Hello everyone, I'm Reaki/Chanda and Aella of Athens (DEMO) was submitted for NaNoRenO 2020+. Given the premise of NaNoRenO, this is a free project!
If you are unfamiliar with what NaNoRenO is, then allow me to explain. NaNoRenO is a game jam for visual novel game developers. Us, game devs, create either a fully functional game or prototype/demo of a game within the span of the month of March. Due to the circumstances of the coronavirus, this year's NaNoRenO was extended to April 14th! It's long since passed, but I have continued working on Aella of Athens.
It is heavily based off of Greek Mythology and events takes place in the Hymn of Demeter, prior to Hades and (Persephone) Kore's marriage. If you've read the story then that makes reading the script easier! The game does deal with mental health, so please be warned going forward.
Aella means Whirlwind in Greek and the reason behind her name is because she has struck a chord between some of the strongest Gods in history: Zeus & Hades. In this game, you will find it is dramatic and also goes into a deep psychology part point of view. It takes the role of identity as well as inferiority complexes.
Aella of Athens is set in 450 BC in Athens, Greece. It is about a princess named Aella who was blessed at birth by the Anemoi. Based off mythology, the Anemoi were the four wind Gods comprising of Boreas (north), Notus (south), Eurus (east), and Zephyrus (west), as well as lesser winds. However, in the game, we'll be going by the major Anemoi. They serve and protect Aella as well as guide her on her journey to find herself. Aella has always been a social outcast for her affinity towards Hades because even though she was the first born, she could never become successor to the throne as she lived in a patriarchal society. She felt akin to Hades as he was in the same position. The first born who couldn't stand on top. It's because of this that no one would marry Aella and at 24, her family had enough and decided to marry her off to none other than Zeus. However, Aella wants to make her own decisions. Here is the game's itch page:
This is a long term project meant to be released monthly or bimonthly schedule pending. If you are not willing to commit, then do not audition.
Aella is a lonely, but fierce character. Even with the Anemoi by her side, she has always felt incomplete. After having been freed by the constraints of her family, she goes to find herself. On her way, she meets a man who calls himself by the epithet of Hades as well as the God of the Underworld himself. Since Aella is the protagonist, please expect to have the most lines for the demo!
“Hades shouldn’t be all that important to me, but he is and let me tell you why: I lived as an unloved princess. Yes, the Anemoi gave me all their unconditional affection, but it could never replace the love of a parent. I am someone who wished for death, someone who tried to take her own life. I would have, if it wasn't for Hades. He said my time wasn’t well spent and I should continue living. That was the only time I heard his voice...but I yearned to hear it again. And like the naive child I was, I prayed to him despite knowing the consequences. Even if he doesn’t answer my voice, even if he doesn’t hear me call his name, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s saved me.”
*To give a little context for this line: you are facing someone who is criticizing your means of affection towards Hades because he doesn't understand how you could love the person. There is little punctuation in this scene because you are proud of your feelings and don't falter in your conviction.
“You know, I was worried about you for a second, but you must be fine if you can yap that much.”
*To give a little context for this line: you have found someone washed up on the beach to find them still alive after being bombarded by waves. You have Notus (see below) dry him off and he casually drops a flirtatious line.
"We all struggle in different ways, Pandion. Your struggles and mine are incomparable."
*To give a little context: Pandion (your little brother) is heir to the throne. He is jealous that four gods have blessed you with unimaginable power, while he feels inferior.
“I mean...I was supposed to be married at eighteen. I’m now at the age of twenty-four, having escaped marriage for so many years. I think that’s thanks to you.”
*To give a little context: You are having a conversation with your mother who you've never spoken to one on one before. She is feeling vulnerable and guilty for the things she's done leading to your arranged marriage and you try to make her feel better.
Boreas is the North wind God who brings winter storms. He's overly protective of Aella, but he's just scary on the outside. If any of the brothers are scary on scale, it's Notus and Eurus. He's all bark and no bite.
“I’m sure he has his reasons for not telling you his name. If you want to know his identity, then seek him out or maybe he’ll seek you out.”
“Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”
Notus is hot headed since he's the South wind God who brings heat waves during the summer. He's very clingy with Aella as she gets cold very easily. He's someone Aella can relax around and this in turn makes him a bit of a jokester because he wants what's best for her.
“If you wish, Princess Aella, we will take you away. You’ll be gone long before they come to get you.”
“Doesn’t that make it all the more thrilling, Aella?”
Eurus always has a calm and pleasant demeanor. He rarely gets angry over anything, but when he does, you know to move out of the way. He's the wind God of the east who brings falling leaves in well the fall.
“Even if that’s the case, I don’t think it’s wise to chase after him.”
“I think I see a clearing up ahead. We must be getting close.”
Zephyrus has a power closely resembling Zeus as his winds bring on the thunder and lightning in spring. He's the wind God of the west and has always been afraid of his abilities, but Aella has reassured him since his winds bring out rainbows.
“You’d be incurring the wrath of a god, Queen Metiadusa. Athens may not survive."
There are cousins as well as Aella's mom's role to fill. They are very minor!
“She’s in love with The Infernal God. What prompted him to take such a bride? Why would anyone take such a bride?”
Say Anything You Think Fits
There is Aella's dad and her brother's role to fill. They are very minor!
“So, ‘The Other Zeus’ worshiper' Aella is getting married?”
“What’s wrong, Aella? Using your dogs to fight your battles? Classy.”
Say Anything You Think Fits
Hera is someone with a lot of a pride and looks down on those who get in her way, particularly Aella for stealing Zeus' attention. She is someone who sees herself as capable and not lacking in beauty or power, but when it comes to Zeus' love for her, Hera is very sensitive because she understands she can never possess him.
"And what should the little mortal be careful of, tiny deity?"
Should be spoken condescendingly with *little moral* and *tiny deity* as well as teasing the two of her higher existence
"I have struggled to be by his side and I’m not about to lose my place here now to some human girl."
Emphasis on *struggled* *I'm* and the phrase *some human girl* as if you were venting your intentions
Feel free to also play with the line as well! I'd love to see what you can do with her character
"(laughs) Come on, Ganymede. You really expect me to believe such a lie after all these years?"
Think of getting a confession from a really good friend, you never expected and you can't take it seriously because it sounds ridiculous coming from them
