(Working title)
When a world has reached the point where death is a thing of the past, how do you keep your population in check?
Enter the Harbinger family, masters of The End.
Synopsis
Algea is a world where death was cured. Science and magic have become one and the same and the Alchemists live in all but unbroken peace. However a population unable to reproduce grows stale and a population constantly growing will eventually be its own end. The answer to this problem was found not in death but The End.
Lee Harbinger and his twin, Em, are the latest generation to enter the family business. It’s their job to assess the choices made by those facing their End. They’re the ones who decide just what ending their clients deserve and see it carried out. Teamed up with healer, Tessa, and resource manager, Orion, they’ve not missed an End yet.
Two seemingly simple jobs have been offered to the team; a murderess and poisoner or a man simply chosen by the system.
Pick a case and get to work. Investigate their lives, their choices and their relationships and decide just what sort of End they’re to face. Be careful not to face your own End in the process.
Characters
(Art to come as it looks presentable)
Lee Harbinger (Player character)
A tenth generation professional in The End. Not the sort to go looking for a challenge, Lee would rather just have an easy ride. Despite that, he’s diligent and efficient on the job. He’s kind and compassionate and tries to give people the benefit of the doubt. He has sympathy for those facing their End but there is no escaping it and Lee will do his duty no matter what.
Em Harbinger
Lee’s older twin brother and companion in all aspects of life. There’s smart money on Em being the youngest person to ever receive the designation Rubedo - perfection. Proud as Lee is, he’s not sure perfection is really the best word for his brother. He’s sharp, intelligent and just a little bit sadistic. Not to mention fascinated by behaviour, the effect The End has on people and the limits of their End technology.
Contessa Cure
Known as Tessa. From a family of healers, Tessa is a junior at the company. Her job is to see individual’s Ends are as quick and painless as necessary. The Harbingers and Cures have been family friends for generations, their roles often entwined, and Tessa is keen to carry on the family partnership, although always strictly by the book. Despite being the newest to the company, Tessa is usually the one keeping the twins in line.
Orion Fisher
From a family who tended the waters and the creatures who lived in them. Orion is a rarity; after a terrible lab accident in his childhood, he’s terminally ill, and no one can figure out how to save him. He’s been a close friend of the Harbingers since a young age and works for the company as a way to comes to terms with his End. Despite Tessa and the twins insisting everyone has to face their End, they’d give anything and break any rule to save him if they could.
Bella Amaryllis
A seemingly simple case for the company. Herbalist and gardener Bella has been convicted of poisoning dozens of her influential clients and the government has hired the company to investigate her and carry out her End appropriately. They have to tread carefully though; one wrong move with an individual like Bella and it could be their End instead.
Ian Minos
Chosen by the system to face his End. A man of wealth and power, not only is he one of the most respected judges, his family runs one of the most successful mines. The company has to investigate and evaluate his life and choices and see just what End he deserves. Ian is not all that cooperative. Despite encouraging the system for everyone else, he doesn’t seem that fond of it when the rules are applied to him.
About
Original sprites, BGs and CGs
Focus on the friendship and siblings
2 optional romances (possible 3rd if time allows)
2 distinct routes chosen from the start
Roughly 2 endings per route (more planned if time allows)
What I would call Dark Science-Fantasy but I've noticed Science-Fantasy isn't as widly recognised as a genre
Aiming not to go too dark despite the slightly heavy themes
More details as it takes shape and time allowances are figured out
This is a solo project. My first visual novel I’ve decided to share beyond just my friends and I thought Nano would be a good time to start sharing with a bigger audience. Hopefully I’ll keep on track.
Questions
What are your impressions premise/plot? Interesting? Done before? Any opinions/impressions in general?
What do you think of the characters? Any favourites so far? Are you interested in romancing? If so, who?
Any other questions/comments? (Ask about worldbuilding and I will gush at you.)
Good luck to everyone else participating too.