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Pestilence

World and Character Design

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This WIP project is a side scrolling,

2D hack and slash game about the awakening of a sleeping plague from the depths of a kingdom.

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World Building

Long ago plague monsters seeped from the surrounding depths of the lone island kingdom.  Through years of strife and internal warfare, the land was united under one queen who struck down the scourge.  Now, centuries later, the kingdom still scarred by its past, lies in wait for the plague to return.

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The inevitable day of reckoning has fallen upon the kingdom once again and chaos has been unleashed. How will the land fare against this threat now that it has lost its way?

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Main Beats

  • 2D side scroller

  • Hack and slash gameplay that evolves

    • Absorbing enemies (mainly bosses) increases corruption and power

  • Simple story about a man names Edmond exploring the world, looking for his family and finding out what happened to his betrothed

    • Lore through items, npc dialogue and item retrieval side quests​

    • Short interactive introduction sequence 

  • Enemies are plagued people and ancient monsters

    • Plague beasts consume one another to gain power​

    • The plague corrupts people based on their greatest desire

  • Set in an alternate version of the late 1700s 

    • Only one continent which is surrounded by endless voids that house the plague​

    • Monarchy with nobility for various regions

    • Starts at the beginnings second great plague

Progression

STORY AND GAME PROGRESSION

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  • ACT 1

    • Lord Flemmiths Chatel

      • In the future Rhyx is reading ledgers 

    • Capital of Eleanor

      • Edmond visits the capital to his annoyance as his parents need him to represent them at a gathering there. He is a sort of figurehead who does the boring aristocratic socializing portion

    • Lamey Estate

      • Edmond is to attend a party at the Lamey estate as part of trade relations with the ramparts of rendland. This is when he meets Emeline.

    • Lord Edmond’s Territory

      • Edmond returns home through a village under their jurisdiction

    • Lord Edmond’s Estate

      • Edmond returns home to his family and argues about his role and future desires. His mom is very against his desire to join military politics and the father needs him to run the business in the future. 

      • Edmond writes to Emeline back and forth for some time

    • Lamey’s Countryside Manor

      • Edmond returns to the capital and to be with Emeline for a bit

      • Emeline falls ill and is sent to her countryside manor

    • Lamey Countryside manor

      • Emeline is taken to the countryside manor to recover in the fresh air and away from the public. 

      • Edmond is called by his family for an emergency and he is forced to leave

      • Emeline is looking worse and worse yet she refuses to express this to Edmond and continues to push him away. Edmond becomes frustrated at her lack of trust and respect for him and bolts home. Before leaving he yells for her to tell him what is wrong and to let him be there. She refuses and he in turn says I love you kisses her on the cheek and after he leaves she replies I love you too. 

    • Lord Edmond’s Territory- The Ramparts of Rendlands

      • There is plenty of military gathering in the town and it is falling to chaos as everyone is mass exodusing.

    • Lord Edmond’s Estate

      • The family is completely missing and assumed to have evacuated from their home in a hurry.

      • Edmond takes the family sword and sets off back to the capital in search of them, answers and Emeline. 

  • ACT 2

    • The mire

    • Forgotten manor

      • At the lakeside city, there is a lonely manor that Edmond passes through on his journey home. Some devilish monsters steal his locket of Emeline and a large beastly dog blocks his path. The father of the manor had abandoned the children while the mother came back and was killed just outside of the reach of the guard dog. 

      • After retrieving the locket you walk out the way the dog crawled with its last breath and you pass by the mother’s body.

      • You meet the shoppe keeper here as he has been held up and unable to pass through the area until you clear it. He offers to let you drive the wagon the rest of the way to your destination so long as you bring him business and keep you safe. The shopkeeper warns that towards the west there has been a plague army raveging it. Edmond forgets the whole of his last name so the shopkeeper calls him Edmond however, his name slowly becomes Rhyx in his mind and is confused by why he is called Edmond. 

    • The Midlands

    • Plagued Zealot

      • This is the first time you meet the zealot. The shopkeeper has warned you of him as he has been trying to devour the land to increase his power. 

  • ACT 3

    • The Glorylands

    • The Great Cantonment

      • You travel towards the great military outpost for the glory lands to seek help, your mother as a refugee and knowledge of what has happened only to find it utterly deserted.

      • Upon reaching the outer edges of the Glorylands Edmond encounters the plague doctor. You introduce yourself hesitantly as Rhyx. 

      • Edmond then stumbles upon the Apostle Knight-errant

    • Outskirts of Eleanor

    • Capital of Eleanor

      • Edmond searches the capital for any signs of life or his family as this is where people would have evacuated.

      • Emeline’s estate is empty except for Emeline’s caretaker. You find out that she had been moved there for safety and since disappeared mysteriously.

    • Upper Eleanor

      • You search deeper in the city for a sign of life perhaps in the castle fortress and are chased in by the zealot.

      • Plagued Zealot

  • ACT 4

    • Castle Eleanor

    • Royal Chambers

      • Fight the condemned sovereign 

    • The Great RoyFelm reservoir 

    • Lord Flemmith’s Chatel

      • Find the ledgers that reference the final bosses and their burial sights along the east.

      • Plagued Zealot

  • ACT 5

    • Ramparts of Rendland

    • The outskirts of the Great Grimald Garrison

      • As a last hope you head through the ramparts of rendland towards the great grimald garrison, the most fortified place in the land to try and find out what happened and in hopes of someone still being holed up in there

      • Vithron Commandant is waiting at the western entrance and refuses to let anyone through as she is trying to get back into the fort

    • Exodus

      • Upon entering the outer wall, there is a seemingly infinite thick forest as you travel through the fort, this acts as a final defense to slow the plague in case the army flees.

      • Baron von RicTome is roaming the thick forests of his past racing towards the main west entrance of the fort and preventing Rhyx from safe passage

    • The West Entrance of The Grimald Garrison

      • Plagued Zealot

        • The keeper stays back at the entrance to recover

  • ACT 6

    • The lamenting keeper

      • Upon making it to the fort, the shopkeeper's cart has been damaged from the fight with RicTome. When Rhyx returns to the He falls to the plague. 

    • The Inner Keeps of Grimald 

    • The Great hall

      • Grimald Vithron and Elanor Royfelm boss fight. The Plagued Zealot appears and absorbs the plague out of the two bosses that you just killed

  • ACT 7

    • Eastern Badlands 

      • The zealot’s army pushes rhyx from behind towards the zealot. 

      • Edmond fights the plagued zealot

    • The great eastern rend ( end of the world )

      • It is revealed in the second phase that she is Emeline, now the Mono-maniac suitor because he finds her diary on her person and then the locket as the final proof.

      • Edmond may submit and let her absorb his essence, kill her or submit to becoming a separate plague beast by diving into the rend (they would fight eternally then, the fight would be endless hp bars of the two wailing on each other and the screen filling with black)

Character Design Example WIP 
Doctor Morrison Mortus the 15th is the sole shop keeper for anything medicine related. He is a plague touched being whos sole concern is experimentation. Often times, Dr. Mortus' eldritch flair will come off quite unsettling despite his goofy and unqualified disposition.
(See "Side Characters Post Calamity" for more details on goods, services, dialogue etc.)
Documentation WIP

BACKGROUND: end of 1700s:

 

SETTING: gothic architecture very creepy dark undertones to the lavish manors

 

The Eastern Territory of Renland (Rendlands)- This territory is run by edmonds various family houses while the actual garrison is run by the Hallowed Order (of knights of the Vithron family lineage)

  • The territory is empty plains that’s main purpose is agriculture. Of its inhabitants, the richest live the furthest west and have the biggest plantations while the further you go east, the fouler the land and people

  • There are no true cities or towns here, just many small and large farms spread miles apart.

  •  Edmond’s family is housed towards the center of the west to manage the wealthier farming residents. 

  • Further east, more and more of Edmond’s family line is found and associated with militant and lesser peoples. Name examples: RickTon, RicHollm, RicElm and RicEnton (pronounced rick).

  • The RicTome house is the only one above Edmond’s in the family and it is housed in the capital and acts as a diplomatic household for the territory and has duke status with purer blood.

  • The Vithron family is closely related both in business and blood. 

    • Lord Edmond’s territory- marquess and marchioness addressed as lord and lady. often on edge of territory defended it. Has cousins who are dukes. The family has a reputation of being very strict and stern, not fun people, great professionally and for getting a job done. The family has run the operations for the eastern front and the nearby territory for centuries with little conflict. 

      • Rickengs Estate

        • Center of the west side of the territory

        • Classic dark red wood gothic

          • A very cold old but well kept place. Lots of ashen stone bricks for the outside and huge vines across the manor. Much larger and emptier than lameys less homey. Very old style and devoid of colour and comfort. Very pointed features and ceilings. The home is kept very minimalistic and dark oftentimes needing to be lit by a fireplace.

    • The Ramparts of Rendland -Operations of knights and soldiers for the eastern front is held there the land consists of desolate empty fields, untamed grasslands and infected hearth.

      • The Great Grimald Garrison- named after the great hero Grimald Vithron (military) lead founder of the garrison who worked with Fencil RicTome (financial and architectural) and Her majesty Eleanor Royfelm that stands to this day.

        • The shittiest place to be stationed. The only residents who are not soldiers are impoverished farmers, feebly growing crops and selling to the men stationed there. It is always cold and overcast and the living conditions are grueling. 

        • Towering Gothic charcoal and ivory architecture, huge walls and an inky black river surround the fort. Flying buttress pinnacles as watch towers etc. 

        • The entrance is a long obsidian path through countless massive watchtowers and layers of walls for the east side. Once you reach the turning point there is a massive wall that seems to endlessly go into an abyss. The area has the thickest and most potent walls, spikes, towers and sealed solid gate. There is not a single inch that is open or left vulnerable. 

        • The west has much smaller posts that gain in stature leading towards the fort and a massive vertically barred gate with a straight ivory path into the large open pointed vault west works. West works are covered in the territory's history,no one knows when the rift opened, the royal family being established with the first queen eleanor fighting the front lines and rallying support, Vithron controlling the army and strategies while RicTome ran the economics and resources, rising up to fight it and the fort being made countless slaughters and plagues to keep people safe etc.

        • The interior has Smokey and red stained glass that continues to mimic the story in the west works. Oftentimes halls have stained glass with portraits of knights and the family that held the land. The land and its people is maintained by Edmond’s family but the Vithron family of knights held the line there and ran the fort.

      • The Eastern Badlands

        • Inhospitable and perilous lands outside of the country’s protection.

        • Nothing but the plague can survive there. The land is ashen the streams inky black sludge the bores monsters. 

        • People are not permitted to cross 

          • The Edge/End of the World (The Great Eastern Rend)

            • Source and breeding ground of the plague.

            • No one has been able to get close enough to see inside

Midlands- The center of the island, typically country and farm land. Manors are spread out across the land to manage the peasant folk.

  • These lands are like the wild west. People must defend themselves against the wilds surrounding them. 

    • The Mires- Wetlands surrounding The Great Royfelm Reservoir. 

      • This is the best farmland in the kingdom, however, it is very prone to flooding. There are many villages and manors propped along its edges and rely on its source. It acts as an oasis in the empty lands surrounding it. 

 

  • Lord Flemmith’s Estate

    • The chattel is along the ocean. Through its territory runs a river as well; it flows through the center of the estate. It is not prone to flooding and instead experiences a strong ocean breeze that blows the flames away from the coast. 

    • This is the main house of the founding family of modern weaponry, specifically guns. It is all sleek red wood, patterned dark rugs to cover stone floors and is adorned with their various types of weapons on every wall. The outside has a meticulous garden of black roses. There are tiers of stone walls throughout that cascade up through the gardens and into the house. The outside of the main house is all built with stone as well and has vines sprawling up its walls. The actual structure emulates that of a square castle. Its outer edges the residence which surround a beautiful courtyard and mausoleum with two statues at the center of a fountain. The statue is one of the oldest heads of the family, the creator of the first gun and next to her his father, the great blacksmith. This acts as a burial as well as a holding for their personal weapons in their very own hands. The rest of the courtyard has countless tombs, each with their own unique stone. The mausoleum contains the later heads of the house.

  • Forgotten Manor- Beloved Melbey

    • All of this land is within the mire’s territory so it is flooding and swampy, the home itself is in front of the reservoir. 

    • The path there is overgrown and has a displaced stone laid path. The gardens and forest leading there have become overgrown and ravenous. At the entrance of the property, there are large stone posts one of which has a chain with which Melbey is chained, he is trying desperately to head towards the home. Beyond that, the body of his master lies near the house, just out of reach of the fight.

    • Following the stone theme of much of the midlands, they grew up in an average sized manor. It is a very cold house except for the single hearth which lights the living room and bedrooms alike as it rises through the floors. The floors are a worn light brown wood with large posts coming out of it for support, candles on the beams as well as from the sides and the tall vaulted ceilings. Most of the windows are covered by a dark curtain although some light is able to peek through; they illuminate the floating dust that covers the house. Plenty of small family portraits cover the place. The ones of the residing family are very stern and unhappy while the rest display extended family members and gatherings. Moreover, most of the nuclear family’s paintings contain the mother and children while the father is absent or secluded by some means. 

 

  • The Glorylanders- All of the territory surrounding the capital where the bureaucracy resides. Only the affluent are allowed within its borders. The mountains to the west act as a wall that keeps the wilds out while the east is protected by the sheer distance from the eastern rift. 

    • The Capital of Eleanor

      • This lavish land is built on the rising hills into the mountains as tiers of hierarchy, the oldest families towards the white palace. Architecture also transforms from being more baroque on the outer edges to a mix of renaissance and medieval towards the mountains. Despite the medieval style, the palace continues to be the largest and most ordained structure in all of the lands. The roads are perfectly laid patterned tiles and lamps are lit on every inch. Meticulous gardens surround each residence; the most lavish and spacious properties are towards the castle while it is as if the others tried to squeeze themselves as close as possible. Structures gain in height after passing the original buildings that were created around the same time as the castle, in a meager attempt to establish themselves and compensate for their lack of property. Then once again fall off as does the owner’s class and status.

      • Lady Lamey’s Residence- Earl addressed as earl and countess and children as the honorable lord/lady. 

        • The Lamey Estate

          • Within the city just east of the capital

          • Rococo style

            • Often holds lavish parties by parents in order to try and push her back into the social life as she is of age. 

            • The manor is very lively and colorful, adorned with roses and paintings across the walls and ceilings. Many sculptures with great smiles and plants flourishing about are found in every part, even indoors.

            • The property outside is not very large but they made the best of the space. A

            •  Huge halls and at the center a ballroom with pointed and wrapping couches. Many rounded ceilings and features, windows and light bathes the home. Beautiful stained glass windows dye every inch of the off white interior of the home in colour. The floors of the ballroom each have their own design in the 3 apses and front while the center has a large swirling pattern with a flower in the center. 

        • Lady Lamey’s Countryside Manor

          • The style follows that of the main estate. However, The outside walls are now white stucco stones and it is more rectangular. Vines of flowers wrap around the home. There are a plethora of windows in every room and thin white curtains lining their edges. They are tied and wrapped in beautiful designs.

          • Hallways are filled with large paintings and soft coloured and patterned wallpaper. Furniture was very intricate and made of velvet while non seating was a light polished swirling wood. Large windows that span the wall would appear in main halls while shorter thin rectangular ones occupied others. 

          • There is one room in particular that Emeline would reside besides her bedroom. At times, her bed would be wheeled out into the sun room, a grand glass dome and room of windows. Oftentimes, the windows in the estate would be open to let in fresh air, especially here. A large ficus tree grows in the center and is extremely overgrown and hitting the ceiling by the time of the plague’s takeover. Patterned tiling lays the floor in the shape of recurring circles, forming intricate designs. A wonderful stucco hearth is here as well to warm the room in the winter months.

          • The front yard greets people up a winding path to a flight of white stairs and finally the repeating yet decreasing westworks. Columns line the path and light the way. They are covered once again in flowers and vines. 

          • The backyard area is very picturesque with manicured grass, white stucco paths, a pond, flowing streams and small bridges.  

      • The Great Cantonment  

 

  • The Western Front- Long ago when people fled the rifts, they established a sanctuary on the east side of the mountains, as they acted as an impenetrable barrier that no man nor beast could cross. This became the capital of the Royal family. 

 

SOCIETAL NOTES

 

NAME SYSTEM

  • Last names for families of status have the first 3 letters the same or a two parter ex conton, confell or bricus-worth, bricus-felm 

    • The only exception is the royal family always has the Royfelm last name. For each kingdom the last name of the family is the same as the land they rule. Direct rulers are referred to as your grace or majesty and their direct children as liege. All others are dukes and duchesses 

    • The Vithron family follows a knight caste system with their name. Vithron is the purest blood and highest ranking direct descendants of their founder. Others have names like Vithron- Bonn or Vithron- helm. The shorter the better. - is always used for lesser families no matter how short the addition ex Vithron-a.

 

COURTSHIP

  • Official age of courtship early 20s 

    • Families approve marriages as status is still important

    • Arranged marriages are a thing typically for business mergers

    • Men often court women 

    • Men and women may engage in private if they are familiar otherwise it is seen as debaucherous and too easy. For professional matters, they are free to engage.

 

HIERARCHY AND DISPOSITION

  • They are NOT as strict as the Victorian era; society often emulates many of their traditions however.

    • There is no matriarchy or patriarchy as the first queen established the kingdom and her third son took over (the rest died of plague or war)

    • Women can own property businesses and lead houses it is based on seniority and capability

    • Women are subjugated to the same sort of prim proper dispositions, fans, dresses for official business and playing hard to get.

    • Women in households are as such but depending on the purpose of the occasion or if they have a lesser status they are seen wearing more appropriate clothing. 

    • Women are infrequently in labour unless impoverished.

    • Many notable women are knights but, outside the knight households, it is much less common for one to become a soldier, more so if they are lower class.

    • Every house has individuals with some sort of military capabilities however especially in recent years, they have grown complacent with the level of control over the plague. 

    • Royal blood means power; you can have a notable household if you become wealthy, marry in, are granted it by someone with the Royfelm name or become knighted. 

    • Every branching house is like a microcosm of a country with mayors from lesser branches and a head a governor from the original. 

    • Every head of a household is represented in court as advisors with the royal bloodline acting as jurors and the king/queen as its judge. 

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CHARACTER

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Mc Edmund last name Rickengs -> (mid corruption Rhymes)

  • 22 male- beginning to find suitors is not fond of it

  • Secluded manor life out on the countryside

  • General disposition

    • Is Bad with people awkward comes off gruff and ill mannered due to his bluntness. Has a poor relationship with societal bs and standards all the bs pleasantry. Resting bitch face. Is forced to go to parties and events for the reputation of the business in his parents place and doesn't socialize unless he has to or is approached. Often sits in solitude and puts on a fake face for crowds. Only acts fake towards those of higher standing for family other than that he pushes people away and comes off as very rude. In order to act pleasant he just sits there lets them talk then nods and smiles when he is exhausted. People often misunderstand his blunt comments as jokes.

  • Mom and dad are an arranged business marriage very sterile and professional no actual problems

    • They are constantly busy and running around. They work on managing and paperwork for the most populated part of the territory as well as collaborate with the head household. 

    • So, the kid is isolated from going to the frontlines or doing any actual business and acts as a figurehead. 

  • Edmond has an older brother who is further east and never really contacted or heard from except for business and an older sister who married and moved back into the west territories. 

  • Was raised with combat training as they are closely tied to the Vithron family and are on the eastern front. 

  • Disposition towards Emeline 

    • Although he comes off as brash and crude, he is honestly very timid around Emeline. He messes up his words, intentions and she sees the honest side of him. He is awkward, hates the fake crowds, useless tasks and would much prefer to be working on the military side of his family and finds his duties unfulfilling. He is overly comfortable around her

    • Later when Emeline falls ill to something again, he becomes frustrated with her as she does not tell him what’s wrong and seems to be hiding things while isolating herself and pushing him away. Despite his constant questioning she says nothing and he doesn’t become aggressive with her for answers. The last few times he walks out of the room, goes into a cellar or something and just absolutely rages and screams at how helpless he is. The last time he sees her his parents summon him back to their manor for some emergency and he erupts at her. Not yelling at her but more so begging for something and telling her how upset he is with her reclusiveness and lies. He gives her a kiss despite her constant avoidance to do so, says I love you and turns away and doesn't see her again.

Aradon  Rickengs 

  • More from the Vithron side of the family worked on military management and strategy. She distributes recruits and builds up the western section. Also, she confronts any plague or militant issues in the area. 

  • She is a very cold calculated person who married her husband as part of an arranged marriage. She grew up near the garrison and it made her thick skinned and not very personable. She is short and cut in the way she speaks, very militant. She is short and to the point and is often quick on her toes for decisions and good in a panic.

  • She shelters her son from the eastern front and pushes him to work on the management side. However, she and her family trained him over the summers to fight.

Fonswin Rickengs

  • Works in finances and people management of the western section. Acts and a lord of the land and governs it as such. 

  • A sedated man compared to his wife’s coarse and cut nature he is a man of few words and often takes time to pause hmm and evaluate situations. He is unemotional and focused on his endless work. This part of the territory is a first hand supplier of the east and is essential for daily and emergency resources. 

  • Often pushes Edmond to socialize and represent the family for bs societal image things they don’t have time for. 

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Mc Emeline last name Lamey

  • 24 female almost 25 - near the end of her prime marriage age

  • Septicemic plague as a child

    •  occurs when plague bacteria multiply in your bloodstream. Signs and symptoms include: Fever and chills Extreme weakness Abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting Bleeding from your mouth, nose or rectum, or under your skin Shock Blackening and death of tissue (gangrene) in your extremities, most commonly your fingers, toes and nose

  • This affected her lungs and ability to walk / steadiness as well as her suitors, socially and she was bullied for it and kids were scared of her. Her legs have gangrene and spots going up her hands.

    • When she got the disease, she was locked up alone in the room for weeks at a time only accompanied by a plague doctor who wouldn’t sustain conversations so she could rest. Meanwhile her mother was kept locked out of the room and was often found at a desk or chair outside tirelessly talking with doctors and reading news and medical ledgers to inform herself. Once she was let in she constantly fawned and cried over her daughter, caring for her herself and refusing to let the maids do so.

    • Lamey lamely, lady lamely, little lamey, lame lamey

    • Bullied as a child and kept isolated

    • People were afraid of her deformities as a child so she covers her arms in long gloves and feet in large dresses and socks,

    • Now she is presenting herself as the only child of the family and needs to be married off. She is both presenting and taking too long to find a match. This further adds conflict to her inadequacy which in turn continues the social rejection.

    • She is now someone who socializes with other females in her class but the interaction seems very hollow. As if it is just out of her own loneliness and to appease her family's worries. The women she is around are quite bland and think of her as a bit of a party pooper and weak figure. There is this sort of barrier that she cannot cross as she needs to hide herself, lacks confidence and is unable to physically keep up with them. So, she constantly misses out on daily life especially since her parents are overprotective. 

    • Favourite pastime is writing and recording information in her diary. She has comprehensive lists of people, maps of the town, drawings of plants, people, daily notes etc. Because of her physical inability, she is often found riding a closed carriage around town to get out and about in privacy.

  • Her mom was inconsolable while she was ill and her father was constantly running himself to the ground to care for them both

    • They do not get frustrated with her even as an adult they get frustrated by how others reject her physical form and behind closed doors lash out against that

    • She always is the one who consoles them but secretly feels at fault

  • Her personality: 

    • She is very quiet and speaks with all smiles and sweetness. To the point that she is too sweet and is taken advantage of. She is not naive to the comments she gets but acts in the most passive way possible to resolve or ignore them. Non confrontational. 

    • Even when she has conflict or pain, she is the last to complain, mention it let alone acknowledge it. She often secludes and takes care of herself before anyone notices. 

    • Emeline is very book smart and is street smart by subduing her aggressors when confronted. She is the most well read person you will ever meet and can craft most anything as she has spent many years alone inside studying and working her damaged hands to make up for her lack of real world experience. Through these efforts she has become more dexterous than the average person but falls victim to severe shaking in her hands at times. Because she could not play an instrument very easily she became a vocalist. She has a huge understanding of the social structure, knows everything about everyone and acts more behind the scenes as an informant and advisor for her parents.

    • She travels by horse more often when she is not being watched by her parents as she is seen as fragile and is trained with the bow, a stationary weapon that allows her to inflict heavy damage with little physical strain from afar. She began her lessons as a child and continued after she became well through her own conviction. 

  • Her maid 

    • is very attentive to her every need. She is nice but helpless to say anything too direct to stand up for her. Oftentimes she makes excuses, helps extract her from situations and protects her in passive ways. Any chance she gets she tries to help her feel normal and live a little. Behind closed doors she rants and raves about people mistreating her lady and is often deescalated by Emeline's wholesome nature. This attitude is expressed to and shared by her mother. 

  • Disposition towards Edmond 

    • As she is very watchful she notices how Edmond’s personality immediately flips to annoyance or reclusion the second he has a moment to turn off the face he puts on in public. She teases him constantly for noticing his slip ups and for his offhand rude comments about his useless societal duties. 

    • When Emeline falls ill again, she knows the plague is back and tries her best to hide it from Edmond. She’s slowly declining to the point where she is bedridden and finally barely lucid. This is just like when she was a kid and she hates it. She’s terrified and doesn’t want things with Edmond to change as he is her only acquaintance from post illness and does not want him to stress. She continues to smile and act as though nothing is wrong, abusing the level of trust Edmond has in her. The last time Edmond sees her she starts slowly crying then weeping whispers I know.

Lamey’s parents

  • The family comes from a line of tradesman they specifically deal in tea and china

  • They are very prominent in the city

  • Their main household is within the city and they have a minor manor just outside where emeline was taken and grew up as a child when she fell ill

Maryswell Lamey

  • Married into the family merged her families silverware and silver craft assets with theirs

  • Came from the main household of her family so it is her last name and status that the family goes by despite her business assets being less prominent to that of her husbands

  • A very second hand emotional sort of person she is very easily spilled over to and is concerned about every detail. This makes her meticulous in practice and spearhead the preparation of deals and bookkeeping and domestic affairs while running the household: its appearances, guests and employees.

  • When concerned with Emeline she gets very upset by others reactions towards her and is often vocal in front of her husband and makes off hand and diluted comments to Emeline about not needing people like that. Essentially tweaks about anything related to her.

Maxswen Lamey

  • One of the many households of the Contiff tradesman family. His house is more on the distribution side of their products.

  • He has a very big and booming personality.

  • Focuses on the more hands on and people based work in the family business. He actually travels to meet in person and communicates for foreign affairs.

  • Dad tries to give her anything he can even though she never asks. He always travels and provides her with new books and stories of the lands. She has a huge collection of gifts from across the lands from her dad, ranging from simple trinkets to lavish goods each with their own story. 

  • He is the kind of person to see Emeline growing up and suffering while his wife wept at her bedside, found himself working tenfold and contacting everyone he knows to enlist their help. He would even do the simplest of things or on the other hand develop a new line of tea for illness, even placebos to make her feel better or ask a household of medics for their constant advice. 

 

————-

SIDE CHARACTERS PROFILES

 

  • Three ladies (later known as Mennie Giltrette and Fauna) 

    • Emeline’s friends by association of households. They pity her and talk with her but their friendship seems to stay shallow and never pass basic pleasantries. Oftentimes she stays behind or they exclude her because of her health.

  •  

 

————-

MAIN STORY DIALOGUE

 

————-

SIDE CHARACTERS POST CALAMITY

 

  • Doctor Morrison Mortus the 15th

    • Veterinarian that became a plague doctor without training to make a living out of the situation. He has no concern for living things. He more so wants to study them.

    • Proudly exclaims that he has not formal training and that he is trying things once the patient is already set for treatment.

    • He opens his cloak and devours plague monsters into its abyss nonchalantly, sometimes burping and excusing himself. 

    • Also, he opens his cloak to form a sort of work station, his entire name plastered across a vacant sign that turns occupied when he is working. A tendril comes out of his cloak and he slaps it to flip it around. It says: Doctor Morrison Mortuus the 15h “MD” . Everything around him (including his doctors office and tools)  is his essence that he released to make. The area around it is infected by him. This becomes more aggressive later on and he gets ravenous. 

    • You encounter him wandering around Emeline's caretaker. He is from the city and looking for customers as everyone and their pets have either died or become plague. He is very nonchalant about his customers ironically being all dead and jokes about this.

    • He does not want money. He wants to research the plague and its creatures. You do this by collecting rare fragments from enemies or collecting small ones in a bottle when they die to exchange for one good or service. Either he will devour them to study them or chain them up to do surgery. 

    • The doctor will often appear when you are about to die when he sniffs out that you have currency to pay him. 

    • He also appears after bosses and explains how the soul you absorbed changed your powers by sniffing the aroma. He leaves a little doctor prescription instruction paper with the details so you can check later.

 

  • Possible services that are described by shopkeeper

    • He can replace your hp with attack power permanently and vice versa by sucking the plague out of you into his cloak or infusing it in you by surrounding you in his cloak and poking large plague spikes from within into your limbs crucifix style.

    • Also heal you to full on the spot with some temporary bonus health.

  • Dialogue

    • When doing a procedure

      • Mmmmmm. Let’s see. I wonder how well this works on a human subject… Only one way to find out! 

      • Either way this is a win for me heheheh. (Hums happily) 

      • (Happily humming tune) Huh? Oh I forgot you were still here. Hey it’s not my fault you look like a corpse! Oh- don’t give me that look. Listen, when someone croaks, you might as well finish the job you know? They may be dead but hey at least their arm isn’t falling off.

      • (Humming happily)

      • La di dah la di dee (hums) La dee dum la dee doo.

      • Don’t worry I took the hypocritical oath. 

      • The operation was an utter success- lucky you. 

      • Hmmm hmm hmmm (in a humming way) Huh… that actually worked?! Phftahaha.

      • Let’s see here this looks promising. Mmmmm forget I said anything.

      • It’s not malpractice if you’re technically not a practicing doctor you know…

      • Don’t worry. You are in good hands. Phffft.

      • And that’s why I'm a professional! (Quickly and quieter) with medical treatment of animals, taxidermy, autopsies and burials. A man of many talents! Heheheh 

      • See! Fish- birds- people! Same thing. Oops- one moment please. 

      • That’ll show those stuck ups with their money and tools. And education!

      • How are you still alive?! Hmmmmm… Mind if I just take a quick look- Alright Alright RELAX let me just sew you back up… You’re no fun. (Grumbles)

      • What? Sell you medicine? Why would I do that when I could have a live test subject? Preposterous!

      • (Sniffs and coughs) holy shit these herbs are strong (coughs).

      • (Deep sniff) WOOOOOOO LET’S CUT SOME PEOPLE OPEN.

      • I don’t believe that is supposed to be there (pokes and squirt) meh. 

      • When he sees Edmond

        • (Humming) Huh?! What the fuck? Is that a customer… I… see…?!?! WELCOME VALUED CUSTOMER!!

        • Buh buh buh cutsie here and cutsie there- and… you’re dead. Shit. Mmmm o well- (intense graphic devouring sounds a pause, then burp) 

        • Phftahaha! Is that a meal I see? Come here kitty kitty. Oh wait… Edmond… is that you…Whoopsie.

        • (Humming) AHHHHHHH THERE YOU ARE! What ails you this time. Is it life threatening? TERMINAL?!  Pleeeease be terminal.

        • Ugh where is he? I am hungry AND BORED! (Beastly growls). I wonder if I can devour myself…

        • Edmond! Edmond! Where are you dear Edmond! (Sing song).

        • (Screeching and stabbing) Get back here you bloody rat! Oh hi Edmond!

        • (Intense beastly screeching, cutting and humming)

        • (Humming)

        • Poor tidings I hope? Come on… don’t keep me waiting. Blindness, a broken limb? A missing one?!

        • Grrrr where did I put that… ah ha! Ehh…oh… I'll just wipe that off…(squelches) Good as new!

      • When Edmond leaves

        • Farewell dear test subject! 

        • If you have no other goodies for me I’ll be back to my studies.

        • You had better return in a worse shape! Haha!

        • If you see a kid, let him know that I’m waiting for his follow up appointment! 

        • Wait! I forgot to stitch something up-! Just kidding! Heheheheh

        • Shit- perhaps I should have- ah what do I care. Heh

        • One of these days you’re not going to need me anymore. (Sniffles) I’m just too good of a doctor! Don’t you forget about little old Doctor Mortuus- the 15th.

        • (Sniffles) hmmm I need to refill my mask…it still reeks of Edm- Oh greetings! You’re still here…

        • (Sniffles) My patch work is exceptional. What?! Crying?! Pfft Hahaha Graces no- that's the herbs. 

        • Bring poor tidings! Heheh.

      • When explaining his services

        • My favourite service- Well- I essentially inject or suck the plague in and out of you. Don’t worry about the specifics. This should either  increase your vitality or strength as plague increases one's strength and decreases one's vitality.

          • Come on… just try it once. I want to know if it works.

          • Yesssss do it.

          • (Happily humming)

          • Do it ( whispers )

          • (Stomach growls)

          • A man needs to eat.

          • I’ll get my tools! (Hums happily)

          • (If you transfer all your hp so you get one shot) Holy shit you’re insane (laughs). We’re absolutely trying this, one second. Let me get my toooools! (Hums ecstatically).

          • (If you try to kys by transferring all of your hp) Hahahah! Listen, as interesting as that would be, I’m not trying to kill my only test subject- I mean custo- ah to hell with it.

        • My second service! Is just boring old probing and stitching things up to restore your vitality. 

          • Mind if I take a looksie?

          • Mmmmm that’s going to require a lot of stitches.

          • Ooooo! Is it time for open surgery!? (Sing song)

          • Mind if I just take a liiiitle nibble while I work? I swear you won’t notice a thing- or one missing

          • Yikes! You look like shit!

          • Mmhmm mhmmm. Yes you have very… many things… wrong… I do indeed concur. 

          • (Humming)

          • (Humming) doo do do- do dooo oops. All good here!

        • Low hp encounter

          • (Gross sloshing and sniffing) (He forms from the ground uncomfortably close in front of you, momentarily blocking your path with a huge devilish grin on his face) (Deep sniff to the sky) Mmmmmm (he looks down at you and leans over) Ah yes I could smell you from a mile away. You’re just looking absolutely Ripe for the picking hehehe. Now, tell old doc- what is the matter? 

          • (Evil laughter then Abrupt liquid shoots from the ground and spews  about) HELLLLLOOOOOOOO THERE! Aren’t I a sight for sore eyes? I’m RAVISHED so… Cough it up. Ha! Get it hehehe. No seriously…

          • (Slow bubbling before he spawns and poses humming happily) Ta Da! (Bows) yes yes I know I know mwah mwah! And for my next trick… I will make your limbs degenerate! Haha!  Wait… what was that? Regenerate? Oh… well that’s… less exciting. 

          • (If the player has no money and the cat is there) Ohhhhh as absolutely, utterly tantalizing as it is… No plague, no service. (Smugly) tsk tsk tsk… You know what they say about feeding strays heheheh… (cat) Hmm. What legends do they say of me- Bird? Uh- fuck uh- Feed the stray to keep it at bay! Or uh- uh- Feed ms mitton and she’ll be smitton! Hmmmm Ah Yes! Truly words of wisdom. Perhaps you should live by the words you preach. Yes of course your greatness! (afraid).

          • (Springs up quickly humming) While the cat’s away the birds shall play! And this little birdy wants to play with your wounds. Hehehahaha! (Cat) and that is why they are caught; in their hubris ploys. AHHHHhhhhhhhh… Did you follow me here? A clever beast stalks their prey until it is the perfect moment to strike without fail. I am always watching, always on the prowl and always gluttonous. Lest you forget your place you ignorant fool. Duly noted!

        • Boss ability explanations

          • Beloved Melbey: The player can hold to jump higher 

          • Forsaken Twins: They can double tap jump to propel themselves into the air with their sword by slamming it into the ground and flipping.

          • The Knight Errant Apostate: the player can sink into their shadow for 2 seconds to become immune if on the ground to dodge an attack by crouching. OR absorb enemies in the mucky shadow, thus slowing them OR the attacks stretch like a shadow thus gaining distance upon hitting the first target 

          • Emeline’s Caretaker: the player can throw and reform their sword. It goes through anything it kills. (They are unable to attack with it for 3 seconds until it respawns).

          • The Condemned Sovereign: players are a bit more vigorous with the plague’s aura surrounding them and their sword is corrupted thus growing a bit larger and more powerful (add particle effects)

          • Lord Flemmith’s Chattel: the player can morph into a gelatinous beast and charge through enemies to the other side of the screen.

          • The Vithron Commandant: ranged weapons can be shot while moving, jumping and at angles. 

          • Baron RicTome: you can create a wall of plague beasts to absorb projectiles in order to heal or the player is faster in every regard

          • The Lamenting Keeper- the player is able to extend a monsterous arm to knock enemies into a stun for one second and pull them in. 

 

  • The shopkeeper wants you to get Urosten a potion as a quest. He gives you a mysterious vial and offers to let you test it first for free. If you take a sip it temporarily cuts your max hp in half until you return the medicine to the shoppe keeper. He says it should work fine on the bird though, just hasn’t been tested on humans and he was curious.

    • Hm? OH A LIVING CUSTOMER WELLLCOMMMEEE. COME NOW DON’T BE SHY. Tell little old Mort what you need and I shall deliver! Medicine for a bird? What ails it… oh why do I even bother. Here. Give it a drop. If that doesn’t work keep going and if you empty the bottle… Well, good luck. (Attached to the bottle is an instruction sheet). I’ll take that (snatches bottle full of plague)! (Beastly roar and glubbing) Off you go- unless there is something else you would like (with a smile and an evil chuckle). 

  • Once the cat is brought to the plague doctor

    • Mmm? What is that I smell? (Sniff sniff) It is far stronger than my herbs… let me see that- NO NO NO. GET THAT THING- AWAY FROM ME. What the fuck is wrong with you? Bringing that THING here?!

    • (The cat hops out of your inventory and is next to the doctor) AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh… Oh… considering the fact that we are not all DEAD, perhaps I misevaluated the situation… (goes to pet) (it purrs) You know… it’s kind of cute heheh. I’ll save this one, perhaps it can be of use, one way or another. Hehehehe.

    • Next time you visit: Ah Edmond!!!!!! (Nervously) come hither come come! This is ms. mittonus…

    • Yes! I approve of this name- it evokes power!

    • Yes of course heh. You’re my adorable little helper are you not? (Talks like it’s a dog leans over and pats)

    • (The cat) peasant. How dare you doubt the sheer power that was bestowed upon me. Your day of reckoning shall come soon and you shall learn your place beneath me. You are but a meager pest in my wake that shall be cast down with my righteous hand back to the depths of nothingness in which you will rightfully reside for eternity in contemplation. BEGGING FOR FORGIVENESS. And I shall hear you and go on with my retribution. At times looking down upon you scornfully as a reminder that- I have heard your cries- and I care not for them. Now… pick me up.

    • Yes, your excellency of course. I would never think of such a thing! My deepest apologies. Please, spare me for my utter insolence. 

    • Yes…now  pet me. Good. 

    • I must go now. I shall return with my hunt. 

    • Yes of course! Thank you for your excellency. 

    • I can’t tell if this thing is actually able to devour me whole or if it just pretends it can… hehehe either way free test subjects. It’s kinda growing on me.

    • (Cat) HELLO CLOAKED ONE. For your assistance in my darkest hour. I shall provide you with a generous compensation. (Hands a plague flask) Your deeds shall not be forgotten at the hour of retribution WHEN THE CLOUDS PART AND ASCEND ABOVE THESE MORTALS TO MY RIGHTFUL PLACE ON THE THRONE! NO BEING SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM MY GLUTTONOUS WRATH. THE SYMPHONY OF SCREAMS WILL PALE TO THAT OF MY OWN MIGHT. AND AS I PURGE THEIR SINS, THE CONCORD OF PLEAS WILL FALL UPON DEAF EARS AS I DO WHAT HAS BEEN DECREED IN TIMES LONG FORGOTTEN. FINALLY, I MAY FIND RETRIBUTION IN THIS MEAGER WORLD.  I SHALL DEVOUR IT AND IN MY WAKE A NEW SHALL RISE FROM THE ASHES. A WORLD WITHOUT ENDLESS SUFFERING, WITHOUT LOSS AND GRIEF, A TIMELESS ONE OF PERFECTION AND STABILITY. WHERE MY SUBJECTS MAY REST AT LAST.  THE TIME IS NEIGH PREPARE YOURSELVES PEASANTS. NEIGH I SAY NEIGH! NEIGHHH!!!

    • (If the player walks away while he's talking) WHERE ARE YOU HEADING CLOAKED ONE? HOW DARE YOU. RETURN AT ONCE OR I SHALL- wait please I’m almost done. Come back :(

    • Isn’t ms.mittonus adorable? Always making plans of ascension and gluttony. (Sniffles) just like me. Heheh (Pats)

    • Yes, you ignorant buffoon. I am- the goodest boy.

  • Ms. Mittonus the Homeless cat

    • The cat can talk but he refuses to do so until you meet the plague doctor.

    • It is found in a box labeled PLEASE TAKE! (Ominous letters)

    • If you pick her up, she is stored in your inventory and the description reads: A desperately abandoned cat. It isn’t looking too well, I had better bring it to someone who knows more. 

    • It meows at you and shakes in the inventory whenever you open it. You can pet it with your cursor. 

    • He will bring bigger and bigger hunts everytime you return to the plague doctor. Their dead corpses will be found there. And he will become more monstrous. 

 

  • Little Wintine

    • You need to provide her with a type of plague potion from the shopkeeper in order to get the heirloom. She is before lord Flemmith’s Chatel 

    • The heirloom is given to the trinket man but she also claims that it was hers and she was the head of the house and that some servant was trying to steal it.

    • She is a younger girl who tries to keep honorifics by calling you sir but gets desperate to expedite the process. Always says listen when frustrated and ya. 

    • Symptoms of heroin: drowsy like they’re nodding off, unsteady, scratching, skin infections, cold, uncontrollable leg movements, vomiting and body pain. 

    • If you decide to give him a potion of plague essence, he becomes a beast, maybe a bonus boss.

      • Dialogue

        • Eeek! Someone's coming someonescomingsomeonescoming. Please go away…

        • Oh! It’s a gentleman! Psst! Sir! You there! Boy am I glad to see a… friendly face… well friendly enough.

        • Nice to meetcha sir! I’m Wintine, but everyone calls me little Wintine! I really need some help with something- sir. I’m not feeling too well and I can’t defend myself like this... WHAT! No- don’t tell the plague doctor about me. Keep this between you and me. Got it? He scared me out of my boots I tell ya! You can’t trust that one. Something is not right with him sir…

        • Listen- sir I need you to get me some plague. You know! It comes in a bottle, black, ya pop the cork and it just smokes out of the bottle…smells ABSOLUTELY DELECTABLE I TELL YA. (Clears throat) I’m out and too weak and frightened to traverse out there to find more. I’ll die sir! You wouldn’t want that on your conscience when ya could have helped little old Wintine. Would ya sir?

        • Listen- I mean- sir. I don’t have much but I’ll give you this heirloom… Well… it means nothing to me anymore; there is no one left to cherish it… besides- it has brought me nothing but trouble and it’s just an ugly reminder…

        • Really?! Thank ya sir! Thank ya so much! Hurry back please!

        • Sir!!! Over here! Do you have the goods? Oh thank you so much sir (pops cork). Oh! How rude of me, my mother taught me better I tell ya. Here ya are sir. Thank you again. Goodbye sir and swell travels…

        • (Roaring when you walk away screen shakes and she is gone)

  • Forgotten Man

    • He is missing a clock and asks you to collect them to jog his memory. He is right after lord flemmiths 

    • It is ambiguous whether or not he or the girl was the one to try and murder the household and he hides his inclusion in the story as it unravels. So, the player is unsure whether he is a loyal servant, thief or treacherous / victim of a  family member. 

    • He is very formal and almost comes off as a servant or gentleman. Like the girl, he also calls you sir. (He gives you currency for the shop)

      • Dialogue

        • You there, kind sir! Come hither!

        • I would properly introduce myself sir, however, I seem to have forgotten even my own name and find myself quite lost at the moment.

        • Well, that is part of the problem kind sir, I know not where I should be heading either! Hmmmm… All I can remember  is this shiny barret or perhaps a… clock! Yes! An heirloom clock! I vaguely remember someone snatching an heirloom clock from me! If you happen to find an heirloom clock and would be so kind as to return it to me, I will reward you handsomely. Perhaps it will resurface my memories! Thank you sir. I hope for your safe passage. 

        • Good day sir! Hmmmm thank you for trying kind sir but, that doesn’t seem to be the correct one from my memory. Although… I do remember a large manor and watching someone peacefully fall asleep in a large bed from a chair at their side… perhaps a spouse…who knows…? interesting… Here! Take this as compensation. I shall pay you for any other clocks that you bring me, perhaps they will continue to piece together my memories…

        • Ah sir! Welcome back. You come with good tidings, I hope? Ah yes… this is much closer… I remember some sort of girl now… and our shared fascination with clocks… the engraving here… it also says Wescotte… same as the last! Perhaps it comes from a household that specializes in the craft of clockworks and perhaps I do as well…? Hmmm… interesting… I shall dwell on this further…my head aches. Thank you once again sir. And as promised…

        • Sir! Welcome back! How are you faring? I- that's it! That is it!  May I..!? Goodness… it is beautiful… sir… thank you… this means the world to me… I- ah my head! Piercing pain! Goodness gracious no! Do not call on the plague doctor! I would much rather die of a splitting headache that quite literally splits me in two! My apologies sir for the outburst… Thank you for your concern however… I- just cannot believe… this cannot be right… well… for better or for worse… I understood most of what happened… and I finally retrieved the clock… at last… No- that is alright, perhaps not knowing who possessed the clock is for the best… Here… it is the least that I can do sir… Now if you will excuse me… I need a moment to sort my thoughts… (he does not respond after this)

 

  • Montchee (Montechem Telmin forgotten name that can be found in his ledgers)

    • Old merchant middle class normal guy

    • Traveling salesman and deals in all sorts of wares

    • 1 black horse (contemon named by his smallest daughter) and a large cart/carriage with an open back that acts as the store front

    • Store is called Montchee’s wastes and wares in a swirly old country style font. Think of snake oil miracle salesman

    • He offers Edmond to ride the front of the carriage to wherever he needs to go in exchange for protection and the promise of trading what he scavenges. 

    • Montchee is a gruff sickly hunched figure. He is mostly covered in black garb and sits inside his carriage to isolate himself from others. Typically one can only see his blackening witch-like hands and shadowy face. He often needs to rest and snores while Edmond does his work. He frequently coughs up a lung and is very shaky. He is wise but progressively becomes more demented and scattered mentally and more monstrous physically: gaining stature size, becoming blobby, disproportionate and twitchy.

    • He has 5 messenger crows (corvids) he speaks to and sends messages through: Delilie, Chromsin, Fendric, Urnosten and Little Melamine. It is implied that they are named after real people he knows based on how he treats and speaks to them. They are often found feasting on remains or are fed bits of nature and seed Montchee collect as treats. 

    • It is not revealed right away that he is talking to birds instead of people.

      • Delilie 

        • is a quiet and proper bird. She often minds her business and grooms in the back. She cares for the other birds and is sent to assist them when needed. She is a Hooded Crow.

      • Chromsin and Fredric

        •  are both ravens, they are larger, louder, social and playful. They are used for larger and more dangerous tasks. They have large talons, a mocking laughter of a call and a sneering expression and look in their eyes.

      • Urosten 

        • is also small like melamine and has a messed up left foot. He often squawks sickly and feebley. He is unable to carry anything in that foot so is often tasked with small shipping jobs and messages. He has a very perky attitude and flaps about. He has to limp with one leg or lay down when idle. Later he is given a splint for support of his deformity. He is a Rook

      • Melamine 

        • is the smallest of the birds and is adorned with a small pink bow. She rarely goes far from Montchee and is rarely given tasks. Never dangerous ones. She is very shy and sweet, often hops about and is the most obedient and loving towards montchee. She is unable to fly. She has a beautiful and sweet sound that is very soft. Her coat is flawless except for a few baby feathers. She is a jackdaw.

 

  • Dialogue to himself

    • Deep rumbling Snores and chokes awake. Huh- delilie?! Ah. I suppose not.

    • Let’s see here… no- no! ah- yes!

    • Hmmm OUCH! Blasted shelves have more screws loose than me… (mumbles)

    • Curse these hands…

    • Idle deep mumbling mmmm

    • Well well well aren’t you a special one

    • Oh how she would have loved this…

    • WHO’S THERE? YOU HAD BETTER COME OUT

    • GRAHHH…! RATS! (Intense stomping) STAY BACK YOU MONSTERS (frying pan wac sound and things being knocked over)

    • Hmmmm… perhaps my beloved could find more use out of this…

    • Ugh…  (spits out) I’ll save this for the birds.

    • (Soft weeping and sniffling)

    • (Soft weeping and calling out the names of his birds despite their constant response)

    • (Deep broken soft humming)

    • (Sniff) lest we forget…

  • Dialogue to Edmond

    • (Grumbles) ah it's you… how have you been faring? Well… as well as one can expect I suppose…

    • Hmmmm… now where did I put that… oh! I didn’t see you there. What do you need?

    • Let’s see if I use a hacksaw… perhaps I could… AH! Don’t sneak up on the elderly like that! Scared me half to death! Ya hear? You’re becoming more and more nightmarish by the day… You had better watch your disposition…you're not a beast.

    • (Grumbles) I… have a proposition… You may drive my carriage where you please but, in return, trade me whatever you scavenge… Do we have a deal?

    • Alright… Until next time… or the last… (laughs and chokes on a cough)

    • Light above I thought you weren’t coming back. It’s been a while hasn’t it?

    • Ah… my favourite- and only customer… How is my business going to do today?

    • Listen here kid… I need to put food on the table. You got something for me or not?

    • Mmmm… on the house. you deserve it for that hell hole. More importantly, clean up your act… you carry the stench of death into the shoppe. 

    • Ahhhhh… What have you there? It had better be for me.

    • Ah! And just when I thought you had replaced me! Perhaps with another old coot (coughing laugh)

    • Took you long enough to get over here kid.

    • Listen here kid, this is important… when you hit my age… you forget where you were going with that sentence……Never mind-

    • YOU THERE! STAY BACK STRANGER. Light above… it is you!? Are you trying to look like a death incarnate? 

    • AHHH ANOTHER VALUED CUSTO- Blimey it's just you… I get tired of selling the cursed remains of a dead man's inheritance you know… anything to lift my spirits? No? … I didn’t think so… Yes Yes dear you were right… You win…

    • Hello there m-! Oh who am I kidding Edmond is that you again?! (Grumbles) … why do I even bother?

  • Dialogue to the birds

    • Here you are my darlings! Eat up and well. I promised you wouldn’t go hungry again! See… eat well and grow up strong… (multiple caws excitedly) Of course! Even you little ones! Yes yes… There is plenty to go around now.

    • Oh… sweet little one my darling melamine you are so dear to me. Go ahead… don’t be shy… you can do it… go on… Ah-! How wonderful you are, my little one! marvelous work...

    • Melamine!- Sweetheart!- Where have you gone! (Rings bell) Melamine?! Mela- thank the light above I don’t want to lose you again… come here…

    • GET OUT! GET OUT YOU RATS YOU HEAR ME? YOU LYING FIENDS! (Knocking and flapping)

    • Delilie…? Could you please-? Ah forgive me for doubting your poise my love. 

    • YOU TWO (surprised caws) I SAW THAT! ( panicked flapping and laughing caws) DON’T YOU MOCK ME! COME HERE YOU BRATS!

    • Urosten! Urosten- ma boy! Come here I have a present for you! Here you go lad… this will fix you right up… (sickly caw of excitement then ouch) ah sorry I shall be more gentle my boy…curse these hands… there you are…(snipping of fabric)  as promised this should help…

    • Could you please sing for me, little one? I grow weary from the day (excited chirps and caws) ah… thank you dear. (Hums along occasionally).

    • Oi! (Ruckus stops) No fighting you two! (Panicked flapping and cawing)

    • (Mocking caws) what are you two trouble makers on about? Eh? Mmmmm… (grumbles)

    • Urosten- come here lad... I have a special job for you! (Peppy sickly caw) alright… just between you and me (whispering) (happy caws and flapping) wait boy I haven’t even-! Ah… I am sure he will be fine. Kid’s tough as nails.

    • Delilie you are looking absolutely stunning as usual… Did you do something with your… coat? (matter of fact caw). Ohahaha! …don’t you ever change…

    • DINNER TIME! (Rings bell hanging on shop and flapping ) Delilie where are those two trouble ma- (intense flapping and clattering) OI! SLOW DOWN WILL YOU? YOU’RE NOT SWINE! DO YOU WANT TO CHOKE? I swear they become more and more like animals each passing day…

  • Urosten side quest

    • Given right before meeting the plague doctor.

    • Oh Urosten, it is alright my boy. (Sickly squacks and wheezing) Quiet now, Delilie and I will fix you right up! Just rest now. Ah! Lad please- come here. It’s Urosten, he is unwell. (Sniffles) I need you to do me a favour. Go find the plague doctor and give this to him (bottle full of plague). Delilie told me that he used to work in the capital. He may still be out there. We can’t go anywhere with Urosten in this condition. Go now hurry lad!

    • (Rushing and clanking sounds) Is that him?! Damnit where is he, just hold on a second longer Urosten. He is to return soon. (The comforting and sick noises repeat.)

    • He’s back! Bless you lad. (Rushes back to Urosten) My boy! Salvation has arrived! Here you are, drink up. (The bird sounds a bit better and gives a light hearted squawk). Rest now, I will be here when you wake. I will never forget this deed. Here Edmond…  It is the least we could do. Prithee you find what you have been looking for. (He hands you a refillable bottle for the doctor that is filled and a summoning bell)


 

  • Possible items that are described by shopkeeper

    • A bell to summon crows. Maybe to deliver an item or attack / disable based on the crow

      • Twins: very common- debilitates an enemy

      • Urosten: common- delivers a common weapon supply or debuff item and message

      • Delilie: rare- brings an uncommon buff item and brings another crow

      • Melamine: extremely rare- sedates enemies with song and gives the player an ultra rare item and cache. She sits at the location for the player to reach and retrieve the items. She disappears and the song ends when the items are retrieved.

    • Tampered Plagued Flask

      • If you drink you do extra dmg and take more

      • If an enemy is hit with it they take damage and are distracted while devouring it

    • Heightened Plague Essence 

      • The player temporarily succumbs to the plague and is granted increased speed, damage and defense at the cost of health and a temporary decrease to maximum health. The player becomes monstrous and tears through their enemies, unable to use weapons or tools. The monster may cling onto walls, hit enemies so that they go flying and leap long distances.

    • Elixir of snake oil

      • Heals player and gives them a momentary buff and temporary health

    • Flemworth’s Recurve Bow

      • A slower weapon that can shoot one or multiple arrows. Arrows deal medium damage.

    • Flint Arrows

      • Only basic arrows can be retrieved so long as they are what killed something 

      • Tampered plague tipped: enemies will be stunned for a short amount of time 

      • Flame tipped: enemies that make contact with one another will be set ablaze, taking damage over time.

      • Gunpowder tipped: enemies will be hit with an on contact AOE explosion.

    • Flemlock Pistole 

      • A short range weapon that stuns multiple enemies up close for a decent amount of time. This item has a 5 second reload time. 

      • Will kill flying enemies.

    • Pistoleer’s shot

      • A small bullet that packs an explosive punch. When put in a pistole, a shot can damage multiple enemies up close.

    • Flemmith Rifle

      • Stuns an enemy at a long distance for a decently long amount of time. 

      • This item has a 10 second reload speed.

      • Will kill flying enemies.

    • Rifleer’s shot

      • A small round bullet that hits a single target and disables them for a decently long amount of time.

  • Extra items not sold at the store

    • Singed Letters to Flemmith (from various authors)- Flemmith’s Manor 

    • Flemmith’s ledgers

    • Edmond’s locket- A matching set bought by Edmond that is always kept around his neck.

    • Emeline’s locket- Found around the neck, under the armour of The Plagued Zealot. 

    • Emeline’s Diary- Found on The Plagued Zealot. Contains her final moments of sickness before abandoning the maid and manor. The writings become deranged and demonic to the point of writing Edmonds name over and over again in an aggressive font. The pages are worn and have inky stains.

    • Letters from Emeline- found in Edmond’s home

    • Unsent Letters (from Emeline)- found in Emelines city manor

    • Regretful Drafts (from Emeline)- found in Emelines countryside manor 

    • Emeline’s childhood diary- found in Emeline’s  country manor. They contain excerpts of her childhood sickness. 

    • Aradons’s family heirloom (sword)- from their manor wall

    • Edmond’s cloak- a gift from Emeline 

  • ​

BOSSES

  • Beloved Melbey

    • She’s a pet dog that protects the manor and prevents the player from entering 

    • Melbey dashes across the map towards the player who has to roll or jump around him it is stuck on a chain

    • The dogs tail knocks the player over so the player cannot attack from behind

    • Player has to defeat boss like a bull by having him leap into certain obstacles 

    • Last few obstacles gets the dog caught by the collar so the player attacks him while trapped

    • Player finds his mistresses remains as melbey crawls towards them before dying

  • Forsaken Twins (combine with above)

    • A boy and girl who was abandoned by their parents 

    • Dad left them mom perished on sight but they don’t know she came back for them

    • Want attention and laugh a lot during the fight throw temper tantrums when attacked

    • Trick the player a lot the kids move very fast are tiny and crawl around the manor sort of play whack a mole

    • When both are knocked out they wake up and go into a temporary rage then hide again and go back to their tag game

    • Have to chase them down to retrieve your locket of Emeline lest you forget her face

  • Knight-errant Apostle

    • A knight who abandoned the front to find his family but it was too late

    • Slow and drags feet is reckless and tired with attacks dropped shield and doesn’t use

    • 4 shadows follow around him and attack, maybe have shadows damage or weigh him down somehow as a sort of burden and the only way to damage him. Maybe standing in shadow and attacking allows damage. 

  • Emeline’s Caretaker (maid)

    • Constantly weeping from guilt and oozing inky muck. tears act as projectiles when she is angry

    • Bipolar fighting style very slow and half hearted sluggish attacks to enraged fast and reckless 

    • When she is enraged the player has to hide in the shadows behind obstacles away from the light of windows

    • When she is sluggish the player can attack

    • Hides her face in a veil and is maimed from self harm

    • Guards and tends to her manor alone. Constantly calls out to find her lady (especially in sad form). And Edmond when he is hiding from her enraged form.

    • Recognizes Edmond and is enraged about him leaving her

    • Fights and blocks with an umbrella with blades

    • Umbrella acts as a shield spear and javelin to throw. This reforms in her hand by as a black inky muck in her hand

    • Uses care items against the player ex bandages medicines cleaning products etc to ensure, whip, debuff and burn. If not incorporate them somewhere in the design or background this may be too much in her kit with this

  • The condemned sovereign

    • The king and queen but super sized

    • They sit on their thrones while their guards attack

    • Then the queen gets up as a last line of defense

      • Queen

        • Fights with a shield 

        • can only do damage trying to her when you attack the king maybe? Or does no damage until her armour is worn off and the king joins.

        • In full dress acts as a thick armour

        • Dress is ruined down to the under garb when low hp ex remove the skirt and hoop skirt

        • Takes the first death to save the king

      • King

        • Before the queen falls the king joins and fights in synch

        • They alternate from starting at the center and moving out towards opposite edges with attacks and meeting back in the center

        • The queen gains a health bar here and only she takes damage until she dies

        • The king uses a sword drawn from a scepter 

        • When queen dies becomes more beastly and powerful

  • Lord Flemmith’s Chattel 

    • Tortured manor workers who overthrew their lord in the chaos for his treacherous acts towards the territory’s people

    • The manor is pillaged and burning

    • The boss is a sort of collective swarm that the player has to parkour over to the center of the manor

    • The player can temporarily keep the swarm at bay with attacks but it reforms

    • At the center there is the chattel surrounding the body of Flemmith which the player has to destroy

  • Vithron Commandant Awnellfi the homunculus 

    • Female head of the Vithron family fused with her army and husband to become more powerful and protect them. Also to prevent them from deserting. She needs to uphold the Vithron family’s name. They’ve never failed before and she doesn’t want the land to crumble under her watch.

    • Runs of the Garrison on the eastern front

    • First part is her leading her troops and supporting from behind with a rifle 

    • Last part is troops beginning to die so she joins in the frontlines

    • This fight you are breaching the garrison from the west. You go through watch towers towards the main fort housing the commandant. It is an endless swarm until you reach that point.

  • Baron Fencil of RicTome 

    • Would include a lot of horses and carriages 

    • A sort of wild hunt running through the land

    • Involves a lot of dodging of items and hazards

    • Would consume the forests and leave nothing in its wake.

  • The lamenting keeper

    • Is body inside of the cart and explodes and spills out the windows and exits and does slapping attacks

    • His body seems to infinitely fit inside the cart he is like a snail that stretches in and out of the shoppe

    • The boss is stationary in the center of the screen except when the plague horse is whipped and spins him in a sweeping circle

    • Rings his shoppe bell to summon the crows

    • Has masses of crows that swarm you and constrict the area the player can traverse

    • Throws and grabs a plethora of tools and supplies from the inside that both the player and boss use

    • Is insane over reality of family could not take it anymore is obsessed with his birds even more so and has the main 5 in the cart. Is convinced you’re going to take them away from him like you have with every other plague victim 

    • At the end of the fight the birds are left mourning over the cart

  • Grimald Champion of Vithron develop desire perhaps control and power maybe the ancient are acting as if the plague is their kingdom

    • Original Vithron knight

    • He has a corrupted Excalibur that transforms 

    • Can use any kind of weapon

    • Commands an army of plague and fights alongside them. Uses and turns them into weapons

    • Perhaps you can’t weaken or attack him until the army is weakened and temporarily killed

  • Tutelary Eleanor Royfelm the pathfinder

    • Original founding queen in battle armour 

    • She stands behind Vithron who guards her before you get to fight her

    • She rallies Vithron and RicTome back as well as other minor enemies

    • Buffs enemies and they act as meat shields throwing themselves in front of her until they cannot move anymore 

    • She summons an unholy beam from the top of the screen

  • Plagued zealot

    • When the player defeats Eleanor the zealot puts a hand through her back and absorbs the three ancient bosses and grows more powerful larger and corrupt

    • Has moments of loss of control and ceases up when taking too much dmg

    • Tries to smother the player and absorb them snatches them and sucks the life out of them

  • The Monomaniacal suitor (maiden)

GAMEPLAY

  • Player heals when they kill something because they absorb it. 

    • This could mean the player collects hp from killing things and loses it permanently when hit or dying. You need to collect the power of lesser enemies to be able to fight bosses. Killing and absorbing a boss adds permanent hp that is not affected by death.

  • The heirloom sword slightly changes as well as Edmond to reflect his increased power and corruption. 

    • He becomes larger and broader

    • More particle animations

    • Longer and larger sword / hit box

    • Begins to do AOE damage. 

  • Players can choose between hardcore (death resets the game) or normal mode (resets the level)

    • The lore behind respawning is that he gets the plague that he collects enemies taken from him. He loses his power upon death and reforms himself because of his desire to finish his quest and ability to overpower the lesser enemy’s will. Also, the collection of bosses gives him a much more permanent existence as the bosses are not dead, just absorbed into him. It is a constant battle to overpower the entities you absorb. When he respawns, the cloak forms like reverse ashes and blows to the ground. Then inky substance pools in from the ground and reforms him.

  • Types of basic attacks

    • Choice of a ranged weapon. 

      • You hold down to aim fire auto reload timers 

    • Directional sword attacks

      • Animation changes with being in the air

      • Down attack on the ground hits aoe around you

    • Landing on top of enemies without attacking to stun them

  • Maneuvers

    • Attack to block projectiles and attacks

    • Single jump ( height changes later )

      • Slow and fast fall

    • Directional air controls

    • Up down left right movement

    • Item activation one for self and enemy maybe or use directional keys ex down or nothing is self and left right up are directional

    • Ducking / crouching 

  • Acquired mechanics (tried to do one buff one ability per act)

    • Beloved Melbey: The player can hold to jump higher 

    • Forsaken Twins: The player can stick their sword into walls and platforms to fling themselves / bounce into the air or hang REVAMP? Or they can double tap jump to propel themselves into the air with their sword by slamming it into the ground and flipping.

——-

  • The Knight Errant Apostate: the player can sink into their shadow for 2 seconds to become immune if on the ground to dodge an attack by crouching. OR absorb enemies in the mucky shadow, thus slowing them OR the attacks stretch like a shadow thus gaining distance upon hitting the first target 

  • Emeline’s Caretaker: the player can throw and reform their sword. It goes through anything it kills. (They are unable to attack with it for 3 seconds until it respawns).

-——

  • The Condemned Sovereign: players are a bit more vigorous with the plague’s aura surrounding them and their sword is corrupted thus growing a bit larger and more powerful (add particle effects)

  • Lord Flemmith’s Chattel: the player can morph into a gelatinous beast and charge through enemies to the other side of the screen.

——-

  • The Vithron Commandant: ranged weapons can be shot while moving, jumping and at angles. 

  • Baron RicTome: you can create a wall of plague beasts to absorb projectiles in order to heal or the player is faster in every regard

——-

  • The Lamenting Keeper- the player is able to extend a monstrous arm to knock enemies into a stun for one second and pull them in. 

  • Grimald Edmond’s weapons / ammo extend an extra distance upon hitting the first target.

  • And Eleanor,

——-

 

PLAYER UI / HUD

  • When damaged, the player becomes more and more corrupt, darker and has an aura. Hands have black veins and the cape is more tattered with black stains on everything. The screen has a vignette and veins as well. 

  • A health bar at the top fills with black as damage is taken and sucks up red when healing or instead of a health bar it is just a heart that changes colours and gets black veins

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