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"It's a sobering thought, isn't it? To be able to look out your window and see the end of the world."

The world is on the verge of being consumed by the Fog, an ever-growing mist that corrupts and destroys all life within it. Unable to reach the source, humanity has no way to stop the Fog's growth. The destruction of the world is inevitable; humanity is at the end of its time.

In Asala, one of the few remaining settlements outside the Fog, two friends are on the verge of completing their training to become knights sworn to help weather the coming disaster: the cynical Aeyr Wilder and the kindhearted Mia Alacruz. However, catastrophic events soon destroy the very foundations of their lives, and they are forced to make the choice between their precious friendship and following the path they each believe is right. Their faith in their beliefs, and in each other, will be pushed to the limit as they decide what to save and what to sacrifice as the world collapses around them.

"There is no stopping the coming apocalypse. The only question remaining is: can humanity endure it?"


Prayer of the Faithless integrates elements of classic survival-horror games into its turn-based battle system. There are no readily accessible healing abilities, so your survival depends on managing a limited supply of restorative items you find or purchase. In addition, your equipped weapons and armor will drastically affect your performance by raising some stats, penalizing others, and changing your available abilities.

To reward a playstyle of controlled aggression rather than raw power and high levels, the battle system in Prayer of the Faithless turns a number of RPG conventions on their heads: You have three actions per turn, and you can spend them however you wish during battle. Plus, allies and enemies cannot guard, but must maintain their Stamina pools to block incoming damage. You must damage the enemy's Stamina to be able to hurt them, but be careful: overusing powerful abilities will leave allies wide open to attack!

Each ally's personality traits affect their combat prowess and abilities. As the story goes on and the stakes are raised, these traits will develop (and degrade!) along with the character's mental state. You will get to truly understand how each character thinks and feels through conversations and battle performance, and see how the state of the world affects their morale and beliefs.

Latest Blog

Permanent Price Cut!

Today is the 1 year anniversary of Prayer of the Faithless' launch. Thank you so much for all the support you've given the game over the past 8 years of development and post launch! The reviews and playthroughs of the game were heartwarming to see, and knowing that the story resonated with some people and got them thinking is more than I could have asked for as a developer.

While I plan to write up a more longform postmortem or self-analysis of the game and its development cycle, I'd like to express my gratitude in a more tangible form right now. So I'm announcing that Prayer of the Faithless has had a permanent price cut from $9.99 to $4.99. If you haven't played the game yet, this the perfect time to do so.

Once again, thank you so much for all the support the game has gotten over the years!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1878350/Prayer_of_the_Faithless/
https://vermillionnova.itch.io/prayer-of-the-faithless

Posts

Utterly barebones TvTropes Page:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/PrayerOfTheFaithless

Might... No... Gonna work through the tropes via notes and Lets Plays. Doing a whole replay feels too tedious? And got other things to play... Sorry?
author=Red_Nova
Maybe I ought to create a little codex for players to reference in-game? Hm...


Yes please! I always appreciate it when games with complex mechanics do that. It would also be nice to know exactly how critical hits work.
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
I've been pretty busy for the last few days, so I haven't had much time to go in depth.

Physical and Tech damage formulas are the character's Strength or Tech stat minus the combined value of the enemy's Armor and SP. Magic damage is different in that it's the character's Tech minus enemy Psyche, with no reduction by SP. Basic attacks follow Strength formula, and attack items follow Tech formula but ignores enemy SP.

Another thing to note is that Guard Break attacks (attacks that damage SP) follows either the physical or Tech formula, but ignored reduction by enemy SP and divide es the difference in half. So essentially: (character Strength/Tech minus enemy Armor) / 2. I didn't explain that because I felt it would be a bit too technical to cram down a player's throat at once.

Maybe I ought to create a little codex for players to reference in-game? Hm...
Oh! You're back! Then again, it's not like you don't have work or whatever, so not being online 18-7 isn't unexpected...

***

What's the damage formula again? Strength - Armor, yeah, but how does SP play into that?
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
No comments on the levelling stuff or Concentration?


No comment more substantial than, "I'm looking into it." I haven't had a lot of time to really delve deep into the code lately, but it's on the priority list. I know that Concentrate is supposed to last until the end of your turn, and that Mia being able to use it once the following turn is not supposed to happen.

As for your theory that he's a playable character? I have exceptionally vague memories of a tech demo of this game that displayed all the characters, and their various interactions in combat. Perhaps it was made for a Release Something event? Would it still exist? I mean, what you suggest might be possible. I'm not really sure either way.



You're mostly correct. There was a prototype made for this game that was released in the Release Something weekend, but that's so terribly out of date that I don't think you should really go back to it to try and piece together much info. Character's have been renamed, stats have been overhauled and functions have drastically changed.

I can say for certain that no, Gauron is not one of the playable characters you see on the list.

And there's multiple endings... How to select between them... Those who've played Soul Sunder can guess at selection mechanics?


That's the intent. Just like Soul Sunder, I'm working to make the endings come more organically than a lame End-o-Tron 3000 that lets you choose which ending you get.

9-12 Hours of play. ... How long was it supposed to take to get to the end of Mia's prologue?


Mia's prologue as you see it now was actually broken from her planned full first chapter due to popular demand to see more of her and how she was holding up after Aeyr's prologue. That's why it's so short. Don't worry, the ratio of content for Aeyr and Mia will be pretty even going forward.

What's the Mark cap, anyway? I've got 1000+, so are there things that cost that much? Then again, I was grinding in the Hill Zone...


Right now, I don't think I set a cap on money. However, that is something to think about going forward. However, I'm trying to discourage grinding as much as I can, so I should probably be setting some limits on the wallet, huh?
Well, there's 3 people per party... Mia's Party is Mia, Amalie, and Luke? We've got 7 characters, so when the smaller parties meet up, we can switch people in and out? Or they don't meet up and fuse.

Given that Mia's "The Unwilling Martyr", she might die and we'll be down to 6 characters, for 2 parties... Oh wait: "6 playable characters. Each with a unique approach to battle." So, who's gonna be unplayable? I'll guess the last girl listed, 'cause she's the last on the Characters page.

Also, argh, I noted that there could be living martyrs in my post on the Characters page.

And there's multiple endings... How to select between them... Those who've played Soul Sunder can guess at selection mechanics? ... 9-12 Hours of play. ... How long was it supposed to take to get to the end of Mia's prologue?

... And I wasn't on the latest vers. *sigh* ... And updated. No stats changes? Well, we reported after the update came up...

What's the Mark cap, anyway? I've got 1000+, so are there things that cost that much? Then again, I was grinding in the Hill Zone...
I think he was called Gourudo?

Gauron. I think.

Him being the first ??? is a good guess; his behavior does seem to fit being a "protector of the undeserving", and the gaunt face seems like it could match up... It's hard to tell without knowing the portrait's hair color, though.

author=Ell1e

- Meanwhile, things are going unbelievably smooth for Mia. The villagers love her, Paladin Jerkface has stepped down and everybody is going to follow her lead, reinforcing all the naive ideals she holds. Again, I'm reasonably sure that this is not going to last, but it still felt weird.


I don't think that's too unusual -- she took a very brave risk and was rewarded for it, that's a common narrative trope. And it expedites her character growth by placing her in an important position. I think what she's going to learn next is that being a leader is harder than it looks, and she may have to make hard decisions of her own very soon.

Vance backing down that easily was strange, but maybe he's planning to undermine her later. I suspect he's going to cause more trouble down the road. Or hey, maybe we'll get a lesson that being a cynical extremist doesn't necessarily make you evil and unreasonable? Wouldn't that be a refreshing change of pace.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
author=Malandy
I'm gonna guess that the guy is the unknown guy is the one who teleports in after the Junsunia fight, whatever his name is.


My memory's more than a bit fractured on this point, but, I think he was called Gourudo? Or something like that? I dunno. The guy gets a total of, like, two mentions by name, and one of them is a message box with ellipses.

As for your theory that he's a playable character? I have exceptionally vague memories of a tech demo of this game that displayed all the characters, and their various interactions in combat. Perhaps it was made for a Release Something event? Would it still exist? I mean, what you suggest might be possible. I'm not really sure either way.
author=Red_Nova
author=Malandy
author=Marrend
Comment regarding the Revnant
Perhaps just call it the Revenant outside the hidden part? 'Cause we're trying not to spoil it's identity?
I kinda already did that in the Character's tab on this page.

EDIT: If anything, I'm wondering if I should make it more apparent in the summary that Aeyr becomes a Revenant?

Oh.

... Trilyancia "Trill" d'Atorva... Hmm... Is that an Italiany name? What's the name inspirations for each of the different regions?

I'm gonna guess that the guy is the unknown guy is the one who teleports in after the Junsunia fight, whatever his name is.

And that the last unknown is a girl, right? ... Doomsayer... Reminds me generally, of various girls that precede the apocalypse...

No comments on the levelling stuff or Concentration?
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
author=Malandy
author=Marrend
Comment regarding the Revnant
Perhaps just call it the Revenant outside the hidden part? 'Cause we're trying not to spoil it's identity?

I kinda already did that in the Character's tab on this page.

EDIT: If anything, I'm wondering if I should make it more apparent in the summary that Aeyr becomes a Revenant?
author=Marrend
Comment regarding the Revnant


Perhaps just call it the Revenant outside the hidden part? 'Cause we're trying not to spoil it's identity?
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Comment regarding the Revnant/Ayer:


I largely suspect the Knights are withholding information about the Revenant. Though, Ayer may have control of it's power for now. It's possible that some more well-informed Knights have an idea when, or how, the Revenant's spirit will take over.

Or, maybe, it doesn't take over? Maybe Ayer will always have full control, but the Knights make him do evil deeds, make him go insane, in some dastardly, bizarre, last-ditch effort to gain political power in a world that is falling apart before their very eyes?

This is all, absolutely, sheer speculation on my part. However, as far as the game-world seems to be concerned, this is it. This is the end of the world. Other catastrophes may have come and gone, but this one isn't going to just blow over. However, like all catastrophes, it will bring out the best and worst of people, and it is this property, I think, that this game showcases best.

Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
author=Malandy
Hmm... 'Bothered' wouldn't be the word I'd use? It's just that argh brought it up, so we're discussing it, and Ell1e decided to offer some alternatives? ... Unless you got mailed about this too? *shrugs*

Actually, the PMs were in the "There's nothing really wrong with this line" territory. What prompted me to take another look at the line was the fact that more people in general were offering suggestions than saying the line was fine as is. That tells me that I could have handled that particular moment better, be it in worldbuilding or staying better within Amalie's character.

Regarding Revenants, there was an NPC in Asala's Knowledge Wing (west wing of the castle) that gives a brief summary that a Revenant is a mindless killing machine. So this is common knowledge among Asalan Knights. In the heat of the moment, when the lives of you and your allies may hinge upon a split second decision to fight or not... well, you're right in that it's going to be quite the uphill battle for him.

Regarding Mia, well, everything going swimmingly doesn't make for an interesting story, does it?

Finally, Revenant-Aeyrs battle face, because seriously, that grin is scary as hell. :D

:D
author=Ell1e
Revenant

I guessed that all Revenants are like that, so they can't tell the difference between a Miasma-controlled Revenant and a self-willed Revenant. 'Cause hey, if you can make a friendly enemy to make it harder for your enemies to attack, why wouldn't you?

And Aeyr missed on that fact 'cause he wasn't paying attention during lessons.
Yes, to clarify things, I wasn't bothered by Amalie's comment, although I definitely see why argh might be. Since you said that it would look weird if Amalie's answer was gender-neutral, I came up with those other options.


Things that do bother me but that I'll admit will probably be resolved later:
(Huge spoilers for the ending of the prologue, you have been warned)

The knights seem to take it for granted that Aeyr is now evil and controlled and the only thing they can do is kill him, to the point where they completely refuse to hear him out. I'm guessing they're afraid of the prophecy and they expected him to turn into the Revenant for a long time now, so they've already made up their minds, but it looks like an uphill-battle for Aeyr.

- Meanwhile, things are going unbelievably smooth for Mia. The villagers love her, Paladin Jerkface has stepped down and everybody is going to follow her lead, reinforcing all the naive ideals she holds. Again, I'm reasonably sure that this is not going to last, but it still felt weird.

- Finally, Revenant-Aeyrs battle face, because seriously, that grin is scary as hell. :D
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
I can image Amalie doing something to the effect of...

I'm going to pretend you didn't ask that.

...this, or something like it, in response to being asked her age? I dunno. Just thought I should give a suggestion.

*Edit: For what it's worth, I wasn't necessarily bothered by her response.
author=Red_Nova
Seems like more people are bothered by this than not, so I'll go back in and try to find a happy medium. Thanks for the feedback, everyone!


Hmm... 'Bothered' wouldn't be the word I'd use? It's just that argh brought it up, so we're discussing it, and Ell1e decided to offer some alternatives? ... Unless you got mailed about this too? *shrugs*
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
Seems like more people are bothered by this than not, so I'll go back in and try to find a happy medium. Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
Regarding Amalie's age, couldn't she just deflect it with "That's kind of a personal question" or something along those lines? Or maybe something about how that's irrelevant to the situation at hand - after all, the scene occurs ar a time when they're making their way back as fast as possible.


I don't think the stack maximum is mentioned at any point in game, is it?
author=Red_Nova
author=Malandy
Red_Nova, should I post my notes so you don't get repeats? 'Cause I'm seeing repeats between argh's notes and my notes...
Please don't. Not only would that not be very effective at stopping people from posting their opinion if they want to, repeated points are actually very helpful for me. The wider range of people agreeing/disagreeing on specific points, the more likely it's truly an issue that needs to be addressed and less one person's opinion on a matter.

*nods* ... But what about the technical stuff? ... Well, some of that could be opiniony, and for this vers, argh got all of it?

author=argh
-When Amalie reached level 17, her Psyche was highlighted green even though it didn't increase.

Oooh! Intriguing! ... Are stats not handled as integers?

EDIT:

Okay, if she levels up in the Hill, her Psyche increases to 21, but not if she levels up in Mia's Prologue Final Battle?

And Amalie's Psyche is 19 in Mia's Prologue, but 20 in Hill Zone during Aeyr's prologue? Then again, she's under a lot of stress and stuff. ... OH! Weary Soul! Prologue end is the only time we get to see Amalie's new Passives! *facepalm for self?*

... Nevermind, Weary's not new. ... But it might have been made worse?? The new one is Wounded.


Perhaps give saves to compare? ... Forgot to account for clothing, for some things...

***

Okay, I can't Concentrate even though I used it on the previous Turn.

Can Concentrate only be used if it's not already active? ... I carried over a Concentrate from the previous turn, and wasted it on a Crescent Kick, 'cause I stopped Concentrating after the Kick. Is that supposed to happen?

***

Hornet A and Unformed Sprout have switched names in the Leap Down Encounter.

***

OMG! OHKO for Hornet Swarm!

Concentrated Mia Lighting Burst!


***

Okay, so everything is limited to a 10-stack, not just First Aid Kits. Wish I knew that before? ... I remember you telling me that... But I can't find where??