Friday, December 14, 2012

This year's Christmas present

From my partner:

If you remember last year, there was a Christmas present for the fans of The Gemsinger Chronicles. This year is no different.

Here's a list of what will be in this year's present:

- A new Demo, Gemsinger v0.2, which will include up to Chapter 2. (Chapter 3 is still in the making, so it won't be present).
- A Digital Viginette
- A special video involving Lafisavia

The release date will be on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24),
but may be extended to Christmas day (Dec. 25) if I need more time.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

20 Questions On Shokiyu

Inspired by this, here's 20 questions about Shokiyu in both its forms:

1. What is the deal with my cleric's religion?

Seers dedicated themselves to the High Goddess Meikon, as well as many lesser gods and goddesses that all report to either Meikon or the spirits of the twelve Stones (eight in the digital version)

2. Where can we go to buy standard equipment?

A smithy, alchemist, armorsmith, and general store are available in most every town--the rarer the materials used, the higher the price. That said, prices are still fairly reasonable.

3. Where can we go to get platemail custom fitted for this monster I just befriended?

If you need to get armor for a pet, a smithy will by happy to do so--the creature's size and the material used are factors in the price.

4. Who is the mightiest wizard in the land?

The being known as the Gemsinger is known as the strongest mage--but s/he only appears in a new incarnation if Shokiyu is in dire straits.

5. Who is the greatest warrior in the land?

It is said that Haldan Paramine was the greatest warrior seen on Shokiyu in some time. He is presumed dead after an expedition into the mountains, but some clues have surfaced hinting he may still be alive--a question his son Bradlin hopes to figure out.

6. Who is the richest person in the land?

Natiliene Laryan, of Taraka, the "glittering rainbow city"--it is rumored her fortune rivals even the monarchs of the five races

7. Where can we go to get some magical healing?

Seers will often heal others for no charge

8. Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions: poison, disease, curse, level drain, lycanthropy, polymorph, alignment change, death, undeath?

A Seer can also cure almost all of those conditions (level drain does not exist in Shokiyu) To revive someone or unzombify someone, you have to work quickly, as those spells tend to fail the longer you wait.

9. Is there a magic guild my MU belongs to or that I can join in order to get more spells?

While there are mage's guilds, they are not the primary source of spell finding--you'd be better off reading spellbooks in libraries. That said, there are some special spells a guild will teach their members.

10. Where can I find an alchemist, sage or other expert NPC?

Alchemists and Seers are most anywhere, and every town has an expert in some thing or another.

11. Where can I hire mercenaries?

Any large city has a mercenary hideaway, each one charging their own rate. Typically the harder the job, the more their fee.

12. Is there any place on the map where swords are illegal, magic is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law?

No--Shokiyu's laws are fair and just. That said, some rulers try to pass laws like this, but they are quickly overthrown, as every Shokiyan has the right to bear arms and use magic responsibly.

13. Which way to the nearest tavern?

Usually not far from the town square--if you don't find a minstrel in the square, check the tavern/inn

14. What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?

Every once in a while a rogue dragon or demon will appear, and these often fetch nice rewards.

15. Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?

No--Shokiyu is at peace in this regard.

16. How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?

Taraka is famous for its arenas, theaters, and casinos--it's not called "the glittering rainbow city" for nothing!

17. Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?

The most infamous of these would be the Red Crows and the Blue Wolves--the Red Crows focus more on stealing and pillaging, while the Blue Wolves focus on kidnapping and assassinations. They maintain a fierce rivalry, and woe be the ones caught in the crossfire when they clash.

18. What is there to eat around here?

Chicken. beef, turkey, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, and sweet treats are all common Wild game and other exotic meats are considered treats.

19. Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for?

The elves and the fairies pride themselves on magical artifacts, and many of them are hidden, waiting for some lucky adventurer to find them.

 20. Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure? Dragons do not typically harm people, but there are rogues with massive treasure hordes. Demons also tend to have nice loot too.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Lafisavia

The winter celebration on Shokiyu (and the equivalent to Christmas) is known as Lafisavia (or Lavisavia in some regions), which is an elven word meaning "The night of love and light". It tends to begin on the night of the first full moon of winter (which means it falls towards the end of December in 2012), and lasts for a week. In addition to gift giving, people build snow statues of Meikon (with the best ones getting a prize), minstrels perform, and people give to those in need, among some of the festivities. A favorite tale among the people is the legend of Lafisavia--the story goes that a young elven soldier (although the character's race and profession differs in many regions) is on his way home after being victorious in battle, and gets lost in the woods. When he cried to Meikon for help, he saw that the moon was unusually bright, and was able to find his way home in the moonlight. When he finally returned, his family was so happy to see him, the town shot off fireworks to welcome him, and his family showered him with gifts--creating the first Lafisavia.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A New Dreadknight Appears!

Elven Dreadknight Mirime Darklight appears, and she has a connection to Galia... Check it out here

Monday, October 15, 2012

Saveng Neras and Kythria Island

Today's update features the rest of the Neras quest and your only required challenge dungeon Check it out!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Evolution of Gemsinger, part 2

This draft introduces the healing orbs, the side view battles, and on-screen encounters, in addition to a revamped storyline. Gemsinger Draft X, 2009-2010

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Evolution of Gemsinger, part 1

If you've ever wanted to see how The Gemsinger Chronicles: The Video Game has evolved over three years, let's turn back the clock to June 2009, when the idea was in its very early stages... Gemsinger draft O, 2009

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Saving Neras

In our second video for today, the group unearths a plot in the town of Neras... Check it out!

Our First Sigil!

At long last, Miresa finally receives her first Sigil!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

In the Realm of the Elves

Today's update introduces Coraira, a game exclusive character, and Fion: Check it out

Monday, September 10, 2012

Leria and Farfalla

In this update video, we see Miresa formally receive her quest and meet Farfalla, a fairy that specializes in rare items

Sunday, September 9, 2012

The quest begins...

In this update (Miresa and Arune learn to spellsing (and Bradlin wonders what it would be like if he could spellsing) Check it out

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Spellsinging test

One new idea we are testing is Miresa actually singing a spell. Take a look at the test and tell me what you think.

We're hoping this will be a finishing spell if we can figure out how to make it work

She awakens!

Watch Miresa awaken here

Monday, September 3, 2012

First Look: Halliwen

Your rival wants to battle!

Digital Viginette: A Daughter's Adventure

Miresa tells her mom about her adventure in the Earth Shrine, done in dialogue:

"Ah, it's a pleasure to see you Miresa."

"Same to you, Mother."

"I heard about your feat at the Earth Shrine. Very well done!"

"It was quite a thrill."

"What was the Earth Shrine like, dear?"

"It was amazing! It was like a temple in its own right. The walls were made of really unique stone I've never seen before. But that's only part of the adventure! There were many difficult puzzles inside that required the use of an Earth whistle. The tunes that I played on that whistle released brown, transparent music notes filled with small crumbs of rocks. There were also stone puzzles, mazes, and anything you could think of!"

"It seems you've had quite an adventure!"

"Yes, and while I'm glad to be back in Telrain, I'll have to take the boat at Neras to Kythria Island soon. Well, as soon as the docks open up."

"Ah, yes. I've heard there's been a problem at the docks recently."

"Yes, and I'll have to find a way to solve this. I'm not sure why the mayor would close down the docks. The ships that sail on those docks trade with other continents, and give supplies to Telrain, Selance, Ralidor, and even the elves that live in the Forest of Dawn! I sense a conspiracy!"

"Now normally, I would tell you not to jump to conclusions, but as a merchant, even I sense there's something abnormal going on at Neras."

"And I pledge my life to solve this mystery, for all of the people of Neras."

"I'm so proud of you. My own daughter is the Gemsinger, and she's going to save the world!"

"Yes, this will be a long journey, but I promise I will visit Telrain as often as I can to tell you about my journeys!"

"That would be wonderful, dear."

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Digital Viginette: At the Dreadknight's Camp

The three known dreadknights talk about a sobering turn of events, done in dialogue:

"So, the Earth Sigil was taken right under our arms."

"That seems to be the case, Atlas."

"Well then, Lytas. You know what you have to do. We don't want to disappoint Ulvic."

"Neither do we want to enrage Lord Katva."

"Then let's find a way to get rid of the Gemsinger. We'll need to find out who it is, though."

"How's your operation on Neras going? Maybe the Gemsinger will try and save it."

"The operation is going smoothly, and you're right. I will return to Neras as soon as possible."

"And by possible you mean after this conversation."

"Don't rush me Lytas. Remember, you were the one responsible for getting the Earth Sigil. And you failed miserably."

"I know, and I won't make the same mistake on the Water Sigil."

"Then let's depart. I await your success, Lytas."

"You too, Atlas. Farewell!"

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Meet the Dreadknights

Over the course of your adventure, you will meet Katva's eight dreadknights--his most loyal servants that report directly to him.

So far, three of their identities are known:

Lytas: A demon who's sole purpose is to further Katva's ambition. She wields a scythe and uses dark magia. She is the most common dreadknight that Miresa and co. runs into. She first encounters Miresa when Miresa attempts to receive the water sigil. She encounters Miresa frequently throughout the game.

Atlas: A human with dark magia. He grew up feeling awkward about his ability to wield dark magia, although he was never discriminated against. He left his hometown when he became an adult, so that he could travel the seas by ship. During a hurricane, he was saved by Katva's army. Katva earned his respect and he pledge his life to the demons. Atlas deals with operations that have to deal with ships and the sea. He wields a rapier but also carries a small handheld telescope. He first encounters Miresa as she tries to save Neras from the demons' plot. He is then defeated and is later fought throughout the game in various operations.

Ulvic: Ulvic is a human mage who's known for his talent in magia. He's also considered "wasted potential" as most Shokiyans who know him feel it's a shame that such a talented mage is serving the demon lord instead of being a hero. Ulvic is the least frequently seen Dreadknight, and is only seen in a few operations. Although the only weapon he wields is a mage's book, he's a very strong magician and doesn't go down without a fight.

The other five dreadknight's identities are currently unknown, but once they are revealed they will receive their own post

Friday, August 24, 2012

Optional Dungeons

I've mentioned before that Katva can transform himself into many things, including a human being. It's in this form he will guide you towards a number of optional challenge dungeons.

The challenge dungeons are a bit shorter than the main dungeons, and contain harder puzzles and enemies (some of which can only be seen in challenge dungeons) But if you can defeat the equally challenging bosses, you will be rewarded with rare and unique weapons, armor, and items--some of which you can only get in the challenge dungeons.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Digital Viginette: The Night of the Awakening

Done in dialogue, courtesy of my partner:

"There you are, Miresa."

"Oh, hello Arune. You must be wondering why I'm out on this hill so late at night."

"Yes, I figured it had to do with you becoming the Gemsinger."

"Well, yes. I was just awakened as the Gemsinger today, and, I wanted a place to sing. I want to see if I can sing a spell."

"Didn't we already help Losi become a member of the Sapphire clan? You looked confident when you were summoning your spells to fend off some of the monsters that attacked in that cave."

"I know, but I still wasn't able to control my spells well. I just started actually casting magic, and I'm not sure I'll be able to master them until I get the Earth Sigil. Speaking of which, I'm not looking forward to that."

"Why so, Miresa?"

"It is said that as soon as I gather the Earth Sigil, the demon lord will sense my presence and know the Gemsinger has awakened. Then, our group will be followed and hunted by demons."

"Do not worry. That's what your friends are for. We'll be with you all the way there."

"That does help cheer me up. But I wouldn't say I'm completely distressed. I'm happy to have been chosen by Meikon to be the Gemsinger."

"I'm surprised at how quickly you have accepted the task of being the Gemsinger!"

"I'm still shocked by the outcome, but I want to protect Shokiyu. Even if I'm going to be chased by demons. I just hope I can become a better mage. I mean, what if I somehow fail to receive the Earth Sigil, or fail to cast another spell?"

"I'm sure that won't happen. Meikon chose you for a reason."

"You're right, Arune. Thank you for your kind words."

"So, if you do want to sing, I'll be here to listen."

"It does help to have an audience while performing. All right, here goes..."

Monday, July 23, 2012

Viginette: A Song of Friendship

Miresa meets Dorian in the Forest of Dawn, done in dialogue:

"Odd...who would be playing a harp all the way out here?"

"Good morrow, young lady...what brings you here to the Forest of Dawn?"

"I was going to meet a friend here to pick berries...likewise, what are you doing here, Sir Minstrel?"

"This clearing is my secret hideaway when I need some quiet time for reflecting on the day, or when I have a flash of inspiration....ah, listen to me ramble without properly introducing myself! I am Dorian LaMaire, of the Fellowship of Singers."

"Pleased to meet you, Dorian--I am Miresa Selvan, of the Blademages of Telrain."

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Miresa--can you play any instrument at all?"

"I can play a number of flutes and whistles...in fact, I have a whistle with me."

"Would like to join me for a tune or two as a sign of our friendship?"

"Of course! I would be honored to play with you, Sir Dorian."

"Very well--we will begin with the "Prayer to the Emerald'"

Friday, July 20, 2012

The Demo Reviewed

After three years in the making, the first demo of The Gemsinger Chronicles: The Video Game is finally here.

All I can say is...wow!

It brought a tear to my eye to see some of the places I've imagined finally coming to life--aside from a few grammar errors here and there (and a hiccup when the infamous RPG Maker arrow key glitch reared its ugly head on the first attempt), the game so far looks very well done. Battles are fast paced, and the difficulty isn't throw-the-controller-at-the-wall hard, but not too easy either.

I am very pleased so far, and can only imagine what the final game will look like when it's done.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The First Demo is Coming!

From my partner:

I will be releasing a demo of The Gemsinger Chronicles: The Video Game soon! No release date yet, but it will be ready within the next few days. (Or a week, depending on how busy I am.)

So, here's what I have on my to-do list before I release the demo.

- I need to finish the town of Neras. (The shops, and other buildings)

- I need to add more townsfolk to Gemsinger's Point.

- The Forest of Dawn needs to be finished.

- I also need to finish the Watch Post.

Outline update

The spell in the kitchen incident is cut, and Halliwen has a reduced role because of that. Whether I cut her out completely is up in the air at this point.

I'm also considering reducing the quest from twelve stones to eight to make it consistent with the digital version of Shokiyu.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Artist Wanted!

So I'm thinking about turning the initial story into a comic (making it a lot easier for me to tell the story) Problem is, I can't draw to save my life.

So if you're an aspiring comic artist that knows how to draw fairly well, let me know!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Demons and Watchmen and a New Location, Oh My!

Our latest video unveils Gemsinger's Point, an eastern watchpost (where you can potentially earn hundreds of pearls), and the city of Neras

Check it out!

Friday, July 13, 2012

New video!

Here's some more of The Video game's beginning: The game begins...

This includes getting Arune and Bradlin in the party

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Hero's Journey, as found in The Legend of Zelda

And now for something completely different...

Extra Credits (a really interesting show on Penny Arcade TV that examines aspects of games and issues in the gaming community) did a two part series on the hero's journey as applied to video games. If you're interested, you can watch both episodes on the topic here and here.

Both episodes also got me thinking about how many other games use aspects of it, so I decided to examine my all time favorite game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Consider:

1. The Call to Adventure--The Deku Tree summoning Link

2. Refusal of the Call--I could argue that Mido refusing Link access to the Deku Tree is an example of this because Mido never accepts Link as a true Kokiri

3. Supernatural Aid--Zelda has this in spades, but the most literal interpretation is Navi, for better or worse

4. Crossing the First Threshold--Stepping into Hyrule Field for the first time

5. Belly of the Whale--While Link literally does this by going through Jabu-Jabu's Belly, the best example I remember is when Link pulls the Master Sword

6. The Road of Trials--Awakening the six Sages

7. The Meeting with the Goddess--This happens twice--Link and Zelda meet as kids, and the more literal encounter as adults

8. Woman as Temptress--The whole bit with Ruto would probably count as this

9. Atonement with the Father--Meeting the Deku Sprout after clearing the Forest Temple

10. Apotheosis--resting and running around doing sidequests?

11. The Ultimate Boon--The Master Sword

12. Refusal of the Return--This one's hard--Link looking for Navi (or what we assume is Navi) during the beginning of Majora's Mask

13. The Magic Flight--Fleeing Ganon's Castle

14. Rescue From Without--Hm...not sure if Zelda has any moment that would fit this

15. Crossing the Return Threshold--Returning the Master Sword and sealing the Door of Time at the end of the game.

16. Master of Two Worlds--Traveling in time between a child and an adult

17. Freedom to Live--Link is forever known as the Hero of Time.

As you can see, Zelda follows the hero's journey very closely (some steps are out of order).

Thoughts?

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Time to get this rolling again...

Take a guess at where this location will appear in the game: The mystery location

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Tentative Weapon list-Arune

As a paladin of the fairies, Arune wields rapiers. I felt it would be appropriat to give all her weapons French names

In order:

Epée Légendaire-legendary sword (starts with this)
Tuteur Rêve-dream guardian
Ange d'argent silver angel
Fleur du Soleil-sun flower
Flamme Rouge-red flame
glace bleue-ice blue
vent béni-blessed wind
ailes de diamant-diamond wings
étoile de l'espérance-star of hope
saint voyage-blessed journey
héroïne déesse-goddess' hero (ultimate weapon)

Friday, June 1, 2012

Tentative weapon list-Galia

Batting around the idea to have Galia wield an orb/crystal ball as her weapon--if the idea works, here's the list of orbs we'd use:

Mystic Orb (starts with this)
Glass Orb
Crystal Orb
Jade Orb
Ruby Orb
Sapphire Orb
Emerald Orb
Pearl Orb
Diamond Orb
Holy Orb
Rainbow Orb (ultimate weapon)

Tentative Weapon List-Miresa

Here's a tentative list of mageblades Miresa will be able to use in The Video Game

Enchanted Mageblade (starts with this)
Bronze Mageblade
Iron Mageblade
Steel Mageblade
Silver Mageblade
Gold Mageblade
Diamond Mageblade
Mythril Mageblade
Heroic Mageblade
Goddess' Mageblade (ultimate weapon

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Getting Back in the Swing of Things...

After a bit of a hiatus, what would you like to see on the blog this summer? Building the world or writing in the world?

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Battle testing

Sorry for the long wait in between updates, but to make up for it, here's a video of the new battle system and the first look at Losi fighting.

Full party battle and first Losi battle footage

Monday, March 26, 2012

Digital Viginette: Galia's Decision

Another digital viginette from my partner, done in script:

(Galia walks into the room, followed by Losi)

Losi: What did you want to speak to me about?

(Losi and Galia both take a chair at the table)

Galia: I'm going to be gone for a very long time.

(Losi has a slightly confused expression)

Galia: I've chosen to travel with Miresa on her Gemsinger quest.

(Losi's face turns shocked)

Losi: What!? You are?

Galia: Yes. And this is where you come in. I will need you to look after the temple in my absence.

Losi: I'm sorry, Lady Galia. I don't think I can bear such a huge responsibility.

Galia: I trust you, Losi. I knew that when I received you as an apprentice, you would be capable of great things. I know you can handle this.

Losi: Y-you do? (Losi's facial expression changes to a look of determination)

Losi: Then in that case. I accept all the responsibilities of this temple. I thank you for entrusting me with such a task.

(Galia nods, and a hint of pride for her apprentice shows)

Galia: Very good. I'm pleased to know the temple will be well looked after while I'm gone.

Losi: Please be safe on your journey. The Gemsinger quest is known to be one of the hardest quests anyone can ever go through.

(Galia gently walks up to the window to stare out at the nightly rain outside)

Galia: I know. However, my mother once told me something.

Galia: "Sometimes the greatest heroes are someone you least expected."

Friday, March 23, 2012

Quickie Viginette: The Initiate

Here's a sneak peek of the digital Shokiyu for you, done in dialogue...

"Losi Jiatan...the day has come for you to fledge into a full member of the Sapphire Clan."

"Name your task, Master, and I will do whatever it takes to see it through."

"You've learned that long ago, each clan had its own Great Sigil. But they were shattered and scattered throughout Shokiyu--I want you to find one of these sigils, and return it here to the clan hall. If you succeed, we will recognize you as a full clan member."

"I will go, and do whatever it takes to restore our clan to its rightful glory."

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

First Look: The New Telrain

Here's a sneak peek of the new Telrain: A Walking Tour of Telrain

Be warned: it may change when the new version of RPG Maker comes out

Monday, March 12, 2012

New version coming!

...of RPG Maker, that is.

From my partner:


Reason? Well, there's a new version of RPG Maker coming out! It's called RPG Maker VX Ace! I'm really looking forward to working in this new engine. I'm not going to rename the draft though, since I can just transfer all my files to the new version. And, with this new RPG Maker coming out, I'm really inspired to make a video game again!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

A New Draft Arrives

From my partner:

Obviously, you can tell from the title that Gemsinger Chronicles: The Video Game is getting a new draft. This will be called "Gemsinger Chronicles E".

Reason for this?

I've been making RPG Maker VX games since June 2009, and It's been 2 and a half years since then. The particular draft, called "Gemsinger R", that I was working on was started in the summer of 2010. It's been a year and a half since I started that specific draft. I know I have gotten a lot done on that draft, but since a lot of it was made a year ago, I've improved a lot from that draft. I know I can do more on the video game, and there's a lot of things that I wanted changed in Gemsinger Chronicles R, but since I have improved and I'm capable of much more, I think it's time to start from scratch again. Since I'm starting from scratch, I'm able to rework everything. I'm able to have a fresh, new start on the video game. And with that, I'll be able to make a better game than before. So, that said, I think it's time for Gemsinger R to go, and Gemsinger E to arrive. I'm going to do many things differently in the new edition, and I'll be able to use my improved abilities to make a fun experience for everyone!

I know that I have had many, many drafts of Gemsinger Chronicles so far. I know it's been 2 years since the first ever draft on Gemsinger. Why is it taking the game so long? Well, that's how making an RPG Maker VX game is. It's very common for people to restart their games to make them better. I've been improving on RPG Maker this whole time, and in each draft, it gets better. Will Gemsinger Chronicles E be the final draft? Yes, most likely. But if it's not? Well, then I'll make something better. But you don't need to worry, I'm confident that Gemsinger Chronicles E will be the last draft.

So, that's all I have to say. Look forward for new updates and videos.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Plans for 2012

First off all, Happy New Year to all that support the blog.

As for my plans for the year, expect more work on both the story and The Video Game. I hope that we will have a playable demo out this year for you to enjoy. Plus, I also hope to write out a novelization of the digital Shokiyu and post it here serially.

Adventurers