Haydyn's Fable: Plane of Eidolan

[Eddie]

"Life is eternal... Love is immortal... Death is not the end, but only the beginning..."

Spoiler: About The Project

Many remember the original project, Haydyn's Fable that was presented back in 2006, and unfortunately was not released to many reworkings on plot and changes to the game. Much of what has caused a delay in development was the large lack of organization and a tad bit of chaos amidst my personal life. Time however, is now working to my advantage, and as well, I have acquired many skills over the time since then. I had since worked on the storyline and concept, and have completely reworked the story of Haydyn's Fable and transformed it into something completely new. Hopefully at mentioning that, old fans that had given me support wont tuck tails, and stay far away from this thread. I personally believe the changes that have been made ultimately or for the better and make for a much more interesting story concept. I am very confident in what the story has to offer, and will be working my hardest, with the help of my team to deliver a great gaming experience with depth and story, as well as fun mechanics that will make Haydyn's Fable, worthy of giving a try.

I want to apologize ahead of time for the many people who had much faith in this project and have been turned off from the delays and "mulligans". With a certain direction now, and a supportive staff that has been here since Day 1, I believe that we are one step closer in the direction in achieving what the staff had set out to do.

I know the first thing that will be mentioned by many people who reply to this thread, will be regarding a demo. I do not wish to give expectations to people that I may not be able to deliver on time, and nor do I wish to push a deadline that may be degrading to the quality of the game itself. So please, be patient with us, and I will periodically be posting updates on this page.

Spoiler: Storyline

A soul-scarred man finds himself lost within the beautiful paradisaical world of the afterlife, the Plane of Eidolan. Lost in this unfamiliar world, Haydyn's memory of the life he once lived is lost to him. In search for the man he once was, Haydyn's memory comes back to him as his soul becomes touched by the spirits of those intertwined in his past, foe and friend a like. What begins as a journey for self-understanding, evolves into an epic struggle of inner-conflict as Haydyn's inner demons catch up with him. The course of action he takes to find understanding and peace within his soul will determine his final fate in a world where there is no time... Only a peaceful eternity, or never-ending torment.

Spoiler: The Concept

The reason that the original title was named "Haydyn's Fable"... or more importantly, how this tale resembles a fable, is that the lesson to be learned in it will be told greatly with metaphor and hyperbole. Not to the extent of the "traditional" fable that is presented by that which is unrealistic and more parable-ish in nature... but instead, in the simple fact that all that will pass, is not only a physical experience for Haydyn, but it is a symbol of something he struggled with within his own soul, within his feelings, and within the past of the life before Eidolan. To put as simply as one can without spoiling too much of the story, Haydyn's greatest enemy, his nemesis so to speak... is himself. In the end, you may find that what Haydyn once was may have been something unpleasant... but the choices he makes through this Journey will either bring him to a path of destruction, where pain and torment will be the eternity that awaits him, or he will make the choice to do and act in a way to bring peace to himself, and the people he had wronged in the past.

This game was greatly inspired by a film, "What Dreams May Comes".

Spoiler: The Three Planes of the Afterlife

Elias
Elias is the Plane that those who have lived righteous and lived with purity go. The Heaven that awaits them is merely that which is most important to them. Something cherished and longed for by them and by them alone. Perhaps it is a cottage on a mountain, perhaps its a castle among the clouds. For each soul, Heaven is something different. It is said that to those who attempt to cross the river of Elias, without passing the Judgement, a endless sea of blackness awaits at the other side. But for those who have been redeemed through the Pilgrimage of Eidolan, an eternity within paradise awaits.

Eidolan
Eidolan is often what the Afterlife is referred to... but there is one of the Three Planes that is also known as the "Plane of Eidolan". It is nearly a paradise in and of itself, though only by its physical beauty alone. A magical land where there is yet one final life to be lived. The souls who are lost through struggle and conflict fall to the Plane of Tantarus. Those who are righteous and treat other spirits with unconditional respect and kindness are sometimes given the opportunity to move beyond the River of Elias to the Undying Land. Eidolan is a land however that there are no rules. When a soul is destroyed, it is said that the spirit is embodied into nothingness... and all that once was will not long after be forgotten. Some believe that such a fate is worse than an eternity in Tantarus.

Tantarus
Tantarus is the "Land of the Dead". A soul who is doomed to the Plane of Tantarus will only know an eternity of pain, torment, and suffering. The souls that were intertwined with the soul who is doomed will forget of them, all knowledge is lost. To be forgotten, is worse than death.

Spoiler: The Three Spirits of the Afterlife

Ceclian [The Dove] - Ceclian is the governor who watches over the Kingdom of Elias. Is is told that in her humanoid form, she is to be the most beautiful creature to have ever been seen by man. In her presence, and aura of hope surrounds her, making the hearts of even the most troubled very light. In her spirit form, she is a dove.

The Warden - [The Falcon]
The Warden of Eidolan is a very mysterious spirit. His demeanor is unknown, and his wishes are not either. He has not been known to be benevolent and nor has he been known to be malevolent. He is better seen as a Judge, offering trials and tests to the souls who wander the face of Eidolan. When his final word is said, the other spirits trust to his word. His form is that of a man, but his face can not be seen. His Spirit form is that of a Falcon.

Daegadan - [The Raven]
The Spirit that rules the realm of Tantarus, his sole purpose to bring terror among the realm of Tantarus, and allow for no rest to the souls who have been doomed to this land. Daegadan is neither good nor is he evil. He simply is. Like the other spirits, he was given a purpose and will follow it for an eternity.
In his regular form, he is a great serpent, in spirit form, he is a Raven.

Spoiler: Characters

Haydyn
Haydyn is the main character of the story. His past is shrouded in mystery, even to himself. His goal and mission is to understand the man he once was.

Cecelia
A woman who also is searching for the fragments of her memory. Beautiful and young, she died an untimely death, and her and Haydyn work together to figure out just who they were.

Cuthuil
A light hearted man who is a capable fighter. He knows Haydyn but how and where from he refuses to share. He made a promise to help Haydyn in his journey, in return, he would have to fulfill an oath, to do something for him when the time would come that he would ask.

The Warden
The main antagonist of the tale. The Warden plays the largest role in Haydyn's story than the other two spirits of the Afterlife. The Warden continually challenges Haydyn through tests and trials, the consequences of failing, the greatest cost there is to be paid. Should Haydyn fail, he may never find the peace he is searching for, and even more so, those who would help Haydyn have a big price they must pay should they continue to help him on his Journey.

Spoiler: Screenshots

Since we are still in pre-alpha phase in the game development, many of these screenshots are of the alpha mapping. I will update this page when we have some actual in game shots.

Spoiler: Media

Forgotten Love - By Daryus
Haydyn's Fable - Title Screen - By Daryus

Spoiler: Special Thanks

Just want to send out a thanks to my team right now. Thank you guys!:
Daryus - Music Composition
Crazymew - Spriting

Spoiler: NOW RECRUITING!

Our team is now looking for a few people to help out. Of greatest importance right now is another pixel artist. Because we have recently decided to go from RTP graphics to CUSTOM graphics (Characters, not Tilesets) we're going to have to do a large recreation of NPC's and other characters. Someone who would like to help out in this task, and take some of the pressure off our beloved Crazymew would be great!

Other things we are looking for:
Concept Artist - For Player Avatars

Anyway you feel you can contribute to the project is appreciated... and if you feel that you can, please send me a tell!

NOTE: All of us who are working on this project are doing on a "For the love of it" basis. This is a freeware game, not going to be sold or distributed by a means of making money. That being said, any people who would like to be apart of the team, please understand we're all here on volunteer duty, and there will be no payment to those who work with us, save for a e-pat on the back, and the credit that is rightfully due to you.

 

[Delmaschio]

I'm glad to see this is back!
I always enjoyed the setting and storyline of the game, I see it seems to be re-worked, at least from what I can remember... I hope you manage to release the game this time.

 

[Eddie]

Thank you. Its actually made to be a 3 part trilogy... but in time we'll see if I ever get to the other two... past experience tells me its bad enough to get one thing done. As far as the old setting and story... that will play a part in the game in small bits, but even more so in the second part of Haydyn's Fable... should we get to that point. In the meantime, thanks for the support and the kind words. I'm confident in the direction the game is going right now.

 

[Mundane]

Well, stick with it man. I've been waiting since the very original. You always seem to have an excellent concept and story, and the look and feel is great, as well. Looking forward to more updates.

 

[Fen]

I like how it looks so far
But in the Warden's description, I think you mean that he's the main antagonist, not protagonist =/

 

[killergermel]

As there is not enough information and no demo, I will try to criticize (constructively of course) the information you DID give us. I haven't seen your previous game and didn't follow it as I wasn't previewing/reviewing projects, but the setting seems pretty hard to integrate or requires a change in the concept that could ruin it in order to fully implement the potential of the setting.
Extensive information about the setting is given and I would have liked it if it wasn't the latest buzz - making the player himself make the choices that will effect his life (well, death in this particular case), and that the final enemy is actually yourself, so I don't know how much attention the game will attract but I hope the game itself will implement it enjoyably, and by that at least succeed in covering for its frequency.
From what I understand The main protagonist has made his choices in life and those choices combined with his past, effect his final destiny. As I understand things choices you made cannot be changed, so Haydyn has made choices in his lifetime and that's it, why does he need to be put to more tests, and if he does need to be challenged, does his past counts as anything? after all if it would have, his final destiny should be already decided, and if his past doesn't count and therefore he needs to be put to those tests, why does Haydyn need to explore it?
Another major flaw that I saw was the part that you said that the warden is the main antagonist. So who is really the enemy? You or this warden? and why does he needs to be an antagonist at all? he is just a judge who decides who goes where, this cant possibly make him an enemy!
As I see it there is still work to be done on the story and the concept. The setting is pretty good but the characters, the story and, again, the concept, have room for improvements. I will wait for a demo to see how you will apply the setting, as it seems like there is a large spacious for errors there, but I hope you will prove me wrong.

 

[Eddie]

As there is not enough information and no demo, I will try to criticize (constructively of course) the information you DID give us. I haven't seen your previous game and didn't follow it as I wasn't previewing/reviewing projects, but the setting seems pretty hard to integrate or requires a change in the concept that could ruin it in order to fully implement the potential of the setting.
Extensive information about the setting is given and I would have liked it if it wasn't the latest buzz - making the player himself make the choices that will effect his life (well, death in this particular case), and that the final enemy is actually yourself, so I don't know how much attention the game will attract but I hope the game itself will implement it enjoyably, and by that at least succeed in covering for its frequency.
From what I understand The main protagonist has made his choices in life and those choices combined with his past, effect his final destiny. As I understand things choices you made cannot be changed, so Haydyn has made choices in his lifetime and that's it, why does he need to be put to more tests, and if he does need to be challenged, does his past counts as anything? after all if it would have, his final destiny should be already decided, and if his past doesn't count and therefore he needs to be put to those tests, why does Haydyn need to explore it?
Another major flaw that I saw was the part that you said that the warden is the main antagonist. So who is really the enemy? You or this warden? and why does he needs to be an antagonist at all? he is just a judge who decides who goes where, this cant possibly make him an enemy!
As I see it there is still work to be done on the story and the concept. The setting is pretty good but the characters, the story and, again, the concept, have room for improvements. I will wait for a demo to see how you will apply the setting, as it seems like there is a large spacious for errors there, but I hope you will prove me wrong.

I think for the most part, I understand what you're trying to ask, but I think mostly with the lack of information of the story. I tried to keep the information here as brief as possible. Yes, all the things that happen in the afterlife, hold some sort of symbolism to Haydyn's past, and more importantly, his soul. How and in what way this is will be revealed to you when, and only when, you play the game.

The Warden being the antagonist... That would be my attempt to making sense of his role to most people following this game. He is not evil... nor is he an "enemy" so to speak. However, he will be the one providing most conflict within the story. Again, I will refrain from anything that will spoil the story.

With all that being said, all I can really say, is you'll have to wait and see, before you'll really have any idea how Haydyn's Fable will truly work. The concept itself holds no flaws that I can see, nor the storyboard. Hopefully I will prove you wrong. And I intend to.

 

[killergermel]

Well you should keep the information here as brief as possible but it should be extensive enough to attract me as a player to the game, which you didn't. What I meant in my original post is that the thing about the afterlife is that its decided upon your choices in the past, in your life, so in fact when you change the final destiny (i.e heaven or hell) you change your actions in the past, but they were already done, so it confuses me, and if you make an act in the game (in the afterlife) and it has a symbolic meaning on the past, it should change it as the acts you do in the afterlife vary. Tell me if you need me to elaborate .

Now about the warden, providing twists and challenges to the plot doesn't make the warden an antagonist, it makes him a character who advances the plot. I don't believe that there is an antagonist in this game at all because all he does is his job so I don't see a point to trying to force someone to be one.

If you think the concept has no flaws it's your choice, I just try to give an objective viewing of the project. If you want me to elaborate about the concept problems (from my POV) tell me.
I will wait for the game and maybe I will be convinced that you did a great job, but just maybe :smile:

 

[Eddie]

Thats alright, not interested in hearing it right now. I think you get the wrong interpretation of the information I've put up for one, and I don't really know how to explain it otherwise without revealing too many spoilers. At any rate, thanks for your feedback, but this story has been a works in progress (the book I've been writing) for many years, and the direction is strongly supported by myself and my staff. Also, never was there anything mentioned about him changing his past. Eidolan won't have the most traditional view on Heaven or Hell. It is somewhat similar to what Catholics call purgatory, but not quite that either. I think all will appreciate what we developed for the world of Eidolan though, and the culture and depth behind it.