Before Mages, After Knights

Controls:

WASD - Move

O / Enter - Attack

P / Shift - TimeShift

Made for Spring 2025 KU Game Jam

Story:

In the past, very few individuals found themselves with the ability to wield magic. The magic, being of a wide range and variety, was highly sought after, yet no one understood what determined whether an individual was capable of magic or not. Those blessed with the wizardry were highly revered, as their magical abilities provided a great boon to all. To nurture these individuals, an academy for gifted individuals was founded. Our protagonist, Gartholomew and his brother, Tartholomew, were both sent to the magic academy when it was discovered that Tartholomew had the ability to wield fire. Hoping that Gartholomew also had the gift for magic that Tartholomew had, both kids were sent to the magic academy to study and grow their abilities. 

However, Gartholomew was never able to achieve magic powers, instead growing in strength and sword-fighting skills in order to make up for his lack of magical prowess. Tartholomew, on the other hand, was able to significantly grow with his powers, and the more his arcane talent grew, the more respect he commanded from his peers. Gartholomew was jealous of his brother, and in a heated argument between the two, Gartholomew lashed out, telling his brother he was nothing without his magic. The brothers then fought each other, leading to Gartholomew's expension. Tartholomew was never expelled due to his abilities. 

Peace reigned across the lands—until a sudden and violent uprising shattered the calm. A radical movement emerged, demanding the extermination of all non-magic users. At first, Gartholomew and his fellow non-mages dismissed the threat, blind to the growing storm. But the tide turned swiftly: the government was overthrown, seized by those who wielded arcane power. 

War erupted.

 The non-magic populace, ill-equipped and unprepared, found themselves hopelessly outmatched against the sorcerers' might. Amid the chaos, the true architect of the uprising revealed himself—Tartholomew. Once a shadowy figure, now a tyrant, he called for the annihilation of all he deemed inferior.

 It is now the year 2025. For years, Tistaria has been consumed by war. The purge continues, relentless and unforgiving. What began as whispers of revolution has grown into a storm of blood and fire. Driven by fear, fanaticism, and greed, once-honorable mages have turned against their kin. 

Gartholomew finds himself near the war's end, ready to take down the ring leader behind the purge. He chases after his brother Tartholomew, an extremely talented mage who became corrupted by his own desire for superiority. Although Gartholomew has no magic of his own, he finds himself leading a resistance group, who in a last ditch effort to take down Tartholomew, launces Gartholomew toward Tarth's Castle, the previous magic academy the two brothers attended. Ready to take back the lands, Gartholomew steels himself to fight his brother.

 

First scene:

Gartholowmew: "The war... it must be put to a stop... my brother's reign against those who cannot wield the arcana ends today!" Second Scene: Tartholomew: "Pathetic... you truly thought you could beat me? Did you learn nothing of your insignificance?" Gartholowmew: "I can't back down... not when everyone's been counting on me!" Third Scene: Tartholomew: "Gah?! You idiot! What have you do-" Fourth Scene: Gartholomew: "Where... where am I?! The academy? What happened to my brother's castle?" Fifth Scene: Gartholomew: "The timer on the clock... it's ticking down?!" Sixth Scene: Gartholomew: "I'm back... back to the castle. This pocketwatch seems to have rewinded time for a bit. This will be perfect to face down my brother, I'll take him down with any means possible!"