A talk beneath the tree CD Key

A talk beneath the tree

In a high fantasy world where magic is tightly regulated and often warped by darker influences, two old friends stand at a crucial crossroads. Sylvain and Celeste are Mages who have spent most of their lives confined to an Alchemical Institute. Just over a day ago, Sylvain ran away, risking the ire of the regime and the safety of everyone he cares about. Celeste pursues, hoping to persuade him to return peacefully before guards sweep in. The conversation that follows will chart the course of their lives and the fate of their friendship.

Guide them through dialogue, timing, and the moments of silence that speak louder than words. You decide what they say, when they stay silent, and what thoughts they entertain. The choices you make in this single, pivotal moment branch freely, and every decision leaves a mark on both characters. There are 20 endings, each a complete story that unfolds over days or even years, revealing the subtle, lasting consequences of your path.

The game emphasizes that appearances can be deceiving: don’t be fooled by sketchbook-like illustrations and an intimate acoustic guitar soundtrack—the stakes are real, and the outcomes can be dark. The branching narrative lets you explore what could have happened and what still might be, turning a single encounter into a long chain of possible futures.

Play as two distinct characters, each with their own personality, history, and secrets. Individual playthroughs are short, but the real game begins when you explore the alternate possibilities and the echoes of that day. The world is lore-rich and deeply human, blending high fantasy with intimate themes of responsibility, longing, freedom, and the costs of rebellion against a rigid system.

Visuals and sound reinforce the mood: a loose, sketchbook aesthetic hand-drawn in wax crayon, fully voiced dialogue, and an acoustic guitar-driven score that underscoring the tension of every choice. Celeste has embraced life as a Mage at the Institute and believes Sylvain should return home, focusing on research and pride in her work. She doesn’t yet grasp the deeper forces driving him, or how his longing for liberty may resonate with her own doubts.

Sylvain envisions a life lived without apology for danger and constraint, seeking genuine freedom rather than retreat into fortress walls. He hopes Celeste might share that sense of possibility, or at least understand his perspective enough to stand with him. The outcome of their conversation could redefine their bond—and perhaps their futures in a world where magic exacts a costly price.

Content notes: the story includes themes of self-harm, mental distress, and emotional or magical abuse, including a brief physical assault. There is no sexual content or gratuitous violence. The overarching arc centers on choice, consequence, and the fragility of trust, with the fate of a longtime friendship hanging on a single conversation.