Author | Lightnews

Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · 14d

Viharg is the head of the Valandi pantheon, Deity of Storms, and Creator of Venar.

Forin is the son of the Goddesses Ada and Sela whose love has served as an inspiration for bards and painters across the thundering seas.

@/dyingnome

A portrait of Viharg – Deity of Storms and Creation.

Early sketches of Forin - God of Love and Temptation.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · 14d

Hello, friends!

Whilst the development of Blood Beckons is marching forward at full speed, we're back with a lore expansion on the Valandi pantheon!

Take a seat and grab your popcorn, we'll be sharing the first look at the Valandi gods who are about to become very relevant. 👀

Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 9

To-Valand is an archipelago in the Valandi Sea. As the foundation of Valandi wealth is maritime commerce, their vessels are well-constructed for trade and protection. The Valandi are known for their hospitality and melancholic nature – outmatched only by their gods.
@/papirfecni

Digital art of ships sailing towards an island in the distance. Lightning strikes emanate from darkened clouds.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jul 14

Blood Beckons is a 2D, narrative-driven, gothic horror game where your choices will pit you against your own sanity.

As desire drips, drips, drips into survival, Elanor's fate is in your hands. Mould it carefully and let her story consume you.

Read our open letter here:

#indiegame #indiedev

An open letter from Great Seal Studios addressing the nature of Blood Beckons:

Due to the limitations afflicting self-funded indie studios, Blood Beckons draws inspiration from visual novels and will be smaller in scope compared to our future projects. To get there, however, we need to start from scratch.

That does not mean that our first title is a mere stepping stone, we are passionate about crafting rich story-driven games and we are very excited to have you experience a world drenched in horror and desire intertwined.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jul 11

"Don't be afraid of her teeth, Elanor, for this place may eat you whole long before the end." Our first title, Blood Beckons, is now in early development. #indiegame #indiedev #indiehorror #gamedev

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jul 3

During a solar eclipse, the devout Santilli ascend en masse to grand volcanic craters. By carrying a torch of inextinguishable blue flame, they usher in a season of agricultural harmony. The pilgrimage is concluded once the shadowed veil has been lifted off Aprex, the Great Sun.
@/papirfecni

Under the watchful gaze of an eclipsed sun, pilgrims hold a torch and make their way up towards the crater of a sacred volcano.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 30

The first inhabitants of today’s Santilla were once part of Lehellen's tribe. Centuries had, however, rusted the shared culture between them and their northern brethren, resulting in the Lehelleni Schism. The independent Santilli forged a new path under the protection of the Sun.
@/papirfecni

A radiant scenery of a coastal village. A volcano and a verdant mountain dominate the horizon and tower over settlements below. Fishing boats sail away and towards wooden docks under the warmth and glow of the Great Sun.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 26

As the Lehelian saying goes, “The sky is as vast as knowledge itself.” Many believe the phrase originates from early scholars who visited a secluded area where “the Sky met the Earth” and were struck by the sheer presence of the cosmos. They named this wonder the Field of Stars. #lesbian
@/dyingnome

The Field of Stars mirrors the constellations in the night sky. Two lesbian scholars hold each other in loving embrace as they stargaze. The scholar on the left points up reverently at the cluster of stars, while the one on the right gently grips her partner by the hip and playfully fiddles with a spyglass.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 23

The realm of Lehel is located in the Western Plains. The study of the sky and the Grand Order are of great importance in Lehelian culture, resulting in a nation of scientists. As knowledge lies at the heart of their society, Lehel is home to Venar’s very first university.
@/dyingnome

A scenic view of the observatory in Lehel at dawn. The twin towers are joined by an arched bridge. A crescent adorns the roof of the tower on the left, while a sun-shaped finial marks the one to the right. Scholars roam freely between the towers.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 22

Hi, friends. We made a Patreon where you can support us financially. As we currently operate as a passion project, every penny counts, truly. We aim to create a healthy community as well as share our BTS development work that we've poured our hearts into. #gamedev
www.patreon.com/GreatSealStu...

Welcome, traveller.

www.patreon.com

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 19

During a widespread revolutionary wave that shook the Empire, a group of scientists were tasked with harnessing raw energy directly from the source to forge new weapons, resulting in the catastrophic events now known as Greed’s Grave. Today, Krumland is a hazardous wasteland.
@/dyingnome

A ruined tower slants to the right against the backdrop of a full moon. The ground is split in two, revealing a bottomless chasm of faceless figures melted into its walls.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 16

Krumland was a land of prosperity and extremes. The former peninsula was infused with raw energy due to the presence of several Great Wounds, resulting in the rapid technological development that aided the brutal Krumi expansion. The Krumi Empire reigned over Venar for centuries.
@/dyingnome

An imposing skyline of the Krumi Empire in its heyday. Electric crackles emerge from floating crystallized platforms and charge up the atmosphere.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 14

Hi, friends. We thank you all for your support so far and wish you all Happy Pride! The members of our studio are either part of the queer community or are allies, so you can expect our stories to be centred around queer love, deeply embedded in our narratives. 🏳️‍🌈 #indiestudio #pridemonth

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 13

We've received quite a bit of interest from people wanting to join us, we really appreciate your enthusiasm! If you want to join our small passionate team, you can get in touch over DM or [email protected] #Indiegame #gamedev #fantasy

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 12

Most rituals are performed on the Luminous Shores; they are integral to Valandi identity. The early inhabitants were shipwrecked and had lost all navigation, but the dark waves lit aglow, guiding the survivors to land. The Shores are a reminder of their mortality and resilience.
@/papirfecni

Digital art of three figures conducting a ritual during a storm. Their staves are held up towards bolts of lightning.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 9

To-Valand is an archipelago in the Valandi Sea. As the foundation of Valandi wealth is maritime commerce, their vessels are well-constructed for trade and protection. The Valandi are known for their hospitality and melancholic nature – outmatched only by their gods.
@/papirfecni

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 5

The source of Erdom’s wealth and dominance in trade and commerce, however, isn’t its vast forests but the Great Plain that rips through the very core of the country. It is blessed with the most fertile soil of the continent, making it one of the most crucial regions of Venar.
@/dyingnome

A hazy sun sets below the Great Plain. Workers carry bundles of hay. A person stares wearily at you in the foreground. People in animal masks dance around a fire in the distance.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Jun 2

Erdom is Venar’s largest and richest country. After settling down in the Woodlands, the Erdi enjoyed safety and peace over centuries, leading to remarkable progress. Cradled in the arms of the impenetrable Deepwoods, Domonkos is the only capital city that has never been captured.
@/dyingnome

Digital art of the verdant Deepwoods with tall trees. A shadowy silhouette overlooks an arched bridge and a building wrapped in vine.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · May 29

Murva is often referred to as “the Empire of None.” Despite its geographical location and resources, the Murvi leadership was never able to deliver on expansionist plans due to the instability of the Depths. These underground horrors are barely contained by the Order of the Den.
@/papirfecni

Digital art of the Underearth. A guard looks at the walled-up settlement in the distance. Fiery crystals illuminate statues. The depths are terrifying.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · May 27

Thank you for all your support. Remember, friends, each week will bring glimpses of a different fantastical region in Venar. Enjoy our upcoming concept art in higher quality on our website:
www.greatsealstudios.com

#fantasy #indiegame #indiestudio #worldbuilding

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · May 26

Murva is a rich yet divided country. While the Murvi Civil War brought an era of peace, the tension between the Highlands and the Underearth is palpable in the very air, heavier than Stone itself. This realm of dual chiefdom is dominated by a reluctant yet necessary co-existence. @/papirfecni

Digital art of a large gate carved into a mountain towering over merchants as they make their way towards it.

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · May 26

Hi, friends! In the following 6 weeks, we are going to briefly introduce you all to our continent, Venar, through early concept art. Each week will be dedicated to a country in the Modern Age (with a clear odd one out). We can't wait to share this world with you. See you soon! :) #indiegame #fantasy

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · May 16

Keep your eyes peeled for the first look at our world! #indiegame #gamedev #worldbuilding #fantasy #storytelling

An open letter from Great Seal Studios announcing that our first game is in very early development.

We are a small team of friends who have decided to band together and produce art in different forms. In the age of “AI art” this is both a privilege and a necessity.

In the following weeks, our first project kicks in and we will be steadily introducing you to the world we have been building from scratch over the past years.

Thank you all for being here with us and we hope to see you on this journey as we unravel far off lands drenched in fantasy, horror, and political turmoil; all forged in blood and sweat.

With kindness and respect,
The Great Seal Team

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Dec 21

Hi, everyone! We just wanted to wish you all happy holidays and a wonderful new year. Hope we'll get to see you all back in 2025. :) In the first quarter of the year, we will have lots to share with you lovely folks. We can't wait! Please, do take care, stay safe & warm. 🎀🌟🎉

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Oct 19

And you are ours. Stay warm in this chilly weather, best friend. 🍂🤗

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Great Seal Studios @greatsealstudios.bsky.social · Oct 17

If you have any questions related to the studio/team or our game project, please feel free to DM us. We are always happy to hear from passionate folks. 🤗

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