It's another Let's Play!
Once again, some technical details first: I used LiteCamHD to grab the video and my voice, and I used Freemake Video Converter to merge the video files together whenever I had to stop for any reason. And I am still unable to find a way to transcribe these with any degree of accuracy, and I apologize for that; I'm sorry to our deaf and hard-of-hearing members of the community.
Also, copyright permission: I thank Hanako games for responding to my request for copyright permission to use this material (to avoid all those pesky Fair Use considerations) with "open permission for people to make let's plays of our videos and to use the standard youtube monetisation tools if they want". That's a wonderful policy.
Now for the actual content: I wanted to show the Briony adventure in the Old Forest, and plus I wanted to survive it. (I'd heard it was really hard to get all the skills in time. It turned out to be not as hard as advertised, but still tricksy.) Unfortunately, I completely forgot to actually train for queening skills in addition to adventuring ones, which means I was totally unprepared when Togami invaded and thus Elodie's Dad ends up dying. Whoops!
So! This video will:
1. Show you how to go on an adventure with Briony to the Old Forest and come back alive. (There And Back Again badge on Steam.)
2. Show you how to let Elodie's Dad become a Lumen and die for our
YouTube video below the cut, plus game transcript. I also strongly recommend the LLtQ wiki for any questions about the characters.
Week 0
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: We're almost home. Your room is just the way you left it.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I know it's hard to leave your school and all your friends, but I've arranged the best possible tutors for every subject.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You'll have to work hard this year to prepare yourself before your fifteenth birthday, but I know you can do it.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You'll learn quickly and you'll make a wonderful queen. It's what your mother would have wanted.
Elodie, Crown Princess: This is not what Mother would have wanted!
Elodie, Crown Princess: She wouldn't have wanted to die and leave me.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: No. She wouldn't. But sometimes bad things happen. We have to pick up and carry on.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: All of Nova depends on us. On you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: *sigh*
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I will be here to guide you until your coronation, but the decisions you make are ultimately up to you.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Come. Your maids are waiting.
Welcome to Long Live The Queen! If this is your first time playing, you should read this brief introduction to how the game works.
Menu: [Tell me more] [I've played this before]
Player chose: I've played this before
________________________________________
Week 1
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's all that noise outside? Who's here?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh! It's my cousins! And my aunt and uncle.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Darling. We were so terribly sorry to hear about your mother Fidelia.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank you.
Laurent, Duke of Merva: You look well, niece.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Hi, 'Lodie!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Hi, Lottie. I haven't seen you in ages! Will you be staying long?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Yup! Mummy said we'd be here all month.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Maybe we'll have some time to talk later.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 2
(Studied Dance in the morning.)
(Studied Dance in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's that commotion outside? Father? What's going on?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I have come to pay my respects in honor of your mother.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You have no respect or honor. It's because of you and your powers that my wife is dead!
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?!?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I am a Lumen, as was she, and like every Lumen I am willing to give my life if necessary to protect our domain.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Your line has been traitors for two hundred years. I won't have you corrupting my daughter.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That is for the Crown Princess to decide.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Elodie, your mother trusted me, and I have much to teach you.
Menu: [Send her away] [Arrest her] [Let her stay]
Player chose: Arrest her
Elodie, Crown Princess: You are a traitor to the crown and I ought to have you executed.
Elodie, Crown Princess: GUARDS! Arrest her!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Throw her into the castle dungeons and let her rot!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Well. I suppose she won't be a problem anymore.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: I love this room! It's so much bigger than mine back home.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You should visit more often. It's awful that the only time I get to see you is...
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... something like this.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I know your brother and sister are still too young, but why haven't you come to school?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: My mother worries about me. She doesn't think anywhere but home is safe.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I understand. I'm probably not going to be allowed to leave this castle until my birthday.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But at least we can have fun together here!
________________________________________
Week 3
(Studied Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Lore in the afternoon.)
Charlotte, Lady Merva: He loves me, he loves me not...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Lottie, do you have a boyfriend?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Not really. I just like to play with the flowers.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Me too.
You gather your skirts and prepare to sit down, when all of a sudden, a hissing noise alerts you to a hidden danger - a snake!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Charlotte, don't move!
You grab for a stick to push the snake away, but you lack the skills to do the job properly, and poking the snake only makes it angry. Too fast to see, it lunges forward and sinks its fangs into your leg!
Elodie, Crown Princess: OW!
The snake slithers away, but it's too late now. A strange tingling sensation begins to spread through your flesh.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: That's a milk viper. They're poisonous!
Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't feel good.
Your leg is going numb. You stumble and fall to the ground.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Hold on!
Your cousin kneels beside you and presses her hands over the bite mark. The area throbs painfully, then begins to feel warm.
After a minute, you're dizzy, but your leg isn't buzzing anymore, and even the wound has disappeared.
Elodie, Crown Princess: How did you do that?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: I don't know how I do it. I just can.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: I'm not supposed to tell anybody. People think it's freaky. You won't tell, will you?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Of course not. I'm just lucky you were here.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Girls? What's going on out here? I heard yelling.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Nothing!
Elodie, Crown Princess: We saw a snake, but it got away.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: A snake! That's it. Charlotte, pack your things. We're going back to Merva. It's not safe here.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: Awww...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Dad? What really happened to Mom?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: She was a Lumen, a magic-user. It was meant to be in reserve, to defend our domain, but she insisted on...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: ... you don't need to hear that.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: She used magic. It drained her strength. She thought it was harmless, and it wasn't. Eventually, her heart just... stopped.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: That's why I don't want you involved with it.
________________________________________
Week 4
(Studied Divination in the morning.)
(Studied Divination in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: The castle seems quieter with Charlotte and Emry and Zahra and their parents gone.
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's certainly not empty, though. It seems like we get more servants every day.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Daddy?
He sighs, rubbing his fingers over his forehead.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What is it?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I love you.
He looks at you without speaking, and you begin to feel bad for bothering him with your silly feelings.
Then he stands and puts his arms around you.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I love you too.
For this moment, you are safe and happy.
________________________________________
Week 5
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Meditation in the afternoon.)
One of the maids approaches for your attention.
Alice: My lady, couriers have arrived from the Duke of Sedna.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Sedna, that's in Talasse, the domain to our southeast.)
Alice: They have brought you a letter, and a gift.
Elodie, Crown Princess: 'Condolences on the death of', 'deeply regret', 'best wishes'...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh! What a beautiful necklace!
Elodie, Crown Princess: It might not be appropriate for me to wear a man's gift in public, though. People would think it meant something.
Menu: [Wear it] [Don't wear it]
Player chose: Don't wear it
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's important to maintain the proper image.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 6
(Studied Meditation in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Lore in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That woman, the priestess, keeps staring at me.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you want?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Your destiny will find you, even if you run from it. You were born to wield the power of a Lumen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you know about that?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: The power was your mother's, and the kings and queens before her. It is your right and your responsibility to defend your domain.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: I have seen signs of the future. Danger is coming. Without that power, this land is defenseless.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Well... What am I supposed to do about it?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: The Duchess of Ursul will teach you, if you set her free.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But -
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: She never harmed your mother. They were friends. It is only because she bears the power of a Lumen so openly that your father rejects her.
Menu: [I will free her] [I won't free her]
Player chose: I will free her
Elodie, Crown Princess: Very well. I'll see to it that she is released.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Once she is free, speak to her and she will guide you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What is it you wanted to teach me?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: First, I need to know if you have your mother's crystal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What crystal?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The source of power for any Lumen is a particular magical crystal. Once you've bonded with it, it becomes a part of you as long as you live.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The Royal Crystal has been passed down from ruler to ruler for generations. It belongs to you, now - except that the King may be keeping it from you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Do you have a crystal?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Of course.
She holds out her hands. Light flickers above her bosom, and then, with a shower of sparkles, something takes shape.
You reach out to touch it, and it dissolves away into nothing.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It belongs to me. No one can take it from me until I die.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You need to find the crystal that belongs to you.
________________________________________
Week 7
(Studied Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Running in the afternoon.)
As you are walking up the stairs, a maid comes running down holding a towering pile of linen.
Before you can react, she barrels into you, sending you and the sheets flying.
Alice: Oh, my lady! I'm so sorry!
Menu: [Apologise] [Punish her]
Player chose: Apologise
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, it was my fault. I should have gotten out of your way.
Alice: ... If you say so, my lady.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 8
(Studied Logistics in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a man here to see you. He wishes Crown funding for a project of his.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Remember, the treasury is not unlimited. If you choose to invest, you will have less money to work with later.
Man: Your Royal Highness, I have a plan to print books using metal letters which can be moved and reused.
Man: I need to borrow 875 lassi to assemble the metal and a factory to mold and cast the type.
Man: With this system, we will be able to create new books in a fraction of the time it takes now, and make copies to send all over the world.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't know much about factories or trade. Would that really be worthwhile?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: We are not interested.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Dad, what happened to Mom's Lumen crystal?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: It's in a safe place.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Can I have it?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: No.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But it's mine!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Meddling with magic killed your mother. I don't want that to happen to you.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Once you're crowned Queen, I can't stop you from doing anything you want, but for now you are still a child.
________________________________________
Week 9
(Studied Logistics in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Your Highness, my sympathies for your loss. Even after all these years I sometimes forget that my own mother will never be coming back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank you.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: However, I must call for your aid. The Ixionite occupation of the county of Imbrium has gone on for too long. Now is the time to push back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I know there's been some problems with Ixion, but I don't know the details. I guess they're occupying southern Maree.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (We have plenty of troops, so it shouldn't be that hard to drive them out, if we want to make a fight of it.)
Menu: [Try to negotiate] [Prepare for battle]
Player chose: Try to negotiate
Elodie, Crown Princess: There must be a peaceful way to settle this. I will send for diplomats from Ixion and try to come to some arrangement.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Thank you, Your Highness.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: If I might say so, you are looking particularly lovely this day. I hope you will think fondly of me.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Is he flirting with me? He's almost as old as my father!)
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 10
(Studied Logistics in the morning.)
Your skill in Logistics is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Military skills are 25 or higher.
(Studied Herbs in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The representative from Ixion is here. Be careful - no one wants to give up prizes that they have won.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: You have the full support of my sister and myself, Your Highness.
Brin, Duchess of Hellas, Countess of Dysnomia: Hmph. Let's get this over with.
Diplomat from Ixion: Your Royal Highness, thank you for granting me this audience. I am sure we can come to an amicable agreement.
Diplomat from Ixion: Let bygones be bygones, no? We will forget about your unprovoked attacks on us, and you will transfer the rights to this little province.
Diplomat from Ixion: We can be good neighbors again, without any lives being lost.
Menu: [Surrender Province] [Offer him money if Ixion withdraws] [Bluff / Intimidate] [Execute him]
Player chose: Offer him money if Ixion withdraws
Elodie, Crown Princess: That is not acceptable. All the land north of the river belongs to us.
Elodie, Crown Princess: We are willing to offer some payment in exchange for the inconvenience you have suffered, but nothing more.
Diplomat: I believe we could settle the matter for eight thousand golden lassi.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's a lot of money. Maybe I can talk him down by reminding him how much a war would cost.)
Menu: [Agree] [Make counter-offer] [Refuse]
Player chose: Make counter-offer
Elodie, Crown Princess: You can count the value of the soldiers you're not losing in battle.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Five thousand and not one tila more.
Diplomat: Very well.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Negotiating like this is stressful!)
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 11
(Studied Herbs in the morning.)
(Studied Herbs in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There are reports that a keythong has been sighted leaving the Old Forest.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (The Old Forest - that's the area by Kathre Lake where the capital was, until it was destroyed by monsters.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's a keythong?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: A beast with the body of an enormous golden cat, a sharp beak, and spikes on its back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Eek!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Several disappearances in southern Caloris are already thought to be the work of this creature.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do we do? Should we send hunters?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The traditional policy on stray beasts is to hope that they return to the forest and stay there.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Hunters are no match for such creatures. You would only make it angry and waste more lives.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So... we just let it eat people?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Everyone dies in the end.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ...
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 12
(Studied Herbs in the morning.)
(Studied Battlefield Medicine in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a woman here to see you. She wishes Crown funding for a project.
Woman: Thank you for seeing me, Your Royal Highness. I... I come to you on behalf of the people.
Woman: I wish to build a hospital where any citizen afflicted with disease can be brought for treatment.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hmm. Centralising resources could help people who don't have doctors of their own.)
Menu: [Invest] [Don't invest]
Player chose: Invest
Elodie, Crown Princess: We would be happy to invest in your venture.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 13
(Studied Battlefield Medicine in the morning.)
(Studied Poison in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You are requested to stand in judgement. A woman has been convicted of attempted murder and requests the mercy of the Crown.
Kevan, Earl of Io: Your Highness! This slattern dares to beg pardon, when she admits that she tried to poison my sister under her own roof!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Which sister?
Kevan, Earl of Io: Corisande, the Duchess of Mead.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Is she all right?
Kevan, Earl of Io: She is unharmed. We caught the culprit in the kitchens before anyone could eat her foul spew.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Well, what do you have to say for yourself?
Condemned Woman: It's justice, it is! Them devils killed me brother, and broke me mam's heart.
Condemned Woman: Lied to her, they did, when she went to see why he'd not come back. Said he'd gone for a soldier, when he never would!
Condemned Woman: He weren't the only one neither. I waited ten years for my chance to get my own back. That's justice!
Kevan, Earl of Io: You see? She's completely unrepentant! Hang her and be done with it.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't know what this is all about. Either way, murder is a serious crime, but...)
Menu: [Put her to work] [Imprison her] [Execute her]
Player chose: Imprison her
Elodie, Crown Princess: You have tried to murder a noble of my domain, and I have no reason to believe you wouldn't do it again.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You will be imprisoned for the rest of your life.
Condemned Woman: Ye'll not have me!
All of a sudden, she breaks loose from her guards and rushes at you!
In your Court dress, you are unarmed - you grope for a weapon and find only a heavy golden ornament which you hurl in her direction.
Your missile flies wide of its mark.
Before you have a chance to do anything else, your personal guards step into action, cutting the woman down before she can endanger you. Her lifeless body lies bleeding on your carpet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... Clean that up.
You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
________________________________________
Week 14
(Studied Poison in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Herbs in the afternoon.)
As you are walking one day in the gardens, you hear a strange sound and look up to see an owl flying overhead. A single dry leaf flutters in its talons.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's funny, I thought owls were nocturnal. I guess I was wrong.)
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
(Put on the medicine outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 15
(Studied Running in the morning.)
(Studied Running in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Remember that the Festival of the Good Lady is approaching.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There will be public celebrations for the commoners, followed by a grand gala for the nobility.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As Queen, you would be expected to lead the procession and take part in the ceremonial planting, possibly give a speech.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: However, since you are not yet crowned, it is not required, and it may not be safe to expose you to the public.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean, not safe?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Outside of the castle, you are less well protected. If anyone means you harm... Think on it now, decide later.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a letter for you as well.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It's from Briony! I went to school with her, but she's a couple years older than me. Her mother is the Duchess of Mead.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's complaining that her mother still won't let her come home for the holidays.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Apparently her uncle Kevan has been acting strangely lately and shouting at shadows.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's bored and looking for an adventure. Well, I don't have any to suggest to her!)
You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't like it if he finds out.
________________________________________
Week 16
(Studied Running in the morning.)
(Studied Running in the afternoon.)
Your skill in Running is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Athletics skills are 25 or higher.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Today is the procession and planting for the Festival of the Good Lady. Will you be leading the parade?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: If you have any concerns about your safety, please, stay here.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The people will recover from disappointment; if we lose you, there is no recovery.
Menu: [I will lead the parade] [I will parade and make a speech] [I would rather not go]
Player chose: I will lead the parade
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm not afraid. I'm going to be the best parade-leader ever!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: My little girl.
You prepare your best gown for the occasion, then walk slowly through the town with your attendants. It would not be appropriate for you to wear a sword, but you do walk with a sturdy golden scepter that's taller than you are.
At the end of the route, you help the priestesses turn over the earth for the new tree to be planted.
Then the new life is blessed, and all the attendants join in song.
The procession regroups to return to the castle.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 17
(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)
(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Are you ready for the grand ball?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: All the nobles in the domain are here to see you - to see their queen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (gulp!)
You finish dressing and descend the stairs to make a grand entrance.
All around, the rich and powerful pause in their activities to gaze upon you, the ruler of them all.
Seeing yourself reflected in so many eyes makes you want to run away and hide.
After a moment, you force yourself to carry on, but you're sure they've all seen you hesitate.
Your father waits for you at the bottom of the stairs and offers you his arm.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The first dance is for us.
He guides you gently around the dance floor, never rushing you. It's fun to dance with your father, but the look in his eyes is so sad.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: After this, you must choose your own partner. There are a number of men who hope to catch your eye.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The Duke of Kigal alone has brought three eligible sons, all near your age.
You look around the room at all your possible partners - which is to say, everyone. No one may begin dancing until you do. You can pick whomever you want and you will not be denied.
Menu: [Someone about your age] [Someone younger than you] [Someone older than you] [Someone already married] [Someone scandalous]
Player chose: Someone older than you
You look around for a likely candidate, and your eye settles on Chaine, the Earl of Mima. He's almost ten years older than you are and quite good-looking, so why not enjoy yourself?
He smiles brightly at your approach and you begin to dance.
Dancing with a real partner feels quite different from dancing with your father. You knew him, knew his steps like a part of you. Now every move is a mystery.
Unfortunately, you lose track of which steps you're supposed to do when, and trip over your own feet. Oops!
Between the dances, there is time for the guests to mingle, chat, and sample tiny bites of exquisite food.
During a lull in the music, Banion, the duke of Maree, taps an elegant fingernail against a wineglass, letting the clear note ring out through the room.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: If I might have your attention?
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: I believe we should offer our compliments to our lovely hostess.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Her words of wisdom guide us through our difficulties.
Everyone applauds politely.
As the gala continues, you take the opportunity to observe nobles that you rarely see.
There's Gwenelle, for instance - the Young Lady of Sudbury, only months older than you and due to finally inherit control of her duchy soon.
Or Adele, the youngest daughter of the Duchess of Lillah and a fierce sportswoman. She was a few years ahead of you at school and the absolute terror of the ballfields.
No Briony - she had said her parents were leaving her stuck at school this season.
Her parents are here, dancing together - the Duke-Consort clutching his Duchess possessively tight.
Strange that there's no sign of your cousins, though. Shouldn't they be here?
Your aunt and uncle are here, of course. It would be scandalous if they hadn't come, Merva being so close by.
It's nice to be able to enjoy time with friends and family, isn't it?
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 18
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.)
You wander downstairs to visit your father and talk about the latest events in the domain.
You're moving with such enthusiasm that you don't realise your father isn't alone until it's too late to avoid him and his... companion.
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: You are too kind, Joslyn.
Countess Sirin. Not a member of your circles - she's a bit more than a decade your senior, far too old to have ever been your friend. And yet, not at all old, as noblewomen go.
She has two minor titles, no husband, and your father's arm in her grasp.
How dare she make a move on your father?
Menu: [Shame her with silent scorn] [Insult her with false flattery] [Trip her as she passes]
Player chose: Shame her with silent scorn
You meet her eyes and imagine your mother's disapproving presence behind you.
She notices your stare, but only smiles at you ever-so-sweetly.
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: Darling Elodie. I hope you have been well.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... Fine.
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: Perhaps we'll be seeing more of each other in the future.
She gives a little wave and exits.
Once she's gone, you raise an eyebrow at your father.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Don't give me that look, young lady. She's a nice woman, nothing more.
Elodie, Crown Princess: She wants something more!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: And it's not going to happen any time soon.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You should be careful how you deal with people like Sirin. You need the goodwill of your nobles as well as your commoners.
Elodie, Crown Princess: There haven't been any problems so far.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As Queen, you must be aware of everything around you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Isn't that what I have agents for?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Yes, but you must give them direction. What is your greatest concern?
Menu: [Noble plots] [Commoner uprisings] [Foreign threats] [Assassins]
Player chose: Assassins
Elodie, Crown Princess: I can deal with any problems that come up as long as I'm here to deal with them. It's assassins I'm worried about.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You are your own best defense against assassins. Increasing your skills will help to protect you.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Beyond that, you can train more soldiers into personal bodyguards to watch over you.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Or you can institute harsh penalties for treason and make people too frightened to cross you.
Menu: [More training] [More guards] [More punishment]
Player chose: More guards
Elodie, Crown Princess: I need more guards. I have to be safe.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 19
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: It is the time of year to decide any necessary adjustments to the royal budget.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The majority of the money we receive is already spoken for, but there is always some room for discretion.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I really don't understand all of these numbers.)
Menu: [Raise taxes] [Keep them the same] [Lower taxes]
Player chose: Keep them the same
Elodie, Crown Princess: I think they're fine as they are.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 20
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You are requested to stand in judgement. A man has been convicted of the murder-by-strangling of his wife.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: He does not deny the act, but requests a pardon that he might be set free.
Elodie, Crown Princess: If you admit you killed your wife, why do you think I'm going to set you free?
Condemned man: Save me, Your Majesty! Wasn't my fault. Demons made me do it.
Condemned man: Everyone knows the power of magical beasties! They used me, they twisted my fingers into chains...
Condemned man: My wife found me screaming, she tried to shake me, and the chains wrapped around her...
Condemned man: I need the priestesses to bless me and make me clean again!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Demons that make you attack people? Is that even possible?)
Menu: [Pardon him] [Imprison him] [Execute him]
Player chose: Imprison him
Elodie, Crown Princess: Whether there were demons or not, you still killed a woman - your wife.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I won't forgive you for that. You will be imprisoned for the rest of your life.
He opens his mouth to argue with you further, but then his shoulders slump.
Condemned man: Yes, Your Majesty.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 21
(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)
(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.)
You receive word that the murderer you condemned to prison has escaped. A large explosion rocked the jail he was in, destroying the walls and setting many dangerous criminals free.
It will now fall to the Royal Treasury to repair the damage.
Elodie, Crown Princess: My father says I can't have the crystal until I'm Queen, so we'll just have to wait.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: There may not be time to wait.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: This world is filled with dangers, and you will need the powers of a Lumen to fight them. You can't begin training until you have bonded with your crystal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Well, what else am I supposed to do about it?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The crystal is probably held under guard in the Royal Treasury. You are the princess; you should be able to find a way inside.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Otherwise we might have to take drastic action.
Menu: [I'll wait until I'm older] [I'll try to find a way] [What drastic action?]
Player chose: I'll try to find a way
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right. I will try to get into the treasury.
________________________________________
Week 22
(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Ciphering.
(Studied Internal Affairs in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I regret to inform you that Fabian, the Earl of Titan and Duke-Regent of Elath, has passed away.
This isn't really a surprise; he was pretty old. The problem is the political implications.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: With the control of Elath in doubt, it falls to the crown to make decisions.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Young Lord Adair will not reach his fifteenth birthday for over two years. He requires a regent.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: His stepmother, Arisse, the Duchess of Lillah, has petitioned that the boy be left in her care.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This would, however, leave her in personal control of two neighboring duchies, which is generally forbidden.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Almost the entire eastern border.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't know anything really bad about her, though...)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The boy does have a living grandfather, the Earl of Ishtar. Or you might appoint an unrelated noble to act in his stead.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The Earl of Ishtar has suggested another possibility. You and Adair are both young, not too far apart in age.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: He requests that we accept the boy as your future husband and keep him here at the castle.
Menu: [Leave him with Arisse] [Send him to his grandfather] [Marry him] [Send him to your uncle]
Player chose: Marry him
Elodie, Crown Princess: Okay, I'll marry him!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (At least that way I won't get stuck with an old man.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You can't actually marry him until he's old enough, but he will be brought here to live as your companion.
You try to talk your way past the treasury guards, but despite eyelash-fluttering, foot-stomping, and outright threats, they won't budge. Hmph!
________________________________________
Week 23
(Studied Horses in the morning.)
(Studied Horses in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is a woman here to see you. She is a musician and wishes Crown patronage.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Which means money.)
Musician: Your Royal Highness! If you accept me as a member of your court I will immortalise you in word and song.
Musician: I have dabbled in musical styles from many countries, and can entertain your guests and lighten your evenings.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Musicians are often used as secret agents and messengers. They can be useful - and dangerous.)
The musician sings a little ditty to demonstrate her skills with the lute.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's actually pretty good.)
Menu: [Accept her as Court Musician] [Reject her]
Player chose: Reject her
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank you, but we are not interested.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 24
(Studied Horses in the morning.)
(Studied Horses in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: How is Adair settling in to life at the castle?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I found him in the garden trying to catch frogs.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So I showed him a few tricks.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I'm sure you'll work things out.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 25
(Studied Falcons in the morning.)
(Studied Dogs in the afternoon.)
Staring up into the sky out your window, you notice a strange flash of light.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (A falling star... Pretty!)
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 26
(Studied Falcons in the morning.)
(Studied Dogs in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I have unpleasant news to report.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Talarist, the Duke of Sedna, has instituted high tariffs and trade restrictions at the Elath border.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Business is disrupted, and there are growing shortages of supplies.
Menu: [Send emergency aid] [Do nothing]
Player chose: Send emergency aid
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then the royal treasury will pay to keep the people fed.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 27
(Studied Horses in the morning.)
You may now Hunt on the weekends.
(Studied Horses in the afternoon.)
Alice: My lady, there are letters for you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Another letter from Briony. Why does she keep writing me? We were never even friends.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She says she's bored and lonely and she's looking forward to seeing me at Gwenelle's birthday party.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's right! Gwenelle is about to turn fifteen! She'll be Duchess of Sudbury for real now.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (This other letter must be my invitation to her birthday celebration next week.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Gwenelle and I were friends at school, and this will be a big event, but it's also a long way to travel.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (A lot of things can happen on the road.)
Menu: [Go to Sudbury for Gwenelle's party] [Send your regrets]
Player chose: Go to Sudbury for Gwenelle's party
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It'll be good to see my friends!)
You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't like it if he finds out.
________________________________________
Week 28
(Studied Meditation in the morning.)
(Studied Meditation in the afternoon.)
On your journey to Sudbury, your carriage is attacked by bandits!
Luckily, your bodyguards are well-prepared for such an event and manage to drive off the attackers.
You are inconvenienced and annoyed, but not harmed.
Gwenelle's party is lovely - not nearly as glamourous as your own upcoming birthday will be, of course, but it's still a major event on the noble social calendar. Everyone who is anyone is present.
Uncle Laurent and your younger cousins are here, but Charlotte and her mother are not. Apparently Charlotte was ill.
There are refreshments and dancers and musicians and polite conversations... and one or two not-so-polite.
Lieke, Countess of Dis: ... will not be shoved aside.
Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury: Mother, it's my domain now. I need space for myself. You have your own lands to manage.
Lieke, Countess of Dis: Just because you're of age doesn't mean you know everything, young lady. You need my advice.
Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury: This is my home. It has never been yours.
Before you can back away, their gazes fall on you. They wait expectantly for you as near-queen to settle the dispute.
Menu: [Side with Gwenelle] [Side with her mother]
Player chose: Side with Gwenelle
Elodie, Crown Princess: You heard her. She's an adult now, and she's in charge here.
Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury: Thank you!
Lieke, Countess of Dis: Is this what your father will face upon your coronation? Cast aside without another word?
Elodie, Crown Princess: (... He's not going to like hearing that, is he.)
A bit later, Briony catches up with you.
Briony, Lady Mead: Hello, Elodie. It's so wonderful that you're going to be Queen now.
Briony, Lady Mead: I mean, I am sorry about your mother...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thanks.
Briony, Lady Mead: ... but think of the opportunities you're going to have! You're so lucky.
That's an odd way of putting it.
Briony, Lady Mead: Anyway, I was wondering, now that you're almost Queen and everything... have they told you all the secrets?
Elodie, Crown Princess: What secrets?
Briony, Lady Mead: Like, how to get into the old palace! I've heard it's packed full of treasure.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You mean the Old Capital by Kathre Lake? The abandoned one?
Briony, Lady Mead: Exactly! They had to leave in a hurry, so they left all kinds of treasure behind.
Briony, Lady Mead: And nobody ever goes there because the forest is supposed to be haunted, so the treasure's probably still there!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (The forest isn't just haunted, it's full of monsters like the keythong!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (But what if she's right and it is full of ancient treasure?)
Menu: [Offer to help] [Try to talk her out of it] [Tattle to her parents]
Player chose: Offer to help
Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't know any secrets about getting into the old palace - yet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But if you come back to the castle with me, we can check the archives.
Briony, Lady Mead: Great! I knew you could help.
Briony, Lady Mead: I'm supposed to go back to school, but I was already planning to sneak off.
Briony, Lady Mead: I'll ditch my escort, sneak ahead, and meet you at the castle!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (This could be fun.)
At the end, you all share a pleasant meal and prepare to return to your various lands.
You take out some of your frustrations on helpless prey animals. You now feel somewhat happier and less angry.
________________________________________
Week 29
(Studied Divination in the morning.)
(Studied Divination in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: I found a bunch of maps of the area around Kathre Lake.
Briony, Lady Mead: Great!
Elodie, Crown Princess: I also found reports on all sorts of really nasty monsters down there.
Briony, Lady Mead: That was hundreds of years ago!
Elodie, Crown Princess: The palace was abandoned hundreds of years ago. The reports never stopped.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I can't find anyone who's gone into the Old Forest and come back.
Briony, Lady Mead: Well, if it is full of treasure, would you want to tell anyone how you got in and stole some?
Briony, Lady Mead: Look, I know it's dangerous. I'm not stupid. But you and I are educated noblewomen, not peasants.
Briony, Lady Mead: I'm good with a sword and a bow. And you - don't you have magic powers now that you're Queen?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Um...
Briony, Lady Mead: So come with me! It'll be an awesome adventure. Our parents are going to be so impressed.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I'm really not supposed to run off on my own.)
Menu: [Go with Briony] [Send her alone] [Tell her not to go] [Ask about Briony's parents]
Player chose: Go with Briony
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right. We can take horses from the royal stables and sneak out before anyone notices.
You are easily able to avoid pursuit as you travel south through the wetlands of Caloris.
There is no guard around the borders of the Old Forest. There isn't any need for one. Caloris has soaked in lore until the stain is permanent; even an illiterate fisher-child knows better.
But you are young and innocent, brave and strong. True heroes.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Hey, this isn't so bad!
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's kind of dark, but that's just because there's so much moss on the trees.
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's pretty. It's like lace curtains. And it's quiet. You could build a secret hideaway here.
Elodie, Crown Princess: And it's not too dark when the will-o-wisps are out. Little sparkly lights.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Don't you think, Briony?
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... Briony?
You turn to look at your companion -
- and find her pinned against a tree, her eyes bulging wide, her fingernails clawing at the thick black ribbons which have wrapped around her body and mouth.
Elodie, Crown Princess: LET HER GO!
You are armed, but you can't slash wildly at the tendrils without harming Briony more than the beast which holds her.
There has to be some way to force it to release her!
In a panic, you slide off your horse, grab up a handful of stinging nettles, not even feeling the pain, and rub them against the black tentacles.
You hear a tearing sound, and the monster's ropy arms convulse, allowing Briony to fall to the forest floor.
Unfortunately, the horses, now free of their riders, bolt and leave you alone with an angry tentacled thing.
Elodie, Crown Princess: RUN!
Grabbing Briony's hand, you tear through the brush, heading back in the direction you came as best you can.
The murk of the forest seems to close around you, and it's difficult to tell where you're going.
Frantically, you whistle for your horses. They've been well-trained; once they're out of immediate danger they should respond to commands.
After a few minutes of sheer terror, you are able to reclaim your steeds and flee to safer environs.
The two of you manage to return to the castle safely before the week's end, but with no time for any extra activities.
________________________________________
Week 30
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Composure in the afternoon.)
Alice: The Duchess of Mead is here to see you, my lady.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Elodie! Where is my daughter?
Briony, Lady Mead: I'm right here.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Briony? What happened to you? Your clothes - your skin!
Briony, Lady Mead: Well, you see, there was this nasty thing with tentacles and it sort of grabbed me...
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: You were - You went to the Old Forest! What were you thinking? You could have been killed!
Briony, Lady Mead: But Elodie rescued me!
Briony's mother turns to glare at you.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: You were there with her? Why didn't you talk her out of this?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I kept her safe, didn't I?
Briony, Lady Mead: She's a hero, mother!
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: There is no such thing. Only fools risking their lives for no good reason.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Come on, young lady. We're going home.
Briony, Lady Mead: .... yes, mother.
The Duchess of Mead leads her daughter away, and you sigh.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You should not have risked your life to chase after your friend. What would have happened to Nova if you had died?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You have responsibilities. You cannot act on your every whim.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Your mother gave her life for this domain. How can you disrespect her memory like this?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine! I'm sorry!
In your heart you know he's only yelling at you because he loves you and he was afraid for you, but at the moment, that doesn't lessen the sting.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 31
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Composure in the afternoon.)
As you are walking through the great hall, a freak gust of wind suddenly blows out all the candles in the room.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (An omen of war and danger...)
There's no sign of where the danger might be coming from, so there's nothing you can do about it. Perhaps it's nothing.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 32
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: Things have been so unsettled lately... Everyone's on edge. We need something cheerful.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could hold a tournament.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What a good idea!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Knights, jousting, musicians... all sorts of competitions. Everyone loves a contest.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What will you offer as prizes to the winners?
Menu: [Status and praise] [Employment] [Gold]
Player chose: Employment
Elodie, Crown Princess: The winners will have the option of taking up royal appointments.
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's a recruitment drive!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well. I will draft the announcements.
You leave him to his work.
As you move through the hall, your eye falls upon a vase of flowers. Pretty, but apparently not getting enough water. The leaves on one blossom have shriveled.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (A leaf killed by a secret weakness... A hidden threat.)
You continue up the stairs to your room, where a maid is waiting for you.
Alice: My lady, a gift has arrived from Kigal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: From the Duke?
Alice: No, my lady. A merchant house, I believe. It was sent with a shipment down the Cavalla River.
You tear open the brightly colored paper, to find:
Elodie, Crown Princess: Chocolates!
There is a little card with the box - 'With Our Compliments, The House of Kraellat'.
Menu: [Eat candy now] [Save it for later]
Player chose: Save it for later
Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't feel like candy right now. Maybe later.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 33
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
This is the week of the general tournament. Nobles and commoners alike have turned out to compete against each other.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The people will be pleased if you participate in their games. However, it would expose you to danger.
What event do you wish to take part in?
Menu: [Mounted Parade] [Jousting] [Fencing] [Archery] [Music] [Falconry] [None]
Player chose: Mounted Parade
You choose to lead the parade mounted on a brilliant white horse.
You do, of course, know how to ride, and it is not difficult to follow a well-marked procession.
All the winners are announced and displayed to great cheers. As near-Queen, you place flower garlands around their necks.
After the tournament, a minor tragedy is revealed.
One of the stewards apparently had an incredible sweet tooth and dared to steal a piece of your recently-received chocolates. He had a sweet tooth... the chocolates were poisoned.
When you ask questions, it turns out that the merchant house which supposedly sent you this present never existed.
Someone has tried to kill you... but you don't know who.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
(Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 34
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Composure in the afternoon.)
Alice: My lady, your father wishes to speak with you. He says it's urgent.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine, I'm coming.
You find your father standing over a map of the coastline, his face grave.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Ships have been sighted on approach from Shanjia. Not tradeships - this is a warfleet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Within a week they will be in Novan waters. Within two they could reach the capital.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then we will fight to defend ourselves.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You can try to use the treasury funds to hire additional soldiers, but it may be difficult on short notice.
Menu: [Recruit soldiers] [Don't]
Player chose: Recruit soldiers
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine, we'll do that.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You will need to draw up a naval strategy for our ships to carry out.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could choose to act as admiral and lead the fleet in person, but the danger to you would be very great.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Unless you think your personal skills will make the difference, I would strongly advise against it.
Menu: [Direct the fleet] [Stay in the capital]
Player chose: Stay in the capital
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, there's too much to do here. I can't go to sea.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Do your best, and Nova will survive.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 35
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
Danger on the high seas!
Ships close in on each other, angling into range.
The Shanjians have half again as many troops as you do. It doesn't look promising.
The eventual outcome...
... is not in your favor.
The Novan ships are sunk or scattered, as the Shanjian forces press towards landfall.
Many good soldiers were lost today, and Nova's troubles have not ended.
Since you have failed to repel the invasion, the Shanjian fleet will soon land and their troops will begin to progress towards your capital city.
Your remaining soldiers will hold them off as long as possible, of course, but the main strength of your military has been exhausted. Nova's future looks bleak.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 36
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
The invasion of Nova is proceeding. Your coastline is under Shanjian control. Soldiers have marched through villages, trampling fields and frightening citizens.
A diplomatic delegation from Shanjia has requested access to the castle to discuss terms - most likely, for your surrender. You lack the strength to hold off their armies, and surrendering now will save many lives. It would seem that you have no choice.
You prepare yourself as best you can to meet with the representatives from Shanjia.
You expected diplomats and a military representative, a general or an admiral. You did not expect the handsome man decked in jewels who now stands before you - a man announced by your servants as Togami, King of Shanjia.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Is he really their King? Why would a king come all the way here?)
Togami: My dear young lady. How difficult this must be for you. So much responsibility at such a tender age.
You yearn to slap the false sympathy off his oily face, but you force yourself to remain calm.
Togami: War benefits no one, don't you think? Such a terrible waste. Better to settle things in a civilised manner.
Togami: A contest. A game, so to speak, with Nova as the stakes.
Togami: Should I win, then your domain will submit and accept me as Overlord with no further resistance.
Togami: Should I lose, then my army will leave your domain in peace and shed no more blood.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What sort of game?
Togami: It is well known that Nova is ruled by Lumens. As it happens, I too possess the powers of a Lumen.
Togami: I propose a formal duel. My powers against yours. The winner takes control of Nova, the loser... dies.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But I'm not a Lumen!
Togami: Saving it for the coronation, were you? Such a pity that you'll be unprepared.
Togami: Well, then. Go and find your crystal. Becoming a Lumen is a very simple matter. Then we can have our duel.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's the point? You know I can't win. Why don't you just kill me now?
Togami: Because that's not the game. You want to save your people, don't you? I want to fight a Lumen.
Togami: If you refuse, then the war will continue.
Togami: I'll sweeten the deal. If you meet me in a formal Lumen challenge, I'll call off the invasion even if I win.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Really?
Togami: I swear it by the gods. Nova will be free and safe.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why take that risk? You're winning the war.
Togami: It's not your land that I want. It's your crystal.
Togami: To gain your power, I am willing to wager my own. Shall we begin?
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't like this... But what choice do I have?)
Menu: [Accept his terms] [Refuse outright]
Player chose: Accept his terms
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then... I must.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: No! Not my little girl!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You want to fight the Lumen ruler of Nova?
Your father reaches into his pocket and pulls out a shimmering blue crystal, which he places over his heart.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Illuminate!
Your hair stands on end as a veil of blue sparkles settles over your father, crawling into his skin. When it's over, the jewel has been absorbed into his body without a trace.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Fight me. Leave her alone.
Togami: Well! This is not what I expected, but it will serve my purposes just as well.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Daddy?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Be quiet, Elodie. You are not a Queen yet.
You are forced to sit and watch as the two men work out the details of the duel and its stakes, then take their places in a carefully warded circle.
Your father crosses his arms, summoning up a thick gray fog that swirls around him, hiding him from view. But the Shanjian king conjures a cloud of glowing butterflies which drive into the fog and blow it apart.
Then the invader claps his hands together and chants. Fiery red lights cluster over his fingertips and merge together into a pulsing blob before erupting towards your father. He resists with a beam of blue, catching the infernal energy and pushing it back in Togami's direction.
You knew what the outcome would be, you knew it all along. Togami is a trained Lumen eager to demonstrate his powers, and your father...
... was your father.
The blue crystal reappears, lying beside your father's body like an innocently-discarded bauble - but now that blue color is colored by a faint wash of red.
The smirking King of Shanjia sweeps the crystal off the floor and tucks it away into his robes.
Togami: How fitting. First I end your mother's life and then your father's.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You what?
Togami: You didn't think her death was an accident, did you? That took careful planning!
Togami: And now the Novan power is mine, and you even get to live.
He holds out a hand in front of him, the elegant robe dangling freely.
Togami: Now kneel and kiss my hand.
You stare at that horrible hand hovering before you. You have a choice.
Menu: [Obey] [Refuse]
Player chose: Obey
Swallowing your pride, you kneel and press your lips to the backs of his cold fingers.
Togami: Good girl.
Togami: Well. As I promised, the invasion will end, and my men and I will return across the sea.
Togami: Unless one of you is so foolish as to attack me. Then all deals are off.
No one stirs.
Togami: Pity.
You order the guards to stand aside and walk forward with your head held high. None of them dares to deny you access to your own treasury.
You have six hundred and fifty gold lassi and forty-four silver tilassi.
________________________________________
Week 37
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
The war has ended, and the Shanjians have withdrawn.
All throughout Nova, a fragile layer of calm lies over a deeper pit of uncertainty and fear.
Rumors have sprung up among the common people that you struck some unholy bargain with King Togami; that you promised him the soul of your firstborn child, that you ritually sacrificed a village boy for him, that you killed your own father because he protested.
It makes no difference what they believe. It's too late to change things now.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I can't believe it... All this time, my father was a Lumen...
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: No, he was not.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your father carried a crystal, but he had never bonded with it until that day when he was forced to defend you.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It must have been passed down in his family. The line of Caloris is well-educated in the lore of the past.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Had you been only his heir and not the princess of Nova, perhaps he would have taught you differently.
There's so much he never told you... And now you'll never know.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why didn't you help him? If he wasn't a Lumen until just that moment, you knew he had no chance!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why didn't you fight Togami? Isn't that what you're supposed to be for?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Did you not listen? That man came to claim the power of the Novan royal crystal.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Togami accepted your father's challenge because your father was the King.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Therefore he believed, incorrectly, that he had found the prize he was looking for.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: My challenge would not have satisfied him.
Elodie, Crown Princess: That's just an excuse!
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You have no idea what others have sacrificed in your name. Do not presume to criticise.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You live, and your crystal is safe. You may take up your powers at your coronation as planned.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Then, if you wish, we can train you in the strength you will need to seek vengeance.
Become a Lumen? Do you really want to do that now?
If you'd had your powers, it would have been you and not your father in that duel...
Menu: [I'll do it] [I won't]
Player chose: I'll do it
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine. I'll do what I have to do.
________________________________________
Week 38
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
Visitors have arrived to see you - your family, or what remains of it.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: My poor darling Elodie. You should not be alone at a time like this.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: There is so much still to be done, and you so young... We have come to give you whatever help we can.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank you.
She's right, after all. You have a coronation to plan, a domain to run, and without your father, you need some adult to give you advice...
Time has slipped by you so quickly. Only two weeks remain before your birthday celebration, and your official coronation as Queen. Have you done enough to build a stable Nova?
It is traditional for the palace to provide entertainment and refreshment for the common people when a new monarch is crowned. It is a rare opportunity for the poor of the land to dine like nobles.
Considering the recent tragedy, celebrations may appear to be in poor taste.
The size and scope of any such feast depends on what expense the royal treasury is willing to bear.
Menu: [An extravagant feast] [A respectable feast] [A small feast] [No celebration]
Player chose: A respectable feast
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I'm sure we can afford to give everyone in the city some bread and sausage and a bit of cake.)
Charlotte, Lady Merva: 'Lodie? I'm sorry about your dad...
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why... Why does it always have to be something like this before we get to see each other?
Charlotte, Lady Merva: I'm sorry...
For a while, all you can do is cling to your cousin and cry. At least you are not alone.
________________________________________
Week 39
(Studied Herbs in the morning.)
(Studied Herbs in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Herbs.
The castle is buzzing with preparations for your upcoming coronation. Ministers press you with details for your favorite colors and flowers and so on.
You really can't see the point of wasting time worrying about decorations when there's so much else to worry about.
Others are more interested in the subject of your marriage.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: My dear child, there's no shame in delaying matters for a little while. You're so young, and you've been through so much.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: I could not bear the thought of my own little Charlotte rushed into marriage at your age.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Remember poor Cayleigh, the last Duchess of Elath? She was only seventeen when she died.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: I am not suggesting that you break your word to your fiancé, only that you take the time to reflect.
Menu: [Plan for a wedding this year] [Delay longer]
Player chose: Plan for a wedding this year
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's important to ensure the stability of the domain.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: That is exactly why Cayleigh's father forced her into that marriage - so that Elath would have an heir.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... And then she died giving birth to Adair.
There are dangers, but it is still your duty, isn't it?
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 40
(Studied Poison in the morning.)
(Studied Poison in the afternoon.)
At this time last year, you were celebrating your fourteenth birthday. You were in the school gardens, surrounded by your friends. A teacher brought you tea and cakes, while a wealthy merchant's son wove a crown of flowers for your head.
It didn't matter so much that you were a princess then. Your title was something for the future. Many of your peers would be Duchesses or Earls or the like, someday, but not then. You were children.
Your parents could not attend on the actual day, but they did send wonderful gifts, some for you, and some for you to share. And a week later, they came for a visit, and your mother took you with her through the countryside in a splendid carriage.
It was the last time you would ever see her.
You wonder if, wherever she is, she can see you now.
You are fifteen years old, a legal adult. You have worked and studied and suffered and prepared, and now the time has come.
You kneel before the priestess, barely hearing her words as she recites the blessings.
She calls upon the gods to deliver peace, wisdom, and prosperity to you, and through you, to all of Nova. And then she calls upon you, for your oath of rulership.
Priestess of the First Circle: Will you guide and govern and protect your people to the best of your ability, according to law and custom?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I will.
Priestess of the First Circle: Will you to the best of your power uphold the ideals of love, honor, justice, and mercy?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I will.
Priestess of the First Circle: Lords and Ladies assembled: I present to you your undoubted Queen, who has sworn you her loyalty.
Priestess of the First Circle: You who have come to give homage, will you do the same?
One at a time, the head of each duchy approaches your throne and kneels to swear his or her service to you and your heirs.
Priestess of the First Circle: People of Nova, I give you Elodie, daughter of Fidelia, your true sovereign. What say you all?
People: LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!
Elodie, Queen of Nova: (Thank you! I will!)
After the coronation, in a private ceremony with the High Priestess, Elodie was officially offered her mother's Lumen crystal. That light and power would become a part of her, a tradition that had been passed down for hundreds of years.
The tragic events of the past year left a gap in the Novan power structure, since Joslyn, Duke of Caloris, died with no acknowledged heir to his title. Elodie, of course, was the reigning Queen, which by tradition would prevent her from holding the duchy as well.
In order to resolve the situation quickly and keep the lands within her family, Elodie offered to grant control of Caloris to her uncle Laurent, the current Duke of Merva. The title of Merva, in the meantime, would be transferred to her aunt Lucille, who had always claimed to be descended from the extinct Mervan line. It would then be up to that couple which of their children inherited which territories.
The subject of magic and Lumens remained a slightly uncomfortable one for the citizens of Nova. Perfectly fine for the Queen, who had inherited it by divine right, but not something that other people should be aspiring towards. Look at all the terrible things that happened when that power fell into the wrong hands!
As an openly acknowledged Lumen, Julianna, Duchess of Ursul, was met with public suspicion whenever she journeyed outside of her Duchy. At times, that suspicion was accompanied with thrown vegetables.
It did not matter that Elodie supported her fully as a member of the noble court. That only led the commoners to whisper that Julianna was a bad influence on their Queen.
Julianna's perpetually unmarried state was even more worrying to those with wagging tongues. What if that influence rubbed off on the Queen, and left Nova with no heir?
True to his word, Togami and the Shanjians ignored Nova in the years to come, focusing their efforts instead on the far northern continent of Borealis.
Long ago, Borealis had been home to the largest known collection of Lumens in the world. If their crystals remained and Togami found them, he could become unstoppable.
And yet, he did make mistakes. He had failed to remove all of the crystals of power from Nova, after all. If he came their way again, this time the Novan Lumens would be ready for him.
Years later, when both were adult, Elodie, Queen of Nova, and Adair, Duke of Elath, were married. An entire week of public celebrations was set aside for the wedding, and both bride and groom paraded through the capital on fine white horses from the east.
Their relationship often seemed to be more one of friends and companions than passionate lovers, but they brought stability to Nova.
The new hospital funded by Queen Elodie offered medical services to the common people, but more importantly, it allowed doctors and herbalists to come together and share information. Trading knowledge increased skill levels and made better care available to all. Even those specialists who catered directly to the elite were benefited by offering their services long enough to learn.
Elodie was her mother's daughter, possessed of a royal grace and solemnity even as a young woman. That quiet power would only deepen over the years.
And thus Queen Elodie's legacy stretched into the future...
No comments:
Post a Comment