Escape from Death

Steal Death’s power and break free of his corrupt realm!

Conceal your heartbeat from the undead as you wield soul magic, navigate treacherous political schemes, shape the destiny of the Afterlife, and possibly claim its throne for yourself.

"Escape from Death" is a 256,000-word interactive horror adventure novel by Tova Näslund. Entirely text-based—with no graphics or sound effects—it thrives on the limitless power of your imagination.

In the mortal world, your body lingers between life and death, your heart still faintly beating. But your spirit has been torn away and cast into the terrifying Afterlife. This dark domain is ruled with an iron grip by Death himself, where oppression and injustice run rampant. At the lowest rung are the Penitents—souls bound by debt to Death, warped by his magic into eerie human-animal hybrids. Above them stand the Elect, those favored by Death, living in luxury, privilege, and freedom.

Yet, the Afterlife is unraveling. A deeper, more mysterious corruption is spreading. Performers vanish from the grand entertainment district; a sanctuary shared by Penitents and the Elect is under siege; and a strange illness creeps across the land, infecting souls and twisting them beyond recognition.

This chaos brings both danger and opportunity. At the core of the Afterlife lies the Clockwork Hall—the seat of Death’s Court and the vault of all souls. Amid the turmoil, if you can find your way there, you may strike a decisive blow: end Death’s tyranny, return to the land of the living, or seize the throne of the Afterlife for yourself.

* Choose your identity: play as male, female, or nonbinary; gay, straight, or bi.
* Forge romantic connections: fall for your brooding Penitent guide, a rebellious bird-woman, a warrior seeking freedom from Death’s service, or an idealistic healer fighting for justice.
* Master soul magic: peer through the veil between life and death, uncover the dreams and desires of nearby souls, and capture memories of the living.
* Influence the fate of the Afterlife: ally with the suffering Penitents, side with the privileged Elect, or walk a delicate path to gain acceptance from both.
* Shape your strategy: remain hidden in the shadows to evade Death’s wrath, infiltrate his court with spies, build alliances to expand your influence, or rise as a bold revolutionary known across the realm.
* Decide the future of the Afterlife: preserve Death’s order, install a new ruler, or crown yourself the next sovereign.

Can you survive the darkness and escape Death’s grasp?

What's New in Version 1.0.4

Updated on Jul 20, 2024
Bug fixes implemented.

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