Welcome to our very first Narrative Deep Dive!
Last week, we took you behind the scenes of our gameplay development, and today, we’re diving into something equally important to us – and to many of you: Narrative.
We’ve heard time and time again from Metroidvania fans that a rich, immersive story is a cornerstone of the genre. It’s not just about the mechanics or the exploration; it’s about the world you’re exploring and the lore that ties it all together. That’s why we’ve been hard at work crafting a narrative that we hope will captivate you as much as the gameplay itself.
Today, we’re pulling back the curtain (just a little!) to give you a glimpse into the world we’re building and the two main factions that shape its destiny. This is just the beginning – our lore will evolve and expand alongside the gameplay as development continues. But we wanted to bring you in early, to share our vision and hear your thoughts. After all, your feedback is invaluable, and we want to weave it into the fabric of our game with as much care and time as possible.
So, let’s dive in!
Two Worlds – The Aetherveil and the Ephemeral World
The Aetherveil is an eternal realm – the first domain to ever exist and the place the game will take place in. It’s a world where dreams manifest in their purest, most tangible form, known as Aethersilk. This mystical realm is home to the Veilkin, Nethershades, and countless other enigmatic beings who are foreign to the concept of a natural death. The Aetherveil is a place of boundless creativity and power, but also of great responsibility.
The Ephemeral World, home to the Somnials, was born from a dream about mortality by one of those enigmatic beings whichs name is now long forgotten. With that dream also the Veilkin were born – binding their existence to the fleeting realm, tasked with its protection and expansion.
Two Factions – Veilkin and Nethershades
You, the player, will take on the role of a Veilkin – an ancient race that draws great power from their Aetherheart, a bond to a mortal being in the Ephemeral World called a Somnial. This bond is created the moment a Somnial experiences their first dream. The Veilkin’s sacred purpose is to shape their Somnials‘ aspirations into reality, nurturing and expanding life in the mortal world.
Dreamwardens: Every Veilkin begins their existence as a Dreamwarden, tasked with ensuring that their Somnials‘ dreams are realized. When a Somnial dies, the Veilkin loses their Aetherheart and becomes unbound from their charge. Most then transition into the role of Runeweavers, continuing to support the sacred cause.
Runeweavers: The Veilkin’s power is derived from the ancient arts of Runeweaving, discovered by the first of their kind. Aetherrunes hold the raw, immense power of the Aetherveil. The first Veilkin discovered how to use Aethersilk to harness its energy, imbuing their Aetherheart with the unique and powerful abilities of Aetherrunes.
The Nethershades are the embodiment of nightmares, capable of corrupting Dreams by draining the essence of Aethersilk. Once a Dream is fully consumed, it twists into a corrupted Nethershade – a horrifying entity bound to a collective hive mind. These dreadful beings traverse the boundaries between realms, haunting the Somnials of the Ephemeral World and spreading their darkness with every touch. Their sole purpose is to impede Dreamwardens, infecting and distorting dreams before they can be brought to fruition. Driven by an insatiable hunger for power and hate for everything mortal, Nethershades seek to amplify their strength and ultimately find overpower the creator of the ephemeral world, shattering their vision of mortality.
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the lore so far? Is it something you could get invested in? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the names, the factions, and the overall vibe of the world. Do the Veilkin look as awesome as we think they do?
As nothing is final just yet, your feedback could shape not only the gameplay but also the world it takes place in. So grab a drink, join the discussion, and share your ideas with us and the rest of the community in our Discord! The devs will be there to chat, so don’t be shy – your voice matters!
This is just the beginning of our narrative journey, and we can’t wait to explore it further with all of you. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thank you for being part of this adventure with us.
