>>> QUICK LINKS AFTER EDIT <<<
- 1st Video === http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWL3tQ5XDqA
The Durance of Magic
:: Synopsis ::
In an age of strife, when the world was young, the races of the world struggle for survival. Monsters roam the lands, stepping over the borders of the wilderness and encroaching onto the war torn soils of civilization.
A shaky truce called between the kingdoms of men, Myloc and Dunkargo are two young veterans of the Great War cast aside and sent home to a land left to the mercies of the frontier. With their home found in ruins, the two ex soldiers turn to the Mercenary Guild for survival. Admitted fast for their skills and experience, their position as swords for hire soon send them deep into the chaos of a forgotten legend. A prophecy of doom that will shake the very world as they know it.
:: World ::
(http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs558.snc3/30499_1301880831202_1355893012_30723235_366350_n.jpg)
The world of the Durance of Magic is vast and untamed. Though the influences of civilization has stretched far and wide, the viscous nature of the world's wilderness has contributed to a slow growth in regards to the civilized races. No single continent is fully colonized and the ruins of failed attempts at civilized life litter the dangerous grounds of the frontiers.
A warm and rocky planet lush with vegetation, the world of DoM is bustling with life. While Magic has yet to be harnessed by the civilized races, there are a multitude of magical plants and animals. Still a young world, the face of this planet is constantly changing. Deserts stretch across sprawling plains and forests range from coast to coast.
There are many different cultures in the world of DoM. Though most races hold to one traditional culture, some of the races such as the Humans and the Kobold have varying cultures even within their own people.
The creatures of the world are separated into two groups. The civilized and the uncivilized. The difference between these two groups is that a civilized race can communicate and reason with other members of their race as well as other civilized races. There are far too many uncivilized races to catalogue, however the official civilized races are as follows:
- Man
- Elf
- Kobold
- Lizardfolk
- Naga
- Mimic*
- Grinn**
- (*) Mimics are considered civilized out of fear and respect. They are a chaotic neutral race of loners that are frighteningly unpredictable.
- (**) The Grinn are a collection of the oldest undead in the land. Their name coined from the unnerving smile they constantly wear. To better fit in with the civilized races they wear the skinned faces of the freshly deceased. They can not understand why these actions have an opposite effect than the acceptance they expected.
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs538.snc3/30499_1301880471193_1355893012_30723229_2864996_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs538.snc3/30499_1301880311189_1355893012_30723225_5104303_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs558.snc3/30499_1301880631197_1355893012_30723233_6817197_n.jpg)
(http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs538.snc3/30499_1301880671198_1355893012_30723234_5234584_n.jpg)
:: Characters ::
((Only a few so as not to be a spoiler.))
Myloc
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs182.ash2/44472_1391619074602_1355893012_30949761_2740582_n.jpg)
Clouds skitter across the orange sky of the setting sun. The last rays of daylight warm a calm and complacent face as the high mountain wind strokes away the stray strands of silver white hair. His tall frame casting a long shadow on the scraggly grass behind him.
A roguish looking man with dark blue hair and a green cloak tosses a pebble against the back of his head. "Hey!" the rogue yells, "We gonna move out or you just gonna stand there?"
The silver haired man blinks. Out across the mountain cliffs the falling night softens the harsh view below. A stray wolf can be seen far down, sniffing at the corpse of a dead caravan guard. The shattered wooden carts lay still and empty, thoroughly looted by whatever bandits had slain the hapless travelers.
"We're too late." The man states to no one in particular.
The rogue digs in his ear unceremoniously. He looks at the fruit of his labors stuck to the end of his finger before flicking it off into the grass and shrugging carelessly. "Not our fault, buddy. We offered them protection. And at a good price, too."
A feeling of anger spiked suddenly within the man. The tall mercenary thought back to a familiar scene of destruction at his hometown far away. Just as soon as it had come, though, the anger seemed to fall into a deep hole inside him where it would lie dormant. Perhaps until a time when it would all burst forth at once. Or perhaps until it would fester within.
"Let's go."
Dunkargo
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs396.snc4/45964_1391618754594_1355893012_30949759_4271993_n.jpg)
The heavy wooden doors to the Bar n' Brothel swing open, banging almost abnoxiously against the walls on either side. An average built human strides in with a cocky smile and an over-confident gait. Maids and wenches alike turn their heads, some giggling to one another, others calling out his name playfully.
Greeting the patrons with subtle waves and the ever classical point-and-wink, this charismatic vagabond weaves his way through the throng to the bar. Leaning on his side, he relaxes onto the bartop and throws up a hand gesture, recieving his usual drink in return.
"Well, wot 'ave we here then? If it isn't that old thief, Dunkargo!" says a voice from somewhere in the crowded room.
Dunkargo turns, resting his back against the bar and propping himself up on his elbows non-chalantly. "That's Treasure Hunter!" He yells back.
The throng of patrons erupts into good-natured laughter...
Gafgarion
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs421.snc4/46394_1391618994600_1355893012_30949760_683017_n.jpg)
The screams of the villagers ring out over the chaos. Crackling flames of destroyed homes dance wildly against the drizzling rain, sending noxious smoke high into the overcast sky. Amidst the murder and mayhem a red robed figure walks slowly, his boots squelching into the blood soaked mud.
"Help me!" A battered woman pleads, clutching a squealing infant to her mud stained breast. "Sir! You're human! Please help!"
The mysterious man turns his head towards the shrieking mother, his lips sneering in disgust as she hurls herself onto him, clutching at his crimson robes.
"Please, sir!" she cries, "Don't let them hurt my baby!"
The robed man chuckles and shakes his head. With a snort of contempt he shoves the woman down into the mud. "Welcome to the real world, woman." He remarks, "I believe the scholars call it natural selection."
The woman's eyes widen in terror as she realizes the robed man is not a friend but a terrible foe.
"Perhaps you or the child's father should have been stronger." He laughs as a pair of werewolves howl in delight as they dive upon the helpless villager and her infant.
:: Features ::
:: Storyline ::
The original outlet of expression for the Durance of Magic was a written trilogy. However, the idea of making a video game was much more compelling. DoM is designed to be game of depth and possibility. Like games before it, the length of gameplay depends on the player. There are a multitude of optional quests, side stories, and chances to seek out more character developement. In a sense, DoM is as long or short as the player cares to make it.
:: Party System ::
The maximum members allowed in a party at one time is 4. There will be times, though, when the player's entourage consists of more than 4 characters. It is during these times that the player will make use of a party member swapping system similair to the one in Final Fantasy 6. Different party members may trigger different events in different places at different times.
:: Combat ::
The game's combat system is traditional. It sports the old school side view with an active turn based menu style. Each character brings something special to the table in terms of combat dynamics. However, the enemies have been given more power and ability than usual. Most characters possess an ability called First Aid which restores a small amount of HP without the use of any MP. This is mainly used as a spammable heal when out of combat. Items such as Potions and Ethers are primarily used during combat. Items are a player's best friend.
:: Secrets ::
There are a ton of secret passages, hidden doors, and stashed treasures to be found. One must keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Watch close, though. Many treasures can only be gained at certain points in time.
:: Tech System ::
We are currently working on a Tech system similair to the one in Chrono Trigger. We would like to be able to have dual techs, triple techs, and possibly even quadruple techs that involve all members of a given party. This may or may not be a feature come release time, though.
:: Adventuring ::
It is part of the storyline that the protagonist joins up with an organization called the Mercenary Guild. Because of this, the player is able to take on optional jobs that may take the player to the farthest corners of the world. Some of these jobs are easy and some are very challenging.
:: Treasure Hunting ::
The world is littered with ruins of fallen kingdoms and pillaged towns. There are even hidden caves, underwater lairs, and whole cities lost in the overgrowth of forests and jungles. Who knows what treasures may lie within these forgotten places.
:: Interactive World ::
An experienced RPGer would do well to remember the rule of conversation. Be sure to talk to any NPCs you find as even the most simple of passer by could change one's fortune in the future.