I̴͓͓̖͕͖̗̾̓̎̐̾̉̕T̶̢̞͚̼̎̀̃͂̈́̎̍̽̕ͅ ̴̛̳͚̰̪̆̉͊̐̐͊͊̓̌͜W̷̭̐̏̆̅͠Ở̸̰̹̝̜̰͉̇̏̒̔͛͂́̿͜Ǹ̷̢̧̙̫̦̠̣̔̀̏'̵̧̳̹̦̓̏̓͐͌Ţ̶͖̜͚͙̻̣̥͙͆͗͆̍̕͠͝

DEMO RELEASE DAY

DEMO LINK | INTRO POST | ROMANCE OPTIONS

The Garden of Bones demo is very much in-progress and it will undergo more edits as the story continues. I also plan to continue upgrading the CSS and aesthetic of the game right alongside everything else! EVERYTHING is subject to change and nothing is final, especially the worldbuilding.

So expect some retconning and even small personality changes for the ROs as the story moves along...

There is at least one known error that I'm working on where you might get a repeating passage, but it won't break the game. Also it's not currently mobile-friendly although I anticipate adding that with the next update, so you'll need to play on a different device for now!

That said, I'm very excited to present the first chapter to anyone who might wish to play it! I've been working on this project since October and it feels great to finally have a shareable version.

I hope you enjoy version 0.1.0!

IN THIS DEMO

Design your character.

Catch the eye or ire of the Younger Twin.

Earn one of three achievements - maybe.

Flirt - or don't.

Be friendly - or resentful.

Unlock a journal page.

Endure involuntary imprisonment.

Try to remember what you've forgotten.

Play approximately 45 minutes of the game.

FEATURES

50,000+ words

a few original background WIPs

journal page under construction

4 in-progress personality variants

one hidden achievement

MUSIC + AUDIO

The soundscape is important to the experience I'm attempting to cultivate for you and my beta readers have really enjoyed it, so my earnest recommendation is that you give the audio at least one chance to win your affections - but if you aren't someone who likes music in your IF games or you have your own playlist, you can always mute the game!

NOTES

Ignore if you don't want any spoilers!

If you're hoping to befriend (or romance) the Younger Twin, don't sweat too many of your decisions in this chapter... within reason. Most of your attempts will be deflected by their natural inclination to hate everything.

That said, you can definitely make them hate you slightly more.

If you were hoping to meet the Elder Twin you'll have to wait a bit longer - but that doesn't mean won't get any information about Z in the first chapter!

This is all early access, my first attempt at coding anything ever, and my very first IF, so please be kind! You can read the intro post HERE or jump straight into the...

DEMO

I think Variables are beginning to make sense, just a lil bit. Which is good, happy about that.

very busy. i have to pace in circles for 6 hours. you understand

*high school gossip voice* well i heard that the sun is never going to rise again

Today's bird is: Willow Ptarmigan

+18, details at the last few sections.

"You are nothing more than the avatar of the sin you possess." "But will you surprise me and show me that a true sinner's urges can be quenched by mortal exposure, or will you be Hell's pride and joy as you stay unencumbered and indulge in your desires to the deep end?"

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Summary

You are a demon.

..Actually, maybe it's more accurate to say that you used to be a demon.

You know you used to be a proud member of the demon realm, someone who held power above most of its residents. You know you used to be important.

At least, until you got kicked out for god knows what. Beyond that, you haven't got a single inkling about it all. After all, they stripped you of your memories and your traits as a powerful demon, leaving an amnesiac human-like being slumped in a sketchy alleyway somewhere without anything to wear.

It's been quite a while now (two years, if you can recall correctly) and you're feeling quite good about where you've ended up in life. You're starting to make a living at a humble café, you know some good people... The only things you really need to worry about is tending to your vice and paying rent!

But then somehow one thing after another happens, and your peaceful life suddenly turned into anything but. First a girl gets attacked because she turns out to be something similar to the holy grail. Then that leads to you awakening your dormant powers after this whole time? After that, you have no choice but to get comfy in a new job at a strip club while finding out your true identity?

..Man, maybe your therapist needs a pay rise.

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Features

A wide range of customisation for your character, in terms of both physical appearance and personality, amongst other things!

Multiple love interests to choose from. Differing backstories, route scenes and possible past trauma included in the package, hooray! Some of them are susceptible to polyamory for those who can't choose, and those that don't want romance can take a hit at the friendship route because who said demons can't have friends?

Aside from LIs, you get to meet, interact and even influence a colourful cast of characters here. Maybe you want to be nice to them, or maybe you want to be the worst possible specimen towards them. Who knows, maybe you'll get something out of it.

Find out who you were before your banishment from Hell, along with why you were banished. As the truth slowly unravels itself, will you do everything to make your way back to your original post in the demon realm or will you stay and be part of something greater for yourself?

As time passes and you experience things day by day, your powers start to return to its true potential. Whatever you want to do with them is up to you, though do be mindful of the fact that consequences are a thing.

You have a certain vice that you cannot simply leave alone, lest you want to literally destroy yourself. You know this has something to do with your demonic origins but don't actually know what to do about it. Now that multiple possibilities have been opened to you, will you continue to tend to your vice or find a way to end the feeling of addiction once and for all?

Work in a strip club as a bartender! Put those barista skills to good use in the nightlife, yeah? (Note: I'm not a bartender so forgive me for any mistakes made lmao)

Talk to your therapist. You're going to need her. And maybe the therapist needs a therapist too, but she's getting paid to listen to you so she's determined.

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Love Interests (incomplete list)

Ashlynn Whitlock - she/her, pansexual, magus.

"My ideal day off is a day in my house. It spares me from trouble outside of it. After all, look what happened when I went out a week ago..."

Due to her wealthy yet distant upbringing, Ashlynn grew up to be a quiet girl, anxious without much of a will or an opinion.. until she does. She also ended up being bound to you an impromptu contract that neither of you have an idea how to get out of. Instead of protesting or even reacting, she simply shrugs, emotions dulled out after years of neglect. How will your presence influence her sense of self, and would it be for the better or for worse?

She usually ties down her naturally white hair in a low tail despite not being albino or her age, though that's due to her bloodline. Her skin is extremely pale with light, faded scars littering it from the neck down and her eyes shine a vibrant amber colour. She also wears glasses and practically cannot see without it.

Alistair Whitlock - he/him, straight, magus.

"And you're telling me to.. 'work for it'? Right... Listen, who the hell do you think I am?"

The proud son of the Whitlock family, Alistair is who Ashlynn isn't—charismatic and proud to a fault. Showing off all that he possibly can, ranging from mind-blowing works to even the slightest action such as drinking a whole cup of water as quick as possible. Behind all that bravado, however, is a hell of a lot of insecurity. And maybe a bit of guilt over his sister. Will you be able to have him finally let down their guard and just be himself, or will he double down?

Like Ashlynn, he has white hair too and it's usually swept to the side. With jade green eyes and pale skin, he takes pride in his appearance. There's a faint scar on his temple, though he pretends that it doesn't exist.

Jacqueline "Jackie" De La Fontaine - she/they, lesbian, witch.

"Sometimes I cannot fathom why my patience is lasting longer than my full name."

Despite not being straight herself, Jackie is the one who sets everyone on the straight and narrow, including the club's owner himself. She thinks of herself like the sardonic older sister, though the others deem her more like a protective mother with a sarcastic streak with her cards very close to her chest. Will you be the first person (in a while) to see her hand, or will she see you as another mistake?

She dyed her hair pink due to a stupid bet but ended up keeping it because she looked good with it. She usually keeps it in a bun. With an olive skin tone and striking blue eyes, it's easy to see how she far surpasses the beauty standard. Her friends notice that she never ages, though. How strange. And lucky. But mostly strange, even for a witch.

Kazuki Fujioka - he/him, bisexual, ???

"Hey, listen... When you think about it, the word 'bed' looks a lot like an actual bed, right? Riiiight? I'm not wrong, am I?"

Kazuki may as well dye his hair blonde because he is the perfect depiction of a golden retriever. Eager to please and extremely curious, you can count on him to do his very best, no matter what. Surprisingly, though, his heart is closed off from everyone, wearing a happy grin despite whatever may be behind it. It feels like there's something mildly eerie and fundamentally wrong about him... Will you find out why, and will you embrace it or not?

He has shaggy, jet black hair and similarly black eyes. His skin is practically blessed by the melanin gods, having the perfect amount of tan to suit him best. He has multiple ear piercings too!

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Links

Demo (not released)

Full character list (includes non-LIs, not released)

Character portraits (not released)

Pinterest boards (not released)

Author blog



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Content Warnings (added onto as the project goes on)

Depictions of blood and violence

Depictions of trauma and mental illnesses

Substance abuse (both alcohol and drugs)

Sexual content

Plus the possible inaccurate depiction of the supernatural in this work. I'll try my best though!

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Notes (added onto as the project goes on)

I will say right now that updates will be irregular due to juggling my life, so while I want to constantly work on this, I don't have the capacity to do that. Please be patient for the updates and let them come on their own, thank you! I'll do my best to give out updates and stuff on my part.

This WIP is still at its very early stages, with the original idea being in ChoiceScript before I scrapped the first idea and went onto Twine instead.

Feel free to drop asks and stuff :D.

Hope this gains your interest and hope you have a nice day ^^.

Arches National Park, Utah photo: Elliot McGucken

The vae have plagued the land of Kasht for as long as man could remember. They once dominated the world before being chased away into the darkest recesses of the night but never truly gone, always hunting for the next human to become their meal. After eons of lurking the shadows the vae have become bold again, feeding more frequently and spreading their domain.

But that's where you come in. You, the chosen heir of light itself, the one who holds the power of the sun in their veins. The one prophesied to lead a group of heroes like yourself to save not only your people, but all of humanity.

A bronze age inspired fantasy setting, don't expect a one-one real world counterpart/historical accuracy.

Customize your heir: appearance, gender, pronouns, name, personality

Build relationships with your fellow companions on your way to save humanity

Choose how you feel about being thrust into herodom

Combat the Vae, beings who that take inspiration from vampires and fae. Or don't.

Decide how you ultimately traverse saving the world. Will you follow the prophecy or find another path?

More to be determined

MC [That's you]

You grew up in the desert city of Akma under Matriarch Azira's House. Like many others who'd lost their parents you were trained to be a skilled member of society, you had many options but none so illustrious as being a god's chosen heir. Yet life is full of surprises.

The Bosom Buddy (she/her)

You've known Periphae, or Peri as most call her, for much of your life. She is your best friend and closest companion. Working under the Fragrant Lotus, a well renowned brothel under Matriarch Azira's control, she has never been much of a fighter. She's a playful gossip who does a horrid job at hiding her anxiety, its hard to accept that she's chosen to venture out with you of her own will.

The Shield (masc/fem selectable)

Eurus is a warrior from the northern region of Illoria who's been trained to fight along side the heir of light all their life. They've anticipated the day where they could fight alongside you, as is their destiny according to the prophecy. They have a carefree 'go with the flow' attitude about most things. Your safety and this quest for the world are not one of those.

The Chosen One The Guide (they/them)

Amani was a priestess that once held the title of the heir of light, they were thought to be the one to inherit the mark of the sun until the Day of Blessings came and it went to you. Now their years of training are being used to help you save all of humanity. A fact that makes them quiet bitter towards you, but Eurus says Amani is haughty and harsh with everyone.

The Raging Tempest (she/her)

Valeska is a warrior from the gloom infested lands of the Mystri, a place full of various nomadic clans. Much like yourself she is a chosen heir of a god, but it is a trait they treat with complete nonchalance. You aren't sure if she's cocky or apathetic, but the heir of storms claims her power is hers alone. All the same she offers you a helping hand on your quest despite not caring much for the cause.

[More to come]

*emerges from the other room covered in blood* you should see the word document