Harrow's Last Laugh
A *Jolly Good* introduction.
Welcome to the town of Thimblecross, haunted for generations by the eccentric Harrows in their gloomy castle. When the last Harrow heir disappeared thirty years ago, the grim townsfolk hoped their cursed legacy would fade, and all the things better left unseen would retreat to the shadows whence they spawned.
But the Harrows did not rest in peace. Instead, one vile and incorrigible creation of the last Harrow is dead-set on bringing shadows into the limelight.
FAQ for YOU
What is "Jolly Good?"
Jolly Good is a visual novel and roleplaying game that I'm working on, set in the Stitched Realms. Jolly himself is a monster, with no memory of anything before being locked away in a trunk. As he uncovers the dark secrets of his origin, you will choose whether he focuses on his dreams of building a circus or on getting revenge.
The game will mix narrative, visual novel story telling with deck-building RPG battles, circus management, and moral choices that change the story, NPC reactions, and Jolly's own nature. Yes, there will be a "Jolly Good" ending, but there will also be a "Jolly Vengeance" ending and a "Jolly Corruption" ending.
And maybe more endings if you sign up and make yourself heard.
I just can't get enough creepy accordion music. Can you help with that?
My friend, you came to the right place. Check out the Thimblecross theme on Suno, "Aching Violin, Obliging Organ."
But, Author Person, isn't creating a visual novel/RPG/management game a bit much for someone who is self-publishing their professionally edited novel while growing a social media presence from scratch?
Why yes, yes it is. Thanks for asking. You can support me by joining for free (that's right, I won't even LET you pay yet), by commenting with feedback, and by sharing Jolly Good posts with friends.
I will also take advantage of AI for many skills that I don't have: art, music, etc. The writing is mine, although I do brainstorm with AI and use it for project management.
But, Author Person, isn't AI evil?
Yes, that's part of its charm.
More seriously, supporting artists and other creators is a priority for me. However, I'll need to grow Jolly Good before I can afford to work with professional artists and musicians. The choice right now is not between AI or paying for bespoke character art, backgrounds, and soundtracks. It's between AI or using stock media/3D models/my own stick figures. As The Stitched Realms and Jolly Good grows, I hope to find that it can support me and other creatives.
Look, I'm won't type a prompt into Midjourney and call myself an artist. At most, I'm a writer and amateur creative director.
I'll spare you (for now) the plight of listening to my musings on AI, ethics, creatives, and the future of the internet.
BUT, if you are the type of person that thinks any use of AI art is evil, this is not the project for you.
Not unless you're willing to raise funds for an artist yourself. Or I learn to draw in a fit of rage that AI will visualize Jolly, and a wrench, but never Jolly with a wrench.
Until next time, get your jollies where you can.
--Author Person