So, this little update will be a bit different from my usual 'progress blogs' but I'm nine hours in, so that's all fine. Today I will be talking about our two lovely leading ladies, Tristian and Ianna. I've composed a bit of an article about the two of them, so if you are interested in reading any further, feel free. =)

Tristian:
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Age: 26
Height: 177cm
Weight: 65 kg
Class: Master Knight ( a Paladin that has mastered 3 or more weapon types )
Weapon mastery: Bow, Sword, Spear
Promotes into: Templar


I just love those few lines over there.

Descended from the Light Crusader Argi. Has trained as a squire to the Royal Family since the age of eleven at Genoa's most prestigious military academy. Her quick wits and cold logic saw her rise quickly through the ranks of the Silver Order, becoming their first ever female knight-commander at the age of 22.

Feels remorse and guilt-stricken over her actions. Too proud to accept help from anyone. Unable to open up her heart and talk about her true feelings ( until Ianna gets through to her, like in that above screen ). Her character arc revolves around her coming to terms with her guilt, opening up to those who truly care about her, to re-establish the trust of her people and to strengthen the military arm of Genoa itself. And all the while, fights off a crippling disease which only gives her a year in which to live.

Currently, she is coming to terms with her pyhrric victory over at Bastillion Fort ( this part is available in the current demo ). As long as she knows that Genoa's military stronghold stands, will the Empire never have Tristian's homeland in their vice-like grip. But Tristian is disgusted with herself over the enormous loss of life she has caused during the process and demotes herself, removing her rank and taking on the guise of a swordswoman by the name of Ira Cross.

With this new identity, she hopes to infiltrate Valthorme's military and rally resistance amongst those who oppose the Empire's regime. And to maybe find some way of repenting for what she has done. She knows deep down inside that if she feels for every man or woman who perished, it will destroy her. All Tristian can do is bury her grief while still trying to hold onto some part of her humanity that wasn't destroyed when the Silver Order was lost.

So yes. Tristian is a rather tormented soul still coming to terms with her immense grief and guilt, fights off that disease known as the Ebony Strain but fights on, all in the name of her country... and Ianna. And she has strong ties to a major antagonist who is determined to see her fall. To sum up her personality: She's cold on the surface ( just look at her portrait ), determined, somewhat aloof and of course, proud. But you really can't blame her after what has happened. And of course, she is one hell of a badass.


I've since fixed that line, deleting the last sentence.

For me, she's fun to write, but only because I love seeing her suffer so >:D It makes her angsty romance with Ianna all the more sweeter. But I can say with certainty is that she's a lot more deep and complex than my teal-haired heroine, Laine.

Ianna:
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Age: 22
Height: 155cm
Weight: 45 kg
Class: Princess
Weapon Mastery: Light/Elder magic, Tomes, Light Swords

A Princess unused to the ways of war and filled with much humanity. Having lost nearly everyone she holds dear to the Empire, Ianna can only turn to her sole surviving retainer, Tristian, for some form of support. But her bodyguard's icy nature makes it difficult for them both to establish some common ground. Her developing relationship with her lady knight however, is key to strengthening them both over the course of the story.

As she becomes more and more exposed to the Empire's cruelty, she is forced to somehow tap into her bloodline that which gives her the power of elder magic but it also makes Ianna a target for the Ebony Hand, a cult that has sinister ties to Emperor Nestor. She vows to remain strong for her people and support Tristian regardless of the actions she takes in order to restore the crown to Genoa. Over the course of the game, she wrestles with strong romantic feelings for her protector ( aww yeah ).


She just makes me go 'squee'. I just want to protect her, just like Tristian. I think it's her eyes. Just look at them.

A traumatic event forces the young princess to tap into her ties with her ancestor; Dubhan the Dark Crusader, and at first, she is shocked by what she has done, but realises she has to sometimes take drastic measures to protect the ones she loves. As she becomes more and more exposed to the Empire's evil, she asks her lady knight to tutor her in the way of the sword, but Tristian, for reasons unknown to Ianna, refuses to do so ( this scene can be viewed in one of the videos I uploaded ). But the events of the game do strengthen her over time, and even though she knows Tristian has less than a year to live, Ianna has sworn to find a cure for her...

I don't think the poor girl can bear any more loss. ;_;

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So yes. That is TriAnna for now. Now to get back to work on the actual game. Just a last word.

Should I release a new demo?