SacriFire News

Hello, and welcome to our devlog entry about Mr. SacriFire himself: Ezekiel Ridan (it’s pronounced Rye-den, by the way). Keep reading to find out everything that we’re ready to reveal about our game’s pious protagonist. As always, we’ll try to hold some of the most significant plot developments back, but if you prefer to a completely spoiler-free experience, then best stop reading now and wait for the release! You have been warned.

[h3]Who is Ezekiel Ridan?[/h3]
Those who’ve played the demo will already have some idea about the role Ezekiel occupies within the world of SacriFire. He’s not a fully-fledged hero quite yet (actually, he’s just a lowly novice in the Church of Sheol) but he’s already built a reputation as a skilled warrior and a devout follower of the Word, known for his moral integrity and compassion.

The Novice Masters speculate that Ezekiel could one day be destined for great things, perhaps even ascension to bishophood or beyond... while at the same time, Ezekiel’s fellow novices whisper in the training yard that perhaps the virtuous young priest might be just a little bit too perfect. Every day, carefully divided between prayer, sparring, and study – can anybody truly be so devout? Surely, pride will come before a fall.



[h3]Concept Art[/h3]


[h3]Humble Beginnings[/h3]
On the 14th Malkios, a blue-haired boy was born in a birthing wheel in Noyhu district; the son of Dekar Ridan, a local blacksmith, and Abigail Liffen, a florist. He was granted the name of Ezekiel Ridan.
- Register of Antioch, 552 M.N

Ezekiel’s first years were happy but unremarkable, until a tragic accident claimed the lives of both of his parents. Agori Novitiate took the traumatised boy in and offered him the promise of a new life, in which, through the teachings of the Church of Sheol, he again found purpose and hope.

Ezekiel’s greatest idol is Elise Lejeune, a legendary bishop, who disappeared over five hundred years ago

[h3]Paradise Lost?[/h3]
The god Sheol has great plans for Ezekiel, who promises to be a powerful force for good in Antioch. In the spirit world of Erebus, Sheol speaks directly to the aspiring bishop, helping to calm his occasional doubts and offer guidance whenever possible. Ezekiel’s devotion to Sheol is absolute – more than anything else, he deserves to serve his god well.

However, Amaymon, the first Demon, recognises an opportunity to steal one of his ancient enemy’s most devoted soldiers away. Through the sinister and seductive Azura, Amaymon tries to reach Ezekiel in many different ways. Can the young priest be tempted over to the side of evil?
While the story of SacriFire offers its fair share of physical battles, the true battle is a metaphysical one – the fight for Ezekiel Ridan’s soul.

[h3]SacriFire at PAX West 2024[/h3]


If you're attending PAX West this weekend, be sure to stop by the PAX Rising area, Booth 825 between August 30th and September 2nd. You'll have the chance to play SacriFire, chat with the team, and learn more about the game. We can't wait to meet you and hear your thoughts!

[h3]See You Next Time![/h3]

That’s all for now! Please join us next month when we’ll be talking about some of Ezekiel’s companions.

Hey everyone,

We're excited to share that SacriFire will be showcased at PAX West 2024!

If you're attending, be sure to stop by the PAX Rising area from August 30th to September 2nd. You'll have the chance to play SacriFire, chat with the team, and learn more about the game.
We can't wait to meet you and hear your thoughts!

See you at PAX West!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/

Hello, we’re back with another devlog! This time around, we’re taking a deep dive into the topic of Sheol’s very own demon-smiting rock stars: the bishops.

Bishops are the most revered warriors in Antioch, famed all over the city for their bravery, daring exploits, noble hearts, and stylish gold armor with white capes. Bishops do not involve themselves with the petty politics of the nobles, instead serving Sheol - and the people of Antioch - directly.

[h2]Becoming Bishops[/h2]


As one might expect to be the case for such an elite group, anyone hoping to become a bishop has to undergo a challenging series of tests, designed to weed out all but the strongest and bravest. These tests are known as the Trials of Faith.

In the Trial of the Mind, the candidate will demonstrate their intelligence and problem-solving ability by cracking an erebus lock. In the Trial of the Body, the candidate will show their physical capabilities and combat skills by fighting a procession of captive demons. Finally, in the Trial of the Soul, senior bishops will question the candidate’s character, as well as their knowledge of the Word (the sacred texts of the Church of Sheol). Only the strong will succeed.

Should a bishop successfully overcome the Trials of Faith, the next day they will be sent to the Dome for the ritual of the Ascension. In this centuries-old ceremony, the chosen novices look evil in the face and swear they will protect the city of Antioch, from that day until the day of their final voyage.

SacriFire begins on the dawn of the trials of novice Ezekiel Ridan.

[h2]The Mission[/h2]


Being a bishop entails fighting three foes: the demons above, the beast below… and the heretics within. Each enemy presents their own, unique challenges.

[h3]The Demons Above[/h3]
Long ago, the great protector Sheol carried humanity through hell in order to reach the safe haven of Antioch. Now, while the hellgate above the city keeps the city’s citizens safe from the hordes of demons outside, bishops still have to face the so-called ‘Children of Amaymon’ inside Erebus. And of course, should the Hellgate ever fall…

[h3]The Beasts Below[/h3]
At the base of the cavern of Antioch, beneath the stalagmites upon which the city is built, there are many deadly monsters known as Sorrow Beasts. These creatures - some resembling plants, others reptiles, and others things best left unimagined - habitually try to climb up the stalagmites to reach the city above. Best not let that happen.

[h3]The Heretics Within[/h3]
The most serious, and insidious, of the threats faced by the bishops is that of the heretics. Heretics are citizens of Antioch who carry a demon inside their mind. This demon influences their movements and corrupts them into fighting against Sheol, as well as granting them supernatural powers to turn them into more capable weapons.

[h2]A Lasting Legacy[/h2]

Finally, before we say goodbye, let’s take a look at just a few of the bishops who play a notable role in SacriFire…

[h3]Elise Lejeune - ‘The Daughter of Sheol’[/h3]

Little is known about Elise Lejeune, the first bishop of them all. Legend states that after serving faithfully for many years, Elise gave her life in order to save the city - an event known as ‘the sacrifice’.

[h3]Bohemond Abram - ‘A Living Legend’[/h3]

Bohemond Abram is archbishop at the time of SacriFire, and his command role is more than justified given his impressive service history. After becoming a bishop in 543 M.N, Bohemond fought in many famous battles against the heretics, including the Bloodstone Conflict, where he continued fighting despite a heretic cutting off his left arm. There are rumors of a great lost love in his past, but those close to the archbishop know better than to pry.

Bohemond is also a Bishop Victorinus, having won the Astradivos Tournament an impressive nine times. It’s not for nothing that many of the novices refer to Bohemond as a living legend.

[h3]Drusilla Hark - ‘Loyal to the End’[/h3]

Drusilla Hark is a character we haven’t spoken much about so far, so we’re very excited to do so today. While she’s a relatively new bishop (having ascended just three years prior to SacriFire), and although at first glance she can appear shy and soft-spoken, in Drusilla’s short time as a bishop she has already proven herself a highly capable warrior and a dependable servant of Sheol.

Drusilla is not the only bishop in her family. The plaque of her sister, Sally Hark, can be found inside the Hall of Valor in Sanctuary.

Of course, Bohemond and Drusilla are only two of the current crop of bishops - in Antioch you’ll meet many others, and each has their own story to tell. We hope you’ll enjoy fighting evil and smiting demons alongside them - assuming you pass the trials, of course…

Until next time!

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[h3]Connect with us on other channels[/h3] Follow us on Twitter Check our TikTok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/

Hey, everyone!

Being a Bishop is not an easy task. As you might have seen in our Playtest, the job requires a good deal of resilience, strength, and creativity. As you embark on Ezekiel’s journey, you will immerse yourself in a magical fable and engaging gameplay. Our goal is to ensure that every quest and adventure is not just an activity, or a breadcrumb, but a meaningful part of said journey. By bringing forth rich narrative experiences over mundane tasks, we seek to draw you deeper into the worlds of Antioch and Erebus for a compelling and memorable experience you’ll want to come back to.

[h3]Quest Design Approach[/h3]


If you’ll excuse a truism: role-playing games are largely about, well, role-playing. We believe that immersing yourself properly in the world and the story as presented is a vital part of the genre. Quests, as designated outlets for broader lore, become pillars of personal immersion; an ill-fitting, awkward, or particularly “gamey” quest can take the player right out of the experience. An unpleasant feeling, to say the least.

Our goal with SacriFire has been to avoid these kinds of pitfalls. We’ve aimed to design content that is not just padding, but also a genuine invitation to become further invested in the world we’ve created. Naturally, it’s only a part of the whole spectrum of issues - many players enjoy the genre for its number-crunching goodness, and with that in mind, we’ve also made sure that quests would come with appropriate rewards. In other words, in terms of incentives, it’s swords *and* words.

[h3]The Tale of Ezekiel Ridan[/h3]


Perhaps unsurprisingly so, SacriFire is, first and foremost, Ezekiel’s personal tale. It is his ongoing struggle against the growing forces of Heresy that constitutes the majority of the game’s main quest line. By advancing these ongoing story milestones, the player gains access to new areas and tools to facilitate gameplay, such as new DIVOS forms and their associated exploration skills; indeed, all core systems of the game are introduced and unlocked in such a manner.

Naturally, this does not exhaust the full extent of questing activities, nor does it mean that the world remains static. As the plot progresses and the game unfolds, new problems pop up around Antioch, opening multiple side quests for the player to pursue. Unlike the main story, these are strictly optional and serve as diversions for fun and profit. On the one hand, they help flesh out the setting and its characters, turning the spotlight on day-to-day issues and the reality of living in a fantastic city under the ground. On the other hand - one probably more pertinent to a classic RPG hero - they present opportunities to score some sweet loot. Be it in the form of XP, Lux (so, money), consumables, or various assorted items to upgrade your weapons, the reward pool for completing side quests remains wide and exotic.

[h3]The Number of Quests[/h3]

Our top priority is to find the sweet spot when it comes to the pacing of the game. To achieve that, we’re continuously working on introducing new quests to the SacriFire and making sure each of them brings a certain value to the story. We want to make sure that whatever ends up being included won’t end up tripping over each other in terms of type and content - after all, nobody likes plowing through a checklist of nearly identical tasks. As immortal as slaying rats in a cellar may be, we’d like to believe that the subterranean and spiritual world of Antioch lends itself well to quests with unusual premises and interesting stories. No spoilers, though!



As we continue to develop SacriFire, our priority remains clear: to provide an RPG experience where every quest contributes to a richer, more immersive world. Each decision, each challenge, and each reward is crafted to enhance your adventure and deepen your connection to the story. As you explore Antioch and Erebus, and face their challenges, we hope you find yourself thoroughly engrossed in both the story and the gameplay. Your journey with Ezekiel is just the beginning, and we are thrilled to have you join us on this adventure.

Until next time!

[h3]Join our Discord server![/h3]

[h3]Connect with us on other channels[/h3] Follow us on Twitter Check our TikTok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/

Hey everyone!

The time has finally come to conclude the first-ever SacriFire Steam Playtest, and for us to meticulously comb through your feedback and come up with the best ways to improve our game based on what you thought about the playtest build. It's been amazing seeing you take your first steps in Antioch, attending the ceremony, vanquishing demons, and trying out Moligmania.

Thank you for each and every message sent on Discord, for every post on Steam forums, and for every completed survey. It's truly invaluable to us, as it will play a major part in shaping SacriFire further, and making it the best game it can be.

If you've given SacriFire Playtest a try, but didn't share your feedback yet, there are a couple of places where you can connect with us and do so:

1. SacriFire Playtest Survey
2. SacriFire Playtest Feedback Steam Forum Thread
3. Our Discord Server

It was a pleasure seeing you in Antioch, until next time!

[h3]Join our Discord server![/h3]