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Preface!
Chardengrave was born as a personal challenge: to create something unique, emotional, and deeply narrative. It is a project that brings together a wide range of inspirations — from the evocative worlds of Black Myth: Wukong and Horizon, to cinematic works, literature, and cultural influences that helped shape the game’s visual and narrative identity.
The project took form while I was preparing my thesis on game environments, during a period in which I studied numerous academic texts and analyzed several video games within a short timeframe. From that process, a complex and ever-expanding world emerged: a long, branching story with high replayability and two entirely distinct moral paths — almost two games in one.
Many elements are still in development — artifacts, characters, missions, areas, and ancient legacies — but the core vision of the game is clear and guides every design decision. For creative protection, several details have been intentionally omitted from this page.
However, every element you will see — names, symbols, objects, locations — carries a story, an etymology, a purpose, and a meaning within the world of Chardengrave.
If you wish to explore the narrative structure and creative process in greater depth, I am happy to share the complete document upon request.
Thank you for your time, and enjoy the reading.
— Anna Chiarin
Within the castle’s guarded heart,
a precious relic rests apart.
Forged by divine and ancient might,
now sought in shadow, craved in light.
Two factions rise to claim its power,
to scheme, to fight, in the fated hour.
Good and evil clash once more,
their endless conflict shaping lore.
Eight the trials carved by fate,
eight the challenges for those who wait.
A medallion marks each chosen way —
only the victor finds the day.
Upon the altar, secrets lie,
revealed to hands that qualify.
No hero yet, no champion true,
no soul deemed worthy to pursue.
And you, wanderer… which path will bind?
In light or shadow, where lies your mind?
Within the castle’s guarded heart,
a precious relic rests apart.
Forged by divine and ancient might,
now sought in shadow, craved in light.
Two factions rise to claim its power,
to scheme, to fight, in the fated hour.
Good and evil clash once more,
their endless conflict shaping lore.
Eight the trials carved by fate,
eight the challenges for those who wait.
A medallion marks each chosen way —
only the victor finds the day.
Upon the altar, secrets lie,
revealed to hands that qualify.
No hero yet, no champion true,
no soul deemed worthy to pursue.
And you, wanderer… which path will bind?
In light or shadow, where lies your mind?
There is a place where light and shadow brush against each other,
and every choice leaves a mark. That place is called Chardengrave.
As mentioned earlier, Chardengrave emerged as a personal challenge: the attempt to shape a world built around emotion, action, morality, and destiny.
Not simply a video game, but an inner experience — a world where the environment itself becomes a mirror of the player’s decisions.
Every action has consequences.
Every choice opens two distinct paths — two realities that coexist, yet never truly meet. In one, light guides and protects; in the other, darkness offers power and deception. It is up to you to decide which one to follow, and which version of the story to live.
The protagonist’s journey has a single destination: the Castle of Chardengrave, and the trials awaiting within its walls. To obtain the ancient artifact hidden in its depths, she must overcome eight challenges and recover eight medallions, each tied to a different aspect of the human soul.
Only by uniting them can she awaken the sealed altar — though doing so will draw the attention of the forces that have waited in the shadows for centuries.
All of this unfolds within a living world, rich with elements to discover:
▧ Magic, combat, and alliances that shape the protagonist’s destiny.
▧ A moral path where every choice shifts the balance between light and darkness.
▧ Mysterious locations to explore, filled with secrets and opportunities.
▧ Weapons, relics, and ancient objects essential for survival.
▧ Encounters and dialogues that challenge the player’s emotions.
▧ Silent divinities watching from afar, ready to grant favor or unleash punishment.
In Chardengrave, you do not play a character — you become one.
And the world, in its silence, watches you change.
Everything began with a primordial deity — creator of the heavens and the earth. From this being were born two children, destined to rule the two worlds in balance.
But harmony did not last: the hunger for power ignited an eternal conflict. Unable to accept one another, the two divine siblings shaped humankind as instruments of their war, driving mortals to fight in their name.
Weary of their madness, the father sacrificed the last of his strength to imprison them both, sealing his own essence inside an ancient artifact — a blade capable of restoring peace… or unleashing total destruction.
Today, the people of Chardengrave live suspended between diplomacy and threat, between light and shadow. The Knights of Light strive to preserve a fragile balance, while the Dark Lords plot from the shadows to reclaim the chaos they once commanded.
From this moment on, the player steps into a dual path.
Good and evil lose their traditional boundaries and become two opposing forces: Puris and Nefaris.
The idea behind this system goes beyond simple replayability: Chardengrave offers two games in one.
Two completely different paths, two identities, two narrative and gameplay experiences.
Although Vaelis tries to remain neutral in the face of this divide, her journey forces her to take a side.Every decision — whether small or significant — generates Puris points (Purity – Blue) or Nefaris points (Corruption – Red). And depending on how these values evolve, the path itself changes.
The opening hours present situations designed to test her alignment: these will determine which of the two journeys begins first. In the world of Chardengrave, no one is ever truly neutral. Every choice leaves a mark, pushing Vaelis toward light or shadow.
A progression indicator in the interface reflects the player’s actions, naturally shaping the development of their moral path. These two alignments do more than alter the story — they influence everything. Weapons, armor, alliances, enemies, magical powers, missions, and even NPC behavior:every element of the game responds to this duality.
To uncover all the nuances of the narrative and experience both sides of the journey, the adventure must be played at least twice.
And each time, the world reveals itself in a different way.
Every aspect of Chardengrave follows a principle of balance between body, mind, and spirit.
The player grows through six core resources, shared across both moral paths:
life
STAMINA
focus
MANA
Shards of a primordial energy, gifted by the world itself to those who accomplish meaningful acts. Fragments are the reflection of the will to grow, and they allow Vaelis to strengthen her Energy Flows.
Energy Flows represent the active inner forces that course through Vaelis’ body, mind, and spirit. Each Flow is a living ability — a manifestation of her inner evolution, a tangible and visible change that shapes both gameplay and narrative.
Strength
Physical Power
Agility
Speed
Intuitive Sight
Investigation
Endurance
Constitution
armor
defence (puris)
attack
inner power
shadow deception
(nefaris)
Stealth Tactics
Strategy
magical
mastery
Alchemy
cooking
master
builder
social
recognition
In the game world, Vaelis can gather and use a wide variety of resources, each defined by type and rarity (Common- Rare - Epic - Legendary). These elements are essential for character progression, inventory enhancement, and the acquisition of new upgrades.
The inventory is divided into major categories, each with its own dedicated space:
some interface examples
equipment - armor puris
+
aesthetic customization
equipment - armor nefaris
+
aesthetic customization
weapons puris
staves
bows
swords
spears
daggers
weapons nefaris
Scythes
nunchaku - whips
swords
Crossbows
axes
Gauntlets
Materials - puris e nefarisConstruction - Stat Recovery - Weapon & Armor Crafting
* Rarity applies to this category as well *
Consumables - puris e nefarisEdible resources with beneficial effects – Stat Boosts or Recovery
* Rarity applies to this category as well *
Workbench
Camp Brazier
Dedicated Space for Resource, Weapon, and Armor Crafting
Ancient Hearth for Brewing Potions, Poisons, and Cooked Mealsthrough the combination of two or more consumables
* The final effect of the product is equal to the sum of all effects from the consumables used in its creation *
Valuables + Currency - puris e nefarisResources intended for purchases or barter-based exchanges.
* Rarity applies to this category as well *
Unique Artifacts - puris e nefarisRare, one-of-a-kind resources that grant special bonus effects
(e.g., enemy tracks vision)
* Rarity applies to this category as well *
In Chardengrave, there are four different ways to communicate with a deity and obtain specific bonuses.
These methods vary depending on the chosen moral path.
puris
nefaris
Relics & Crystals – Puris and Nefaris
Relics are composed of two elements: a CONTAINER and a CORE.
The CONTAINER represents the offering and is symbolized by the Relic.
The CORE represents the bonus and is symbolized by the Crystal.
The player offers the CONTAINER to the deity in a specific location on the map,
and in return receives the CORE, granting a TEMPORARY ACTIVE SPECIAL POWER.
Total Relics and Crystals:
8 Puris Relics + 8 Puris Crystals
8 Nefaris Relics + 8 Nefaris Crystals
Each CRYSTAL contains 4 SPECIAL POWERS for the player to choose from,
for a total of 64 AVAILABLE POWERS across Puris and Nefaris.
After using a Crystal’s power, the player must visit specific locations on the map to RECHARGE it with the same ability or select a different one.
* Each Relic has its own story, origin, and distinct form.
Its Crystal bears a specific color, tied to the natural element it represents
(fire, light, water, ice, mind, earth…) *
Relics & Crystals PURIS
Relics & Crystals Nefaris
AIR
SOUND
WATER
ICE
Earth
Vegetation
LIGHT
DARKNESS
Physical Strength
Mental Strength
Fire
Electricity
Physical Mutation
MIND
TIME
When the Crystals are united…
they awaken a hidden power
Construction ToolEssential for building boats, bridges, platforms, and other structures
Fishing ToolsEssential for catching fish, gathering algae, and retrieving hidden resources from the lake
The Travel Notebook is the tool Vaelis uses to keep track of her journey.It can be accessed at any time and updates automatically as new discoveries are made.
Inside the notebook, the player can find several categories of information:
some interface examples
vITAL PROFILE
press
MAIN AND SIDE QUESTS
COLLECTED RELICS - ACTIVE POWER
press
FRAGMENTS AND ANCIENT DOCUMENTS
RECIPER FOR ADVANCED CONSUMABLES
WORLD MAP
LIST OF CHARACTERS
NATURAL LOCATIONS
POINTS OF INTEREST
Legend
a selection of the locations presented so far
Dunmora
⋅ Village ⋅
Myren
⋅ Village ⋅
Velmyr
⋅ Village ⋅
The Exiles' Rest
⋅ Travelers' Camp ⋅
The Pilgrims’ Circle
⋅ Travelers' Camp ⋅
The Fortress of Shadows
⋅ Ancient Ruins ⋅
Temple of Ahren
⋅ Ancient Ruins ⋅
The Sunken Sepulcher
⋅ Ancient Ruins ⋅
Goldern Balance Altar
⋅ Temple Puris ⋅
Outdoor
Celestial Light Altar
⋅ Temple Puris ⋅
The Heart of Darkness
⋅ Secret Base Nefaris ⋅
The Black Dragon’s Grotto
⋅ Secret Base Nefaris ⋅
The Shore of Whispers
⋅ Meditation Site Puris ⋅
Dark Forest
⋅ Natural Location ⋅
Cavern of Mystery
⋅ Natural Location ⋅
Starfield Plains
⋅ Natural Location ⋅
Climatic and Natural Biomes
❄ Mountain Regions
These areas feature harsh and isolated environments: snow-covered ridges, mountain forests, frozen plateaus, ice caverns, remnants of ancient civilizations, and hidden passages. Exploring mountain zones means facing solitude, vertical challenges, and the constant risk of falling —but it also offers breathtaking vistas and secrets buried in the cold.
💧Wetlands
Spread along rivers, lakes, and waterbound intersections, the wetlands are defined by misty swamps, submerged caves, flooded grasslands, and ancient ruins reclaimed by vegetation. Rich in hidden dangers and forgotten mysteries, these areas provide opportunities for exploration, ingredient gathering, and the discovery of lost places.
🌀Wind-Swept Regions
Wind-swept regions are territories shaped by constant or intermittent currents that define both their morphology and atmosphere. Barren plateaus, echoing gorges, mist-lined ridges, and ever-shifting grasslands create a landscape suspended between serenity and tension. In these environments, the player may face environmental hazards, illusions, mysterious sounds, or endurance-based challenges.
🌫️ Foglands
Foglands are areas shrouded in a dense veil that obscures everything: ancient ruins, forgotten paths, and long-buried truths. Light struggles to break through, scattering unnaturally, while sounds become muted — as if the world itself were holding its breath. Navigation becomes uncertain, and spatial perception begins to shift. These regions are ideal for concealing enemy bases, generating visual illusions, or hiding intricate labyrinths.
🌳Forest & Woodland Regions
Forest regions represent the living, breathing heart of the continent — places where nature, mystery, and memory intertwine. Lush forests and shadowed woods alternate in a succession of hidden paths, forgotten sanctuaries, and natural caverns. Rich in natural materials and narrative opportunities, these areas invite sensory exploration and a deeper connection with the world’s ancient essence.
🌋 Volcanic Zones
In the southern lands stretch territories shaped by primordial fire.
The ground is dark — at times arid, at times fractured by glowing fissures. Some areas open into lava pools, while others reveal thermal basins, toxic fumaroles, or crystals vibrating beneath the surface. The atmosphere is extreme, unstable, sacred, and perilous. The constant rumble from the depths follows every step, while the heat distorts perception.
🏕️ Plains Regions
The plains form the vital heart of Chardengrave’s world. These territories are accessible yet environmentally diverse, dotted with villages, cultivated fields, forgotten crossroads, sacred temples, and blooming landscapes. Here, the daily life of the inhabitants intertwines with echoes of ancient generations, symbolic encounters, moral exploration, and relational development.
⚠️ Corrupted Lands
These lands, once fertile, are now bent under the influence of the Dark God. Contaminated waters, poisonous plants, twisted trees, and toxic mists dominate the environment. Every step carries risk; every corner may conceal an illusion or an infected creature. The Corrupted Lands represent the most unstable and spiritually dangerous part of the world —a reflection of the collapse between life and death, order and chaos.
Vaelis was born in a small, peaceful village — an isolated place where life flowed simply, shared among those who called it home.
One day, a sudden attack shattered everything: the houses, the quiet, and her childhood. From that moment on, she grew up in solitude, surviving thanks to the few who remained and learning to rely solely on herself.
As the years passed, she realized that the conflict between light and darkness was not a battle of good versus evil, but an eternal sentence imposed upon humankind.
One day, she heard rumors of an ancient artifact said to have the power to change the fate of the world. Some claimed it could bring peace; others feared it would unleash ruin. No one knew the truth.
For Vaelis, that object meant only one thing: a possibility.
With nothing left to bind her to her past, she set out into the unknown —
a journey where every step becomes a choice, and every choice shapes who she will ultimately become.
She carries no weapons, no wealth — only a single item: an ancient magical bracelet, the Levòrth, the last link to her family. A jewel whose power she has yet to understand, but one that holds the key to her inner energy.
Throughout her journey, Vaelis will encounter a wide range of characters, each playing a unique role in a world suspended between light and darkness.
Some will become trusted allies, ready to offer help, knowledge, or valuable resources; others will be relentless enemies, determined to hinder her path toward Chardengrave and the ancient artifact hidden within.
Among the faithful of Puris, there are Guardians and Devotees who watch over sacred places, offering protection and wisdom. On the opposite side, the followers of Nefaris plot from the shadows, erasing traces of order and spreading chaos wherever they pass.
Beyond these two factions, Vaelis will cross paths with wandering merchants, enigmatic keepers, villagers in need of assistance, and supernatural creatures to face in battle — each with a story to tell and a role in shaping her destiny. But not everyone she meets will reveal their intentions clearly: some characters hide secrets, while others present difficult choices that may alter the course of her adventure.
a selection of the characters written so far
Il Pescatore
Nefaris Lord
∙ main quest ∙
Kolior
Nefaris Lord
∙ side quest ∙
Tharvok
Nefaris Demon
∙ main BOSS FIGHT ∙
Gravok
Nefaris Demon
∙ side BOSS FIGHT ∙
Théo
Young Explorer
∙ Main quest ∙
Mirhiel
Elder Seer
∙ side quest ∙
Elrion
Wise Elder
∙ Main quest ∙
Thanveris
Puris Keeper
∙ main quest ∙
Bertha
Lady of Myren
∙ side quest ∙
Kaleth
Puris Knight
∙ side quest ∙
Norlhan
Wise Elder
∙ moral path introduction ∙
Owen
Puris Keeper
∙ main quest ∙
Derion
Puris Knight
∙ missione secondaria ∙
Tharim
Field Healer
∙ side quest ∙
Perrin Tock
Inventor-Technician
∙ side quest ∙
Arthur
Young Dreamer
∙ side quest ∙
Jerry
Mischievous Child
∙ side quest ∙
Eron
Mad Old Man
∙ side quest ∙
Elian
Puris Knight
∙ Love Entanglement ∙
optional romantic subplot
Axior
Traveling Companion
∙ main quest ∙
In-game commands
Whistle ⇢ "Come"
Send ⇢ "Scout"
Inspect ⇢ "Check"
Hot Air Balloon Station
Game Interface
These are the images of the first gameplay schematics, showing all main and side quests, several branching dialogues with their parallel narrative paths, rewards, locations, moral contributions, comments, and cutscenes.
First Part
puris path
Beginning of the Second Part
puris path
And you, future player… what will you choose?
Will you challenge fate, or run from fear?
Step into the world of Chardengrave
and immerse yourself in a new adventure.
Se il tuo progetto ha bisogno di un occhio creativo, una mente organizzata e tanta passione per il mondo digitale…sono pronta a collaborare.