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De'Gloughan

@degloughan.bsky.social
23 followers 26 following 47 posts

Solo developer of the villainous and grimdark text-based RPG/interactive novel hybrid The Blackthorns: Wyldern, where we play on the side of evil. No AI has been used in development, nor will there be. degloughan.itch.io/the-blackthorns-…

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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
I forgot to write a bad ending in the previous update. To make up for this egregious mistake, it shall be extra long and the protagonist will survive it. There are some more art updates for the upcoming hotfix too. #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #textadventure #twinegame #noai #darkfantasy
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
New update, wordcount 177,000+ including coding 😮‍💨 #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #textadventure #twine #twinegame #indiedev #noai #darkfantasy #storygame #grimdark #narrativegame #narrativegames #writing degloughan.itch.io/the-blacktho...
degloughan.itch.io
Story Update
Happy Pride Month As an apology for taking so long to update again, I offer this pride themed character art! (Art is so much quicker to produce than writing) As we get to the end of Pride Month, I rea...
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
After feedback that Frodi needs to be prettier to make up for his narcissistic personality, here's his new portrait #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #twinegame #game #indiedev #noai #gameart #darkfantasy #storygame #grimdark #narrativegame #narrativegames
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Needed a break from writing to have fun and made this! Characters are Frodi, Feane and the protag from my interactive novel. degloughan.itch.io/the-blacktho... Audio: www.youtube.com/@mattstorerh... #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #twinegame #noai #darkfantasy #narrativegame #narrativegames
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Moloch's portraits have been updated, now it's Magwyn's turn! degloughan.itch.io/the-blacktho... #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #twinegame #game #indiedev #noai #gameart #darkfantasy #storygame #grimdark #narrativegame #narrativegames
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Already working on the next update. Once I've completed Moloch's different portraits, I'll get back to writing. #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #twinegame #game #indiedev #noai #gameart #darkfantasy #storygame #grimdark #narrativegame #narrativegames
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Version 2 Release - The Blackthorns: Wyldern degloughan.itch.io/the-blacktho... Prologue and part of chapter 1. #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #noai #darkfantasy #storygame #grimdark #narrativegame #narrativegames
degloughan.itch.io
Version 2 Release
Aaaaaand we're back with version 2! Well, I am, it's just me that works on TB:W. All corrections have been made, and I have included some of the new chapter 1. Saves for the original game are incompat...
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Trivia time! In the game I sometimes use Angelo-Saxon for spirit names. Examples Bealo: evil Clawung: intense pain Egesa: fear Gītsung: greed #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #darkfantasy #storygame #grimdark #narrativegame #narrativegames
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
While writing, I had a random thought to update the tutorial boss' portrait, since he has additional optional scenes in both the prologue and chapter 1. #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #noai #gameart #darkfantasy #storygame #grimdark
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Here she is, Captain Tananthia! She broke you down and remade you in the prologue, but still doubts your capability. Don't make her retrain you, pet~ 💜 #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #storygame #solodev #indiedev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #noai #gameart #darkfantasy #grimdark
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Still writing chapter 1, but I'm also making some technical enhancements. My latest success is the new save API! #storygame #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #darkfantasy #grimdark
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
I'm now working on chapter 1 and improved accessibility. Mobile users had to toggle the right side bar to check HP, so I have added a new setting to include party stats in the passage alongside the enemy. #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
In magma with @oppo114514.bsky.social and @2867486826.bsky.social: I made Feane and Frodi's embarrassing ma, and those two showed me up with maid Vaine and slutty Frodi. Vaine is very angry to be put in another dress, Frodi is happy to wear less, and I'm just happy to see my friends draw. 🖤
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Now I'm close to finishing the corrections and rewrites, I'm updating the art so the portraits and fully body images share the same shading style. Here's Tananthia, your cruel boss/owner! #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #indiedev #noai #gameart #darkfantasy
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
My third post recording the decreasing wordcount including coding. The first post started at 213,401 words As of this post I have reduced it to 125,905 That’s 87,496 deleted. Now it is time to rebuild! #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
The final full body image for the LIs! And it's king toxic himself, Frodi! Not a yandere, but a severe psychopath who wants nothing more than to break y- (ahem) toy with you~ 🖤 #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #noai #gameart #darkfantasy
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Almost done with the full body images for the LIs! Here's Feane! Occasionally craft and always observant, he is somehow also a situational himbo. Also possibly the only non toxic character. #interactivenovel #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #noai #gameart
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Kelka: the cutie yandere who is crushing on you so hard and maybe wants to break your legs to keep you nearby always and forever. Who says rogues have to wear black? #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #interactivenovel #noai #gameart #yandere #darkfantasy
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Magwyn's new fully body art to go in her profile! Fur is difficult to colour, I will never add it into a design again (this is 95% likely going to end up a lie -but don't call me out on it). #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #interactivenovel #noai #gameart
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Tidying up the companion pages during breaks from rewriting parts of the game. I love seeing it so organised~ And I'm also adding in more art, because why not? #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #interactivenovel
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Sorry, @oppo114514.bsky.social I forgot to erase parts of Feane's arm and it bugged me. 😭 Now it is correct and perfect! 🥳
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
@oppo114514.bsky.social Congratulations on finishing all your exams! Since you wanted to know if the guys would ever dress up, I have done this just for you (and you will be able to tell who's happy to do it and who isn't 😅) #oc #maid #noai
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Tidying up the profiles so players can keep track of the combat and passive abilities without seeing a block of text. Now it shouldn't get too crazy as the player learns different skills. #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #interactivenovel
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Taking a break from writing to update the character portraits, and I'm so happy to see how both they and my art style have developed. Isn't Vaine such a grumpy beaut~? #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev #noai #gameart
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Just deleted chapter 1 (minus first page) so I have no choice but to write it again with improvements. Wordcount before: 209, 561 Wordcount now: 134,740 I feel a little nauseous looking at those numbers, tbh. #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Started TB:W's upheaval today, stripping it of unnecessary elements to make it easier to work on as a solo dev. Just removed race selection and non human text. Wordcount before: 213,401 Wordcount after: 209,561 😢😭 #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine #game #indiedev
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Moloch derives from Hebrew Melech(King) and is also a Canaanite god of sacrifice. It has also been speculated to refer to the sacrifice itself. My Moloch is a king that oppresses and sacrifices much of himself and others to maintain peace. #InteractiveFiction #solodev #gamedev #textadventure #twine
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
@oppo114514.bsky.social Best of luck in your exams to ZaCk:3333! The rest of the cast were busy but they send their best wishes too. (Even Frodi)
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
The title of Krongr for Moloch (below) was my misremembered spelling of the Old Norse word for King (Konungr). As you can see, I was quite far off, but at least it's unique! #game #indiedev #gamedev #gameart
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
To continue the dead language trivia: In another (not so) bad end, this character is actually using Anglo-Saxon! Asceppan means to create blide-heort means a heart full of joy. Hence why I've translated it to "you bring my heart joy" in the game.
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De'Gloughan @degloughan.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
I frequently use dead languages and mash them together during world building. In one bad end in TB:W, the player will enter a location called Prael-hilaz, which is a slaver outpost: þræl (pronounced thrall) means bondsman in Old English. thrakhilaz is Proto-Germanic for runner/attendant.
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