itch.io

Hello again, Zack! No problem, thank you as always for your interest in the game! I'm always so flattered! Maybe I should just pick BlueSky over Tumblr already so I can get all your questions directly, haha. I'll sort it out sometime this month.

Forgive the text block, I'm just trying to answer your points.

I possibly chose my words poorly in my last reply, but Thurin's love is now familial but it grew from platonic love. It was never romantic in any fashion, more like a best friend he never knew he wanted and that feeling grew overprotective in nature and evolved into the familial kind of love that he wished he had and is determined to give to you. He's still infatuated with you but now it's as a father who wants his child to overachieve and get everything they ever want.  He really does want you to thrive, and it makes him happy to see you successful. Sharla however is very conflicted with you. Up until the moment you joined, she was an only sprout and now she has a sibling she never wanted lol

Anyway, I will update the main characters to have biographies in the People of Interest page in the codex, but that won't be for this update or I for sure won't make my deadline. The difficulty will be in making the biographies without revealing plot spoilers.

Magic in this world is more subtle than in other fantasy. Witches are the connection between the spirits and the living and are born as such. I based the magic on traditional English magic from ye olden times, where witches apparently formed packs with spirits with rituals to make enchantments and curses and whatnot. So in this world, the spirit gives the energy and the witch forms it. It is rare to find spirits with enough strength to grant big instant spells (think D&D fireball). So you will see Vaine performing witchcraft on his route on occasion, but it won't be high magic like you see in other fantasy worlds. He would secretly love to do that though.

Witches are more sensitive to the spirits than other people, so they are most at risk of being possessed, which is why many witches such as Frodi and Sharla don't like to interact with spirits or have anything to do with magic. Vaine is unusual in that he isn't afraid of spirits, but that's because he was raised to understand them better than people when he grew up in the cult, which is rare for witches as it is a random chance, rather than a genetic trait passed down.

Alfars or other creatures with a natural inborn magic can make big, instant spells like a fireball, but it requires a lot of energy. Of the alfar,  Ljosalfar are better than Dokkalfar at magic and Svartal have the least skill in magic, so Moloch is actually quite a skilled spellcaster compared to Tananthia, who only really uses her magic to strengthen herself as she's more of a soldier, and Thurin is quite useless.

To learn more about spirits and magic, I have included several pages in the codex! Maybe I need to rewrite them to make it clearer, however.

Alright, onto your questions! I could answer them, but I think it would be more fun for the characters to do it. Captain, gather the Thorns!

Tananthia: Right, this pervert wants to know who's a virgin. Answer!

Frodi: (gestures to his body) Darlin', look at me, how could I be a virgin when I look like this~?

Kelka: Yeah, Frodi's a total whore and has lots of lovers. It's funny that they say they love your confidence rather than your looks. They always say your brother is better looking.

Frodi: (strained smile 💢) Who says that? Maybe they need a reminding why I'm the best choice.

Kelka: Hehe, not telling~ I'm not one either, by the way! But that relationship is long over, it didn't end well...

Frodi: Yeah, because you-

Kelka: SHUT YOUR FILTHY MOUTH. (sweetly) Mc, it doesn't matter any more, that person changed and it wasn't for the best. But you're wonderful and I'll cherish you forever and ever if you'd let me~ ❤️

Magwyn: (sad) No, but's it's complicated and I don't like talking about it.

Vaine: (scrunches his face at the memory) I'd honestly prefer if I were. Sex is disgusting. Why'd I try it twice? Why do people make those weird expressions? And why so much sweat? (shudders)

Tananthia: Is anyone in the building a virgin?

(Thurin walks by and everyone stares)

Thurin: ...What are you looking at me for? What's going on?

Tananthia: (Judgemental smirk 😏) ...Hm, yes, I expected that.

Thurin: Expected what? What's going on?? I don't like being left out, it makes me feel lonely!😭

Tananthia: Hobbies, what do you like to do?

Magwyn: (happy) I play the violin! The Captain got me one as a birthd-

Tananthia: EXCEPT THAT. NEVER MENTION IT AGAIN.

Magwyn: Oh, um, I guess I'm kind of boring... I like to spend time with my friend, Byrn, outside of the Blackthorns, and learning new combat styles. Bryn and I spar a lot and then go watch blacksmiths make weapons and armour. I enjoy baking but I burn everything I make. One day I'll make something without turning it into charcoal! Oh, and the Captain gives me information about-

Tananthia: No spoilers! Next person, go!

Kelka: I like collecting stuff! Especially- (Tananthia glares) ...But I can't go into spoiler territory, so that's all I'll say about that... Uh, what else?? I like breaking into houses to see inside! I don't take anything, I just like looking around and try to guess what the person is like.

Frodi: Sometimes they eat things from the pantries.

Kelka: Not often!! Oooo, what else... I like following you and watching you sleep I hang around with Maggie to listen to her playing, I really like her music! Finally, I hang out in the city in the busiest parts to people watch or make new friends. I miss my clan a lot, so I like looking for other devic in particular. Beyond that, most of the time I hang out with Frodi when he goes out to play. He takes me to taverns with music so we go dancing a lot. It sucks when he leaves me to go stay over someone's house, but I'm used to it now. I don't like walking home alone afterwards though, so Maggie often comes to find me if she knows I've been out.

Frodi: Oh. I didn't know you felt that way. I'll try to stop doing that so much when we're together. Anyway, it should be obvious, but I'm invited to all the parties. And why wouldn't I be? I go to the gambling clubs too. Anywhere people gather, I can find something fun to do. I used to drink a lot, and I guess I still do when I get a chance. It's kinda thrilling to let loose, you know? I like singing, but I prefer to dance. Hm, sex is also fun. Generally, my rule is the more the merrier~ I'll let you choose how I apply that to my life~ As you can tell, I like group activities in general~ Lastly, when I'm hungover, I stay in bed and read. (everyone stares) What?

Tananthia: You have never purchased a book in all the years you've been here.

Frodi: I get Kel to unlock Vaine's door so I can take his. He has good taste in books.

Vaine: (quietly furious because he thought he'd somehow been losing them) I enjoy reading, but I might stop now I know where my books are going. I paint, although I'm not good at it. The Captain gave me a garden... (she glares but he ignores it) ...I grow plants to make incense. I'm sensitive to smells, so I make a lot. Oh, and I collect bones to form into sculptures. I go around the city to make friends with the spirits, but I only get along with the shades, fortunately there's a lot in Wyldern. Um, lastly, I'm a priest of Esca, so I even though I left the cult, I still worship him. It's not a hobby but just as important to me.

Tananthia: And the other thing. Or do I need to "retrain" you?

Vaine: (defensive) There is no other thing. (Captain takes a step closer and he shuffles his feet, not looking at anyone) ...I like eating sweet things. (feels the Captain getting angry) All right! I love sweets! They're my favourite thing, most of my wages are spent in confectionary shops around the city! Stop judging me!

Tananthia: Height and age? Easy, I can tell you that. From smallest to tallest: Kelka, then Frodi and Magwyn who are about the same height, Vaine, myself, Thurin, Moloch, and finally Sharla. Ages: Kelka: 26, Sharla: 28, Frodi: 29, Magwyn: 30, Vaine: 31, Thurin: 83, and Moloch is ancient, he's almost 300. Myself? That's none of your damn business.

Thurin: (shouts from afar) She's almost as old as Moloch! That's what you get for making fun of me earlier!

Tananthia: (seething with rage) You will regret that.

Tananthia: Jealously? Hmm, I have my suspicions I shall share with you.  Now why am I telling you the answer and not asking the Thorns? They will deny it, but I know them well. Here you are. Make of it what you will, but do not mistake the 4th place as meaning that they aren't jealous.

Tananthia: Right, now you've each been given individual questions, so I'm leaving. I have work to do, Molly to bully and I must also punish Thurin at some point today.

Meanwhile:

Sharla:  Papa, come hide in my office before the Captain finds you.

Thurin: Thank you, sprout, I love you and I will never love you any less now we have MC.

Elsewhere:

Moloch: ...I feel an ill omen coming my way.

Kelka: My tail? Do you like it? I wish I did... Devic tail lengths vary but are usually about as long as our body. My tail is considered stubby and ugly because it isn't as long as others. It's around 3 ft, when most are between 4 and 5. But if you like it then I'm sure I can too! (blushes) Hehe, MC likes my tail~ Maybe I'm not an ugly devic?? But can humans/gigants like devickind? I like MC, so maybe? Ehehe, I admitted I like MC! (squeal)

I can't really pull people down with it, but I can use my tail to unbalance someone or sweep their feet out from underneath! It's difficult though, so I don't do it much. I mostly use my tail to hold things, so it's like an extra hand! ...Hmm, it's not really that sensitive, I actually cut it a lot but don't really notice until Maggie chases me with a bandage. Thanks, Maggie, I love you! (goes to hug Magwyn) You want to play with my horns? (sad droop) Aww, I wish I could feel that... My-Are my ears sensitive-? (nervous excitement) Um, hehe, well, that's- yes? They're really ticklish but I won't mind if you want to touch them. You can touch me wherever you want, I think you're so cute with the most beautiful eyes and I want us to be so close, closer than anyone. It's special for devic to touch ears, I think humans call it being married, so please do and be mine.

Vaine: Hmm, I'm well acquainted with.(embarrassed) the confectionary store owners... Beyond that, I don't really know many people. I do meet others when I spend time with Marrow or perform my priestly duties, but I don't get close. So... no friends. Well, no living friends besides Marrow, that is. Marrow is wonderful, I hope you'll like her. We grew up in the cult and escaped together, so she's the person I trust most in the world. I tell her everything, even about you. I wish I could spend more time with her, but the Blackthorns take most of my time, so we write to one another instead, but I try to make time to see her at least twice a month, more if I can. As a witch, I do use magic. Magic is just very impractical in this world, although I wish it was as fantastical as in the stories I read - I think it would be interesting to be an ice mage. Unfortunately, that is not how it works. I often make amulets or charms and I'm an expert in runecraft. If you ever want to hex someone, I can do so for you. I can also forcibly gather spirits with rituals and make them cast spells that way against their will, but I dislike that method. Spirits are good to me, so I try to be good to them in return.

My mace? I suppose it's more a tactical choice rather than a preference. If you pick a blade, you need to be more precise and have some degree of finesse, especially if you're fighting against an armoured enemy. I don't need to worry about that with a mace, I can just crush my enemies. As long as I'm strong enough to wield it, that's enough to get the others to stop nagging me about training more. Do you like Aslaug? She has been with me since I was a child. Well, the original, living Aslaug was. The spirit that occupies the body now was also around then but came and went as they pleased. I was so upset when Aslaug died that my spirit friend entered the body and took her name, so I would never be alone. She is my source of joy these days. I would be isolated without her.

Aslaug: Master, you're ignoring something.

Vaine: (embarrassed) No, I'm not.

Aslaug: Hehe, master used to get many compliments about being pretty when he was younger. He had longer hair and looked like a girl! Being called handsome is new. Most people get creeped out because of his eyes and avoid him. He is a shy idiot, so be patient.

Vaine: I am not! Hmph! And I know I'm handsome, I just don't care. (Aslaug, am I really? What do I do when I'm called handsome? And is a slim waist important? I'm so confused. People are weird. I don't care about that, so why do they?)

Aslaug: (You should say thank you but you messed that up. The waist was also a compliment, but you got confused because your an idiot.)

Vaine: ... Thank you. Go away. (Did I do well, Aslaug?)

Aslaug: (No.)

Vaine: ((lovingly) - I hate you)

Aslaug: ((lovingly) - I hate you too)

Magwyn: Killing is... I don't like doing it, but I understand that I need to do it. It's strange, when I was a mercenary and then a gladiator, I didn't care as much. I guess it's because the situation is different. As a mercenary, I was not just paid to kill, but when I did it was because I could pick and choose my contracts, so I was able to stay within my own moral boundary. As a gladiator, it also wasn't so bad because we had signed up knowing we could die. It might have been more senseless, but we were willing to risk it. As a Thorn, it's different. I don't pick my contracts and I just have to hope that my actions will be for a greater good. The Captain actually helps me a lot with this, even though it annoys her. When she needs to kill, she gives me the most "evil" of them all, and tells me why they need to die. I really have no choice but to trust her and hope she's not lying to me. I try to do it quickly and painlessly regardless. Just because the person I'm killing might be cruel doesn't mean I need to be. What's the other question...? Why did I try to kill Frodi and Vaine- Oh. That.

(Vaine and Frodi glare)

Frodi: We would also like to know.

Kelka: (smug) She didn't try to kill me because I'm special and we're friends.

Magwyn: (ashamed) I'M SO SORRY!!!! It wasn't intentional. I was recruited in a very dark stage in my life and men scared me. They still do sometimes, even though I know I'm stronger than the average, untrained man! I was scared that Vaine or Frodi would be one of the men who could overpower me, so I panicked! I'm not so scared of them now though although I do still get nervous.

Vaine: (Should we be insulted?)

Frodi: (You know, I'm honestly not sure?)

Magwyn: Kelka was too new to train me, and Vaine is the most experienced, so I was assigned to him. He's grumpy but a patient mentor - and he surprisingly never took it personally that I tried to kill him with his own mace. No one really knew how hard I found it to be around Vaine and Frodi until I broke down and... you know... Thurin was considerate as well, sending Sharla to help me when I was in trouble. Thurin was always kind to me and understood that I needed space, so I never got a chance to attack him. I'm glad I didn't, I really like Thurin and he wouldn't have been able to defend himself well. And Sharla helps me too, she's a safe space for me when I'm feeling overwhelmed. I hope you'll be able to get along. It would be nice if we could all spend time together.

Frodi: Saving the best until last, I see~ Okay, let's see here... Did the Captain discover my true nature? ...Ahaha, what a question! What is there to discover?! (💢😊)

Tananthia: (poking her head back in the room and glares) I did. It's a useful trait if he can control it, so it pleased me. Although he misbehaves a lot, so perhaps I need to replace him...

Frodi: ...She maybe saw a little. (more glares) OKAY. She knows. She saw how it can be useful and didn't try to train it out of me. We came to an understanding. Next! ...Not abuse anyone for a year?? You make me sound like a monster! You know I can control myself, right? Why does everyone bully me? Next question! "Does bullying others give me a thrill?" What is up with these questions? Do you get a thrill? Because you're being so mean to me when I've been so good to you. 😭 I'm bored of these ques- Oooooh~ hehe, don't push me, I love a challenge too, you know. And what's that you said earlier? My weaknesses? I have no weakness, but try your best to beat me anyway, darlin', I enjoy some good powerplay~ But just so you know, there's worse things than stabbing or getting a whipping and if you're not careful, I'll show you just how bad I can be~ 😘 Well that was fun, but I think it's time to stop this.

Kelka: Hehe, you barely answered anything.

Frodi:  Don't worry about it~😉

Kelka: I'll help you, MC! Because I like you so much and I'll do anything for you and this way maybe you'll dislike Frodi and pay more attention to me. Ahem! Frodi first pushed a boy down steep stairs when he was teeny-tiny, knowing it was dangerous and he was hoping for the worst to happen. He liked the boy but his crush liked Feane instead. I don't know what happened to him. Did he die?

Frodi: Pfft. I wish. Not enough stairs. 😒

Kelka: And final question... If you ever see Frodi at his worst, it's one of two things. Either he knows he'll never see you again and you're on the receiving end in which case you'll get the full experience, or you're like me and working with him and seeing just bits and pieces of it. I'm always on the latter side and know how to avoid the worst parts, so I don't mind so much, but Frodi's never had to worry about people avoiding him.  The people who warns others about Frodi don't really him him, so others just think his reputation is exaggerated, especially when Frodi does try to make an effort to be nice. He'll continue to be nice unless you anger him in some way, but he's chill about a lot of things, so most people never see the worst side of him. I think that's everything now. Thank you for the questions, I've never been in love but I think I am with you I hope you have a good day!