#oothb if

So... introduction post for my IF. Everything on this post is subject to change.

There is currently no demo. I am working on the prologue.

Oath of the Honour Bound is a fantasy interactive fiction inspired by and based on the Arthurian legends (and some Welsh mythology). The story focuses on character development of both the people around you and, well, you. As an emotionally constipated general who hasn't had a chance to explore what it means to be yourself, you have a ways to go before you can call yourself truly happy. And now, you might finally have that chance.

The game will be released chapter by chapter until it's done. I don't have any current idea of how many chapters there'll be nor do I know when (or if) it'll be finished (or posted on itch). It will remain free to play.

I'll try to make regular posts but please know that I have a tendency to disappear off the face of the planet. This is just something I'm making in my free time. I am also extremely slow so bare with me, please.

I'm okay with asks, but please nothing nsfw or pregnancy asks as I am uncomfortable with those types of topics. They will be deleted or not answered.

SUMMARY

The story is set in the kingdom of Annwn, the fabled Otherworld in Arthurian legend. It is a magical place where souls go to rest after they die, to leave behind their regrets before moving on to an eternal afterlife. A heaven on earth, if you will.

You are the General of the Annwnian army and the third born child of King Arawn Pencleddyf and Queen Maelona, the king of Annwn and the queen of the Spring Court respectively. Ever since you were a child, you have been trained to be the perfect soldier, to be without self, to obey the King's orders without question.

You are bound by oath - and duty - to do so. You don't have a choice. Even when the land speaks to you, tells you that this isn't what you're destined for, you can't listen. You weren't taught to.

For five years now, you have led the war against Lord Hafgan, a noble who wants the throne for himself. But he has gone into hiding and his hired army seems to be infinite. Your soldiers are growing wearier by the day and you yourself can't last much longer. The kingdom can't last much longer. Annwn cries out with every drop of blood spilt and you hear it all.

Every. Last. Scream.

You hear it in your nightmares. You hear it in your visions. You hear it in every waking moment and you're breaking down little by little by little until there's nothing left but a rotting corpse wandering the halls of the castle-

Annwn needs help. But your father is refusing to ask for it and he has forbidden the court to send for aid.

No one is coming to help.

That is, until your siblings defy your father and travel to Logres, the kingdom of King Arthur Pendragon.

Peace may finally be on the horizon.

Whether you'll still be here to see it...

The mercenary Lord Hafgan hired three years ago.

Dyfrig made a name for himself early in his life as a mercenary who could do any job. For the right price. Stealing from nobles, assassinations, staging coups, slaying beasts, he's done it all and now he swims in gold. He has been on Annwn's and Logres' wanted list for years now but he always evades capture, either slipping away at the last second or finding a way out of his prison. You've had multiple first hand experiences in the past.

His latest job is leading Lord Hafgan's army against you. It's not his cup of tea but it's the best paying job on the market. He's killed hundreds of soldiers over the years but his main target is you.

Cut the head off a snake and the body will follow.

DESCRIPTION

39 year old man. Thick salt and pepper hair, fringe that frames his face and is parted in the middle, shoulder-length and tied back. Dark grey eyes filled with cruel mirth. Narrow face, roughly shaven stubble, has laugh lines around his mouth. Rough beige skin with a ruddy complexion. Taller than average, stands with his head held high, lean but not very flexible, large calloused hands. He has two iron hoop earrings in his left ear. He faintly smells of burning wood and smoke.

PERSONALITY

He likes to think himself a charming and good looking fellow who would give you the clothes off his back. But there's days where he can't keep up that attitude and he shows his true colours. Cunning like a fox and as persuasive as a merchant, he could convince a moral man to commit a murder just by talking to him. And he doesn't have any issues doing so. It's just another way of getting the job done. Hey, as long as he gets paid in the end, all's fair in love and war.

Your personal butler.

For generations, Lucan's family has proudly served the various noble houses of Annwn. His father is a cook and his mother a wetnurse. Being taught from a young age that serving is the most noble vocation there is, Lucan wanted nothing more than to follow in his parents' footsteps.

He started working when he was only 15, serving the Corneu noble house as a valet. He spent a great deal of his childhood there and learnt almost everything from serving the Corneu's only son. When he was 27, the Corneu's son sent Lucan away. The reason why is something Lucan is tight-lipped about.

Lucan started working as your valet not long after and has faithfully served you for the past 5 years.

DESCRIPTION

32 year old man. Short blond hair, unruly and sticks up in places. Grey eyes that can spot even the smallest imperfection. Friendly face and a sloped nose, smiles with his eyes. White skin with a healthy glow. Average height but looks tall, long legs and curvy waist. He has two white gemstone earrings in each ear.

No matter what he wears, it will look sophisticated and would put emperors to shame. He prefers softer clothing that keep him warm.

PERSONALITY

Polite and intuitive. He knows what's wrong with a person long before they can figure it out and always knows just the right thing that can help. It's sometimes difficult to tell whether it's a part of his job or if he genuinely is this kind. He's selfless but knows where to draw the line, refusing to be door mat for his superiors. That includes you. Yes, you are vastly more important than him but your wellbeing is his top priority. If he pesters you enough, you will listen to him eventually.

Hi, anon, thank you for asking!

I don’t really have a fleshed out profile for the parents yet but I can still give some information :D

Your father is King Arawn Pencleddyf, the king of Annwn and a prince of the Autumn Court. Your mother is Queen Maelona of the Spring Court.

Arawn is an interesting character to me because he’s loving and attentive but is so, so cruel. Here’s a scene I wrote when I was trying to get a feel of his character:

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- (MC is around 8-9)

Indeg is your youngest sister and the literal embodiment of sunshine.

She loves you despite everything. She doesn't know who you are or what you've done but you're her big sibling. That's everything to her.

DESCRIPTION

11 year old fae. Tightly coiled dark brown hair that sits on top of her head like one big cloud. Large olive eyes that always see the good in people. Round face and cheeks, small rounded nose. Russet brown skin with a golden shimmer, glows when using magic. Short and broad shoulders. She has dimples when she smiles.

She likes to wear knee length dresses. Prefers yellow, green or light purple but will match her clothes to fit with the rest of her siblings. Wears a thick banded gold diadem, has little star engravings.

PERSONALITY

Bubbly and endlessly playful. She's everything a child her age should be. Not having any responsiblities as the youngest child has left her with far too much free time to simply do whatever her heart pleases. The castle is never quiet when she's around, her giggling and endless talking a delight to her servants. The noise lets her forget how quiet and empty everything really is... how she doesn't really know what her siblings' voices sound like.

Cynhaern is your younger brother and a lieutenant of the Annwnian army.

You're his hero.

DESCRIPTION

25 year old fae. Slicked back silvery blond hair curled at the tips. Dull blue eyes that have seen far too much. Gaunt face with prominent cheekbones, pointy chin and straight nose. Pale white skin, ashy complexion with no visible shimmer. Often mistaken for a ghost. Average height with a soldier's build. He has multiple scars on his face, one scar across his right eye spanning from his hairline to his jaw, one jagged scar across his left temple. He has a large beauty mark under the right side of his mouth. He has dimples when he smiles.

He likes to wear his armour as the weight is comforting to him. If it is not appropriate to do so, he will instead let Nest or Llyr dress him into something more fitting. Likes blues or purples. Wears a silver diadem.

PERSONALITY

Cynhaern did not gain his reputation as a ghost just for his appearance. He's quiet, unnaturally so, his footsteps silent even in his armour. He doesn't speak unless spoken to, doesn't act unless told to, and makes himself as unobtrusive as possible. When it comes to you however… he lets some of his true self shine. Protective, a little naive and loyal to a fault, he will defend you until the day he dies.

The unofficial king of the north and a Knight of the Round Table.

Heraut started off as a simple farmer but is now considered the king of the north. With the local council corrupt and cowardly, allowing the Vikings from the eastern lands to pillage and plunder innocent towns and villages, Heraut took to the life of a knight - though many people from the richer circles prefer the term 'mercenary' - and defended their people from all manner of monsters.

Originally, they were against Arthur's rule and aided the many rebellions against him. He's Uther's son, how could he be any better than his father? However, after a prophetic dream that showed them the truth, they reluctantly joined Arthur's side and became a Knight of the Round Table.

DESCRIPTION

34 year old person. Tightly coiled black hair cut short. Dark brown eyes, the weight of their gaze is like sinking into peat. Square jawline, cold expression. Black skin with a reddish-purple undertone. Very tall and bulky, large muscles - a formidable figure that you definitely do not want to see across the battlefield. They have very few scars on their body, has one across their nose. They seem to perpetually smell of fresh soil and flowers.

They wear anything that makes people fearful of them. They find that the more intimidating they appear, the less people want to talk to them.

PERSONALITY

Stoic and unashamedly crass, Heraut isn't a kind person by any means. They'd sooner cut a man down than endure a conversation with them with the simple reason of not wanting to use their voice. It gives them a chance to show off their remarkable sword handling, the blade slicing through any foe with a beautiful arc. At the very least, it'll ward off any other potential social interactions. Though if they stand a little taller when the young squires point and poorly imitate them, it is not because their heart is swelling with unimaginable affection.

Dagonet is Arthur's court jester and a knight of the Round Table.

Dagonet was born and raised in Camelot, his family serving King Uther at court as entertainers. As a child, he performed on the streets for the common folk to hone his skills so that they may be of use in the court one day. However, due to his magical nature as a changeling, that day never came. Uther refused to have a fae in his court.

The time to take over his father's job as court jester came and went and he continued to perform on the streets. That was until Uther died and Arthur was crowned king. Arthur appointed Dagonet as court jester soon after. He finally had a chance to show the court what he could do.

He was knighted after Arthur had a little too much to drink. 'Griflet, that's an absolutely hilarious idea- Lancey, bring me my sword, we're knighting him right now-'

DESCRIPTION

29 year old changeling. Thin brown hair that reaches his shoulders, tied back. Sunken in black eyes, nothing escapes his sharp gaze. Gaunt face with high cheekbones, chapped lips and upturned nose. Has the beginnings of a stubble. Rough tanned skin. Lanky with protruding ribs. Long bony hands, perfect for picking pockets. He has callouses on his palms and the thief's brand tattooed on the back of his left hand.

He is never seen wearing anything other than his jester costume. Though he can be persuaded to wear something more loose fitting in familiar company.

PERSONALITY

A trickster at heart. Often thought to be a raving lunatic by any who meet him. Snarky and quick-witted, he isn't afraid to use other's misfortune to entertain the masses - even at the expense of his king. The protection that comes with his position as court jester made him rather arrogant, confident that nothing can hurt him so long as Arthur is around. However, he is a coward. All the coin in the world won't persuade him to step foot on the battlefield, feeling much more at home dodging a stray goblet aimed at his head than a throwing axe.