Extended Writing Update

Aaand we're off to the races! I had the absolutely magical first moment where I felt out of my weird limbo state, and the story was just plain flowing. I worked on both Leas and Apotheosis and in both cases I finally felt like I knew what I was doing, where I was going, and had a solid confidence that the words to express it all were going to come to me. And they did!

Leas is continuing to be in good enough shape that I'm still confident in next month's first alpha demo. And I think Apotheosis is going to be a solid in-between story that'll be enjoyable (or at least I hope so!). It's a little weird to work on two projects publicly. I mean, I'm always working on multiple projects. But so far I've only publicly released Leas and the shorter jam games. That's largely to keep me focused and to avoid disappointing anyone if their favorite project isn't my "priority" project. But this whole process has been kind of fun tbh. I'd be working on this anyway, so why not share it, right? I'm debating releasing more alpha updates to it in the future if people like it, though they'd be infrequent since Leas will continue to be the priority.

Speaking of which, I've been debating putting together a wilds bestiary for the world of Leas. The codex is one thing but I've been wanting to create something bigger since the game began. I just imagine little sketches of fae colored with watercolors and a manual of information and survival skills about each one - like a book your MC would've studied as a recruit in Den Zarel. You guys probably know how much I hate making art, though, so it'll probably be on hold until I can afford to take a drawing class or something 😅 Still, it's fun to dream! And I think I could probably at least put together a really aesthetically pleasing flipbook without pictures, in the meantime. A pretty parchment style background for each page, a script font for handwritten notes in the margins... it'd be fun 😄

Other than all that, I'm still setting up the framework of the first chapter and filling in the skeleton. There's more interaction with Viara in the beginning than I was expecting, and I like it. It's nice to be able to give some interaction time with these side characters who are actually quite important to MC's early years. I think the first scene in particular shows a kind of closeness to the relationship that I'm really glad to see. I have to grab those moments and (hopefully) make them count, since Viara and Tiane aren't the main companions of the story like the ROs are. Though they will remain important to MC in the long term for reasons I can't get into without significant spoilers.

This week's preview (from Apotheosis) is longer than usual - I just loved this moment too much not to share it early!

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The [person] looks me in the eye for the first time since [heSheThey]'d entered the room, and whatever else I'd been about to say catches in my mouth. Meeting [hisHerTheir] gaze feels like standing in front of a roaring fire - like power that's only being held back by force of will.

Something stirs in my chest in reply, and it doesn't feel friendly.

"You know what," [heSheThey] answer[s], as if [heSheThey] can feel it, too. "Look inward and tame it. Now."