Character & Story Telling

Tilia has been the guardian of this world for as long as she can remember. Their primary duty is to escort the dying souls to the afterlife, but they have taken it upon themself to save these souls. For every lost soul they couldn't save, a new flower manifests on them, representing their inability to save them. As Tilia couldn't let go, these souls are trapped in the limbo-like realm, causing unrest.

Details

Project:

Tools:

Team:

Coaches:

Time:

Context:

maquette

freehand drawing, Super Sculpey

solo-project

Prof. Susanne Brandhorst

2022 - January 2022 - February 2022

1st semester project, sculpting a 3rd person action-adventure player character - theme: dreamwalker

The Character

Story:

Papaver is going to die. Tilia's task is to facilitate a safe and pleasant journey for them through the limbo-like void to the afterlife. The question is whether Tilia will allow it or stand in their way?

The players progress as Tilia, together with Papaver, through the world. They must overcome the bizarre terrain, and one of Tilia's strengths lies in manipulating the terrain by moving heavy objects or shattering obstacles with a headbutt. Papaver, on the other hand, is better at executing precise actions or reaching places that are too big or heavy for Tilia.

During their journey, they encounter 12 shadowy beings that wreak havoc in the world. Tilia must confront these shadows of the past and discovers a person resembling herself within them. However, Tilia is not alone and receives support from Papaver. Together, they can release the beings, which are bound souls, into the afterlife through a ritualistic battle.

The players don't have to confront the beings, but this affects the course of Tilia's fate and her feelings towards decisions.

For freeing each being, a blossom from Tilia disappears, making her emotionally and physically more resolute and stronger. The more blossoms she has left for the finale, the weaker she becomes. Additionally, she obtains memory items corresponding to the souls to take home.

0 beings freed: Finale changes - Papaver must fight against Tilia.
Tragic Ending - Tilia is consumed by the poppy and transforms into a poppy tree in the end. A nut falls from the tree, from which a new Guardian is born.

1-11 beings freed: weaker, takes longer to decide + Finale becomes tougher. Melancholic Ending - helps the new souls but is ultimately lonely.

12 beings freed: special support item in the finale.
Happy Ending - is at peace and joyfully helps.

"I won't let you end up like the others..."

"Please! Why can't you understand that I want to protect you?"

"I only wanted to give you a peaceful life after all you've been through. Why couldn't you stay with me?"

"Is that me? What is this creature... inside of you?"

"It's my fault... I can't let go of you, and now you're trapped here, without consciousness and in rage. I'm sorry."

"Are you really sure it's okay for you? No one knows what awaits you."

"Okay... I'll let go now, be redeemed and good luck."

"You will always have a place in my garden."

Game:

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work playlist for the game feel

inspiration from krampus and similar creatures

Post Mortem

This project introduced me to independent work and the concept of timeboxing. The atmosphere was very pleasant as each person had their own project, but we could all work together in the same space, exchanging ideas and supporting each other.

During a burning process, my maquette fell and suffered significant damage towards the end. However, I saw it as a happy little accident because I could incorporate these mistakes into the character's story.

I also enjoyed working on a character, breathing life into them, and feeling their world. This was one of the reasons why I now play D&D, where I further develop these skills in my free time.