Click Here to Download the Mystic Tales Demo V3!!!
Synopsis
Mystic Tales is a fantasy, old-school RPG that draws its inspiration from Xenogears, if one were to replace psychological theories with ones grounded in physics. Monotheon, the setting of this world, is comprised of three different races: Humans, who are the majority in the world’s population; Halves, who can transform into humans or the bestial form of their ancestors at will; and Fulls, mythological beasts who may possess strength and size much larger than any human or half, yet are a rare site from underperforming Halves and Humans. Outside standard occupations, certain humans can harness a power called Spirit, a rare phenomenon that gives the user’s greatest desires physical manifestation, while others, fearing the power of Halves and Fulls, are Half-hunters, warriors specializing in traps to exploit the weaknesses of Halves. Halves can use Mystic Energy, a genetic, attribute-based trait they can only manipulate while in human form. Where these differences lie, conflict breathes…
The Light Dragons, centuries ago, gave Halves an equal chance of survival against Humans and Fulls by securing them sanctuary at the center of Monotheon, high in the mountains, in a haven called Ark. After Halves spread to every corner of the world, the Light Dragons vanished, leaving Ark abandoned. When a council headed by Dark Dragons, Fire Sharks, Wind Bears, Water Bats, and Earth Moles decided to preserve Ark for study, a dissenting sect of Light Tigers and their allies seized the city for themselves, and, renaming themselves the White Tigers, began a crusade to unit all of Monotheon under their authority. The war seemed bleak, until the Dark Dragons, who swore neutrality during the war, provided clandestine funding to the newly united Spirit users of humanity. The White Tigers’ ambitions yielded, humanity was selected to guard Ark, renamed Sanctum, and to keep all Halves involved with the White Tigers under close surveillance.
The story begins in the present with Jermaine Tesla and his two best friends, Zirconia Templar and Paul Scabbard, all Halves and prodigies of the Dark Dragon Clan, about to take their final exams to become adults. On the personal front, Jermaine and Zirconia’s fathers are constantly competing while developing new technologies for their clan, while Paul’s father is a soldier, defending the Dark Dragons from prejudice Humans and rival Halves on a daily basis. On the political front, the new chief of the Light Tigers is showing leniency towards White Tiger war criminals, while prejudices between Humans and Halves are on the rise, despite leadership from a new, ambitious Arch-Bishop of Sanctum. As Jermaine, Zirconia, and Paul step into the world, the differences between its populace, and the differences amongst themselves, will threaten to destroy the friendship they cherish, and the world they love.
The Light Dragons, centuries ago, gave Halves an equal chance of survival against Humans and Fulls by securing them sanctuary at the center of Monotheon, high in the mountains, in a haven called Ark. After Halves spread to every corner of the world, the Light Dragons vanished, leaving Ark abandoned. When a council headed by Dark Dragons, Fire Sharks, Wind Bears, Water Bats, and Earth Moles decided to preserve Ark for study, a dissenting sect of Light Tigers and their allies seized the city for themselves, and, renaming themselves the White Tigers, began a crusade to unit all of Monotheon under their authority. The war seemed bleak, until the Dark Dragons, who swore neutrality during the war, provided clandestine funding to the newly united Spirit users of humanity. The White Tigers’ ambitions yielded, humanity was selected to guard Ark, renamed Sanctum, and to keep all Halves involved with the White Tigers under close surveillance.
The story begins in the present with Jermaine Tesla and his two best friends, Zirconia Templar and Paul Scabbard, all Halves and prodigies of the Dark Dragon Clan, about to take their final exams to become adults. On the personal front, Jermaine and Zirconia’s fathers are constantly competing while developing new technologies for their clan, while Paul’s father is a soldier, defending the Dark Dragons from prejudice Humans and rival Halves on a daily basis. On the political front, the new chief of the Light Tigers is showing leniency towards White Tiger war criminals, while prejudices between Humans and Halves are on the rise, despite leadership from a new, ambitious Arch-Bishop of Sanctum. As Jermaine, Zirconia, and Paul step into the world, the differences between its populace, and the differences amongst themselves, will threaten to destroy the friendship they cherish, and the world they love.
Gameplay
- The gameplay features a side-scrolling battle system, traditional leveling to acquire most skills, and the collecting and combining of items to obtain more advanced skills (Mystic-Diet System)
- Random encounters and puzzles during dungeon exploration
- Attacking and Defending can be performed for free to build TP (Tech Points) during battles.
- TP can be expended for character unique Skills and Transformations in combat.
- Different races offer different styles of combat:
- Half-Hunters collect items to create traps at workshops. Traps greatly hinder the abilities of different Halves or Fulls.
- Halves expend MP (Mystic Points) to use their Arts in human form. During a Transformation, they must expend heavy amounts of TP to attack, but can’t defend or use their Arts.
- Spirit-users expend TP to enter Trances, which grant them different movesets and abilities for a limited number of turns.
- Using the Talk command during combat, knowledge obtained about Spirit users can be used to break their Trances, or use knowledge learned about allies to have them perform special actions!
- Examine libraries in towns to discover backstory of Monotheon; talk to patrons in pubs to learn about the modern politics of the land.
- Talk to people to uncover sidequests and items!
- See different dialogue options by having certain characters in your party during events!
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Gameplay Features to Come
- As the player proceeds further into the story, key battles, called Skirmishes, will have to be engaged to advance the story. During Skirmishes, the player will have to allocate their resources amongst their party, and split that party into teams to secure certain objectives
- Story elements change depending on whether a Skirmish is won or lost, and if certain objectives are achieved or not
- Surprise objectives can appear during a Skirmish. The player can choose whether to accept these surprise objectives or not.
- I intend to make a gameplay demo for a Skirmish, after I smooth over more issues with the Mystic Tales Demo.
- At the conclusion of the Skirmish, all items secured get added to the player’s party
- Secret dungeons and plot elements with certain characters will be available
Primary Characters
Jermaine Tesla: (Age: 18) A prodigy of the Dark Dragon Clan, he specializes in unarmed combat and the sciences. He is the son of Alexander Tesla, a leading scientist and inventor, who made a name for himself by integrating Mystic Energy with machines. Jermaine helps his father with his research, but desires to break grounds in his own to become a useful member of his clan. His mother died in a fire caused by humans when he was young. He doesn’t blame all humans for her death, yet struggles to contain his feelings for her death. His best friends are also top students of the Dark Dragon Clan: Zirconia Templar and Paul Scabbard. He is the protagonist of Mystic Tales.
Zirconia Templar: (Age: 18) The number 2 Mystic user in her clan, next to her father, she can manipulate Mystic Energy to such a degree she can control the elements around her, a skill called Mystic Manipulation. She loves her father, Pluto Templar, for his kindness towards her, even if he doesn’t show that kindness to others, and the sacrifices he makes for her despite his failing status in the clan. She bears resentment to anyone causing her father pain, including Humans for threatening Halves, her mother for leaving him, and Alexander Tesla for stealing her father’s status with his newer technologies, even though she doesn’t blame Jermaine for being Alexander’s son. Jermaine and Paul, her best friends and rivals, may annoy her at times, but their relationship gives her hope while she endures seeing her father suffer.
Paul Scabbard: (Age: 18) His father the most decorated general in Dark Dragon’s Defense Force, Paul lived and breathed the military his entire life. At Numa Academy, he is unmatched in his physical prowess, and can’t wait to graduate to make his father and mother, Siegfried and Alexia, proud. His strong, stout appearance makes him appear all muscle, but his desire to master every aspect of combat and survival makes him only second to Jermaine in the sciences and Zirconia in the Mystic Arts. Despite the life-or-death ordeals his father deals with on a daily basis, Paul is an optimistic, joy-loving soul, who holds no resentment to anyone, other than those who threaten the innocent. Behind his optimism also lies a keen, discerning mind, sharpened during his harsh surviving training with his father, yet that same optimism can lead to naivety when dealing with the cruel intentions of others. He’s been friends with Jermaine since they were children, and respects Zirconia for her dedication to the Mystic Arts.
Zirconia Templar: (Age: 18) The number 2 Mystic user in her clan, next to her father, she can manipulate Mystic Energy to such a degree she can control the elements around her, a skill called Mystic Manipulation. She loves her father, Pluto Templar, for his kindness towards her, even if he doesn’t show that kindness to others, and the sacrifices he makes for her despite his failing status in the clan. She bears resentment to anyone causing her father pain, including Humans for threatening Halves, her mother for leaving him, and Alexander Tesla for stealing her father’s status with his newer technologies, even though she doesn’t blame Jermaine for being Alexander’s son. Jermaine and Paul, her best friends and rivals, may annoy her at times, but their relationship gives her hope while she endures seeing her father suffer.
Paul Scabbard: (Age: 18) His father the most decorated general in Dark Dragon’s Defense Force, Paul lived and breathed the military his entire life. At Numa Academy, he is unmatched in his physical prowess, and can’t wait to graduate to make his father and mother, Siegfried and Alexia, proud. His strong, stout appearance makes him appear all muscle, but his desire to master every aspect of combat and survival makes him only second to Jermaine in the sciences and Zirconia in the Mystic Arts. Despite the life-or-death ordeals his father deals with on a daily basis, Paul is an optimistic, joy-loving soul, who holds no resentment to anyone, other than those who threaten the innocent. Behind his optimism also lies a keen, discerning mind, sharpened during his harsh surviving training with his father, yet that same optimism can lead to naivety when dealing with the cruel intentions of others. He’s been friends with Jermaine since they were children, and respects Zirconia for her dedication to the Mystic Arts.
Other Characters
Alexander Tesla: (Age: 43) Currently the most successful scientist in Turquoisa, thanks to his integration of Mystic Energy with machines, called mystic engineering. His recent boom of success snatched research grants from Pluto Templar, the leading mystic energy researcher in Turquoisa, and his former mentor, causing a rift between the two. He is the father of Jermaine, Condasia, and the widower of Farrah Tesla. Ever since his wife’s death, he drowned himself in his research, an act that made his daughter move to live with her aunt.
Pluto Templar: (Age: 60) One of the best mystic users in the world and the leading mystic energy researcher in Turquoisa, who has been losing prestige and money thanks to the success of the Alexander Tesla’s mystic engineering. His obsession with his research caused Alphronia, his wife, to leave him to care for their only daughter, Zirconia, alone. His fall from grace made his personality abrasive toward others, the exception his daughter. He has an especially hard place in his heart for Alexander and Jermaine Tesla.
Siegfried Scabbard: (Age: 36) As the best general of the Dark Dragon’s Defense Force, Siegfried has fought and survived countless battles against other Halves, Half-Hunters, and Spirit users. He is admired for his ability to brighten a room with his gregarious, candid, and cheerful personality, yet feared for his cunning on the battlefield. He is the father of Paul and the husband of Alexia. Desiring to do his duty before retiring on a good pension, he concerns himself more with doing his job well than the politics surrounding it.
Alexia Scabbard: (Age: 34) The wife of Siegfried and the mother of Paul. Despite the thrill-seeking antics of her husband and her son exercising discipline in all areas but doing his chores, she does well in keeping her family grounded. She tries to hide that wishes her husband would retire from the Defense Force early.
Mysterious Woman: (Age: Unkown) Nothing is known about her, other than the fact that she exists in a realm outside space, time, and reality. For unknown reasons, she seeks Jermaine and Zirconia.
Morgan: (Age: Not telling, sweetie) A Dark Dragon considered an infamous thief in her clan. She’ll steal or find anything for anyone for the right price. She and Jermaine share a secret past he tries to forget…
Xian: (Age: 16) A Light Tiger whose once affluent family has been falling from grace because of his father’s laziness and indulgence in their resources. Like most Light Tigers, he can Demi-Transform, an ability that lets him enter a state between Human and Half, granting him half the power of his transformed state while doubling the cost of his Mystic Arts.
Edna: (Age: 32) A Spirit user and a warrior nun for Sanctum. She’s a loyal follower of The Will of God, but believes love supersedes all of its teachings. She loves to help others, but believes “tough love” is sometimes the only way to get through to thick-headed people. “I will protect what’s important to me!” is the belief that powers her Spirit.
Bethany: (Age: 19) A Spirit user and a warrior nun for Sanctum. She’s a new recruit to The Will of God, trying to match the reality of the faith to her preconceptions. She has an optimistic, understanding personality that tries to see the good in everyone. “I won’t let anyone die!” is the belief that powers her Spirit.
Damien: (Age: 28) A Water Bat who lives in a manor in Azurite, the city where Water Halves reside. He protects his only daughter, who can use Spirit and Mystic Energy, from those who want to exploit her powers. He fired all his servants the moment she used Spirit for this cause. He is a cold, calculating person, who believes the ends always justifies the means when achieving a goal.
Mako: (Age: 20) A Fire Shark who is a lover of conspiracy theories, believing the world’s truths lie within them, even if most of them are half or quarter truths. One theory he’s particularly obsessed with deals with the fate of his former lover, Angel, who died during an experiment gone wrong that destroyed his hometown of Bloodstone. Mako follows his passions, wherever they may take him, and only concerns himself with having fun and hunting down the facts behind conspiracy theories. However, his recklessness in pursuit of his passions has hurt his relationships with others…
Heyan: (Age: 25) The new Chieftan of Light Tigers. He is somehow connected to Mary of Sanctum and Theodore of the Half-Hunters.
Mary: (Age: It’s unimportant) The Mother Superior of the warrior nuns of Sanctum. She is somehow connected to Chieftan Heyan of the Light Tigers and Theodore of the Half-Hunters. She is also blind. “I will strike down evil!” is the belief that powers her Spirit.
Theodore: (Age: 47) The Grandmaster Huntsman of the Half-Hunters. He is uncannily proficient at not only identifying the weaknesses of Halves, but also at tactics and improvising during combat. He has never lost to a Half in battle. He is somehow connected to Chieftan Heyan of the Light Tigers and Mary of Sanctum.
Note: These are not all the characters in game, playable or NPC.
Pluto Templar: (Age: 60) One of the best mystic users in the world and the leading mystic energy researcher in Turquoisa, who has been losing prestige and money thanks to the success of the Alexander Tesla’s mystic engineering. His obsession with his research caused Alphronia, his wife, to leave him to care for their only daughter, Zirconia, alone. His fall from grace made his personality abrasive toward others, the exception his daughter. He has an especially hard place in his heart for Alexander and Jermaine Tesla.
Siegfried Scabbard: (Age: 36) As the best general of the Dark Dragon’s Defense Force, Siegfried has fought and survived countless battles against other Halves, Half-Hunters, and Spirit users. He is admired for his ability to brighten a room with his gregarious, candid, and cheerful personality, yet feared for his cunning on the battlefield. He is the father of Paul and the husband of Alexia. Desiring to do his duty before retiring on a good pension, he concerns himself more with doing his job well than the politics surrounding it.
Alexia Scabbard: (Age: 34) The wife of Siegfried and the mother of Paul. Despite the thrill-seeking antics of her husband and her son exercising discipline in all areas but doing his chores, she does well in keeping her family grounded. She tries to hide that wishes her husband would retire from the Defense Force early.
Mysterious Woman: (Age: Unkown) Nothing is known about her, other than the fact that she exists in a realm outside space, time, and reality. For unknown reasons, she seeks Jermaine and Zirconia.
Morgan: (Age: Not telling, sweetie) A Dark Dragon considered an infamous thief in her clan. She’ll steal or find anything for anyone for the right price. She and Jermaine share a secret past he tries to forget…
Xian: (Age: 16) A Light Tiger whose once affluent family has been falling from grace because of his father’s laziness and indulgence in their resources. Like most Light Tigers, he can Demi-Transform, an ability that lets him enter a state between Human and Half, granting him half the power of his transformed state while doubling the cost of his Mystic Arts.
Edna: (Age: 32) A Spirit user and a warrior nun for Sanctum. She’s a loyal follower of The Will of God, but believes love supersedes all of its teachings. She loves to help others, but believes “tough love” is sometimes the only way to get through to thick-headed people. “I will protect what’s important to me!” is the belief that powers her Spirit.
Bethany: (Age: 19) A Spirit user and a warrior nun for Sanctum. She’s a new recruit to The Will of God, trying to match the reality of the faith to her preconceptions. She has an optimistic, understanding personality that tries to see the good in everyone. “I won’t let anyone die!” is the belief that powers her Spirit.
Damien: (Age: 28) A Water Bat who lives in a manor in Azurite, the city where Water Halves reside. He protects his only daughter, who can use Spirit and Mystic Energy, from those who want to exploit her powers. He fired all his servants the moment she used Spirit for this cause. He is a cold, calculating person, who believes the ends always justifies the means when achieving a goal.
Mako: (Age: 20) A Fire Shark who is a lover of conspiracy theories, believing the world’s truths lie within them, even if most of them are half or quarter truths. One theory he’s particularly obsessed with deals with the fate of his former lover, Angel, who died during an experiment gone wrong that destroyed his hometown of Bloodstone. Mako follows his passions, wherever they may take him, and only concerns himself with having fun and hunting down the facts behind conspiracy theories. However, his recklessness in pursuit of his passions has hurt his relationships with others…
Heyan: (Age: 25) The new Chieftan of Light Tigers. He is somehow connected to Mary of Sanctum and Theodore of the Half-Hunters.
Mary: (Age: It’s unimportant) The Mother Superior of the warrior nuns of Sanctum. She is somehow connected to Chieftan Heyan of the Light Tigers and Theodore of the Half-Hunters. She is also blind. “I will strike down evil!” is the belief that powers her Spirit.
Theodore: (Age: 47) The Grandmaster Huntsman of the Half-Hunters. He is uncannily proficient at not only identifying the weaknesses of Halves, but also at tactics and improvising during combat. He has never lost to a Half in battle. He is somehow connected to Chieftan Heyan of the Light Tigers and Mary of Sanctum.
Note: These are not all the characters in game, playable or NPC.
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Current Progress
Most of the resources I used, including what I used for my sprites and music, are not my own resources, which is why this demo is a nonprofit project. Unfortunately, all I can do is write and I have some programming background, as my focuses in college were English and computer science. I currently have someone in mind who can do music, two artists, but someone with more of a programming background would be appreciated. As it currently stands, my goals are:
I truly feel this is my passion. I have written stories, made AMVs, worked a number of jobs, done many things, but this is only thing I’ve done that doesn’t feel like work. I want to work with people who share the same passion for their craft, and wish to lend that craft to a team effort.
Anyone wishing to join the Mist Productions/Game Development team can email me at [email protected]. For all others, please tell me your honest opinions of this project so far: changes needed, typos, plot thoughts, balance/unbalance, whatever. Thank you for your time, and please continue to support Mist Productions ^_^.
- To turn this into a commercial project by finding resources to supplant the ones not donated, from my development team, or free for commercial use. I don’t expect this to be the next Undertale or Angry Birds, but it’s a start to get one’s feet wet in game development.
- To create a game development team to make stronger projects
I truly feel this is my passion. I have written stories, made AMVs, worked a number of jobs, done many things, but this is only thing I’ve done that doesn’t feel like work. I want to work with people who share the same passion for their craft, and wish to lend that craft to a team effort.
Anyone wishing to join the Mist Productions/Game Development team can email me at [email protected]. For all others, please tell me your honest opinions of this project so far: changes needed, typos, plot thoughts, balance/unbalance, whatever. Thank you for your time, and please continue to support Mist Productions ^_^.
Credits
*Game Engine: RPG Maker VX Ace
*Dragon’s fighting art: Fire-Ice-Dragon-Fight-Courtney
*Ending Instrumental: Sincerely
Abbey (A Love Poem) by Semaj the
Poet
*Hellfire Zirconia Theme: Sawano
Hiroyuki - Attack On Titan (Rayden
Remix) (Vocal - Mika Kobayashi)
*Sprites: BannedStory4 | Maple
Simulator
*Credit for Scripts: Victor Sant
-Neon Black
-Fomar0153
-RPG Maker Source (Feebies)
-Zeus 81
*Resources: Avadan
-Celiannas tileset
-Sanggameboy
-Cyrus Annihilator (Black Dragon: Heros of Migh and Magic III/PC/1999
-Holder (Bee 2/XP RTP/Suikoden/24 Feb 2013)
-Kaihenn14
-Maverick-PK (Keroro RPG: Kishi to Musha to Densetsu no Kaizoku)
-yoshinodrag_es
-whtdragon
and any others I missed...
*And a Special Thanks to:
Darkseductress
Luzioh
And again, this demo is a nonprofit project.