Stagebound

18+ interactive fiction story dealing with sensitive topics like abuse, self-harm and addiction (plus future optional sexual content). Read at your own discretion.

[DEMO] (prologue + chapter 1 | ~140k words | 200+ choice sequences)

One of the major themes for this story is identity vs. conformity. As such it is not possible to play as anything other than male or female at the start with he/him and she/her pronouns. There will be opportunities later in the story to identify as trans or non-binary and adjust your body, name and pronouns accordingly. Be warned that such changes and queer relationships will elicit a reaction from characters in the story, but don't let that stop you from being yourself.

Love is the greatest weapon of all, but its absence is not peace.

At the age of twelve, your parents’ abuse couldn’t be concealed any longer. Now—a year later—you’re in a new home, still reeling from the unfairness of it all. A nasty habit that destroys delicate skin helps, but so does playing your well-loved guitar to escape a world that scares you. Exceptional talent, but an inability to fit in, you're left instilled with mistrust beneath a layer of yearning for something you’ve never had. Taking a desperate approach to change your life, you sign up for Stagebound; Britain's largest singing competition.

Young and scared, you reveal something you can’t take back, only to deal with the aftermath your whole career. An outstanding career as a guitarist in a band consisting of people you didn't know before the competition; people your age who will struggle alongside you as you navigate the music industry for many years. The strongest bonds break the loudest... can you really trust the people you didn't get to choose?

Consists of III acts spanning 3 chapters each. Act I: The Stagebound competition and the aftermath spanning a year later. Act II: The band breaking into the US market and dealing with all things Hollywood. Act III: Reunion album and tour years down the line.

Customise your MC! From looks to personality to behaviours, make a character with a predetermined backstory your own.

Struggle with all aspects of fame, or embrace the rockstar lifestyle and shower in the attention.

Keep the peace or stir the drama! With bandmates like these things are sure to stay interesting.

Fight against the constraints of the industry. Queer or otherwise unconventional? Your path to self-expression won't be easy but no less worthwhile.

Your horrific public past haunts you. Will you fall into a rabbit-hole of vices or find healthier ways to cope?

Greylin/Greyson 'Grey' Charter [f/m]

"They told me I couldn’t, so I did it twice and took pics."

Outgoing and confident, Grey doesn't allow themself to go unnoticed. They chase good times unapologetically, but remain ambitious in all their pursuits. They're charismatic despite how stubborn they tend to be, and they work hard to conceal their unpleasant tendencies. They idolise performers who dominate the scene—wild, eccentric, impossible to ignore. Getting them on stage is easy. Getting them off, however…

As the lead singer and you as the guitarist, you could be a powerful duo—be it forged in friendship or rivalry. Either way, Grey can take you to the highest peaks, and the lowest valleys. The journey won't be easy, but if you make it you'd have someone that would believe in you till the end of time.

Finley Beckham-Barlowe [f/m]

"Music unlocks the soul; that's why it's called a key."

Closed-off and understated, Finley is used to getting overlooked. They fit the image of the cool bassist on stage, though the same easy-going attitude doesn't quite carry off of it. Quiet by nature, they still voice their opinions without hesitation. They're also not one to conceal their emotions intentionally, and love music that convey feelings in a raw manner. Getting them on stage is of little issue, it's the spectacle beyond performing that leaves them weary.

As the bassist they could be the rhythm to your melody or the chain to your freedom. They can guide as easily as they obstruct, and the dynamic between you would be a constant push and pull. Finding balance won't be easy, but if established, you'd have an anchor for life.

Bem Adeleke [f/m]

"There is strength in crying and in numbers… so crying about maths is the epitome of strength!"

Friendly and eager, Bem sets out to win people over. They're a natural mediator functioning as the backbone of the band, yet unfamiliar with the drums, they constantly scramble to keep up with the rest of you. They live in constant movement, much like the dance music they're drawn to, rarely slowing down to think about themself. Getting them on stage is the hard part; everything after is what they live for.

As your drummer they sit at your centre without meaning to, trying to be a steady baseline without matching the tempo required. When the beat does drop however, you know who'll break their back trying to catch it. But heartbeats are tricky and synchronization can't be forced. If developed naturally, it would mean two lives equally intertwined by the pace you've set.

Irene Svetla Pop-star phenomenon and Britain's sweetheart, Irene was a contestant on Stagebound a decade before you. Winning the competition meant skyrocketing to fame in an event that still leaves her reeling. She's your self-imposed protector and can be your greatest ally as well as your biggest obstacle.

Zakari 'Zak' Hakim Underground artist turned mainstream as hip-hop exploded in popularity and carried overseas. He knows the industry well and bears it with a grin. Zak grants you the most freedom but the least guidance, focused solely on increasing your reach even if it means stretching you thin in the process.

Chris Feldman Veteran from the glory days of the seventies and eighties music scene, Feldman carries the scars of a rockstar with understated pride. When music shifted and his band became obsolete he took a backseat as a producer and manager instead. Feldman knows all about the hidden corners of the industry and the danger of vices. He's there to toughen you up, and give you the reality check you didn't ask for but might have needed.

Stagebound is a WIP slice-of-life/fame IF story with optional romance. Things are liable to change, bugs are likely to occur and typos will slip through. Feedback is always appreciated. Your thoughts matter. It helps me shape this story into the best it can be!

As an author I do not use, nor support the use of generative AI. I do not consent for my work to be used to train these models (though I doubt that matters).

Thanks for checking out my work <3

could definitely see people who did such damage to mc trying to take credit, advantage of their success, if that makes sense?

like, showing up now that the mc has worth ( to them ) .

They never exchanged info (except Bem and MC potentially) and where would they even rehearse?

Now if you mean at the first live show, I was going to have a band rehearsal on stage before the crowd rolled in. I scrapped that because I felt like it pulled tension and anticipation away from the performance. The band already left off on a bad note at rehearsal so I wanted to just work from that.

Also the show doesn't really care. Rehearsal is b-roll anyway and people fucking up on stage is great entertainment </3

Also, will there be any consequences of dating them? Like the media finding out (extra juicy it they are same gender) or the ROs not liking it( especially if you are dating Alex and having eyes for Grey)

Yes, although Alex will come out as non-binary eventually.

I know we all love a huge media crash out but the band won't be that famous before breaking into the US market in act 2.

The Stagebound hype of them will fall away slowly as the band produces their first album (with help from the mentors) between classes. This will take a year.

Love all of the bandmates and can't wait for Chapter 2

Ahh, I'm the worst at coming up with fun facts. If you want fun facts you'll have to provide the questions because all I could come up with was 'which kitchen appliance is the ROs favourite?'

...so that's what you're getting xd

Grey: liquidizer (blender) likes the noise and can make smoothies.

Finley: microwave (pronounced micruwave) convenient, efficient, comforting. What's not to like?

Bem: cooker (stove) useful and versatile. Also makes the room smell nice!

Ada: kettle loves tea... as brits tend to do.

Alex: diswasher would rather curl up and die than wash dishes by hand.

Yes. Relationship percentage will just be added flavour text. For example when being 'invited' to the interview with Finley, if you have a higher relationship stat with them, they'll relax slightly and be a little less confused if you seem excited to greet them.

Stuff like that. Romance will always be determined by romance points garnered throughout the story—of which there are none of in chapter 1! Bem's heart option doesn't actually count towards their romance. It just sets them as MC's first crush.

They can be MC's first crush but not be romanced. They can also not be MC's first crush and still be romanced. It's just added flavour and MC's history.

Alright friends! I wanted to propose a change I think would be for the better (as always let me know)

This is the aforementioned POC or white toggle. This would change the TW 'discrimination based on skin tone' to 'discrimination against POC'

You'd still be able to have the toggle between light or dark skinned MC, it just wouldn't have an effect on prejudice anymore. That said it will still add to some flavour text. Dark skinned MC's could find themself with a make-up artist who doesn't know how to match their skin tone, or a photographer unable to mix their values correctly. As always their blush would be harder to spot (though not impossible).

For you who feel like they stand in the middle range of skin tones, I'd encourage you to go with whatever you're most comfortable with or feel like would represent you best. I might add a 'medium' skin tone in the future, but that's a whole other can of worms I'd need to feel out the feasibility of first.

I would also love to include different groups of POC as that would alter the prejudice slightly. This is... quite the stretch goal. I also don't know how I'd go about this grouping...

Some people have also asked to specify their skin tone (pale, tan, deep, own input, etc.). This is a descriptor variable and is therefore very doable, but will not influence the overarching dark/light toggle.

Now I'll be honest... I don't really like to use descriptor variables when it's the MC's perspective (unless they're reflecting on themself in that instance). For example writing "your tan arms stretches above your head..." just takes me out of the moment personally. People don't describe their actions with such descriptors in mind—I feel—because to them it's normal and therefore not noteworthy. Might just be me though :/

Since you already have a demo out, you can start a thread on the cog forums in the hosted games category and ask for feedback on specific parts of your story that you want to work on (like poc characters), or you could make a post here asking for poc beta readers here as well and do a more private one instead. @/Interact-if also has a Discord server linked in their pinned post where you might find better help for seeking out beta readers/general advice for writing as well.

Anyway, wishing you the best!

Yes, I would very much want poc beta readers of all kinds. Just like I want readers of differing sexuality and gender identity. I don't know about going through the cog forums as of yet. I've already had a few people on here willing to share their perspective as beta readers, which I'm very grateful for <3

I'll see about the Discord as some point as well. I might lurk there awhile before committing to anything.

That said, chapter 2 is still a ways away. I'd like to climb that hill when I get there. I don't mind waiting for applicants as I can spend time editing.

MC just needs to live the most tragic life possible, huh? ;-;

1) you said in another ask that the romance with the sub ROs will be between chapter 3 and 4, will that be the same in a wlw scenario? Or will it take longer becaude of the old discovering you sexuality and all of that?

2) Will dating the sub ROs impact the lesbian and gay romance? For example, let's say my character dates Emma, will that speed of the procress of the ROs figuring out that they aren't straight? Maybe they will see them together and think "Hmmm MC likes girls... Maybe I could date MC them being a girl too?" Or will it be the same if MC remains single?

3) do you have a prediction of when the romance actually start? Will it be on chapter 5 or sooner?

Thanks love!

1. It will be the same. Just slightly nudged. I'll save how for the story though.

2. It won't make the romance any faster, but yes. Bandmates will be aware that MC could technically be interested in them now. They'll have various reactions to this fact.

3. Depends on what you mean by romance. The bandmates will be hard to romance due to outside circumstances. You might have acknowledged an interest in each other but can't commit to it for awhile. This happens all across act 2 and I'd rather not go into specifics because that's a discovery that should be made in the IF.

I should probably also state that while I throw around chapter specific timelines a lot, things are always liable to change. If I see a chapter reach a certain amount of words and there’s a natural ending to be made, I may split what I intended for that chapter into two. My outline spans the whole story but it’s also purposefully vague to keep my creativity flowing… except for a few scenes I know I want to be there!

Also this^

Valid. Equally valid is finding Finley at fault. They're both not helping themselves... or each other!