The Forgotten Power is a 2D Platformer Visual Novel, this is the first narrative guide draft.
Screenwriting has always been a hobby of mine and this is the first narrative guide I have drafted. As I haven't gotten the chance to develop narrative games during my time at university, I decided to further explore and develop this idea of mine during my free time.
I am currently developing the aesthetics and simple mechanics of the game albeit with free art assets and only the rough framework of the game mechanics as placeholders. It is included at the end of this narrative guide.
Current Unity Build v1.0.0
Main Menu
Litchpon Forest Area
Taea City Area
Snippets of the Mood & Scene of the narrative:
Mood
Markus stood at the edge of the forest clearing with his feet planted firmly in the shadows of the great oak tree beside him. Just a few feet in front of him, reveals a wide open area, lacking the familiar shadows of the forest, no trees, branches and vines that allowed him to blend in and disappear, just a bare grassy meadow that offers little to none. How many times he wondered, has he been instructed to never leave the sanctuary of the forest. He took two small steps backward as his knuckles turned white from gripping tightly onto the branches knowing his life would never be the same. With his heart pounding in his ears, he tightened his grip one last time and finally lets go as he took a step forward towards the open field.
As if acknowledging his presence, a strong gust of wind passes through the field and makes its way past the trees behind him. When he came to a stop in the middle of the clearing, he watched as the waves moved across the field in the wind. He could feel the flight responses kick in, flooding him with added adrenaline but he ushered his dark eyes shut and took a deep breath. Everything comes down to this very moment, he opens his eyes and looks up into the skies, with his trembling hands he reaches out and mutters, “I’m here now”.
Scene
The glow from the masses of candles elevates the sight of the crowds of people scattering from left to right, talking loudly over one another bargaining for deals. Crates and baskets are clumsily stacked up high beside stalls and empty wooden wheelbarrows lay idle by the sidewalk until their next use when the market closes. Rows and rows of disordered stalls filled the market centre, only a narrow path remained, forcing the crowds to walk zigzag through. By the sidewalk there are benches where some couples are holding hands and looking lovingly at each other and alongside it families are chuckling while swinging their children by the arms. Everyone was going about their night when a sudden loud grumble was heard all across the market, “Sshuf up-pp, ‘m not drunk!” slurs the man while flailing his arms. Even with the roaring market, most turned to check out the commotion except for a group of musk horned beings turning away in distaste.
Theme
The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.
Premise
The flow of time is represented by the colours of the sky, when it all begins to fade away, the energy binding Taeans to their powers too will cease to exist. A young boy named Markus must master a long forgotten power used to paint the sky once more.
Genre
2D Platformer Visual Novel
Setting
Taea, a city in a world unlike our own, endlessly engulfed in darkness, contrasts against a faded Cleli; the skies that display itself in an ever changing multitude of colours that seem to appear in specific shades at specific moments throughout the night, which in turn tells time. There are beings from three different hierarchies that coexist with each other and adapt to the world differently and acquire unique abilities of their own.
Gameplay
The player plays as Markus, the only Tas being left who inherited the forgotten power. The player will learn basic survival training with Silas before progressing with the narrative in search of Silas whereabouts, refining his powers and ultimately uncovering the truth.
Environment
City of Taea:
Habited by the 3 cycle beings and visitors from all walks of life. It looks as ordinary as any other, fair-sized houses built of red pot tile roofs and washed grey rock walls connected by narrow streets tightly filled the city. The only appealing thing about it is the endless display of candles that are hanging criss-cross above the streets and sitting atop window sills, illuminating the city for the benefit of visitors.
Litchpon Forest:
A vastly dense forest that surrounds the entire city. From branches and vines of ancient trees to light trails by the river, it all glows in a soft hue of blue from one end to the other. It provides an abundance of important resources, food and materials that makes Taea such a thriving city.
Kingshill Fort:
A huge castle that looms over a part of the city below. Countless defences from barbed wires, floor/wall spikes and cannons can be seen planted surrounding the fort. Son clan banners 30ft long hang side by side by the main gate walls.
Characters
The Fis
The Fis beings are born with the face and body of a human paired with iridescent blue feathered wings that when extended are twice the height of their bodies. When using their abilities, it is portrayed like a colourful blurred aura in a dreamlike trance state.
They have the overall strongest ability among the clans but suppress them due to their strong desire for peace and often act as a mediator. However, they find it difficult to show and express emotions and often live a life of solitude filled with regrets, which creates some tension with the Tas beings who are always family-centric.
Both genders dress in light, flowy outfits that don't restrict movements and rarely wear footwear. Male Fis are usually topless while wearing lower-body outfits similar to nowadays chiton, dhotis or kilt.
The Tas
The Tas beings look just like any other average human, they have suppressed abilities that are unknown to them. They live near the city’s edge and form the lower-class of society and handle all the labour work that is related to the forest and the city. They are recognisable from their clan tattoo and outfit colour.
They are kind-hearted, friendly and honest beings that value family and friendship the most due to a tragic event in the past that wiped out the majority of their clan. Some elderly that lived on suspected the murderers to be from the Son clan but have no evidence of the event, thus, hold deep grudges against them but kept it sealed away from the newer generations.
Both sexes are seen in their forestry wear which are similar to a mediaeval tunic dress with sapphire blue and brown in it, this is to blend in well in the forest. They usually have a bow or light sword with them that keeps them agile and helps with hunting.
[Player] Markus:
An ordinary scruffy looking boy around 7 years old, he is soft-hearted and independent and grew accustomed to the ways of the forest. Known to talk to himself a lot but lacks social skills with others except Silas. Secretly cares and takes Silas as a fatherly figure and is determined to risk everything in order to find him. Recognisable by the scar across his left eye.
Have been wearing the same brown mediaeval fleece cloak with a hood ever since he could remember as it gives him comfort somehow.
The Son
Some are born with horns in various shapes and sizes but most look like average humans just with stronger combat abilities than other clans. They are often ruthless in pursuit of power but are always ready to serve their clan. Others find them intimidating and terrifying but respect them as they govern the city.
From a young age, they were taught to worship power and powerless individuals would be banished from the city. Thus, the hatred for the Tas being grew as they were allowed to remain in the city despite being powerless and a burden to the city.
When using their ability their eyes turn a piercing bloodshot red. They are always in their red uniform (both hooded and not) that is similar to mediaeval knight armour but more flexible for movements, as it gives them authority and power.
[NPC] Neil:
A white-haired young boy that gives out an uncomfortable silent and calculated demeanour that is way too mature for his age. Have very strong combat abilities thanks to his direct Son clan’s lineage.
Known to have eliminated anyone getting in his way. His only goal is to bring down the person responsible for his father’s death. Always seen wearing his custom red uniform that is different to the others to cater to his stronger abilities as an elite.
[NPC] Silas:
A mysterious grey-haired older man with a slender figure and solemn appearance who always seems to be deep in thought. Known to be a man of few words but is very wise and highly skilled in combat. He is devoted to fixing all his wrongdoings even at the cost of his own life.
Fights with his red armoured Son uniform that is similar to a medieval knight armour without a face shield but is usually seen in his casual outfit, a blue poet shirt with brown pants when in the forest.
[NPC] Oakley:
An old drunkard with glasses that used to be an elite Son being that left his previous life behind and found a new love in mead. He is often seen undercover wandering around in the marketplace losing self-control when drunk.
As brothers in arms to Silas, they have a mutual understanding and share a common burden of the truth. When sober, he is a reliable and knowledgeable person unknowingly to the public.
Nowadays, he is seen wearing a poet shirt, headband and a scruffy overcoat. It is quite similar to a pirates outfit though there is no correlation between them.
Structure
ACT1: SETUP
● Silas escapes with Markus and hides deep in the forest, away from the Son. Markus learns how to use some of his powers as Silas’s apprentice.
● When the Son (the reigning force) breaches the forest, Silas is nowhere to be found, Markus breaks his promise and looks for an escape into the city.
● New Legacy propaganda is shown everywhere, Markus explores the city and seeks for a familiar face.
● Markus discovers an abandoned building and discreetly uses his powers to locate Silas.
ACT2: CONFRONTATION
● Markus tracks down a few of Silas’s closest companions, each with their own ideology on how to train him. They are hunted down by Neil and the Son and one after the other are imprisoned.
● Markus and his remaining allies reach Narrowforge Haven and recoup. Markus meets an unexpected scholar among the refugees.They learn of the ancient legacy that reveals a connection between the Tas and the skies.
● Markus joins forces with the Fis and breaks into the Son’s holding ground to save his allies.
● Markus gets ambushed by Neil outside the Son’s holding ground but Silas appears.
ACT3: RESOLUTION
● Markus works together with the Fis and discovers the truth about the New Legacy, his family and his Tas origins that gifted him the power.
● Markus split ways with the Fis and returned to the forest where it all started to awaken the long sealed ancient legacy and restore the colours of the skies.
● Silas emerges from the shadows and a battle ensues from the misunderstandings.
● Markus forms an alliance with Silas, the Tas and the Fis and breaks into the Son’s stronghold and fights their way through.
● They confront and defeat the Son and restore Taea’s ancient legacy.
Prototype Presentation
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