Jester Under Pressure

Submission to NaNoRenO 2022

SYNOPSIS:

The seven kingdoms comprising the Filippinas archipelago are each named after a different color — Pula, Kahel, Dilaw, Berde, Asul, Lila, and Rosas. In a castle built on the country’s highest mountain, the sovereign of the seven kingdoms reigns supreme.

Diskarte, jester of the high castle, has one job: entertaining the queen. This would be easy except Queen Bahaghari has a penchant for magically exploding the heads of subjects falling below her exacting standards. Can Diskarte avoid this frightening fate?

CONTENT WARNINGS!!!

• Death, depicted textually and visually.
• War, depicted textually.
• One incident of self-harm, depicted textually.

FEATURES:

• Glossary with 50+ Filipino terms
• Music box with 8 original tracks
• ~28,000 words
• 3 routes (2 romantic)
  
• 6 chances to die
• 5 endings

CHARACTERS:

DISKARTE

Jester to the sovereign. They haven’t stepped beyond the high castle’s bejeweled gates since they first arrived as a dirt-poor orphan from the far-flung kingdom of Dilaw. Their hunger — whether for a warm meal or for a better life — is insatiable.

QUEEN BAHAGHARI

Sovereign of the seven kingdoms. Born of a dalliance between Pula’s king and Asul’s queen, she was raised by Lila’s royal family. The potency and proficiency of her malicious magic are unparalleled throughout history.

SANA

Former heir of Asul and current commander of the high castle’s knights. Although not as skilled in swordsmanship as her predecessor Yugto, she prevailed over her contemporaries from Pula’s military academy owing chiefly to her sturdy shield spells.

YUGTO

Cook of the high castle’s kitchen. The queen discovered him in the slums of Pula and decided to harness his potential by declaring him her first commander. Since his retirement from the battlefield, he has sweetened and softened, just like freshly-baked bread.

THE SEVEN HEIRS

Royal children from the seven kingdoms, one of whom will succeed the sovereign upon her retirement or death. When heirs come of age, they relinquish their right to the high castle’s throne in favor of younger heirs but continue to serve as royal advisors to the queen.

CREDITS:

• Writing: ilyilaice
• Coding & Programming: Marionette
• Sprites & BGs: applecidrdonut
• CGs: what_an_animal
• GUI: Gido
  
• Music: Beans

QUESTIONS:

1. Who is your favorite character?
2. What is your favorite ending?
3. Any thoughts or questions?

Thank you so much for playing!

See the Lemma Soft forum thread here.