Public Build Update: Night VI

All of the content for the original version of Bride of Shadows is now available to play on the public build. You may need to start a new save game as some coding has changed. This update adds an additional 60,000 words of content across six story branches. Some branches are longer than others. This update is only applicable to players playing the public version of Bride of Shadows, patrons have already played this content.

As we'll soon be transitioning to the rework, I've left the option for Heretic players on the NSFW route to see how the pregnancy tailoring feature will work in the Patreon Edition.

Rework Coming Soon

This will be the final update for this version of Bride of Shadows. You have until June 14th to play the original content. June 15th will be the public launch of the Bride of Shadows rework. I'll give a brief overview of what it includes.

• Updated interface
• Streamlined narrative
• New personality traits system
• New romance system
• New language learning system
• Integrated codex
• Narrative tailoring for a broad range of body types and physical traits
• And much more

The public build will contain the Classic story route:

The standard Bride of Shadows storyline. Build a romantic and sexual relationship with Serax and Valdricht, explore Nazralt, conceive a child, and go on a journey of self-discovery. MMF or MFM explicit content available. Ideal for dark fantasy erotic romance enjoyers or dark fantasy-curious readers.

This story route will have a lot of parallels to the original Bride of Shadows story, although with a faster paced narrative that emphasizes early relationship building over the existential angst. Don't worry, there will still be plenty of angst. I'll be posting more about the rework as the release date approaches.

Why rework Bride of Shadows?

Lots of reasons. First and foremost, Bride of Shadows is my first interactive novel and my first experience with programming. I made a lot of rookie mistakes that made the game increasingly difficult to write and code as the narrative progressed, hence why the Prologue and Nights 1-3 took me two months to write and release, whereas Night 5 took a month and Night 6 took two (and 60,000 words) just to get halfway through the overall narrative I wanted to tell for that night.

My original vision for Bride of Shadows was to have an interactive novel with multiple updates each month and I intend to get back to that plan with the new, streamlined story routes. The new routes will offer fewer branching choices, however much more space for personality and romance tailoring within the linear narrative. You can think of it as reading an erotic romance novel where the broad story beats are set, but you design your MC, how she reacts to the plot, and how she interacts with the love interests.

The rework has been written with lots of constructive feedback and guidance from Darksinger & Duskweaver tier patrons, ensuring that the new narratives hit all the right notes for fans of the original Bride of Shadows while not being so cumbersome that the updates take more than two weeks to complete.

If you want to start playing the rework now, the first two nights of the Dark Maiden and Fated Mates routes are available on Patreon. Night II of Classic will be out this evening. There are new updates every week.

Dark Maiden Route - Patreon Exclusive ★ Everything in the classic route, but darker. The choices are limited. Serax and Valdricht will expect the MC's complete submission and do not speak her language. Love looks a lot like Stockholm's syndrome. MMF only. Ideal for veteran dark romance readers.

Fated Mates Route - Patreon Exclusive ★ Contains everything in the classic storyline, but the MC will experience an intense, monogamous mate bond with Valdricht. Serax and Valdricht will not be romantically involved. Your MC can develop a friendship or antagonistic relationship with Serax. MF only. Ideal for dark fantasy aficionados who prefer monogamy.

Aside from the additional routes and early access, the Patreon Edition will have a few extra features such as pregnancy tailoring and in-game alternate POVs. I'll be doing a more comprehensive breakdown when the rework officially launches on June 15th.

-Mortish