Introduction to Ashes of Velsingrad

Welcome to Ashes of Velsingrad, a dark tactical RPG that combines strategic combat, deep narrative choices, and complex character development in a war-torn fantasy world.

🌍 The World of Velsingrad

Setting: 1146 After the Fall

Velsingrad stands as a broken kingdom, scarred by decades of conflict with the Empire of Solmire. What was once a proud realm has been reduced to ruins, its people scattered and desperate. Three catastrophic events have shaped the current state of the world:

The Plague

A mysterious black fever that consumed both nobles and peasants alike, leaving entire cities as ghost towns within days. Those who survived carry the scars—both physical and psychological—of watching their loved ones waste away.

The Inquisition

The Order of the Broken Dawn, a fanatical religious organization, emerged from the chaos, blaming sorcery for the plague. Their brutal purges have claimed countless lives, targeting anyone suspected of magical abilities or consorting with dark forces.

The Curse

A malevolent force has awakened beneath the land, seeping into the very soil and corrupting those it touches. This dark energy grants terrible power to some, while driving others to madness.

🗡️ Your Story

You are Kaelen Voss, former commander of the legendary mercenary company known as the Iron Crows. Once feared across the battlefield for their tactical brilliance and unwavering loyalty, the Iron Crows were betrayed during what should have been their greatest triumph.

Left for dead and abandoned by those you trusted most, you awakened to find a dark power coursing through your veins—the same curse that the Inquisition fears and that sorcerers covet. Now you must decide how to use this newfound strength:

Three Paths of Destiny

⚔️ Vengeance

  • Hunt down those who betrayed you
  • Embrace anger and the desire for retribution
  • Build your legacy through fear and blood
  • Risk losing yourself to the darkness within

🛡️ Redemption

  • Seek to atone for past failures
  • Protect the innocent from the chaos engulfing the world
  • Use your power to heal rather than harm
  • Fight against the corruption spreading through the land

đź‘‘ Domination

  • Embrace the dark power fully
  • Rise above the petty conflicts of others
  • Rule through strength and command respect through fear
  • Risk becoming the very monster the world fears

🎯 Core Themes

Moral Ambiguity

In Ashes of Velsingrad, there are no clear heroes or villains. Every faction has justifiable motivations, and every choice carries consequences. The Inquisition may be brutal, but they genuinely believe they're saving the world. Sorcerers may practice forbidden arts, but they might be the only ones capable of stopping the curse.

Power and Corruption

The central question of the game revolves around power: How do you wield it responsibly? The curse that flows through Kaelen offers incredible abilities, but at what cost? Every use of dark magic brings you closer to losing your humanity.

Loyalty and Betrayal

The bonds between companions, the weight of broken oaths, and the price of trust form the emotional core of the narrative. Your relationships with the surviving Iron Crows and new allies will be tested repeatedly.

Hope in Darkness

Despite the grim setting, Ashes of Velsingrad is ultimately about finding light in the darkness. Whether through acts of heroism, moments of genuine human connection, or the simple refusal to give up, hope persists even in the bleakest circumstances.

🎮 What Makes This Game Unique

Dynamic Narrative

Your choices don't just affect individual story beats—they reshape the entire world. Factions rise and fall based on your actions, companions may leave or betray you depending on your moral alignment, and entire regions can be saved or damned by your decisions.

Tactical Depth

Combat isn't just about dealing damage—it's about positioning, terrain usage, and strategic thinking. Every battle is a puzzle to solve, with multiple viable approaches depending on your playstyle and moral choices.

Character Relationships

Your companions aren't just stat blocks—they're complex individuals with their own goals, fears, and moral codes. Managing their loyalty and navigating their personal stories is as important as any combat encounter.

Meaningful Consequences

Death isn't the end in Ashes of Velsingrad, but resurrection comes at a terrible price. Players must weigh the value of every life against the corruption that saving them might bring.

đź“š Getting Started

Ready to begin your journey? Check out the Getting Started guide to set up your development environment and dive into the world of Velsingrad.

For a deeper dive into the game's systems, explore our Game Design documentation, or jump straight into the API Reference if you're interested in the technical implementation.

"In the ashes of what was, we forge what will be. The question is not whether we can change the world, but whether we can do so without losing ourselves in the process."

— Kaelen Voss, Commander of the Iron Crows

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