Beyond the Gilded Veil
Information about the game can be found here: https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/wip-beyond-the-gilded-veil-grim-fantasy-romanc...
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In the kingdom of Aurivale, where magic is both birthright and power, you are the unthinkable, a heir without the gift.
“I’ve slept for an eternity…”
Born under scandalous circumstances, your very existence is a mark of defiance against tradition, and your claim to the patriarchy is met with disdain.
“I’ve observed for an eternity…”
As the firstborn of House Luminary, your position is secured by bloodline alone, protected by the influence of your father. Yet behind the scenes, ambition festers and whispers scathe you.
“Time and time again, I have watched what is mine be taken…”
Can you hold on to what you love as everything crumbles around you?
“Child of circumstance, vessel of my will, your chains are breaking…”
Can you accept what you are as everything falls apart?
“Show them our truth. Take what we're owed. As you are unbound, so too shall I be free.”
Are you truly without a gift?
“I am the fires of damnation…”
“I am the law of anathema…”
“I am the blood within your veins…”
“I am the nightmare hidden in the darkest shadows…”
“I am what shall always prevail…”
“I am madness incarnate…”
We are the abyss that gazes back.
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Beyond the Gilded Veil is a grimdark fantasy interactive story where you take the role of an heir apparent to one of Aurivale’s most powerful noble houses. An anomaly of nature, in a world where every noble holds the One God’s gift, you are the only one to have somehow escaped His notice. Despite this, your claim to the pa(ma)triarchy holds strong, and your arranged marriage to the Prince(ss) even stronger. What could go wrong?
You can immerse yourself with a fully customizable protagonist and choose what path you will take. With a (mostly implemented) extensive magic and combat system, you can be assured that every fight and every encounter will push you to your limits. And what is war without love? You will have access to a total of 7+ love interests* with customizable genders.
*1 introduced and partially implemented, 6 possible varations of technically the same interest introduced and to be implemented, and more depending on popular demand.
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Tags to be added later into developpement
Download
Development log
- Version 2 | Hotfix 319 days ago
- Version 2 | Hotfix 223 days ago
- Version 2 | Hotfix 124 days ago
- Version 224 days ago
- Version 1.147 days ago
Comments
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Forced losses are such cancer.
I mean, you can kinda beat her. Some other guy (or gal, we don't judge) is speedrunning the combat with every subclass.
Anyways, if you have any suggestions to improve the game, please go ahead an leave a comment. This is my first choicescript game, so I'm looking for feedback.
This bug. In the downloaded file
I'll take a look at it, thanks.
Fixed!
Back again after update, This story blooming rather beautifully, not sure about the Chaos skill but I am starting to like Umbra skill, I almost defeated that pesky sister of MC, overall satisfied on how Umbra skill right now, I guess with little bit of training MC would turn out great.
Malefic skill is great as well but very mana heavy, I am previously defeating MC sister with this skill tree, just roll the dice at stun and poison her constantly, although defeating her will need some save exploitation, I believe Umbra is capable defeating her as well if keep reloading the save.
Would try chaos skill next.
There is no option to go full screen, I do not know if that is on purpose?
Fixed!
Many thanks, also amazing game, very entertaining. Aditionally there seems to be no save system in Itch.io while there is on Cogdemos, in case you don't know.
I looked around to see if it was possible before, and from what I've found, it requires extensive efforts on my side with programs I'm unfamiliar with. COG Demos has it built in, and I just toggle it on from the dashboard, so unless itch somehow adds the same feature, I wont be able to incorperate it within the game. Thanks for the interest though!
Super interesting! Cannot wait for more!
I feel chaos skill tree is not that powerful in comparison to others, like chance to heal or damage enemies that's really chaotic but th effect kinda underwhelming.
The umbra skill tree probably the least wonky but the evasion is only one turn need at least 2-3 turn.
Yeah, I've seen others comment the same thing. I'll be deploying a balance change along with the next version.
Hey! Loved the premise and mechanics. My personal favorite magic rn is Umbral Void due to the contrast with Pythea (Light Manipulation)
With that said I have a few suggestions based on my experience:
Some spells few a bit useless or just not worth it currently. For example in the Umbral category you have spells like Umbral Slip which guarantee you a dodge on the next action. This may sound useful on the surface but it means you're likely taking damage on that turn, to then maybe dodge when you're casting a spell on the next turn. It's vastly preferable, mana-wise, to either evade that turn or the next, since you've got a great chance to dodge the coming attack anyway.
Likewise some of the "damage dealer" options in the Maleficar and Chaos categories feel underwhelming in how much damage they deal and accuracy. Considering some of these have no stun options, you would think they would compensate on DPS/Bleed effect.
I also think the prologue needs a little more time to cook, we have too little information on the characters and especially Thaddien considering he dies pretty much a while after he's introduced. Also Pythea's hate feels a little overwhelming? Like I get she's ambitious but did we kill her dog or something for her to act like that lol
Hey there! Thanks for the comments and suggestions, that exactly what I was looking for. As you probably know, this story is my first game and in very early stages of development. Anyways, to adress your points:
- I agree with the spells being unbalanced. I didn't think this'd be even possible, but there will be a balance patch coming for an interactive fiction novel.
-I mentioned it briefly in the choice of games forum post, but I'm currently working on a prologue to give more depth to all the other characters and world build, as well rework Pythia's character to be less of a tier one hater. Anyways, version 2 should be getting deployed by the end of the week.
Thanks again :3
This is awesome story, so I take it the way to get stronger is to get corruption? What changes it will be?
My MC is seeking peace would love to see Spectre of the past come rearing back at some point forcing my MC to finally face the challenge.
Not necessarily the way, but a way. It's essentially a shortcut, but will impact dialogue and have consequences later on.
Hello, I just found your game and have couple of questions. How to win again Pythia? Because it seems like my mc is unable to run away. Would you implement the save slots?
Hey there! First of all, thanks for playing. Regarding Pythia, unless you're super lucky or decided to mess with the game files, it should be impossible to win. It's a scripted defeat to drive the story forewards. To avoid the fight, the only real way is to lose or surrender to the Luminary Guard. As for save slots, I dont think it's possible in a choicescript WIP, but I'll see what I can do.