Serafina’s Crown

Posted on January 6, 2015 by jgibbons

I thought it was time to officially announce the upcoming release of Serafina’s Crown, the sequel to Serafina’s Saga!

The sequel takes place seven years after the end of the Serafina’s Saga visual novel. Grand Prince Robil Feldren dies of illness, and a few weeks later, Queen Belatrix Grandil dies in in the midst of a “hunting accident.” Serafina Elborn and her husband Reuben Jeridar are posed to take the throne, except for one big problem: many nobles suspect Reuben Jeridar arranged the assassination of Belatrix Grandil.

You play as a new character, Odell Perin, who is unwittingly thrust into a position of power amidst the chaos of court. Due to her neutral stance, Odell Perin is elected to serve as Regent long enough to settle the ongoing disputes, and therefore determine who will become the next King or Queen of Darzia. The gameplay will feature a dynamic debate system that allows Odell to argue certain points in court based on her accumulated stats.

Planned features:

Voice acting
Court debate system with Divinity Dial mini-game
Limited costume system

You’ll see many familiar faces in Serafina’s Crown, including Reuben, Kallias, Arken, Nikolaos, and–of course–Serafina. You’ll also meet many new characters, as well as Picard, a major character from the Ashes of Dearen novels.

I’m hoping to complete and release the game by Spring 2015, if all goes according to plan. Time will tell! I’m still pretty much creating this content completely on my own, though I’m still looking for collaborators, especially other artists!

Please contact me if you’re interested in getting involved, post here if you have any suggestions or requests of things you want to see in Serafina’s Crown, and/or donate below to help feed me while I keep working on this game.

Story

Posted on December 7, 2014 by jgibbons

Before Serafina’s birth, Nadia Elborn rules the kingdom of Darzia.

The story of Serafina truly begins before her birth. When Queen Nadia Elborn spurns the devotion of her unlikely suitor, Arken Jeridar, Serafina’s turbulent fate is set in motion. Nadia’s choice to prioritize political stability over the love she feels for Arken wounds both their hearts forever.

The key to the kingdom unlocks only chaos.

Arken grows bitter and reclusive while Nadia becomes Queen alongside Grand Prince Gerald Feldren. Then a strange foreigner appears in Castle Krondolee, claiming to possess the key to a room that has remained closed for centuries, its contents unknown.

Arken schemes to win the key for himself and the queen’s love all at once. But success may come at a far greater cost than he ever expected. Read the novella, “Grand Traitor,” to learn the full story.

Arken raises the Queen’s daughter in secrecy, while the rest of the kingdom believes she is dead.

Serafina grows up in a jungle full of ferocious predators and crafty prey. She knows little of the world outside the jungle, and nothing of her past. Her only human contact has been with Arken, whom she looks to as a father.

By the age of seventeen, Serafina’s desire to explore the world outside the jungle grows daily. And eventually, her curiosity may get the better of her…

The truth cannot hide forever.

When a group of royal soldiers captures Arken, Serafina must venture beyond the jungle to save him. On her journey to the heart of the kingdom, Serafina discovers a whole new world beyond the shadows of the jungle. She will also learn the dark truth of Arken’s past and thus her own. How she chooses to use this knowledge will change the fate of the entire kingdom.

The story concludes in the form of a visual novel, in which the reader/player can choose the nature of Serafina’s fate.

Beyond Darzia, more of the world awaits discovery.

Serafina’s Saga is but a small piece in a much larger story. In other countries on the same world, the gods create all manner of chaos, and struggles for power surround many thrones. Read more about the setting of Serafina’s Saga, or read other novels set in Serafina’s world.

Characters

Posted on December 6, 2014 by jgibbons

Below is a list and summary of the most significant characters from Serafina’s Saga. Click on the picture of a character to learn even more and read excerpts/backstory.

Arken Jeridar

In appearance, Arken is a kind guardian to Serafina who has protected her from the perils of the Darzian jungle and, more importantly, taught her how to overcome them herself.

But Arken staunchly refuses to let Serafina leave the boundaries of the jungle, and will tell her nothing of his former life, nor of Serafina’s own origins.

Learn the full truth of Arken’s past in the free novella, “Grand Traitor.”

Belatrix Grandil

The Grandil family is well respected for its long history of honorable and trustworthy members. Belatrix is no exception.

Fierce, noble, and beautiful, Belatrix is only a hairsbreadth away from taking the throne herself. The Royal Duma will likely elect her to rule after Kallias. But Belatrix values her honor to a fault. Nothing matters to her so much as keeping her word and serving Kallias faithfully.

Jezu Grandil

Jezu proudly serves as General of the Royal Guard under his sister, Belatrix. He’s also known to be the best swordsman in Castle Krondolee.

Like most members of the Grandil family, Jezu is highly dignified and values his honor above his life. However, he’s known to make unorothodox decisions from time to time due to his senstive temperament. He has a strong sense of compassion and is more forgiving than Belatrix. Anyone on his bad list, adversely, should run as far from his path as possible.

Kallias Jeridar

A close descendent of Mallion, a god of chaos, Kallias can change any metal substance into gold. This ability empowered him to take the throne at a young age when his father died.

Unfortunately, Kallias’s useful ability is now an obsession. No matter how much gold Kallias acquires, he wants more. Since he took the throne, Darzia has become the wealthiest nation in the world, but drained of important natural resources.

Nikolaos Perin

Nikolaos worships Lokke, the god of guile. He views politics as a wearisome game to play and little more. He views power as being more trouble than it’s worth.

Nikolaos does what he must to live a comfortable life, but comfort grows increasingly difficult to find under the rule of King Kallias. If he could think of a way to improve his situation, he would happily take it.

Reuben “Jeridar”

A frequent wanderer of Castle Krondolee hallways, Reuben claims to be the bastard son of Tristan Jeridar, and thus King Kallias’s very own brother. Unfortunately, no one seems to believe him.

Reuben puts on a good act as a friendly and charming fellow, so King Kallias and other nobles of Krondolee tolerate his presence. But in truth, Reuben is ready to seize any and every opportunity to gain power.

Valerie Sweelu

Valerie lives alone on a Darzian plantation where she harvests wheat and a small variety of fruits. Most people who meet her would describe her as “strange.” And she would be proud to hear it.

Valerie helps Serafina on her journey to Castle Krondolee. She would happily play a large role in the events to come, if only Serafina would let her…

Xavier Wol ven

Descended from the god of wrath, Wolvens are the most efficient assassins in the world.

Years after killing the former monarchs of Darzia, Xavier continues to lurk around Castle Krondolee. No one is brave enough to oppose him–at least until the return of Arken and Serafina, who know the full extent of Xavier’s crimes all too well.

Animation

Posted on December 6, 2014 by jgibbons

Episode 1 (Animation)

Serafina has grown up in a harsh jungle full of ferocious predators and crafty prey. She knows little of the world outside the jungle, and her only human contact has been with Arken, whom she looks to as a father.

But by the age of seventeen, Serafina’s desire to explore the world outside the jungle grows daily. And eventually, her curiosity may get the better of her…

ANIMATION PROCESS

Jenny does most of the animation using Adobe Photoshop CS6, Extended Edition. She draws each frame in a separate layer and uses the Timeline to string the frames together. After that, she brings the animated clips into After Effects for special effects, or Premiere Pro for editing. More details can be found on her Tumblr.

ANIMATION CREDITS

VOICE CAST
Serafina ~ Rebecca Gomez
Arken ~ David Dixon
Nikolaos ~ Andrew Graffham
Belatrix ~ Claire Ragusin
King Kallias ~ Andrew Graffham

Music by Jenny Gibbons
Sound design by Joshua Young
Some guards/extras drawn by Bettina Selsor