#tbota poll

[thebarontheabyss]

As I mentioned before, I am completely spiraling with the 2.5 update—adding more content, rewriting everything, and questioning my life choices.

But! I finally have a clear vision for Spirit Gifts and have already begun overhauling the story using their mechanics.

So, instead of being glorified “skill check” free passes, Spirit Gifts now function much like the grief paths, offering unique ways to experience the game.

So what does that mean? Let’s reintroduce them:

Navia’s Earring

Replaces Pythia’s Bracelet from the previous iteration, whispering thoughts and secrets directly into your mind. Let’s be honest—this was the best gift by far, so I’m keeping it mostly unchanged, except now it’s available for non-insight MCs too!

Everyone deserves intrusive whispers.

Voidcutter

This blue-flamed sword replaces the Sword of Damocles and is perfect if you want your MC to be a spirit-killing machine.

Now available for non-physical MCs as well!

Lens of Daezur

A pair of leather goggles containing the fractured knowledge of history, realms, and cosmic law.

Your very own personal, slightly haunted encyclopedia!

Mask of Shapeless Visage

An ever-shifting mask that allows the wearer to alter their appearance at will. Even for spirits, this is quite the feat.

Who is your MC today? More importantly—who do they want to be?

Ring of Chronos

A ring infused with the sands of time, granting you the ability to slow time in controlled bursts.

Just enough to react, just enough to change fate—if only for a moment.

The Murmuring Necklace

An eerie chain that allows you to speak to objects—and, more disturbingly, allows them to talk back to you.

Every object holds a story, whether you want to hear it is another question.

[thebarontheabyss]

Hiya! I've had my eye on your game for a while but I've yet to play it because ~life~ is Like That. Would you recommend playing it for the first time as-is or waiting until you complete your update? Either way, good luck! I can see how passionate you are about this project and it's lovely. :)

Hello there! Hehe, believe me, get it :D The game already has a lot of content in its current version. However, the next update will overhaul significant portions of it. HOWEVER PART 2 THE SEQUEL, it will take time until I release the next update, so that's totally up to you! But as someone who also likes people to decide for him... why not asking y'all :D

I love democracy.

[thebarontheabyss]

The Abyss has a gift for you!

I have another TBOTA 2.0 update news! This time, it's about another feature coming with the update: your Spirit Gift.

On your first morning at the bar, the Abyss itself will grant you an artefact based on your strongest stat.

Use this gift for special spirit abilities, to fight, charm or discover hidden secrets 👀

Sword of Damocles (Physique): A blue-flame sword that grants you an innate mastery of its use. For a warrior-bartender, use it to participate in various fight scenes along the game!

Ring of Houdini (Finesse): A black ring that grants you incredibly agile and fast hands, use it for bartending… or pickpocketing.

Dorian's Necklace (Charm): A silvery necklace that makes you alluring to all beholders. Use it to convince and enchant patrons, or calming a army of ghostly warriors to stand down.

Goggles of Da Vinci (Creativity): Leather goggles that reveal patterns and possibilities invisible to others. Use it to find unique solutions to problems, for example—in the realm of Memoriam.

Pythia's Bracelet (Insight): A bracelet that lets you feel people's true intentions. Usable as a passive voice in your head, guiding you along the way.

Hatshepsut's Brooch (Logics): A brooch that enhances your thinking and problem-solving abilities. Use it to figure out things before anyone else or to bypass riddles.

[thebarontheabyss]

As mentioned previously, I am revisiting the Prologue and the causes of death.

So! for data-gathering purposes, which could result in some additions or changes...

[thebarontheabyss]

Hello there, patrons!

I'm still rewriting the upcoming update, which has inspired me with many new ideas for the previous chapters as well.

The first addition I thought of is a new additional mechanic for the recently added causes of death.

With their upcoming full implementation after this update, I will add five personal story arcs for your MC - each with unique struggles and resolutions, which will also open interactions with the crew based on your path.

[thebarontheabyss]

Patrons of TBOTA, I need your help making a big decision!

The next two updates on the horizon are Chapter 5 (Part 1) and the 2.5 update for the game.

Now, here's the issue: I'm currently working on both simultaneously, which is not my best idea.

So, I'm leaving it up to you. Let's put it to a vote and let democracy take the wheel. It might have failed us in the past, but… well, what can you do.

I'll give you a sneak peek of what each update will include, and then you can decide which one you'd like me to focus on first.

Don't worry—whichever option doesn't win won't be scrapped! It will just come after the winning one. 😄

Chapter 5 (Part 1):

Meet Death in Limbo for answers, and if romanced, enjoy a picnic date with them.

Help He Without Name with the return of the bathroom fog and officially start his romance path.

Enjoy an off-day with the crew and a team-building gathering & interactions.

Receive an invitation to a Masquerade.

2.5 Update:

Overhaul to romance scenes for all ROs, with new options and paths and early flirting options for the staff ROs.

Expanded encounters with the Entity, overhaul to the Loneliness mechanic, and new scenes for each grief path.

Revamped the orb dreams from Chapter 4, with options to ask the cast about them.

More character creation options with "death scars" to reflect your MC’s past.

Thanks for your support, and see you soon in the Abyss! 🖤

[thebarontheabyss]

Hello, patrons of TBOTA! Huge hug to everyone who reached out during my short rot period lol; your kind words really helped. Thank you so much ❤

I'm moving through the next update really fast, don't want to set a date until I'm 100% sure I can deliver, but it's coming fast :)

To get you back on the TBOTA train, here's a quick teaser: Hell, the realm of the Devils, is in a state of constant flux. And so, it manifests itself differently the moment you step inside.

That's right: Hell will be customizable in the next chapter, with ALL the sets, locations, and descriptions changed according to your choice.

(Now you know why this update takes some time. I need to write almost everything 4x times. Yay for me!)

[thebarontheabyss]

Hello, patrons! So far it seems that the majority voted for the 2.5 overhaul to be prioritized. Thank you for helping me decide! ❤️

Already have a few additional ideas and will start this week, aiming for a mid-December launch. ;)

Also doing a few interviews for a new job, so If I haven't answered your ask yet know that I will as soon as I can!

See you soon 😇

[thebarontheabyss]

I can't believe you all almost 50/50ed me...Anyways guess I have plans for tomorrow o7

Yayyyyyy lol can you imagine if it was exactly 50/50?

Anyway, hope your time in the Abyss will be fun! I’d love to hear your thoughts :) thank you ❤️

[thebarontheabyss]

This is the most important poll ever👀

JK, but I really need your perspective here!

The writing process is going well. However, at this point, I've found myself completely rewriting whole segments rather than just adding new content.

So, at the current pace, I won't be able to release a complete update covering the entire game tomorrow.

So, dear patrons, I'd like to leave the decision up to you.

Should I release the first part of the update tomorrow, covering the first part of the demo with all the new content and mechanics, or should I postpone it until next week to include the second part? (either way, it will be 100% done by then)

So...

[thebarontheabyss]

Continuing my tour of my fav IFs/authors. I'm giving yall some fictional love lives... 👀 If you HAD absolutely HAD to choose one of your ROs/ side characters to romance. Who would it be and whyyyyyyyyy?? Also Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ♥️

Well, if I can only choose one and not romance Death, The Devil and The Witch at the same time… 👀

I’d probably go with the Witch. Morgan and I would definitely vibe the best - we are different enough but also similar in some ways, which will be a good balance, and I can definitely see us becoming a witchy power couple 😌

But also… Hastur. 👀. Although I have a feeling i’ll talk his ear off.

What about you?

[thebarontheabyss]

The journey to Memoriam was long and dark, and at its end, a decision awaited.

[thebarontheabyss]

Hello everyone!

I hope the week is treating y’all well. The update had a few subplots and revelations, and I was wondering:

Don’t be shy and tell me more - hit the ask and send your thoughts!

[thebarontheabyss]

It’s the witching hour! (well, somewhere)

[thebarontheabyss]

Hello hello, a new reader here! How can I call you dear Author? Anyway I want to say that I really love how you write all of the characters in the story. Each of them is so uniquely different and it makes the interaction between them very fun and refreshing. Speaking of something fun, How would all the ROs and the staff react if MC show them those cool Bartender tricks? 🍾

Love this prompt! Let's see... Yaga would scoff and say, "Someone would poke an eye if you keep doing this!" She might even follow it up with a grumbled remark about the impracticality of flair over function (But deep down, she's secretly impressed)

Peisinoe will exclaim, "Bravo!" and, with a hint of mischief, will add, "Now do it blindfolded!" their eyes twinkling with amusement and perhaps a bit of envy at the MC's dexterity.

Shelly would clap and yell excitedly, her face lighting up with joy. She'd eagerly ask you to help her learn the tricks, her enthusiasm infectious as she tries (and fails adorably) to mimic your moves.

Lilith/Damien would find it... undeniably sexy. They'd lean back with a sly smile, their eyes following your every move. "Impressive," they'd murmur, "but can you do it while distracted?" as they attempt to flirtatiously throw you off your game.

Morgan/Morgana would try to one-up you using magic, conjuring spectral hands to perform their own tricks. While watching from the sidelines, Pepper would dryly comment, "That's cheating," but with an unmistakable note of pride in their voice.

Death would watch with a mixture of awe and anxiety, occasionally flinching when a bottle spins too close for comfort. "Be careful!" they say caution, but their smile shows they're charmed by your skill.

Hastur observes with a deep sense of respect. As you complete your trick, he nods solemnly, acknowledging your mastery and skill with a sincere "Well done."

He Without Name would quietly watch, his presence as still as ever. As you finish, he'd utter cryptically, "Not... Break?".

The Raven would cheer you on from the sidelines, their enthusiasm growing with each trick. Unbeknownst to them, their lively commentary and antics become a bit of a distraction.