Cantata
Last updated February 13, 2026; approx. word count 185k
If you're enjoying Cantata and would be interested in extra content, early access, or would like to support me, please visit my ko-fi at https://ko-fi.com/firandfireweed
Synopsis
The story is set in Saleste, a vast empire with a long history of expansionism and colonization. Within the empire, technically citizens but not, are the Iredicci. The Iredicci can hear and feel the cordis, the harmonic pulse that connects all living things, and they connect to it through song. Iredicci have excellent hearing, but their defining feature is their voice—they have an echo to their voice, a resonance of two pitches at once.
A simple, nomadic people, the Iredicci were traditionally welcome in all corners of the Saleste Empire. But as steam technology progressed and the push for new resources grew, a prejudice developed against them. Over the years they stopped being welcome. Eventually, their travel was restricted, and the Iredicci were forced to live in settlement camps.
You are one of the Iredicci, born into such a camp. The elders sing songs of past travels and wonders you have never seen. Ever the optimists, the elders tell you to take heart. To be thankful you are among friends and family. That things can’t possibly get any worse.
Until they do.
Historians and politicians would call it The Proelium, a righteous battle against the traitorous Iredicci. What it really was, was the systematic genocide of your people. In one night, soldiers attacked every settlement camp across the empire. No one was spared—not the elders, not the children, not your mother.
It was mere whim that you snuck out of camp that evening, a mischievous escapade with a friend that ironically saved your life. You are taken in by your friend’s family and kept safe. But with survivors being hunted and killed, you must conceal your identity. So, you pretend to be deaf and mute.
Journey through the empire of Saleste and beyond. Grow from a child into an adult. Make friends, lovers, allies, and enemies. How will they react when your secret comes to light? Will you abandon your song in favor of machine? Join the rebel forces against the tyrant regis? Will you heal the wounds of the realm and restore balance? Or plunge it further into chaos?
Features
- Play as male, female or nonbinary—you’ll be able to choose your pronouns independent of your body type.
- Customize your character’s appearance and personality.
- Choose your attunement/proficiency with the cordis. This choice will heavily influence gameplay, affecting combat, weapon specialization, character interactions, and problem-solving situations. Choose wisely!
- Create 2 character names: your birth name and an alias. The Iredicci have culturally unique names, so your birth name will be limited to a preset selection. But you will go by an alias of your own choosing for most of the story.
- Develop your relationship with your adopted sibling. Are you friends or rivals?
- Romance! Or not. Romance 1 of 5 possible love interests, including a secret RO! Or choose the platonic route with the best of friends.
- Save a wild animal from a hunter’s trap and gain a steadfast companion. Because fur baby.
The MC
The game begins with you at age 7. When you are 12, your camp is slaughtered during The Proelium, and you are adopted into a friend’s family. With your voice and heightened hearing identifying you as Iredicci, you pretend to be deaf and mute in order to hide your heritage. The main game occurs 13 years after The Proelium, when you are 25.
Romance Options
Calliope Cato (she/her)
The inventor/artificer, Calliope can build and fix any machine. She is 2 years younger than you, petite, with gold eyes, rich brown skin and black hair in multiple braids. Her hair and clothes are adorned in rings, belts, and pins which double as tools. She carries a man’s cane sword with her everywhere, which she wields in a fight along with a hand crossbow. She’s curious, optimistic, excitable, and easily distracted by her many projects, but much of that is to keep her mind occupied. In quiet moments when she thinks no one is looking, you glimpse a profound sadness on her features.
Corinne Xenakis (she/her)
The leader of the rebels, Corinne works to overthrow the monarchy and aid the surviving Iredicci where possible. She is 6 years older than you. She is tall, with long, sandy brown hair usually worn in a messy bun or loosely braided bun, hazel eyes, and beige skin tanned by the sun. Quiet, serious and aloof, she feels a tremendous responsibility for those under her command. Corinne is a contradiction—she has the grace and manners of a noblewoman, yet fights with military precision that is uncommon for females of noble lineage. She is deadly when double wielding her flintlocks or axes. While not cold, she is not overly familiar or friendly with anyone, and very tight-lipped about her past. What does she guard so fiercely behind her armor?
Vicente Aloi (he/they)
The bastard prince, Vicente is calculating, ruthless and driven. They are the same age as you, and they, too, lost their mother the night of The Proelium, though under different circumstances. But while you were adopted into a loving family, he is the unwanted son of the regis, trained to be a lethal tool. He has long, midnight blue-black hair, icy blue eyes, and high defined cheekbones. The edges of a tattoo are barely visible on his neck above the collar of his doublet… wings, perhaps? It’s beautiful. He’s beautiful, though you’d never tell him for fear he’d take his rapier to your neck simply for looking. Will your plans align with his, or are you merely another pawn in his schemes?
Bayram Durmaz (he/him)
The son of the Aydem, the matriarchal leader of Tinebaille. Bayram is 4 years older than you. He has golden-honey skin, light brown eyes, and dark brown, tightly-curled hair that he usually wears back in a ponytail or half ponytail. He is tall and broad, muscular but not toned, with a rounded edge to his stomach and chest. A sprawling, colorful tattoo, the mosaic artwork of his people, covers the entirety of his back. He is boisterous, bold, and a shameless flirt. With his young sister bearing the weight of succession, he’s been free to explore the islands to his heart’s content, and is familiar with every bay, inlet, and harbor. He is equally skilled at wielding a spear, sailing a ship, and charming hearts.
About the Artist
All the illustrations on this page are commissioned works done by the extremely talented Isabela Zaneti, the same artist who did Viatica. I am so grateful to her for bringing my characters and world to life, and I encourage you to check out her website!
Content Warning
This story is intended for mature audiences. Possibly triggering topics present in the story include blood, violence, death (including child death), trauma & PTSD, mature language, sexual content (optional), classism, sexism, bigotry, and the persecution of a fictional people. Be advised, you are also pretending to have a disability for at least half the story.
The music is intentionally loud in certain parts of the story. This is to mimic the noise and emotions that the MC is experiencing, as sound is an integral feature of your race. It may be uncomfortable for some readers, so please read with caution.
Disclaimers
“Cantata” is a low fantasy IF loosely based on the Italian Renaissance period, with a steampunk edge. While I took inspiration from real world cultures and languages - most notably Italian, Latin, Greek, and Turkish - the world is still my own and not intended to be historically accurate.
Photo used in background by Olga Brajnovic on Unsplash
Development log
- Cantata Chapter 5 is Live!39 days ago
- One Year Anniversary + Early Access59 days ago
- Chapter 5 Progress UpdateDec 09, 2025
- New KoFi Member Subscription LaunchedNov 02, 2025
- Cantata Chapter 4 is Live!Oct 10, 2025
- Update NewsSep 13, 2025
- Update News/Check InAug 02, 2025
- 5th ROJun 09, 2025
Comments
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I finally got the time to catch up, i'm in love with this of course, i looove your writing, characters and the world you build, everything is so detailed and i just know you put a lot of love and effort by the way you develop everything.
Spoilers from this point for anyone else reading me :3!!!!
But i was REALLY ashamed because I was called out for flirting with everyone, like i always connect with the MC when reading your IFs and this was not an exception lol.
Like it's not my fault Vicente, Tellus and Corinne are totally my type, and Bayram is so fun and charming and Calliope is absolutely adorable.... right?
I promise I will start playing the individual routes from now on, because the way Corinne asks MC to be honest with her? omg my heart.
And Vicente associating MC with a Xiphos is so him, idk how to describe it, but it makes so much sense for them to use that as a term of endearment, associating MC with something indispensable, that means survival and strength.... so beautiful.
(Sorry if i have some misspells and for the long text lol <3)
I discovered this game a lot of time ago and is really beautiful read it again and again when a new chapter is Live
Also I love the details when you call your pet the same as your crush (my bb Tellus) < 3
Dude I just read it all in like two days and I hope more comes eventually because the worldbuilding is peak and the characters are awesome rahh
Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed it! If you look at my devlogs you can see I update regularly. More coming soon! 😁
Vicente drew lil ol me? (>~u~<)
hehehehehehhehehehehehehhehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehhe
OH MY GOD, HUZZAH!!! I FINALLY GOT TO KISS MY BEAUTIFUL ARTIFICER OF A WIFE!!!!
❤️
Off but on topic, I made a quick sketch of her with MC as I ignore my assignment due today. I'm crying; I'm obsessed. UGH, SOMEONE POUR COLD WATER DOWN MY SHIRT.
Your art is absolutely gorgeous! Though the comments section isn’t exactly appropriate for that. Do you happen to have a tumblr account? That would be a better place to share it—you could tag me and I’d be happy to share it with my followers. ❤️
SORRY I DONT HAVE A TUMBLR ACC i may have gotten a bit too excited to show my fanart of them </3 I CAN REMOVE IT IF YOUD PREFER
It’s ok, I love your excitement, truly! I was just thinking tumblr would have been a better alternative.
Bruh they're adorable T-T
Wow. I've never been so speechless! I don't usually do story games, mostly indulging in simple visual novels, but the summary of this one really caught my eye; and I'm so glad it did! The world building, the plot, the characters, I have never experienced such an in-depth story like this one! Just the MC themselves have so much autonomy and choices they can make, it really helps to immerse yourself in the story. I was so heartbroken when I got to the end of chapter 5, sad that it was over, so I instantly when to your profile and started playing Viatica (another awesome game, might I add!). I'm so excited to see this one be updated, you should be so proud with what you've created (and your writing is just BEAUTIFUL).
SPOILER: I'm so on edge with Tellus -- He's not listed as a romantic interest on the main page (maybe because you didn't want to spoil he was truly alive?), so I'm constantly worried that MC pursuing him is going to end badly and he's going to die again omg :sob: He's my absolute fav, and I WILL be getting art of my MC and him together <3 Again, your characters are just so well-written, thank you so much for giving us all the opportunity to play ^o^
Thank you so much! That is quite the compliment, if I can get you to enjoy a type of media you usually don’t. 😁 I appreciate your words very much!
Don’t be worried about Tellus! All my ROs have plot armor, I could never kill them. 😁 Tellus was a late addition, he wasn’t originally an RO and yes, he’s a bit of a spoiler. I do have a write up for him in this devlog if you’re interested: https://firfireweed.itch.io/cantata/devlog/963195/5th-ro
PHEWWWW that's a huge weight off my shoulders !!! I'm so excited for the next chapter, thank you so much!
oh my gosh i just noticed!!--does vicente carry a xiphos along with his rapier in his character art?!?!?
ALSO i am weeping like a little baby over chapters 3-5. i've been following along since cantata was first announced, and it's grown so beautifully beneath your skilled hands 🥹 i will always love love LOVE your writing and i cannot WAIT to gently cradle my found accord in chapter six.
i await the next update with a quickened heart and lightened spirit.
as always, sending you warmth and love!! 🤍🤍
Thank you so much for your kind words! And for following along with my writing for so long. It is very much appreciated! ❤️
just started the prologue and im sensing angst from your comment uh oh uh oh
The secondary weapon in his character art is the main gauche. Vicente doesn’t use a xiphos (at least he doesn’t use that kind). 😏
what's a xiphos? he keeps on referring to me as that and am kinda confused abt i
I love this one so much omg. it's so well written and I love the characters and the story and just everything about this is a masterpiece I cannot wait for more‼️
I do have a question for the author, (if they'll see this 💔) how does one create the names for the places, and like the not real words, like Iredicci is definitely not a real culture/group or whatever so how do you think of it???
but beside that, amazing game, I love Viatica, that's how I found this one, and I can't wait for more 🩷
Thank you so much! My process for creating names is a bit of a word salad, lol. I do base my cultures on real life ones, and the Iredicci are based on Latin and Italian cultures, so I needed a word that sounded like it could be Latin or Italian. Then I concentrate on how they look on paper and how they sound in my head. Basically I just play around with syllables till I’m satisfied. 😁
Some of the names for my cities are real world places, or a mix of. Baricenza, for example, is a mix of Bari and Vicenza, and Inizi really does mean “beginnings” in Italian. There are so many amazing words and places that already exist, I don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time. 😊
I’ve cried a few times reading the demo, I admit. The family interactions here deeply harmed my heart. The ROs are also all great, and I love the friendships you can have with the ones you choose not to romance.
On an entirely different note, are there currently any intimate scenes with a RO? I haven’t encountered them yet 👀
Aww, thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying the characters and relationships.
No intimate scenes yet beyond a kiss available with Calliope in chapter 5 and a hand/cheek kiss with Corinne. BUT VERY SOON! The first sexually charged scenes occur in chapter 6. 😉
AHHHHH I NEED MORE 😭🙏
More is coming soon!
It is a masterpiece, never stop writing
I love your work ! ❤️
(plus i love my lesbian romance with calliope, she was soooo cute at the end of chapter 5 ❤️)
Thank you so much! ❤️ Woohoo, Calliope romancer!! 🙌🏻
my eyes are slightly red from crying, can't wait for chapter 6 :')
Aww, thank you!
okay so first off, this story seems really interesting so far, I look forward to reading more!
Also, this is random but I think it’s a lil funny, within like less than 5 minutes of playing the story I ran into my brother’s, cousin’s, and best friend’s name 😭🙏
Edit: Mint tea is the best btw
Edit 2: love it so far! Also fyi, in real life its actually extremely hard to read lips and the very few people who do even still often times miss words or mistake them for others, so guys don’t go up to deaf person and assume they can read your lips! Anyway other than that I really like this story so far, It’s very interesting topic!
I just finished chapter 5 and I cant wait to see more of this story and how things will progress further. I will pay attention so the second the next chapter comes I'm ready for it!
Very well written, truly a job well done!
Thank you!
Hi! I had a quick question. I know chapter five is out now, but do I need to start the game over or can I just continue with my last save and move forward? I ask this because where I last saved (chapter 4); after a fight between main character and someone from the past (trying not to spoil it for anyone). When I scroll down, it doesn't give me the option to continue or click anything so I was wondering if I needed to start over.
Thank you for sharing this amazing story with us!
Hello! Saves should work; I'm afraid I don’t know why you’re having trouble. As long as you started a new file after the last update (chapter 4 broke saves and you needed to start over to play it), then chapter 5 shouldn’t give you any trouble.
I FINISHED CHAPT 5
HELLLOOOO IM CRYING
THIS IS ONCE AGAIN THE PEAKEST IF IVE READ SO FAR
❤️
<3
OH MY GOD
this is 100% without a doubt the best IF i have EVER read.. and i've read a lot XD
i can't freaking decide between vicente and tellus T-T
That is quite the compliment, thank you! ❤️
Since you liked cantata so much, I think you would seriously enjoy God Cursed, it's pretty different in a lot of ways, but is also an incredibly good story!
Spoilers ahead for chapter 5!
OMG FINALLY, I KISSED CALLIOPE!!!
and I got to call thaleia mom? 10/10 ending omg!!!!!
Lol, glad you enjoyed it! 😁
I'm wondering how many chapters this will have? beautiful work as always 🥹
I plan 13 chapters. That may change as the story progresses, of course, but I don’t imagine it’d fluctuate much.
yay! i also wanted to say how much i admire your work — you consistently put out such high quality content in such relatively short time i dont know how you do it. i also played Viatica, and it was the first time I'd cried from interactive fiction. the second time with Cantata. you are truly a blessing to the IF scene, thank you for writing for our niche community 🫶🏽
Aww, that is lovely to hear, thank you! 🥹 I’m grateful to have discovered IFs and this community a couple years ago, and I’m still blown away by the reception and encouragement I’ve received. Thank you very much! ❤️
I can't wait for the time when Vicente stops pissing on the porch...
(I died)I was rereading it recently and crying over it again. Great chapter, as always!! 🥹💛
(WHY DO YOU MAKE ME CRY SO MUCH!! I HATE YOU!!)Thank you, Ri! This is a wonderful thing to hear from an author I respect so much! ❤️ I’ve gotta keep up with the angst in yours, lol. 😉
My god reading this fully with the update is a ROLLERCOASTER, I have been screaming at my screen and loving needling Vicente so much.
But the choice between Vicente and Tellus... I am going to be in SO MUCH TROUBLE.
Lol, glad you’re enjoying it! Good luck with that choice! 🫡
Leaving a comment just to say how awesome a read this was! I started this as like a "I'll read for 30 minutes before I go to bed" and ended up reading all the way through chapter 5 and going to sleep at 4 am because I could not put it down. Truly excellent work! The world you have built is beautiful and I cannot wait for more.
Thank you for your kind words! ❤️ I hope you’ve caught up on sleep! 😅
OMAGAAAAA ME ENCANTAAAAA, ya decia yo que me iba a gutar, pero llego esto muy lejos JAJKHS, amo a Bayram y Tellus, sobre todo a mi querido musculoso, quede flechada por lo que dijo JAJDHSH, ahi me veian como loca leyendolo una y otra vez, espero con ansias el proximo cap :))
I had to pop this into Google translate and it was so worth it! Thank you so much, I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
I love this i started and couldnt put it down until i reached the end of chapter 5 and only because that was it.😀
Lol, more is coming soon!
this is one of, if not my absolute favourite IFs. i find myself as invested in the story as i am in the relationships between the characters (platonic, familial and romantic) and every update has me literally beaming. also i named my ferret dirk.
Thank you! I’m sure that name annoys Vicente to no end! 😆
I just finished reading Chapter 5, and I have to say how beautiful this story is! I knew I would like Cantata when it first came out, but wow! Your ability to craft such an intriguing and interesting world is amazing, and I always enjoy reading your work! Every chapter is such a joy to read and contributes so much to the story. Though I have to say Chapters 4 and 5 are probably my favorite so far, I especially loved the very last choice in Chapter 5 (if you know, you know) and it genuinely brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories with the world, and I can't wait to see how this story continues to unfold!
You are most welcome! Thank YOU for your kind words!
Hello! I really like your game and would like to know what sound/melody/motif resemble Iredicci's songs the most? Personally, when I play, I imagine it as mesmerizing, hypnotic sounds that unite nature and the souls of people. For me, it's Nordic music. During battles, I imagine the unbreakable viking songs. But that's my interpretation. What's actually closest to canon, in your author's opinion?
Hello! This is ironic because one of the bands I listen to when writing is Skald, which is a French Nordic band. Their music very much has a viking-esque feeling to it! Another band I listen to often when writing is Faun, which is a German band that has a folk/pagan/medieval vibe going on. All of the above are what I picture for the Iredicci, but feel free to headcannon whatever you like best!
Wow, this is insanely good! The writing is top quality. All the characters feel real, the choices have weight, the emotions are intense... I'm saving this with my all-time favourite games.
Aww, thank you so much! ❤️
made an account just for this wonderful gift to the world... the unprecedented (for me) amount of emotions I had compounded with the how attached I got with each character & the world is just proof of your talented writing... I feel like a changed man after this! Looking forward to following this beautiful piece of literature! <3
Thank you for your kind words, and for creating an account in order to share them!🫶🏻 I look forward to sharing future chapters with you!
i adore this story so bad and i run to read it whenever i see it's been updated. also, i said this last time but i still cannot decide who i wanttt ahhhhhh i need them all and i will definitely be replaying for every route once this is eventually completed
Lol, thanks for following along with the story! I love hearing when readers can’t decide on a route. 😁
Every chapter has been such a pleasure to read. I fell in love with every single character in this story, from their backstories to their personalities. There were so many times were I bawled my eyes out, truly a masterpiece.
That’s wonderful to hear, thank you!
Oh wow! I was not expecting that confession from Corinne. I love that we're getting more backstory on her, not only on her time in the army but of her family life as well. I can't wait for her reaction when we confirm her suspicions.
I love the individual moments we get to share with each RO, even with the fight at the end, it felt like a moment of reprieve to enjoy time with them after the battle. The teasing and banter at the planning table made me chuckle.
You're doing great work, can't wait to see what comes next. 👍💜💜
Thank you, Power! ❤️ I’m glad you enjoyed that! I was like, FINALLY we can get these characters together and have some real conversations. 😁
i've been wanting to play this game for a while, and i just like to point out how illustrative the words are. it flows, and it really paints a picture. I also love the little easter egg i found where you name your fox/ferret/badger tellus and they recognise it
Thank you for finally giving my story a try and for your kind words!
i just keep crying and laughing. it's such a wonderful story so far. I watch with great interest and earnest hope for your futures.
Thank you for your kind words!
hi guys hi horse nerd here👀, love the game, love the new chapter, love every chapter ❤❤
HOWEVER. (Spoilers??)
Chapter 5, Tellus, his horse, a "she", but also a stallion? Stallion are older male horses who have not been gelded. Again, love your work so much , I've probably cried to it like 3 times by now, but the horses.....💔
Hello, I appreciate the lookout, but I think you’re confusing MC’s horse with Tellus’s. I doublechecked and everywhere I could see, I refer to Tellus's horse as "he". I do know what a stallion is. 😉 MC's horse is a mare.
Oh my gosh you're right I'm sorry 😭 I didn't mean to make it sound like you didn't know anything about horses but looking back it did, I just didn't read it properly 😞
Forgive me...? 💔
I do! I apologize, too, I did get a little defensive. 🥴
TELLLUSSSSS
AHHHHUHHHHH MY BOYYYYY
i've been yapping to my friend of how he hurts me so i love him
Lol, well I appreciate you yapping to your friend about him!
WE ARE SO BACK RAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
fir and fireweed you have done it again. thanks for ripping my heart out with this disgustingly sweet chapter im forever never recovering!!!! hopefully nothing bad happens to mc's accord!!!!!!!! 👁️
but as always phenomenal job, absolutely love love LOVE your writing and i can't wait for chapter six to be released!!! 🙏💕
Angel!! 🙌🏻 Welcome back! I love seeing your name pop up here and I’m glad you enjoyed this chapter!
At least this time it was a good cry, right? Right? 😅
goodness was it a GOOD cry. genuinely one of those pieces of literature i had to put my laptop down for and take a lap around my room to calm down (re: scream) multiple times. phenomenal job and kudos, fir!! 💕💕
I found this because another IF author reblogged your announcement on Tumblr. I spent an afternoon and evening playing through all five chapters. I was engrossed. The worldbuilding is so good and I love all the characters. The ROs are all intriguing and I can't wait to replay it to experience all the routes. I'm looking forward to the rest of the game.
Thank you for giving my story a try! Already plugging away at Chapter 6. 💪🏻
I forgot to mention that I love your use of musical terms! I've played a bit myself and listened to cantatas at church, so that was part of what intrigued me when I saw the recommendation.
Oh, thank you! I’m Italian (though unfortunately don’t speak it) and have played music too, so this was a great way for me to incorporate all that together. ❤️
Music has been part of my life since I was little. I thought I recognized bits of Italian. My sibling studied Italian in college and I studied Spanish, so my brain made the leap. I've now played through all the romances and I love how differently they play out and that we can choose our flirty reactions. Also, teasing Eva about Nik is a *blast*. Just like how I'd tease my own siblings.
How I'm pulling up with my water attunement.
THE UPDATE IS FINALLY HERE YAY. I was waiting till my free time to play it and hello?? !! this did not disappoint. Mane I cannot choose between Vincente and Tellus/Coda.. LIKE I want that childhood friend to lovers trope BUT URGHH Vincente is so lovely as well. Thank you for updating, this was beautiful as always
You’re welcome! Thank YOU for reading! A lot of readers seem to be stuck between those 2. 🤭