMBLR (the anonymous ask option is on, in case you prefer to ask me something that way) → Scales of Justice on Tumblr
EMAIL → feedbackscalesofjustice@gmail.com
SUMMARY
Rumours circulate around the streets of the Capital, the main city of Hero Kingdom. Rumours of an artefact, as dangerous and powerful as one can only imagine. Some claim it’s capable of twisting one’s true nature, shaping it good or bad much to the owner’s whim. Others say that it can identify a soul’s essence, putting the Ritual tight spot for the first time in centuries. The mage that made it is unknown: whispers in shadows only talk about a labyrinth, set somewhere hidden to protect its power. Many want to get it; many others, to destroy it. You, however, are none of those – you just want to live.
You’re an adventurer, a mercenary without a father who lost their noble title to Hero’s ‘best’ after your mother’s death. Left with nothing else than a few personal belongings, you had to learn how to survive; lucky you, you prevailed under the Guild! Now, you live a humble life sustained by quests that earn you gold. Not the best life, and certainly not one that you were planning living… but still, a life.
And yet, that (almost) safe and peaceful existence gets threatened by a letter, saved among your belongings with this year written on it by your mother’s hand…
FEATURES
- Choose your character’s gender (male, female or non-binary)
- Choose your preferred class: fight, conjure, heal, plot or avoid fighting (maybe, the world’s a cruel place) with your charisma.
- Choose the gender of the 4 potential RO’s.
- Romance, befriend or rival… discover the virtues and the vices of your companions.
- Fight Fate or embrace it.
- Get yourself a horse. I know you want one.
- Begin the journey that will bring big changes to Therania.
ROMANCE (SPOILERS)
All 4 romance options are introduced in this first game, some earlier than others (don’t worry, you will have plenty of time to get to know them now, and enjoy their constant company later!):
- Shoren/Seile → Heir to the Hero kingdom’s throne, right where your journey starts. Also, your old friend who’s very attached to you. Likes to read and practices magic, enjoys adventure and heroic deeds. A recognised “hero”, with blonde curly hair, pale skin and a pair of beautiful blue eyes.
- Robert/Reina → Order’s Paladin, defender of Hero and Knight of Fate. Brave and honourable, determined to protect the people of the kingdom. Very loyal to friends and very dangerous as an enemy. Has short brown hair, tanned skin and an athletic build.
- Valerius/Venis → An Outworlder, who was caught by cultists from the Wicked Woods. Gracious, elegant and charismatic. Has long dark brown hair with a silver streak, olive skin and golden eyes.
- Arion/Aria → Leader of Vannais, a recognised “villain” who escaped from Hero and now rules the enemy kingdom. Serious, reserved but temperamental. Prefers action over words and so is always present on battlefields and amidst negotiations, even though never in official manner. Has short blonde hair, pale skin and emerald eyes.
Be careful! These characters have their thoughts and opinions on the world and your actions: if you want them to support you, convince them or take their side… or neither. That is your choice after all!
CLASS
This game focuses more on the story than the stats, thus if you wish to make an easy run that is easily achievable. At the same time, if you want to make your fights more interesting, there is an option to learn a second skill from 0 and risk the skill checks!!
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Combat → you are a warrior and specialise on close combat. You can use a sword or a bow in your fights.
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Offensive magic → you understand the nature of the world and make it bend to your will. You can use offensive magic in combat, yet be careful: your protection is not as good as one that a warrior wears!!
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Healing → you learned the path of magic, yet you are not a fighter, quite the opposite: you do not wish to harm, but to heal, thus you stay behind and support your companions by scaring Death away. Or do you?
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Strategy → although you do like war, you do not like to execute it yourself: your skills allow you to become the one that guides the others, quickly formulating plans that grant you advantage during battles.
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Persuasion → you are not a fighter, nor you like to resolve conflicts through bloodshed: your charisma and oratory skills allow you to end battles even before they start, and your speeches help you during negotiations.