VN Ren'Py Cyrenaica Magna - by Narralab [Development Thread]

[Atlius]

Ave!
We are Narralab, a duo working on a brand new VN.

Cyrenaica Magna will be our first project and we want to share with you our progress. We will update this thread in the following days to insert more preliminary information.

PLOT

In the chaos of the first years of Imperial Rome, Governor Appius Marco Veleto is tasked with rebuilding Cyrenaica, a province plagued by pirates and rebellion. But as he uncovers hidden truths, he realizes the real threat lies within the empire itself.

Caught between loyalty to Rome and shocking family secrets, Appius learns that Emperor Augustus may not have been completely sincere to him.

In a world of political intrigue, forbidden desires, and betrayal, Appius must choose between serving the empire or uncovering the truth that could destroy everything he holds dear.

A gripping historical epic about power, passion, and the cost of loyalty.

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Sooooo... see ya around!
Vale!

 

[Atlius]

Hello everyone!

We wanted to share with you some more information about what we are doing right now.

We are working on a 0.1 release. For this, we developed some background music and the main menu tune. At the moment we are able to say that the game will be animated and will contain sandbox elements. Also, the MC will have some stats to build in order to unlock certain situations but there won't be excessive grinding, or at least that's our plan.

What stats are we working on?
STRENGTH - INTELLECT - CHARM
These statistics will not be called like this, instead they'll have latin names: VIS - INTELLECTUS - LEPOS
You will be able to build these statistics repeating some actions.

Our MC, Appius Marco Veleto, will be in charge of the reconstruction of the Roman Province of Cyrenaica as Governor directly appointed by Octavian Augustus, the first Emperor. So this will require management skills. Another tag that we are adding to the game and the first post of this thread.
During his time as Governor he will also have to take important decisions for the future of the region, and from these decisions plot and encounters will change.

In the first scene, we see him departing from Rome with his stepmother (Silvia Sulpicia) and his stepsister (Giulia Veleta). Some render of the first scene is attached to this post.

Please, let us know if you find these premises interesting, it would help us a lot!

 

[Atlius]

Update Post: The Stats Are In – Get Ready to Flex Those Muscles, Brains, and... Charm!

Hey, everyone!
Big news from the dev team! We're cranking things up with a brand-new stat system right from the start, and it's going to shape everything in the game. Strength, Intellect, and Charm are your keys to success—literally. Only by hitting certain stat levels (Strength 5, Intellect 3, Charm 2, for example) will you be able to access certain scenes and events. It's a game of strategy and self-improvement, ancient Roman style.

️ Strength: Want to be the Roman hero? Get ready to pump up your muscles by training with the Auxilia. More squats, more biceps—what's not to love?

Intellect: Are you more of a scholar? Head to the library! You'll be reading scrolls and showing off your knowledge by answering quizzes about Roman history. Who doesn't love a bit of ancient trivia?

️ Charm: Feeling persuasive? Time to prove it in the Forum! Practice your oratory skills by answering quizzes about famous Latin quotes (don’t worry, they’ll be translated into English). This is how you impress, ancient Rome style!

And that’s not all—our world is expanding!
We’re thrilled to introduce two navigable maps:

1. The Province of Cyrenaica: A sweeping map of the game world where you'll tackle epic quests.
2. The Capital, Cyrene: Roam freely through this bustling city, uncovering quests, meeting key characters, and boosting those all-important stats.

✨ But wait... there’s a catch! Hidden throughout these locations are special renders. Who knows what treasures await the sharp-eyed players?

Get ready to explore, grow, and dive deeper into ancient Rome than ever before. Your destiny is waiting—if you’ve got the stats for it!

Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to exercise that charm... or else you’ll be stuck talking to the walls of the Forum!

 

[Atlius]

Hey, everyone! We're excited to announce that the very first early version of our game set in ancient Rome is now LIVE! You can be among the first to try it out by clicking the link below:

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We need your feedback to make this game the best it can be. Whether it’s about the gameplay, mechanics, or story, any help or suggestions you can offer would be amazing. Your insights will be crucial as we continue building and refining the game.

So, dive into ancient Cyrenaica, rebuild the province, and let us know how we can improve!

Thanks for being part of this journey with us. We can't wait to hear what you think!

 

[Atlius]

Hello everyone,

Today we want to share more insights on the plot of Cyrenaica Magna.
As we already stated, Cyrenaica Magna is set during the first years of reign of Emperor Augustus. Augustus conquered power and became emperor after getting rid of Marc Antony. They both were very close to Julius Caesar and they bot thought to be his natural successors.

Today we know that (PROBABLY) Marc Antony was the one that Caesar would have chosen to be the next dictator of Rome. But Octavian Augustus had something else in mind. The civil war brought Rome on the edge of destruction and partition and it is in this context that we find in the game the Province of Cyrenaica.

Cyrenaica was a Province of Libya that thrived thanks to its proximity to Crete (and so Greece) and Egypt. Our MC has become governor of the province and, as we already said in the previous posts, he has the hard task of rebuilding it after the bloody and destructive civil war. His antagonist, will be the previous Governor. Yes, him! Sejanus decided to leave its governor role and became a pirate and a bandit. But why? This will be revealed in the game.

With him there are his stepmother, stepsister and several servants. One of them is Marcus Octavius Senone, captain of the Auxilia. He has been sent with MC to restore order also through military actions. As those more expert on Roman civilisation may already have catched, Senone is a Gaul. Many "barbarians" like Gauls and Celtiberians joined roman forces after the conquest of their territories. Rome didn't bring only military conquest but also peace, order and a system of law that guaranteed even trials before judgement.

Senone is one of those who embraced the new order that Rome brought. In our VN we chose to depict Senone with beard and mustache. The Romans used to depilate themselves because they held depilation in high regard. But Gauls were not so keen on that because, for them, beards and moustaches were also a distinctive form of showing clan belonging.

We really hope you will like to dive in this adventure of power, passion, sex and war set in the Roman period. For this, we also want to launch a poll about how important to you is historical fidelity.

Have patience! We are working hard on the 0.1 release and it won't be long before you can lay your eyes on it!

 

[Atlius]

Development Update: Cyrenaica Magna is Back!
Hi everyone! After a period of reflection and planning, we are thrilled to announce that Cyrenaica Magna is officially back in development!

This comeback is made possible thanks to the incredible talent of Pierol, our new 3D artist and animator, who has joined the development. His expertise has already started transforming our vision into reality, breathing life into the characters and environments of ancient Cyrenaica like never before.

We’re hard at work on the first playable version—0.1—and are determined to share it with you as soon as possible. This initial release will give you a taste of the immersive storytelling, strategic decision-making, and the rich historical world we’re building.

To celebrate, we’re sharing a render of our reworked main characters, showcasing the stunning detail and artistry Pierol has brought to the table. This is just the beginning of a more polished and engaging experience.

Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for your patience and support as we bring Cyrenaica Magna back to life. Let us know what you think of the new designs in the comments—your feedback fuels us!

Here’s to reviving the glory of ancient Cyrene! ️

 

[Atlius]

To this moment we explained much of the game and our ideas but we wanted to explain more about the complex historical moment in which Cyrenaica Magna takes place.

Soooooo... Here' a short History lesson

Discover the Turbulent World of Cyrenaica Magna

Step back into one of the most pivotal moments in Roman history—the dawn of the Imperial Age. As Cyrenaica Magna unfolds, it places you right after the dramatic collapse of the Second Triumvirate, where alliances fractured and the fate of Rome was rewritten.

The year is 30 BCE. The Roman Republic has crumbled under the weight of civil wars, and the decisive Battle of Actium has sealed the fate of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Their tragic deaths leave one man standing at the helm of an emerging empire: Octavian, later known as Augustus. Declared Princeps, or "First Citizen," Augustus ushers in a new era, the Pax Romana, but not without a cost.

In this fragile peace, provinces like Cyrenaica—once a thriving Greek colony, now a frontier of Roman power—face the task of rebuilding from decades of turmoil. Pirates stalk the Mediterranean, plundering its wealth. Local populations, weary of war, demand stability. And in the shadows, remnants of Antony's supporters conspire against the new regime.

Why Cyrenaica?

Cyrenaica stands as a microcosm of this turbulent era. A land rich in resources, culture, and history, yet scarred by the chaos of Rome's internal strife. As governor, you step into this volatile region, tasked with not only restoring its prosperity but also navigating the intricate politics of a freshly minted empire. Will you enforce Augustus's vision, or carve your own path amidst the ruins?

What Awaits You in Cyrenaica Magna

• Intrigue and Rebuilding: Manage resources to restore the province’s economic and political power. Choose between rebuilding temples, ports, or marketplaces, knowing each decision shapes your legacy.
• Living History: Meet characters inspired by historical and mythological figures. Forge alliances—or rivalries—with those vying for influence in Rome and beyond.
• Personal Drama: Engage in deep, narrative-driven stories where personal relationships intertwine with political ambition, adding layers of complexity to your decisions.

With a setting this rich and a story grounded in real historical drama, Cyrenaica Magna offers a unique blend of strategy, narrative, and immersive world-building. Follow our development as we bring this historical epic to life and prepare to step into the sandals of a governor tasked with forging a new future for one of Rome’s most enigmatic provinces.

Join Us on This Journey
We’re thrilled to announce that development is back in full swing. Stay tuned for more updates, renders, and gameplay insights as we march toward the release of version 0.1.

The story of Rome has never been more personal. Will you shape history—or let it shape you?

 

[Atlius]

Hello everyone!

As we keep working hard to provide you with the first version of the game we are here to give you more hints on the characters.
Besides the MC Appius Marco Veleto, today we present you Silvia Sulpicia, the stepMOTHER.

Silvia Sulpicia
Silvia Sulpicia is a woman of striking poise and enigmatic allure, her presence commanding respect and suspicion in equal measure. As Appius's stepmother, she is both a source of wisdom and mystery, her motives often cloaked in layers of intrigue. Fiercely intelligent and politically astute, Silvia navigates the treacherous waters of Roman power with grace and cunning. She has a sharp tongue, a calculating mind, and a steely resolve that make her a formidable ally—or a dangerous adversary. Beneath her composed and extremely hot exterior lies a woman who has made sacrifices, harbors secrets, and plays a game where loyalty and ambition blur. Silvia is the embodiment of Roman elegance and ruthlessness, a figure who captivates and unsettles in equal measure.

Let us know what you think of her!