From Darkness, I Bind You (Demo v2.0)
A downloadable game
─── Story ───
Found as a baby by King Elessar, Legolas and Gimli within Saruman's tower, you are adopted by Aragorn and raised in the 4th Age after Sauron's defeat. Being a curious elf, you tend to get yourself in trouble. King Elessar decides to hire a personal guard to keep a closer eye on you.
This new personal guardian triggers a strange ability in you, the ability to sense others emotions and memories.
When Legolas comes to visit Minas Tirith for the Yuletide celebrations, he does not expect you to be disguised as a servant within the palace walls.
Unable to control this new ability, you end up with your lips upon his...
─── ❉ ───
─── Features ───
- Demo of the first chapter (of a multi-chapter series).
- Choose the protagonist's name.
- One main love interest.
- Over 20k words.
Download
Development log
- Smut Demo is up for downloadMay 18, 2024
- The Smut DemoMar 30, 2024
- January Update - Demo Version 2.0Feb 01, 2024
Comments
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Literally made an account just to comment lmao. I love the story so far! There's an interesting hook with her powers and the fact that Sauron is our dad. I did read below in one of the comments that we somehow travel to the past where Frodo and Sam have been killed which got me even more intrigued. Currently, I find the strongest points are the OST, writing, and that it seems you've got passion ^_^ I've only recently gotten into lotr and hobbit, so I was craving some more fantasy stories. And I gotta say it's very rare to find a well written story like this, so I'm curious to see more :D. I have unfortunately noticed the usage of AI within the art; however, I understand you view it more as a tool and understand that some people have their reasons for choosing so. I want to overlook that right now! I would've loved to offer my aid in art; however, I'm still learning how to draw :' ).
Either way, I would like to underline that you've written everything amazingly. I especially liked how you gave every character a realistic feel to them, such as the mc actually having some flaws that got her in trouble and seems to still get in trouble with how carefree she can get. Writers, for some reason, can stray away from ever writing or showing flaws within a character so I'm happy to see that. One thing I would like, though, is to see a more gradual shift and a reaction from the mc to her powers. For instance, after she and Tharndir went to Porto's place for a visit and she triggers her ability to a point where she faints, I think it would be good to add some more scenes in between to show what happens afterwards and perhaps a sequence event that connects with her deciding to be a maid. I have noticed that you plan on adding these features so I won't stay on it for too long. I hope this has helped and hope to see more from your work ^_^ best of luck! And if there's any writing tips you'd like, I would love to help out further!
YIPPEE! CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY THE SMUT DEMO<333
So good! It's drawn so beautifully and i cant wait to see where the story is going next. Im also so excited to see that itll have nsfw content!
I don't think it's real art. It looks more like Ai.
Love it, it's amazing. Beautiful art, music and story.
I replayed many times, couldn't stop myself :D
Thank you so much! I'm so very happy to hear you've enjoyed it! <3
I have so many thoughts...
First of all, the music is 10/10! Such beautiful medieval compositions. I really felt like I was part of the lotr universe while playing this gorgeous game.
Second of all... why is the comment section so empty? In my (very subjective) opinion this game/story is a true masterpiece. Also, you can kiss Legolas. This is a win, right?
The music, the art, the wirting... everything was so beautifully composed. I was constantly amazed by how well this little story was put together.
I don't know the fanfic but imo you don't need to know it in order to enjoy the game.
But I also have questions.
Is this demo supported to be complete or is there more to come? I missed the individual decisions that the player could make.
Also this demo is opend ended. I want to know how the story continues. Will we be able to choose our own fate? Will we be able to choose how to face Legolas again?
Please give this game a try. If you are a fan of the lotr universe you won't be disappointed!
Hi Lavender! Thank you sooooo much for adding this wonderful comment on my little demo.
This being a kinetic novel, there likely won't be any choices in this game besides entering your name at the beginning. But, we'll see... maybe that'll change.
The Demo itself jumps a bit abruptly between scenes. One part I wish to elaborate on more is the main character's discovery of her newfound ability -- her Sanwe-Latya (thought opening). That's what enables her to feel Legolas' fea so deeply when they kiss. She isn't able to quite fully control this power of hers, it is more a hindrance than helpful... but later on, she will need to rely on it to survive. There's a part I'll add soon where she is still an infant, where they're about to bring her to the Undying Lands but Gandalf refuses, saying she is barred from ever traveling to Valinor, because of Saruman's dark spell upon her fea tying her to Middle-Earth. That is her curse, and she remains unaware. Aragorn takes pity on the poor infant and raises her as his own daughter. After a few mishaps, Tharndir (a 6000 year old elf) is then hired by Aragorn to keep the main character out of trouble. Tharndir is the catalyst of her ability, and he later trains her to better control it -- since he has the same ability.
I'm planning to release a few game installments where the story continues, since it will be quite a saga as she travels to the past. What I'm currently focusing on is finishing the 1st part, where the main character gets to visit South Ithilien with Legolas and her sister (where she will fall in love with Legolas). I'm trying to get the player to connect with the main character before I propel her into the whirlwind of chaos and darkness that is her designed fate by Saruman. Her one saving grace is that Legolas is also present in the past, even if she is a complete stranger to him. Her presence in the past will cause a ripple that unravels the original flow of events (Frodo and Sam will both be killed), rendering the main character the one who can bring the ring to mount doom and destroy it (even if she is utterly terrified beyond reason). But yet, there is more... a larger threat than Sauron... a threat so immense... frightening the Valar so greatly as to block her from traveling to the undying lands.
That's my intention with this story... I have much planned for this game and so little time, as I'm a working mom with a 2 year-old. Thanks again for your positive feedback, it motivates me to continue working on it. :)
Hei Nightfable,
thank you so much for your very detailed view on you further plans with this game.
I'm so excited for all updates and I definitely will follow along your journey.
I really appreciate all the information you shared with me. Please know that english is not my first language and I can't always express myself the way I want. So in case my reply is short at some point it is not because I don't care but rather because I dont know how to reply properly.
But besides that, I wanted to let you know that people who hate an a game and/or the dev behind it only because AI was used, simply suck.
As you said, you are a mom working alone on this game. There is absolutely nothing to hate about. In fact I think you did an outstanding job, putting this game together so beautifully.
I don't get why you shouldn't use a tool (and imo AI is nothing more than that) to bring your vision to life.
I didn't even noticed you used AI. I constantly was stunned by the beautiful artwork and knowing you used AI, doesn't make you game less valuable. It is still beautiful in any way.
So please don't listen to such people. <3
Oh, and one last question. Would you be comfortable with me sharing my playthrough with the otome community on reddit? I bet there will be a lot of lort fans who aren't aware of this game.
I don't feel comfortable sharing it without permission, since you experienced quite rough feedback.
With all this said I really hope you keep working on this project. 😊
Hi Lavender, thanks for your lovely reply. I agree, I see AI as a tool as well. English isn't my main language either (I'm french), so I 100% understand. Yeah, you can share it if you like. Wow thank you!! If you ever have ideas for this game, please don't hesitate to share them with me. I'm still brainstorming the outcome and events of my story. It'll travel back to the past (2nd Age) and into the far future (9th Age). I have to figure out the happenings and people she meets along the way. It's like putting a puzzle together but it's so much fun! :D