1750, Inverness, Scotland.
Tristram Rose is an immortal tailor whose knack for repairs extends from clothing to people. Born with healing hands, he is able to make the elderly young again, reverse the progression of illness, and undo decay in corpses. He has historically lead a quiet life; picking himself up and moving town every decade or two, avoiding flaunting his powers -- keeping himself to himself to avoid potential fallout from his unique traits being aired openly.
All his careful work is starting to come undone. After healing and rejuvenating his elderly partner, Alas, Tris is betrayed. Alas never wanted help, and if he's going to be stuck as a 20-something again, losing his social standing and resources, he's going to make sure Tris loses the same.
Alas will report Tris for sodomy if he doesn't leave Inverness in the next few days.
Tris lacks the money to move -- but luckily, a solution has presented itself: a woman offering a small fortune to make her a dress. Dresses aren't his usual trade, but given the circumstances, he'll take anything.
As he works, she begins to tell a story. She's very insistent on finishing.
Which will come first -- the end of her story, the end of the dress, or the end of Alas' patience?
-6 endings (2 per route)
-70,000+ words long
-60-90 minutes per route, and around 4-6 hours playtime total
-14 CGs
-recommended for audiences 16+ (contains gore, body horror, implied suicide, implied sex scenes, and profanity)
Tristram Rose
Tris is a stoic Scotsman; born 995AD and still attached to his homeland.
Nationalistic, opinionated, and inflexible -- he's a hard man to socialise with, but inarguably dedicated in matters of politics and business.
His immortality has isolated him from humanity in several senses, so he was never an ideal partner for Alas.
Shell Azzara
Shell is a cheery woman with an expensive taste in fabric and a noted passion for tall tales.
She isn't wearing a wig or a hat -- or any proper accessories -- but she's wealthy enough to fund an entire cross-country move for Tris.
Is she your average person with more money than sense? Or is she hiding an ulterior motive?
Alasdair Fairbairn
Alas is happiest when he lives without thinking; but a crippled man in the post-Culloden Highlands has little else to do.
His wife long dead, his son recently killed, and his only close relationship at odds with his religious beliefs... Alas spends much of his time grappling with feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing.
His second chance at life could either enable a change for the better, or a descent into greater depression. Even he is unsure which.
Porfirio, Mariana, Sinbad and Aquila
The cast of Shell's story.
Porfirio: a Venetian vagabond out to steal priceless treasure and enjoy the world.
Mariana: a Turkish seamstress who escapes her workshop to travel with Porfirio and Sinbad.
Sinbad: a Persian sailor who was implicated in Porfirio's thieving ways some time ago and never extricated from them.
Aquila: a Byzantine soldier pursuing Mariana (and her companions).
(Updated Jan '16)
Inverness Nights is a slow-burn game about how the era a person lives in changes the way that person is perceived. Relaxed and small-scale, if you like personal stories about magical people in historical places, you'll probably enjoy this game! Tonally, the project is shooting for something downbeat but hopeful. Unambiguous happy endings exist, but you'll have to work to understand the cast if you want to achieve them. Befriending two characters over three routes (together or individually), try and bring joy to the Highlands -- or keep the gloom going, if you prefer.
Screenshots
Credits
Writing/character design/programming/BG art -- Kitsubasa
Sprite/CG art -- Cafechan
Additional CGs -- Toastyhat
Music -- Sebastien Skaf
GUI/Logo -- Morhighan
Progress
Writing -- 100% (first draft)
-- 100% (second draft)
-- 100% (third draft)
-- 100% (fourth draft)
-- 100% (fifth draft)
-- 100% (ending addition-- first draft)
-- 70% (ending addition -- second draft)
-- 20% (ending revisions -other routes-)
-- 100% (side story-- planning)
-- 100% (side story-- script)
-- 0% (side story-- editing)
Sprites -- 5/5
CGs -- 20/20
BGs -- 6/24
GUI -- 100%
Music -- 100%
Coding -- 70%
(updated: July 23rd, 2016)