LYCH GATE

DISCLAIMER: This is a passion concept for Not a Game Jam 2024, and only includes conceptual work. Though we deeply appreciate the love we've recieved, this concept is not in development at this time.

"What are we made up of other than memories and feelings? They dissolve. There’s nothing to send off.”

"Poetic. Maybe we should’ve swapped careers,"  Veritas mutters, signing his words to ghosts, as is his custom. And you adjust your mouth-wrap to hide whatever might bubble to the surface, as is yours.

A g̴̱̀͆ä̴͙̥̗́͝ḿ̶̞̿e̸͈̖̭͆̕ about the memories we'd rather leave buried and the wounds we choose to pick at in the aftermath.

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LYCH-GATE, known for its annual harvest, is a small town hidden away on the coast, far past the woods that neighbor the nation. Although once prosperous and warm, the last thirty years have changed the people who inhabit it.

THE HARVEST is an annual culling of vegetables and grain, about to reach its 30th year. Though once a festive and exciting time for the people of LYCH-GATE, coinciding murders have bloodied a once fruitful time.

The events of LYCH-GATE  follow THE RAVEN (40), Corvus, a coroner taken-up detective, nomadic and pointed in nature. Like a wandering omen, locals gifted him his name thanks to his tendency to ‘pick at the wounds of the town,’ both figuratively and literally. You’ll often hear him arriving thanks to the jingle of metals his raven friend, Liddell,  forces him to carry along his waist.

THE PRIEST (38), Veritas, serves at the Church as an exemplary measure of the town’s heart. He sees to the town’s happiness, preventing it from being submerged in hopelessness— regardless of his personal matters or feelings. There is a rumor that, when he lights his altar, you can find him immersed in books that aren’t exactly G̸̐͜o̷̘̊d̶͚͠ļ̸̓y̸͈̕.̶̸̫̺̊͝.

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A submission to "Not a Game" Jam 2024 created by Casey Frey and janel

Writing, Logo Design, & Direction by Casey Frey

Illustration, Background, Sprites,  & Direction by janel

Typefaces from Not Jam Font Pack by Not Jam

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Warnings:

This  g̴̱̀͆ä̴͙̥̗́͝ḿ̶̞̿e̸͈̖̭͆̕'s plot primarily centers on a murder mystery with elements of black comedy. It contains:

-Cartoon violence, murder, death, & grief

-Depictions of PTSD and intergenerational trauma

-Blood, bones, & gore (in the form of medical autopsy)

-Catholic guilt and possible sacrilege

-Bright Visuals

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DISCLAIMER: This is a passion concept for Not a Game Jam 2024, and only includes conceptual work. Though we deeply appreciate the love we've recieved, this concept is not in development at this time.