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heliotrope-journey · 6 days

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Reflecting on a Fallen Friend During a Gloomy April

Good evening, vampire hunters.

On Easter Sunday, Tobias, Ioana and her otter companion, Gani had traveled to a cross in the remote highlands in the Conifers Kingdom to visit the grave of a historian that dedicated his life to preserving documents of an ancient civilization ruled by machines. A long time ago in Ioana's childhood before she joined Frederick’s band of heroes, she came to be acquainted with this man at her mother’s cafe while he was waiting for her to pour his cappuccino. Ioana asked why he was interested in this type of coffee and his answer was that it was a popular drink in this civilization. Coffee beans were once cultivated in this industrious society and since it valued hard work in a time where an intergalactic empire plotted to wipe it out, there was little room for rest. Ioana wondered how a civilization with state-of-the-art technology could not flourish into the twenty-first century. The historian wished to find answers and one day open a museum for astronomers to study in once his research is complete. Ioana traveled with him for a year and a half to locate surviving pieces of computers before he embarked on an expedition in Florida. Every day, she would ask her mother about him in the hope he’d stop by the café again and her answer was always, “He’s a wanderer that has seen different worlds. He’ll be okay.” One Halloween night, Ioana came by the café after trick-or-treating and she found her distraught mother reading a letter that the historian sent her. She approached her and asked her usual question. Her mother said nothing and handed her the letter. The historian was chased by the Veiled Nocturne and had been captured minutes after he delivered the letter through a portal small enough to fit his hand. His fate remained unknown, but rumors that circulated through the town the next day hinted that Dracula had him sentenced to death. It is said that he discovered a secret that he did not want his enemies to uncover and keeping him as one of the unliving would be too big of a risk. The only object Ioana had kept to remember her time with the historian was a hand-sized mechanism used to predict the appearance of constellations and eclipses. She had found it in a swamp on the outskirts of Vireo City.

Thinking back to that painful night, Ioana shed a tear while stroking Gani’s back. She regretted her inability to save this historian from meeting such a tragic end even though she was too powerless to step in without risking her own life. She vowed that in his memory, she will locate remnants of the fallen civilization in her travels so that the magical sector can learn from its downfall and stand up to the Veiled Nocturne. If they allow Dracula to conquer London, the light will burn out like a lone candle in an empty room and all that has made the world of magic a wondrous place will be lost. Ioana gives the cross a sad smile and gives Gani a kiss. She whispers to him, “We can complete his work...It will be hard, but we’re going to have lots of fun. I promise.” She and Tobias walks down a hilltop to a river bank where Frederick and the group have set up camp. Cronix looks on as she leaves and nods his head with a smile on his face. Like Ioana, he knew the historian well. Photo by Philippe Bout on Unsplash.

A big thank you goes to KawaiiPixelArts for the baby chick that found a home at the gravesite.

Happy Easter Month!

Sincerely, WN

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heliotrope-journey · 13 days

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Come, Little Children! The Skinwalkers will Take Thee Away.

Dear vampire hunters,

A ripped page from a journal owned by an alleged family friend has been found at a rock with a pentagram carved on it;

“The Lachrymose Blood Forest is a bleak ecosystem in western Massachusetts enriched in magic and secrecy. The Puritans that lived in the colonies cautioned their people not to explore the woods for it is said that they are home of the Devil’s children from the howls that can be heard on a winter’s night to laughter from cloaked crones congregating in the woods. Some years before the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, the Lachrymose Blood Forest was a beautiful habitat for red deer. Freshly grown grass was plentiful and they were safe from predators. Earth magic practitioners that lived amongst the Pocomtuc tribe would gather around an old prayer circle to mediate at sunset every Friday. By the sixteenth century, the forest has become faithful to the Puritans’ beliefs; a cruel environment for hikers, changelings, and magic practitioners. Bones litter the ground, phantoms sneak about, spiders dwell in the treetops, and wanted criminals have settled into an isolated cabin to plot their misdeeds without fear of prying eyes. Young necromancers studying at Lionhead Mansion use the forest as a body farm to practice their ability to reanimate the dead. Witches and innocents that fled the witch trials have joined the rogue skinwalkers in the hope that their newfound magic could help them take dispose of their persecutors. It is an ideal place for an outcast to hide if they can learn the circle of life firsthand.

It is the Lachrymose Blood Forest where Michaela made the difficult decision to leave her past behind. The sight of bodies decomposing in the open repulsed her, but it was there where she paid a visit to a witch that, like herself, disappeared from the forest to escape from public scorn. She brewed an elixir for Michaela that would free her of a heavy burden, giving her the freedom to start a new, lonely life. One sip would cause Michaela irreversible pain and grief from its effects, but in a moment of vulnerability, she was convinced that it had to be done. Now she returns to the forest with Einsam and discovers that the bones and decaying bodies was the easy part of her hike. She witnesses students from a wizarding school being captured by a colossal eight-legged monster living in the trees. The limited power she acquired from Lionhead Mansion would do her no good if she were to cross paths with that creature and the dangers this forest shrouds. Novice necromancers and a snake whisperer were two things, but schoolchildren going missing has Einsam fearing that he too would be caught. Michaela could not have left her life behind only to lose one that now looks to her for guidance and love. As she hikes through the forest to find new resources that she might need, she and Einsam hear the terrified kids hiding in the tree trunks whisper, ‘Watch out for Arachne.’”

This time, help may not come to those who need it in Chapter 3 of Son of a Hustler's Book 1. Michaela will be expected to look out for herself if she and Einsam are to survive this hike.

Thank you for supporting the Heliotrope Journey series as always and have a good rest of the week.

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 1 month

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Good evening, vampire hunters.

It was Gelliewich’s lucky day when he stumbled across two pots of gold during a stroll through the highlands surrounding Galicia. Thinking that he hit the jackpot, he stuffs his pockets with the riches he could carry. But when there are lone pots of gold, there’s a huge chance a group of leprechauns have set up camp inches away because no one just leaves a cluster of gold coins free for the taking. Just as soon as Gelliewich filled his pockets, Pwcca stands behind him with his wand handy, threatening to take the optimist hostage. His group has cornered July and an earth mage fifteen minutes prior and though they’re putting up a good fight, a lone leprechaun has them outmatched. The mage’s novice sorcery could not topple his opponent’s aggressive slashes and wolf-like thrusts. Gelliewich smiles, arms himself with a gilded sword he brought with him, and knocks Pwcca to the ground. If there’s anything he loves more than riches beyond his wildest imagination, it’s a good fight. The earth mage, noticing that the battle gained a participant fighting for him in July, gets the confidence to launch a boulder the size of his fist at the leprechaun, bringing him to his knees. Pwcca stands up and raises his wand toward Gelliewich just as the mage ran to his side. It won’t be a short St. Patty’s Day battle, but have you ever known Gelliewich to complain? ;) Photo by Dmitrii Shirnin on Unsplash.

We’ve made some final changes to The Heliotrope Chronicles Book 1: Scars of the Past. The hub world has gotten an expansion to include interactions with Frederick’s compatriots and a new area to make room for a tribute to my late brother painted by my sister. These interactions may not spoil much of Episode 4, but it is recommended to play through the previous levels before exploring the new hub. Siegfried Croes has carved a handful of diamond-shaped gems for you to find in order to enrich your gaming experience. They’ve been previously added to Son of a Hustler Book 1 to challenge your platforming skills and we plan to add them in future updates to older installments. Photo by Jonathan Larson on Unsplash.

Hang on! We’re not finished with The Heliotrope Chronicles Book 1!

That’s correct. Frederick and co. still have much to do in Baudelaire City before they flee the country. Unfortunately, the game’s executable has become too big to fit the upcoming levels and as a result, it takes a while longer for it to run. To ensure that it won’t overload your PC’s memory, we decided to split The Heliotrope Chronicles Book 1 and larger installments currently in development into four-episode volumes. Volume I may have concluded and it ended on a good note, but there'll be plenty of time in Volume II give the Veiled Nocturne a swift kick in the rear.

Thank you for supporting the Heliotrope Journey series as always and we hope you enjoy this new hub. :)

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 2 months

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A Light in the Dark Times Ahead

Good evening, vampire hunters.

Just in time for Women's History Month, Episode 2 of Heliotrope Journey: Son of a Hustler is out now! As Michaela ventures deeper in Lionhead Mansion's paranormal-infested corridors, she encounters not a single boss enemy but two more in an attempt to locate Einsam, a child estranged from his father but for reasons she cannot put her finger on. Zahhak says he is a troublemaker skipping school, but Michaela's instincts argue different. Showing these bosses that she is no combatant to mess with will be the best step toward finding out which she should trust. Will you have the courage to see this ride? Photo by Caleb Maxwell on Unsplash. https://darkinfern0crystal1.itch.io/heliotrope-journey-son-of-a-hustler-book-1-acceptance-of-agony

The hub world in The Heliotrope Chronicles Book 1 Volume I will be given an update in the spring along with a new set of gems by Siegfried Croes to collect to encourage exploration. The game's hub will reflect the outcome of Episode 4 by featuring Frederick's teammates as NPCs as well as a garden in the castle ruins to immerse yourself with, celebrate the memory of the most powerful thing in the universe, and play ballads of emotional grievances that block the healing process. If you haven't played Chapter 4 already, be sure to catch up before this update goes live because these changes will spoil the ending of that episode. These sneaky-peekies of the hub world probably shouldn't. ;)

Thank you for supporting the Heliotrope Journey series as always and have a great week.

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 2 months

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Falling in Love with Danger

Good evening, vampire hunters.

Chubbo has baked some sweet-tasting doughnuts to scatter across a rose-covered section of the cherry blossom garden for adventurers craving a delectable pastry to find. A young preteen couple, Pierre and Gregor, that has sought time alone from prying eyes have taken notice of one stuck in a rose bush. They share just about any dish they find with each other, but one wasn't enough to savor so they decided that it wouldn't hurt to stay a little longer to find a plateful. KawaiiPixelArts has caught a glimpse of a few of the doughnuts hidden in the garden herself and joins in on the hunt both to teach the inexperienced couple how to detect the aggressive knights patrolling the section and replenish her own healing supplies. Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash.

Micheala's detour through Lionhead Mansion's ballroom to look for Einsam is anything but sweet and besides coping with a gut instinct that Zahak has ill intentions for him, being in a hall commonly used for parties brings her back to a time she got stood up at a theater. The ballroom is crawling with phantoms and bats and since her will to protect herself is greater than her frustration, extinguishing them might help her get it out of her system.

Likewise, designing this section of Chapter 2 brings me back to when I included her in my "A Series of Unfortunate Events" fanfic illustration that recreates The Marvelous Marriage. She was stood up at the theater where the play was performed, but ended up staying in the hope that Count Olaf's cringe acting would take her mind off her heartbreak. The illustration is obviously not canon, but before the events of Son of a Hustler, she was forsaken by her love interests twice. One never showed up to a theater where they'd promise to meet and the second drove her to fake her death and leave her life far behind. Her path would lead her to the mansion and eventually to Einsam. She hopes that protecting him will help her to find her purpose again. And you can guide her on that path as Son of a Hustler progresses.

Thank you for supporting the series as always and we hope March treats you well. :)

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 3 months

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Three for One Special in Son of a Hustler's Book 1 Episode 2

Good evening, vampire hunters.

Chapter 2 in Heliotrope Journey: Son of a Hustler Book 1 will feature not one, but three bosses. Two are miniature bosses Michaela encounters to acquire her first weapon enchanted by dark magic and save a magically gifted child’s life. This episode is more ambitious than I planned for it to be so we’ll need more time to produce it. Photo by Belper Unitarians on Unsplash.

These bosses have been added to set the mood for the game’s macabre theme, but more importantly, they’re to showcase Michaela as a driven heroine that chooses to stay alive to defend the weak. She has built a tolerance to death lurking around her and she was fine with the community she left behind thinking she’s dead, but it pains her more to see a child on the brink of it.

Thank you for supporting the Heliotrope Journey series as usual and have a great rest of your week!

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 3 months

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Cross a Fear in 2024

Good evening, vampire hunters.

A letter with Frederick’s handwriting was discovered by George Louis Pendragon in the lavender field outside Ellington. He looks at the sky for any sign of the sender only to be greeted by a blood moon. Photo by Martin Adams on Unsplash.

“Dear Thalia,

I have received your letter. It is burdensome to fathom that we’ll never see our brother again. Darkness swirls in our home and I cannot return soon, but I am writing to you so you’ll know I’m thinking of the family. I had thought for a few long hours on Christmas night that the town played a cruel joke and that Rajel was comatose. How could I be fooled into thinking he’d make it? He did boost repeatedly in his youth that he is the most powerful thing in the universe. So what force surpassed him? If it’s death, it’s too obvious of an answer because it would mean the mark he left on us would’ve died with him.

Rajel dwells in my thoughts daily. It’s comical how we went from keeping Esther up with our storytelling squabbles to him saving me from becoming one of the Zombie Queen’s servants in the palace overlooking Galicia. Who can forget him yelling to her, “You turned him into a zombie!!!” before drawing his frozen sword at her? He took a heavy beating, but he bought Eli time to feed me a potion to restore the blood flow in my tissues she killed. It goes to show that sometimes the most powerful thing in the universe needs a little help every now and then so why didn’t I see the danger that took him? I realized that too late when I saw him sitting on the couch in the basement and I ran over to hug him thinking that the news of his death was just a dream and that everything will be okay. When I touched him, his body was ice cold. His eyes were open, but he wasn’t moving. He was in no pain and I tried to get him to talk, but I soon to realize I was hugging a husk. It was the thought that he was alive that was just a dream and I awoke feeling empty. Everything’s never going to be okay again, but hearing back from you and knowing Eforie and Cody are with me helped me see that it doesn’t mean I am forced to face this alone.

Please give Esther my regards. It would help dry her tears knowing Rajel bequeathed me the love he was not embarrassed to show all who knew him. He represented the best in all of us and that alone is more powerful than a killing curse. We’re following the Rainbow Road to Ellington to buy lightstones to help protect you from the darkness threatening to infect the hearts of mankind. Death is in hot pursuit of the three of us, but we will fight knowing that the love Rajel left behind will not be wasted. Should you find my message, I will meet you in the Berninger Pub to deliver the lightstones. Find yourself a black cloak and sit at the table by the window. You’ll blend in by the candlelight, leaving you unbothered by prying patrons.

Love,

Frederick”

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 4 months

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Have You Seen These Gingerbread Men?

Good evening, vampire hunters.

It wasn’t much of a merry Christmas for my family, though the team and I still hope you are having a delightful, warm holiday season. We have not received Rachel Oates’s blessing this year so last year’s story has taken a different direction. Some gingerbread men from the village that she discovered with the girls have gone missing and Idyia volunteered to lead an expedition to find them in the frozen mountains. Ioana and Rachel stayed behind to speak with the old baker to learn more about his situation. Abner, one of the gingerbread men traveling with Idyia, is convinced that a vampiric ice sorceress calling herself Ijsivrou has taken them to ease her appetite temporarily before eyeing the human younglings in Dublin. The water mage scoffs off his claim as nonsense stating that an ice queen would have no hope of competing with Dracula strictly speaking. The party, assuming the expedition was going to be lenient, was in for a chilly welcome when three snow golems emerged from the ground and attacked them. With no fire weapons to counter the crystals being launched at them, Idyia and the party will have to make use of their reflexes and durability to turn the golems back to fluff. Photo by iuliu illes on Unsplash.

What old-school game does this room remind you of? :O

Thanks for playing the series as always and have a good weekend.

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 4 months

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Rest in Peace, Little Brother </3

Good evening, vampire hunters.

I typically don't share family matters here, but I have to be frank; my little brother passed away on Christmas Day. This goes without saying that the grief I'm feeling since that night is immeasurable.

Any current projects I finished will be posted this week as planned, but anything long-term I'm currently working on will be postponed or won't be discussed for a few weeks. I'll use this time to develop Heliotrope Journey: Son of a Hustler's second and third chapters. I will also touch-base with my artists on their next assignments and catch up with some writing/reading that I'm behind on.

My little brother was a loyal guy that clung to me in his childhood as I wrote my earliest stories and although we grew apart as he got older, that loyalty was still there. He surprised me by taking me out to see the Super Mario Bros. movie while it was still playing in theaters. As superficial it seemed at the time, I will miss that a ton. :(

On a dimly-lit note, Chapter 4 in The Heliotrope Chronicles Book 1 is available now for anyone who's been waiting for it. https://darkinfern0crystal1.itch.io/the-heliotrope-chronicles-book-1

Thanks for supporting the series and to everyone for your condolences.

Kind regards,

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heliotrope-journey · 5 months

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Giving Thanks to Longer Nights

Good evening, vampire hunters.

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was a cheerful feast for our heroes while it lasted. As the Veiled Nocturne grows in strength, the time to indulge is scarce. To literally warm Taner's and Idyia's hearts and curb a bit of their frostbite, July came by to serve cups of hot apple cider. Baudelaire City's teamaker normally spends her Thanksgivings at the inn, but she wanted to take a break from the ruckus the lodgers were causing during the celebration. She told them she was running low on fruit to brew the smoothies and tea they ordered. She didn't anticipate finding fresh fruit stocked in the cornucopia when she came to the area in Robert Forest. Surprised but delighted, July places some fruit in her basket with the comfort that her excuse was no lie after all.

Meanwhile, Frederick and Sidiyq Qadim are not out of the woods yet. Chapter 4 in The Heliotrope Chronicles Book 1 will be out this month and the boys are feeling chilly themselves. There's no hot apple cider nearby, but Sidyq knows just the dish that'll warm up Frederick's body just as effectively. What battle could have occurred in the ruins they stand in? Photo by Michael Brunner on Unsplash.

Merch for Eforie and a skeletal minion will be coming to Society6 over the holidays so keep an eye out for announcements regarding their release. Thank you for supporting the series as always and may this December raise your spirits.

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 5 months

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Darkness Continues to Loom After All Saints' Day

Good evening, vampire hunters.

The boys' hike to Baudelaire City in the twilight takes them through the alluring ruins where Frederick and Eforie found Clément looking around for scrolls in their childhoods. Our heroes were fortunate back then, but with only the full moon to illuminate the night sky, Frederick and his confidante, Sidiyq Qadim, must be ready to knock down any bat that lunges at them. Even the blink of an eye can leave an unsuspecting traveler with a bite mark on their neck. Many bites from vampire bats do not cause vampirism, but since they are under direct orders from Dracula to bequeath this curse to Frederick, it's hard to tell if the silhouette of a bat is a harmless. It's best for Stellaluna to say clear of their path for tonight. *shudders.*

Now fast-forward to Treyton's era and he's still dealing with the three solomonari-in-training vying to take Vlad the Impaler's place as the Dark Lord. He and his new friends have nearly lost the Philosopher's Stone to Hedi in last year's chapter. She is close to claiming it from the restrained Treyton and the vacant position will soon be hers. The boy's quiet defiance will not save him, but at this point, what can? Will this be the beginning of a new Dark Age? Read this year's chapter to find out. Photo by Jaakko Kemppainen on Unsplash.

Index of Treyton's All Saints' Day Quest for Readers That Aren't Caught Up;

Chapter 1 (2020), Chapter 2 (2021), Chapter 3 (2022)

Treyton swung his sword at three cherubs charging at him. The impact caused them to fly backwards and break in half upon colliding with a column. “Three less to worry about.” He turns around to see six more coming toward him. He throws an energy sphere at one and slices another three in half with his sword, though the remaining two dodged his attacks. Treyton aims his sword at them and takes a step back. Before he could strike, a third cherub grabbed his shirt from behind him. Treyton scarcely had time to react. The other two grabbed his arms immediately, delighting Hedi. “You made a bold mistake thinking you could survive that swarm and not break a sweat.” She approached him and pointed her dagger at his chest. “Last chance to fork over the stone before your bones turn to ashes.” Fearful for his life yet refusing to surrender, Treyton closed his eyes and said nothing. “So this is how it will end.” Hedi crossed her arms. “A starving boy too weak to continue. It’d be kind of me to leave you here for dead, but I wouldn’t have my stone.” She raises her dagger toward Treyton’s heart, but before she could stab him, brown, withered-colored vines materialized from the floor, tangling her up. A teenage girl with spiky hair and a purple pinafore dress dashed toward Treyton and sliced the cherubs restraining him in half. She helped the boy off the floor, gave Hedi a defiant glare, and enchanted the vines to cover her eyes. The girl quickly escorted Treyton back into the hallway. Hedi’s muffled screams filled the room as she struggled to cleave the vines from her body.

“The boys you were with ran into that room.” The purple-clothed girl told Treyton. “We can hide in here.” “We didn’t defeat her, though.” He sounded confused. “We can’t walk away until we kill our enemy.” “Slaying a novice solomonari is not as simple as it looks for an average vampire hunter.” The girl responded. “Catching her off-guard gave us a head start to flee. It didn’t guarantee your victory.” Treyton looked away from her and walked toward the door. The girl opened it for him, but without a word, he stepped inside the room. She followed him before closing the door behind her. Treyton was greeted by Mitica drinking from a golden chalice. Miron put his hand on his shoulder as if to comfort him from something painful. “What are you guys drinking?” Treyton looked cross. “Am I interrupting something?” Miron looked guilt-ridden while Mitica walked toward Treyton and gave him a long hug. “It’s just a Roy Rogers, kiddo.” He smiled. “I’m okay, but I’m glad you’re safe too. We thought that the witch killed you.” “So you decided to drink flavored soda from a fancy cup to numb the fact you’d miss me?” Treyton raised an eyebrow and lightly chuckled. “Yeah, pretty much.” Mitica smiled back at him. “That was the only cup I could find in the room. Treyton’s smile widened and pats his back. The embrace was interrupted by the sound of the purple-clothed girl locking the door.

“I’m sorry for coming out of the blue like this.” She said. “I couldn’t bear to see the solomonari-in-training shove her blade deep into the redhead boy’s heart.” “We were fine before.” Treyton gruffed. “Turning the cherubs into rubble is good exercise for me.” “I sure am glad one of us had fun in that chamber.” Mitica panted. “We should’ve known the solomonari would beat us to that chamber.” The purple-clothed hair girl tightened the lock and muttered a sentence in Enochian that caused it to vanish. The boys pointed their weapons at her, assuming she had trapped them in the altar room. “You’re alright.” She assured them. “I bought us time. A locked door will draw suspicion.” “Then I assume you know the way out.” Treyton curtly responded. “You aren’t lying, young man.” The purple-clothed girl took out a mahogany-colored pouch and approached the boys. “I’ve been exploring this chapel every opportunity I could get for centuries. But before I show you, you’ll need your strength should that wench and her schoolmates show their faces once more.” She held out her palm and shook her pouch. Three pieces of candy wrapped in red and yellow-striped paper fell into her hand. “Like one?” “I can’t eat sweets.” Miron solemnly told the girl. “The sugar might weaken my senses.” “I understand your discomfort. Don’t worry.” She handed the young vampire a piece. “They’re made with human blood. The taste is not ideal even for me, but some of us learn to make the best out of anything we can get our hands on.” She awkwardly smiles as Miron sucks on the piece. He slightly smiles back at her, but Treyton and Mitica made faces when they tasted theirs. Treyton was particularly disgusted by the taste. The girl lets out a relieved sigh. “That went well…” She mutters.

“Say, your manners are lacking.” Treyton continued making faces as he sucked on his piece. “You never told us your name.” “I can argue the same about your gratitude. You didn’t say thank you, but I’ll bite.” The girl frowns. “I’m Amanda, a harvest witch and candy extraordinaire. I can brew batches of chocolate that can give an eccentric top-hatted entrepreneur a run for his money. I can build a house to reel in unsuspecting kids like a drunkard hunter to a mug of beer. I can flavor cakes with herbs to change small children into animals to give them a better life. I have a lot of time on my hands, but the targets on your back have cut it short this year. You’re carrying a dangerous object that made these kids see fit to stalk you. Would you care to tell me why?” “The elixir of life curbs my friend’s blood lust without turning on an innocent life.” Mitica answered. “I keep a philosopher’s stone with me so I can keep brewing him that potion. He keeps his paranormal abilities without succumbing to his bestial urges.” “I’m surprised the elixir provides your vampiric companion that benefit.” Amanda examines the votive holders on the altar. “It’s only supposed to work on creatures that are still alive.” “At least, I don’t look like some skeletal-looking old man like mortals that abuse the elixir do.” Miron swallowed his piece. “To a creature of the night, it works just like ambrosia.” “How often would you need to drink it compared to a mortal?” Amanda takes a tall candle and shakes her head before putting it back. “Dusty old men need to drink it eight times a day.” Miron approached her. “If I’m not exposed to the sun, I need it just once a week.” “Anything to delay Azrael for another hour.” Amanda replied dismissively and took another candle.

Treyton looked at her curiously and approached her. “Do you rely on the elixir yourself?” He brashly asked her. “You’re young enough to be my older sister and you implied you know every nook and cranny of the chapel after centuries of looking around. Why aren’t you a walking skeleton?” Amanda looked more annoyed at Treyton than she did when she handed him his candy. “If you’re going to be a son of a bitch to me, I won’t save your skin next time the solomonaris-in-training have you at their mercy.” She glanced at him. “I didn’t have to get involved! I care about people and the world. I’m only allowed one month a year up here and this is how you tell me you’re grateful? It’s like you were raised by priests.” She turned back around and put the candle back. Treyton got up, but Mitica put his hand on his chest to indicate that he said enough. “If you’re the only one that can help us, we’ll keep him from doing and saying anything brash.” He told Amanda. She closed her eyes, put the candle back, and took one at the top to examine it. “I have little patience to dwell on it, kid.” She touched the flame with her top finger. “The solomonaris-in-training will exploit these heated emotions when they get the chance to divide us. Anyone that worships the Dark Lord can understand that once they know what breaks us, they can use that piece to make us do anything they ask.” Amanda shakes her head and puts the candle back. “Some vampire hunters work alone to curb their worldly attachments. Without a heart, they can slay creatures of the night more effectively.” “Okay, we know you’ve been through something horrible.” Miron sounded uncomfortable at the thought of being alone. “We won’t pry, but know we’re with you for the remainder of the time you have left for the year.” He approached Amanda and looked at the votive holders himself. “Thank you.” She said with a hint of hurt in her tone.

“Alright, I’m sorry.” Treyton groaned. “Forget I said anything.” “It doesn’t work that way, but it’s whatever.” Amanda took a candle in a votive holder on her left. Treyton breathed his nose and sat on a broken column. “I just want to know what you’re doing here now.”

“I came to Teodosie to replenish my supply of ingredients to make more pieces of that blood-flavored candy, but when I left the farmer’s market, I saw the students chasing the two of you and I wondered why they were permitted to leave the school before their graduation.” Amanda takes an orange-colored candle from a votive holder. “I followed you without becoming a target myself, but since I intervened, that’s no longer possible. They’re going to hunt for me too and request Satan to revoke my stay here.” “So why is our predicament with the Solomonaris your business?” Mitica asks Amanda as he holds his hand out for another piece. “If it’s true that the Veiled Nocturne is actively looking for new leaders,” she answers. “It could mean they’re preparing for war. The Philosopher’s Stone will make whoever wields it impervious to old age and disease.” “We could still kill them, though.” Treyton clenched his fists. “Immortal or not, I’ll be the one to deliver it.” Amanda looks at him solemnly and then at the sorcerer’s stone in Mitica’s possession. “It’s true that the elixir does not grant its drinker invincibility and their bodies physically weaken as they age. Even if you send the students to hell, the Scholomance will select more candidates.” She sighed. “You will be hunted for life as long as the Philosopher’s Stone is in your possession. Crushing it to dust will ensure your safety.” “No, we can’t do that!” Mitica shouted. “Without the stone, my friend will turn into a bloodthirsty killer and I would only be prey to him.” Miron continues to look and feel uncomfortable. He takes a candle from the holder in a tight space that touched the wall and everyone heard the noise of bricks crumbling. “What is happening!?” Amanda panicked. “They’re closing in! We got to find a chest to hide in!!!” She gets inside a wooden trunk with the boys. Treyton, however, stands still. He watches as the wall behind the altar fell apart and pile up on the floor. The hole it made revealed a long, dark hallway glistened by dark blue crystal chandeliers that hang from the ceiling.

“We won’t have to hide.” He puts his hands in his pockets. “I think it might be a way out.” “Do you recognize this tunnel, Amanda?” Miron asked her when he stepped out of the trunk. “Do you trust it?” She closed her eyes and nodded. “I was looking for the candle needed to open it so yes.” She finally answered. “It will bring us to a fjord six miles from Teodosie. I can’t guarantee we can avoid the solomonaris-in-training when or if we reach the end, but they will have to return to the school. They can’t chase us continuously.” “Why do I get the feeling they won’t be the only danger we’ll be facing?” Treyton takes a candle from the votive holder to provide him with additional light. “You won’t be wrong, kid.” Amanda cautioned him. Two glowing armblades comprised of vines materialize from her back hands. “If you still have your sword, now would be a good time to arm yourself.” Treyton nodded and pulled out his sword. “These crystals contain an abundance of self-sustaining light magic. These will be useful if we encounter the solomonaris-in-training again. Why don’t you collect a few to enhance your sword?” “There won’t be much of that light if I take them from the chandeliers.” Treyton said. “I’ll have better luck searching the chests and the Beleuchten Drones.” “The mention of the presence of drones in the hallway is interesting.” Amanda softly smiled. “They have a tendency to blend in with the crystals in the chandeliers. I’d try looking up every minute. Drones are highly aggressive elementals that will attack the if you’re anywhere near them. Hesitate and you’ll go blind.” Treyton chuckled and looked at Amanda. “Don’t worry, my eyes will be just fine.” He smiled as well. “I just noticed your manners are lacking too.” Amanda walked ahead. “You never told me your name after I told you mine.” “It’s Treyton.” He followed her. “Is all forgiven between us?” “I’ll let you know when you get there.” Amanda turned around. “You didn’t think that your promise to take my advice will absolve you from calling me a walking skeleton, do you?” “We’ll be leaving two of them behind.” Treyton sighed through his nose. “Remember one of them has the Philosopher’s Stone.” Amanda noticed that only Miron was rushing toward her and Treyton when they stepped into the hallway. “Is your friend coming along?” She asked him. “He’s feeling a bit chilly so I took a moment to search for a drape in one of the trunks.” “You’re a good vampire.” Amanda reassured him. “And don’t feel bad about him calling you a bloodthirsty killer. I’ve known quite a few that retained their humanities without the stone.” “It’s not that I’m worried about, but it’s best not to think about it now.” Miron looked toward Mitica. “The solomonari bitch might have heard the bricks falling. I can’t wait any longer.” “That’s good to hear, Miron.” Treyton shrugged with a smile. “We were just about to explore that hallway. Come on.” Miron followed him and Amanda down the hallway. Mitica shivered and covered his body in the drape Miron handed him. He touched the back of his hand to warm his hand up for a bit and proceed to follow his friends down the hallway. Newly craved bricks materialized from the ground and covered the hole. The altar room was empty once more.

Thank you for playing the games and supporting the series as always. We'll be back later this week for a Thanksgiving update. :)

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 6 months

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The Return of an Old Friend

Good evening, vampire hunters.

The development of Chapter 4 for The Heliotrope Chronicles Book 1 and planning out Son of a Hustler's Chapter 2 has kept our hands full, but we have time to share sneak peeks of what perils await Frederick and Sidiyq Qadim as the sun finally sets. Hiking into dangerous territory is heart-thumping, but exciting. How can one overcome fear if they don't confront what scares them more? ^_^

, I am relieved to reintroduce and redesign a couple of Halloween-themed characters from a long-term project I had to scrap, Amanda and Jackie. Amanda was concepted as a punk Dorothy Gale living in an alternate dimension that can only be visited by outsiders in October, a time of year that bridges the human and spirit worlds. She's a loner that occupies her time with reading and experimenting with recipes to concoct candy to provide visitors that visit her family's manor house. Jackie is her wise-cracking sentient jack o' lantern that keeps her company. Although his attitude gets on Amanda's nerve, they ultimately look out for another and she considers him the only family she has.

To keep her lore consistent with the Heliotrope Journey series, Amanda is now a condemned witch that was transformed into a demon in the afterlife when her punishers noticed that the torture they put her through had no effect on her other than strengthening her magic. She is able to return to her old self for one month a year. It was a luxury she enjoyed in the first year she was allowed back in the land of the living, but over time, she did not recognize the world she used to live in, leaving her feeling lonely. To deal with that empty feeling, she infused a pumpkin with a damned soul to create Jackie. It was not enough for her because she wanted more people to talk to and creatures to befriend. She crafted a village* and forged bodies from The Inferno's flora to give the damned a chance to be absolved of their sins.

Amanda then enchanted the village to materialize with her in the land of the living for the same length of time she is allowed there. Amanda took up a new hobby; she would travel to a nearby town to pick up ingredients to make candy using a recipe book that was in her family for twelve generations. One day, an oblivious group of six children came to Amanda's doorstep and yelled, "Trick-or-treat!!!" Delighted to have humans to talk to for the first time in centuries, Amanda smiled and handed them one piece of cherry-flavored hard candy each. She asked them, "Would you like to see a trick anyway? I'll give you more treats." The children excitedly nodded and Amanda hover her hand above the ground. She waved it slightly and small trees bearing creamy-colored apples materialized beneath her hand. The kids grabbed an apple and took a huge bite. They tasted like caramel mixed with honey.

Wanting the kids to hold onto the same kind of happiness she felt upon seeing their faces, she told them to take as many as they like for she could always conjure up more trees for the next group that visits her. Amanda was fortunate that the children lived in a Conifers Kingdom village and even more so her village grew to be a popular attraction for adventurers waiting to taste her sweets and pick up powerful nature-based weapons to aid them against Dracula's forces. A vampire hunter wielding a sword forged from The Inferno is bound to put even a threatening Veiled Nocturne occultist in their place. Though Amanda will always be sad to return to her true demonic form every November 2nd, the friendships she made and the inhabitants she created helped her achieve happiness. With her life having purpose again, Amanda now feels she is never alone. Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.

Time-permitting, a continuation of Treyton's All Saints' Day misadventure could be out either this weekend or the next.

Happy Halloween!

Sincerely,

*don't ask where the lumber she used to build the cabins came from.

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heliotrope-journey · 6 months

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Not Out of the Woods Yet

Good evening, vampire hunters.

Chapter 2 for The Flower That Blooms in Red (Westley’s Version) is out now. Eforie takes a stroll around the sky garden herself to search for her lost parasol. As she looks around, she notices that the dryads tending to the flora are not welcoming to outsiders and will swarm if she hesitates for a few moments. Defenseless and afraid, Eforie will have to rely on her wits to evade the wrathful, spear-wielding nymphs. Will she be able to reclaim her parasol before personally finding out what the dryads do with trespassers? Remember to download the executable labeled (Version 2) to access this episode. Sunset Photo by Davies Designs Studio on Unsplash. https://darkinfern0crystal1.itch.io/the-flower-that-blooms-in-red-westleys-version

The Let’s Play video for Chapter 3 in The Heliotrope Chronicles is now on my YouTube channel to showcase Joy Luna’s first contribution to the series and the in-game debut of our lead artist, Sidiyq Qadim.

youtube

A few grammatical errors were caught while recording, but although they are still visible in this playthrough, they have since been fixed in the updated executable. Look for Version 3.5 in the itch.io page. The following changes were also added to the game;

Two rooms, July, and one other traveler were added to the hub world to reflect the events following this episode. Chatting with the aforementioned NPCs hint at what might await Frederick and co. once they arrive in Baudelaire City.

Sidiyq Qadim now follows Frederick around the hub world. Their starting location has been moved to make room for one of the new NPCs.

Eforie is no longer playable in the hub world, but she can be interacted with in the room where the grimoire is found.

The Chapter 4 button is added to the grimoire, but the level is locked for it is still in development. Clicking on it anyway will cause Sidiyq Qadim to remind you that he needs some more time to gather supplies before heading out.

A mysterious weapon pulsing with dark magic can be found in one of the new rooms. It is part of the Domonique set forged by Cronix and was added to foreshadow a story arc focusing on its origins. (release date TBD)

Thank you for playing The Heliotrope Journey series as always and we hope you have a splendid weekend. :)

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 7 months

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Saturday Throwback while Dodging Dryads

Good evening, vampire hunters.

The air grows cooler, strengthening monsters and evil warlocks alike. And what better way to combat them both than the durable Frederick and the blunt Michaela fighting by your side? New products with updated artwork of them are now available for purchase on Society6. Updated artwork of Eforie and new Halloween-themed characters as promised last year will follow. To arms!

https://society6.com/product/frederick-at-25-years-of-age_wall-hanging

https://society6.com/product/michaela-at-27-years-of-age_iphone-card-case

Chapter 2 in The Flower That Blooms in Red (Westley's Version) will be out in a few days. All we need to do now is make sure the dryads behave themselves, but we can't promise they'll let Eforie go without chasing her. Remember she is unarmed in this level so it'll take a bit of patience before she reaches her parasol. Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash.

Fun fact: The scene depicted above is a re-telling of a funny part in the original Autodesk Maya that was never recorded. In the original teacher, a woman based off of my English teacher in senior year reprimanded a couple of teenage troublemakers not to stress out her pregnant friend. The woman stomped on the ground so hard that the vibrations caused a nearby log to fall off and create a bridge for the female lead to cross. This, in turn, was based off a funny story this teacher told about another back when she was pregnant. I was a teen angst storyteller. 😂

Thank you for playing as always and have an amazing rest of your weekend.

Sincerely,

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heliotrope-journey · 8 months

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Finding a Dimming Guiding Light

Good evening, vampire hunters.

This section of the sky garden is now looking lively with a loadbearing column from KawaiiPixelArts, but remember not to occupy too much of your time sightseeing. Better have a sharp object with you just in case.

This September in Heliotrope Journey lore marks Michaela’s decision to give up the life she had and go on the run. If you haven’t played the first episode of Son of a Hustler yet, there’s still time to catch up before we touch on the next chapter.

Formerly employed as a Grade 7-12 English teacher that taught for a year, Michaela thought she had her life figured out; the job pays well, her imaginative approaches in her lessons captivate both student and staff alike, and she's dating a single father of her star pupil. So where did it all go wrong? How is she at rock bottom? Three weeks into the 2023-2024 school year, a scandalous brawl occurred in the library where Michaela tutored her lover’s son and the next day, she was called to the principal’s office moments before she entered her classroom. It didn’t take long for her to figure out why when she caught a glimpse of a Massachusetts state police car in the parking lot. Her lover and an officer were speaking to each other in front of the vehicle and Michaela gasped. She dropped her folders on the floor and quietly left the school through the back door. Eyewitnesses in Amelie last saw her walking past an apple orchard and into the forest, never to be seen again.

Michaela hiked for what felt everlasting. She was hungry and her fingers were growing cold as she saw less of the sun. She couldn’t just rest nor could she keep wearing her clothes. She got out an arrowhead knife she took with her and trimmed her hair in the shape of a bob cut. Michaela dressed a rotting body in her clothes and pushed it down a smaller river leading to the Housatonic in case anyone is still looking for her. She discovered a cluster of corpses left out in the open the second she turned around. Repulsed by the sight, she nearly gagged, but she held her breath and disrobed the bodies. She washed their clothes in the river before putting them on. Though still famished, Michaela felt warmer. Maybe it’s the thought of being forgotten that eased her troubles for now. She felt brand new and she could certainly find a home in another town, but it needed to be far. Where could she go? How should she know? What matters to her is that she must go as far away from her old life as possible. She stumbled across Lionhead Mansion after finding a field bathed in a twilight glow. She could see there were a few cars in the dirt road behind the old building, but none that she recognized.

Michaela made her way past the destroyed dining hall that once hosted a graduation party and opened the front door. She paid what little money she had left to stay the night and went upstairs to locate her room. It seemed odd that the front desk lacked a means for customers to pay with their cards, but she did not give it much thought. To use her credit card would draw unwanted attention and from now on, she would have to scavenge for money. She reached her room and jumped on her bed fully clothed. Subconsciously, Michaela thought of her brother, her parents, the man that used his son to string her along, and how the school administration is reacting to her disappearance. Her heart ached, but she could not cry. She could not feel sorry for the people that believe her dead. They hurt her after all. It’s better to save them the trouble of seeing her suffer for their amusement. The sound of a great horned owl hooting and the blustery wind sent her into a deep sleep. Michaela felt alone in her dreams at last. She wanted to keep it that way, but a vampire that entered her room and slammed the door behind him denied her that peace. She killed that beast in human form before he satisfied his bloodlust. Michaela realized that she cannot make it to morning. If she continued to lay in bed, another probably will kill her. She grabbed her arrowhead knife and left the room, marking a beginning of a nightmare she will never wake up from. Son of a Hustler’s Book 1: Agony of Acceptance is about coming to terms with the realization that when you really, really mess up, nothing can be done to take it back, yet you still have to go on because you won’t learn your lesson if you let that mistake define you. Sometimes that means saying goodbye to lifelong friends and giving up a career path entirely in favor of another. Crossing paths with Einsam for the first time teaches Michaela that it’s never too late to start over. She’s too stoic and malefic to care if she takes a life, but she’s not above self-awareness when she’s looking out for him.

Updates to merchandise featuring her and Frederick will be released over the weekend on my Society6 store. Thank you for supporting the series as always and have a great week. :)

Sincerely,

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