Demon Mark: A Russian Saga

Demon Mark: A Russian Saga is a 200,000-word, text-based interactive fantasy novel rooted in Russian folklore. You play the firstborn child of peasant farmers in Rus. When the demon Uhin marks you and kidnaps your parents’ second child, you set out to reunite your family. Your choices shape whether the bards of Kiev sing of your victory or your sacrifice.

The journey

You encounter Baba Yaga, the seven-headed dragon Zmey Gorynych, the giant Svyatogor and Koschei the Deathless, whose army is made up of corpses. You can team up with the bogatyrs Ilya Muromets, Alyosha Popovich and Marya Morevna, and travel with a talking animal companion. Your journey leads from Kiev to Koschei’s Fortress and to the Tsar and Tsaritsa’s court, where you seek help hunting down Uhin.

Choices and challenges

You can play as male, female or non-binary. Along the way, you can court the Grey Wolf, a mysterious creature who can help with your quest; complete Baba Yaga’s impossible tasks; listen to Svyatogor’s stories; defeat Zmey Gorynych; and escape Koschei’s dungeons. The Demon Mark grows stronger each time you use it. You can embrace its power and become a demon yourself, or use it to battle Uhin and reunite your family.