The Binding of Oathkeeper
Visual novel · playable in-game (Chapter 1)Graphic version (archived). The novel is also playable in-game via the console command citadel_book_open 1. All narrative paths ↗
Synopsis
Once upon a time, Lady Jeanne Geist was the darling of high society. But time has passed and her beauty has faded, gradually distancing her from her glory days, until she is now nothing more than a frail old woman in a nursing home, reminiscing about the splendor of days gone by.
That was when Oathkeeper revealed himself. A powerful spirit from another plane, he offered him a deal: he could regain his youth, on the condition that he drain the life force from the living to sustain himself.
Decades later, the seal holding Oathkeeper in check is weakening. The entity is growing hungrier and more urgent. Geist must find a new seal, a new host, or another way to prevent it from breaking free and killing her.
Characters
Chapters
The novel is branching: variants (2a, 2b, 3c…) open different paths and endings.
- 1The Oathkeeper ProblemJohann visits Geist at her apartment. She hides the blood of her latest victim under the rug and complains that Oathkeeper is becoming more restless and hungrier. Johann examines the seal and concludes that it is weakening. The two of them try to figure out how to forge a new seal or find a way to control the entity.
- 2aReception PreparationsGeist meets with Professor Dynamo to organize a symposium on seals.
- 2bUnderstanding OathkeeperGeist meets up with Johann to discuss Oathkeeper.
- 3aThe GalaGeist has an encounter that might help him.
- 3bHunger strikeGeist threatens Oathkeeper to force him to accept a new host.
- 3cA New PactGeist dreams of the day she sealed her original pact.
- 4aMake amendsGeist apologizes to McGinnis.
- 4bRevelationGeist meets Detective Abrams.
- 4cDecisions, decisionsGeist is weighing his options for getting rid of Oathkeeper.
- 4dTea TimeGeist reveals to Johann just how far she is willing to go to survive.
- 4eSettle the billGeist is trying to repay Oathkeeper for the fifty years of life she never paid for.
- 5aA New SealGeist's seal is upgraded thanks to McGinnis.
- 5bConnecting the twoGeist and Abrams ask the Patrons to bind Oathkeeper to the Tome.
- 5cA Deal with the DevilGeist tries to make Maximilian Fairfax an offer he can't refuse.
- 5dGeist's Last TemptationGeist runs into Ms. Shelly. Possible outcomes: ignore what she says, continue the cycle, or break it.
- 5gSacrificeGeist decides Johann's fate. Possible outcomes: sacrifice him, or show mercy.
- 5iAll the good thingsGeist makes peace with Oathkeeper and with herself.
Written by Steve Jaros. Illustrations by Maren Nerei and Lady Santos.
Story based on The Deadlock Wiki (CC BY-NC-SA). Deadlock is a trademark of Valve Corporation.