Heavens' Revolution

Master arcane alchemy and ignite a revolution in a Persian steampunk empire!

In a Persian steampunk empire, will you use your arcane alchemy to repair a spaceship, or pilot a mech? Ignite a revolution, snuff it out, or play both sides against each other?

“Heavens’ Revolution: A Lion Among the Cypress” is an interactive retrofuturistic fantasy novel by Peter Adrian Behravesh, inspired by eighteenth-century Iran. Your choices control the story. It’s entirely text-based—270,000 words with hundreds of choices, no graphics or sound effects—and powered entirely by your imagination.

Your alchemy training puts you at the forefront of magic and technology, learning the science that governs both the material world and the heavens. You can already make gunpowder, design intricate machines, brew potions to cure terrible diseases, and distill fragrant perfumes. Much astralchemical knowledge is lost, but you could learn to repair a khalicraft spaceship to escape to another world, or pilot a giant mech into battle.

Seyj is an ancient city on the brink of revolution. Half a century ago, the She’ri Empire invaded, overthrew the old ruler, and occupied your planet. You are descended from both She’ri colonists and ancient Seyj families, and your loyalties are divided.

Like all citizens, you must serve in the Royalist army and defend the satrap governor—yet you see the Revolutionists’ protests escalating daily, agitating to overthrow the satrap and restore the old regime.

When the Revolutionists try to recruit you, will you agree they fight for justice? Will you remain loyal to the satrap, upholding your soldier’s duty? Or will you play a more dangerous game, feeding information between factions as a spy?

You had best hope you don’t end up on the wrong side of a shamshir’s blade.

• Play as male, female, or nonbinary; gay, straight, bi, or asexual.

• Master arcane astralchemy to craft powerful weapons, open your own workshop, or become a University professor.

• Rise through military ranks and command an army to defend the satrap.

• Or, join the revolution, overthrow the usurper, and restore the old ruler to her throne.

• Find love with a fellow soldier, a blacksmith-turned-rebel, or a princess.

Is gaining the world worth losing your soul?

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