VN Ren'Py UNDAWN: Shackles of Eternity [Development Thread]

[Tad Cooper]

Ok, it feels like it's about 37 ° C where I am and I stubbornly refuse to haul up a window AC unit so this post is going to be a little all over the place while I cook to death. My apologies. Instinct Unleashed is great and I'm sure this one will be even better. Let's just make that clear before I start getting on people's nerves.

About the whole “futa” thing — let’s get this straight:

In my previous game, I got plenty of shit just for daring to use the sacred word “futanari” — apparently without following the exact holy scripture of what that word must entail.

So this time, I’m not using it.
There are no futanari in this game. At all.

Rhiannon is not a “futanari” in the typical sense. She belongs to an ancient elven third gender called Aen’Tharoth — something that’s been mentioned before in my Discord and even the IU thread.

Aen’Tharoth are not magical transformations or “futa by choice.”
They’re a naturally occurring third sex in elven biology — capable of reproduction in both directions, but culturally and physically distinct from both male and female elves.

You got shit for using futanari with Jade because she can't "both conceive and impregnate", and now you're making one who can and you refuse to use the term out of spite? I genuinely cannot understand the resistance to making it easier for people to find what they like. Especially because denying it isn't going to make the people who are clicking in through the generic tag system stop asking if its their special flavor preference.

Whatever, it doesn't matter. In fact I'm all about you coming up with cool fantasy terms for futanari and cunt-boys. That's better world-building, even if the Elvish seems like a mouthful. In fact you should probably bust out some for plain male and female too for consistency. You've got Aen'Thariel, Aen'Tharos, both of which are a subset of non-binary Aen'Tharoth... Hmm. Ok, maybe Aen'Riel = male or more literally person who impregnates, Aen'Ros = female or person who is impregnated. Then you've got Aen'Thariel = person between who impregnates, aen'tharos = person between who is impregnated, aen'tharoth= person between sexes. I don't know. Just spitballing. Love a good fantasy language.

What matters more to me (to jump wildly in another direction here) is not using pause on black screens. It's like one of the only bad parts of Instinct Unleashed. Every single time I end up staring at nothing wondering if the game is broken before I go, "Oh yeah, he wants me to click." Then you don't use it on the parts that I'd actually like to take my time to look at! Absolutely kills me, so while things are still in the design stage I figured I'd better bring it up.

ps:
Kind Nightmares wanna bet someone will whine about how the game is not following a definition of futanari not even japanese authors adhere too anymore?

You're welcome. Where's my cut of your winnings?

 

[Kind Nightmares]

Ok, it feels like it's about 37 ° C where I am and I stubbornly refuse to haul up a window AC unit so this post is going to be a little all over the place while I cook to death. My apologies. Instinct Unleashed is great and I'm sure this one will be even better. Let's just make that clear before I start getting on people's nerves.



You got shit for using futanari with Jade because she can't "both conceive and impregnate", and now you're making one who can and you refuse to use the term out of spite? I genuinely cannot understand the resistance to making it easier for people to find what they like. Especially because denying it isn't going to make the people who are clicking in through the generic tag system stop asking if its their special flavor preference.

Whatever, it doesn't matter. In fact I'm all about you coming up with cool fantasy terms for futanari and cunt-boys. That's better world-building, even if the Elvish seems like a mouthful. In fact you should probably bust out some for plain male and female too for consistency. You've got Aen'Thariel, Aen'Tharos, both of which are a subset of non-binary Aen'Tharoth... Hmm. Ok, maybe Aen'Riel = male or more literally person who impregnates, Aen'Ros = female or person who is impregnated. Then you've got Aen'Thariel = person between who impregnates, aen'tharos = person between who is impregnated, aen'tharoth= person between sexes. I don't know. Just spitballing. Love a good fantasy language.

What matters more to me (to jump wildly in another direction here) is not using pause on black screens. It's like one of the only bad parts of Instinct Unleashed. Every single time I end up staring at nothing wondering if the game is broken before I go, "Oh yeah, he wants me to click." Then you don't use it on the parts that I'd actually like to take my time to look at! Absolutely kills me, so while things are still in the design stage I figured I'd better bring it up.




You're welcome. Where's my cut of your winnings?

Thanks for writing all that out — I can tell it’s coming from a good place.

You’re right that I got heat before for using the word futanari in a way that didn’t match some people’s “official” checklist. That experience made me rethink using the term at all, not out of spite, but because I realized it constantly drags the conversation away from the actual story and characters I’m building. And you have no idea how exhausting this shit gets.

This time around, I created a setting where identity, gender, and biology aren’t boxed into modern Earth terms. Aen’Thariel, Aen’Tharos, and the whole Aen’Tharoth concept exist for a reason — they’re not just exotic words but part of the world’s culture and logic. I’m not trying to dodge player preferences, but I also won’t reduce characters to search terms, especially when they’re more than just kinks.

Also noted about the pause screens — totally fair.

 

[Tad Cooper]

Thanks for writing all that out — I can tell it’s coming from a good place.

You’re right that I got heat before for using the word futanari in a way that didn’t match some people’s “official” checklist. That experience made me rethink using the term at all, not out of spite, but because I realized it constantly drags the conversation away from the actual story and characters I’m building. And you have no idea how exhausting this shit gets.

This time around, I created a setting where identity, gender, and biology aren’t boxed into modern Earth terms. Aen’Thariel, Aen’Tharos, and the whole Aen’Tharoth concept exist for a reason — they’re not just exotic words but part of the world’s culture and logic. I’m not trying to dodge player preferences, but I also won’t reduce characters to search terms, especially when they’re more than just kinks.

Also noted about the pause screens — totally fair.

I get you man, I've been there. In your thread, even. The whole thing is a weird and stupid cultural divide in the community (if you can call it that). Like arguing about pineapple on pizza or how to pronounce gif. There's just no winning and everybody gets annoyed. Like I said I do think it's a good design choice and you should definitely think about fleshing out the Elvish. Good way to sneak in secrets and foreshadowing. People love that shit. Look at Superhuman, they've been talking about lore for like a million pages now.

 

[Kind Nightmares]

I get you man, I've been there. In your thread, even. The whole thing is a weird and stupid cultural divide in the community (if you can call it that). Like arguing about pineapple on pizza or how to pronounce gif. There's just no winning and everybody gets annoyed. Like I said I do think it's a good design choice and you should definitely think about fleshing out the Elvish. Good way to sneak in secrets and foreshadowing. People love that shit. Look at Superhuman, they've been talking about lore for like a million pages now.

Not sure if this will surprise you, but I’ve been carrying the idea for this game around for so long — and, well, let’s be honest, I had way too much free time (read: I was a bit of a bum) — that I ended up fleshing out multiple languages for the world. And not just Elvish.

Laër’anan is the ancient tongue of the High Elves — practically forgotten, but still used occasionally by arcane adepts.
Telmir is the modern Elvish language, which has become much rougher and simpler over time.
Nekarrin is the language of necromancy.
Invekarian is the tongue of warlocks (yes, that’s a separate school of magic from necromancy).
Zek’har is the demonic language.

Now, "invented" is probably too big of a word — for the Elvish languages I leaned heavily on Tolkien’s Quenya and just modified and adapted it. The demonic ones, was a bit more chaotic.

Also, I think it’s fair to mention that even the "human" language in the game (which is mostly English for everyone’s sanity) includes some unique terms and phrases here and there.
Nothing too crazy — don’t worry. I’m well aware that dumping a wall of lore and weird terminology on players is a great way to make them check out fast. So I try to keep it digestible and meaningful. Worldbuilding is cool, but it should serve the story, not drown it.

 

[Kontralta]

"Some characters will die"
Man, I hate this. I hope it doesn't affect the main characters.

 

[pitao]

Now, "invented" is probably too big of a word — for the Elvish languages I leaned heavily on Tolkien’s Quenya and just modified and adapted it. The demonic ones, was a bit more chaotic.

Tolkien did the same, his stories are mostly taken from Celtic, Saxon and some Norse folktales influences. Same with the languages but since he was a linguist, one of the best in history imo, there is also other languages besides from those 3 people that influence all the languages he "invented" for each race.

Only difference is your influence is one of the greatest in that department, so only can be good .
Tolkien also made languages for orcs and mordor "species" so you could have used that for the demonic one haha.

Edit: Besides the influence religion had in Tolkien work, it is noticeable on some parts of the starting chapters of Silmarillion (my favorite fantasy book of all time) influenced by Genesis.

 

[damnedfrog]

For instance, I know not everyone is into trap content — and that’s okay. But there’s a character named Loraine

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

I know that you don't want to enter in semantic debate about gender.
But I will do it anyway... uh I mean I found that Loraine seems to have a very feminine body. Boobs, waist/hip ratio really look like female. So it feels strange that is gender is male.
I think I will have difficulties to refer to him as a male.

 

[Kind Nightmares]

I know that you don't want to enter in semantic debate about gender.
But I will do it anyway... uh I mean I found that Loraine seems to have a very feminine body. Boobs, waist/hip ratio really look like female. So it feels strange that is gender is male.
I think I will have difficulties to refer to him as a male.

That's exactly why I’d really recommend people not to dismiss characters the moment they see them — but actually try to get to know them a bit, even if they’re not sexually interested.
I get that many players are mostly in it for the lewd stuff, and I know this might sound silly because of that, but hey, it’s worth a shot.

 

[nazgarD]

Undawn? Hopefully there are no guns!

On a more serious note, I'm confused why you'd move away from calling whatever you want futa, because dumbfucks futa purists gave you trouble, but then, let's say, reinvent the concept of an elf. If your game gets popular enough and you attract the same type of people that'd be upset about who you call an elf, what then? Anyway, you didn't do anything wrong, conceding ground to such people is an exercise in futility, but whatever brings you peace.

Some characters will die. Some relationships will be destroyed.

Always been curious to ask this: as an author, do you want to kill some of your characters?

Also, are you familiar with the AVN Acting Lessons? If so, what's your opinion on it?

 

[Kind Nightmares]

Undawn? Hopefully there are no guns!

On a more serious note, I'm confused why you'd move away from calling whatever you want futa, because dumbfucks futa purists gave you trouble, but then, let's say, reinvent the concept of an elf. If your game gets popular enough and you attract the same type of people that'd be upset about who you call an elf, what then? Anyway, you didn't do anything wrong, conceding ground to such people is an exercise in futility, but whatever brings you peace.



Always been curious to ask this: as an author, do you want to kill some of your characters?

Also, are you familiar with the AVN Acting Lessons? If so, what's your opinion on it?

I think I already touched on that a couple posts ago, but I don’t mind explaining it again.

I didn’t avoid using the term futa just to reinvent the wheel or to spite anyone. I did it because, in the world of Undawn, there’s no Japanese language — the concept simply couldn’t have been born there. Still, I kept the essence: two souls in one body, which eventually led to the idea of the Aen’Tharoth.
Sure, I could’ve renamed elves too, and gone full alien with it, but that was never the point. Just like with Instinct Unleashed, I wanted to build a unique world that exists on its own terms — not just one reshaped by modern human expectations.

As for killing off characters — I totally get why you’re asking. I’ve played Acting Lessons, and I think it’s a great game. But if I’m building a world where even the light can betray you, death is part of the norm. I don’t do it just for shock value, but this isn’t a comedy either.
That’s also why the game comes with a clear warning: it’s not for everyone. That said — almost all deaths can be avoided.

 

[Kind Nightmares]

Dark Daughters of the Inferno — A Brief Look at the Dju’hira

In the world of Undawn, there exist beings that were never meant to belong to this realm. One such kind are the Dju’hira — a caste of female demons known as daughters of flame, handmaidens of Albast, devourers of emotion. Unlike other demons, the Dju’hira do not feast on flesh. They feed on emotions — powerful, overwhelming, searing. Pain. Fear. Lust. Humiliation. Awe. All of it fuels their strength.

Within the hierarchy of the Inferno, the Dju’hira are considered high-ranking demons — elite warriors and commanders of legions. The blood of the Inferno’s supreme ruler, Albast, runs through them, and she calls them her daughters.

In mortal life, each of them was once a woman who died an unjust death. Betrayed. Murdered. Broken. In the Inferno, they endured endless torment and the distortion of memory, forging their pain into rage. Only those who mastered that rage — who shaped it into undying wrath — could be reborn as Dju’hira.

Their bodies are malleable. They can take on a human form — desirable, enchanting, almost hypnotic. But beneath the mask lies their true shape: fierce, wrathful, infernal. Each Dju’hira’s demonic form reflects the core emotion that forged her — her emotional nucleus.

Below are two forms of Irsha'Zel.
— First: her human guise, used to interact with mortals.
— Second: her true Dju’hira form, revealed in battle or moments of unleashed fury.

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

 

[the X hunter]

Former elven to Draelzar, how? Magic?Necromancy? If it's not spoiler of course.

 

[Kind Nightmares]

Former elven to Draelzar, how? Magic?Necromancy? If it's not spoiler of course.

That's a spoiler for most of the game, but you'll get a glimpse of it in the first release.

 

[HugoLivemoreSA]

Lost Chapters 2.0

 

[Kind Nightmares]

Lost Chapters 2.0

Yeah, totally the same game.
Modern setting vs medieval dark fantasy.
Female MC vs something else entirely.

Recommend expanding your horizons a bit — otherwise I bet Gandalf and Dumbledore are the same guy to you too.

 

[HugoLivemoreSA]

Yeah, totally the same game.
Modern setting vs medieval dark fantasy.
Female MC vs something else entirely.

Recommend expanding your horizons a bit — otherwise I bet Gandalf and Dumbledore are the same guy to you too.

imagine an crossover with tower of dreams,lost chapters,eruption imminent,instinct unleashed,this game and alt del ctrl

 

[Kontralta]

almost all deaths can be avoided.

Will there be a warning in the game that this choice will lead to someone's death? Or will it be possible to understand it narratively?

 

[Kind Nightmares]

Will there be a warning in the game that this choice will lead to someone's death? Or will it be possible to understand it narratively?

Of course not. Do you get warnings in real life when someone's about to die?
That said, I’ll most likely include an in-game walkthrough. Still figuring out the best approach — whether to mark the optimal choices directly or just show how many points each option gives.

 

[Kontralta]

Do you get warnings in real life when someone's about to die?

No, but I know what to do to avoid dying if it depends on me, and I know in what circumstances the chances of dying are higher.

That said, I’ll most likely include an in-game walkthrough.

This is good.

 

[the X hunter]

Here is an idea:
Resurrection magic should be found in this magic world as lost magic from the High Elves. Just saying.