Welcome to TRACE/ALTER

It all takes place in Cascade Valley, a unique blend of metropolitan life and magical mystery where every choice shapes your journey. trace/ALTER is a roleplay mandatory 2D CRPG that immerses you in a world teeming with possibilities. Here, you can choose to live a tranquil life as a regular citizen or step into the shadows as a Tracer, combating the forces of darkness.

Cascade Valley is a vast, picturesque region dominated by its central hub, Cascade City. This bustling metropolis is a beacon of modernity and technological advancement, governed by the influential mega corporation, Ascension Group. Yet, just beyond the urban sprawl, the valley opens up to serene landscapes, ancient forests, and hidden temples, creating a world rich in contrast and depth.

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Key Locations

  • Cascade City: The heart of Cascade Valley, a thriving urban center filled with towering skyscrapers, bustling markets, and neon-lit streets. It is the commercial hub, home to a diverse population and cutting-edge technology.
  • Aethergarde Academy: Nestled in the quiet parts of the downtown core, this prestigious institution has a hidden purpose beyond being a simple college institute. Here is where TRACE-sensitive individuals train to become Tracers. Its architecture blends traditional Japanese design with modern facilities, creating an atmosphere of historical reverence and forward-looking innovation.
  • Shrine of the Fallen: A tranquil, sacred space dedicated to honoring those who have passed. The Guardians, pacifist TRACE magick users, maintain this shrine, providing a peaceful haven and spiritual guidance.
  • Cascade Outskirts: The outskirts offer a slower-paced life with stunning vistas and a strong sense of community. Governed by the Cascade Valley Regional Authority (CVRA), this area is known for its natural beauty and traditional way of life.

The Power of TRACE

TRACE is the primordial energy that underpins all magic in the world. It flows through every living being and the environment, offering those sensitive to its presence the ability to manipulate reality. However, this power is a double-edged sword, susceptible to corruption and imbalance.

  • TRACE Sensitives: Individuals with the innate ability to sense and manipulate TRACE. Their abilities vary widely, from elemental control to healing and protective magicks.
  • Tracers: Elite enforcers who use TRACE to combat ALTERs, malevolent beings born from corrupted magick. Tracers undergo rigorous training at Aethergarde Academy, where they learn to harness their powers, forge TRACE-weapons, and face the horrors that threaten humanity.

The Threat: ALTERs

ALTERs, or “Anomalous and Lethal Threat of Energy-based Revenants,” are dark entities born from the twisted amalgamation of negative energies and corrupted magick. These creatures pose a significant threat to the balance of TRACE and humanity.

  • Hierarchy: ALTERs range from mindless beasts to highly intelligent and powerful entities. They evolve through stages, becoming more formidable and cunning.
  • ALTER Events: These occurrences signal the manifestation of an ALTER, often accompanied by destruction and chaos. Tracers respond to these events to neutralize the threat and restore balance.

Roleplaying and Choices

Your journey in trace/ALTER is defined by your choices and interactions. The game encourages deep roleplaying, allowing you to:

  • Forge Alliances and Rivalries: Interact with other characters, forming bonds or conflicts that influence your story.
  • Explore Diverse Paths: Whether as a Tracer or a regular citizen, your path is shaped by your decisions, quests, and personal goals.
  • Uncover Hidden Secrets: Delve into the rich lore of Cascade Valley, uncovering ancient mysteries, powerful artifacts, and the true nature of TRACE and ALTERs.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

In trace/ALTER, strategic depth and tactical precision are at the heart of the gameplay. Players engage in round-based combat divided into three phases: Movement, Action, and Bonus Action. Each phase allows for specific actions, requiring careful planning and foresight.

Combat Phases

  1. Movement Phase:
    • Players move their characters within a range defined by their Speed stat.
    • Positioning is crucial for gaining tactical advantages and setting up for subsequent phases.
  2. Action Phase:
    • Players select their actions, such as casting spells, using items, or attacking, which remain hidden until all choices are made.
    • Actions include physical attacks, magickal abilities, and special maneuvers, each with specific costs and effects.
  3. Bonus Action Phase:
    • After actions are revealed, players can perform additional maneuvers like dodging or counterattacking.
    • This phase allows for reactive strategies based on the opponent’s revealed actions.

Attributes and Stats

Characters are defined by core attributes that influence their performance:

  • Health (HP): Maximum health points. Zero HP results in unconsciousness.
  • TRACE (AP): Mana pool for casting magickal abilities, regenerating based on Intellect.
  • Strength: Increases damage with physical weapons.
  • Vitality: Enhances durability, increasing armor and health.
  • Intellect: Boosts magickal attack effectiveness and AP regeneration.
  • Speed: Determines movement range.
  • Agility: Affects damage with agility-based weapons.

Ability Cards

Combat actions are chosen from ability cards equipped by characters. Each card has attributes like:

  • AP Cost: TRACE required to use the ability.
  • Cooldown: Rounds before the ability can be used again.
  • Damage: Amount and type of damage inflicted.
  • Range: Number of tiles the ability can target.
  • Buffs/Debuffs: Effects that modify attributes of the target.
  • Area of Effect (AoE): Shape and size of the ability’s impact area.

Character Development

Characters grow through experience points (XP) earned in combat and missions, as well as roleplay points (RPP) earned via playing the game and contributing narratively. Key development features include:

  • Skill Trees: Specialize in various branches, such as elemental magicks or weapon mastery.
  • Equipment: Find or craft weapons, armor, and accessories to enhance combat abilities.
  • Customization: Tailor your character’s appearance, backstory, and personality.

Roleplaying Integration

trace/ALTER blends tactical combat with rich roleplaying elements, allowing for:

  • Dialogue Choices: Influence relationships and story outcomes through interactions with NPCs.
  • Quest Variety: Engage in quests ranging from everyday tasks to epic battles, each shaping your story.
  • Moral Decisions: Make ethical choices that affect your character’s alignment and the world’s perception of you.

trace/ALTER offers a rich, immersive experience where your choices, both in combat and in everyday life, shape the world of Cascade Valley. Whether you embrace the life of a Tracer or live as an ordinary citizen, the game promises a journey filled with strategic depth, compelling storytelling, and boundless opportunities for roleplaying.

Join the adventure in trace/ALTER and discover the limitless possibilities that await in Cascade Valley.

Will you rise as a hero, or will you shape the world through the quiet strength of everyday actions? The choice is yours.