[[<img src="The Raven Circle cover image.png">->rebellion]]
CW: body horror, surreal horror, auditory jumpscares, portrayal of anxiety and panic attack.
Playing with the sound on is recommended for the best experience.
(text-color: black)[[[credits->credits]]] | (text-color: black)[[[resources->resources]]]
(set: $SigilActive to false)
(set: $IndulgenceActive to false)
(set: $NoiseActive to false)
(set: $PoisonActive to false)
(set: $HasBook to false)
(set: $HasSong to false)Though the sun still shines, the sky is black. Obsidian songbirds fly overhead and the vault of the sky darkens beneath their wings.
Inside the Temple of Dulcitora, no one pays heed to the birds. There must be hundreds. Thousands, maybe. But all are focused on the agonized screams of those being branded as (text-color: red)[[feral->feral]]. The desolate five vampires who are enduring this fate have had their bosoms exposed, hot irons pressed to their sternums. They knew how readily their choice would lead to this.
((text-color: red)[[[why must they burn?->why must they burn?]]])To be feral is to be shunned. To be feral is to be a holy being torn asunder. To be feral is to be desecrated by what you cannot percieve.
((text-color: red)[[[show me how to be holy->rebellion]]])You knew how readily your choices could change the course of your time at the temple.
And yet...
You chose to question its (text-color: red)[[[teachings->teachings]]].
You chose to question its (text-color: red)[[[people->people]]].
You chose to question (text-color: red)[[[yourself->yourself]]].
So, for that, (text-color: red)[[[you burned->you burned]]].You knew how readily your actions could harm people.
And yet...
(text-color: red)[[[You killed him->You killed him]]].You were so naïve to believe everything the temple taught you. It is not so much the Temple of Dulcitora as it is the Temple of Lies.
((text-color: red)[[[for how long have I lied to myself?->why must I burn?]]])The severed head of the Celestial Emperor—the Temple of Dulcitora's leader—rolls onto the floor of the sanctuary. The sword you used to commit the deed lies a few meters behind the rest of his corpse. Crimson blood streaks onto glittering abalone tiles. You try so hard to expunge these images from your mind. So hard. Yet all your efforts are futile.
((text-color: red)[[[why did I do this?->why did I do this?]]])((text-color: red)[[[because he deserved it->because he deserved it]]])
((text-color: red)[[[because I deserved it->because I deserved it]]])
((text-color: red)[[[because I wanted to->because I wanted to]]])
((text-color: red)[[[because I needed to->because I needed to]]])He was the one who shoved you to the floor, tore your blouse, pressed the hot iron to your bosom, and all but spat in your face afterwards. He clipped your wings and stole your magic. He hurt you and your friends. You were angry, //so angry//, at him. Now, (text-color: red)[[[he is no more->why must I burn?]]].You deserved to claim the ultimate revenge against the person who hurt you so. You deserved to see him cower beneath you instead of tower over you, for once in your life! You deserved to show him you are not to be trifled with, not to be controlled by someone as wretched as him, (text-color: red)[[[not to be desecrated->why must I burn?]]].You are in your dormitory. Your chest, where the brand is, hurts more than usual. More than a year has passed since that fateful day when the Celestial Emperor forced you to become a feral. A (text-color: red)[[[book->book]]] lies on your desk. A (text-color: red)[[[song->song]]] bubbles to your consciousness, for you are great need of comfort. Your recurring (text-color: red)[[[nightmare->nightmare]]] makes it difficult to sleep.
(text-color: red)[[[Go to the dungeon.->dungeon]]]It was here, in the dungeon, where the protected-blood humans chose to honor the Raven Circle.
It was here, in the dungeon, where you were imprisoned with your bloodbound partner, or the person off of which the temple tells you you must feed, last year.
It is here, in the dungeon, where you will discover your purpose.
Are you ready?
(text-color: red)[[[yes->purpose]]](if: $HasSong is false or $HasBook is false)[ | (text-color: red)[[[no->you burned]]]]There are five (text-color: red)[[[statues->statues]]], one for each of the vampires who abandoned their faith, in the deepest depths of the dungeon. The stone immortalizes these people, who are long dead. The stone makes them deities. The stone traps them here.At that time, you learned, the only reason a vampire would be branded as feral was because they betrayed the temple with which they were affiliated—//your// temple. Those branded few, those long-dead few, are the Raven Circle.
((text-color: red)[[[why must I burn?->why must I burn?]]])Examine a statue.
(text-color: red)[[[Retribution->Retribution]]] | (text-color: red)[[[Sigil->Sigil]]] | (text-color: red)[[[Indulgence->Indulgence]]] | (text-color: red)[[[Noise->Noise]]] | (text-color: red)[[[Poison->Poison]]]
(if: $HasBook is false or $HasSong is false)[((text-color: red)[[[I am not prepared.->you burned]]])]At the core of the Temple of Dulcitora's teachings is the history of the War of Four Songs, in which the vampires and humans allied with them, who were chiefly affiliated with the temple itself, fought against the protected-blood humans—those humans off of which vampires cannot feed—and the feral vampires.
((text-color: red)[[[this history was hidden from me->why must I burn?]]])Retribution is the goddess of heresiarchs, war, hatred, and bloodshed.
(if: $SigilActive and $IndulgenceActive and $NoiseActive and $PoisonActive)[Her statue is lit up in pale gold. The plaque at the base reads, "(text-color: red)[[[Approach us.->flee]]]"<audio src="Decline.wav" autoplay>](else:)[Her statue is cold, gray, unseeing marble. The plaque at the base of the statue is blank.
((text-color: red)[[[forgive me for having sinned in your stead->statues]]])]Sigil is the god of symbols, language, literature, and cryptography.
(if: $HasBook is true and $SigilActive is false)[You think to yourself, //Literature? Perhaps he would enjoy the book I brought.// You place the book (text-color: red)[[[onto the plaque->onto the plaque]]].](else-if: $HasBook is false and $SigilActive is false)[His statue is cold, gray, unseeing marble. The plaque at the base of the statue is blank.
((text-color: red)[[[I cannot decipher your meaning->statues]]])](else:)[His statue is lit up in pale gold. The plaque at the base of the statue reads, "Language is but another tool for us to use. To manipulate it, bend it to our will like wind tearing river reeds from their roots, is the greatest power."
((text-color: red)[[[I cannot decipher your meaning->statues]]])]Indulgence is the goddess of music, dance, celebration, and creativity.
(if: $HasSong is false and $IndulgenceActive is false)[Her statue is cold, gray, unseeing marble. The plaque at the base of the statue is blank.
((text-color: red)[[[I pray you can hear my melody->statues]]])](else-if: $HasSong is true and $IndulgenceActive is false)[//Music?// you think. //Maybe a song will coax her out.// And so, (text-color: red)[[[you sing->you sing]]].](else-if: $IndulgenceActive is true)[Her statue is lit up in pale gold. The plaque at the base of the statue is blank. A young woman's voice quivers, "Can you hear me?"
(text-color: red)[[[yes->yes]]] | (text-color: red)[[[no->no]]]]Noise is the god of distractions, signals, visions, and meaning.
(if: $NoiseActive is true)[His statue is lit up in pale gold. The plaque at the base reads, "Those who cannot bear the noise will never find my signal."
((text-color: red)[[[your song is ever so sweet->statues]]])](else:)[His statue is cold, gray, unseeing marble. There is something written on the plaque at its base, but before you can consider it, the space in which you stand warps. A horrific droning noise assails your ears. (text-color: red)[[[Scream!->Scream]]]
<audio src="Droning.mp3" autoplay>]Poison is the goddess of transience, water, blood, and renegades.
(if: $PoisonActive is true)[Her statue is lit up in pale gold. The plaque at the base of the statue reads, "Ancient blood calls to new blood."
((text-color: red)[[[her blood is also red->statues]]])](else:)[Her statue is cold, gray, unseeing marble. The plaque at the base of the statue is blank. The goddess imprisoned by marble draws you to her, draws your fingers to the plaque of her statue. So you (text-color: red)[[[touch it->touch it]]].](set: $HasBook to true)
(if:visits is 1)[It is a book about the history of the city-state you call home. You (text-color: red)[[[take->you burned]]] the book from your desk.]
(else:)[Your desk looks the same as always.
((text-color: red)[[[how much must I remember in order to forget my sins?->you burned]]])](set: $HasSong to true)
(if:visits is 1)[It is the lullaby your parents sang to you when you just a little girl, afraid of having nightmares like the ones you are now having. The song teaches itself (text-color: red)[[[to you->you burned]]].]
(else:)[The lullaby is exquisitely beautiful. You are certain you are not the only one who would enjoy it.
((text-color: red)[[[I sing for I cannot speak->you burned]]])]
<audio src="paranoid piano.mp3" autoplay>As the horror continues, the space becomes saturated with scarlet. Lines and geometries that were once sharp and defined now bleed. Keeping your eyes open proves difficult. You clumsily drop to your knees, your hands clasped over your ears.
(text-color: red)[[[Call out for him!->call]]]
<audio src="Droning.mp3" autoplay>(set: $NoiseActive to true)
"Noise, I do not know if this is your doing, but I have received your signal loud and clear!"
The cacophony ceases. The horrorscape shifts back into the (text-color: red)[[[dungeon->statues]]] which, despite its shadowy and corrupt past, exudes a sense of consistency that comforts you.
<audio src="Decline.wav" autoplay>//Who said that?// you think, //Is there another person down here?//
"Hello? Is anyone there?" you call out.
(text-color: red)[[[No response.->statues]]]You jolt back. //Is there another person here?// Frightened, you do not wait around to find out.
((text-color: red)[[[my heart is drumming in my chest and the rhythm is agonizing->statues]]])Though you fled, you must return. It is inevitable. What is also inevitable, though, and what you always knew was coming, is your class. It was thanks to you that the Temple of Dulcitora now can teach you to use (text-color: red)[[[your wings->wings]]] and (text-color: red)[[[your magic->magic]]].
Are you ready to return?
(text-color: red)[[[It is inevitable.->return]]](set: $PoisonActive to true)
You press your fingers to the plaque and they come away slick with garnet blood. Suppressing a shiver, you lick the pinpricks like a suckling pig would a sow's teat. The healing factor in your saliva works them closed. You notice that your blood seeps into the grooves of the plaque, illuminating the words (text-color: red)[[[carved there->statues]]].
<audio src="Decline.wav" autoplay>Some of the sounds in this project were created by David Mckee (ViRiX) soundcloud.com/virix
Haunted Woods (Horror Drone) by Michael Klier. https://opengameart.org/content/haunted-woods-horror-drone
Horror SFX by TinyWorlds (tinyworlds.org).
https://opengameart.org/content/horror-sfx
Loopable Horror Ambience by VividReality.
https://opengameart.org/content/loopable-horror-ambiance
Paranoid Piano by xcran.
https://opengameart.org/content/paranoid-piano
((text-color: black)[[[back->start]]])(set: $IndulgenceActive to true)
You sing your lullaby to this goddess incased in stone. You can almost hear her (text-color: red)[[[singing back->statues]]].
<audio src="Decline.wav" autoplay>(set: $SigilActive to true)
The words rearrange themselves (text-color: red)[[[before your eyes->statues]]].
<audio src="Decline.wav" autoplay>You are in the dungeon once more. Your heart races, creating a painful pulsing sensation beneath your ribcage. Also beneath your ribcage is the poison of the feral brand you bear. With their affinity for the Lost Arts, every last person in the temple's hallowed spaces can tell you are marked as undesirable, unfaithful, and unprincipled.
((text-color: red)[[[what am I?->what am I?]]])Your wings are purely black and massive, spanning many meters across. It is no longer bone-breakingly, earth-shatteringly, painful to use them.
((text-color: red)[[[my feathers are slick with blood->flee]]])The Lost Arts, as they are called, were an ancient system of magic developed in tandem by vampires such as yourself, allied humans such as your bloodbound partner and her fellows, and protected-blood humans, of which there are now quite a few at the Temple of Dulcitora. Ironically, the temple banned their use because of its connotation of treason, which was chiefly committed by the feral vampires other than yourself.
((text-color: red)[[[my magic is shadow-dark->learn]]])
((text-color: red)[[[back->flee]]])Because the garnet blood and the onyx feathers were always there, hidden away under your shoulder blades. Because the shadow-dark magic was always there, hidden away under your palms. Because he took these things away from you before you ever had a chance to use them.
And, for that, he must (text-color: red)[[[bleed->why must I burn?]]].If he had not died, he would have continued to exert his will on the Temple of Dulcitora and, to some extent, on the whole city-state around it. You simply could not let that happen. You should not have had to suffer the indecencies through which he forced you. Neither you nor anyone else will ever have to again.
((text-color: red)[[[it was a matter of necessity->why must I burn?]]])((text-color: red)[[[I am unlovable.->not like this]]])
((text-color: red)[[[I am pathetic.->not like this]]])
((text-color: red)[[[I am shattered.->not like this]]])(text-color: red)[[[So were they.->spooky]]](text-style:"expand","smear","shudder")[(text-color: black)[FOOLISH MORTAL. FOOLISH LITTLE RAVEN! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE THE INEVITABLE?
(click-replace: "FOOLISH MORTAL. FOOLISH LITTLE RAVEN! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE THE INEVITABLE?")[ANCIENT BLOOD CALLS TO NEW BLOOD.]
(click-replace: "ANCIENT BLOOD CALLS TO NEW BLOOD.")[CAN YOU EVEN BEAR OUR NOISE?]
(click-replace: "CAN YOU EVEN BEAR OUR NOISE?")[DID YOU EVEN FIND OUR SIGNAL?]
(click-replace: "DID YOU EVEN FIND OUR SIGNAL?")[CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?]
(click-replace: "CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?")[LANGUAGE IS OURS TO MANIPULATE.]
(click-replace: "LANGUAGE IS OURS TO MANIPULATE.")[[[APPROACH US.->duel-1]]]]]
<audio src="horror_effect1.wav" autoplay>Your blood, your wings, your magic—they have failed you. Your nightmare has manifested itself.
//fin.//
((text-color: red)[[[resources->resources]]])You are in an eerie landscape of red and black. The sky is pinkish-red with a cloudy gradient. The pitch-black gravel beneath you is sharp, yet brittle, and walking on it makes strips of flesh corkscrew off the soles of your feet.
An unseen force tears your ribcage open. Maggots, cicadas, and worms barrel in. You feel a wet warmth that is simultaneously familiar and foul. In you, these varmints find a home that cannot resist their intrusion. In them, you find a pestilence that is as alive as the ground that birthed it is lifeless. Black branch-like formations streak across the monochrome scarlet sky, juddering at scattered intervals as if glitching.
The gravel on the ground falls away like decaying flesh rejecting the frame onto which it was sculpted. Thousands upon thousands of abstractly rounded crevices reveal themselves to you. The sky is black. Scarlet branches scratch themselves into the surface of your skin. Viscous blood spews out of your eyes. And (text-color: red)[[[you are nothing anymore->you burned]]].
<audio src="Haunted Woods.wav" autoplay>(text-style:"expand","smear","shudder")[(text-colour:red)[YOU ARE BUT ONE TINY, PATHETIC CREATURE. WE ARE FIVE.
(click-replace: "YOU ARE BUT ONE TINY, PATHETIC CREATURE. WE ARE FIVE.")[YOU FLY ON WINGS THAT WE USED WITHOUT LIMITS.]
(click-replace: "YOU FLY ON WINGS THAT WE USED WITHOUT LIMITS.")[YOU USE MAGIC THAT WE WIELDED FOR CENTURIES.]
(click-replace: "YOU USE MAGIC THAT WE WIELDED FOR CENTURIES.")[YOU BEAR THE MARK OF A FERAL—THE MARK OF US.]
(click-replace: "YOU BEAR THE MARK OF A FERAL—THE MARK OF US.")[YOU ACTIVATED US.]
(click-replace: "YOU ACTIVATED US.")[YOU PERCIEVED US.]
(click-replace: "YOU PERCIEVED US.")[[[YOU WILL DIE WITH US.->end]]]]]
<audio src="horror_effect2.wav" autoplay>[[<img src="blood and ravens.png">->not loved]]You were not made to be loved.
((text-color: red)[[[I was not made to be loved.->panic attack]]])Your eyes burn as light encompasses the dungeon. The statues, unlike how they were lit up in gold before, are dull and lifeless.
You find yourself in the center of a circle of five thrones—each one made of dust-caked rock and facing a gray obelisk. //This//, you think, //Is where I was meant to be.//
You place a hand over your heart at the same time you touch the obelisk. The latter lights up in a brilliant pale gold glow, just as the statues had when you activated them.
You lower yourself to one knee and bow your head with your arms held straight, but relaxed, by your sides. Your palms are flat and facing forward as your attempt to maneuver yourself into as subservient a position as possible.
“Esteemed spirits," you say, "I am honored by your presence. You called for me and now I have answered.”
You stumble backwards, squeezing your eyes shut. When all the light dissipates, you see figures sitting on the thrones. Your head fills with pressure, indicative of a drop in your blood pressure at the shock of these figures’ appearance. Blinking rapidly, you approach them with great caution.
//Are they an apparition or a threat? Or both?//
The woman on the center throne stands up and holds her arms open, as if ready to embrace you. “Our child, at last, you have returned. (text-colour:red)[[[Approach us.->duel-2]]]”Examine a spell.
(text-colour:red)[[[flame->flame]]] | (text-colour:red)[[[wraith creation->wraith creation]]] | (text-colour:red)[[[light shield->light shield]]]
((text-colour:red)[[[back->magic]]])A basic spell that you can use to create a controlled flame in the palm of your hand.
((text-colour:red)[[[back->learn]]])An advanced spell that allows you to create a shadow creature, known as a wraith, out of corrupt energy. If you use this, you run the risk of absorbing the corruption into yourself.
((text-colour:red)[[[am I strong enough to resist its call?->learn]]])An intermediate spell that allows you to erect a shield around yourself made of pure light.
((text-colour:red)[[[back->learn]]])//This is how I die,// you think. //Down here in the dungeon, with no company other than dead and despairing gods of unseeing stone.//
Small, yet oppressive, tremors make your limbs and head twitch. You rake your nails over your forearm, revealing white track marks with dead skin cells flaking off each limb. Were you even itchy to begin with? It is impossible to tell, given how much the irritated skin hurts now. Your heart beats so quickly that it feels like your chest will give out at any moment now.
((text-colour:red)[[[breathe->not made to be]]])
“This reformation you speak of, what does it entail?” she asks.
“We are learning to perform magic, to start,” you say. “We can now formally learn the Lost Arts, which you used, as well as the usage of wings here at the temple. Both were banned after the War of Four Songs, as you may know.”
The goddess commands, “(text-colour:red)[[[Show me.->duel-3]]]”You bow your head, reminded of all the ways she addressed you.
“Retribution, with all due respect, I am no heresiarch. I did not establish anything, nor did I attack any religious group. Who I attacked—the Celestial Emperor—was an entirely separate entity from the temple.”
A fit of anger overcomes her. She conjures a wraith and sends it hurtling towards you.
In a flash, you (text-colour:red)[[[mobilize->spell choice]]] a counter-spell of your own.You manage at the last second to erect a light shield. The wraith vanishes the moment it makes contact with the shield. The goddess readies another spell, which you notice is headed for your feet.
(set: $counter to 5)
You have [|amount>[$counter]] seconds left to (text-colour:red)[[[fly->shield route 2]]]!
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "end")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
]Your wings spread to their full length and you soar upwards. Out of the corner of your eye, you watch as Retribution readies another spell. Her hands glow golden—the color of sunlight, which should evoke joy, and yet it only evokes dread.
Creating a shield around yourself bought you some time. But no one can survive all too long on (text-colour:red)[[[borrowed time->escape]]].(text-colour:red)[[[flame->flame route 1]]] | (text-colour:red)[[[light shield->shield route 1]]] | (text-colour:red)[[[wraith->wraith route 1]]]
(set: $counter to 5)
You have [|amount>[$counter]] seconds left to select a spell!
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "escape")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
]Compilations of resources for those with anxiety.
https://adaa.org/find-help/support/community-resources
https://www.anxietyresourcecenter.org/resources/helpful-links/
((text-colour:black)[[[back->start]]])You spread your wings, then produce a black-tinged flame in your right hand. She watches you critically, her eyes traversing from each wing to the magic fire, then to your own eyes.
Then, she claims, “You are still the one feral vampire who took down the Celestial Emperor and, in doing so, allowed the temple to move on. In a sense, you are a heresiarch because it was you who killed the former leader.”
You pause to consider her words. Obviously, you had some connection to the Raven Circle in that you bear the mark of a feral vampire, like they did, but surely they do not mean to single you out so severely by claiming that you are the founder of a heretical sect.
What does this mean for your faith in Dulcitora?
You are well-aware of the fact you see before you the spirits of vampires who were lauded by some as deities, but that belief in them as gods is only true for some people. And you was not one of them. To you, they are historical figures, not ones you would yourself worship. (text-colour:red)[[[Right?->duel-4]]]You conjure a black-edged flame in the palm of your hand.
"You can tap out at any time you want," you claim to your opponent. "Or you can burn."
Retribution has no response. So, you conclude, "Now, burn for me and me alone!"
Smoke and embers obscure her face. But (text-colour:red)[[[it is not enough->escape]]].You let the darkness—the Raven Circle's darkness—fall on you like a stone.
//I can control it. I can use it to my advantage. I can remember who I am.//, you chant to yourself silently.
The wraith hovers between your palms for only a second before you send it torpedoing at the goddess. She screeches.
"Foolish girl," she sneers. "Do you think you are the only one who can absorb the energy of corrupt magic?"
Inky, garnet liquid oozes from Retribution's eyes. It is no consequence of your action.