"The Blacksmith's Apprentice"
Remember to download BOTH the Game and Audio files. See "Notes" for instructions.
Download Game (version 1.51, 45MB): http://www.mediafire.com/?zmvtn04g0yw
Download Audio (91MB): http://www.mediafire.com/?tgngjtmwmmn
Game uses "OldTypefaces" font, included with game download; place font file in "C:\Windows\Fonts"
Story
At one time, the powerful mage Torbulus was regarded with great respect, awarded the highest honors throughout the kingdoms for his valiant fight in the war against the Orcs. Now, fifteen years later, all magic has been outlawed - and the once proud Torbulus lies imprisoned and shamed by the very people he helped protect. Stripped of his magical abilities by the collar bound around his neck, Torbulus seeks to escape and bring swift vengeance against those who locked him away. Fearing a similar fate as that of Torbulus, mages from every corner of the land have abandoned their talents in favor of simpler, safer lives - lived out in harmless anonymity...
You are William, the son and apprentice of the local blacksmith in Willow Glen. Your quest begins with a simple request by your father - to travel north to the Dwarven Mines and bring back your father's yearly supply of coal.
The story begins when William is given a dire warning, in the form of a letter written in his own handwriting. As William's journey unfolds, a dangerous and violent world of ancient magic opens up around him. His first adventure away from home will soon reveal that he is the unwitting center of an unimaginable plot...
This game is my own personal project, approximately 30% complete, and the demo has around 10 hours+ of play time. I would like to get feedback on what you liked, didn't like, bugs, play balance, etc. Enjoy!
Remember to download BOTH the Game and Audio files. See "Notes" for instructions.
Download Game (version 1.51, 45MB): http://www.mediafire.com/?zmvtn04g0yw
Download Audio (91MB): http://www.mediafire.com/?tgngjtmwmmn
Game uses "OldTypefaces" font, included with game download; place font file in "C:\Windows\Fonts"
Story
At one time, the powerful mage Torbulus was regarded with great respect, awarded the highest honors throughout the kingdoms for his valiant fight in the war against the Orcs. Now, fifteen years later, all magic has been outlawed - and the once proud Torbulus lies imprisoned and shamed by the very people he helped protect. Stripped of his magical abilities by the collar bound around his neck, Torbulus seeks to escape and bring swift vengeance against those who locked him away. Fearing a similar fate as that of Torbulus, mages from every corner of the land have abandoned their talents in favor of simpler, safer lives - lived out in harmless anonymity...
You are William, the son and apprentice of the local blacksmith in Willow Glen. Your quest begins with a simple request by your father - to travel north to the Dwarven Mines and bring back your father's yearly supply of coal.
The story begins when William is given a dire warning, in the form of a letter written in his own handwriting. As William's journey unfolds, a dangerous and violent world of ancient magic opens up around him. His first adventure away from home will soon reveal that he is the unwitting center of an unimaginable plot...
William
William has been eagerly anticipating the trip to the Dwarves for as long as he can remember. He spends his days working with his father in the smithy, learning the tricks of the trade. When he's not working, he spends as much time as he can with Charis Bloomfield, the farmer's daughter whom he hopes to marry one day.
Skylark
Skylark is William's younger sister. She is very jealous that William gets to go on a long trip to see the Dwarves, and she's not afraid to say so. She also has a crush on William's friend Arthur, but about that - she IS afraid to say so. Whereas William is the serious one in the family, Skylark is the joker. While he's away on his quest, she plans on learning everything she can from the local cleric, Belarus.
Arthur Grey
Arthur has lost two mothers... first the one who gave birth to him, and more recently his father's second wife, the woman he has called mother for most of his life. He is learning to be a hunter, and can't wait to leave the safety and tranquility of Willow Glen. He hopes to join William on his journey to see the Dwarves.
Charis Bloomfield
Charis is the farmer's daughter, a hard-working girl with a simple dream - she would like to be a midwife someday. Of course, it wouldn't bother her if William were a part of that dream, but she would never tell HIM that. Even though Charis knows how much William has been looking forward to the trip to see the Dwarves, she will be sad to see him leave.
Belarus
Belarus is the cleric in Willow Glen. His healing powers are renowned across the kingdoms, but he must be careful when using them, now that magic has been outlawed. He has been a close friend to William's parents for many years, and would do anything to protect them and their children.
Sir Carrock
A loathesome and depraved man with an insatiable lust. Once a war hero for King Garin, now he serves a new master: anyone willing to pay enough gold. He travels alone, and he carouses alone, relying only on his sword and wits for protection.
William has been eagerly anticipating the trip to the Dwarves for as long as he can remember. He spends his days working with his father in the smithy, learning the tricks of the trade. When he's not working, he spends as much time as he can with Charis Bloomfield, the farmer's daughter whom he hopes to marry one day.
Skylark
Skylark is William's younger sister. She is very jealous that William gets to go on a long trip to see the Dwarves, and she's not afraid to say so. She also has a crush on William's friend Arthur, but about that - she IS afraid to say so. Whereas William is the serious one in the family, Skylark is the joker. While he's away on his quest, she plans on learning everything she can from the local cleric, Belarus.
Arthur Grey
Arthur has lost two mothers... first the one who gave birth to him, and more recently his father's second wife, the woman he has called mother for most of his life. He is learning to be a hunter, and can't wait to leave the safety and tranquility of Willow Glen. He hopes to join William on his journey to see the Dwarves.
Charis Bloomfield
Charis is the farmer's daughter, a hard-working girl with a simple dream - she would like to be a midwife someday. Of course, it wouldn't bother her if William were a part of that dream, but she would never tell HIM that. Even though Charis knows how much William has been looking forward to the trip to see the Dwarves, she will be sad to see him leave.
Belarus
Belarus is the cleric in Willow Glen. His healing powers are renowned across the kingdoms, but he must be careful when using them, now that magic has been outlawed. He has been a close friend to William's parents for many years, and would do anything to protect them and their children.
Sir Carrock
A loathesome and depraved man with an insatiable lust. Once a war hero for King Garin, now he serves a new master: anyone willing to pay enough gold. He travels alone, and he carouses alone, relying only on his sword and wits for protection.
Quest Menu keeps track of your quests automatically
Seasons - The world changes to reflect Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter as time passes
Animal Mounts & Vehicles - Travel faster and farther by horse, ship, and flying creatures
Custom Forging - Use William's blacksmithing ability to forge unique weapons and armor
Dozens of sub-plots and optional side quests
Rank Improvement - Main characters can train at guilds to increase in class and unlock more advanced items
Seasons - The world changes to reflect Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter as time passes
Animal Mounts & Vehicles - Travel faster and farther by horse, ship, and flying creatures
Custom Forging - Use William's blacksmithing ability to forge unique weapons and armor
Dozens of sub-plots and optional side quests
Rank Improvement - Main characters can train at guilds to increase in class and unlock more advanced items
Title Screen
Scene from Prologue
William talking to his father
William riding his horse, Thistle
William at the Forge - use these anvils to make custom weapons and armor
A New Puzzle
Quest Menu - keeps track of primary and secondary quests
Traveling in an underwater cave - when the timer runs out, you run out of air!
Mysterious Travelers
Wanted Poster outside the Garrison
Picking a Lock - stop the pins from hitting the tumblers
Feasting with the Dwarves
Going Sailing
War Memories
Scene from Prologue
William talking to his father
William riding his horse, Thistle
William at the Forge - use these anvils to make custom weapons and armor
A New Puzzle
Quest Menu - keeps track of primary and secondary quests
Traveling in an underwater cave - when the timer runs out, you run out of air!
Mysterious Travelers
Wanted Poster outside the Garrison
Picking a Lock - stop the pins from hitting the tumblers
Feasting with the Dwarves
Going Sailing
War Memories
Download instructions
1. Download both Game and Audio files
2. Run the self-extracting file "The Blacksmith's Apprentice.exe"
3. Extract BS-Audio folder to the desktop
4. Move the "Audio" folder to folder that was created from step 2. (Place it in the same folder with the game.exe file)
The following SIDE quests have not been finished in the demo, so they cannot be completed during play, but you can still finish the demo without completing them:
Various graphics by Breadfan, Inquisitor, LoS, Venetia
Facesets and some Battlers by Naramura
Quest Menu by SirSK8ATON (using modified version - by me)
She-Who-Must-Not-be-Named's Weather Script
Cogwheel Bars by DerVVulfman
Orchestral RTP music by SnowWolf, DJ
Title Screen by Lasaine
I downloaded a bunch of graphics resources before starting this project, much of which I don't remember the source, so if you recognize something you've done, let me know and I'll include you here
1. Download both Game and Audio files
2. Run the self-extracting file "The Blacksmith's Apprentice.exe"
3. Extract BS-Audio folder to the desktop
4. Move the "Audio" folder to folder that was created from step 2. (Place it in the same folder with the game.exe file)
The following SIDE quests have not been finished in the demo, so they cannot be completed during play, but you can still finish the demo without completing them:
- Angus' Ring (His ring doesn't exist)
- Quelion's Quest (Galeara cannot be found yet)
- Balin's Boat (Pitch doesn't exist)
- Ten Golden Mushrooms (Nothing happens if you have 10 mushrooms)
- Avelina's Animal Pelts (Pelts cannot be obtained during play)
- The Schooner (large boat) does not work yet, so you shouldn't buy it
- Thornbury Mountain Summit (with the Harpies) - Don't venture too far past the sign, you might get stuck
- There is no rope ladder yet
Various graphics by Breadfan, Inquisitor, LoS, Venetia
Facesets and some Battlers by Naramura
Quest Menu by SirSK8ATON (using modified version - by me)
She-Who-Must-Not-be-Named's Weather Script
Cogwheel Bars by DerVVulfman
Orchestral RTP music by SnowWolf, DJ
Title Screen by Lasaine
I downloaded a bunch of graphics resources before starting this project, much of which I don't remember the source, so if you recognize something you've done, let me know and I'll include you here
New in Version 1.5
Previous changes - since original version
- Choice and consequence - some quests can be finished in a variety of ways, and the choices you make will have lasting repercussions
- Improved outdoor appearance on most maps
- Locked Chests now opened using a puzzle-style pin & tumbler system
- Modified Enemy Encounters - defeated enemies replenish less
- Added new music to some outdoor maps
- More item drops (chests, bags, buried treasures)
- Character Stats impact game outside of battle - Strength determines duration of breathing underwater, dexterity determines lock-picking, etc.
Previous changes - since original version
- New Title Screen/Music
- Added underwater section to Quill's Island
- Blacksmithing System - make custom weapons and armor by gathering components
- Added the Pick Axe, which allows access to caved-in areas
- Added puzzle-style gameplay to the Thieves' Caves, Gloomy Forest, Ancient Ruins
- Added Thistle - rideable animal mount
- Decreased enemy difficulty, increased gold and experience drops
This game is my own personal project, approximately 30% complete, and the demo has around 10 hours+ of play time. I would like to get feedback on what you liked, didn't like, bugs, play balance, etc. Enjoy!