In the enchanting world of "Heavens’ Revolution: A Lion Among the Cypress," you are thrust into the heart of a Persian steampunk empire, where your mastery of arcane alchemy could spark a revolution or maintain the status quo. This interactive retrofuturistic fantasy novel, penned by Peter Adrian Behravesh and inspired by eighteenth-century Iran, places you in control of your destiny through a text-based narrative that spans 270,000 words and hundreds of choices, powered solely by the boundless expanse of your imagination.
As a skilled alchemist, you stand at the forefront of blending magic with technology, understanding the intricate dance between the material world and the celestial realms. Your abilities enable you to concoct gunpowder, engineer complex machines, brew potent potions to combat diseases, and craft exquisite perfumes. The ancient art of astralchemy, though partially lost, beckons you to delve deeper. With this knowledge, you might repair a khalicraft spaceship for an escape to new horizons or command a colossal mech into the fray of battle.
You find yourself in Seyj, an ancient city teetering on the edge of revolution. Fifty years prior, the She’ri Empire invaded, toppling the old regime and occupying your planet. With heritage tied to both the She’ri colonists and the indigenous Seyj families, your allegiances are divided. As a mandated soldier in the Royalists’ army, your duty is to protect the satrap governor. Yet, the streets echo with the rising clamor of the Revolutionists, who seek to overthrow the satrap and reinstate the ancient rule.
When approached by the Revolutionists, you face a pivotal choice: align with their quest for justice, remain steadfast in your loyalty to the satrap, or engage in a perilous game of espionage, manipulating both factions to your advantage. The stakes are high, and the wrong move could see you facing the sharp edge of a shamshir.
Your journey allows you to explore various paths:
- Choose your gender identity as male, female, or nonbinary, and your sexual orientation as gay, straight, bisexual, or asexual.
- Harness your skills in arcane astralchemy to forge powerful weapons, establish your own workshop, or secure a coveted position at the University.
- Ascend the military hierarchy and lead an army in defense of the satrap.
- Or, cast your lot with the revolutionaries, topple the usurper, and restore the rightful ruler to her throne.
- Seek romance with a fellow soldier, a blacksmith who has joined the rebellion, or even a princess.
In this gripping tale of power and morality, you must ponder: Is the gain of the world worth the potential loss of your soul?
Tags : Role playing
