The Soulforge Order

Thank you for reading Viatica! I’m glad you enjoyed Heron’s route. As far as recs, I’m still relatively new to IFs, so I’m not too familiar with many myself. But the ones I’ve enjoyed with the childhood friend trope are:

God-Cursed, @wings-of-ink The romance with Oswin is a delicious, angsty, tug at your heartstrings experience. Highly recommend! I love that it’s not the typical safe and sweet dynamic you get in most childhood friend tropes.

College Tennis: Origin Story, @collegetennisoriginstory This IF is a little more stat heavy than I’d like (not a fan of skill checks) but the character dynamics are fantastic and the romance with the childhood friend Sam is chef’s kiss!

Love and Leases, @loveandleases The romance with Cam has so much pining, it’s delicious!

Royal Affairs, @hpowellsmith There’s a couple characters in here that can be considered childhood friends, but I highly recommend the route with Asher, the MC’s bodyguard whom you’ve known a while. Oh, my heart!

I know I’ve been teasing it for a few days but I am honestly so hyped to share this chapter with you! Not only have we hit the main storyline and things are starting to happen, but this chapter feels like a collaborative effort. There are several details and scenes that sprang directly from tumblr asks and discussions. You’ve helped me flesh out ideas and characters, and I can’t wait for you to see how our story is unfolding! 💕

There may be things I can’t readily talk about, but please don’t let that stop you from sending in asks. I’m honestly looking forward to the response to this chapter, and there’s plenty of good stuff we can talk about!

Go forth! Read. And remember… y’all asked for this. 😉😏

Hi everyone!

Yes. I couldn't hold it back anymore. It's released.

You can play chapter 1 now.

Edit: I'm dumb and stupid and undeserving and forgot to credit her. Many thanks to @partyof4game for betareading, your input was so incredibly helpful. <3

Also, for the actual weekly update:

This week, I worked on Ing's POV of the Eostrae feast of the prologue, which will be available for the highest tiers on Patreon and Ko-Fi.

Also, I've been doing a lot of research, as in the story, MC now reaches Rome and, because the story plays in the very early Roman Empire, shortly after the fall of the Roman Republic, there is so much to read up on, and so much to know about considering buildings and areas.

For example, the Colosseum wasn't built for another 60 years, just like some other major sites. Marble was only brought to Rome when Augustus became the first Emperor (who is still alive when MC is brought to Rome), and only slowly the buildings were built with it instead of stone.

I have read a biography of Augustus, and I still have to read a biography of Tiberius, the second Emperor (who is also relevant for Suevi).

Two other very interesting books I am currently reading are "A Walk Through Ancient Rome: A Tour of the Historical Sites That Shaped the City," which is set in the late fourth century, and, "24 hours in Ancient Rome: A Day in the Life of the People Who Lived There". (Impressively long titles nobody can even remember half of...)

Both books are written by Philip Matyszak, and they are technically set too late (380ish CE and 137 CE instead of 14 CE), but it's the closest I could find, and I need to constantly check if things are realistic for the time I'm writing the story. Still, they give me a pretty good idea of how things were back then.

I've also found some great maps and other helpful resources about the time.

And I've re-read some of the Edda to look for some nice quotes I might be able to use for the story.

And... I've written some. Definitely not as much as I would have liked to (only 4.5k words this week), but there is just too much I really want to be certain about before incorporating it into the story, so reading, research and fact-checking it is for now. :)

DEMO COMING SOON

HEARD ABOUT IT? The biggest entertainment company in South Korea is launching a survival show, it’s obvious whatever girlgroup gets out of the program is gonna be one of the biggest in the world.

But for now you’re just a girl. Well, a 23 year old girl. As girls in k-pop debut younger and younger, you feel the gap growing everyday. You’re getting older, for a trainee, and well… you’re not even a trainee anymore. The company you were in went under. Now you swear it to yourself: Get on this show, or it’s back to college, back to the good old normie life. Living far from from the spotlight, for whatever reason, you know you’d hate that, so you have no choice, do you?

Fight for your place in CHERISH, SJM Entertainment’s newest girlgroup. You’re against 15 others, will you shine even among all this talent?

Genderlocked female MC, in part because giving the choice to be a man would imply changing the gender of 16 characters in total. Also because of course I intend to explore the double standards of being a female artist in an industry as cut-throat as k-pop.

Four romance options, two fellow contestants, your stylist and a judge.

Shape your personality and image as you make choices. Will you fight to be in front of the group, or will you stay behind, accommodating others? What will you seem like, a cold bitch or an aegyo maniac?

Choose your strength and weaknesses between vocals, rapping, dancing and visuals. Pick the right choices, rely on your qualities, or the judges will JUDGE alright.

Try not to cause too many scandals, whether that’s by being mean to others, not working hard enough or being unlucky and falling victim to the network’s evil editing. Keyword here: try.

LEE DAON, 28, F/M ✧ They’ve got your fate in their hands, as a judge and mentor for Objective: CHERISH. Emotionally distant, mastered the art of suppressing their feelings. Used to be part of an extremely popular k-pop group, left after they sued their company for abuse. Will you be the one to break that mask of indifference they’ve made for themselves?

OH YEONWOO, 25, F/M ✧ With their perfect skin and their cat eyes, you’d think Yeonwoo is another contestant. Nope. They’re here to make you shine. Sensitive, good listener, kinda melodramatic sometimes. They’re a star in their own right, among industry stylists. SJM Entertainment has only hired the best, after all. May you crack their glittery shell, behind the scenes. First of all, you’ll have to prove you’re not one of these arrogant celebrities they’re so used to working with!

KIM YISEO, 24, F ✧ If Yiseo had to be described in a word, it’d be angry. Don’t even ask at who, what or why. The answer is everyone, everything, and none of your business. She wants to be an idol, it’s her lifelong dream, she’d kill for it. A lone wolf, the edge of her white teeth glistens under the spotlight.

"Since childhood, I’ve known this life wasn’t truly mine. The shackles of ‘duty’ and ‘expectations’ were locked onto me by the very hands that birthed me."

"‘Our family name is built on discipline, Lina. You’ll be a great general—like me. I want what’s best for you.’ Her words were doctrine disguised as hope. But I knew the truth: they were just selfishness, crushing dreams under her boot."

"I won my freedom by severing our bond, leaving only icy silence behind… until the universe threw me into their path."

"Make me a Pallumara Chef."

🛠️Update Log

Prologue & chicken pottage scene revamped for smoother reading.

New race introduced: The Tiadana 🐂

Sister Nurul’s illustration finalized! 🕊️

New Content: Chapter 2 (Part 1) now at 51K words! ✨

Meet a mysterious character who offers a secret mission (specific Origins unlock this!).

Explore unique jobs for your MC

Spicy Optional One-night stands 🌶️:

First Mate Gramman (requires Muscular/Heavy Set body type).

Captain Lina (requires High Charisma).

Follow Chef Robinrow’s journey aboard a prison ship! 🚢 [Click here to play!]

In a world where certain powers are branded as curses, those who bear them are quietly erased from public life—sent to an isolated institution disguised as a prestigious “private school.” There, they’re taught to suppress their abilities. To be safe. Palatable. Normal.

But behind the sterile courtyards and ever-watching eyes, something festers. The halls echo with stories no one dares to repeat. And some students… simply disappear. No one talks about them. No one asks. Staff gets colder, and the rules get stricter.

You are one of the cursed—harboring a truth even the institution doesn’t understand. As the cracks begin to show, you’ll uncover secrets buried beneath concrete and silence. But the deeper you dig, the more you risk losing yourself—to the power inside you, and to the place that wants to bury you with the rest.

Because here, being cursed isn’t the worst thing you can be. Being noticed is.

“They say it’s harmless, and I let them believe it. But if they ever saw what it costs me to stay this quiet… they wouldn’t just scream. They’d disappear.” — MC

Genre: Dark Academia, horror, mystery, supernatural, thriller.(+18)

Demo Release : To Be Announced

Customize your main character’s gender, appearance, personality, and sexuality.

Your choices will shape the MC’s purpose, morality, and ultimate ending.

Rebel against the system—or conform to survive.

Romance, befriend, or antagonize one of six uniquely powerful individuals.

Hadrian – 20 (He/Him)

Power: Can temporarily raise the dead, though they only obey him while reanimated.

Personality: Calm, burdened, protective, emotionally distant.

Appearance: Ash-brown, slightly wavy hair kept medium-length. Deep forest-green eyes. Pale skin with dark under-eyes and pronounced eye bags. 6'3

Style: Minimalist and somber—black turtlenecks, layered coats, heavy boots. Wears a silver ring on a chain from someone important.

Mannerisms:– Stands still while others move, like he's observing. Rarely speaks. Avoids eye contact when emotional. His hands are always cold.

Quote:

"You shouldn’t follow me into the dark. Not everyone comes back from it… and I won’t be able to pull you out."

—

Fenric – 22 (He/Him)

Power: Sees others’ fates and can alter them—at the cost of self physical harm.

Personality: Brave, impulsive, stubborn, self-sacrificing.

Appearance: Jet-black, slightly messy short hair. Piercing icy-blue eyes that shimmer when his power activates. Deep tan skin with cool undertones. 5'11".

Style: Urban-street layers—hoodies, worn sneakers, bandages. He wears a thread bracelet, knotting it each time he changes a fate.

Mannerisms: Winces at visions. Bites his cheek when frustrated. Uses sarcasm to mask pain. Frequently checks the time.

Quote:

"I already saw how this ends. But hey—just for you, I’m willing to rewrite it… no matter the cost."

—

Elias – 19 (He/Him)

Power: Feeds on strong emotions—leaving others drained.

Personality: Charismatic, sarcastic, intense; a wild card.

Appearance: Thick, tousled chestnut-brown hair. Hypnotic amber-gold eyes. Warm caramel skin with sun-kissed undertones. 6'1".

Style: Ripped jeans, vintage tees, layered jewelry. Smells of smoke and sandalwood. Has tattoos that seem to subtly shift in certain light.

Mannerisms: Smirks constantly. Leans close when emotions are high. Always fiddling with a lighter or coin.

Quote:

"Careful, darling. Feel too much around me, and you’ll be left emptier than you knew you could be."

—

Lira – 21 (She/Her)

Power: Sees the future in her dreams.

Personality: Quiet, introspective, emotionally distant.

Appearance: Long, straight silvery-white hair, usually worn loose. Pale lavender eyes that glow faintly in sunlight. Porcelain skin with cool undertones. 5'5".

Style: Ethereal—flowing skirts, high-collared blouses, shawls. Often barefoot indoors. Wears a crystal pendant for protection.

Mannerisms: Blinks slowly while thinking. Hums to herself. Sometimes pauses mid-sentence when experiencing a vision.

Quote:

"I dreamed of you before we met. You were smiling… but the world around you was falling apart."

—

Nova – 24 (She/Her)

Power: Can twist or erase memories

Personality: Loyal, stubborn, protective, combative when provoked.

Appearance: Dark auburn hair tied back in a practical ponytail. Sharp hazel eyes flecked with gold. Deep brown skin with warm undertones. 5'9".

Style: Tactical streetwear—cropped jackets, combat boots, hidden pockets. Wears a utility belt at all times.

Mannerisms: Crosses her arms when thinking. Instinctively positions herself between others and danger. Rests her hand near her hip, ready to act.

Quote:

"I’ll protect what matters—even if that means taking something from your mind you weren’t ready to lose."

—

Selen – 20 (She/Her)

Power: Controls and manipulates emotions.

Personality: Calculating, cunning, deeply wounded by past rejection.

Appearance: Blonde hair, sleek and shoulder-length. Cold gray eyes. Smooth, cool beige skin. 5'7".

Style: Dark elegance— loves makeup, bold lipstick, sleek eyeshadows. Wears an intoxicating perfume. Can't go anywhere without her phone.

Mannerisms: Smiles when angry. Tilts her head while reading people. Uses touch strategically—to comfort or unnerve.

Quote:

"Don’t flatter yourself—I don’t need powers to make you feel something. I just know exactly which part of you to break."

Content Warning:

False Grace explores dark and mature themes, including emotional manipulation, trauma, mental health struggles, death, institutional abuse, gaslighting, and body autonomy.

May include references to:

Psychological distress

Violence and blood

Graphic depictions of death and corpses

Emotional and memory manipulation

Themes of disappearance, isolation, and loss of identity

Sexual content (optional)

Player discretion is advised.

—

If you’ve made it this far, thank you.

This is my first original interactive fiction—and honestly, my first original work ever. (I also don't know how to English cause....yeah..) I used to write fanfics (but we don’t talk about that…), so diving into something this big has been both terrifying and thrilling.

False Grace is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m learning as I go—coding, design, pacing, everything—but this project means the world to me. It’s my biggest undertaking so far… and probably my angstiest, too.

I’m nervous to share it, but also so excited to share it with the rest of you (hopefully soon)

A high medieval interactive fiction story of legacy, betrayal, power.

“If you wish to survive in court, speak softly, marry smartly, and never show them where it hurts. I’ve buried more men than you’ve shaken hands with, I know what ends a legacy and I won’t see ours crumble for sentiment.”

- Lady Virelda Rovathar, your Grandmother

🏰 The Story

Set in the shadowed grandeur of the Valderith Empire, Velvet Alliances tells the story of House Rovathar, a once proud noble house nestled in the mountainous heart of the empire. Known for its mines and smiths, the house has endured, but never recovered, from a scandal that shattered its foundation twelve years ago.

A beloved wife lost.

A bastard child revealed.

A father turned cold.

Now, Lord Malrik Rovathar, rigid and embittered, seeks to change the ancient laws of succession, risking family stability, loyalty, and the delicate order of the court. His children, each scarred in their own way by grief and impossible expectations, begin to turn on one another, pulled by love, ambition, and old wounds.

And soon, they will have no choice but to play their roles before the entire empire.

For a grand festival within the imperial capital of Viremont draws near, held in celebration of the crown prince’s 20th birthday. Every noble house is expected to attend. What was once a quiet family struggle will now unfold beneath the gaze of the emperor, as well as your fellow noble families.

In the flickering light of courtly celebration, alliances will be forged, secrets uncovered, and legacies tested.