ASTALETH'S MAGES
A magical military academy, a deceased sister, and a girl with a grudge…
SYNOPSIS:
It is the year 1005. On the fictional continent of Shaice lie three countries: Kevnaria to the north, Unales to the east, and Astaleth to the south. The three countries are separated by the large inland Lake Scaybia in the center of Shaice. Kevnaria is comprised of acres upon acres of undisturbed nature and picturesque landscapes, Unales boasts the largest military prowess and technology, and Astaleth enjoys fantastical architecture and houses the largest population in the land. With the last war ending nearly fifty years ago, quiet times of peace pass slowly in Shaice.
However, underneath this peaceful facade lies a sudden supernatural phenomenon: young people with magical powers, dubbed mages, are being discovered in Astaleth. The country has closed its borders to its neighbors, explaining that the strange occurrences will be dealt with. Children over five years of age must undergo special screenings to determine if they have powers - and if so, the nature and proficiency of those powers.
Before the turn of the new century, Astaleth Academy was founded by military personnel to quell the concerns of the people, promising to teach mages how to control and properly wield their newfound abilities. The academy works on a conscription basis. Students are usually drafted directly after graduation from grade school when they are sixteen years old - some have powers so highly sought after that the are sent their notices on their sixteenth birthdays and must attend during the next operative year. Draftees-in-waiting may not leave the city they are residing in as it will be treated as a failure to comply, netting them a penalization of some form.
Despite the dangers lurking in the unknown, protagonist Nina Aldor, a barrier mage, is eager to get inside the gates. Her goal is to exact revenge on the academy for letting her older sister, Lillia, die four and a half years ago on the premises. Since that fateful day, she has been lying in wait for her draft notice, honing her skills and steeling her nerves in anticipation.
Eight long months after her sixteenth birthday, Nina is drafted. Her rash confidence in her abilities blinds her to the dangers the academy has to offer, and she is left with no choice but to rely on the people around her to survive, discovering the truth of her sister's untimely demise as well as some of Astaleth's deep-rooted secrets along the way.
CHARACTERS:
Nina Aldor
Age: 16 years old
Power: Force Field Genesis (Barrier Creation)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. Stubborn, rash, and headstrong, she displays a level of confidence that often belies her actual skills. She is dead set on revenge and has little to no regard for herself or others around her, which leads her to make poor decisions.
Quote: “This place and its people killed Lillia and covered it up, so it’s not a matter of whether I want to go. It’s dangerous and I know that, but that’s exactly why I have to go.”
Power: Force Field Genesis (Barrier Creation)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. Stubborn, rash, and headstrong, she displays a level of confidence that often belies her actual skills. She is dead set on revenge and has little to no regard for herself or others around her, which leads her to make poor decisions.
Quote: “This place and its people killed Lillia and covered it up, so it’s not a matter of whether I want to go. It’s dangerous and I know that, but that’s exactly why I have to go.”
Lillia Aldor
Age: 16 years old (Deceased, would be 20)
Power: Pyrokinesis (Fire Control)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive skill class. Now nothing more than a name, Lillia was an honest and sweet girl who harbored a hatred for her own power of destruction. Since the passing of their mother, she had been a sort of motherly figure for Nina and as such held herself responsible for her well-being. A very close childhood friend of Trenton.
Quote: "This power of mine... I have to learn how to control it, or else I'll be a danger to everyone around me. I think the academy can help me with that."
Power: Pyrokinesis (Fire Control)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive skill class. Now nothing more than a name, Lillia was an honest and sweet girl who harbored a hatred for her own power of destruction. Since the passing of their mother, she had been a sort of motherly figure for Nina and as such held herself responsible for her well-being. A very close childhood friend of Trenton.
Quote: "This power of mine... I have to learn how to control it, or else I'll be a danger to everyone around me. I think the academy can help me with that."
Eclair Soysal
Age: 15 years old.
Nina’s close friend who lives nearby in a house Nina would rather forget. Eclair is gentle and kind, though she’s not afraid to scold Nina when she needs to be taken down a couple pegs. Loves animals, especially horses, but stutters horribly around men as she went to all-girls schools her entire life.
Quote: "I know you, Nina! You don’t think anything through and just expect things to go your way because you will them to.”
Nina’s close friend who lives nearby in a house Nina would rather forget. Eclair is gentle and kind, though she’s not afraid to scold Nina when she needs to be taken down a couple pegs. Loves animals, especially horses, but stutters horribly around men as she went to all-girls schools her entire life.
Quote: "I know you, Nina! You don’t think anything through and just expect things to go your way because you will them to.”
Trenton Stirling
Age: 20 years old
Power: Pyrokinesis (Fire Control)
Potential love interest. Practical training instructor and assistant headmaster at the academy. The man Nina holds responsible for Lillia’s death, as he was her sparring partner during the accident. He acts as an older brother figure for Nina despite her deep-seated hatred for him and genuinely tries his best to look out for her, as well as the other students. Was very close to Lillia, and by extension, Nina, when they were younger. Aaron’s older brother.
Quote: "You're not safe here, Nina. You need to leave. Give up your brave face and go home. I’ll make sure you get back safely without penalization.”
Power: Pyrokinesis (Fire Control)
Potential love interest. Practical training instructor and assistant headmaster at the academy. The man Nina holds responsible for Lillia’s death, as he was her sparring partner during the accident. He acts as an older brother figure for Nina despite her deep-seated hatred for him and genuinely tries his best to look out for her, as well as the other students. Was very close to Lillia, and by extension, Nina, when they were younger. Aaron’s older brother.
Quote: "You're not safe here, Nina. You need to leave. Give up your brave face and go home. I’ll make sure you get back safely without penalization.”
Aaron Stirling
Age: 17 years old
Power: ???
Potential love interest. Second-year student at the academy, enrolled in the technical skill class. A distant childhood friend of Nina’s, he is often seen in the library or the headmaster’s office. He is not very social and prefers to be alone - as such, nobody knows what his power is, though it is estimated to be useful and sought after, considering he was drafted the day of his sixteenth birthday. Trenton’s younger brother.
Quote: "What happened to Lillia could happen to me, or you, or Trenton, or any other student here, and life would still go on. Time doesn't stop for anybody."
Power: ???
Potential love interest. Second-year student at the academy, enrolled in the technical skill class. A distant childhood friend of Nina’s, he is often seen in the library or the headmaster’s office. He is not very social and prefers to be alone - as such, nobody knows what his power is, though it is estimated to be useful and sought after, considering he was drafted the day of his sixteenth birthday. Trenton’s younger brother.
Quote: "What happened to Lillia could happen to me, or you, or Trenton, or any other student here, and life would still go on. Time doesn't stop for anybody."
Matthaeus Dellaterza
Age: 16 years old
Power: Agrokinesis (Plant Control)
Potential love interest. First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. Hard-headed and unapproachable, he is the self-elected representative of his and Nina’s classroom, though his only duties are passing out handouts and giving weekly reports of unruly classmates. He’s good friends with Dussult as they lived in the same town before being drafted, but he’s not fond of Dussult’s attitude or friends and prefers being by himself. Does not get along with Nina.
Quote: "Your words are unable to help me. If they are all you have, I suggest you leave."
Power: Agrokinesis (Plant Control)
Potential love interest. First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. Hard-headed and unapproachable, he is the self-elected representative of his and Nina’s classroom, though his only duties are passing out handouts and giving weekly reports of unruly classmates. He’s good friends with Dussult as they lived in the same town before being drafted, but he’s not fond of Dussult’s attitude or friends and prefers being by himself. Does not get along with Nina.
Quote: "Your words are unable to help me. If they are all you have, I suggest you leave."
Quinn Sorael
Age: 17 years old
Power: ???
Potential love interest. First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. He is drafted one month after Nina, drawing the attention of their classmates. Quinn is timid, quiet, and not very open about himself, especially when it comes to his power, but because of his cute appearance he quickly finds himself surrounded by his female classmates. Though distant, he is never unkind to anyone who approaches him. When confronted with a subject he finds interesting, he becomes very talkative.
Quote: "I never wanted to be drafted. I forgot I even had a power...so why would I use it for personal gain? I just want to live life freely."
Power: ???
Potential love interest. First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. He is drafted one month after Nina, drawing the attention of their classmates. Quinn is timid, quiet, and not very open about himself, especially when it comes to his power, but because of his cute appearance he quickly finds himself surrounded by his female classmates. Though distant, he is never unkind to anyone who approaches him. When confronted with a subject he finds interesting, he becomes very talkative.
Quote: "I never wanted to be drafted. I forgot I even had a power...so why would I use it for personal gain? I just want to live life freely."
Willem Kevson
Age: 17 years old
Power: Pheromone Secretion
Potential love interest. First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the passive/support skill class. As an older draftee with a not-so-useful power, he often refers to his class as the “why even bother” skillholders. He does not have full control over his power, leading to awkward yet humorous situations where students of either sex temporarily fall in love with him; after the effects wear off, his victims typically don’t remember being under the influence. Willem is a shameless flirt who just wants to have fun and is often seen skipping class, strolling down the academy corridors.
Quote: "What use is there of our powers? They trapped us in this place to make us feel important, but we're just the headmaster's trophies."
Power: Pheromone Secretion
Potential love interest. First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the passive/support skill class. As an older draftee with a not-so-useful power, he often refers to his class as the “why even bother” skillholders. He does not have full control over his power, leading to awkward yet humorous situations where students of either sex temporarily fall in love with him; after the effects wear off, his victims typically don’t remember being under the influence. Willem is a shameless flirt who just wants to have fun and is often seen skipping class, strolling down the academy corridors.
Quote: "What use is there of our powers? They trapped us in this place to make us feel important, but we're just the headmaster's trophies."
Shanela Cendarith
Age: 16 years old
Power: Aerokinesis (Wind Control)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. She is Nina’s roommate who can be a bit off-putting with her blunt personality, but she tries her hardest to convey her feelings of concern for her friends (and Nina, much to both their dismays). She is apparently dating her childhood friend, who confessed to her just before she was drafted to the academy. She writes a letter home to him every weekend despite not being able to send them. Good friends with Amaly and Dussult but has opposing relationships with both Nina and Matthaeus.
Quote: "I don't know how you and Mr. Stirling are related, but you can't get by on personal connections here. Strength and stamina are all that matter."
Power: Aerokinesis (Wind Control)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. She is Nina’s roommate who can be a bit off-putting with her blunt personality, but she tries her hardest to convey her feelings of concern for her friends (and Nina, much to both their dismays). She is apparently dating her childhood friend, who confessed to her just before she was drafted to the academy. She writes a letter home to him every weekend despite not being able to send them. Good friends with Amaly and Dussult but has opposing relationships with both Nina and Matthaeus.
Quote: "I don't know how you and Mr. Stirling are related, but you can't get by on personal connections here. Strength and stamina are all that matter."
Amaly Thearic
Age: 17 years old
Power: Force Field Genesis (Barrier Creation)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. As possibly the oldest student to be drafted as a first-year, Amaly often uses her age as an excuse for not catching on to lessons, saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!” She is boy-crazy and always talking about who the cutest guys in the academy are, leading those around her to believe she’s ditzy and doesn’t take life seriously. However, her personal circumstances are quite similar to Nina’s, not only in their shared power.
Quote: "A partner is both a comrade and an enemy you can always learn from. When you're paired with someone who has a similar power to yours, you can learn new techniques, strengths, and weaknesses...or at least that's what Mr. Stirling says."
Power: Force Field Genesis (Barrier Creation)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. As possibly the oldest student to be drafted as a first-year, Amaly often uses her age as an excuse for not catching on to lessons, saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!” She is boy-crazy and always talking about who the cutest guys in the academy are, leading those around her to believe she’s ditzy and doesn’t take life seriously. However, her personal circumstances are quite similar to Nina’s, not only in their shared power.
Quote: "A partner is both a comrade and an enemy you can always learn from. When you're paired with someone who has a similar power to yours, you can learn new techniques, strengths, and weaknesses...or at least that's what Mr. Stirling says."
Dussult Marzke
Age: 16 years old
Power: Hydrokinesis (Water Control)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. Dussult is the popular class clown type, always cracking jokes and generally making people happy. He is often fawned over by female students - both inside his class and outside - and even by Amaly, though they both agreed they have no feelings for each other and it’s too much trouble to date a friend. He uses nicknames to refer to Matthaeus as Matt and Amaly as Anomaly, often using the two as butts of his jokes. That said, he is a caring friend and rational thinker most of the time.
Quote: "There goes Anomaly, leading her troop of banshees. I pity the guy on the receiving end of their shrieks today."
Power: Hydrokinesis (Water Control)
First-year student at the academy, enrolled in the offensive/defensive skill class. Dussult is the popular class clown type, always cracking jokes and generally making people happy. He is often fawned over by female students - both inside his class and outside - and even by Amaly, though they both agreed they have no feelings for each other and it’s too much trouble to date a friend. He uses nicknames to refer to Matthaeus as Matt and Amaly as Anomaly, often using the two as butts of his jokes. That said, he is a caring friend and rational thinker most of the time.
Quote: "There goes Anomaly, leading her troop of banshees. I pity the guy on the receiving end of their shrieks today."
...and several other side characters!!
DEV TALK:
I am so very excited to bring light to Astaleth's Mages, a project I've been working on in my free time since summer of last year! The idea started as a modern day slice-of-life but it got boring very quickly, and so I brainstormed for hours, trying to think of ways to make it more interesting, and revamped it into this elaborate mixture of fictional historical adventure-oriented romantic school life drama! I plan on consolidating the genres into one or two in the future, but this is just to give a general idea of what to expect from the plot.
As you can see, I have conceptual character art available (courtesy of a talented acquaintance of mine, nurserywrithes!), though it's not necessarily in the style I would like. Ideally, future character sprites will be soft-shaded anime style, but these placeholders are certainly nice too!! I feel most of them capture the personalities of the characters rather well.
Why not post in WiP? It is actively being worked on, but I want more visuals first (i.e. recruiting sprite artist, logo artist, etc.). The script is nowhere near completion, with only the prologue and chapter one of three or four from the common route roughly finished, but the entire story is outlined and planned out. All major plot points have been finalized and consolidated. But all in all, final script work is ~5% completed.
QUESTIONS FOR READERS:
What do you think of the plot (what little I've put of it)? Is it easy to envision and follow? Does it grab your attention? Does it remind you of any other games or general fiction?
What do you think of the protagonist, Nina? I hope to follow the examples of many OELVN creators of the otome genre and bring my MC to life, rather than have a doormat with her personality defined by the player's choices. Nina is sassy and outspoken, though she is far from perfect as her main flaw is her rashness and lack of concern for herself and others around her; she is blinded by her rage and quest for revenge.
Who is your favorite character thus far, knowing what you do about each of them?
Is there anything I haven't made clear enough? Is there something I can elaborate on to reel you in?
Are you looking forward to the game?
Thank you so much for your time! Don't hesitate to leave a comment and/or ask questions!