Let’s talk about the cast of GrimKeep!
In this update, we’re diving into the kinds of characters you’ll meet: heroes, villains, and the unfortunate folks in between.
In GrimKeep, there’s a clear divide between the good guys and the bad guys. No grey morality or narrative twists to wrestle with, just a classic, grim showdown between light and dark. That doesn’t mean our characters are shallow, though. Each one carries weight, both in story and gameplay.
We’re breaking this down into three main categories:
- Player Characters
- Non-Player Characters (NPCs)
- Enemies
For each, we’ll touch on both lore and mechanics.
Player Characters
Lore
Our playable heroes are reimaginings of famous Brothers Grimm fairy tale characters, now older, wearier, and shaped by years of hardship since their original tales ended.
They might go by new names, and many carry the emotional or physical scars of what’s happened since "happily ever after."
We're keeping the narrative light, but meaningful. Think iceberg storytelling, what’s above the surface is just a glimpse, with more implied beneath. Through visual design, item descriptions, and snatches of dialogue, you’ll get hints of a life lived.
Sketches and final art of the character portrait of Red
Mechanics
Mechanically, our player characters are designed to:
- Be distinct enough to encourage trying multiple.
- Be easy to pick up (especially early on).
- Allow flexibility in playstyle.
To support this, each character will likely have:
- A single defining stat: Health.
- A pre-equipped item (potentially).
- Slight variations in point values from dice combos.
For example, a character with low starting health might begin with a powerful item or score higher on certain combo types. We know this might sound a bit abstract without a full look at how the game plays, but bear with us! That day is coming.
Non-Player Characters (NPCs)
This is less of a traditional category. What we’re calling “NPCs” are really Encounters, weird and sometimes dangerous interactions you'll find across the city.
Lore
Some civilians are still out there, hiding, surviving, and maybe a little... off. They're probably not the friendly neighborhood type anymore, but talking to them might reveal glimpses into the strange world of GrimKeep.
Mechanics
These NPCs show up through encounter events where you'll be offered choices, some straightforward, others more of a gamble. Think dialogue options or event cards. There’s no guarantee these situations will go in your favor. GrimKeep isn’t a world where good intentions always lead to good outcomes.
Enemies
Lore
Something foul seeps out from Castle GrimKeep. It warps everything, humans, animals, even objects. There’s no plan behind the madness. Just cruel, senseless transformation.
Enemies in GrimKeep are grotesque parodies of their former selves. A butcher might become a hulking beast wielding meat cleavers; a seamstress may stitch herself into something monstrous. And when they kill, they drag their victims back to the castle.
Mechanics
You’ll face these enemies in turn-based combat. Here's how that works:
- You attack using dice combos and item synergies.
- Each enemy has a set of standard actions, like attack, defend, or unique abilities.
- Before you act, you'll get a hint about their next move, letting you adjust your strategy.
For example, if they’re prepping to defend, it might be a good time to trigger a healing combo or buff.
That’s it for now on characters in GrimKeep!
We’re excited to show more soon, especially once we can reveal how all of this plays out in the game.