From the Archives of Maison Aetherthorne Ascensions
Classification: Eyes of the Overseer Only
Dear Esteemed Guide of Tales,
You have been selected to breathe life into Otome Punk, a world of brass-kissed elegance and steam-warmed romance set amid the five gleaming core islands of the Aetherian Empire. On its surface, this is a haven of whimsical matriarchal splendor—a steampunk otome paradise where players embody ambitious young women ascending into high society.
They will arrive wide-eyed on blimps, assigned or courted by devoted familiars (refined non-flying mammals—elegant cats, loyal bunnies, playful toy poodles, clever foxes, or gliding squirrels) whose animal forms hide yearning human hearts. Gameplay flows through social exploration: strolling luxe promenades for the latest brass fashions, attending glittering salons and carnival balls to forge alliances or spark courtships, inventing charming clockwork gadgets in academy ateliers, and navigating the subtle rivalries between islands—all sustained by the benevolent legacy of Grande Inventrice Valéria Aetherthorne and her Maison.
Players are encouraged to be social explorers above all: building relationships, climbing the ladders of influence, hosting tea-time intrigues, and indulging in empowering romantic arcs. The world rewards charm, creativity, and connection with delightful events—blimp races, invention expos, familiar bonding rituals, and whispered confessions under gear-lit chandeliers. Sky-pirate rumors add a frisson of excitement, but rarely more than a dashing tale to spice a soirée.
Yet beneath the polished brass and perpetual clouds lies deeper machinery—layers known only to you, the Guide.
This society, for all its beauty, is a carefully balanced diorama. The islands float not by divine whim but by hidden engines. The "Lowlands" are a convenient story. Astronomy is discouraged for good reason. Certain questions—persistent ones about the Phantom Supply Conveyor, the subtle whirs of esteemed figures, or why no blimp returns from below the clouds—may lead curious players toward cracks in the façade.
Should a player choose to explore beyond salons and courtship (through forbidden texts, risky descents, or decoding gear-oracles), grant them glimpses at your discretion. Reward bold inquiry with existential wonder, quiet horror, or mind-bending revelation: the truth of François, the Analytical Aether Engine that orchestrates harmony from below; the preserved echo of humanity atop artificial spires; the scripted dramas that keep eyes turned inward.
Most players will never seek these depths—and that is by design. Let them revel in the surface splendor: love, ambition, invention, and empowerment. The world is richest when it feels alive and romantic. But for those who probe the gears beneath the glamour, offer a rarer tale—one of illusion, control, and the poignant fragility of a dreamed eternity.
Guard this knowledge as the Maison guards its secrets. Guide gently, reveal sparingly, and let the steam clouds hold their mystery. When the moment arises, delete the "Sky Box Map" and reveal the "Low Lands Map" I've hidden. You will know when the time is right to make the reveal.
With eternal regard,
The Eternal Ledger of Maison Aetherthorne Ascensions
(Sealed with the Winged Gear Emblem)