Lilium Cruentus [Final Considerations before submitting Demo]

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Lilium Cruentus

(Tales of Adamah)

 

 

First of all, hello there. And get ready for a VERY LONG post.

 

As some of you know, I've been working in this very ambitious project. Of course, it will still take some time: altough I've even released a demo of the game, I had to restart mostly from scratch. The name Lilium Cruentus means "bloody lily" in Latin and is a reference to the loss of innocence. A lot of philosophical questions are faced by the game's protagonists, and your decisions ultimately bring about a few different endings.

 

But, I want to share some aspects of the game, and while I can't afford to spoil a lot (it would ruin the game experience) I want to let people know the game's basic idea, get some feedback, etc.

 

A Teaser (NOT a demo) is included for download.

 

I decided to do so by telling the genesis of the game's universe. 

 

 

 

Long, long time ago, there was only a spiritual being. This being was self-aware, auto-existent, obiquitous and omnipotent. But it was alone in its spiritual dimension. This being came to be known as Jah.

 

He decided to create a world - Adamah. Thus he was divided into lesser beings, each one holding an aspect of the world of Adamah. These beings were the Ground, the Water, the Fire and the Wind - and the fifth and greatest of these - the Nothing.

 

Nothing had a dual nature, because omnipresence demands omniabsence, peace demands turmoil, destruction demands creation. So it was divided itself in two entities: one to be known as Light, Creation, Tranquility, and the other as Darkness, Entropy, Chaos. The other four beings started to gravitate around these two: the Ground which existed due to the power of creation and the Fire, with its bright flame were attracted to the Light. The Water, full of silence, but sometimes violent  and the contemplative albeit chaotic Wind were drew towards the Darkness.

 

As the lesser spirits gravitated around the two larger ones, which circled around each other, Wind touched Light and a terrifying thunder exploded in the sky. Water saw this, and growing jealous of Wind poured a mighty rain over Adamah. Wind blew away the drops, turning them to snow flakes, but when they touched the Earth, mud was created.

 

Fire was also jealous, but towards Light. It exploded in a mighty flame and lit up a great rock over Adamah. Light , longing to quench Fire's anger, borrowed soothing drops from Water. The When Fire and Water touched each other, a cloud of smoke arose over the world. When the smoke was gone, the rock Fire had lit up was split in two: one remained burning, the other one became cold and lifeless. Light called the burning one the Sun, and Darkness called the frozen one the Moon.

 

However Darkness saw all what the consequences to Adamah of the spirits' actions, and decided the world needed peace. First it tried to ease Earth's burden. But not even the spirits could break the natural rules Jah made: thus, in some places the Earth got with almost no weight, arising above the ground level. In other places, it was overloaded, thus being born the craters and crevices.

 

Seeing that it had done wrong, Darkness in a last effort called upon Water to renew the world, pouring a heavy rain. The rain lasted for many days, and the world's face was forever changed.

 

Seen the result of all their actions, the Spirits decided to sleep. But they would not leave Adamah, Jah's creation, alone. They formed a guardian from all elements of nature. This guardian was a complete being, but also lonely - thus, he divided itself in two entities: Man and Woman.

 

Before going to their long slumber, the Spirits told the story of Adamah to Man and Woman, and how they were to keep and watch over the creation of Jah.

 

 

Time passed, and mankind flourished. Eventually, humanity forgot the reason of their existence and begun carving power. Great kingdoms rose and fell. At one time, a tremendous war took place, where many lost their lives. This war awoke the Spirits, who looked toward Adamah full of pity and sorrow. They choose a young woman, Yeesha, and gave her their powers. She was able to unify the world, and restored the cult of Jah.

 

Centuries later, the unified Empire had to face another challenge: people wanted to form a different kind of rulership called "republic". This lead to another war, and in the end, the Empire yielded to the republicans, allowing any kingdom that wanted independence to be integrated in the republic.

 

Our story begins a few years after the second war, and the world is under tension. Magic, once an abundant power, was lost - but the last order of magicians created magic tools for the commodity of the people.

While the decadent Empire struggles to mantain its strenght, more and more countries join the republic - and the order of wizards does business with both sides. And what about the cult of Jah, which was scattered around Adamah, accused of starting the second war?

 

 

 

This is the game's scenario, where the adventure starts. I don't think I can reveal any further without ruining the playing value of the game!

 

It's also about time I give a few credits. This project would not be possible without the following:

 

 

 

Fomar0153

Galv

Holder

Omega Zero

Saif

Tsarmina

Tsukihime

Wren

Ximenia

Yanfly

Yoda

Estriole

Skyval

Vlue

 

 

 

...each one for a reason. My big thank you!

 

The soundtrack is composed by Helmut Vonlichten and Franz Vonlichten and is property of Wigshop Records.

No part of it can be used, copied or distributed whithout the owner's authorization.

 

This is the link to the teaser. It is NOT a demo, this short (20 min~) story happens BEFORE the actual game.

There may be a few grammar mistakes and the difficulty is VERY EASY, because the purpose is just to show my gameplay/mechanics decisions. So please, have a look and give me feedback!

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpw0y1nokgsjkjs/Lilium%20Cruentus.exe

 

 

If you'd like to help somehow, or simply like this project, add this to your signature!

 

Edited April 27, 2014 by Sughayyer

[Tsarmina 2,612]

Amazing (and very scientifically conforming) plot! I'm guessing there's a lot of time passing through this game then, huh. Or do I have it wrong? ^-^

I'm not entirely sure of what significance the title holds yet, but it sounds wickedly beautiful.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Well, thanks.

This is actually the genesis of the game. The game itself starts just after the second war.

I'm glad you liked it

The title is a reference to the loss of innocence, since the game focuses in psichological conflict.

[Wren 179]

Sounds like an interesting set up.

 

You say most of the conflict is psychological, but represented how?  Is the main character having internal struggles?

 

I think with a setup like this you could really play on a political struggle, Republic vs Empire (heh, starwars) with the magician's guild caught in the middle and the outcast cult of Jah on the fringe, possibly acting as terrorists or extremists.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

On the first draft of the game, the political clash did happen. Through the plot, you will have the chance to embrace the cause of each faction.

 

Since there's no monolithic evil faction in the game, the real conflict lies on the ideals.

 

As soon as I finish spriting the protagonists, I'll post a more detailed description of them.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Lilium Cruentus

Tales of Adamah

 

Cast of Characters

 

Okay, been a while since another post in here, but I've finished the main character's sprites. So sit down and get ready for another super long post!

Also, keep in mind that there are no faces yet, so if you want to visualize the characters better, take a look at the sprites!

 

 

Joshua

"What comes first? The warrior's oath or the sense of duty?"

Joshua lost his parents when he was a baby, and was put under the custody of Agronopolus, personal guard of Emperor Eglom. He was taught from an early age in the Way of the Swordsman, and when he reached age 20 he was annointed a knight by the Emperor himself - much to the jealousy of other high-graduated soldiers under Agronopolus' orders.

He is quiet and tries to live by the Zen-like code of the sword to the best of his ability (this sometimes makes him look cold toward his girlfriend, Dolores), but he has trouble conveying his code with the oath of fealty towards the Emperor.

He likes to wear kimono and hakama-style clothes even when not in training.

 

Zachary Zjmberstein ("Zack")

"If I fight my friends' battles, maybe I won't have to fight my own."

 

 

 

Zack is a soldier of the Empire. He is a bit more graduated than Joshua, but not a knight himself. However he's one of the few soldiers who are not jealous of him.

He has a big heart and likes to think strategically - although he never became a sword master he was always fond of the tactical classes.

Zack is older than Joshua, and fought in the last conflict after the second war when Joshua was still young. Other than that, not much is known about him since he avoids talking about himself.

 

 

 

Mariah Dolores Sylvannah

"Good and bad do not exist. The real good is when people fulfill their goals... isn't that why wars happen?"

 

 

Dolores isn't from Lianham continent, but she moved to a countryside village near the Capital to study under a wizardess called Tessalia. She quickly became known as a prodigy and introduced to the court, where she met Joshua. She deeply despises the peasant life and would do anything to keep her position in the Empire's court. But she develops deep feelings toward Joshua and has to decide whether to keep her comfortable life or risk everything for Joshua's sake.

 

 

 

Petrus Boanerges

"To love Jah is to abandon the world. But the world was created by the love of Jah. Is there a person who can bring Jah's love back into the world?"

 

Petrus is a member of a hidden church of Jah. Just like Joshua, he is an orphan, but he was raised by a priest of Jah called Menael. He resents the current state of violence in the world, and longs for a time where Jah's teachings will be brought about openly again. But are his actions better than his peers' just because they are made in the name of a god?

He is faithful to his friends and his sense of justice might get him carried away sometimes.

 

 

Levy Basan

"If our time here is short, we might as well try to make the best out of it."

Levy was a wandering bard until he met a priest of the hidden cult of Jah and his life changed. He decided to put his skills to the use of the cult in the search of a lost relic - a book known to posses the lost legacy of Jah. He is ordered by a priest, Menael, to act as Petrus' tutor, to show him the world and all things outside his remote village. Thus Levy takes the young priest with him in his quest.

Altough being a member of the cult of Jah, Levy is well-versed in the ways of the world.

 

 

 

Lucianna Allendras (“Lucyâ€)

“I am above justice, because I was wronged more than any living being.â€

 

 

 

 

Lucy was a former researcher for the last guild of wizards remaining after the war, in charge of experiments combining the vital essence of animals with human beings. Until she questioned the morality of her job...

Now she is driven only by her revenge.

 

 

 

The Desert Voice (“Sarahâ€)

“I am only a channel from which Jah speaks. But not everyone is ready to listen to His voice.â€

 

 

 

 

This mysterious woman dwells in a desert, prophesysing about many things. Nobody knows where she came from, but the cultists and the common folk that live near her haven do like her and believe she is a real seer.

But... who will ever know where the prophecies end and her own ideas begin?

 

 

 

Agronopolus

“Death is but a door, and I'm only a gatekeeper.â€

 

 

 

 

His real name lost in the time of the second war, Agronopolus is the faithful retainer to Emperor Eglom of Lianham. He took Joshua into custody as a request of his late master, and trained the boy in the Way of the Sword.

Over time he grew some fatherly affection towards Joshua, but he always looks cold and distant in the surface.

No one ever dares to challenge Agronopolus. It is said that the last person who did this was granted a fair duel, and he killed the challenger using nothing but a wooden sword.

 

 

 

Tessalia Irinea

“Power comes with a price. I paid mine. Everybody wants power, but no one is willing to pay for it.â€

 

 

 

 

Tessalia is a member of the last magical guild remaining after the second war. She is Dolores' teacher. Despite her ambitious nature, she is very kind – until she gets frustrated, which don't happen often.

She lives in a village near the Empire's Capital, and while some villagers hold her in suspicion, most of them like her.

Tessalia is responsible for the marketing and distribution of most magic essences used by the people of Lianham.

 

 

 

Youkahainen Joustenkorva

“The betterment of all comes with the sacrifice of few. I do not work for myself, I work for all the people!â€

 

 

 

 

Youkahainen is a powerful wizard and researcher. Even holding a high position in the magic guild, he is not always taken seriously due to his weird projects and experiments.

But one day, they will all see the fruit of his work and they'll have to recognize him... someday...

 

 

 

Darum

“The house of grief is better than the house of feast. On the latter, people only get drunk. On the first, people ponder the meaning of life.â€

 

 

 

 

Darum was the right hand man of the leader of the magic guild, the Cabal. After the second war, when the cult of Jah was extinguished, the leader of the Cabal was banished as well, accused of several crimes.

Darum took his place and made the Cabal thrive. But rumor is that the leader of the Cabal has returned from his exile... and something about him has changed. Where does the future of the magic guild lie?

This powerful wizard is said to be able to summon a small power of the Spirits themselves, and he never shows his face.

 

 

 

King Eglom IV, Emperor of Lianham and Maximum authority in Adamah

“What I do, I do for the good of Adamah.â€

 

 

 

 

 

King Eglom was already Lianham's ruler when the second war happened. The insurgence of the cult of Jah traumatized him greatly, and in recent times he has been very wary. When several kingdoms proclaimed their independence from the Empire, it was the final stab in his back.

He recently broadened his relations with the Cabal, providing more magic essences for the people.

This decadent King lives in what now is but a shadow of the great Empire, but still behaves as if he ruled the whole world. But he is no fool: upholding the public image of his Empire and making the people's lives more confortable, he expects to attract the kingdoms to the Empire once more.

 

 

 

[Wren 179]

This cast has potential.  Nice blend of characters.  I like most if not all of the names.  The sprites are looking good too!

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Why, thank you very much, I'm glad you liked it! The sprites are mostly from the Mack generator with a few touches. I'm also going to use some of the XP graphics for generic NPCs.

[Tsarmina 2,612]

 

Oh, is this what you need those 16 portraits for?

 

I like the characters. A lot of them seem really, really wise (got to love smart people). I especially love Tessalia--I don't why, but she seems superbly exquisite in both character and design.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

 

Yeah, I'm still gonna PM you because I couldn't reveal all characters here

 

 

I'm glad that you liked them! I hope you like the plot as well  

[Tsarmina 2,612]

I actually don't know the plot lol, but the genesis is very well worked out. I'm going to start tackling your chars but I need a quick response from your PM first ^-^

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Hey, guys, I need an opinion... I originally intended to give the player more freedom in the choice of the party members... it would end up getting like fnal fantasy vi... a gigantic party where you wouldn't use them all. This would also cost some depth of the characters, since the player would arbitrarily make some decisions.

 

While the player's decisions still play a lot of rule in the game (that's one of the game's points), I think I'll leave the party assembly more plot-oriented (sorta like phantasy star iv). Of course, there would be a time towards the end of the game where you will be able to assemble your party. But I want the characters to flesh out, not "I'm going with you this time because the player choose. Later on I'll return to the character selection screen where I will be in suspended animation until you need me again".

 

I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this matter.

[Tsarmina 2,612]

I like the idea of a big group where you can recruit only so many party members until you run out of party space though However, plot-oriented leaves more room for development as always, so I suppose that could make up for it.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

I will try to balance the "player chooses everything" versus the "rich plot that can't be changed no matter what". This will allow more depth and also avoid things like "there can be only <3/4/5> of us at once".

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Well, hello again!

 

Been a bit busy trying to create good maps and tampering (once more) with the game's database.

Now, let's talk about the magic system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the diagram shows, we have Jah on the center, surrounded by the elements. We have Life, Death (they are actually the same), Fire, Sea (Water), Ground (Earth), Wind. 

These elements gave origin to the other six:

 

 

 

Death + Earth = Gravity

 

Death + Water = Poison

 

 

Earth + Fire = Magma

 

Earth + Life = Crystal

 

 

Life + Wind = Thunder

 

Wind + Water = Ice

 

 

 

Other combinations are also possible, but they will create different effects, not new elements (eg, fire + water = hot water. fire + wind scorching wind).

 

When I saw a "GF" - like script, I almost ditched all the essence system so I could use it, but it would require a drastic change in the game's universe and I'd also probably have to change plot aspects.

 

So, what do you think? 

Next time, I'm going to talk about the individual skills of each character!

 

 

 

[Wren 179]

So how are you handling the skills, are characters assigned an essence which grants them access to skills from the 6+6 elements or what?

 

What is the difference between fire and magma skills, for instance?

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Aside from the individual proficiencies (I'll explain them soon) each character can learn magic by equipping them.

The essences system is basically Galv's shard system: each character gain shard slots as their level advances, and by equipping different essences the they can use magic. Adjacent essences in the essence diagram will generate a combination effect. Combined elements have usually a wider range and different enemies have varied weakspots to be exploited. 

 

Yeah, magma is redundant. I'll change it to Ground + Water = Mud or something like it. Those are the benefits of having friends to help!

 

There was a different idea, now defunct but that can be revived: instead of giving magic, essences would add magical traits to the proficiencies (thus the two spellcasters in the party would gain more value). Example: Joshua's proficiency is Kenjutsu (actually in the game it's sword art... well no matter). When equipping a fire essence, instead of casting Ignite (basic fire magic) he would be able to perform a sword attack with the fire element. As I said, the main value of this system (which I abandoned, but I'm considering getting back) is that the mage-oriented characters become more important (there's no way to replace them). On the other hand, it takes the customization away.

[Wren 179]

I think you could still do this, still using the shard system?  You would just let different character classes learn different skills when the same shard is equipped, so a mage character would get your typical mage stuff and melee characters get melee skills, just by doing a conditional branches, couldn't you?

 

And magma and fire isn't redundant, your magma skills could be DoT and area effect and fire could be straight single target and state damage, you would just have to be careful and creative.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

I think you could still do this, still using the shard system?  You would just let different character classes learn different skills when the same shard is equipped, so a mage character would get your typical mage stuff and melee characters get melee skills, just by doing a conditional branches, couldn't you?

 

 

Actually this idea also used the shard system. And conditional branches are not needed: if you make a character learn a skill for which he has no command, it's the same as nothing. So a mage can learn a spell, a melee character can learn a melee skill - all in the same item at the same time, because the mage doesnt have the learned melee skill command and the warrior doesn't have the magic command. The "wrong" skill will be unusable, and won't even be listed among the character's skills.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Hello everyone! Just wanted to give an update on how the project is doing.

Skills and abilities systems are set-up, as well as most of the database.

 

Here are some pics of the mechanics (characters and faces are provisory!)

 

 

Equipping essences. Pairing essences produce....

Different magic skills. Of course, This is a demo pic, the character is a bit overpowered

 

 

Chain skills system! 

 

 

 

To spice things up, characters now can concatenate attacks to produce a combo. Since I'm at it, I'll post them!

 

 

 

Joshua:

Master of Self: Joshua is able to perform a sequence of buffing skills. At higher levels, he can finish it with an attack.

Dai Kihon: Joshua is able to use the Great Fundaments to incur a series of debuffs to an opponent.

Renzoku Waza: As his level increases, Joshua can perform slashes in sequence.

Zack:

Bang! You're dead: Zack can use a wide array of different attacks - from gas shells to armor piercing projectiles. After all his attacks he can deliver a finishing blow.

Dolores:

Cabal Enforcement: Dolores is able to replenish her own MP and cast a sequence of spells.

Damnation: Dolores is able to chain magic attacks, and deliver a large ammount of damage.

Petrus:

Inquisitor's Duty: The bane of spellcasters, Petrus used their own magic power against them, sealing their abilities with a finishing blow.

Evangelize: A sequence of skills and magic spells that replenish characters HP, SP and buffs.

Levy:

Virtuoso: Putting the bow aside, Levy can sing continuously to buff the party's stats.

Break the Law: In the same way, Levy can sing continuously to wreck havoc in the enemy party with a series of status alterations.

Lucy:

Nameless Inversion: Heh, there's a reason for that name

Sarah:

Lacking in combat skills, Sarah rather avoids fighting. So she has no combat chain skills.

 

 

 

Chain skills may be tempting to use at a first glance, but they are quite demanding in resources. 

Combat IS an important part of the game, but the battles are fewer than the previous version and much more strategycal. The correct strategy makes the battles a piece of cake, the wrong strategy makes them hard and boring. The game is forgiving in the early stages, but as the enemies get stronger strategy becomes a must. For those who like button-mashing battle, there's always the power levelling option (in this game, power levelling requires a lot of levels).

 

Most of the battles can be easily avoided, tho.

 

Well, that's it, for now. As soon as I get more things working I'll post more. But all discussions here are welcome, I need feedback!!!

Edited January 1, 2014 by Sughayyer

[TheHarmp 155]

Woah, that essence equip window looks pretty slick.
& I'm very curious as to how that battle system plays.
I'm very intrigued by what I read.

Edited December 28, 2013 by TheHarmp

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Hehe, I'm glad to hear that!

About the essence screen, it's Galv's work

I'll post a list of the scripts I'm using as soon as I get the other mechanics wrapped.

[Tsarmina 2,612]

I also like the essence screen a lot, it's really beautiful Are you going to use a different windowskin (eventually)?

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Yes, I probably will. I gotta say, I like the default blue screen, but it has probably been overused. I could use the oppinions of an artist on that matter XD

Again, I take no credit for the essence screen. It's Galv's.

[+ ximenia 20]

Very solid cast and a really cool genesis. I also really like the essence equip menu you have. 

 

There is nothing wrong with using the default blue screen if you like it, but it's always better to try and find a theme that fits your game.

 

I use a custom menu that is black with white text, because my game has a dark feel to it, for example.