Kedemara - The Orphan's Ballad (Ch.1)

This is the first chapter (of 4 total) in Kedemara: The Orphan's Ballad, a Role-Playing Game featuring classic JRPG combat, interaction, and exploration mechanics. Containing roughly 5 hours of content, this first chapter introduces us to the main protagonist and her first 3 companions for this adventure. With a simple control scheme and similar feel to several classic RPGs from the 16-bit era of video gaming, newcomers and veterans of RPGs alike should find the game easy to pick up and enjoy. Seeing a familiar style of gameplay mechanics, players are freed up to immerse themselves in the narrative of the game. Familiar features similar to other RPGs include:

- A classic character leveling system, gaining experience from combat and other quest encounters
- Equippable loot gained from defeating enemies or engaging in quests
- Classic Turn-Based combat style
- Simple control scheme with support for almost any gamepad or mouse/keyboard
- Complex and engaging story featuring large cast of characters
- Numerous dialogue and interaction options encourage exploration of every map and object
- Excellent soundtrack makes for a rich and immersive experience

Deirdre (the main character) has grown up in an orphanage, but now has reached the age of 16 and it is time for her to depart and make a life for herself. Before leaving, the caretaker at the orphanage informs Deirdre she was nearly 4 years old when dropped off there, much to the surprise of Deirdre who thought she was left as a baby. The caretaker then tells Deirdre of the night she was dropped off and gives her a key to a treasure chest in town that "only she can open". A suspicious, but well-intentioned man brought her to the orphanage in hopes that she would be safe from harm there. He left money and a key that he instructed the caretaker to give it to Deirdre when she was of age to leave. However, opening the chest only generated more questions (and complications) for the young and confused Deirdre. The letter inside that accompanied her combat gear pointed her towards a town of great distance from her home. With her first lead being so far away, she now has the task of trying to get herself halfway across the continent safely, but fortunately, she is not alone!...well, "fortunately" may be putting it strongly.

The story details the comedic and (hopefully) inspiring tale of a girl trying to discover her past, all the while trudging forward with the help of her 3 newfound, whimsical friends. With the simple intent to find out who her parents are, Deirdre will unknowingly dismantle the largest conspiracy of her era. All with the help of a cast of colorful and humorous characters that are guaranteed to make you less bored than you were prior.

Filled with reference humor, tastefully shattered 4th walls, and a prodigy mage who thinks her pet chicken is a cat...what more could you ask for in a circa-1400's fantasy setting?