gardenofbones-if

[gardenofbones-if]

Early Access Poll ▸ U vs Z

Curious to see how this changes over time if you're willing to share your opinions!

Your MCs still don't know much about Z, but you've had a chance to meet U and learn a bit about the elder twin from the younger's perspective. Now that the demo has been out for over a month, and as the first official poll on the new blog, I'd love to know...

Is there a path that currently interests you the most?

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Thank you so much for the reblog and the kind words @mysticmirrortale, and I'm glad you find the updated RO post to be an improvement! Starting a side-blog was actually a nice opportunity to refresh everything, including the character introductions.

Determined make each chapter better than the last in some way as I understand the narrative better, receive more feedback from betas and other players, and continue learning how to code.

It really means a lot that you're enjoying the WIP so far!

~ Effie

[gardenofbones-if]

Oh! Can we keep the beetle friend as a pet that lives between the vines and flowers of MC's room? Alternatively, does MC get a future pet??

Ahhh I love that question, Anon!

You won't be staying in the tower forever - you do have a garden and a certain errand in said garden awaiting you after all - but YES, you can keep the beetle friend as a pet, at least for a time!

While I do often change my mind about these things, I hesitate to promise anything or state that it won't ever happen: taking a pet on your travels might indeed be in your MC's future, but it could also overwhelm me with variables, or it simply might not fit the narrative!

Speaking of the narrative, I would caution against getting too attached to anything cute, noteworthy, useful, or sentimental that your MC might happen to acquire in Chapter 2.

For no particular reason.

Obviously.

Thanks so much for the questions, Anon, and although I can't give too many details, I hope that was a satisfactory reply!

~ Effie

[gardenofbones-if]

all hail mighty beetle friend 🎉🎉🎉🎉

To the mighty beetle! 🪲🎉🎉🎉🎉

An unexpected companion that was never supposed to have its own mini-arc, but has successfully pitched its case in the court of narrator's opinion and won the lawsuit with full compensation!

I know you didn't ask for a preview, but Chapter 2 is already looking to be much longer than I anticipated (in no small part thanks to our beetle friend), so here you go...

The window is enchanted to allow air currents to move through the latticework, but nothing physical can pass the barrier. You know this because $U told you once, when you wondered aloud why dust never blew into your room even on the windiest days. So this glistening green-shelled beetle that is, truthfully, half the size of your hand—even without the knobbled horns that crown its beady-eyed head—must have already been lurking amidst the tangle of nightbloom vines. Or maybe it crawled in when the door was opened. [If player has balm: It looks eerily similar to the engraving on the tin of balm.] Now… What do you do?

I want you to know that, in true CYOA fashion, this encounter could end very quickly for MCs with a fear of insects...

...and very poorly for the beetle, lol.

Thanks for the message, Anon!

[gardenofbones-if]

I thought it would be neat to have a small scene with a random beetle that wandered into your tower. That scene turned into 4 different reactions. Those 4 reactions turned into another set of choices. One of those choices includes keeping the beetle with you for a time.

You can now name the beetle if you choose one specific option.

This has gotten very out of hand.

🪲

[gardenofbones-if]

Bug Fixes!

I didn't have any betas for this update, and found a few typos. Also had some game-breaking bugs pointed out to me which have been resolved!

broken choice in the final chapter (can't sling your weapon like a javelin)

inability to access the codex at the end of the game (sigh)

tried to make some of the choices a bit clearer

typos in various instances of flavour text

the spacing of the codex titles was a bit too much

My apologies to anyone who played the update right away and couldn't access the codex. And thank you so much to the kind player on itch.io who pointed out those errors in a comment on the devlog!

~ Effie

[gardenofbones-if]

UPDATE 0.1.2: Existing Demo Edits

Note: my previous intro post is no longer up-to-date, so you can click the links below to view the new intro post and an improved RO page! Likes or reblogs are even more appreciated than usual.

DEMO LINK | INTRO POST | ROMANCE OPTIONS

This is the last update before 0.2.0 aka a new content release! No new chapter yet, so for some of you it might not be worth replaying, but minor edits to the first chapter are finally done. If I did my job well you won't notice most of them, but if you're interested in seeing what's changed be warned that you may need to re-play again before the next chapter.

The arson branch is short, bridging two other scenes you will have seen before, but there are a few different choices to determine how it plays out!

There shouldn't be any game-breaking errors, so I'm just posting it now because I am VERY eager to resume working full-time on Chapter 2! Finally I can return my focus to new content for the rest of the month, and I’ll be able to make much faster progress because of changes to the code.

YOU WILL NEED NEW SAVES.

NEW CONTENT

Don't expect too much to be different, but I did make some changes!

the arson option is complete! now you can not only turn the room upside-down, but light it on fire ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜

sprinkled more flavour text throughout

a few scenes were slightly revised for clarity, such as the prologue and the dream scene at the end

described the servant and guard in more detail

1 small interactive choice for the servant and the guard

new customization options: more scar choices, near or short sighted, greying hair/beard

CODING IMPROVEMENTS

The true (invisible) star of this update is all the changes to the code!

re-coded literally everything seriously there will be errors please message me if you see any

adjusted U's affection and trust stats (still a WIP)

corrected some flavour text coding errors

the "not-a-gift" scene should now reference all items you were given, if you decide to use them

USER INTERFACE

I did my best not to go too crazy with this until the new content is finished...

default dark mode

improved main menu screen

adjusted settings and saves menu colours

UPDATE NOTES (+ how to set stuff on fire)

Ignore if you don't want any spoilers!

To set the tower ablaze, you will need to choose the option where you scatter the nightblooms, not the other two options (sinking to the ground or touching the flowers).

I think this goes without saying, but do be aware that if you choose to light things on fire, it might - might - impact your experience in Chapter 2 next update, depending on what I decide moving forward and how your unique choices play out. That's not a reason NOT to do it, but it is something to note.

You can read the new intro post HERE if you haven't played before or want to give it a like (TYSM), or jump straight into the updated DEMO.

Thanks for playing!

~ Effie

[gardenofbones-if]

You, a mortal, awaken in an unfamiliar land of heat and sand, staring into the unfeeling mask of a spindly stranger who claims to rule the deathless kin of the air.

Beholden to an unremembered promise to assassinate their disgraced twin sibling, bound for an eldritch garden hidden somewhere in the arid plains, and compelled by an enchantment you do not understand, certain choices are beyond your control...

...yet even so, the power of life and death is forever fated to slip through immortal fingers. It lies within your hands, and yours alone. Many questions plague you, but only one can you answer.

What will you do with it?

GARDEN OF BONES is a 17+ interactive work-in-progress with an emphasis on relationships, and includes some content that may be triggering; complete warnings will be included within the game and updated if necessary.

MAIN CHARACTERS

The Younger (M/F)

Weary of being disregarded and mocked for their aspirations, the Younger needs their disapproving sibling and crowned ruler out of the way, for good... and only a mortal can kill an immortal. Will you be their weapon?

The Elder (M/F)

A banished ghost haunts a garden removed from the flow of time; they had not considered that their beloved twin would stab them in the back... and now they are doomed to rise and fall by your hand. How far will you take this lie?

The Mortal (N/A)

A forgetful assassin, sent to dirty your hands on behalf of an immortal ruler from another realm. Cling to the past with bitterness or longing, or abandon it all if you wish. Forge a path built on vengeance or mercy. What will you sacrifice?

Note: as the siblings are identical twins, both ROs must be set together, so you will have the opportunity to play the game with immortal sisters or immortal brothers as your romantic options and potential allies.

SIDE CHARACTERS

The Servant

Sworn to the younger's cause, just like you, yet she seems to be little more than a thorn in their side... there is a history between them that remains unspoken. Will she ever trust you?

The Guard

Nameless, voiceless, faceless, and unwaveringly loyal: the younger twin is rarely seen without their personal champion shadowing their footsteps, and others fear that silent presence. Do you believe the rumours?

FEATURES

CURRENT FEATURES

⮞ fey-adjacent immortal folk ⮞ 2 M/F selectable romance options ⮞ customize your appearance ⮞ shape your personality ⮞ 45+ minute playtime

PLANNED FEATURES

⮞ a curse (may not be discovered) ⮞ bones (quite a lot of them) ⮞ riddles and revenge ⮞ finished romantic route ⮞ finished platonic route ⮞ 4+ highly variable endings ⮞ impactful decisions

Everything here is subject to change.

LINKS

DEMO | ITCH.IO | RO INTROS | PINTEREST

Current word count: 70,000.

I find friendships to be equally as captivating and fulfilling as romantic affection (and also fully support your right to antagonism and arson if desired) so expect me to do my best to ensure that each route is as lovingly detailed as possible!

Thanks for your interest and I hope to craft a most distressing and positively delightful journey for you.

Ask me anything!

~ Effie

[gardenofbones-if]

Romance + Friendship Options

Both ROs in Garden of Bones are M/F gender-selectable.

U ⏾ ᴛʜᴇ ʏᴏᴜɴɢᴇʀ

Ambitious to a fault, cunning and brooding, and gifted in dealings of intricate spell-craft - to gain unquestioned control of this wasteland kingdom is their life's aspiration... and they are long-lived indeed.

moonlight | dark romance | all the red flags

APPEARANCE » In most depictions the younger twin has golden eyes, but you have never seen their true colour. Gaunt features, a thin and disapproving mouth mottled by branching darkness as if it were poison-touched beneath the surface, a complexion best described as golden bronze, and dark freckles scattered across the bridge of their hawkish nose. Their black hair is worn in elaborate braids and their elfin ears are long and tapered. The moon-tinged hunger beneath it all steals the breath from your lungs...

PERSONALITY » Unpredictable, yet quiet and detached. What part of their presentation is real, and what is an unspoken lie?

WHAT YOU KNOW » The Younger is the reason you are here, bound by a deal you cannot recall and sworn to a name that isn't yours. The younger twin will keep you close, until they deem you ready to uphold your unremembered promise.

MOTIFS » green and earth tones, covered to the wrists and ankles, flowing layers, collared necklaces, ornate braids, silver accents

NOTABLE TRAITS:

elegant

seductive

Z 𖥔 ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟᴅᴇʀ

Crowned the most powerful kin of the air but drawn to the arts of the earth; conflict between the undying siblings has shattered a kingdom...

sunlight / ??? / ???

APPEARANCE » In the oldest tales of your ephemeral folk, the Elder is rumoured to possess a mirror image of their younger twin... Maybe one day, when you are finally face-to-face, you can decide how true that is for yourself.

PERSONALITY » ???

WHAT YOU KNOW » The Elder's ancient and still-beating heart is doomed to be pierced by the dagger beneath your cloak, for mere mortals cannot sever a pact with the kin of the air.

MOTIFS » ???

NOTABLE TRAITS:

capricious

melancholic

Everything here is subject to change and I don't want to spoil certain in-game discoveries yet, so expect to learn more in subsequent updates as more chapters are completed!

[gardenofbones-if]

Prayer circle that the Shadow Curse doesn't touch you again

🕯️ 🕯️ 🕯️ 🕯️ 🕯️ 🕯️

Ha, appreciate the positivity, snowthornes!

IT SHAN'T. (ㅅ ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)

And hello again, I'm so glad you found the new blog! That "curse" felt personal and poorly timed, tbh, but I'm still here and as previously stated, very grateful for side-blogs. Everything is showing up in the tags again!

Now if only tumblr support would message me so I can reply to people in the comments and answer the old anons, all my prayers would truly be answered, lol...

It's good to be back!

[gardenofbones-if]

OMG!! I just finished reading your demo and I was Locked. In. It was so engaging and I am immediately hooked! I am so intrigued by this story and excited to see where you go with it!! Well done!!!

HELLO and welcome Zillie! ⸜(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)⸝♡

Thank you so much for the incredibly kind message: this made my day even more awesome than it already was.

I just posted on my itch.io account that anyone who has started a playthrough and wants to finish it better finish it now because the entire code will be restructured with the next update, so you made it to The End in just in time! Congratulations!

Almost wish you could have played the slightly improved version that's going live this weekend but to be honest I am still happy with the original demo, and it warms my heart to hear that you enjoyed Chapter 1 so much - that must mean it accomplished everything it needed to.

As far as where it's going?

Rest assured I have plans.

Multiple plans.

Plural.

CYOA = Choose Your Own Angst

[gardenofbones-if]

FANART! ❤︎

WHAT?!

Long story short, I wasn't going to reblog fanart on this account (see FAQ), but someone took the time to render artwork of their personal MC for Garden of Bones and... I am currently absolutely overwhelmed by how lovely that is?! Can't even leave an excited note in their comments yet or like the post, because this is a side-blog and my main blog is still shadowbanned.

⸜( ╥ ᴗ ╥ )⸝♡

I am disconsolate but the art is beautiful. Please know that it is seen and appreciated! I've actually been down with a headache and a nap for several hours but now my crops are flourishing, my complexion is clear, and my headache is nonexistent lol.

For anyone following my blog, HERE is the link for you to admire @origamihoshi's Malice! The hair texture, the braids, and the beads are rendered so perfectly and the colour palette you chose for this portrait is so nice.

May you grow into your name, Malice.

Or rise above it.

NOTE: I am aware that artwork can be personal, so if you didn't want me to bring attention to it here for any reason, do message me to let me know and I'll delete this post: obviously, because of the blog situation, I couldn't contact you directly to ask for permission but assumed it was alright since you posted it in the IF tag. Either way, thank you so much for sharing!

[gardenofbones-if]

omg welcome back congrats on the new blooog !!

HELLO, and thank you for the welcome back, Anon! I am very happy to be able to access my inbox again. It became almost pointless to post anything on the old blog, knowing it would be ghosted in tags and I couldn't even answer your questions.

Now I can let you back in the kitchen with me!

No such thing as too many cooks with interactive fiction. Your feedback has been very inspiring.

This is a side-blog so it doesn't have full features, but it's great to have a voice again, and maybe support will restore my access on the main blog someday?

I live in hope, lol!

[gardenofbones-if]

Struggling with a last-minute bit of flavour text that isn't flavouring or texting appropriately and have lit upon the 1,000 IQ solution: delete it. Nobody will know. I am a genius.

[gardenofbones-if]

Finding frequently used words makes me sigh so deeply. It's a different word every time I notice, too. Today it was "faint."

A breeze? Faint.

The thoughts in your head? Faint.

That creak when the door opens? Faint.

Your next pivotal story choice? Fainting, probably.

Currently deleting as many as possible but sometimes it just works, lol. Regardless, to anyone who has been made to read the word faint at least a dozen times in the first draft, I am sorry.

But only faintly.

[gardenofbones-if]

EXCERPT FROM UPDATE 0.1.2: ENDING

In which the servant is concerned and the sovereign is annoyed.

If all goes well these edits will be live next weekend (I'm working on the new content too, just determined get this improved version of the existing demo finished and playable)!

Spoilers for those who haven't played the current demo and slightly fewer spoilers for those who have, but if you want it, here's a fleeting glimpse of the revised ending:

"Wha—what is the meaning of—why didn't you tell me—" "I did tell you, Aikani," $U murmurs, still facing you with purpose, something deadly poisonous in the words. "You simply weren't listening... as always." "But—" "Enough," $U says, even more quietly. Aikani falls silent and casts a frantic glance at you, those sky-blue eyes nearly silver in the moonlight. It's shocking to see one of these ancient beings breathless and flustered—even more shocking that her concern appears to be for you.

[gardenofbones-if]

what are the RO's love languages? 👀👀

Hello, Anon!

Ah, what a delightfully layered question. I've received this ask before on my now-invisible ghost blog (which is drifting through the endless void of time and space with Z) and am MORE than happy to update this one with the answer for anyone new! I really do love it, and am so glad you asked...

Obviously a lot of this is going to be spoilers, but here are a few of my thoughts without giving too much away:

𖤓 LANGUAGES ☾

I’ll start with Z, because you know the least about them and they are absent for most of the demo; you can probably expect a much more immediate connection - romantically or platonically - with Z!

Z’s first love language is touch.

This is… complicated.

For… reasons.

“Touch” as a concept when you’re with Z is going to be… an experience, and that’s all I’m going to say!

U, on the other hand, is less about touch (things like holding hands or open displays of affection are for trusted companions only) and more reserved with their regard, at least at first.

U’s first love language is gift-giving.

This can be everything from the very simple to the extremely elaborate, and some things they consider “gifts” (especially early on) you might consider “necessities” - but it’s the thought behind it that defines it as a gift in their golden eyes.

They thought of you.

They want you to know…

𖤓 COURTSHIP ☾

As an extrovert and a flirt, Z is not shy about sharing their surface-level feelings from moment to moment, and they will pull you into those feelings, ideally, before you even realize what’s happened.

Z’s idea of “courtship” would be to capture your interest in a physical way - they are steeped in the sensory realm. If they are courting your friendship, it’s going to be just as intense…

U is naturally much more reserved, more suggestive (read: manipulative) than flirtatious, and as a walking red flag, trust that they are going to drag your feelings through the mud before they can even begin to unpack their own.

U’s toxic trait is thinking that they are immune to catching genuine feelings, so an authentic “courtship” would truly terrify them. Good luck with that…

𖤓 LOVERS ☾

Obviously MOST of this will be discoverable throughout your journey, but what I will say is that both U and Z fit the Forbidden Love trope for reasons that will quickly become obvious as you play past the demo.

The power imbalance goes both ways…

Thanks again for the ask, Anon!