The Devil of Saint Mechtilde (Horror, Otome, GxB, GxG)
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 3:27 am
An idea I had while working on "Down in the River" for a more action based VN, that I'll officially start work on after that's finished. For now, I just want to get the idea down and get some feedback on it for future reference. It's basically the opposite of that game, as it's more action based with a stronger lead character and a more cheerful tone despite the subject matter. The art style would also be far more cutesy and a friend has already said she may draw it for me, though I do have vague sketches for the characters.
Cecily Poole, age 15. Cause of death: Blunt force trauma, as her face was bashed repeatedly into the mirror of a third floor bathroom in the all girls boarding school, Saint Mechtilde, by an unknown assailant.
Or at least that's how the news will report it, should you fail. You play as Cecily, a young girl on the boarder of life and death, who's soul has been temporarily separated from her body by the aforementioned attack. Your goal is to solve your attempted murder, protect your friends from suffering the same fate, and then return safely to your body before you're officially dead at dawn. Along the way you get caught up in the mysteries and drama of the other school ghosts and they can either help or hinder you in your efforts.
Setting: Saint Mechtilde's is an all girl boarding school renowned for its music and art programs, established around twenty years prior to the game. It was built over the ruins of an older co-ed school that burned to the ground and as such is home to many restless spirits. The campus itself is surrounded by forest, but the buildings are immaculate and modern.
Characters:
• Cecily:
-Ghost: Pink hair, Brown eyes; Human: Brown hair + eyes
-The direct, driven, no-nonsense main character. She's known amongst friends and classmates as something of a scary upperclass bitch, though she isn't completely sure why. Separated from her body, she doesn't remember much of her former life-possibly as a result of the massive head injury she just incurred- but it doesn't matter too much to her as she's focused on the task at hand.
-Can vaguely manipulate objects at the start and reset time in short amounts
-Very strict, very catholic
• Klaus "The jumping ghost"
-White hair, Red eyes; Age: appears around 17
-A pretty boy relic from the late 60's. He's the first ghost Cecily meets upon waking, who'll show you the ropes early on. Klaus is outgoing, flirtatious, and a bit much to handle. He's something of an older brother figure to the majority of the other school ghosts and they all cling to him and look up to him in adoration. If you let him, he'll stick to you like the white on rice, whenever he's not busy tending to his hoard of followers.
-Known for occasionally being seen staring out windows or jumping from the third floor
-Has no readily apparent abilities but will lend you the power of some of his many followers depending on the situation
-Despises Jasper
• Blaise "The theatre ghost"
-Red hair, yellow eyes; Appears around 15
-A reclusive young ghost who hangs around the theatre, messing with various things. He's artistic in a sort of unintelligible way, compulsive, and manic. Keeping his attention is difficult as he's often preoccupied with thoughts of what to ruin next and getting him to help you is a struggle.
-Known for breaking machinery, destroying sets, and causing various problems in the theatre
-Vaguely pyrokinetic and able to manipulate electronics
-Because he keeps to himself, he isn't involved with the drama of the school and is often forgotten about. Despite this, he obviously makes the other characters a bit uncomfortable.
• Leo "The singing ghost"
-Purple hair and eyes; Appears around 15; Actual name = "Leonie"
-The most recently departed of the main ghosts, having died only the previous year. She was the star of the choir, becoming somewhat famous for her beautiful voice and taking the lead in every musical. After being approached for a big role outside of the school, she "accidentally" fell down some stairs... In death she's known as Klaus's right hand and is often seen at his side. Her appearance is that of a callous prince, and she's easily mistaken for a boy until she speaks.
-Known for occasionally singing in the choir room after hours
-Able to manipulate shadows and vaguely push/pull living people
-If you go for Klaus, she'll remain cold and disapproving of you the entire time, but in her own route she'll reveal a softer interior. If you go for Jasper, she'll fight against you at every turn.
-Has a history with Cecily that she'd prefer her not to remember and may be the "cannon" route
• Jasper "The sobbing ghost"
-Deep blue hair, light blue eyes + Glasses; Appears in his early to mid 30's
-Formerly a teacher, before the old school burned down. A kindhearted, sensitive ghost confined to the nurse's office by Klaus and company. He's obviously depressed but tries to give you positive reassurance and help you as much as possible, despite being unable to leave. You remind him of his wife.
-Known for the quiet sobbing that can occasionally be heard from the nurses office
-Able to vaguely control water and create barriers
-Has some unspoken history with Klaus, to the point that he's obviously afraid of him. The swarm of young girls who follow Klaus around will often bang on the door and walls of the nurses office and shout insults at him, but for whatever reason they can't enter. And if you choose to side with him, they'll all actively work against you. Especially Leo.
Living Characters:
Mayris:
-Blonde, age 15.
-Stated to be Cecily's best friend from the get go. She's first encountered when Cecily wakes up as a spirit, threatening Astrid with a box cutter in the same bathroom as Cecily's bloody corpse. While the situation is unclear, she certainly doesn't look good.
-An outspoken foreigner with a stronger spiritual sense than the other girls. She can sense your presence occasionally and act against you. Over the night she'll get more adept at it and eventually start to communicate with you directly.
-Possibly a romantic interest, more than likely as an offshoot of Leo's route rather than having a full one dedicated to her.
-As a quick note, she's not the only danger you'll face over the night
Astrid:
-Auburn hair, age 15
-Despite coming to the school that night with the others, she's obviously an outsider to their friend group and the other girls tease her and refuse to listen to her. She's first encountered being threatened by Mayris in the bathroom and has many chances to die over the course of the night.
-There are a few times her death is unavoidable and you have to reset time to find alternate means of saving her. Her spiritual sense is pretty weak but sometimes after her death you can speak with her before resetting things and she'll help a little.
Petra, Sofia, Lotte:
-Cecily's other friends who's personalities I haven't distinguished yet. First encountered playing together with an Ouija board, blissfully unaware of the danger they're in. If Cecily tries to contact them through it to warn them, they'll just giggle and ask to speak to Klaus again.
Game Stuff: So the game would be action and investigation based, inspired by Phoenix Wright and Ghost Trick (not a vn but w/e). You go places, talk to people, get things, use things in different situations, and so forth. Depending on which ghosts you're cool with, their different abilities are useful to you in different scenarios together with Cecily's ability to turn back time after a tragedy. You collect the memories of the ghost you're pursuing as you go, though they may be distorted at first. It's your job from there to figure out which parts are wrong and point them out, to find out the truth of their story and getting their good ending depends on it. The romance is all chaste, likely not going past a kiss -if that- and is focused more on helping them move on.
Questions:
-Is it interesting?/Does it sound fun?
-Is Jasper's age difference too much, even if the route is chaste and other characters disapprove?
-Do you get a good understanding of the characters from their descriptions?
-Which character do you like best?/ Who sounds most interesting?
-Who do you like least or think sounds least interesting?
-Any questions, concerns, or critiques?
Cecily Poole, age 15. Cause of death: Blunt force trauma, as her face was bashed repeatedly into the mirror of a third floor bathroom in the all girls boarding school, Saint Mechtilde, by an unknown assailant.
Or at least that's how the news will report it, should you fail. You play as Cecily, a young girl on the boarder of life and death, who's soul has been temporarily separated from her body by the aforementioned attack. Your goal is to solve your attempted murder, protect your friends from suffering the same fate, and then return safely to your body before you're officially dead at dawn. Along the way you get caught up in the mysteries and drama of the other school ghosts and they can either help or hinder you in your efforts.
Setting: Saint Mechtilde's is an all girl boarding school renowned for its music and art programs, established around twenty years prior to the game. It was built over the ruins of an older co-ed school that burned to the ground and as such is home to many restless spirits. The campus itself is surrounded by forest, but the buildings are immaculate and modern.
Characters:
• Cecily:
-Ghost: Pink hair, Brown eyes; Human: Brown hair + eyes
-The direct, driven, no-nonsense main character. She's known amongst friends and classmates as something of a scary upperclass bitch, though she isn't completely sure why. Separated from her body, she doesn't remember much of her former life-possibly as a result of the massive head injury she just incurred- but it doesn't matter too much to her as she's focused on the task at hand.
-Can vaguely manipulate objects at the start and reset time in short amounts
-Very strict, very catholic
• Klaus "The jumping ghost"
-White hair, Red eyes; Age: appears around 17
-A pretty boy relic from the late 60's. He's the first ghost Cecily meets upon waking, who'll show you the ropes early on. Klaus is outgoing, flirtatious, and a bit much to handle. He's something of an older brother figure to the majority of the other school ghosts and they all cling to him and look up to him in adoration. If you let him, he'll stick to you like the white on rice, whenever he's not busy tending to his hoard of followers.
-Known for occasionally being seen staring out windows or jumping from the third floor
-Has no readily apparent abilities but will lend you the power of some of his many followers depending on the situation
-Despises Jasper
• Blaise "The theatre ghost"
-Red hair, yellow eyes; Appears around 15
-A reclusive young ghost who hangs around the theatre, messing with various things. He's artistic in a sort of unintelligible way, compulsive, and manic. Keeping his attention is difficult as he's often preoccupied with thoughts of what to ruin next and getting him to help you is a struggle.
-Known for breaking machinery, destroying sets, and causing various problems in the theatre
-Vaguely pyrokinetic and able to manipulate electronics
-Because he keeps to himself, he isn't involved with the drama of the school and is often forgotten about. Despite this, he obviously makes the other characters a bit uncomfortable.
• Leo "The singing ghost"
-Purple hair and eyes; Appears around 15; Actual name = "Leonie"
-The most recently departed of the main ghosts, having died only the previous year. She was the star of the choir, becoming somewhat famous for her beautiful voice and taking the lead in every musical. After being approached for a big role outside of the school, she "accidentally" fell down some stairs... In death she's known as Klaus's right hand and is often seen at his side. Her appearance is that of a callous prince, and she's easily mistaken for a boy until she speaks.
-Known for occasionally singing in the choir room after hours
-Able to manipulate shadows and vaguely push/pull living people
-If you go for Klaus, she'll remain cold and disapproving of you the entire time, but in her own route she'll reveal a softer interior. If you go for Jasper, she'll fight against you at every turn.
-Has a history with Cecily that she'd prefer her not to remember and may be the "cannon" route
• Jasper "The sobbing ghost"
-Deep blue hair, light blue eyes + Glasses; Appears in his early to mid 30's
-Formerly a teacher, before the old school burned down. A kindhearted, sensitive ghost confined to the nurse's office by Klaus and company. He's obviously depressed but tries to give you positive reassurance and help you as much as possible, despite being unable to leave. You remind him of his wife.
-Known for the quiet sobbing that can occasionally be heard from the nurses office
-Able to vaguely control water and create barriers
-Has some unspoken history with Klaus, to the point that he's obviously afraid of him. The swarm of young girls who follow Klaus around will often bang on the door and walls of the nurses office and shout insults at him, but for whatever reason they can't enter. And if you choose to side with him, they'll all actively work against you. Especially Leo.
Living Characters:
Mayris:
-Blonde, age 15.
-Stated to be Cecily's best friend from the get go. She's first encountered when Cecily wakes up as a spirit, threatening Astrid with a box cutter in the same bathroom as Cecily's bloody corpse. While the situation is unclear, she certainly doesn't look good.
-An outspoken foreigner with a stronger spiritual sense than the other girls. She can sense your presence occasionally and act against you. Over the night she'll get more adept at it and eventually start to communicate with you directly.
-Possibly a romantic interest, more than likely as an offshoot of Leo's route rather than having a full one dedicated to her.
-As a quick note, she's not the only danger you'll face over the night
Astrid:
-Auburn hair, age 15
-Despite coming to the school that night with the others, she's obviously an outsider to their friend group and the other girls tease her and refuse to listen to her. She's first encountered being threatened by Mayris in the bathroom and has many chances to die over the course of the night.
-There are a few times her death is unavoidable and you have to reset time to find alternate means of saving her. Her spiritual sense is pretty weak but sometimes after her death you can speak with her before resetting things and she'll help a little.
Petra, Sofia, Lotte:
-Cecily's other friends who's personalities I haven't distinguished yet. First encountered playing together with an Ouija board, blissfully unaware of the danger they're in. If Cecily tries to contact them through it to warn them, they'll just giggle and ask to speak to Klaus again.
Game Stuff: So the game would be action and investigation based, inspired by Phoenix Wright and Ghost Trick (not a vn but w/e). You go places, talk to people, get things, use things in different situations, and so forth. Depending on which ghosts you're cool with, their different abilities are useful to you in different scenarios together with Cecily's ability to turn back time after a tragedy. You collect the memories of the ghost you're pursuing as you go, though they may be distorted at first. It's your job from there to figure out which parts are wrong and point them out, to find out the truth of their story and getting their good ending depends on it. The romance is all chaste, likely not going past a kiss -if that- and is focused more on helping them move on.
Questions:
-Is it interesting?/Does it sound fun?
-Is Jasper's age difference too much, even if the route is chaste and other characters disapprove?
-Do you get a good understanding of the characters from their descriptions?
-Which character do you like best?/ Who sounds most interesting?
-Who do you like least or think sounds least interesting?
-Any questions, concerns, or critiques?