foxfire -狐火-
Setting
Set in the middle to late Meiji Period of Japan. In Momiji Village, a small, snowy one high on the mountains, it isn't rare to see strange sights. Outsiders speak of the village as if it were cursed, and that may very well be true. Parents warn their children of the yuki-onna in the deep winter. Travelers are wary to pass through because of the stories of tsuchigumo. But none will dare name anything more dangerous, more mysterious than the kitsune that rule the mountain.
All in all, Momiji Village is quite a risky place to live. Despite all the warnings and short-comings, however, the humans that live there are quite peaceful, hardworking and festive. Every year, they pay their dues to Inari Ookami, the deity they believe protects their village, with two festivals. During the first, that takes place in early summer, they spend an entire night in the shrine, praying for good fortune, health and wealth, while the shrine maidens perform sacred, ritualistic dances. In the winter, just a few days before the new year begins, they recreate a "fox's wedding" with paper lanterns and kitsune masks, dancing jovially about, much less serious than the first.
The winters are harsh, though. Perhaps the yuki-onna of the legends are simply the mothers being nervous that their child may freeze to death in the abnormally freezing weather.
Plot
You play as Ryoutarou, a resident of Momiji Village, as he encounters the kitsune that more or less rule the land surrounding the village. After he has a near death experience, he becomes wary of the village itself and although he wants to move away, urged by his childhood friend who's returned to check on him, he can't bring himself to leave behind the last memories of his late family - nor can he leave the side of the kitsune that saved his life.
Characters
(Art by sharkmittens)
Progress
Planning: 65%
Assets: 20% (planned: 70%)
Writing 5%
Screenshots
Hey! This is pretty much still in concept stage, though I did start writing. I really enjoy youkai and I thought this would be a really fun thing to do! I hope others like it eventually too.
The story is a kinetic story, meaning there will be no choices. It will also place a heavier focus on sounds and text rather than visual elements (of course, though, sprites are still there!).
I actually plan for there to be two "episodes" in the "series". This one is, obviously, the first one. The second one will be a retelling of the events from another character's point of view with added background information that can't be found out from Ryoutarou's POV.
Although romance IS a central plot point, it's...different. I'm not quite sure how to explain it. The relationship itself is more important than what occurs in it, if that makes sense. But, of course, things are not as they initially seem.
*NEW* Originally written for Ren'py. May change to kirikiri depending on my mood. Screenshots are from Ren'py.
Here are a few questions:
- Is youkai overdone yet? Is the story unoriginal?
- Does the fact there are no choices throw you off? Would you prefer there to be some?
- *New* Do you think the Meiji Period is a good point in time or would you prefer a different time period (i.e., Sengoku, present day, etc)?
- And finally, would you be interested in playing a game with this concept?