#low fantasy

WE BRING DEATH

𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘉𝘌𝘈𝘜𝘛𝘠 𝘖𝘍 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘏𝘖𝘜𝘚𝘌 𝘐𝘚 𝘐𝘔𝘔𝘌𝘈𝘚𝘜𝘙𝘈𝘉𝘓𝘌; 𝘐𝘛𝘚 𝘒𝘐𝘕𝘋𝘕𝘌𝘚𝘚 𝘐𝘕𝘍𝘐𝘕𝘐𝘛𝘌.

DEMO on Itch

KO-FI | PATREON | DISCORD | ASK GUIDELINES

Questions about fan fiction of my work and what’s permitted? Please read my STATEMENT HERE.

A low fantasy IF loosely based on the Italian Renaissance period, with a steampunk edge.

SYNOPSIS

The story is set in Saleste, a vast empire with a long history of expansionism and colonization. Within the empire, technically citizens but not, are the Iredicci. The Iredicci can hear and feel the cordis, the harmonic pulse that connects all living things, and they connect to it through song. Iredicci have excellent hearing, but their defining feature is their voice—they have an echo to their voice, a resonance of two pitches at once.

A simple, nomadic people, the Iredicci were traditionally welcome in all corners of the Saleste Empire. But as steam technology progressed and the push for new resources grew, a prejudice developed against them. Over the years they stopped being welcome. Eventually, their travel was restricted, and the Iredicci were forced to live in settlement camps.

You are one of the Iredicci, born into such a camp. The elders sing songs of past travels and wonders you have never seen. Ever the optimists, the elders tell you to take heart. To be thankful you are among friends and family. That things can’t possibly get any worse.

Until they do.

DEMO TBA

You are a new hire at the Perennial Division of the Lampmire Research Institute, nicknamed ’the Greenhouse’ by those who work there. While you have interest in what the Greenhouse does, this is your last chance to find out what’s wrong with you.

The town of Lampmire sits in the leading area for advancements in magical technologies, with their research institute being the most successful and innovative of any that the monarchy funds.

Will you find the answers you seek or only sink deeper into that mire of questions?

[About the MC]

- Choose your character’s pronouns

- Customize your physical appearance including the type of clothes your character wears during work and on off days

- Select a personal object that is significant to your character

- Develop your personality through choices (lock-in at act two)

- Decide on your hobby and what you’d like to do in your free time

[Interact With Characters]

- Choose your words carefully or say the first thing you can think of

- Create friendships, find romance, or do neither

- Work together to solve problems or shut others out

[What Can You do?]

- Research a species that is thousands of years old and yet, unchanged by time

- Contribute to new findings or don’t, and be ready to face the consequences of your action or inaction

- Learn about technologies and magics that are nowhere else in the world

- Choice of naming one of the creatures you study or leaving it as is

- Make choices that will lead you to one of four endings

[Casey Azaleos RO — Inhuman]

(He/him)

Little Blurb: Officially Casey is Mirin’s assistant, though the both of them prefer switching tasks to accommodate their strengths— Casey takes over supervision while Mirin has more time to focus on advancing their research developments. Casey is known to be amicable, always having a warm smile on his face. He comes from the capital city, Valiant.

Appearance: Casey stands at a height of 6’2’’/188cm and has a toned and lean build. His skin is tanned with cool undertones and he has round, teal eyes. His hair is blond and wavy, just short of reaching his shoulders when loose. At times, his hair is clipped back or held back with a zigzag headband.

Casey’s ’About Mir’: “They’re smart, a genius, really. Mir’s worked here longer than me. Five years, maybe? Anyhow, that’s not really what matters about them. They like being alone, so don’t bother them too much, yea? I can always answer questions for you instead.”

Casey’s ’About Ophelia’: “Ophelia is, well, the best way to put it is just their name, actually. He’s not the tricky sort of person when it comes to speaking honestly, though she does tend to enjoy her fair share of tricks. People with illusionary skills tend to be that way.”

[Mirin Calla RO — Human]

(They/them)

Little Blurb: Mirin is the leader of a research team in the Greenhouse’s Perennial Division. They are commonly referred to as a ‘genius’, sometimes mockingly, and Mirin knows they are smart. They’d much rather be left alone to work instead of people labeling them. Mirin is somewhat antisocial, but does not refute when others offer to assist them. That is, unless you prove to be more of a hassle than a helpful hand. They hail from the Western Grove, similarly to you.

Appearance: Mirin is about 5’6’’/167cm in height and has a slender build with umber skin that has cool undertones. Their eyes are almond-shaped and black, sometimes looking a deep brown under direct or harsh light. Most days Mirin’s fluffy, reddish-brown hair is clipped or tied back, reaching their shoulder blades when it is left loose.

Mirin’s ’About Casey’: “I would say he is somewhat… off-putting. No, maybe not that exactly. He feels out of place. Like a bright sunflower in a dark cave. Nevertheless, he does a fine job at managing and giving me space to work.”

Mirin’s ’About Ophelia’: “They’re a strange… person. I know she tends to be quite amicable, but someone who is bored like Ophelia is not one you should wish to play around with. Don’t indulge in his games, if you can help it.”

[Ophelia Aveline RO — Human?]

(She/her, they/them, and he/his)

Little Blurb: The supplier of the Greenhouse who holds the title of ‘Head of Deliveries’. She insists on personally delivering the supplies they bring and sticking around afterwards to see what goes on in the lab, though Ophelia really should be getting on with his day. Ophelia claims to come from the Eastern Isles Coalition, reasoning that they needed a ‘change of pace’ that brought them to the Darkened Caverns.

Appearance: Ophelia stands at roughly 5’9’’/175cm with an agile build, magenta, downturned eyes that help with their approachable demeanor, and fawn skin with warm undertones. Their hair is straight and black with a colbat underdye, just long enough to reach above their hips.

Ophelia’s ’About Casey’: “He’s like a puppy, Darling, sweet until you hit a nerve. With how he’s always smiling, I’d think he’s just high on life. But it’s easy to see through it, so don’t get too caught up in his appearances, alright?”

Ophelia’s ’About Mirin’: “They’re a recluse, as far as I know, Darling. Working here is definitely on-brand for them; I don’t think Mirin likes much light from how often I see them squinting at things. Gods, is that not why they have those glasses of theirs? Those things keep slipping, too. I swear one day I will just have to take them for a fixing…”

[Rhiannon Secondary-RO — Human]

(They/them)

Little Blurb: The desk clerk to the entrance of the Greenhouse’s laboratory. They’re friendly enough and do not hesitate to assist you upon first meeting. Rhiannon comes from Lacerta, the kingdom encompassing the south-east of the continent.

Appearance: Rhiannon is roughly 5’3’’/150cm in standing with a lean build and an ochre complexion with neutral undertones. Their almond-shaped eyes are violet and they have long, straight black hair that is adorned with golden jewelry, reaching their ankles when not done up.

Extra: As a secondary RO, Rhiannon cannot be romanced in the same way the other ROs are. They’ll show up in the epilogue as a romantic partner if another RO has not been locked-in and if the player has chosen at least 3-4 flirtatious options with them.

[??? Non-RO — Inhuman?]

(???/???)

Little Blurb: A small shadow that lingers in the Greenhouse. They know you, but… do you remember them?

Appearance: Just a little shadow— they’re the silhouette of a child wearing flowing robes with the shape of their eyes and mouth carved from the shadow that is the rest of their features, allowing for others to see their expressions.

Extra: This character’s pronouns are dependent on the MC’s.

To Be Determined!!! (As of writing this I am unsure as to what a complete list would be for the plotted direction of the story… just know that body horror is certainly a theme here!)