Hey guys!

I did see that there have been a lot of questions as of late regarding the status of The Spirits of Sabil so I thought it would be best to give a FAQ post for those who are not sure on the future of the game and for those that want clarification.

If you still have any other questions that aren't answered here, you can leave your questions in the comment section below. The questions should not be related to issues with the game.

Q. Will there be any cross-saving features in the game?
A. It shouldn't be something that is too hard to implement. The save files between all formats are json files so in theory it should work. There could be some difficulty with Android but one idea was having the file read and copy itself. For the case of just changing it from a nsfw file to a sfw file and vice versa, it would require changing or removing attributes. It's definitely possible.

Q. Is there going to be pregnancy?
A. Yes, the plan is to include it when version 1.0 is close to finish, as according to the roadmap. It will be part of the marriage update as part of couple living. The plan is to have it be on by default but it can be toggled off as an optional feature.

Q. Are there more sex positions to be included?
A. Possibly, it really depends on the complexity of positions. Threesome has been highly requested, so that will probably be on the list. There is some hesitance around it though as every scene needs its own sprites for everything involved. Cowgirl, for example, used the head from the normal sex position. Whenever possible, sprite parts are reused when it doesn't look weird. However, it's not currently a priority.

Q. Any more characters to look forward to?
A. There will be one more new major character and a few more cameos before the release of version 1.0. More stuff will likely be added after the 1.0, however, it is likely this will be the last major character to be added to the game.

Q. Can we explore more of Sabil in future?
A. There is always a new location for a new major character and so the next major character will have a location along with them. Also looking to add an optional one or two other locations. Nothing more until after version 1.0. You can be assured of at least one more location.

Q. How about events? Can we expect more?
A. Yes, there's plenty in the works. The idea is for major characters to have at least one character-based event for each character, so Haru and Mai are currently set for one dedicated event each. There will as be two more major story events. Other events will be included too, such as more annual events or festivals. The Light Ceremony, for example is one of these annual events. One will likely revolve around cooking, another a fighting tournament, one a Christmas-like event, one probably something akin to New Year's and of course a marriage event for when you find that special spirit of your choosing. There will likely be other events revolving around marriage and family. 

So yes, you can expect quite a few!

Q. While the game is in English, is there plan for more languages for it to be translated to?
A. If there people who can translate into the language they want and can do so, let me know. There's a lot of translating work due to the game being dialogue heavy. There are translators already helping with languages like Russian, Portuguese and French. Yet, progress of translation is varied from language to language. It is best to wait until the 1.0 release for the most thorough translations as there will still be plenty to add in the meantime.

Q. The player's tent isn't going to be their home forever, is it?
A. There will be upgrading of homes from the tent to a hut. This will also include decorating the inside of your hut. The upgrade will be a requirement for marriage/couple living.

Q. Considering the nature of the game, should we expect there to be relationship drama?
A. It would be complicated to add as it would take a while with the current capabilities of the team. Would you be able to redeem yourself for your actions? What would happen on repeat offences? There's a lot of cause and effect to consider throughout the game that makes the scope quite large. It would also be pretty annoying from a gaming standpoint, though perhaps it could be added as a sort of "hard mode" It's too ambitious for the time being and will likely remain restricted to one committed love.

Q. We can play as a human, but I've been wanting to play as a spirit. Will that be possible?
A. Not in the transformative way. There will be no human transforming into a spirt. However the option to play as a spirit might possibly happen. It would require a rewrite of the dialogue as the current dialogue assumes you're human. In the mechanical way, it wouldn't be hard. It would, however, need a new narrative approach. It would be like a different version of the game. It's something to be considered after the 1.0 release.

Q. The player at the moment could use some sprucing up, how about some more customisation options?
A. There will definitely be more in terms of hairstyles and maybe some clothing, such as changing and adding colors. As for features that are non-human, maybe. Anthropomorphic creatures would require some dialogue changes too. There is a plan to add a regular face and not have faces be blank.

Q. Considering the way the world is going with restrictions of nsfw content and the like, will there be a public Discord server set up to keep in contact with the game's progress?
A. If censorship gets worse, one will probably have to be made. For now, just going to keep an eye on it. It doesn't really affect the game much as it's free. We can only see what the future holds and will be able to give any updates on such developments. One thing for certain: this project is not going to be abandoned.

Q. Are there going to be improvements on the sprites and their appearances?
A. There won't be any full on animations for sprites but things like breathing and idle animations are planning to be included. There might even be animations included for certain expressions. There was someone working on doing that originally but it has since been put on hiatus.

Q. As Haru has a dragon form as his spirit ability, will we get to see it fully?
A. It will need to completed. It will definitely be used when some planned features will be added. As for a special mating scene with Haru's new form, it's a maybe.

Q. Pikajota mushrooms already help increase affection but will they allow characters to get bigger?
A. They will visibly grow in future, but we're not sure how it will affect the current mating scenes. There might even be a special mating scene for it?

Q. Will spirits become more proactive in interacting with the player?
A. There is a plan for adding dating activities, though nothing too complicated, having spirits ask you out to places and to do activities together. Spirits can already ask to invite you to their home and to mate. The dating activity mechanic wouldn't be like the Ori date but stuff you can do for an hour or two in-game.

Q. [SPOILER] Will Ku return to Sabil?
A. For now, no.

Q. You mentioned in one of your update logs that an easter egg was put in the game, where would we find it?
A. You can find it in a spirit's hut so try clicking around the huts. However, if you're still struggling, SPOILER: You can find it in Ori's hut, in the little open area above the ladder.

Q. Any more plans for spirit customisation?
A. Yes. It's mostly focused around making parts for the major characters, then maybe adding some extras that help make recognisable OCs and cameos. Clothing is also being added but it does take a lot of time and work to add one piece of clothing. Like with translation, any help is appreciated.

Below are more personal questions and what's to come.

Q. As it stands, is the game free and will it remain free?
A. The game is free and will stay free. If this was to be monetised, that would very likely involve legal action with Microsoft and Ori's copyright holders. It's a fan project. The Patreon is separate from the project, but does include early-access to recent updates as well as experimental updates (unrefined releases). However, this is not something locked behind a paywall as it will be soon made public. The Patreon is focused on general art and animation.

Q. I have enjoyed your game and was wondering if there are other ways to support you?
A. Other than Itch.io, Patreon and SubscribeStar, you can join the Whitecrocus Server through Patreon or SubscribeStar. One way to also support is to play the Ori games and support other Ori artists and content creators. One of the reasons why the fangame exists is to promote Ori's existence and presence within the gaming community. We should spread the Oi around.

Q. I've noticed you advertise for help with your project, is that offer still open?
A. Always looking for help. You should contact through whitecrocusgames@gmail.com if you're interested. You should inform how you wish to contribute as part of it but, be warned, this is all voluntary work. After all, it's a passion project, not a commercial or business project.

Q. As the project creator and lead, does Whitecrocus have any in-game tips?
A. Always terrible at giving tips, hehe. Get the fishing rod as soon as possible, catching and selling fish is the fastest way to get spirit light sustainably. You need to keep an eye on likes and dislikes of a spirit and play the minigames with them as they award high affection. Playing does take more time but that's the trade-off - More real life time spent to get more affection. Don't forget to ask the Spirit Tree for blessings. This however is just for the game as it is, it can change still.

Most important of all though is to have fun with it - whether speedrunning, roleplaying or whatever you find most enjoyable. There's no right or wrong answer to playing this game. 

Q. Does the game have a wiki?
A. It does! It's kind of empty at the moment and contribution would be appreciated. As much as I want to contribute too, I can find myself being quite busy a lot of the time.

The link to the wiki is below.
https://thespiritsofsabil.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page

Q. So... When's the next update and what should we expect?
A. There's no current timeframe for next update release but hopefully before the end of the year. It will contain voice lines for characters, some cameos, fixes, maybe some outfits as well as miscellaneous additions and changes.

Q. Who is best girl/boy?
A. Ori. Ori will always be number one for me, but if I cannot choose Ori, it would be Flo.

Q. Should we expect for the game to have an actual ending?
A. In a way there is as there will be a final story event. Technically an ending where the credits roll and so forth but you can keep playing afterwards. It's similar to Harvest Moon having a performance rating. How you do will determine the final story event outcome, but even then, you will still be able to continue playing.

Q. Is there a SFW version of this game and where can I find it?
A. There is and here's the link: https://whitecrocus.itch.io/the-spirits-of-sabil

Q. For those who know and those who don't, you have your own spirit OC and sona called Ocus. Will he feature in the game?
A.  Maaaaybee. A cameo if it does happen.