Devil's Gambit

-~This is a comment of appreciation to this wonderful story~-

At the time of me writing this, The 11th update was released already.

I want to start off by saying that I've been following the development of this VN some point between the second and third public update in here, I can't re-call exactly, so lets say somewhere along those times. And, it's been such a long journey since then. I am really delighted to have stumbled across something like this.  <.3.>

First, I want to wish Alpha0 and every member, artist and writer working under this VN a pleasant day and night. And I want to continue by sharing many words with you all in this comment. 

"Devil's Gambit", from my point of view and opinion, is genuinely one of the most wonderful mostly-linear experiences I've encountered. The narration can surely trap me into this world, the way the story moves from perspective to perspective is greatly done too. This VN proposes a sound story and it's not afraid at all to dwell on it. The atmosphere around the narration of the story being dark and this feeling of medieval-quiet is the type I enjoy seeing more in any work of fiction, as well as the way research and medicine are described in the story. That was one of the deciding factors that led me to follow along this creation. 

One of our main Characters, Hector the badger, is someone I can relate to. He is nice in a way that's not over the top, is a Healer and a good man over all. besides, love to see more chubby badgers around in media. Need any other reason for him to be my absolute favorite? nope. ^.^ <3

-~Now, the following part of this comment may have mentions from slight to HUGE spoilers from the main storyline of this VN being brought, proceed with caution~-

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I also wanted to talk(And gush), about the lore,

GEZZ, I am a sucker for good world-building in any media as most of us are. It plays such a huge part whenever I find a story compelling, the way it has been implemented is wonderful, Love the names of the Lions as well. Love how mysterious and mystical Rannai can feel at times, the way the culture of the wolves that live there shines through as well. I am specially interested in the lore of how those magical crystals work when healers use them and the training one must acquire to even be a healer. AND BY GODS, love the way they aren't using the sole word "magic" for every occasion to refer to their form of energy. The story and use of "runes" being tied to the eye of the valley and the "dark" god there are also very interesting. I actually need to learn more about the "Layers"  and other dark gods... PLEASEE 😭💕

Now, I want to take a moment to rant about the latest updates... WHAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!?!?!??!... ಥ_ಥ(My actual reaction to that) 

The way Caddy(Cadgan) and Rian are is so interesting to me, especially when we learn that apparently Cadgan wasn't even in "love" with Hector at the very beginning. It was Rian("Ranzkai") that was. We know that Cadgan came to "love" and somewhat care for Hector as well so that's interesting because Cadgan cannot feel emotion per se because he passed that burden to Rian as the latest update(11th) explained. The way the story plays out really took me down. I feel for the wolf too much, Cadgan's been through a lot and dealing with Rian definitely caused more problems... Maybe even trauma at the beginning of their dynamic. Although I do have some more questions that maybe where already answered but... I SEEK CLARIFICATIONNN. When Rian spoke to Hector about the past, the whole deal with Ancient Rannai inside the valley, was he being completely truthful? or maybe hiding or making up some details along the way?... We also learn that apparently, Rian is a Shaman not a Demon? maybe both at the same time yes? that caused a bit of confusion to me... But I think Rian is both as well as Cadgan too.

Passing now through other matters..

Hector's dynamic with the two is so lovely... OH MY GOD 😭😭Hector fits so well with both, Cadgan and Rian perfectly. Their wholesome scenes burn my heart. I CANNOT be just Team Cadgan or Team Rian. When Rian, back then known as (Ranzkai) and Hector had their first seggsual night at those ruins/temple and the morning came and they where both laying down on the bed in the inn, cuddling... AWWWAHHH😭 specially when Rian hugged Hector so warmly... Loved that. Cadgan also does not stays behind in the wholesomeness,  the scene where Hector and him are talking alone somewhere around cadgan's birthday I think, was very needed for them to be able to forgive themselves. And, when they both finally kissed under that moon, it was so tender and lovely, it made me question if Hector will  really prefer to be with just one of them... specially now that he knows they are both the same(Sort off).

And, finally, about the future and ending of this VN...

I am really curious and excited about what awaits Cadgan, Rian and Hector next. Those three alongside this whole story are my hyperfixations as of late. If you could not tell by now... I am also cooking up some interesting theories and predictions as well. Especially as we are nearing the closing act... I'm going to put some of them down, shortly described as I had already typed A LOT by now... so here they go: 

• "The fall": Cadgan alongside Rian will sort off maybe sacrifice? themselves to protect what they hold dear that being Hector's memory... and Rannai on the final show down if there is any of course. It could be maybe that they give away all sense of reason and limitation to seal or destroy that dark god again in a sort of "last stand". In addition, Hector will NOT come out of this unharmed... AND I HATE THAT 😭😭, maybe he will?, or... Maybe he will get hurt very badly and this causes that he cannot make a run for it as he is being ultimately killed off, this being the water droplet that will fall and break Cadgan's and Rian's mind at the end. short: (Death to Hector)

• "We are here at last": The three of them, Hector, Cadgan and Rian will somehow be the only ones left at the end of all of this. Maybe Hector and the duo stay at the fallen Rannai and live there for ever and ever. Maybe sad. Maybe reluctantly... (This was the happiest one I came out with.) Short: (Death to all, except the main three)

• "One of us": As it says, One of them, Maybe Rian, or maybe Cadgan will sacrifice their spirit or their existence so that the other can save everybody or defeat the dark god once and for all. And of course... Stay and  live with Hector. Short: (Death to either Cadgan or Rian)

• "It was all domed to repeat": (This one might be the most far edged one, and maybe too much if I'm being honest...) At the end, there's this grand reveal that all was in sort of a loop. That there will always exist a new dark god of the valley. That being Cadgan or Rian, Or maybe they fuse together completely and they are forced to watch as they become a new god. And, to extend even more ground, maybe even Hector could be reborn... for the sake of this, Hear MEEE,  there was this little detail at the end of Rian's and Hector first passionate night that may or may not be solely cosmetic or just put there as symbolism of some kind... At the very end, when all is done and they are still on those ruins/temple laying down, as Hector falls to slumber, we see that Rian's "seed" drips onto the ground, as it makes contact with the brick and the earth beneath them, we can see an actual plant bloom as it grows the longer we click as we travel to the next morning the next scene. Thus giving me the idea that maybe, That seed. speaking literally and metaphorically will cause Hector to be a "host" or maybe convert into an avatar like Silvareth. Short: (The one that awaits)

And finally, 

• "... Once I was": (This one is more bittersweet)Everything  starts with the defeat of that Dark god, yes, but also Cadgan and Rian leaving, maybe because they where trapped somewhere, or at the end they had to combine some forbidden knowledge and not sacrifice per se, but mostly give all they have with the intention to return but something happens and they cannot come back. And it all ends with Hector writing in his Journal leaving Rannai at the end. Short: (Hector alone)

And soo... this was all. If you stayed and read through my entire thing, you are pretty badass. Peace out-❤️

NOOOO! IT'S STILL HERE! I'M IN A NIGHTMARE! (⁠〒⁠﹏⁠〒⁠)

Man, I'm dead... WHY IS IT STILL THERE ioi if I'm going to suffer might as well bring everyone else with me by making them realize this is still there... 

Hello, I have a website where I translate your novel and others into Spanish and Italian, and I wanted to know if it would be okay to continue doing so.

I want to make it clear that whenever I translate any novel, I always give the appropriate credits.

Quick question, what is the time between the public release of a chapter? Genuinely want to know. •3•

I just have this crazy suspicion that these two main characters will have a poly relationship, right? If it were me, I would fall in love to death.

Hey Alpha0, in build 11 i hope Rians hands will be okay. I am fr tweaking.

The silvareth lore IMMEDIATELY shot him up to be my favorite in the whole novel...it's sad that I can't date him cuz the poor guy need several hugs. Also lock your windows and doors because I'm coming for revenge...he was still young 🥰

The story is phenomenal so far, shouldn't be surprised since i liked nerus a lot too.

Say, a question, if i were to subscribe to the patreon and for some reason couldn't keep the subscription in the following months, would i still get a key once the game is finished?

potential spoiler for the nature of cadgan and rian.

Is cadgan and rian a manifestation or taking inspiration from disassociative identity or multiple personality disorder? I find it eerily similar with how it conveys.

Just something I’m mostly curious about and more like trying to understand cadgan and rian more.

https://www.change.org/p/tell-mastercard-visa-activist-groups-stop-controlling-what-we-can-watch-read-or-play

There is a bill in congress right now that would make it illegal for any financial service provider to directly or indirectly prohibit or inhibit any legal transaction. It's called the Fair Access to Banking Act. H.R.987 in the House, S.401 in the Senate. Call your Representatives. Get it passed.

For anyone who sees this message and has no idea what's happening in itch.io right now big card corporations are issuing itch.io to shadowban and possibly BAN every nsfw game and novel on the platform. If you live in the United States I urge you to contact your respective congressman and ask them to vote for the Fair Access to Banking Act so that these big card corporations don't ruin all the hard work these wonderful devs put into their games/novel!!!

Bro, I'm gonna go crazy...

build 9 might be my favorite update yet. It was very fked up, yet also intriguing. He was so sweet.

Is the discord public or patreon only?

So, who is going to show me how to braid like Cadgan!¡?¿‽ I've had 3+ft of hair for almost 15yrs now, and have had it braided by others a half dozen times. Seeing Caddy's though, never had i actually wanted to try a braid but his makes me want desperately to learn. Also, did I miss where they explained exactly why the Duke wanted Cadgan so much he killed his parents to get him? Or why no one stopped him? 

The writing is absolutely crazy. Can't wait for the next update!

is  this game only have 1 route  or  have many ? im end when ranzkai tell about how he being born.

SPOILER QUESTION 

Okay i feel like i either missed something or i just forgot.. Treasa  is aware of Rian's existence and presence in Cadgan..? like literally i can't remember if there was any previous ANYTHING about just.. the whole thing 😭 

i'd like to help with translation! i find this vn amazing, its making me think and wonder so much, as if it had awaken so many emotions on me, it made me cry and i feel so emotional towards it! i want to donate but i cant so i would like to help translating!

Does anyone know the method of unlocking the upper right corner of the Gallery in Page 6? Pretty sure I went through every possibilities during the C x H scenes.

So, im just guessing here, but is this story supposed to be loosely based on the colonialism of the British and Spanish? In say, the America's and others like Australia?

Here's a question. Who thinks Cadgan/Rian will come clean to Hector? Or, will Hector find out on his own? What if he finds out without Caddy and Rian knowing? Will he have the stones to confront them, or will he keep it to himself in the hope that they will come clean, kind of as a test of honesty and transparency? Will he continue to stay once he does know? Or, will he feel too hurt, too betrayed? Will he feel stupid for not picking up on it? I mean, Cadgan and Rian did lie by omission to him several times. He asked what happened to him but never got a straight or believable answer from either of them. He knows something is up with the 2(?) 1.5(?) of them, he's just to love blind to dig deeper. Which is odd considering that's what badgers do, lol. Has Cadgan ever called Hector just Badger? If not how did he not catch that obvious clue that who he was with that night wasn't who he thought? We know they can't both be in the body at the same time so it couldn't have been the old Caddy Hector is hoping it is. 

hey I know you mentioned that the story is mostly linear and certain choices will affect what happens but will the ending remain the same regardless? It’s made me curious.