Return to Two Elk Island anew
Dorman, a closeted trans woman, has just finished recovering from a sailing incident that left her bedridden when her grandmother encourages her to start a new career. All the while, she struggles with the expectations her parents left behind - of her as a sailor and as a man.
As she begins to settle back into her life, she finds that Two Elk Island isn’t as tranquil as she remembers; a group of poachers has begun to disturb the balance between humans and spirits.
Four Routes. Four Journeys of Self-Discovery
- The resident witch, Rue, seeks her help preventing calamity from befalling the island.
- The local healer, Lantana, can’t keep up with the influx of new patients caused by the worsening storms.
- A prince from faraway Castle Island, Valerian, offers to pay any price for the treasure he seeks.
- Dorman’s childhood friend, Gallardia, suggests she return to sailing, fulfilling her family legacy.
In addition to saving Two Elk Island and getting closer to a chosen partner, Dorman realizes she can no longer ignore her gender dysphoria. After reflecting on her past and what she wants for her future, Dorman comes out as Poppy, now using ‘she’ and ‘her’ pronouns.
Breathless Winds is a visual novel about gender, learning how to love yourself, and finding your place in the world. When the storms roll in, the person by your side will be more important than ever.
- 200,000 words total by an LGBT team
- 4 full romantic routes with 2 male and 2 female love interests
- A gorgeous painted style with retro pixel art backgrounds
- No bad endings, no lose conditions - choices are only for fun
- Multiple authentic LGBT characters alongside the protagonist, including two of the love interests also being trans
Gallardia is our heroine's childhood friend, a proud big brother to three younger siblings, and a beloved sailor of Two Elk Island. His 'boy next door' charm and hardworking demeanor have made him popular on Two Elk Island - by contrast, Poppy feels almost invisible. But, thanks to his warm attitude, she never feels left behind.
The pair first met when their parents, also close friends, introduced them. They became inseparable when Gallardia rescued Poppy from a certain bully, and grew up aiming to work as sailors together.
When a sudden incident left Poppy bedridden, Gallardia was forced to continue working without her - and soon the two began to drift. As one of the primary caretakers of his younger siblings as well as the primary breadwinner, Gallardia is busier than ever; is he too busy to spend time with Poppy, and could they ever become more than just friends?
Lantana used to bully Poppy when they were kids, landing Poppy with the nickname 'mudshoes' after an infamous incident. Poppy was relieved at first when Lantana stopped showing up to school, but then grew worried for her as her absence continued. Search parties combed every part of the island, but came up with nothing - it was as if she vanished into thin air. So when Lantana returned without explanation years later, a changed person and the village's new healer, Poppy found herself drawn to her despite initial hesitation.
As the island's healer, Lantana creates potions and uses healing magic to tend to the injured - and she's been quite busy, as the storms continue to grow worse. She faces challenges head-on with a big smile and a little bit of stubbornness. Despite having turned over a new leaf, Lantana still likes to tease Poppy on occasion.
Even though she's integrated herself back into island life without incident, she's spoken barely a word about where she disappeared to and why. Will Poppy be able to clear the air between them and start their relationship anew?
Valerian is a household name - everyone knows the prince of the illustrious Castle Island, the "crown jewel of the sea." Despite his renown, however, he's been unable to find the help he needs to complete his critical quest to save the king's life. When he meets Poppy, he promises her great wealth if she assists him: countless jewels, priceless relics, and most importantly, the privilege of working by his side.
Valerian is arrogant and rude, and he claims he's had to set aside all weakness to become the heir to his throne. But Poppy learns that there's more to his passion than a desire for power, and she senses a heart of gold beneath his chilly exterior.
When Valerian's seemingly saccharine brother competes with him to complete his quest, the throne - and the fate of the sea - is in the air. Will Poppy and Valerian be able to save Castle Island before it succumbs to a terrible curse, and will he come to see her as more than just another servant in the process?
Rue appeared one day in the Forest of Crows - "raised from the dead", rumors said - and established herself as the island's resident witch. Delving deep into a forgotten dark magic, she allegedly uses her powers for the good of Two Elk Island, keeping its spirits in harmony and protecting nature against the growing storms.
Poppy's only experience with her was a chance encounter when Rue saved her from a rampaging spirit which had been angered by a group of poachers. Since then, Rue claimed she felt a unique power within Poppy and asked for her help preventing a great calamity from befalling Two Elk Island.
Rue is cold, mystifying, and rude, but she and Poppy nonethless form an instant emotional connection. Will Poppy be able to get through to her softer side and win her heart, or will the danger of their work be too much to handle?
Content Warnings - All Routes
- Internalized Transphobia
- Cisnormativity
- Gender Dysphoria
- Depression and social anxiety
- Parental Death (implied, not on-screen)
- References to past bullying
- Serious Illness/Caregiving for relatives
- References to running away from home
- Suicidal thoughts
- Referenced poaching/animal death
- Natural disasters
Content Warnings for Gallardia's Route
- Strict parents/expectations
- Heteronormativity
- Caregiving for siblings
Content Warnings for Lantana's Route
- Parental Abuse/Verbal and Emotional Abuse
- Heteronormativity
- Internalized Homophobia
General Note
Poppy is a trans woman and uses she/her pronouns. Partway through the game, she comes out as transgender and experiences gender euphoria. Although there are tense moments, Poppy and her love interest have a happy ending at the end of each route, while other characters have bittersweet/mixed endings. All choices in-game are for fun and do not affect one's ending or ability to date a love interest.
