Progress Update/Chapter 12 Preview, Part 8: Scholar Yekbûn (Patreon)

Happy Halloween 🎃

This one's a shorter preview since I'm finding that I'm struggling to post anything that doesn't constitute major spoilers as the chapters progress lol. I've also been writing a lot of variants of the same scenes, and I don't want to post all of those either! Gotta give you guys a reason to replay the game multiple times haha

I'm overall happy with what I was able to accomplish in the past two weeks, though, as I've finished the opening scene variations of the chapter, finished the peri trader meeting route, am halfway through with the Kham meeting route, and have started on the court meeting variations 👀

I'm gonna tentatively place the expected release for CH12 in December, either midway through or at the end of it depending on how progress goes in November!

And to close the month off with, here's a preview for those who (spoilers for CH9) didn't get Scholar Yekbûn killed in their playthrough:

“I suppose you would not be joining us on this expedition?”

Scholar Yekbûn averts her gaze, brows furrowing with conflict. “I feel as if I owe it to your parents to try, yet… I was hardly spry two decades ago, and my health has not improved with age. I fear I could not make it up the mountains.”

“I understand.” It might be better this way, you consider, as Yekbûn’s absence would surely be noticed.

Whenever she visits the palace to see you, she does so in secret, smuggled through the tunnels by your personal guards. Usually, Perjin accompanies her, having taking a liking to her company. Sometimes, like now, Yekbûn visits you by herself, and you spend time speaking of your parents, or asking her what she thinks they might have thought of the decisions you’ve made.

Today is one such occasion, as you venture to ask, “What do you think my mother and father would have thought of me following in their footsteps?”

“I take it you still speak of the expedition.” Yekbûn’s gaze turns distant as she peers out the window, seeming lost in thought for several moments, until she finally answers. “I can only guess, but I’m sure a part of them would be horrified. Fearful of what might befall you, and wracked with remorse that this burden came to fall upon your shoulders.”

You’re certain she’s right. They went out of their way to shield you from danger, selfish in their desire to keep you safe and thereby robbing you of the chance to flourish on your own. You struggle to hold it against them, even as frustrated as you are—you might resent them for their secrets, but how could you resent them for loving you as deeply as they did?

“But I am also certain,” Yekbûn adds, pulling you from your thoughts, “that they would be so very proud of you.”

You swallow thickly, the motion half-aborted with the lump in your throat, turning your eyes toward the window and blinking several times to try and soothe the sudden stinging.

“I hope so,” you speak softly, wishing as you have done so many times before that you could ask them yourself. That they could give you advice, guide you, like they always used to. But now you only have yourself, and your own judgment to rely on, with the weight of an empire bearing onto the scales.

“You have your father’s wit and your mother’s strength,” Yekbûn says, placing a hand upon your shoulder. “You have survived challenges that would have those of lesser will giving out at the knees, and you have grown so remarkably in a single month’s time. Arsur could not ask for a more stalwart Crown.”

So, what happens to people who did get Scholar Yekbûn killed? 🤔

Well, those people get a completely different scene instead of this one, and unlike this one, it absolutely has no warm fuzzy feelings to speak of... but you'll have to play that variation to find out! If you can stomach it 🙈

Thank you for your patience and support!! See you in November 💖