Cantata
Last updated May 22, 2026; approx. word count 230k
If you enjoy these IFs and would be interested in extra content, early access, or would like to support me, please subscribe to my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/cw/FirFireweed. Or 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
- Progress Update and Discord Server25 days ago
- Cantata Chapter 6 is Live!80 days ago
- Patreon, KoFi & Early AccessApr 22, 2026
- Chapter 6 Progress UpdateMar 29, 2026
- Cantata Chapter 5 is Live!Feb 13, 2026
- One Year Anniversary + Early AccessJan 24, 2026
- Chapter 5 Progress UpdateDec 09, 2025
- New KoFi Member Subscription LaunchedNov 02, 2025
Comments
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The game was very fun to play and felt super immersed in it I especially love all the love interest and couldn’t choose ngl I expected to be confused playing the game but nope the game was very easy for me to read and remember since I have a hard time reading! Can’t wait for chapter 7!
I got so attached to this MC, you are such a good writer
I absolutely loved this story- the characters- Kept replaying for all the different scenes everything was just... so well done,everything felt so real not to mention the awesome SOUNDTRACK. The water, air, fire and earth kinda reminded me of like avatar- last airbender and Korra. Man you did your number on this, like my grandma always says "I put my foot in this' yo you put your whole leg in this. I finished all the way to 6 chapter, excited for chapter 7!!!
Came back to this after a few months and saw chapter 6 was released and I was so excited. The ending was everything I've been hoping for and wanting this whole time I love it <333 And then the bath scene was so lovely as well, very excited for chapter 7 when that is available!
Thank you for returning! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😁
Played the game till the end and I'm in love ❤️
❤️
This has to be the best IF I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Goddamn.
Thank you!
This was absolutely insane Holy shitttttttt
Hahahaha! Thank you! 🫶🏻
IM SO MADLY IN LOVE WITH THIS I CANNOT WAIT FOR CHAP 7 OMGGG!!!
Thank you!
I finally had time to read Chap 6!!! Kip and Dov were such a pleasant surprise!! I love how the chapter ended as well (we are so cool!!!) and thank you for the bath scene hehehehe :3
Lol, you are most welcome! ❤️
Are the Innkeepers from Ch6 a reference to God Cursed?? Kip and Dov oh my gosh TT∆TT I got so excited!!! Like, I know them!!!
Yep, they are! 🤭
cant wait for the next chapter ><
this is so beautifully written
Thank you!
Played the demo all through chapter 6.
The characters felt human and fleshed out, it seems like everybody has their own internal conflicts all throughout the story.
Excellently done, dostum!
Thank you!
oops i didnt know itch doesnt show ratings publicly so i'll comment my message here as well -
[ SPOILER ALERT MAYBE?]
I loved this so much! My favourite thing about it may be how the MC's family play a huge, irreplaceable role throughout the story, and they have fully fleshed out personalities, cus I feel like lots of fiction doesnt focus much on middle aged or older characters, and especially parents of a main character lol (I LOVE Thaleia sm. Like, thats mom 🥹). So I really loved that this IF does that! It adds so much to the MC's characterisation and the stakes in the situation as well. So excited for more ><!! I hope you rest well and recover with lots of support after your surgery!
Thank you! It’s very important to me that even side characters feel unique and significant, so your comment means a lot! ❤️
OMG dude I love this storyline like its so amazing yayay
🫶🏻
i come back here often just to check if it'll update, i love this IF smmmm, vincente especiallyyy. I cant wait for the next chapter but take your time!(੭´͈ ᐜ `͈)੭♡♡
Thank you! It’ll be a wait due to my surgery, but I’m recovering well and have already returned to writing. So it’s coming along! 😁
looking forward to it, tho no rush author!! i hope you recover well and stay healthy❤️
omgg I’ve been too busy to read episode 4-6 I’m so happy I can finally get back into this! At least it makes for less of a wait between episodes 😅
Welcome back! FYI, chapter 4 broke saves, so you may have to start over.
Wish I'd found this story earlier than now, but thankfully the ratings from some of my favorite creators finally brought it to my attention. Thoroughly looking forward to starting a new character as soon as I have a day free, the premise alone looks extremely promising.
I’m glad you were able to find it, and I’m grateful to my fellow creators! I hope you enjoy it, thank you for giving it a try. 😊
I love cantata!
🫶🏻
Very excited to see two new chapters!! My saves are from last September though and I'm wondering if that is causing an issue. I encountered a path that leads to all dead ends when you have the chance to ask Nikolaos questions in chapter 4. Am I missing something? A bit confused :')
You'll have to start a new save, unfortunately! I looked back at the Chapter 4 release, and it did break saves
Yes, chapter 4 broke saves. I’m afraid you’ll have to start over. But thank you for returning!
Ah okay, thanks for confirming! It'll be a good recap anyway!
oh hell yeah chapter 6!!!! what a treat :)
❤️
i love the easter eggs about if you name your pet Tellus its so cute
🤭
Español:
LO AME DESDE EL CAPITULO UNO, te amo, nunca dejes de escribir JAKJDKA, cada vez que intento escoger otro elemento no puedo, siempre escogeré agua yyyyy Kip y Dove, casi grito de la emoción, estare esperando por massss 💗
English:
I LOVED IT FROM CHAPTER ONE, I love you, never stop writing JAKJDKA, every time I try to choose another element I can't, I'll always choose water and Kip and Dove, I almost screamed with excitement, I'll be waiting for more 💗
Thank you for your kind words! 💕
Hi! I hope it’s alright to post fan art here? I drew my main character, Andrea. She’s one of my first attempts at drawing a full, colored in and shaded human, but I think she turned out alright. Cantata is amazing, as was Viatica. They’ve both inspired me to create art of my own, whether that be writing based or drawing based, like this one. You are an amazing writer, and thank you for creating these games!
Hello! Thank you for the kind words, and I love seeing Andrea! However, the comments section isn’t really an appropriate place to share it. We have a fan-run discord with a channel specifically for fanart; I encourage you to share it there!
https://discord.gg/F26Eyq46w
Or if you’re on tumbler, feel free to share it there and tag me. Thanks for understanding! 🫶🏻
just popping in to say that fir & fireweed is my favorite IF dev, if you are unsure about reading cantata, please don't be. it's the greatest and just remember to bring tissues. it's fantastic. i would die for tellus over and over again. thanks. enjoy the story!!
Aww! 🥹❤️ This is so sweet, thank you!
Just here to say that this game made me bawl and cry my eyes out so thanks for that I'll never be the same. 10/10 would do it again
Lol, you’re welcome! 🫶🏻
this is my favorite game on itch, i think about it all the time! the art is amazing the story and writing are amazing, and i'm in love with every single character. i truly did not think that games on itch would be this high quality and for FREE?? i feel so lucky to have found this and played it
Thanks for giving it a chance! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. 😁
I'm so exited for what comes next, this is the second time I read this and wow!
Thank you!
......KIP AND DOOOOOOVE!!!
😉
man im sad there isnt more i need more
Hello!! First off, I LOVE this demo a whole bunch! You are an excellent writer and I aspire to be like you when I create my IF story!! Anywho, I have around two things to ask, if that’s alright? Do you have any visuals for what the weapon’s of our player character look like? I’m having trouble picturing it in my brain and I really wanna know what you think they look like (not saying your descriptions were bad, I promise!! I’m just slow lol)! Oh and, what site did you use to make this IF? I tried twine but I’m so buns at it lolol!! I heard you’re in surgery, so answer whenever you can/want and I truly hope you get better soon!! Hugs and platonic kisses, XX!!
Hello! Thank you so much, I’m glad you’re enjoying the story!
I use Twine Sugarcube. I’m a complete noob at coding but I found some wonderful templates and resources. They’re all linked on my creator page; I’d start there if you’re in need of help with Twine.
As far as the weapons… are you on tumblr by any chance? I have reference pictures and videos for the weapons there.
thank you so much for responding, and apologies for seeing this so late!! Yes, I do have tumblr— I’ll be sure to check it out for the weapons reference! And thank you for the advice, I had no idea twine had templates!! This will make my life sooooo much easier lolol!! :)
heey sweetheart, how's your health after your surgery? hope your doing well❤️
Aww thank you for checking on me! ❤️ Recovery is good, but slow. I’m still on pain meds and they leave my brain kinda fuzzy. I’m also sleepy all the time—doing anything like taking a shower or going for a walk leaves me exhausted. 😴 But I feel a little better every day. 😁💪🏻
I’m really glad to hear you’re getting a little better every day. ❤️ Please don’t push yourself too hard your body has been through a lot, and recovery takes time. I hope the pain eases up soon and the brain fog goes away. Get lots of rest 🫶🩷
🫶🏻❤️
Holy ending the demo there got me screeeeching. I neeeeed more. Thank you for the amazing story, characters and feels devs
You’re welcome! 😁🫶🏻
[SPOILER ALERT!]
I couldn't start any other way than by praising Fir, not only for creating such an interesting world, but also for creating such a beautiful story to read and interact with, a story that kept me up all night reading and still leaving me wanting more, a story that really made me care about the characters and their traumas (Corinne, my GOAT). At first, I didn't think much of Cantata, I simply searched for "text-RPG with romance" and coincidentally clicked on it, but ah, how wrong I was, after I don't know how many hours of gameplay and narrating the last scene of chapter 6 as if I were a bard, here I am, writing this at 1 AM and simply perplexed. This last chapter was, by far, the best so far. The MC FINALLY considering talking about his secret, a more intimate romance scene at the hot springs (which I really didn't expect), him discovering his duet and using his powers for the airships (the only thing I didn't completely understand was the "need" he mentions). Like Corinne, I prefer to write to express my feelings, but I tried very hard not to keep talking and talking but just repeating myself, so if it got too long, I'm sorry.
P.S. I'm Brazilian, so if you don't understand something I'm writing, that's why.
“Narrating the last scene of chapter 6 as if I were a bard.” 😂
You worded all that beautifully! 🥹 Thank you for such a lovely comment!
You may be overthinking the “need.” It’s just the need to be yourself—to accept yourself wholly, truly, and without shame or fear. With things as they are irl, I think MC is a bit of a metaphor for us all in that regard. ❤️
I hate to be pick with such a beautiful piece of art, but would you say that the story is far from done? I have grown attached and I would like to know how patient I need to be.
Just read the recent update, I will be very patient, thank you!
I appreciate your patience, thank you! 🫶🏻 We’re about the halfway point now. I estimate 13 chapters total; at the current rate of writing, probably another 2 years before completion.
Thanks! ^_^
Hi, I've been following the progress of this IF for a while now and I want to just say how truly beautiful this setting and storyline is! The characters are so well developed and seem so relatable, and even the background characters have such intricate upbringings that make them feel unique. Cantata is so well written and the hard work you put into it is evident. Take care of yourself and thank you for putting such an amazing IF out on this platform!❤️❤️❤️
Aww, thank you so much for this kind message! It is my pleasure and I’m happy you’re enjoying it! ❤️
Do you plan on selling the game when it's finished? Viatica included at some point?
Asking because you're one of the few out there that's actually finished a game and I want to support you for that. The games being good as well is a nice bonus.
Steam release potentially?
I'm aware theres patreon and the like but that always feels like throwing money in a hole to me, especially after the creator goes dark. I know your games are free at the moment but I like adding the ones I enjoy to my collection.
Thanks for the games~
Not the creator but IIRC, they (the creator) said they'll keep their games free
I appreciate the ask and that you’d like to support me. ❤️
Viatica was a labor of love and will always be free. I will monetize Cantata eventually, probably putting the final version on Steam. Though we’re still a couple years away from completion.
Honestly the best way to support me right now is Patreon or Kofi. If you don’t want to do a monthly subscription, Kofi offers the one-time tip option. ☺️
I replayed with different ROs, and my favourite so far? CORINNE!!!!
i can't wait for chapter seven! I'd guess the RO is the one who catches us, and I can't wait for it, especially to be in Corinne's arms 😍
Yay!! A Corinne fan! ❤️
The one who caught you is the RO you did the bath scene with. 🤭 If you chose the platonic route, there’ll be a choice in the beginning of chapter 7.
YIPPEEEEEEEEEE
i love corinne so much i took out my drawing tablet to try and draw her <33
This is incredible! The concept of song based music is one I love, and the characters are all so incredible and well-designed. I really appreciate having the option for an aromantic experience even in an IF setting, I feel like I'm still able to build a bond with characters. I really appreciate it <3
Thank you for the kind words, I’m glad you’re enjoying it! ❤️
I just finished chapter 6 andd holy shit, I'm so in love with this work that I created an account just to say so! I wish you the best of health and luck on your surgery! Can't wait to experience the oncoming chapters♡ Also being Turkish, it was a big whiplash to see a Turkish character in a foreign game haha but sorry Bayram, I'm only interested in Vicente
Thank you for taking the time to create an account and let me know! ☺️ I’m glad you liked the bits of Turkish, you have a lovely language!