Ink and Intrigue

Ink and Intrigue is a 300,000-word interactive fantasy novel by Leia Talon. You play a seasoned spy from the kingdom of Minare, sent as an emissary to the Kitherin warrior-mages of Ra'zai. The text-based story has hundreds of choices and no graphics or sound effects.

The Kitherin of Ra'zai

Kitherin tattoos grant supernatural abilities, and their magical rites bond them to powerful creatures from another world. Soon after arriving in Ra'zai, you hear the call of the Kitherin: magic chooses you, your fingertips tingle and an unnamed need grows within you. As your magic expands, so does your heart.

You can romance Teo, a soft-spoken tattoo artist who paints dragon runes on your skin; Kai, a skilled warrior seeking to overturn a corrupt regime opposed by the Kitherin Council; Rae, a determined fellow initiate who has failed the trials but keeps trying; or Thea, an elegant temple guardian who sings the songs of her Fae ancestors. You can choose high-heat or sweet options, or avoid sex scenes entirely.

Duty and choices

Your Kitherin ties complicate your duty to the crown. Decide whether to reveal your clandestine role to your king or leave your past behind, and what information to send back. You can build alliances with the Kitherin Council and other nations, or use spy skills such as blackmail and poison to pursue your aims.

You can play as male, female or nonbinary, and choose to be gay, straight, bi and/or asexual. You can also choose to form a psychic bond with a dragon, griffin or phoenix.

Island and magic

Ra'zai is a lush island with ancient temples, healing gardens, a hidden library and sun-swept beaches with waves for surfing. You can craft dragon-rune tattoos and infuse your art with magic, enjoy magical elixirs and food under the full moon, and travel through portals to strengthen your bond with your creature and explore other worlds.