The King's Hound
Last Updated on 31/10/2024: Rewritten Demo (until part 1 of Chapter 2)
Total wordcound: 34k words (average playthrough of 29k words)
The King's Hound is a text-based fantasy game in the form of an interactive fiction where you play as the legendary King Arthur Pendragon's spouse. The game will be released chapter by chapter and it will remain free to play until its completion. This story's main themes are platonic bonding and character developement during the span of many years. As such, you will be able to interact with the ROs both romantically and platonically, with relationships that will evolve during your years spent in Camelot.
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SUMMARY
You are the King’s spouse, his right and left hand, the unstoppable executor of his will. Your name is whispered by enemies and allies with fear and respect alike, some says it’s your arm that bears the weight of the entire kingdom.
They call you the King’s hound. It started as a way to taunt you but it’s not that far away from the truth. Your loyalty is blind, your devotion absolute. The King’s vision is your vision.
Your name will forever mark history alongside theirs.
But for now, you are being shipped to your betrothed, alone and powerless on your way to Camelot.
As the seventh child of the Venegard House, you’ve always had little to look forward to other than an arranged marriage to achieve a political alliance. That’s exactly why, after your parents lost the rebellion against King Arthur, you were the one sent to him as a sign of newfound peace.
You don’t know what awaits you now, but after you Camelot will never be the same.
LOVE INTERESTS
King Arthur (he/they pronouns)
The noble, compassionate and fair leader of Camelot. Protective and respectful, Arthur is going to give you as much freedom, space and support as you may need. Play your cards right and, if you choose to be their spouse only by name, they’ll become a very supportive wingman. No matter what you’ll be to them, you are enchanted by their vision from the moment you understand what they are fighting for. You know you’ll stand by their side no matter what. [25yo]
Knight Yniol (M/F/NB)
One of the knights at the Round Table, almost 6’6” (2.00m) and the only one who fights with a spear, Yniol could be intimdating at first, but only to those who do not know how much they care for every single one of you. Composed and focused, they are the most gentle knight you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet. They’ve had their eyes on you from the moment you first arrived to Camelot and, close or not, you are now under their protection. [26yo]
Knight Evaine (M/F/NB)
The most mysterious knight of the Round Table. You know they hide something under that carfree attitude because their façade craks most often than not. They recover fast, but every time their eyes are lost in the void at your shoulders a bit longer. They treat you like something fragile and delicate but maybe that’s the care they need themselves. Despite what some other knights say about them, they are not careless at all. In fact, all their movements and words are carefully measured, expecially around you. [24yo]
The physician Morien (M/F/NB)
They are the caring, if a bit pragmatic, physician of the Round Table knights. Reserved and, at times, abrasive, they bear in their eyes the horror of a war that should never have happened. Despite this, or maybe because of this, you feel like they are one of the only one who can understand what you’ve gone through. They could become your most trusted confidant or, if you want, you could be for eachother the support pillar you both desperately need. [27yo]
Your personal servant Gwyar (M/F/NB)
They are the one who’s been tasked with assisting you, and they have all the intention to make you feel comfortable and secure under their care. Born in the wild lands, they have traveled many miles towars Camelot in search of a future at court. Understanding, even while mantaining the proper distance, they will remain composed and mildly humorous until you show them signs of your interest. Expect them to be one of the most flattering and tender of all the ROs. [22yo]
Poly routes: Arthur/Gwyar, Arthur/Evaine, Morien/Gwyar, Morien/Yniol.
FEATURES
- Costumize your gender, pronouns and sexuality.
- Take Mordred, the young bearer of powerful magic, under your wing and let this bond heal the both of you.
- Train two beautiful hounds as loyal dogs and emotional support animals, just because you can.
- Pursue a romance with King Arthur or one of the other four Ros. Or, you could always direct your affections to more than one person (there are four total poly routes available).
- Become a living legend, your King’s most loyal shadow or his fiercest commander. You’ll be given many names, it all depends on how you play this dangerous game of chess
Updated | 17 days ago |
Status | In development |
Platforms | HTML5 |
Rating | Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars (642 total ratings) |
Author | Kal Down |
Genre | Interactive Fiction |
Tags | Character Customization, Fantasy, LGBT, Romance, Story Rich, Text based, Twine |
Average session | About an hour |
Languages | English |
Development log
- Rewritten demo update - NO NEW content17 days ago
- Chapter Two - first half RELEASEApr 04, 2023
- Chapter one - second half RELEASEMay 04, 2022
- Game optimized for mobile usersFeb 23, 2022
Comments
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Definitely a different feel but still so good. Am looking forward to the 23rd.
I found a bug ? “he if a battle mage. The one who disfigured Bedivere.” also curious curious 👀
Unsure about the rewrite in regards to MC's family dynamic. I rather enjoyed the old more strained relationship with parents and the desire to get away from that. But I do like the inclusion of Uther's history with mages and how that colors MC's fears about his new spouse.
Still, even with these changes, I love this story and look forward to more. And maybe FINALLY getting to talk to Arthur. Lol. 👍
And adopting Mordred.Enjoyed the rewrite and am looking forward to more!
Some subtle, some not so subtle changes. I may have missed some of note, but it’s been a while since I last went through it so I might just not be remembering correctly. I do very much appreciate the changes and additions for the MC’s backstory. Exquisite work! I have no doubts you’ll keep it up. = )
Hello! I hope you are doing alright! I know you mentioned this a little under a month ago but I was just wondering if there were any newer updates on when the release of the next update would be? I love this story and Yniol is my favorite!! I need more of that giant man so bad 🥲
i think they're busy with university and it delayed the process of rewriting a bit
I hope this game to update soon! Such a lovely story and lovely characters too🥰
If the pace is kept the same, with half a chapter once a year and considering there are around 15 chapters planned, there is a very high chance I will die of old age before I see this finished. That is not considering any rewrites and final edits, which can take years as well. Also, usually later chapters take much longer to write because there are more branches determined by variables chosen. And there's a big assumption here - that the author will keep interest in writing this for at least 3 more decades... So while I liked what I read, I'm not gonna get my hopes up of seeing this even half done.
I am doing everything I can🥲 if I could release more content, I definitely would!
No need to be pressured, I imagine these detailed type of stories takes a lot effort to get it done. but I hope you will continue to write! 🤧❤️
Aw thank you! I am actually 95% done with the update, I still have to code it and edit it a bit, but some stressful things have happened lately so I will take a bit more time to do so than anticipated. Still, I assure you I am consistently working on TKH💞
Bless the Irish :D the story was amazing, the characters are well-written and atmospheric <3 I hope to see/read a continuation soon <3
DON'T LEAVE IT HANGING PLEASE 😭😭 IT WAS GETTING GOOD, PLEASE WHEN IS THE NEXT UPDATE.
I’m not sure if this is still in development, seeing how old the last update is, but I wanted to take the time to let you know how much I enjoyed reading this! I love Arthurian lore/legends but your take on it is refreshing and unique. The writing is excellent and the characters intriguing. Whether you choose to finish this or move on to something else, I think you have a real gift and I hope to see more from you!
Writer is still active on tumblr and has dropped crumbs that there may be an update within the next few months. Its in progress!
Good to know, thank you!
i'm leaving this comment here so whenever the next update comes someone reply to me:3
Should be tagged as Horror due to the fact you have to play as the Irish
Who let the Welsh peasant use a computer? :P
English* peasant
As an Irish person, I approve this statement
wait, we're Irish?
You are now, sunshine!
This game is amazing! Can't wait for the update!
adore this!! the writing and customisation are very immersive, i'm excited for more :)
I need another update!!!
I NEED MOREEE!!!! 😇😇
One of the best ones I've ever played!!
Amazing writing! super inclusive to mute and touch-averse people and the characters are intriguing.
I'll be waiting eagerly for the next update :]
can you choose multiple poly routes?
I SEE THE DARK SOULS REFRENCE AND I LOVE IT
This was a wonderful experience!
There is a Patreon? I would love assign
Okay I need to check in and clear up a quick confusion:
I took the trans woman background during character creation and just hit the spot where Morien asks about HRT...if I take the hormones is that to continue being female or is that some roundabout way to detransition? I really don't want to accidentally turn my character back into a guy...if anyone has an answer I would massively appreciate
I'm pretty sure it means you're taking hormones to become a women or stay a women/whatever gender you picked. It's just giving you the choice of whether your character has since some ppl don't want hormones or anything of that sort ^^
Okay perfect, just the last thing I'd wanna do is untrans my blorb's gender when I trans'd it in the first place for a reason XD
That'd be hilarious in the worst way possible but not fun
... I... I love you, Saraah 😭😭 IN SIBLING WAY*
I dont think this IF will ever come back...
It's sad because it was easily my favorite on itch
They are extremely active on tumblr and are starting to roll out character portraits. I think they fell into the tumblr-if trap.
by that do you mean they're posting character portraits, lore dumps, short stories about ROs, fanart and basically anything but work on the actual story?
Hi! I am sorry for not publishing any update here on Itch. I am about halfway done with the next update and am optimistic for a release relatively soon. I was stuck with writing for a long time until very recently, and despite my passion for the project unfortunately sometimes it's less draining to answer a couple of asks than stressing over the writing when I am in that state of mind.
I had to change some lore elements as well, and in the past months I was able to rewrite the public demo accordingly (unfortunately, it was necessary).
On Tumblr I have recently published one of the ROs official portrait, which will be present in the character description in game upon the next update. All in all, I am continuously polishing the WIP, even if very slowly (and I am sorry for that).
I am very flattered by your high regards of TKH, and I assure you I am still actively working on it. If I ever decide to abandon it, I will make a hiatus announcement, as I don't want to leave people waiting for nothing.
Oh, I'm so excited! I had this game saved for months since I played the demo. It as a concept, as well as the lovely characters within, live absolutely rent free in my head.
can't wait for more. I am an avid fan of Arthurian legends both the one based on fantasy and the one's based on Artur. (Historical). If ever want some inspiration for the story, I am happy to help. Just as happy to only read.
Wow. This is brilliant. Even though I have zero interest in MC romancing Arthur since he's a dude, I have to admit the way you have written his character I wouldn't complain had there been no female LIs. Glad to see more stories including non verbal MCs.
I love how there's option to make your character suffer internally just for the sake of it, since that's what they were taught as a child.
I love how we are given a backstory but we decide how it goes, it feels grounded and less self-inserty but not taking away authority
i am not ok
Love it so far!!! Can't wait for an update!
Man i played this like 6 months ago and keep coming back to see if there's more, i am desperate
Sobbing...I need moreeee
Is this still alive? I really like it and am curious
It's still alive! The author currently is rewriting everything right now. You can keep up with their progress on Tumblr the-kingshound.
Is this project still alive?
You can keep up with their progress on their Tumblr the-kingshound. The project is currently going through a makeover right now.
I try to enable a save but every time I have to start over. It doesn't take me to where I left off. To the beginning every damn time. It is not worth the damn trouble.
eeekkk the casual amount of pet names between the ro's is so cutee
squealing and kicking my legs in the air rn
What was the update two days ago?
probably just bug fix or updated to fit a certain version of the web player.
I love it, i will patiently wait for any updates 🧡
I will wait patiently for this game, as it has probably my favorite love interests and MC choices of all the interactive fiction and visual novels that I've read!
I like this VN a lot. When is the next update?