Weekly Update - 15 January, 2024

Hey everyone!

It's hard to believe we're already halfway through January. Someone please slow time down, I'm not okay with this. o_o

In FoA news, I have finished the edits on Chapter One and am now working through Chapter Two. In case you don't recall, Chapter Two contains the initial discussion with Hades about the situation and the Underworld, a conversation and possible spar with Pyri, a visit to the library with Hekate, and either the group dinner or an exploration outside. As of now, everything through the Hekate part is done, but I'm actually going to be moving some scenes from what is currently Chapter Three into Chapter Two (the ones with Charon, Alekto, Hermes, and the optional court/judgement scene, so it might be a bit longer before I get through that.

I also need to completely rewrite the Alekto scene, because previously it was both optional and a spar (which made sense, because the PC went out to the training grounds to do it). But I'm now making it possible to do that, the Charon one, and the Hermes one all in the same run, which means it might be a little repetitive with Pyri's for those of you who are not playing fight-loving PCs. So, it needs a new frame and a new topic, which will likely take some time.

As for the reason I'm moving all of these things to Chapter Two, well... it's because Chapter Three will be getting three new scenes, each where you hang out with a pair of the Underworld people and do something different. (The pairs for the first set of these scenes are: Hades & Charon, Hermes & Pyri, and Hekate & Alekto, though those are subject to change as I decide what the scenes might actually be.)

All this to say I expect to be finishing Two and rewriting Three for quite a while. I hope to be at least starting on Four by the end of the month, but I'm not sure it will work out that way. My new best estimate for when editing will be complete is mid-April, but I'm committed to giving this project the work it needs and not leaving things as less than I want them just to save time. (Though I make no promises about leaving them at less than they could be because my skill is not quite up to snuff yet haha.)

Here's my Changelog for this week:

Chapter One

• Streamlined the travel sequence somewhat
• Minor changes to Alekto and Charon’s introductions, and the tour choice
• Added a variable for a couple different initial attitudes towards Alekto
• Minor changes to the tour versions, esp. Alekto’s
• Changed room options so color and decoration style are separate variables
• Streamlined the scene where the PC explores after being escorted to their room
• Cut early Moirae introduction scene — will move to later chapter
• Streamlined and fixed some coding issues in the early Makaria/Kerberos/Empusa introduction scene.
• Added a Makaria introduction to the contract scene.
• Added a variable for the protagonist’s attitude towards children.
• Removed pronoun and title selection from the contract scene, as it is now redundant

Word Count: 51065 —> 47142

Chapter Two

• Streamlined and rewrote portions of the initial Hades conversation.
• Added ongoing fear options for Hades, as well as two more opportunities to overcome it
• Updated the Pyri scene to add a final impression of them after the first bit. Also streamlined somewhat, removing a mostly-redundant reference to Hylonome.
• Added a variable for PCs who express a dislike of fighting in their refusal to spar with Pyri.
• Edited and streamlined Hekate scene
• Updated Hekate scene to add 'final first impression' of her as with Pyri, including options for crushing and wanting to be friends.
• Redid book choices, for fewer, more meaningful options.

Also, there will be a Pyri-centric bonus content out on Wednesday, so I hope you look forward to that. As for me, I'll be back here next week as always, hopefully with more good news!