Crimson Veil News

This week I continued working on scripting events. I feel like this update might turn off some players with how much exposition there is compared to the sexy stuff. Not that it isn’t there, just that it’s mostly relegated to exploration and side content. There’s lots of lore that I want to dump and I’m trying to keep the pacing at a good level to accommodate for players who are impatient or don’t like to read (like me!)



I’ve already mentioned in previous updates how I adjusted scenes from the original script when adapting them into the game. Like making dialogue into a full-on scene instead of just two portraits talking to each other. I know that can get boring for some people, so I’m doing what I can with the rpg maker engine to make scenes as lively as possible. One scene that I have been working on that has a lot of moving parts is this scene where Mila meets with Anja for the first time:



This scene is extra challenging, since the dialogue differs slightly depending on whether the player completed chapter 3 in the main story or not. It may seem like a simple dialogue change, but there are a few instances like this in the update that I’ve needed to take into account that’s made this dev cycle feel longer than usual. No matter what the player decides to do, the dialogue in scenes like this need to end in the same conclusion (or close to it where it doesn’t diverge drastically).

Oh, I didn’t even mention Anja’s personal guard, the White Knight. This masked figure is one of few words.



She is a loyal ally of the Queen and protects her from the shadows fiercely. Getting on the Queen’s bad side while her knight is near is an easy way to get reduced to ash…

There’s no character portrait preview, because even I don’t know what she looks like behind the mask! I guess we will all have to wait and see, won’t we.

I still feel like I’m on track to release this in April. It just feels overwhelming when I think about all of the small things I need to do all at once. I’m focusing on getting the toughest parts out of the way first, and right now, that’s scripting these events. I want to sketch out some illustrations this week. Hopefully with the extra day I have from the long weekend, I’ll have enough time to churn one out.

That’s all I’ve got to share with you this week. Until next time, everyone!

With the majority of new locations now constructed and fleshed out, this week I began scripting events for the scenes of the game. I can now make it to Fallholt without having to warp there with dev tools! While creating these events, one scene I decided to change from the script was Dorian’s backstory. This scene was originally just a conversation between him and Mila, but I decided to make it something more visually interesting.



The scene now goes through different parts of Dorian’s life as he recounts his early days, to the moment he became a vampire, and beyond.

Other scenes have been added too, such as speaking with this depressed looking girl at a bar:



Maybe she’ll come up again later in the story, I dunno…

I’d say scripting-wise, I’m about halfway done with the update. Going to spend this upcoming week working on the second half of the script as well as begin working on some additional illustrations. I’ve not decided on how many scenes I want to make illustrations for. I think it just depends on how much time I have between now and my predicted release window of April. All of the character portraits however are now done and colored. The last one I needed to finish was for the woman, shown above.

I have her character portraits available to all my $5+ patrons, if you’d like a preview of her. I mean, if you’re into depressed girls, I guess…

https://www.patreon.com/MKRUdesign

That’s all I’ve got to share with you this week. Until next time, everyone!

Apologies for last week. Apparently a Windows update caused my computer to act unusually and I couldn’t get any work done. When I had my friend look at it, the problem was fixed, but then my old Wacom tablet decided it didn’t want to work! At that point the only solution I had was to run to the store and just buy a new one. A rough blow, but one I was able to quickly resolve thanks to the support of my patrons. RIP old tablet…

Onto the game news. I spent this week designing and furnishing the new dungeon for Chapter 3-V, Friedrich Headquarters (North Branch). This office stores a powerful treasure in its depths, but getting there won’t be easy!



The building has the most advanced technology in all of Fallholt. Its multiple floors are protected by various security doors and transport panels to confound would-be intruders.



The building’s security was designed by Cassie Schwerin, a high ranking officer who works directly under Queen Anja.



Cassie is a self-described genius with a strict propensity for following the rules, often barking at those who stray outside of them. She has a sharp tongue and a superiority complex, but still gets teased by her co-workers, who don’t really take her seriously. Not only is she a marvelous engineer, she’s also a talented artist! Cassie is paid well to create the official portraits of any vampire who seeks a legal ID Badge.



She and her family have a distrust of vampires. Despite the Queen being one, she has great respect and admiration for Anja. However, when speaking to other vampires, she can often be cruel, using her authority to say heinous things freely. She does get flustered easily around them, however. Perhaps she harbors forbidden feelings…? Who knows.



Right now, I have Cassie’s character portraits available to all my $5+ patrons. This preview is 16 alts, (8
with glasses and 8 no glasses).

https://www.patreon.com/MKRUdesign

Cassie’s a character with a lot of personality and is inspired by a few suggestions you all gave me from the last survey! I can’t wait to share more about her.

That’s all I’ve got to share with you this week. Until next time, everyone!

Another week comes to an end and just a bit more has been added to Fallholt! Little by little, I’m adding more party character interactions to the world. For example, if a player has Seraphina in their party and interacts with NPCs and certain objects around the Fallholt Cathedral, you’ll get some unique interactions with her! I’m sprinkling these little optional dialogues for players to discover and to hopefully encourage changing their party up every so often. In some cases, you can even earn rewards if you have the right party member with you!

Aside from that, I’ve continued to flesh out the Fallholt Center of Commerce, namely, the second floor, which not only contains additional shops, but also an area exclusively for those with a taste for blood.

Sinister Sip Street is a dark alley which provides a unique service for the undead citizens of Fallholt: Public Enthrallment.



Here, Mila can hire Helena, a public thrall of Fallholt, who for a price, offers her blood straight from the source. No Sanctusaid required! Visit her often, and she may even give you a special discount for being a loyal customer!

Public Thralls are closely protected by their bodyguards, as over indulgence is a threat they often face. Their bodies are altered over their various sessions and adapt to make them the perfect meal for a thirsty vamp. Their senses become heightened. Their heart beats quickly if they sense a vampire nearby, luring them and priming their own blood to be consumed. Even their blood’s flavour changes in subtle ways to be more appetising.

Of course, Public Thralls still enjoy the rush that comes with being bitten. In fact, they may enjoy it more than most.



Right now, I have Helena’s character portraits available to all my $5+ patrons. This preview is 26 alts, including uncensored nude versions.

https://www.patreon.com/MKRUdesign

I hope you all like her. This is an idea I had been looking forward to implementing since I returned to the Vampire Route!

That’s all I’ve got to share with you this week. Until next time, everyone!

Howdy everyone! To everyone else who had to return to work this week, I hope the transition back was smooth. Mine was okay, though I still wish I could sleep in until 10.

I decided to go back and edit the intro of chapter 3-V as I felt that the transition from the last chapter was rather weak. I also added an additional mandatory scene with Dorian before you are allowed to rest in the coffin to proceed. As it stands, he has very few worthwhile lines in the story, similar to Amber, pre-chapter 3 in the main route. He will be getting more presence in the story as it goes on.

I’ve also made an adjustment to sparring with Ophelia. For balance purposes, I’ve added a level cap for training. What this means is if you surpass a certain level while you are at a point in the story where it would be too high, you will no longer be able to train with Ophelia for BP. In chapter 1-V for example, the level cap would be 15. If you pass that, Ophelia will say she’s tired, until you proceed to the next story segment.



I’ve also added in a bit more for the new Slime Queen side quest. I added her cave somewhere in the world and I've also finished her sprite and character portraits. This Slime Queen’s name is Oozora.



I added a bit more weight to her design. I think it better distinguishes her as a Queen compared to the other slimegirls. I went for a motherly, caring look. As for her personality, well, she certainly has that going for her… as well as a few other traits some may see as… concerning. I have all of Oozora's character portraits available as a preview for my $5 and up Patrons. Check ‘em out, if you wish.

https://www.patreon.com/MKRUdesign

I’ve still got plenty to do, so I’m going to get right back to work! Until next time everyone!