HearthWood​

Nestled in the shadow of the ancient Ironroot Forest, HearthWood Tavern was once a sanctuary where legends were forged over mugs of Lorekeeper’s Ale. But decades of neglect have left its hearth cold and its stories fragmented. As Nathanael, a disgraced bard seeking redemption, you inherit the tavern—and its restless spirit, a spectral raven named Corvus who guards forgotten secrets. Rebuild not just the ale-stained tables, but the trust of a fractured community: a gnome alchemist hiding from her past creations, a knight haunted by a sentient sword, and a rogue who moonlights as a starlight poet. Yet whispers stir in the cellar—a dormant World Tree sapling beneath the tavern pulses with memories of its golden age. Will you nurture it to revive HearthWood’s magic, or exploit its power to rewrite your own fate?  

Gameplay  

1. Symphonic Brewing System – Craft ales using musical rhythms that mirror patrons’ emotions. A melancholic ballad brews a truth-serum stout, while a lively jig creates a luck-boosting mead. Serve mismatched tunes, and drinks backfire, revealing hidden grudges.  

2. Echo Chamber Quests – Reenact patrons’ memories in a spectral theater. Alter key choices (e.g., convince the knight to abandon his sword) to reshape their present loyalties—or trauma-bond them to the tavern.  

3. Hearth’s Pulse – Balance the World Tree’s energy by rotating decor: fey relics attract magical clients but risk cursed infestations; dwarf-forged tables ground chaos but dull creativity.  

Key Features  

1. Living Ledger – The tavern’s ledger auto-writes patrons’ secrets as they drink, decryptible via mini-games. Trade secrets for favors, or burn pages to protect allies.  

2. Seasonal Fractals – Every in-game month, a patron’s story climaxes in a reality-bending event: a dragon’s ghost demands a tribute ale, or the tavern’s floors become a labyrinth.  

3. Corvus’ Bargains – The raven spirit offers forbidden shortcuts: midnight deals with forest spirits for instant upgrades, but defaulting traps the tavern in eternal twilight.  

Pro Tips  

1. The 3rd Mug Rule – Serve a patron three drinks to unlock their “truth tier,” revealing quests or hidden traits. Over-serve, and they pass out, missing key events.  

2. Broken String Strategy – Snap a lute string during performances to trigger improvised stories, boosting tips and exposing rare lore fragments.  

3. Sapling Sacrifice – Prune the World Tree during a waning moon to gain temporary magic boosts, but stunted growth locks seasonal fractals until recovery.