Solarstream
It's all in the cards
- Location
- Zombie World
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] You're right! I won't let you off the hook until you paint a portrait of me! (Big Lie)
So You've Become a Villainess: an (Otome) Isekai Raising Project
- Thread starter FourthWall
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
kinigget
Best Demon
- Location
- People's Republic of Portland
Fourthwall once again showing me things I never knew I needed in my life
"Grindhouse Bakarina" indeed
Anyway, vote
[X] If you'd like to make it up to me, maybe you can teach me how to paint like you do?
Seems the type to be intensely suspicious if we don't do something to him, and hey, it's another source of training
"Grindhouse Bakarina" indeed
Anyway, vote
[X] If you'd like to make it up to me, maybe you can teach me how to paint like you do?
Seems the type to be intensely suspicious if we don't do something to him, and hey, it's another source of training
- Location
- USA
[X] If you'd like to make it up to me, maybe you can teach me how to paint like you do?
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
I'm a fan of Otome Isekai manga and this one looks even more over the top than most of those, I love it.
[X] If you'd like to make it up to me, maybe you can teach me how to paint like you do?
[X] If you'd like to make it up to me, maybe you can teach me how to paint like you do?
The Joy of Villainess
FourthWall
Love & Destroy
- Location
- Chiraq
Guess what I got for Black Friday? The will to
***
[Continue from last save?]
>YES
NO
Loading... ... ...
Ready?
Run!
***
[Continue from last save?]
>YES
NO
Loading... ... ...
Ready?
Run!
***
You contemplate on what to do. Lucciano wasn't really the kind of character you liked in the main game. Honesty, you kinda forgot he was in the game until your rush of brains to the head and/or PTSD flashback.
He seems pretty wibbly, you might be able to bumrush him into focusing on painting you. If he equates you with stuff he likes he might be less likely to kill you in the future!
<Flashy> "Perfect! We'll have him paint us like one of those French girls, dahling."
<Drunk!Sensible> "Let's *urp* not. What if he gets all weird and manic and....y'know?"
You try to figure out the y'know your sauced up conscience thinks you know. You kinda got some creepy obessive, yandere vibes from his older self, maybe? That's what all his fic tended to be, if it wasn't hurt/comfort with Valentine or Prince Alteisen for some reason. In any case, you want to keep yandereness as far away from your current self as possible.
Or any version of yourself, really. Leave that stuff in the depths of the slash tag on S03.
So you're not going to give him the Grace treatment.
<Drunk!Sensible> "Yay!"
Or get him to paint you.
<Flashy> "Fooey!"
You think about waving it off, but you worry he won't let it go that easily. He still seems pretty shaken up about it, enough that your enchanted locks undulate with concern. So that just leaves the one option.
"Hey," you say, getting his attention. "If you really want to make it up to me, why not help me learn to paint like you?" You put a hand on your hip and give him an easy smile.
He squints at you, confused. You can almost hear the gears turning in his head.
<Brainy> "Deep thought might not be this one's strong suit."
<Drunk!Sensible> "Prob-*hic* Prob'ly looking for a way out."
<Emo> "Or a way through us..."
<Sporty> "Whoa! You're still all ghostly and stuff!"
He blinks once, slowly. Then two more. Then three in quick succession. He rubs his eyes with the back of his forearm.
He asks, "You want to learn from me, milady?"
Your smile gets broader. "Well, Teach is gone and you're the only other painter here, sooooo-"
He shies away. "I've never taught anyone before..."
"Gotta start somewhere, right?"
He shivers. "B-but if I displeased milady, it would be a black mark on not just milady's precious time, but on both our houses."
You rap yourself in the temple. "Ever since the accident, I've been pretty hard to displease."
He smiles at you, there's a rakish tilt to it. "Mayhaps Sophia blessed you with temperance and kindness when your soul was between worlds." He suddenly panics and bites his tongue. "N-N-not like you weren't infinitely kind and even-tempered before, Lady Augustus!"
You guffaw so hard it needs a power stance. "If that was kind I guess I'm a saint now."
There's an impish cast to Lucciano's features now. "It would be impious of me to turn down the request of a saint, n-now wouldn't it?"
"Exactly!" You head back to your spot, effortlessly lift your easel and canvas onto your shoulder, and plop it right next to Lucciano's.
***
Understanding Lucciano's instructions: Medium Artsy check: DC 10
3, 6 +2 = 11
Check success! +2 Artsy, -1 Sensible
***
Understanding Lucciano's instructions: Medium Artsy check: DC 10
3, 6 +2 = 11
Check success! +2 Artsy, -1 Sensible
***
Your art session goes pretty well. At first Lucciano bombarded you with art terms and 5000 Yen words you barely understood, but once he came down from his manic, you're-the-first-person-my-age-to-listen high, he explained things in a way even you could understand.
There was a lot of onomotopoeia, since the depths of his skill came from instinct, but you got that. You explained your running and fighting form with a lot of wooshes and bangs back in the real world, to the exasperation of Chiaki. The words of the heart are hard to say with your mouth, you know?
As you watch Lucciano paint, explain what he did, then get flustered and guide your hands to make the proper strokes, you feel a strange sort of kinship with the boy. He felt like a genius. Not the kind of thinky genius Chiaki is, but the kind of genius coaches and salty competitors said you were.
<Drunk!Sensible> "...I'm sensing a pattern here."
You're noticing a pattern here. It doesn't make a lot of sense, given how cool Justine is, but it's a pattern all the same.
Grace was surrounded by all these talents and crushed the spirits of every single one in childhood. It's easy to stand unrivaled when you cut the legs out from everyone else.
<Sporty> "Bruh, that suuuucks!"
<Drunk!Sensible> "We're, I mean Grace, was a villainess for a reason. Gotta be a real *hic* shitass to have so many bad ends, y'know?"
"...Are my lessons displeasing you, milady? You've been spacing out." Lucciano still has his tender hands clasped against your painting hand.
You blink and smile blandly at him. "Whuh? Oh, I think all the new knowledge made my brain leak out of my ears a little."
He bolts for a healer before you can tell him it was a joke, but you're able to run him down before he finds one.
***
Artsy Psychegraph Level Up!
<Artsy> "Art...is an explosion!"
***
Artsy Psychegraph Level Up!
<Artsy> "Art...is an explosion!"
***
Your weekend starts with the sound of trumpets. You leap out of your bed and onto the ceiling, your enchanted hair latching you gecko-style along the support beams.
"Young Mistress, you don't have to be a monkey girl all the time," Chiaki says, dressed in her travelling wear. She has the enchanted cloak you made for her, the forest green clashes against her maid's black and white.
You swing your legs over the support beams and hang upside down. "Yeah, but I wanna."
Chiaki giggles as she makes up your bed. "If you must, get it out of your system now. People might gossip if you act in such a manner in the retinue of Lady Claudius."
You fall off the beam, your hair and your bed cushion the impact. "Wait what?"
"Today is the day we go into the city for your bethrotal ceremony, Young Mistress. Don't forget to choose an attaché to accompany you...besides me, of course."
Your hair wraps around to hug you. "Aww man, plot stuff..."
***
[Weekend Activity locked!]
***
[Weekend Activity locked!]
***
[Who do you bring with you as your attaché?]
[ ] Bridgette Alteisen
[ ] Camille Asuka
[ ] Tanya Schwartzwald
[ ] Lucciano Morningstar
***
NAME
Kid A Grace Claudius, Age 12
AVATAR GRADES
Brainy: Average (+3)
Artsy: Average (+3)
Flashy: Great (+4)
Sporty: Great (+4)
Sensible: Great (+4)
ACTUALIZATION SCORES
BRN 45 ART 41 FLA 56 SPO 93 SEN 53
STRESS 39
DESTRUDO LEVEL
Normal
PRE-CAPTURE ROUTES
Camille Asuka
Bridgette Alteisen
AVATAR GRADES
Brainy: Average (+3)
Artsy: Average (+3)
Flashy: Great (+4)
Sporty: Great (+4)
Sensible: Great (+4)
ACTUALIZATION SCORES
BRN 45 ART 41 FLA 56 SPO 93 SEN 53
STRESS 39
DESTRUDO LEVEL
Normal
PRE-CAPTURE ROUTES
Camille Asuka
Bridgette Alteisen
Last edited:
"but"
Hi,
[X] Bridgette Alteisen
Voting for this more on impulse than anything else, although I suspect the Prince might bring her along anyway if we don't.
...I'm gonna have to re-read a bunch of this because I do not remember who ANY of these options are.
FourthWall
Love & Destroy
- Location
- Chiraq
Bridgette: Prince's pugilistic little sister. Platonic ideal of tomboy. Might have a fight-crush on our protagonist
Camille: Minor noble. Earnest swordy femboy: kills August in a Bad End. Might also have a fight-crush on our protagonist.
Tanya: Minor noble. Tiny, cranky Alchemist. Protagonist thinks she gets bullied by people other than Grace. Set the entire Claudius estate on fire in a Bad End.
Lucciano: Mid-ranking noble. Awkward art nerd with a manic streak. Turned into a vampire and bled Grace out in a Bad End.
Last edited:
Astra Myst
Do you want a wish?
- Location
- Milky Way Galaxy
[X] Bridgette Alteisen
Aeos
Lurker of Forums, Writer of None
- Location
- Somewhere in Asia
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I'm hovering between Tanya and Camille, Bridgette and maybe Lucciano would be there either way by proxy, but my gut feeling is pointing towards Tanya just because I assume the people that probably bully her would back off a bit if they see her with Grace.
[X] Tanya Schwartzwald
[X] Tanya Schwartzwald
- Location
- Philippines
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Tanya Schwartzwald
Eternal_0bserver
(Unverified Bookworm)
- Location
- Earth, Northern Europe
[X] Bridgette Alteisen
- Location
- New York
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Tanya Schwartzwald
If Camille and Bridgette are long term romance options then Tanya should be a new best friend.
If Camille and Bridgette are long term romance options then Tanya should be a new best friend.
We already know we need to befriend the boys, but a female confidant seems nice.
Bridgette: Prince's pugilistic little sister. Platonic ideal of tomboy. Might have a fight-crush on our protagonist. I'm interested to interact with her more after the fight. Considering she fought us to prove our worth to marry her brother, her arriving with us would be amusing.
Tanya: Minor noble. Tiny, cranky Alchemist. Protagonist thinks she gets bullied by people other than Grace. Set the entire Claudius estate on fire in a Bad End.
The littlest revolutionary being brought into the heights of Royal Authority. Will be hilarious to read.
[X] Tanya Schwartzwald
In case it'll inform choices I've written a few omakes and info posts that were approved by the QM:
First up one about Tanya.
The newest Revolutionary Fashion.
"Test Number 7!" Tanya calls out as she takes out a small single-shot pistol and fires it at the light blue dress on the mannequin in front of her.
You cover your ears, and there's a bang, a bright flash and the unpleasant sharp odor of gunpowder. You wave your hand in front of you trying to clear the air, as the black powder in use in the country means there's plenty of smoke too.
The mad alchemist has already discarded the gun and is examining the dress for damage. "External skirt is ragged," she observes, holding the ripped skirt. She pokes her finger through the hole and withdraws the round bullet. "But inner layers held up."
She nods approvingly.
Taking you up on your suggestion of granting her an enchanted dress to help protect her in her various tests, Tanya had taken a sample dress from you to do some exhaustive testing of it. She'd started with more mundane checks like examining flame resilience and how well it held up to shrapnel and stabbing. You winced a little seeing how damaged the dress was beginning to look, but you supposed it was far better for it to look under the weather provided the wearer was fine.
At this point, you thought she was already satisfied and was really just pushing the dress till it failed outright. You looked up in alarm as she took out a full-on flintlock gun aiming it at the dress, and took several feet back. You thought your dress would protect you even if anything went wrong, but that assumed she hadn't come up with some type of stronger gunpowder that might strain the barrel to bursting.
"Test Number 8! There was an even louder bang this time, and you saw Tanya twinging her shoulder where she had braced the firearm up against it. You felt yourself take in a breath as you noticed the hole lined up right next to her first shot. It wasn't like you were all that many yards away, but it unnerved you a bit to see that even at this point your would-be-recruit had such accuracy. It definitely feels like the dress's magics were stressed, as a large part of it was blackened and sooted in a way that even lighting it on fire hadn't managed.
Tanya digs through the gown, having to reach much further in to retrieve the bullet, which she holds up with an impressed look. "Greater damage evident, most of the skirts failed but caught this on the inner layer right next to the skin. There'd be severe bruising but no permanent damage."
It was somewhat relieving to know your enchanted gowns, even if they weren't proper battle dresses, would hold up that way. More so that Tanya wouldn't have you within her firing line.
"Satisfied Tanya?" You ask confidently, as if you expected such a result all along.
"Quite so, you've certainly kept up your side of the bargain," she concedes. "As agreed I'll formalize my alignment with you by wearing the outfits you've prepared."
You gesture, and August appears by your side, with a pristine version of the dress Tanya destructively tested.
"Since when have you been there?" Tanya asked, crossing her arms.
"When Young Mistress summoned me," Chiaki says mysteriously. The alchemist arched an eyebrow, but your servant said nothing else. She was certainly enjoying playing up the 'ninja maid' archetype.
"Fine, fine let's get it over with." Tanya sighed dismissing the matter.
With your friend's assistance, the brunette is able to change into the unfamiliar garment, clearly unused to something so fancy. You'd decided to give Tanya a gown as frilly and poofy as one of your own. All the better to maximize the protective qualities of it you'd told her, but really you thought she looked quite cute in it. Her normally plain features and lanky figure look much softer and more feminine in it. And of course, adding more volume to fit in additional comfort enchantments.
"Tanya Schwartzwald has known only hardship and misery in her life," Chiaki had informed you. "After her local lord had raised taxes to the point it impoverished her village, a particularly harsh winter when she was nine resulted in most of her family dying."
"The local lord later died under mysterious conditions resulting from an unexpected fire, that the forums think Tanya had a hand in. While focused on revenge and realizing her vision of justice, she lives an ascetic life, only purchasing for herself what she needs to survive."
"In the game, the Heroine wins her over by giving her some chocolate the crown prince bought for her, and by buying her a new dress after hers was ruined by Grace Claudius. Having never experienced such luxuries, Tanya was overcome by them and quickly won over."
"Since Young Mistress has decided to recruit her, I'd recommend a similar tactic. Since you've decided to gift her a gown, ensure it's extremely comfortable and soft." Was your friend's advice.
As Grace finished up, Tanya began to run her hands down the gown with a surprised but pleased expression. "It's so soft," she murmured disbelievingly.
"Comfortable isn't it?" You observe moving closer.
"Very, sinfully almost," the mad scientist agreed. "What is this even made out of, silk?"
"A special magical variant yes, wonderful isn't it?" You answer, drawing your net in.
"Yes, wonderful," Tanya repeats back. As Chiaki said, luxury and softness are surprising her. She blinks. "I mean wonderfully expensive."
"Quite. But the Claudius would never stint in providing for our allies," you reply. "Speaking of which, I can provide a whole wardrobe of such outfits for all occasions."
"You can?!" Tanya responds seemingly excited about the prospect. She coughs into her fist before regaining her composure. "I mean, if you insist."
"Only if you wish Tanya," you say coyly. "House Claudius wishes to reward our allies after all. And you are satisfying our agreement if you wear that gown publicly." You were running a small risk here of her refusing, but with her reaction so far, you think she'd agree in the end. Getting her to request it would shift it from an imposition on your part, to doing her behavior.
"W-well it would improve my survivability whatever the occasion. You know the crown is always looking for dissident elements." Considering that was the reason you wore yours it made sense.
"Then consider it done," you say, flashing her a bright smile. With permission gained, you'd replace the rest of her wardrobe like you had Chiaki's with frilly gowns like yours. "And I welcome you into my service, Alchemist Tonya Schwartzwald you say, offering your hand."
Tanya blinks a bit surprised but takes it, offering her own little smile back.
Bridgette: Prince's pugilistic little sister. Platonic ideal of tomboy. Might have a fight-crush on our protagonist. I'm interested to interact with her more after the fight. Considering she fought us to prove our worth to marry her brother, her arriving with us would be amusing.
Tanya: Minor noble. Tiny, cranky Alchemist. Protagonist thinks she gets bullied by people other than Grace. Set the entire Claudius estate on fire in a Bad End.
The littlest revolutionary being brought into the heights of Royal Authority. Will be hilarious to read.
[X] Tanya Schwartzwald
In case it'll inform choices I've written a few omakes and info posts that were approved by the QM:
First up one about Tanya.
The newest Revolutionary Fashion.
"Test Number 7!" Tanya calls out as she takes out a small single-shot pistol and fires it at the light blue dress on the mannequin in front of her.
You cover your ears, and there's a bang, a bright flash and the unpleasant sharp odor of gunpowder. You wave your hand in front of you trying to clear the air, as the black powder in use in the country means there's plenty of smoke too.
The mad alchemist has already discarded the gun and is examining the dress for damage. "External skirt is ragged," she observes, holding the ripped skirt. She pokes her finger through the hole and withdraws the round bullet. "But inner layers held up."
She nods approvingly.
Taking you up on your suggestion of granting her an enchanted dress to help protect her in her various tests, Tanya had taken a sample dress from you to do some exhaustive testing of it. She'd started with more mundane checks like examining flame resilience and how well it held up to shrapnel and stabbing. You winced a little seeing how damaged the dress was beginning to look, but you supposed it was far better for it to look under the weather provided the wearer was fine.
At this point, you thought she was already satisfied and was really just pushing the dress till it failed outright. You looked up in alarm as she took out a full-on flintlock gun aiming it at the dress, and took several feet back. You thought your dress would protect you even if anything went wrong, but that assumed she hadn't come up with some type of stronger gunpowder that might strain the barrel to bursting.
"Test Number 8! There was an even louder bang this time, and you saw Tanya twinging her shoulder where she had braced the firearm up against it. You felt yourself take in a breath as you noticed the hole lined up right next to her first shot. It wasn't like you were all that many yards away, but it unnerved you a bit to see that even at this point your would-be-recruit had such accuracy. It definitely feels like the dress's magics were stressed, as a large part of it was blackened and sooted in a way that even lighting it on fire hadn't managed.
Tanya digs through the gown, having to reach much further in to retrieve the bullet, which she holds up with an impressed look. "Greater damage evident, most of the skirts failed but caught this on the inner layer right next to the skin. There'd be severe bruising but no permanent damage."
It was somewhat relieving to know your enchanted gowns, even if they weren't proper battle dresses, would hold up that way. More so that Tanya wouldn't have you within her firing line.
"Satisfied Tanya?" You ask confidently, as if you expected such a result all along.
"Quite so, you've certainly kept up your side of the bargain," she concedes. "As agreed I'll formalize my alignment with you by wearing the outfits you've prepared."
You gesture, and August appears by your side, with a pristine version of the dress Tanya destructively tested.
"Since when have you been there?" Tanya asked, crossing her arms.
"When Young Mistress summoned me," Chiaki says mysteriously. The alchemist arched an eyebrow, but your servant said nothing else. She was certainly enjoying playing up the 'ninja maid' archetype.
"Fine, fine let's get it over with." Tanya sighed dismissing the matter.
With your friend's assistance, the brunette is able to change into the unfamiliar garment, clearly unused to something so fancy. You'd decided to give Tanya a gown as frilly and poofy as one of your own. All the better to maximize the protective qualities of it you'd told her, but really you thought she looked quite cute in it. Her normally plain features and lanky figure look much softer and more feminine in it. And of course, adding more volume to fit in additional comfort enchantments.
"Tanya Schwartzwald has known only hardship and misery in her life," Chiaki had informed you. "After her local lord had raised taxes to the point it impoverished her village, a particularly harsh winter when she was nine resulted in most of her family dying."
"The local lord later died under mysterious conditions resulting from an unexpected fire, that the forums think Tanya had a hand in. While focused on revenge and realizing her vision of justice, she lives an ascetic life, only purchasing for herself what she needs to survive."
"In the game, the Heroine wins her over by giving her some chocolate the crown prince bought for her, and by buying her a new dress after hers was ruined by Grace Claudius. Having never experienced such luxuries, Tanya was overcome by them and quickly won over."
"Since Young Mistress has decided to recruit her, I'd recommend a similar tactic. Since you've decided to gift her a gown, ensure it's extremely comfortable and soft." Was your friend's advice.
As Grace finished up, Tanya began to run her hands down the gown with a surprised but pleased expression. "It's so soft," she murmured disbelievingly.
"Comfortable isn't it?" You observe moving closer.
"Very, sinfully almost," the mad scientist agreed. "What is this even made out of, silk?"
"A special magical variant yes, wonderful isn't it?" You answer, drawing your net in.
"Yes, wonderful," Tanya repeats back. As Chiaki said, luxury and softness are surprising her. She blinks. "I mean wonderfully expensive."
"Quite. But the Claudius would never stint in providing for our allies," you reply. "Speaking of which, I can provide a whole wardrobe of such outfits for all occasions."
"You can?!" Tanya responds seemingly excited about the prospect. She coughs into her fist before regaining her composure. "I mean, if you insist."
"Only if you wish Tanya," you say coyly. "House Claudius wishes to reward our allies after all. And you are satisfying our agreement if you wear that gown publicly." You were running a small risk here of her refusing, but with her reaction so far, you think she'd agree in the end. Getting her to request it would shift it from an imposition on your part, to doing her behavior.
"W-well it would improve my survivability whatever the occasion. You know the crown is always looking for dissident elements." Considering that was the reason you wore yours it made sense.
"Then consider it done," you say, flashing her a bright smile. With permission gained, you'd replace the rest of her wardrobe like you had Chiaki's with frilly gowns like yours. "And I welcome you into my service, Alchemist Tonya Schwartzwald you say, offering your hand."
Tanya blinks a bit surprised but takes it, offering her own little smile back.
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- Location
- St. Petersburg
Wait, but Lucciano is an Italian name. What are you implying?
"Nippon Ginko"?
Is it a reference to some
Tanya "It's the other way around!"
I have a newfound appreciation for our Artsy side.
I had a different problem. I remember all the characters we interacted with, but had to look up who we were betrothed to. It's been a while since Prince Alter-sane made his appearance.
(also, what's a bethrotal? Is it betrothal on full throttle as befits our motto?)
[x] Tanya Schwartzwald
Tanya needs more exposure. And introduction to more targets.
But what I really dig is the awkwardness of getting her out on a big social event.
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MrRobot
In doubt there's always the Sun!
Tanya may be fun and all but i like grace's monke neck un-strangled, she would definitely make a big scene on the event because she hates every second of it and mom would be pissed.
[X] Bridgette Alteisen
Let expose tanya to the high nobility on a more controlled enviroment, like anfight club tea party with the princess and sword kid
[X] Bridgette Alteisen
Let expose tanya to the high nobility on a more controlled enviroment, like an
My canonized omake ties in a bit. Tanya is formally aligned with us since we're funding her research and offering her protection using our name. While she'll have quite a few things to say to us in private, my read is she wouldn't make a scene for us. She's one to keep her word, unlike others violating the social contract.
MrRobot
In doubt there's always the Sun!
Still find the idea of an underground noblelady fight club would be more fun, completely shatter her preconceived notions of high nobility, by seeing a free for all between 2 monkes
Eternal_0bserver
(Unverified Bookworm)
- Location
- Earth, Northern Europe
To be honest, although I like Tanya's character, I'm not sure that she would appreciate such an invitation. She doesn't seem like someone who enjoys these kinds of activities, and she doesn't know Grace that well - they've only spoken once. She may well perceive this as pressure from the "villainess", even if it was not intended that way.
Well, I'm really curious about the effect of inviting Bridgette - after all, she's a princess, and things like that don't usually happen on impulse. Nobles trying to figure out the reasons for such a "political move" and building theories one stranger than the other - a really funny mental image.
Well, I'm really curious about the effect of inviting Bridgette - after all, she's a princess, and things like that don't usually happen on impulse. Nobles trying to figure out the reasons for such a "political move" and building theories one stranger than the other - a really funny mental image.
Theater and Ballet in Bloody Valentine
The setting of Bloody Valentine can be broadly described as 'Fantasy Europe' drawing heavily upon not just medieval Europe but its myths as well as making nods to other fictional depictions of the era. There are the usual staples and tropes from Anime, manga, and other Dating Sim games.
Art and culture within the game draw on these shared inspirations with most entertainment being live performances and plays acting out well known fables and stories. One notable import from Japanese theater is the use of Kabuki masks and heavy makeup for segments where actors depict devils, vampires and other assorted monsters though 'human' actors often leave their faces bare of such decoration. Though there is a notable exception for humans who have committed gross sins or abuses, particularly those consorting with dark forces, gaining the properties of monsters themselves. A fall from grace story might feature someone eventually symbolically donning the masks themselves becoming a monster in human form.
Storywise plays include traditional tales of intrigue, betrayal and feuds that would fit right in with Romeo and Juliet or Henry V but as often as much depicting fights against monsters as men. A hero's family or loved ones being killed by monsters is a common plot device. Adventurers are an extremely popular character archetype both for the developers to do callouts to historical expies like Jeanne of Arc but also because a band of adventurers can easily be portrayed as having any number of encounters as the plot demands.
More professional live performances within Bloody Valentine also have advanced 'special effects' thanks to the use of magic and monsters. A mage can conjure elemental magics on stage, from a simple gust of wind or lighting effect or fog and rain. The hides of monsters are often used for actors, and less commonly live monsters themselves. The latter is often discouraged by the crown for the tendency of some members of the audience to occasionally be eaten by them. Adding to this sense of realism it's not uncommon for retired adventurers to take part often renacting well known battles or scenes they were involved in, particularly for noble performances.
Entertainers in historical draw on local court fashions for styling, their outfits often glamorous and colorful. Though there was a transition towards more streamlined and less encumbering costumes for actors, especially dancers. But Bloody Valentines diverges from this and retains ostentatious outfits, with magical materials and comfort enchantments letting actors perform astonishing acrobatics even when in full noble grab.
Historically within theater it wasn't uncommon for writers and performances to be bankrolled by a wealthy merchant or noble, with productions favoring whatever style or storylines the financier preferred. Thus, it might not be uncommon for a noble house to promote plays telling of their line's storied history, or their preferred take on issues. The Claudius have perfected this into an artform, as they see live performances and ballet as a useful way to both display their wealth and promote stories that favor them and hold them in a good light. It would be far easier to name the theaters they don't have a controlling interest in, rather than to list the ones they do. Everything from plays depicting their descendant from the Imperatrix herself or protagonists that more commonly than not tend to be Claudian.
As one consequence of this effort, live performances across the kingdom have actors and ballet dancers wearing whatever prevailing fashion the Claudius family dons. In turn formal tutors for theater or dance often have experience in the performing arts, and thus predominantely at a Claudius owned location and they naturally promote what they are familiar with, further spreading Claudius influence to those they teach. On more than one occasion, the Claudius family has taken quiet notice of a rival noble adopting their own fashion at a formal event or dance.
Justine is no different in that regard, save that her true exploits as an adventurer provided fodder for many a performance without the need for exaggeration. While rather light-handed on the content of those plays, Justine is particular about 'faithful' depictions of herself and can be rather exacting on the costume and casting for that role often preferring to hire female adventurers to give a more convincing performance. She often directs her family's tailor to personally design any outfits someone portraying her would wear, and lets them keep it after the performance. The high pay and free outfit is quite the allure for a female adventurer between quests, and a not insignificant number have portrayed her on stage. Some even having the gowns properly enchanted for combat afterward. Such cultural sway is a major factor for why the frilly full-skirted gowns Justine herself favors have become the dominant prevailing fashion in not just her kingdom, but among female adventurers more broadly.
The setting of Bloody Valentine can be broadly described as 'Fantasy Europe' drawing heavily upon not just medieval Europe but its myths as well as making nods to other fictional depictions of the era. There are the usual staples and tropes from Anime, manga, and other Dating Sim games.
Art and culture within the game draw on these shared inspirations with most entertainment being live performances and plays acting out well known fables and stories. One notable import from Japanese theater is the use of Kabuki masks and heavy makeup for segments where actors depict devils, vampires and other assorted monsters though 'human' actors often leave their faces bare of such decoration. Though there is a notable exception for humans who have committed gross sins or abuses, particularly those consorting with dark forces, gaining the properties of monsters themselves. A fall from grace story might feature someone eventually symbolically donning the masks themselves becoming a monster in human form.
Storywise plays include traditional tales of intrigue, betrayal and feuds that would fit right in with Romeo and Juliet or Henry V but as often as much depicting fights against monsters as men. A hero's family or loved ones being killed by monsters is a common plot device. Adventurers are an extremely popular character archetype both for the developers to do callouts to historical expies like Jeanne of Arc but also because a band of adventurers can easily be portrayed as having any number of encounters as the plot demands.
More professional live performances within Bloody Valentine also have advanced 'special effects' thanks to the use of magic and monsters. A mage can conjure elemental magics on stage, from a simple gust of wind or lighting effect or fog and rain. The hides of monsters are often used for actors, and less commonly live monsters themselves. The latter is often discouraged by the crown for the tendency of some members of the audience to occasionally be eaten by them. Adding to this sense of realism it's not uncommon for retired adventurers to take part often renacting well known battles or scenes they were involved in, particularly for noble performances.
Entertainers in historical draw on local court fashions for styling, their outfits often glamorous and colorful. Though there was a transition towards more streamlined and less encumbering costumes for actors, especially dancers. But Bloody Valentines diverges from this and retains ostentatious outfits, with magical materials and comfort enchantments letting actors perform astonishing acrobatics even when in full noble grab.
Historically within theater it wasn't uncommon for writers and performances to be bankrolled by a wealthy merchant or noble, with productions favoring whatever style or storylines the financier preferred. Thus, it might not be uncommon for a noble house to promote plays telling of their line's storied history, or their preferred take on issues. The Claudius have perfected this into an artform, as they see live performances and ballet as a useful way to both display their wealth and promote stories that favor them and hold them in a good light. It would be far easier to name the theaters they don't have a controlling interest in, rather than to list the ones they do. Everything from plays depicting their descendant from the Imperatrix herself or protagonists that more commonly than not tend to be Claudian.
As one consequence of this effort, live performances across the kingdom have actors and ballet dancers wearing whatever prevailing fashion the Claudius family dons. In turn formal tutors for theater or dance often have experience in the performing arts, and thus predominantely at a Claudius owned location and they naturally promote what they are familiar with, further spreading Claudius influence to those they teach. On more than one occasion, the Claudius family has taken quiet notice of a rival noble adopting their own fashion at a formal event or dance.
Justine is no different in that regard, save that her true exploits as an adventurer provided fodder for many a performance without the need for exaggeration. While rather light-handed on the content of those plays, Justine is particular about 'faithful' depictions of herself and can be rather exacting on the costume and casting for that role often preferring to hire female adventurers to give a more convincing performance. She often directs her family's tailor to personally design any outfits someone portraying her would wear, and lets them keep it after the performance. The high pay and free outfit is quite the allure for a female adventurer between quests, and a not insignificant number have portrayed her on stage. Some even having the gowns properly enchanted for combat afterward. Such cultural sway is a major factor for why the frilly full-skirted gowns Justine herself favors have become the dominant prevailing fashion in not just her kingdom, but among female adventurers more broadly.
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