History VisualNovel / WindsOfChange

* ActionGirl: Nada, a respected and feared pirate captain. [[spoiler:If The Seer chooses to align with her she gets to prove her worth as one during Act 3.]]
** And in the Finale, [[spoiler:Valessa. She'll take on some Honor Guard soldiers to allow The Seer/Monarch and friends to escape to Balteus' castle. Whether or not she's an effective Action Girl depends on your choices.]]

* AerithAndBob: We've got some fantastic fantasy names like Ulric, Sovy, Fortaime, Valessa and...Shane. The player can also play either side of this as they get to name The Seer.
** The game actually makes a joke out of the more unusual names at one point.

* AntiFrustrationFeatures: While the game won't tell you what choices lean towards Purity or Corruption it at least has the courtesy to hint at when The Seer is faced with such a choice by saying "This choice will affect the future of Alestia."
** Also applies to Heart-to-Heart conversations, as the game will inform you that you can potentially launch the RomanceArc with that character by informing, "This choice will permanently affect your relationship with ______"

* BigDamnHeroes: In Act 3 [[spoiler:Sovy is about to kill Ulric...when Pro, who earlier disappeared from the fighting, reappears with the Pirate Captain the Seer and Damek sided with in Act 2, who brings along their pirate army to turn the tide of battle.]]

* TheCorruption: Somewhat literal, as there is a stat on the KarmaMeter called Corruption. [[spoiler:Spirits actually are this, at least to the Triumvirate, as they influence Alestians to turn against them, thus corrupting Alestians from their original purpose.]]

* DarkestHour: The opening vision ends like this, with pretty much everyone in Valinorth (except Valessa) assimilated by The Blade of Exodus, being wielded by Sovy.
** [[spoiler: The first half of Act 3 is this. Things go to hell. ''Fast.'']]
** [[spoiler: the finale can end up like this as well, as most of your comrades can die. And many, like Howl and Damek, end up in their own personal Darkest Hours.]]

* GenderConcelaingWriting: [[spoiler: Vivien. His aide explains the name is actually very useful because assassins are always looking for a woman. Vivien himself actually uses it for fun to talk to people and talk as if Vivien is a different person.]]

* GoodAllAlong: [[spoiler: The Triumvirate. They explain that this has all been a plan to destroy the final Idol and the Blade of Exodus, to rid the universe of the constant conflict and death they bring. Not that it's immediately obvious even at TheReveal, considering they still have a rather low opinion of Alestia's residents beyond pawns to feed the blade for that purpose.]]
** [[spoiler: Sovy. While your first meeting with him in a vision seems to indicate he's a shameless mass murderer, it's revealed he's just dutifully loyal to the rightful rulers of the world; when that is revealed to be you, he quickly moves to change sides. Even if you reject his help, the epilogue implies he dedicated his life to protecting the monarchy you put in place.]]

* GreaterScopeVillain: [[spoiler: The Spirit Idols and the Blade of Exodus. The Triumvirate reveals in the finale that they have attempted to destroy the idol multiple times, but it always reappears in another world and begins to ruin it. To make matters worse, the power of the Blade of Exodus, which grows stronger with every death, always creates conflict. The Triumvirs came up with a solution: trap a single world in a time loop (the Blade retains its power from prior timelines) until the Blade was strong enough to destroy the idol for good, as well as the Blade itself. ...at the cost of the wielder's life. While the Triumvirs are known for being manipulative bastards, the fact two of them are indifferent to being killed makes this more plausible.]]

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: [[spoiler: The Triumvirate let the Rebellion steal the Blade of Exodus as part of their plan. Despite their attempts to justify their actions, all three of them are killed with it by you and Sovy/Ulric (depending on choices).]]

* OffWithHisHead: The way [[spoiler: the last Triumvir]] dies.

* SacrificialLamb: Valinorth is viewed as this by The Rebellion, as Damek saw a vision where The Rebellion won...but Valinorth was destroyed in the process, and Damek intends to stick to that vision. [[spoiler: Subverted in Act 3, as he and the rest of The Rebellion learn that was a false vision.]]

* SadisticChoice: The game hints that these choices will eventually befall The Seer, and boy does the first of these not fail to disappoint. [[spoiler:In the aftermath of the surprise attack on Rebel HQ, The Seer can either bestow some remaining Rebellion soldiers with their spiritual powers of visions, at the cost of said soldiers becoming vegetables when the power is used up, or resurrecting dead Rebellion soldiers and giving them the spiritual powers...at the cost of them being stuck in a form that dies hard and in addition they will be in eternal constant pain. Even Valessa and Fortaime, whom The Seer was normally able to consult up to this point, have nothing to say as to what they think The Seer should do.]]
** At the end of the game, you are presented with the option to [[spoiler:destroy the final Spirit Idol, though it will come at the cost of your life. Considering you likely made lots of promises to comrades by this point that you would come back, the fact you have to choose between going back to live with the people you love or killing yourself for the good of everyone is not easy.]]
*** Of course, the revelation that [[spoiler:agreeing to sacrifice yourself warps you into a new world with your memories intact but where the Triumvirate never oppressed anybody]] makes it easier...

* StealthSequel: While the Blade of Exodus looks like a normal blade to someone going into Winds of Change blind, others will quickly notice how it resembles [[spoiler:the weapon used by the Nagi and Nemi in VisualNovel/MajorMinor, complete with having the same powers and otherworldly gear. The real evidence of this being a sequel, however, is when ghosts (WordOfGod says they're memories) of Acheron and Reiyo appear as The Triumvirate explain themselves.]]

* WellIntentionedExtremist: [[spoiler: The only reason the Triumvirate engages in atrocities is they're trying to build up the power of the Blade of Exodus so it will be powerful enough to destroy the final idol as well as itself. They see the horrors they're inflicting on one world as a small price to pay to save countless others.]]
** It makes much more sense considering [[spoiler:Acheron and Reiyo were perfectly fine with using deception and allowing some death for the sake of the greater good in Major\Minor.]]

* GenderMisdirection: [[spoiler: Vivien. His aide explains the name is actually very useful because assassins are always looking for a woman. Vivien himself actually uses it for fun to talk to people and talk as if Vivien is a different person.]]

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: Romancing [[spoiler:Damek. There are 6 possible Heart-to-Heart sequences throughout the game, and it takes Damek a bit of soul searching, confronting his demons, and a ''strong'' desire to overcome his touch sensitivity to even get close to holding your hand in the fifth sequence. Charming as you may be and open as everyone else is, Damek's fear is rooted pretty deeply and you have to be pretty committed to his romance arc before you even get to hug him.]]

* NearVillainVictory: The first half of [[spoiler: Act 3.]]

* Outgambitted: Despite all of [[spoiler: Damek's expert planning, he falls victim to this in Act 3, as he was the one being led into a trap, rather than he leading the Triumvirate into a trap. However, this ends up happening to the Triumvirate later on in Act 3, due in part to Sovy fleeing and Pro being resourceful and getting friendly pirates to assist in the battle.]]
* {{Railroading}}: [[spoiler: Even if you choose to forgive Pro for his treachery that got people killed, forgive Ulric for being a Grand Inquisitor, allow Sovy to join your side, forgive Shane, and free Halin from his mind control, your character will brutally kill the two last Triumvirs even after they've explained themselves. It could be argued that everyone else was a tool of the Triumvirate so can be forgiven on that basis, but the Triumvir's utilitarian explanation of everything they had done makes this choice seem forced.]]

* SadisticChoice: The game hints that these choices will eventually befall The Seer, and boy does the first of these not fail to disappoint. [[spoiler: In the aftermath of the surprise attack on Rebel HQ, The Seer can either bestow some remaining Rebellion soldiers with their spiritual powers of visions, at the cost of said soldiers becoming vegetables when the power is used up, or resurrecting dead Rebellion soldiers and giving them the spiritual powers...at the cost of them being stuck in a form that dies hard and in addition they will be in eternal constant pain. Even Valessa and Fortaime, whom The Seer was normally able to consult up to this point, have nothing to say as to what they think The Seer should do.]]
** [[spoiler: At the end of the game, you are presented with the option to destroy the final Spirit Idol, though it will come at the cost of your life. Considering you likely made lots of promises to comrades by this point that you would come back, the fact you have to choose between going back to live with the people you love or killing yourself for the good of everyone is not easy.]]
*** [[spoiler: Of course, the revelation that agreeing to sacrifice yourself warps you into a new world with your memories intact but where the Triumvirate never oppressed anybody makes it easier...]]

* StealthSequel: While the Blade of Exodus looks like a normal blade to someone going into Winds of Change blind, others will quickly notice how it resembles [[spoiler: the weapon used by the Nagi and Nemi in VisualNovel/MajorMinor, complete with having the same powers and otherworldly gear. The real evidence of this being a sequel, however, is when ghosts (WordofGod says they're memories) of Acheron and Reiyo appear as The Triumvirate explain themselves.]]

* TurnedAgainstTheirMasters: Turns out that [[spoiler: Alestians were originally created to blindly serve the Triumvirate, however, the spirits from the conquered monarchy began influencing Alestians to the point they had free will and began to turn against the Triumvirate... ultimately culminating in the current Rebellion.]]

** It makes much more sense considering [[spoiler: Acheron and Reiyo were perfectly fine with using deception and allowing some death for the sake of the greater good in Major\Minor.]]
* XanatosSpeedChess: [[spoiler: The situation seems to change to this following Act 3. The Blade of Exodus remains in the hands of The Seer, and in addition, there are rebellion soldiers who are being trained to see visions, and Howl, a construct of monarchy spirits that can see into the future as well, thus robbing the Triumvirate of their ability to corrupt visions. However, the heads of the Triumvirate are still clever schemers, and they still have Sovy who himself is a clever schemer and skilled fighter.]]

''Winds of Change'' is a [[VisualNovel Visual Novel]] game published by Tall Tail Studios and once again developed by [[UsefulNotes/FurryFandom furry community member]] Klace, AKA Kyle Lambert. Considered something of a SpiritualSuccessor to his 2016 game [[VisualNovel/MajorMinor Major\Minor]], also a Visual Novel. The game takes place on the fantasy world of Alestia, which is a WorldOfFunnyAnimals supposedly created, and ruled, by the Triumvirate, a religious-like organization trying to keep the people of Alestia under their control. Unfortunately for them, their actions have led to the creation of [[LaResistance The Rebellion]], an organization of various soldiers and civilians from various Alestian nations that are bent on taking down the Triumvirate.

Not to be confused with [[WebOriginal/WindsofChange the ''other'' Winds of Change involving animal characters.]]

* ActionGirl: Nada, a respected and feared pirate captain. [[spoiler: If The Seer chooses to align with her she gets to prove her worth as one during Act 3.]]
** And in the Finale, [[spoiler: Valessa. She'll take on some Honor Guard soldiers to allow The Seer/Monarch and friends to escape to Balteus' castle. Whether or not she's an effective Action Girl depends on your choices.]]

* AllAccordingToPlan: [[spoiler: The Triumvirs wanted the rebels to get ahold of the Blade of Exodus. They needed the rebellion to have hope so that it would perpetuate the cycle of death necessary to make the blade strong enough to destroy the final idol. More specifically, they needed it to fall into the player's hands, so that they could be the one with the power to destroy it.]]

* ArtifactOfDoom: The Blade of Exodus, which the Triumvirate was using to oppress the world until the Rebellion stole it from them. [[spoiler: At least, that's what the Rebellion thought had happened...]]
** The [[spoiler: Dark Idol, which apparently contains the essence of Nagi from Major\Minor. It's the source of Balteus' dying state.]]

* BatmanGambit: [[spoiler: The Triumvirate are experts of this in the beginning. They use their power to manipulate Spirit-given visions to lead The Seer, The Blade of Exodus, and The Rebellion right where they want them. Damek tries to do this, but ends up getting OutGambitted.]]

* BigDamnHeroes: In Act 3 [[spoiler: Sovy is about to kill Ulric...when Pro, who earlier disappeared from the fighting, reappears with the Pirate Captain the Seer and Damek sided with in Act 2, who brings along their pirate army to turn the tide of battle.]]
** In the Finale, [[spoiler: there's a few moments of this. The Monarch will use their blade to kill a legion of Honor Guard blocking the bridge to Balteus castle. And if you spared Shane, he'll show up and save Damek just has he's about to be killed.]]
* BornOfMagic: [[spoiler: Howl arrives in Act 3, a legion of Spirits that inhabits the body of Salus, the former leader of The Rebellion. The combined power and energy of these spirits reanimated Salus' body and keeps it in a stable state for them to use.]]

* TheChosenMany: The Seers could be considered this, as the Spirits choose them at birth and bestow them with their powers. [[spoiler: Though The Seer in the game's events is essentially TheChosenOne as Valinorth's Spirits gave them the remainder of their power into them.]]

* TheCorruption: Somewhat literal, as there is a stat on the KarmaMeter called Corruption. [[spoiler: Spirits actually are this, at least to the Triumvirate, as they influence Alestians to turn against them, thus corrupting Alestians from their original purpose.]]
** But then it's learned [[spoiler: that the energy from the Dark Idol literally corrupts everything around it.]]

** Ditto for Dracyu, King of Alarinthia and current arena champ.

* BigBad: The Triumvirate.

* TheChessmaster: The Triumvirate likes to fashion themselves as this.

* EsotericHappyEnding: Some of the best endings are this, particularly if someone dies; sure you saved the world, but the game tends to call you out hard if your actions means someone didn't survive.
** [[spoiler:In some of the better endings involving a restart of the time loop, there's no word on what Pro's situation is. While the world is more peaceful, Pro's backstory of being thrown out at a young age was the only one ''not'' dependent on the Triumvirate taking advantage of him, and thus the possibility not much has changed for him. And depending on how the world's been moving along, Alarinthia could still be facing power struggles if Ulric didn't succeed in his own time. The epilogue clarifies neither situation.]]