Leave Theories Below. Sniping this before Quasi posts one.
Fakers, Nobodies, and the Scent of Citrus · By
I think the most important thing to consider is whether anything is really canon or not. it's not like Quasi's confirmed one canonical route. Chances are we're gonna see more routes come and they'll all be canon because none of this is real. This is a game about concepts, it's a game where you really shouldn't try to apply facts and logic to the meta aspects of the world. like, we have the world established by dialog and worldbuilding that clearly has a lot of work put into it. since every piece of throwaway dialog about some faroff place is consistent and doesn't contradict itself. It's very clear we've seen maybe 10% of the world so far. but the rest feels like it's really there. you know Ortna is xenophobic and kind of oppressive, or that Daultus is nicknamed the University Town because it's the home to a bunch of mage houses and run by a council of High Magi that operate like a supreme court instead of a regular lordship. or that Malbec is the nearest place to Rhun in the Northern Freelands. All of this is clear, though not told to you unless you talk to people and put it together. But once you get to the meta stuff it gets all messy. since it's implied to be extremely conceptual and abstract, the world is a song run by a composer that seems to be some kind of high god. Which brings into question who the "Maiden of Holy Wars" worshipped in Rhun is. If they consider her the high god. but she's not the one ,entioned in the intro, are there multiples? or is it just that different cultures have different beliefs. how do we know ours is correct?
In the end anything cut strings and meta related shouldn't be taken literally. It's hard to tell what is literal and what is conceptual beccause I highly doubt we're literally revisiting the prologue to fight a floating mask named self. It's probably metaphorical. Or not. This game is friggin bonkers, we have french geese that praise you for existing and references to Logan paul. there's a solid chance I'm overthinking this
Holy Yappanese, I think you're overthinking my goofy goober game. Like, don't get me wrong, you're 90% of the way there. The attention to detail is crazy, but, like, bro, I don't even remember adding this much of my worldbuilding bible to this game yet..
Yeah, good on you, though. I take full responsibility for developing Drunk. Still, don't take the comedy aspects too seriously. The meta comedy aspects kinda fall apart when you overthink them. It's best just to keep them separate in your head, since the world's just fucked like that. Most 4th wall break jokes are throwaway, and only the worldbuilding is designed to be held under a microscope.
The cut strings concept is also extremely metaphorical, as you said. Like, the world is tearing at the seams. But also, you shouldn't overthink it. In the end, it's meant to send a message and tell a story. There's a more traditional story that's being worked on, but until then, this cryptic shit is the story, lmao, so keep interacting with strange holes. It's a recipe for success! (Real talk, the game isn't even 10% finished yet. Even with 214 maps. So stay tuned homie)
Okay but Istfg if this guy pulls an "it was all a dream" I'm gonna kms. Just embrace the insanity. It makes a way better game, and also stop apologizing for delays. Everyone knows it was gonna be that or burnout. You work too damn much on this thing. I love this game to death and spend way too much time analyzing it for my own good but health is key.
Also, I think it's more likely gonna be some kind of romance plot between leran and ruby with how his heart is trying to escape and shi when we meet her. Don't get me wrong, smash, but still.
First off, I despise that trope. Friggin sucks. Biggest copout ending known to man. Second off, the original D&D campaign's lore delivery system was inspired by Black Souls, lmao. Not afraid to say the cut strings route is inspired by the SEN event system in BS2. Though the scenes were a bit too gross for me, I turned it off. No shame if people like it, but it's a bit much for me. Freaks me out. Which sucks because, outside of that, the game is actually ridiculously well made. Makes mine look like the great value knockoff by comparison, lmao.
Despite this, I've got a world in mind, and a campaign I owe some homies an adaptation of. This world is technically decades in the making, since the original worldbuilding bible for Aeon was written by my father when he was a kid with his D&D group. I played a campaign with him and the family for 7 years, and ended up running that same world for damn near my entire adult life, lol. In the end, it feels like a disservice not to adapt it. There's so much I need to immortalize because I know one day I'm gonna forget it all. That it's gonna disappear forever, and I just can't have that happen. I won't let it.
Moving swiftly onwards! I've got pictures of the physical worldbuilding bible, too! I don't have the book itself anymore, but I've it memorized, so it should be fineeeeeeeeeeeee (Map courtesy of the original player of Keito, everyone's favorite, JimmyJimmerJamJams).
I'll post a high res version when the game is a little more complete, but Rhun is just the top left corner. There's also unlabeled areas on the right, like Bheraghast and The Ortna Empire. Basically, I've got a lot of work ahead of me. But hey, price ya pay for goofy goobering.
Wow! A reply from the Dev themselves!
First of all, this game is so amazing with the mysteries and characters are so cool with this arcing sense of mystery.
My headcanon is that Kaas bell around her neck is why Sylvanna truly woke up and is some type of relic in of itself. I might be wrong, but I just can't help thinking of this has meaning somehow.
Again, thank you for making such a cool game!
That's a really cool theory! I think you're definitely on the right track! But it's not the bell itself. Though I love the idea. Do you mind if I make her bell a magic item in game?
Thank you glad you heard me out here good to know I'm on the right track.
I would be honored if the bell was a magical item I forward to seeing that.
That sounds great! It's my pleasure. The rest of the game is a bit more lighthearted, but please let me know if you have any feedback. I'm active on our Discord server regularly. Otherwise, the Itch community board is your playground! Have fun! Post whatever you'd like, LOL. We value all community interaction.
(The Item is made and Kass'll start with it! Thanks Owlstar!)
I would be inclined to agree. I think quasi is going to be leaning more into the puppet route as the game goes on just given the fact 2.4 gave us the white hare. who tells us to keep them attached. As of right now though if you haven't already I suggest pressing escape when you're asked if you're truly alone in the self boss fight. since that's a completed route on its own merit. And I'm not afraid to say it made me ugly cry.
