Elven Curse

This simple non-field RPG challenges you to escape a cursed forest. -Prologue- You're the village's best hunter, drawn to a national hunting tournament near the royal capital. Arriving for the opening ceremony, you eagerly enter the forest the following day. Upon waking after your first night, you discover something unsettling: everyone's vanished, leaving behind only the remnants of a large hunter encampment. National guards usually oversee the tournament; their absence is alarming. Despite searching, you find no one. Cautiously, you begin to walk, only to encounter another bizarre event – a tree with unusual branches... a tree you're sure you saw earlier. You're trying to head north back to the forest entrance, but you're inexplicably back where you started. As a hunter, this is deeply concerning, especially given your usually impeccable sense of direction. This is beyond a simple case of being lost; it's unsettlingly strange. You attempt to remain calm, and continue exploring.

-What is the "Elven Curse"?- Aided by a quarter-elf, you, the hunter, must escape this cursed forest in this non-field RPG. Gameplay is incredibly streamlined, using a maximum of three buttons at any time (excluding the main menu).

-Character Creation- While manual customization isn't available, you can re-roll your stats as often as needed. Status increase rates upon leveling up are only viewable on this screen and cannot be checked in-game. This information serves as a helpful reference point. When your "talismans" fall below two, and your character's life force reaches zero, it's game over.

-Peddler Quarter-Elf "Foria"- A young (or perhaps not so young) quarter-elf encountered within the forest. Despite their childlike appearance, they claim seniority over you. While seemingly unconcerned with your plight, Foria secretly aids your escape using the forest's ancient spirits.

-Scenario Scene- The prologue unfolds like a visual novel, with cheerful dialogue from Foria. The game's world is subtly conveyed through simple yet evocative language.

-Exploration Mode- Progress through the forest by exploring unexplored areas in each section. The outcome of each exploration attempt depends on the "fog depth" of the area, influenced by your character's stats. If your life force is depleted, use poison sparingly to recover. Rare "talismans" might also necessitate a return to Foria.

-Beast Encounters & Hunter Battles- Dangerous creatures roam the forest, from wild dogs and wolves to surprisingly aggressive frogs and rabbits. Defeating them yields hides tradeable with Foria. Unlike typical RPGs, combat doesn't grant experience points. The goal is simply escape. There are no set boss battles, and all encounters are avoidable (though this requires luck or skillful gameplay). As a hunter, you use a bow and arrow. Maintaining distance allows for attacks without counterattacks, but closing the gap invites a one-sided assault. You can either withdraw to regain distance or use a "flash" ball provided by Foria for a guaranteed escape.

-Cloak & Layering System- Foria crafts cloaks from gathered branches, resin, and leather. These enhance your abilities, and up to three layers can be worn simultaneously. The ability boost is cumulative. Occasionally, a cloak may restore vitality. Note that the topmost layer may be damaged and eventually become unusable. The bow and arrow remain your only weapon; no other equipment changes are possible.

This is a game about playing the game, not just winning. It features elements of: skill selection from random options; reflex testing; strategic thinking; luck; material collection; synthesis; and alchemy. It's a game where preparation (leveling and purchasing items) is key. It’s also a relaxing game that allows for progress even with casual play.

-Autosave- The game autosaves, but not during battles. For reliable saving, it's recommended to close the app from the main menu.

What's New in Version 1.2 (Last updated Dec 18, 2024): v1.2: Fixed a bug causing unexpected transitions to the character creation mode. v1.1: Corrected typos in scenario text. v1.0: Minor bug fixes, some message changes, and added credits. v0.1: Test release.