[VX] The Vagabond

Project Thread

The following is a working document of story, style, art, and gameplay information for The Vagabond. All information is subject to change without notice and is copyrighted.

Spoiler for Thread Log -- Last Updated on 1/16/08:

• 10/18/08: The Vagabond concept thread is created
  
• 10/19/08: Began the Thoughts and Ideas section, which acts as a journal of sorts, added names to 'The Characters', added logo image
  
• 10/24/08: Created "The Story so Far..." section, added "Other Continents" to "The World", added Yrdresii to "The Characters"
  
• 10/26/08: Added menu mock up image to "Concept Art", started "Development Status" section.
  
• 10/27/08: Added Banjara concept sketch
  
• 10/29/08: Added "Elven Mythology and Lore" section, added "The Stalkers and Other Enemies" section, amended the gameplay paragraph in "The Style" section.
  
• 11/18/08: Added 'The Star Board, Skills, and Leveling' section. Removed information on original graphical style.
  
• 12/8/08: Removed Concept Art and added screenshots. Section has been moved close to the top. Everything as been put in spoilers.
  
• 12/9/08: Spruced up thread a lot for the move to Project Discussion. This includes character pictures and section headers. Added "Credits" section. Replaced "The Style" with a more updated and elaborate "Features" section. Moved "The Star Board, Skills, and Leveling" under the "Features" category. "The Stalkers and Other Enemies" and "Elven Mythology and Lore" have both been moved to "Extra Information" and "The World" respectively. "Thoughts and Ideas" section killed, going to make a development blog for things like this.
  
• 1/16/08: Added and updated some screenshots! Promotion for the Closed Beta has begun, and a demo is projected for early February.

As of 1/16/08... Content development has been underway for a little under two weeks and is going smoothly. If I keep the following pace I may start rounding up some people for a Beta Test of gameplay features and then eventually release a demo in early February.

Spoiler for The Story So Far...:

The King of Sundara, Elias Chaplain II, has been impeached and exiled from his throne for the charges of adultery. His brother, who acted on the side of the accusing party has taken over the throne. Uluan Chaplain is a tyrant and corrupt. He forces the Sundaran Religion upon all, he imposes harsh taxes, and makes decisions with a secret organization of elites, known only as Advisers.

King Uluan's recent interests have circulated around the land beyond Sundara's political borders. He has mobilized "Explorers" to chart these regions for a more updated world map. In actuality, Uluan is locating several ancient Elven ruins. What these ruins actually do is a mystery, but Uluan believes them to capable of building a great and powerful army to crush the outsiders and expand the Kingdom.

The Prince, who is the rightful heir to the throne, just watches as his corrupt uncle attempts to conquer the world. He often blocks out this dilemma by day dreaming about being a wandering vagabond. His dreams take him to far off lands, where he meets new people and has wonderful adventures. This tendency to slip away has kept him very withdrawn and rather spacey. He has been known to go into "walking dreams" and ends up outside the castle walls.

In this dreams, where he is the Vagabond, he slays monsters, rescues those in peril, and travels the continent in search of treasures and mysteries. With no map and no guide they wander the land in search of adventure. Carrying only a sword, knowledge, and very little rations, the Vagabond only visits town when it is necessary. The people who know him call him Banjara, or Wanderer. Some say he has been wandering his whole life. Some say his whole family was murdered. Others even speculate he may have hailed from one of the Unknown Continents.

As the plot to unveil the mysterious Elven ruins and the Prince's dreams begin to intertwine both sides will be faced with unexpected turns of fate. Ancient Elven lore and mysticism, the wrath of angry gods, and the mistakes of the Ancients will take their toll on the Kingdom of Sundara and the rest of the world.

Spoiler for The Characters:

The following information is written in a very off style of writing. It was how the ideas came out, and that's how they will remain.


The Vagabond/Banjara
The Vagabond. A sturdy, stalwart, and hopeless character. Wandering. What for? No reason. Or, perhaps, for nature? He doesn't know why he is wandering. He just knows that he must. This higher power compels him to wander on. In search of nothing. With no purpose. The only thing he feels is the grace of his God, his Godly gravity, causing him to meander on. The road works like a clock for the Vagabond. it's ever changing pershonality shapes the map like an ancient cartographer. Only the future remains resolute in his mind. His past - distant. His motivation is inspiring. His charm unmatched. His brawn unchallenged. He is an idol, a demigod, a minor deity among mere men. He needs not silly pleasures, like satin sheets and lavish estates. The world is his, for he is the world.


The Child/Prince Elias Caplain III
The child. No ordinary child. Royal? Amongst all. Of the monarch? Indeed. The prince? Yes, sir. The Prince is very detached from his royal family. His Father, the former king, was exiled from his position. The Prince mourns constantly. He fantasizes about being alone, on the open road, searching for his father. His fantasies take him to spacious rolling hills of waving lush grass. To plague ridden badlands that must be traversed. Even through the thickest woods and swamps the mind could imagine. His fantasies were almost so real, he often found himself in odd places away from the Castle. He met extraordinary people and experienced extraordinary events. here in his mind the Prince lived, sheltered from his deranged Uncle, who had taken up the throne. He escapes the the oppression of his Uncle and his Advisers. He escapes from the monotonous tasks of Royalty and the teachings of his Masters. All he ever wants his is father. So alone.


The Father/King Elias Caplain II
The Prince's Father, the former king, was forcefully removed from the throne under the accusation of Adultery. He claimed that he committed no such crime and would never commit such an act. He swore on the grave of his fallen wife, the former Queen. He was sent out to Wander, never to return to the Kingdom. His existence is unknown. He has not been heard of since.


The Uncle/King Uluan Caplain/Duke of Reveranste
The Uncle, who played a major role in the accusation of the former King, took over the throne after his exodus. He has been an authoritarian, a tyrant, and a merciless abuser of his powers. He and a secret board of Advisers run the Kingdom with an iron fist. They eradicate any dissenters. They force harsh laws on the people. They give unfair trials. The onslaught of the new king's reign is wearing the Kingdom down. But he is deaf to their cries, and blind to their troubles.

Spoiler for The Planet of Geosos:

The Kingdom of Sundara
Still beautiful in appearance, the Kingdom spans over 1/3 of the only continent known to be inhabited on the planet. It has its fair share of spectacular geography. High mountain peaks, rolling hills, dry desserts, and frigid tundras. Flowers bloom everywhere, ancient trees embrace the forests with infinite protection, caverns run deep in to beautiful chasms and voids, and cities and towns dot the landscape with grace and beauty. Roads can take one anywhere they need to go, and do just that. The capital of the Kingdom of Sundara, Reveranste, is lavishly ordained with flags, tall stone buildings, masterfully crafted statues or war heroes and kings, and most of all the Castle of Heavens. The Castle of Heavens tears the sky with its massive towers. The only building that rivals the Castle on any level is the One Chapel. The one chapel acts as a second focal point in the city, next to the Castle.

Beyond the Kingdom
Not lawless, but not governed, the lands outside the Kingdom live in solitude and overall peace. This land has all the wonderful features of the Kingdom alongside ancient Elven ruins. This land features several small cities and towns which keep mostly to themselves. Most farm, mine, or ship various items. Trade is frequent between these towns. Every year almost all of the towns send a representative to the Ruins of Tvelselon to discuss events and issues regarding the individual towns and cities. The land Beyond is not at war within itself, or with the Kingdom.

Other Continents
They are said to exist, but no human has dared to venture far out enough to prove it. Only ancient Elven texts speak of their existence and some of the valuable resources they hold.

Spoiler for Elven Mythology and Lore:

Symbols found on ruins dedicated to Elven gods.

Elven Gods
Ray: God of the Sun; First God of Creation
Luna: God of the Moons; Second God of Creation; The Dark Father
Aquara: Goddess of the Oceans; Goddess of Rain and Snow
Pyroth: God of Fire; Bearer of Volcanoes
Terras: Goddess of the Earth, Mountains, and Trees; Goddess of Life
Arcon: God of the Cosmos, Stars, and Mysticism; God of Fate
Macros: God of War
Velos: Goddess of Peace, Love, and Prosperity
Frezas: Goddess of the Seasons; Goddess of the Wind

Elven Demi-Gods
Metros: Protector of Cities
Pathos: Demi-God of Emotions; Protector of the Insane
Plagas: Demi-God of Sickness and Disorder
Economos: Protector of Wealth
Mineros: Protector of the Jems
Octas: Protector of the Harvest
Clovos: Demi-God of Luck and Chance
Novas: Demi-God of Fertility and Birth

The Ancient Elven Doctrine
The Creation of Geosos
Ray, the God of the Almighty Light, was fighting with his brother Luna, God of the Gracious Satellites, over who would get to rule over Geosos. Our World was merely a rock at this time. Dark and quiet. Ray and Luna quarreled for a thousand years when finally they came to a compromise. They decided to share the planet.

They created the Day. They would split the Day into two halves. Ray would occupy the first half, Morning, and Luna the last half, Night. On the First Day Ray lit up the sky bright and proudly shone over his beautiful World. The Night of the First Day, Luna shone less vibrantly in envy of Ray.

The Second Day, Ray's powerful light brought the birth of trees, shrubs, flowers, the grass, and other plants. He granted them the gift of light for their nutrients. That Night, Luna did nothing but curse at Ray enviously.

On the Third Day, Ray asked his sister Aquara to fill the canyons and depths with her graceful waters. Delighted with her task in helping Ray, she did just so, and filled the Great Ocean and all of Geosos' mighty rivers. In a fury of envy Luna pulled at the oceans trying to get rid of them, although his attempts were futile, he created the Tides and Waves. He also bribed his wife Frezas into helping by trying to blow it away, thus creating the Wind.

On the Fourth Day, with the help of the Plants Grace and the Water's Nourishment, Ray gave birth to the animals. He gave land and ocean their own species of unique animals. Luna was furious. He began to think of the best way to compete with Ray. So he waited this Night and planned.

On the Fifth Day Ray created his first super intellectual beings - the Elves. He gave them all the knowledge of the God's so they may record everything. He then left them to thrive on his complete planet. Luna, now fueled with anger over Ray's perfect being, secretly creates the Dark Elves - or Stalkers. He creates them to be polar opposites from the Elves. They are disgusting, mangy, and smelly. The Stalkers are afraid of the sunlight, so Luna dedicates his Nights for Stalkers to hunt the Elves.

On the Final Day, Ray gave his friends and families jobs to look over Geosos. Among them, Pyroth, his Uncle, to look over the Infernos; and Terras his wife to watch over the Divine Nature. He asked Luna to keep the Elves safe from the Night's menaces. Luna agreed, not telling Ray of the Stalkers.

Hundreds of pages on the Divine Nature, Transcendence, Mysticism, Birth and Death, the Heavens, and the Journey of the One...

The Rise of the Elven Race and its Empire
The Elves started out as a nomadic race. It wasn't until 4,000 years had past that the first Elven establishment was built. They called the city Terras, as a favor to the The Protector of the Divine Nature. The city grew and grew and eventually became the capital of a new Elven empire, known as The Kingdom of Geosos.

As they grew more and more intelligent they began to pray to the Gods more, asking for wisdom and guidance. They began to build elaborate alabaster monuments as gifts to the Gods. It had been 6,000 years and Ray decided to give the Elves their most special gift. For centuries the Stalkers had attacked the Elves, killing thousands. Ray asked his cousin Arcon, the God of the Infinite, to choose one Elf in which he would grant the knowledge of the Stars. Arcon picked the poorest man he could find, and in a dream revealed to him all the knowledge of the Stars. He told them man, whose name was Fenrii, that he needed to build an Orrey. From knowing how to interpret the stars into his favor, Fenrii could learn unimaginable powers. Arcon told him to use these powers to fight the Stalkers and eventually entrap them in a magical prison.

The man awoke from this dream and ran into Terras screaming about his knowledge. He sought out the Emperor and told him that Arcon had spoken to him and requested the building of the Orrey. The Emperor cast him out and banished him from the streets of Terras.

Fenrii traveled the countryside searching for the prime place to build his own Orrey. After six years of wandering he found a clearing in some woods. He began to chop wood and build up the Orrey from what he could muster. After about two years Fenrii finished the Orrey and began to interpret the Stars. He named the Constellations and learned from them all sorts of skills. He started to record how to utilize the Orrey and the Stars to learn extraordinary powers. He opened the Orrey to the public and tought many people Magicks. He got so wrapped up in this that he forgot all about the main reason he was doing all this.

The Fall of the Elven Race and its Empire
He was to fight and stop the Stalkers, not invent and spread these outlandish powers that were now becoming commonplace across the country. They were being used to cheat, steal, and murder. In a rage Ray, who was well aware of the Stalkers by now, stopped shining his daylight and allowed the Stalkers to feed on the Elves for 10,000 days.

By the end of this massacre only several thousand survived and Terras burned. Realizing now that he had forgot to trap the Stalkers, Fenrii, who was old and dying, used what little strength he had left to seal the Stalkers away in their caverns.

Fenrii's son, sitting beside his dead father, swore on his life he would find a way to revenge the deaths the God's had dealt. He sat for several years just pondering. Finally he had come up with a perfect solution. Almost impossible, but perfect.

The Elven race was doomed to extinct. There was no Order, only Chaos. The Empire was destroyed, and people were confused. Using the knowledge his father had taught to him, the son began to design a Perfect Being. One like the elves, but one who was ignorant of the Gods and the Divine. Ones who would adapt more the the realities of the world rather than the harsh Ethereal which had killed millions. After fifty years of pain staking work he fabricated a Man and a Woman through magick alone.

He created them to be blissfully unaware of the Gods and dulled their senses. He called them Humans. He took them to the most remote area in the northern most part of the continent. There they were to evolve and thrive and make up for the mistakes of the Elves.

This is the end of the actual written Doctrine. Most Human Historians believed this to all be a hoax and that Humans actually evolved from Elves who had wandered North and developed to the colder conditions. While the religious aspect of the Elves is only practiced by very radical people, a lot of it's influence exists in Sundarianism.

Spoiler for Features in Brief:

The following is a brief list of the various features that have been implemented in the gameplay:

• Action Battle System that pits you against several unique enemies and bosses
• The Star Board System, a virtual representation of the Constellations; Read the spoiler below for more information
• Environment Interaction System that allows you to traverse the rich environments in a number of challenging ways
• Ancient Elven ruins are riddled with elaborate but entertaining puzzles and defeating them unlocks a unique mini-game for Star Points
• Game Flow System which will lead you in the right direction so you never get lost but aren't being told what to do
• Multiple story branches based on dialogue choices and actions within the confines of a richly deep storyline

Spoiler for The Star Board, Skills, and Leveling:

In The Vagabond the player can gains two numbers for progressing his character. The first is Experience which is gained by killing enemies. The second is SP, or Star Points, which is aquired through mapping constellations.

Gaining Experience and Leveling
Experience is gained by killing various enemies in battle. The number is strictly static and can only increase. When enough Experience is gained for a certain level the character levels up to the next level and a new Exp. Limit is set. When the player levels his Health and Magick Points increase slightly, but not enough to depend on. The players stats also increase and his ability to use new armors.

Gaining Star Points
Throughout the Outer Lands there are hundreds of ancient Elven ruins. These ruins contain artifacts that teach the player about the stars and constellations. Using these to map out the stars grants the player Star Points. The player may also aquire SP from the use of various observatories and orreys. The player can have a max of 100 SP at any given time.

Spending Star Points on Bonuses, Magicks, and Proficienies
Star Points act like a currency on the Star Board. The Star Board is a virtual representation of the constellations and the gifts they give. Different stars on the board cost different amounts to move to or activate. The following is a list of the stars and markers you will encounter on the Star Board:

-Bright(White) Stars: Small, Medium, Large. These stars act as progression markers. Their size influences the price to move to them.
-Red Stars: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large. These stars grant Magicks upon unlocking. Their price is influenced by the size. The strength of the magick aquired is also influenced by size.
-Blue Stars: Small, Medium, Large.  These stars grant Health and Magick Point bonuses, as well as Skill bonuses. Their price is influenced by their size. The strength of their effect is influenced by their size as well.
-Gold Stars: Medium, Large. These stars grant special abilities or proficiencies that can benefit the player in many ways. Their price and strength is influenced by their size.
-Celestial Body: Usually a dead star or lifeless planet that blocks Star Paths.
-Constellation Bridge: These markings jump you to adjacent constellations. All Constellation Bridges cost 10 SP to use. Once they are activated, as with all stars they can be traversed for free.
-Black Hole: These markers take you to a random constellation. They do not cost any SP to use and they cannot be undone.

The Star Board can be accessed via the menu only when the player is playing as Banjara.

Spoiler for Screenshots:

The final version of the Heads-Up Display. The top bar displays three hot-keyed skills, the bottom shows items.


The updated final version of the Main Menu Screen displaying the Location as well as the SP and current equipment. It features some new icons, a new font face, and doesn't show 'Star Board' until you acquire it.


The title screen for Chapter One, featuring wonderful art from Venetia!


A screenshot of the Item Screen with it's style.


A shot of Elias in the opening cutscene which runs approx. one minute.


Newly crowned King Uluan and his Centuars(Elite body guards) heading for Elias' room.

Spoiler for Desktop Wallpapers:

The Vagabond Logo with Woods Wallpaper - 1280 x 800 Resolution


The Vagabond Logo with Radial Gradient Wallpaper - 1280 x 800 Resolution

Spoiler for The Stalkers and Other Enemies:

The following is to explain a bit about the Stalkers and other enemies you will encounter in game.

The Stalkers/Dark Elves
The Stalkers were created by Luna to balance out the power of the Elves. They were vile versions of Elves that only came out at night to to pray on animals and attack Elven settlements.

In The Vagabond the Stalkers act as one of the main enemies. They were sealed into a magick prison before the Elves went extinct. Certain circumstances allows them to be freed and to become empowered enough to appear during the day. Stalkers are like elves but have dark black skin with hints of blue and purple. The have mangy dreaded hair, sharp teeth, and smell like rotten corpses. They are categorized by their size and skill.

Stalker Classes
Peon: Lowest caste, first to be fought, armed with clubs.
Grunt: Peon with more armor.
Soldier: Next level up, armed with a broadsword.
Pikeman: Equal to Soldier, but armed with a pike or lance.
Rider: Soldier who rides on a giant boar or bear.
Mage:Next level up, wields a staff and casts Magick.
Knight:Next level up, full armor, shield, and longsword.
Shaman: Next level up, wields staff and casts high level Magick.
Captain: Next level up, full armor, bastard sword.
Assassin: All levels, sneaks up and tries to assassinate you.

Other Enemies
In The Vagabond you'll fight other enemies besides Stalkers.

Human Enemies
-Different levels of Bandits and Highwaymen
-Sundaran soldiers of various ranks

Animal Enemies
-Wolves of various types(Rapid, Dire, Pack Leader)
-Bears of various types(Dire, Pack Leader, Cursed)
-Tigers and panthers of various types(Cubs, Adults, Elders, Cursed)
-Giant birds of various types
-Large reptiles of various types

Ethereal, Undead, and Magick Enemies
-Wisps, ghosts, and souls of various levels
-Undead of various levels
-Animate Skeletons of various levels
-Demons of various elements

Spoiler for Graphics Used:

• Mundane
• Venetia
• Kaduki
• Nakkuruman
• Ruuna
• Mack
• Katakan
• barg
• soulesslocke
• Kinger556
• skeltom
• kingoftheroad
• Kira

Spoiler for Scripts Used:

• Mundane
• Vlad
• DerVVulfman
• Guillaume777
• Dargor
• Guardian
• Woratana

Spoiler for Music Used:

• Selcuk Bor(MaestroRage)
• Herr Sjoqvist(Pomerance)
• MJTTOMB
• Jachibo
• DukeLukeProd

Thanks to Newgrounds for providing these great composers a place to share their wonderful work!

Spoiler for Dowloads -- None Available -- Next Demo: Early February:

There are currently no downloadable builds of The Vagabond. Please stay tuned and expect a demo build in early February 2009. A Closed Beta will be given to special members in the next week or two.

Thanks for your interest in The Vagabond!

Mundane

I like the screenshots and custom menu. great use of mack tiles!

It seems very nice. Excellent screenshots, and the story is interesting - I like the dream world twist on typical plots and I think there are a lot of interesting things you can do with that structure. Good luck!