Oh, I found this so incredibly lovely -- sweet in parts, intriguing in others, and melancholy in others. I loved the setup of the letter! It was such a great way to approach the jam limitations while still being able to get so much across. I particularly liked how we were given a lot of Roan's thoughts, not only in what he was writing, but in what he wasn't writing (the cross-outs LOL). The cross-outs in particularly tickled me pink. I like how they started somewhat silly -- Roan not even knowing how to start the letter off!! Because really, who does, let's be honest hahaha so that was very relatable. But then as it went on, the cross-outs got heavier, and you could tell there were so many emotions and conflicts going on beneath the surface that both made him write those things to begin with before ultimately crossing them out. They made me feel so close to Roan and his thoughts, like I was given this little peek into his mind. While at the same time not slamming us over the head with them and allowing us to make our own interpretations and opinions of it, which was honestly just a fantastic use of storytelling.
I found the idea behind this world super intriguing. Perhaps because I've long been a fan of RPGs and other adventure stories where people are "chosen" by some kind of entity without them even knowing why, I enjoyed this concept a lot. And I felt a lot for Roan, too, as it was clear he was indeed honored at being chosen, but also incredibly confused and unsure how to proceed. It then made me wonder about what other gods there were and how all of this even worked and what Roan would end up doing (beyond the temple and such he already talked about -- which sounded so incredibly lovely with all the flowers ohhhHHHH). I did read the little extra lore you had in the text file in the game, which was such a treat!! All the little extra tidbits about Roan's family and some of the other gods was very fun. I wonder if you'll continue with this world and story and characters in something else??? I would certainly love to see more! It's a really fascinating world you've created, and I'd love to see what happens next in Roan's journey as the love goddess's new sybil??? I think it would make for a really fun longer VN.
OH ALSO. I HAVE TO SAY. That I related quite hard to some of the stuff about the end. I feel like so many of us, when we're hurt, when we've loved someone very much only to have that love not returned or to have it eventually be dashed (like if that person breaks up with us, etc.), we would so much rather just... lose those memories, rather than suffer through the pain it causes us. So I really felt for Roan in those moments where he was talking about his feelings for Forrest. I both want to know more about what happened (because I'm a sucker for angst LOL) but also don't, because I, too, hope that Roan is able to find his own new happiness and move on, whether that's on his own terms or via the help of the goddess.
ANYWAY. UH. This was really wonderful!! I like all the different ways you were able to tug my heart with the story and it was really such an effective use of structure and storytelling in how you set up the story (and the art of the letter and hand was very well done -- I loved the almost charcoal-ly style of the coloring!). Absolutely fantastic job!!