Alpha Build — It Grows
Added 2025-07-27 16:44:32 +0000 UTCHere is the complete Chapter 3 in all its 300k glory!!!! With this, the game reaches 700k words (excluding code). 🫣
This one was a beast, so I really, really hope you enjoy it!!!!! ♡ I am so nervous and excited, I don't know what to do with my hands.
A couple of things before I share the link:
I've updated the game to Moody instead of cogdemos. I connected it to Patreon, which means that it will connect to your Patreon account. You don't need to register beforehand; the site will automatically check if you're a patron, but you do need to access the link through Patreon.
I would recommend using the browser at first, but I was also told that the Patreon app works too. If you have an issue with the app, however, try the browser next.
If you have any issues, comment them here! I'll be out of the house the rest of the day, but I'll get back to you as soon as I can, and, in the meantime, other patrons may offer some help^^
Without further ado, play it here!
As always, if you find any errors, typos, or bugs, please report them either in the Bug Report Patron chat or on the Bug Report Discord channel.
Thank you all for your patience and support. It means the world. The Rose's world is waiting for you. Happy playing. 🌹
Comments
Hi, Ana and patrons! Just passing by to congratulate you on your saga, hoping to find it uploaded on HG soon as I’m eager to know more of your characters I’ve found myself loving so much. Meanwhile I’ll be wandering over your bonus content and alpha version to get a glimpse ;) (I’m torn between reading everything I can or wait til it’s finished 😵). Wish you great Christmas Holidays and bon voyage to your relatives homes! Oh, I’d like to know if you know yet how many chapters will your second book have? 🌙🔥🖤
Sorna
2025-11-29 21:35:17 +0000 UTCHello! It seems Moodys been behaving worse 😭 can you try acess it through your laptop first?
Anathema
2025-11-27 17:04:23 +0000 UTCI've connected my account but when clicking the play it here link I'm just getting redirected to upgrade my membership? I've already got silver though, anyone else experiencing this?
Thirsty Raccoon
2025-11-27 14:27:47 +0000 UTCHi. Can you tell me what error appears? I can acess it fine
Anathema
2025-11-27 08:50:16 +0000 UTCI try Moody again but still unable to play Chapter 3. Please help?
Young
2025-11-27 02:59:48 +0000 UTCHello! Moody, the site where the demo is hosted, seems to be down! I'll try to contact support but I'm sure this will be solved quickly!
Anathema
2025-11-26 16:33:08 +0000 UTCI am new member, I can't get into the Chapter 3. Please advise. Thank you.
Young
2025-11-26 16:18:43 +0000 UTCThank you for the feedback! I'll have to read it more carefully, but there is a variable that affects the text in whether you trust Vallen or not. If you choose the options to distrust her, Romanus doesn't trust her once in the entire garden scene. And as for corruption... the mc isn't aware of the number. The number is there for the player. They see "corruption" as the mark growing or not. There won't be explanations on why it goes up or down. I think its up to the reader to interpret the whys and hows
Anathema
2025-11-03 09:57:47 +0000 UTCNot sure if this is still the place to drop demo feedback. If not, please let me know where to leave it! Golden Rose Book Two notes - When Cynthia says she hates me, please have a flirty option to reply that the MC has a weakness for redheads. It's an option that I've wanted since book one! - And yes, I've wanted her as…well, if not a romance option, then a very unhealthy attraction (mutual or otherwise) with the potential to be acted upon if specific choices are made. So maybe not a RO but a HF (hate fuck). - Would like some kind of guide as to what causes corruption, what (if anything) removes it, etc. I thought it was just killing but that's not the case in book 2. For example, kicking Will post-fight doesn't get you corruption but threatening Joan does. Why this is or if this a new anomaly seems like information the player and MC should have. - The above also applies to the end when a bunch of corruption gets dumped on the MC at the end of the demo. There should be some writing in the follow-up that better contextualizes this development for the player: is this abnormal, new, etc? Did the mother ever discuss this? The player should not just be in peril but have at least some context for why and what the significance is (or why they have an absence of that needed info). - On a related note, it feels like we need a flashback in there when the MC is older and does something that gains corruption (or could) and his mother is still around to reinforce (and educate the player) on how the corruption works/affects him. - I thought about this during the Vallen scene, where the MC gets very bloodthirsty in his comments. As a player I understood the seriousness of the situation, but I wasn't sure whether it was the MC consciously choosing the aggressive language or the MC being somewhat controlled by this power they have without them knowing. In the moment that may not matter, but it feels like something the player should get a sense of afterwards through some internal dialogue. - When leaving to see Vallen, I didn't want to take Billy or my stuff, as it was very possibly a trap and I'd have better luck on foot or stealing someone else's horse (I half expected to take Vallen’s) than trying to escape on that poor dumb horse. That, and it didn't make sense to bring my whole kit with me to a potential ambush. I suppose for dramatic purposes it's good to have her take your saddlebags but it was admittedly frustrating when first playing it because I was expecting something to go wrong going into the encounter. - It was gratifying to see my initial impression of Vallen as an evil Lt. Colombo seemed to be correct. It's still a question of nature vs. nurture, though. - Knowing how massive an effort this game already is, I feel a bit bad about saying this but Vallen is effectively two major scenes - at the barracks in Book 1 and the garden in Book 2. I'm sure there's more to come, but these two scenes form a kind of duology. In book 1, you're given many opportunities to observe and comment on her behavior. I'd say that the garden scene in book 2 should have some more reactivity in terms of choices, inner monologue, and spoken word. I'd also suggest some kind of hidden variable, maybe alluded to in the text, for a combat bonus or some kind of mitigation if the player goes in informed/wary as opposed to “that Vallen is a swell gal.” - An addendum to the above: there probably needs to be parallel tracking and writing for both trust/don't trust Vallen and being attracted to her. I would think that a MC who had their Vallen romantic hopes dashed would have some melancholy ruminations either during or at the end of the encounter, or a mistrustful MC may still find themselves attracted (as your mid-combat “we could have been besties” dialogue option points to). Also, the same parallel tracking probably applies to the Theer siblings as well. - I would love the option to stash Aurelius’ rapier in the tailor shop. I held onto it in large part because I thought it would be nice evidence to plant on someone, especially knowing since Book One that there are those who want to pin the crime on the MC. This also applies to recovering Vallen’s knives, which the MC should be able to do if for no other reason than to deprive her of them, but also for potential other purpose. - A small bug on the relationships tab at the end of the demo where the italics are not closed. I believe it's starting with Alyssa after she “commits you to memory” and then everything afterwards is italicized. I am not sure when it began. The prior time I looked was after I fed Rafael and parted ways, and checked the Relationships tab then and everything was normal. - Speaking of Rafael, congratulations on making him a surprisingly interesting character, especially if you take the time to be helpful to and supportive of him. Like Vallen, will be curious to track his Nature or Nurture journey! - The achievement for getting Borja to act somewhat courteously made me think you should consider (if it isn't already in) some kind of counter for him and Beka about being less reflexively insulting and at least holding their tongue if not outright being polite. I was reminded of the “play nice, Beka” and “focus!” options in Book 1. It would be neat if a combination of behavior toward them and encouraging the right behavior from them prompted some growth from them. - “Vallen holds your gaze for a few heartbeats more before she turns and disappears into the shrubbery. A flock of white doves takes flight moments after, marking her passing.” If this was a John Woo reference, bravo. If not, well then it is an unintentional and excellent one! - In the tailor’s shop, there’s a “reaction to three mannequins” that feels like a good opportunity to call back to Rafael’s trap at the start of Book 1 and how the player reacted there (internal monologue for sure, perhaps even as a point of dialogue with Borja, too). - If Vallen is at the ball, I’m hoping the MC can pull her into a dance, a more aggressively charged version of the Bruce Wayne/Selina Kyle dance in Batman Returns!
Paul Marzagalli
2025-11-03 01:08:25 +0000 UTCthere were soooooooo many moments i loved in this update ive replayed through it several times and hoogh. im thriving. i love too much of it to mention everything BUT. every interaction with raf made me kick my feet in joy like yeeees. let me feed the bastard. let me show him kindness. and GOD the moment with the inquisition and how you can react to seeing them was [chefs kiss] delightful. also the spice with hadrian ohhh my god 😳🥴 ALSO ALSO THE DREAM OH MY GOD????? im gnashing my teeth over the lore. i crave more i love it. ended up leaving romanus all sad and wet in an alley in the vague hope raf can find them next chapter instead of safe and warm with billy bc i love to bully them
Sneep
2025-09-06 16:16:16 +0000 UTC❤️❤️
Anathema
2025-08-29 10:14:46 +0000 UTCLove this update, all the Rafael and Lance content. It was awesome getting to know them better! Love the characters you write.
L. Gonzales
2025-08-28 00:58:35 +0000 UTC💕💕
Anathema
2025-08-10 16:50:26 +0000 UTCI just finished it and it’s so good!!! 😭😭 I’m especially obsessed with the scene where Rafael gives us the firefly brooch (fireflies are my favorite bug). I was swooning so hard 😩 My Romanus will treasure the brooch forever 💕
Holly
2025-08-10 15:50:25 +0000 UTCSo glad you enjoyed it, Jason 💗
Anathema
2025-08-03 11:43:00 +0000 UTCGlad to be back. This was amazing, thank you for the update! Can't wait for more! Like seriously, im dying out here (I just want my Romanus to tell Alessa he loves her and is fully committed. Is that too much to ask?😭😵)
Jason R
2025-08-03 05:01:14 +0000 UTCIM FINALLY PLAYING I AM SO HYPED
K.P. Everly
2025-08-01 21:15:30 +0000 UTCreading through the chapter 3 right now and i can say is that it's good that we have a chance to hang out with lance more. i see that he matches my romanus' freak, i wasn't very fond of him previously but now i like him a lot
YonYonYon
2025-07-31 16:35:48 +0000 UTCLikewise, Orlando. I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed it 💗
Anathema
2025-07-30 23:33:34 +0000 UTCThis was amazing, and made my week, I hope everything in life goes great for you
orlando
2025-07-30 23:28:48 +0000 UTCYou can tell Hadrian you're going to see Vallen? 🤔But thank you for your thoughts! Edit: That's a great point about Rafael! I'll definitely add more options
Anathema
2025-07-30 21:22:40 +0000 UTCyooo thanks for the update/alpha! kinda sad I didn't like it that much, I replayed everything and idk... it feels kinda off? I would have to stop to think and do a proper writeup to find what didn't click with me. I think the flow and consistency of the scenes were an issue. that being said, three points off the top of my head: 1) I will die on the hill that even if you don't sign the deal with Cinthia but got the extra scene you should still be able to sell out the info for Mist 2) moody is no longer suported use https://cogdemos.ink/ 3) the funniest thing about this update is Romanus going "yeah Hadrian I promise I will take care of myself" then going to meet the girl painted with red flags WITHOUT TELLING HIM BTW, KNOWINGLY CERTAIN IT'S A TRAP AND THEN CONTINUING, FIGHTING HER AND LOSING SO BAD THEY WERE ONE SWISH AWAY FROM CERTAIN DEATH, then retelling it to Hadrian and he doesn't have the crashout of the century and choke Romanus on sight. big restraint right there from my homeboy ALSO I can't check it right now since moody seems to be down, but there was one scene with Rafael at the shop that only seems to have romantic options and the only friendly one tells him to piss off aggressively. like 'get away u bastard' and that's kinda wild? am I stupid? the answer is yes
unfortunate small
2025-07-30 21:11:47 +0000 UTCEheheheh
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:33:35 +0000 UTCHe's a cutie patootie
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:33:28 +0000 UTCThank you!!! I love my thief as well
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:33:03 +0000 UTCMy sweet lessa 😞
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:32:02 +0000 UTCLoved this comment. Thank you for writing it 💗
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:31:47 +0000 UTCThank you so much potato 🥰 I definitely want to ramp up the stakes so I'm glad it's showing a bit
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:29:06 +0000 UTCUnfortunately, due to piracy, I can't 😞 trust me I hate it because code divers found so many little erros and helped me a lot. But I don't want my game copied and pasted and published elsewhere outside of my control ever again
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:26:55 +0000 UTCI'm so glad you enjoyed it 🥺🥺💕
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:25:20 +0000 UTCLance got to me this chapter too 😔
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:24:36 +0000 UTCThank you!!! And so glad you enjoyed it 💕
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:24:09 +0000 UTCMight be my favorite scene of the update 🥺
Anathema
2025-07-30 08:23:40 +0000 UTCCame back here after reading the update again to say how much I love Billy!! Him trying to comfort Romanus was so beautiful to read. 😭
Clark
2025-07-29 11:22:32 +0000 UTCAHH oh my gosh, I can’t wait to read it!!!
Gabby02
2025-07-28 21:12:51 +0000 UTCThat was EXQUISITE!!! I can't wait to read it again 300 times lmao. I love every single one of these characters so much. And that ending was gut-wrenching. Thanks for a beautiful chapter! Some typos I found: * dangling five garments that vaguely assemble armor - I'm assuming you mean "resemble armor" * "You let out a scoff of laughter, but your grin isn't as cocksure any longer. "Beats kneeling, thought" and "With style, thought," you say." - you probably mean "though" without the t in the end * But she isn't, so you much make a choice. - must make a choice * "I need to find Whetstone's lodger for Silverhand" - ledger? * Your smile slowly dies as you realize you're forgetting how she looked. The beautiful details of his her feathers. - his or her feathers? (also THIS HURT MY FEELINGS ANA) * "Don't matter, anyway. Can't take somethin' like this with me, much less try and sell it in this city without gettin' a bunch of guards breathing my neck." - either breaking my neck, or breathing down my neck * You leave the Borja be and walk to the far side of the office - While I think it would be hilarious to call Rafael "the Borja", I think the "the" was unintentional * If you believe we can ever be friendly, bard, you are a bigger fool than I took for - than I took *you* for * Wishing it down with the last few gulps of red wine - washing it down? * Yes, and right now, you're barring your teeth also. - baring with one r (why do my shaylas hate each other so when I love them both so much)
Gorogs
2025-07-28 21:01:41 +0000 UTCthis was so good!! I'm down bad for lance but the little found family Hadrian, Romanus and Alessa can have is so heartwarming!!
Ellen Wells
2025-07-28 15:54:03 +0000 UTCExcuse me??? How dare you write something this good and it's just a couple chapters into book 2 so far?😭 dkyzwbdkkhszuo I love this so much, thank you for the update 💙🤗
Jo
2025-07-28 14:22:32 +0000 UTCCan't wait to read after my shift! Would it be possible for the code to be made available for viewing??
HeraldOfEras
2025-07-28 06:55:54 +0000 UTCITS SO GOOD. Also Alessa my girl ;-;. As if she isn’t my Romanus’s whole world I also want to say how much your atmosphere shines jn your writing. Tarragona is beginning to feel genuinely oppressive as the stakes get higher. Incredible job Ana! <3
Warpotato
2025-07-28 04:08:18 +0000 UTCOmg the whole gang had such good moments this update 🥲 so many good dialogue lines and juicy character moments. Lance’s Lady Whistledown aka gossip girl moment with the notebook was so cute it genuinely touched my heart, it was SO hard to play my Romanus’ that are less trusting of him after that. I love to make that bard speechless!!!! It was v fun to be an annoying hellspawn to Raf and then play my softie that fist pumps whenever she makes him smile. The duality. No matter what you’re having a good time. Also, I was sooo happy for Hadrian and Alessa and their respective Romanus’, just kicking my feet at the relationship milestones and then you slapped us with that interlude… for what reason 😭 I’ll forgive you though because the Billy scene and hunter origin tie-in healed me the corruption is ramping uppp I love to see it (I hate to see my baby Romanus suffer but they must, it’s for the plot 🫡 ) ty ty for the meal Ana <3
sunday
2025-07-28 02:16:29 +0000 UTCalessa 😭😭😭 i promise ill stay 😭😭😭. my poor baby this was so good. ty for the update 😭😭😭. take care
lynqt
2025-07-28 02:01:57 +0000 UTCI had to replay the end a couple times checking stats cause I was like…hmm….really loving where this is going though.
BEE
2025-07-28 01:22:04 +0000 UTCI was having crappy day since someone called out and I have to work an extra 4 hours. You just made my day so much better. Thanks a bunch, Ana!!!
MumblesSKS
2025-07-28 01:16:44 +0000 UTCOmg ana!! In the living room??? 😭 poor alessa, i hope she didn't hear anything 😳. Also that ending :(( I feel so bad for Romanus. I'm assuming what happens at the end of this update is canon no matter the choices you've made??
natty ♡
2025-07-28 01:05:46 +0000 UTCOh we were fed so well this chapter, I love Rafael so much😭 amazing work as always!!
river
2025-07-27 23:50:49 +0000 UTCYou published a whole damn novel this chapter and I'm loving it. Made my evening! EDIT: Lord Fluffington is officially my favorite character now.
Jonah M.
2025-07-27 22:49:57 +0000 UTCI cannot help but kick my legs and giggle maniacally every time Hadrian and Lance butt heads over Romanus 😈 delicious and slightly toxic, thank you 🤭
zoe
2025-07-27 22:05:17 +0000 UTCI'm not super comfortable linking my Patreon to Moody. Is there an alternative way to play the chapter?
Stella
2025-07-27 21:49:01 +0000 UTCThere are three ways: 1. Ask Mist about her. 2. Manage to wound the fake Eye at the end of Book One. 3. See the white horse coming into the inn and have the letter dissappear from your pocket when you're at the barracks.
Anathema
2025-07-27 21:14:37 +0000 UTCSo excited to read it! But currently stuck on Vallen garden what clues do you need to figure her out?
Annie Jones
2025-07-27 18:36:04 +0000 UTCI was reading a book but I just dropped everything to come here and play the update let's gooooo
Rita Wolf
2025-07-27 17:38:13 +0000 UTComg thank you!! this worked for me ^^
ameartthyst
2025-07-27 17:16:23 +0000 UTCIt works for me on PC but not on my phone through the app. I’ve verified my Patreon and everything. Just takes me to a blank page in Moody. EDIT: It doesn’t work in the app, only the webpage. My bad!!!! Either way, I’m excited to play!! Thank you! 🥰
Crissy
2025-07-27 17:12:34 +0000 UTC300k words of beauty 🥺 can’t wait. Also I was able to access it on mobile!!! For anyone struggling, I linked my patreon to my moody and then had to tap "log in" when it came up and reopen the link a few more times. It definitely works it’s just a littleeee glitchy but it will work eventually if the patreon is linked <3 Edit: also if you copy and paste the link to the demo from Ana’s post directly into your mobile browser instead of tapping and doing the "open in safari" it works!!
sunday
2025-07-27 17:09:11 +0000 UTCI hope you like it Andraste!!! 💕
Anathema
2025-07-27 17:06:33 +0000 UTCNice!!
Anathema
2025-07-27 17:06:13 +0000 UTCHave you clicked the link? The "play it here" link
Anathema
2025-07-27 16:55:12 +0000 UTCDoes it not work on mobile? For some reason I’m not able to find your game after linking my patreon :(
Sell
2025-07-27 16:54:49 +0000 UTCWorks through the app! 👌 Now to play the update. 😁
Maria
2025-07-27 16:54:15 +0000 UTCRat man here I come 💕💕💕🐀
Holly
2025-07-27 16:52:35 +0000 UTCHave you checked your spam folder?
Anathema
2025-07-27 16:51:35 +0000 UTCOmg omg omg!!! I'm getting pizza and playing this tonight! I'm making an event out of this one don't judge me yall or judge me, I'm still making an event out of this!😂🤣 tytytytyty for all your hard work Ana 🥰😍😘🫂
AndrasteN7
2025-07-27 16:51:12 +0000 UTCFor some reason it's not able to verify my patreon email, not sure why because I've double checked and all. I'm excited to read once I figure it out though ♥️
andrea
2025-07-27 16:48:30 +0000 UTCIm literally throwing away everything i was about to do to read the update!
shrek4ever
2025-07-27 16:47:37 +0000 UTCThis made my day ! 😊
Aud Sofie
2025-07-27 16:46:19 +0000 UTCThis is about to be every free moment I have this week
Rue
2025-07-27 16:45:51 +0000 UTCI just screamed with joy
A sandwich
2025-07-27 16:45:13 +0000 UTC
