Chess of Blades
Project Overview
Follow along in the Dev Process!
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Play the demo!
If chosen for a role, final line submissions is: May 14, 2017.
Please disregard "Closed, cast to offsite actor" for the first 10 chars. We are just closing them so that you know you can only audition for RAFAEL and VALORA until APRIL 1. If you already sent auditions for the first 10 chars, feel free to send some for Rafael and Valora!
SUMMARY
The king is having a huge birthday celebration! Five days of dancing, festivals, and drinking, culminating in a grand masquerade ball. It just so happens that Rivian Varrison, the introverted son of a famous nobleman, is forced to attend this giant event by his father. By chance, or maybe something more deliberate, he runs into a host of colorful and shady characters, all with their own stories to tell. But when a sudden and mysterious crime happens on the second day of the celebration, Rivian finds himself thrown into the middle of it, and has to discover the truth behind what really happened -- and who the people around him really are.
SETTING
1600s-style royal feel, big and posh castle/estate in the middle of beautiful mountains, surrounded by wall, small festival area surrounding the castle exterior. Somewhat sense of isolation from the rest of the kingdom.
GENERAL THEMES
- Fantasy: 1600s style European outfits/technology, monarchy, nobility and peasants/servants
- Comedy: Dry, often sarcastic humor, often subtle and political. Refined, witty insults and banter.
- Drama: Sense of looming threats, uncertainty, mistrust, vengeance.
- Mystery: Anonymity, uncertainty of who’s guilty, sense of being watched, unknown motives
- Romance: General sense of romance from the environment (ball, dancing, etc), lots of characters like Rivian
- This is a YAOI (boy x boy) game. Please be comfortable voicing H-scenes if you audition for RIVIAN, ARDEN, LINNAEUS, FRANZ, SILAS, SABRE, or RAFAEL.
- ADDITIONAL PAYMENT will be acquired when the Kickstarter exceeds its initial goal funding, so spread the word and get your friends to help support your voice acting
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Listed payment is subject to change as the script develops, but it should be in that ballpark, possibly more if we exceed expected word count.
- All actors will receive a complimentary copy of the game
What if the Kickstarter isn't funded?
- We'll set up a revenue share so that you can receive your full payment!
- We're looking at 75k words! Not all of that is voiced though.
- We're planning on releasing around June 2017. 70% of the script is already written, so we're mainly waiting on art, music, and voiceover assets.
- We will provide the release form and contract to cast actors. There's some room to edit these forms if there's something in the form that makes the actor uncomfortable.
- Please don't submit to multiple places! We don't want to get confused when we're listening to auditions.
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Latest Updates
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We've added 2 more characters, one male (Rafael) and one female (Valora). Their audition deadline is: April 1, 2017. Please feel free to send in more auditions for them!
Male, 21 years, 5’9, slim/unmuscular build, violet eyes
Voice: Medium-high, casual, nonchalant, noble, uppity/snide
Accent: North American or Oxford British
Introverted, sardonic, educated, arrogant, but kind of a good guy deep down.
"I'm so proud of you. Shouldn't you be on duty rather than frolicking around, then?" (Sarcastic, annoyed)
'"Ugh. What have I gotten myself into?"' (Sulky mutter to self)
"That's my cue, I'm afraid. Perhaps I'll see you in the morning!"' (Fake cheery, trying to escape the situation)
Male, 25 years, 6’4, muscular
Voice: Medium-low, slow/deliberate, flirtatious, breathy/sensual, husky (optionally)
Accent: North American, Oxford British, or French
Flirtatious, sensual, hedonistic, philosophical, secretive, confident, graceful.
'"Shh... quiet, my dear. Ignore my words, and the result will be the same as if you jump off this balcony here and now."' (Soft, mocking)
'"My name? It's Franz, my little lord... at your service."' (Pleased, flirty)
'"I'll be returning to my own room, then, unless you're planning on inviting me inside..."' (Casual, suggestive)
Male, 22 years, 5’11, fairly muscular build
Voice: Medium, gentle, friendly, a bit slow paced, emotional
Accent: North American, Oxford British, or (light) Cockney
Gentle, trusting, easily persuaded, strong sense of honor/duty, protective.
"Rivian! I know you remember me, it\'s only been four years!"' (Happy, excited)
'"Can't you look a little happier to see your old friend? You have the expression of a man at a funeral, not at a dance!"' (Sad, a bit sulking)
'"I don't think you'll be able to get out of dancing in that one, Riv."' (Loud whisper, teasing)
Male, 24 years, 6’1, wiry and lanky build
Voice: Medium-low, sharp, sarcastic, a bit scornful, quick and elegant
Accent: North American or Oxford British
Harsh, haughty, smug, highly intelligent, perceptive, a little sadistic, dubious morality.
'"My, what a remarkably thoughtful gentleman you are. I don't suppose you're one of the servants trying to masquerade as a nobleman?"' (Dry, mocking, sarcastic)
'"Of course. You seem surprised that the Grand Inquisitor would have contact with his employer."' (Proud, a little scornful)
'"Good boy. Perhaps you'll grow up big and strong if you take care of yourself more."' (Pleased, a bit condescending, but amused)
Male, 35 years, 6’2, refined and calm features
Voice: Low, polite, refined pronunciation, confident, butlery
Accent: North American or Oxford British
Refined, elegant, polite, highly clever/perceptive, somewhat impartial.
'"Well, His Majesty at least would not wish you to dance if you did not want to, I am certain."' (Polite, sympathetic, slightly teasing)
"If I may be so bold, you do not seem overly thrilled with the prospect of his company."' (Polite, curious)
'"However, I humbly recommend that you attend the event in more than a pillow. The ladies should surely appreciate it, but it would be most cold."' (Polite, amused, trying to sound serious)
Female, 10 years, 4’8, super cute
Voice: High, innocent, playful, happy, sweet.
Accent: North American, Oxford British, or (light) Cockney
Adventurous, clever, curious, secretive, sweet.
'"Really? Would you take me, sir?"' (Excited, pleading)
'"I want to go see the pretty ladies and gentlemen dancing!"' (Wistful, pleading)
'"It\'s a secret! I\'m really sorry, though. I got too excited... you forgive me, right?"' (Ashamed, hopeful)
Male, 16 years, 5’5, dark blue hair below ears with bangs/sides tied back in tiny ponytail, youthful and innocent features, bright golden eyes.
Voice: High, boyish, nervous, s-stuttery, fast
Accent: North American, Oxford British, or (light) Cockney
Shy, nervous, skittish, suspicious.
'"I'll go find her... s-sorry again!"' (Nervous, anxious)
"It's not l-like that! I really can't s-say anything!"' (Nervous, desperate)
"It's honestly hard to explain... but I swear, I didn't do it. You have to believe me." (Soft, serious, pleading)
'"I'll keep a better eye on where I\'m going next time! Oh, by the way... I'm looking for someone. I wonder if you might have seen him?"' (Happy, curious)
"Oh, is he your friend? He's quite handsome."' (Playful, coy)
'"I'll do my best to find some clues, too! Don't you worry, miss!"' (Excited, encouraging)
Female, 25 years, 5’6, dark purple hair down to shoulders, gentle and pretty features, french/gothic maid aesthetic, pink? brown ? eyes.
Voice: Medium, gentle, polite, firm, straightforward, kind
Accent: North American or Oxford British
Gentle, slightly shy/hesitant, warm, determined.
'"I... I can think a little more clearly now, sir..."' (Anxious, quiet)
'"I believe you, sir. And I believe in... the king's men."' (Hesitant, trying to sound confident)
'"I have already told all I can. I am sorry, sir... I never meant for any of this to happen."' (Quiet, trying to sound firm, anxious)
Male, 28 years, 6’7, spiky/wild dark orange hair, masculine and rustic features, muscular and well-built, facial hair (beard), darkish red eyes.
Voice: Low, Scottish accent, gruff, direct, aggressive, straightforward. LOUD!
Accent: Must be able to do Scottish AND North American or British
Personality: Rough, aggressive, arrogant, taunting, a little brutish.
Picture refs: pic1 (hair, face), pic2 (clothes), pic3 (expression/attitude/fierceness level)
""You really think I'd need help fer 'anythin from two puffed-up peacock noblemen like you?"' (Scornful, mocking)
""What, you want ta know so you can send me love letters like all tha girls who watch me? 'Tha it?"' (Teasing, mocking)
"'"You think 'tha means I cannae use a blade? You want a real nice... demonstration?"' (Leering, threatening)
Male, 30 years, 6’4, shoulder length feathery silver hair, elegant features, dark mustache, tall but skinny, teal eyes.
Voice: Medium, very enthusiastic, theatrical, confident, exaggerated
Accent: North American, Oxford British, or (light) Italian
Personality: Energetic, theatrical, flamboyant, self-confident, dramatic, friendly
"Well, well, well! If it isn't Varrison Junior!" (Happy, excited, jovial)
"Lighten up, lighten up! What are you always scowling about with your angry four eyes, Inquisitor?" (Happy, lightly mocking)
"Now, now, all this business is far too unpleasant for me. I'll be taking my leave, friends." (Frowning, uncomfortable, suspicious)
- Appearance: Female, 50 years, 5’6, short blond/greying hair, elegant but aged features, bluegrey eyes
- Voice: Medium-low, sharp, slightly husky, quick, crisp enunciation
- Personality: Smart, blunt, cautious, witty, secretive
"Rivian! Your mother didn't mention a word about your coming here!" (Shocked, indignant)
"They thought they could take me down easily just because I'm a bit older. Well, those bastards learned their lesson, I'm sure." (Smug, scoffing)
"I would think twice before consorting with foreigners, if I were you. That father of yours has more enemies than friends outside of our borders." (Cautious, suspicious)