It's another Let's Play!
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.
Copyright permission next: 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.
Content summary last: Several people in the YouTube comments have asked that I train in weapons, so I've done that in this (somewhat ill-fated) walkthrough. I ended up killing both Banion and Kevan in duels, and also showed Banion calling for a vote of no confidence (which we won). And, oh yeah, there was a civil war. Whoops!
So! This video will grant the following Steam achievements:
1. A Trial of Your Peers
2. A Matter Of Honor
3. A Land Divided
4. The Gauntlet Thrown
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 Novan History in the morning.)
(Studied Novan History 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.
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Week 2
(Studied Novan History in the morning.)
(Studied Novan History 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 Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Running 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...
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 4
(Studied Running in the morning.)
(Studied Running 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.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 5
(Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence 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 Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Internal Affairs 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 won't free her
Elodie, Crown Princess: This is all a trick to get the traitor released. I won't listen to you!
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 7
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence 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: Punish her
Elodie, Crown Princess: How dare you! What do you think you're doing? I'll have you flogged for this!
Alice: ... Yes, my lady...
You return to your rooms, but you have barely settled when someone knocks on the door.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: A visiting noble wishes to speak with you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: *sigh* Who is it?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The Duke Consort of Mead.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (If I remember right, he's the brother of the Duchess of Ursul.)
You follow your father downstairs to greet your guest.
Ignatius, Duke Consort of Mead: Your Highness. Thank you for meeting with me in this difficult time.
Ignatius, Duke Consort of Mead: I come to you on behalf of the people of Ursul, who have been left without a protector.
Ignatius, Duke Consort of Mead: Commoners require governance and leadership, or they fall into chaos.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You want me to free your sister the Duchess?
Ignatius, Duke Consort of Mead: I wish for Ursul to have a leader. If my sister has displeased you, then I stand willing to serve.
Ignatius, Duke Consort of Mead: If you prefer Julianna in that position, then yes, free her. It is, of course, your decision.
Menu: [Free Duchess Julianna] [Give her title to Ignatius]
Player chose: Give her title to Ignatius
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine, then. You can be Duke of Ursul.
Ignatius, Duke of Ursul: On behalf of our people, I thank you for your wisdom.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Now I can leave Julianna locked up forever and no one will care!)
You go down to the dungeons to taunt Julianna with her helplessness and lack of noble status.
However, when you approach her cell, you find her sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed, paying absolutely no attention to you.
Menu: [Taunt her anyway] [Execute her] [Leave her alone.]
Player chose: Taunt her anyway
Elodie, Crown Princess: You're nobody, you know that? You're not a duchess anymore.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You're going to rot in here.
She doesn't respond. From this distance, you can't be certain she's even breathing.
Not that you're going to go into her cell to check. You're not that stupid.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine, ignore me! See if I care!
You stomp off, determined not to waste your time. From now on you'll just avoid this cell.
________________________________________
Week 8
(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)
(Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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.
You wander through the castle dungeons, but see nothing of interest.
(Put on the intrigue outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 9
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Internal Affairs 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: (I don't know anything about the military. I don't want to fight.)
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 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 10
(Studied Foreign Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Affairs 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.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Hellas and Maree are neighboring duchies. Together, the siblings Brin and Banion govern most of Southern Nova.)
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.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It was the Duchess of Hellas who tried to take over part of Ixion's territory, without the support of my mother the Queen.)
Diplomat from Ixion: We can be good neighbors again, without any lives being lost.
Menu: [Surrender Province] [Offer him money if Ixion withdraws] [Offer to punish the Duchess of Hellas] [Bluff / Intimidate] [Execute him]
Player chose: Offer to punish the Duchess of Hellas
Elodie, Crown Princess: We appreciate that you feel wronged. One of our subjects attempted to instigate a rebellion in your territory.
Elodie, Crown Princess: However, she did not have our approval for these actions. If you withdraw your troops, we will punish her.
Brin, Duchess of Hellas, Countess of Dysnomia: Your Highness!
Elodie, Crown Princess: This is the fair solution. You have no right to invade us because of her actions.
Diplomat from Ixion: What manner of punishment were you considering?
Menu: [Make her a commoner] [Command her to marry an Ixionite] [Execute her]
Player chose: Make her a commoner
Elodie, Crown Princess: She will be stripped of her titles and forced to live as one of the common people.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Your Highness, I must protest!
Elodie, Crown Princess: No one will be allowed to benefit from sneaky attempts at stealing land. Not Hellas and not Ixion. Nobody.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Her titles will pass to her brother Bennett, the husband of the Countess of Dis.
Diplomat from Ixion: Very well. We will accept this apology.
Brin: This is outrageous!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Out!
You sneak a peek at some of the luckless peasants held in the dungeons - petty thieves and troublemakers, now suffering in the dark. They're obviously bad people, but seeing them so miserable still feels unfair. There must be a better way.
________________________________________
Week 11
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Running 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: 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: ...
You sneak a peek at some of the luckless peasants held in the dungeons - petty thieves and troublemakers, now suffering in the dark. They're obviously bad people, but seeing them so miserable still feels unfair. There must be a better way.
________________________________________
Week 12
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Internal Affairs.
(Studied Swords 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: (Putting all the sick people together? Wouldn't that make them die even faster?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: We are not interested.
You sneak a peek at some of the luckless peasants held in the dungeons - petty thieves and troublemakers, now suffering in the dark. They're obviously bad people, but seeing them so miserable still feels unfair. There must be a better way.
________________________________________
Week 13
(Studied Archery in the morning.)
(Studied Archery 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.
Kevan, Earl of Io: Corisande, the Duchess of Mead.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (His other full-sister is the wife of the Duke of Kigal, and his mother is the Duchess of Lillah. Family ties are complicated.)
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: (This must be about the last Duke of Mead. He had a lot of servants who were 'mysteriously' injured or killed.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (But he's dead - and he either killed himself or his family 'helped' him along.)
Menu: [Put her to work] [Imprison her] [Execute her] [Tell her that justice was already done]
Player chose: Tell her that justice was already done
Elodie, Crown Princess: You are wrong. Justice was already done - by the gods, and by the nobles that you've despised.
Elodie, Crown Princess: The one who killed your brother is dead. He was replaced by wiser rulers, like the Duchess you tried to harm.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You blamed an innocent woman, one who might had sympathy for you if you had told her the truth. Not all nobles are the same.
Condemned Woman: I... I never thought.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You will have time to think about your actions in the dungeons.
Kevan, Earl of Io: She should be hanged!
Elodie, Crown Princess: She acted for the love of her sibling. Surely you can understand that? No one else needs to die.
You sneak a peek at some of the luckless peasants held in the dungeons - petty thieves and troublemakers, now suffering in the dark. They're obviously bad people, but seeing them so miserable still feels unfair. There must be a better way.
________________________________________
Week 14
(Studied Polearms in the morning.)
(Studied Polearms 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.
________________________________________
Week 15
(Studied Swords in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Swords 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: (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.
(Put on the weapons outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 16
(Studied Swords in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
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.
All of a sudden, there is a faint rumbling noise from under your feet.
The newly planted tree in front of you quivers, and then, out of nowhere, a spurt of water comes up from the ground, spattering you and the assembled crowd with droplets.
Just as quickly as it began, it vanishes.
The priestesses try to calm the crowds with talk of omens and natural eruptions, but they can't halt the whispers: dark magic. That water tasted of salt.
That night, the guards report that Julianna, the former Duchess of Ursul, has mysteriously vanished from her cell.
Everyone is suspected, but no one seems to know what happened.
You now have an enemy on the loose.
You sneak a peek at some of the luckless peasants held in the dungeons - petty thieves and troublemakers, now suffering in the dark. They're obviously bad people, but seeing them so miserable still feels unfair. There must be a better way.
________________________________________
Week 17
(Studied Logistics in the morning.)
(Studied Strategy 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 respect for tradition and the rights of the nobility means that we can all sleep safe in our beds.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Our mother entrusted the jewel of her lands to my sister Brin, a bequest which the princess holds in honor.
The blatant falseness of his words grates on your ears. He's challenging your honor in front of the entire assembly.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I can't let this slide!)
Menu: [Challenge him to a duel] [Order his execution]
Player chose: Challenge him to a duel
Elodie, Crown Princess: You insult my honor.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Elodie, no!
You pull off one of your long white gloves and hurl it to the ground at Banion's feet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I demand satisfaction.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Witness that it was never my intent to endanger the royal succession.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: However, these actions prove that Her Royal Highness is too unstable and too immature to sit the throne.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: For the safety of our domain, I will accept.
The floor is cleared and both of you change into more appropriate attire. As challenged party, Banion has the choice of weapons. He chooses swords.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Die!
You charge in, but cautiously, meeting his blade with your own as you circle, testing each other for weaknesses.
Your opponent appears to be in no hurry. His training and experience may appear to give him the edge, but you have youthful energy on your side. You may be able to outlast him.
Your athletic training has toned your muscles and given you the strength to carry on for long periods of time.
Round and around you go. Is it your imagination, or are his movements a fraction slower than they were when you began?
One of you needs to win, and quickly. Now is the time to press.
One blow, another, a quick change, a twist of the blade, and - there!
Your sword sinks into his flesh just under his ribcage, and he falls.
You stand there, gasping for breath, with his blood on your feet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: The matter is resolved.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... His titles will pass to the offspring of his brother Bennett.
Elodie, Crown Princess: This gathering is over.
In silence, you walk away. You're not in the mood to talk to anyone else right now.
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 intrigue outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 18
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Naval Strategy 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: Insult her with false flattery
Elodie, Crown Princess: Good afternoon, Countess.
Elodie, Crown Princess: My, what large breasts you have. Putting them on display for any particular reason?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Elodie!
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: Really, my dear, it's not polite to comment on a lady's attributes like that.
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: But you are young. You will... grow.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Ooo!
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: No one has been able to track the former Duchess of Ursul. There could be plots underway.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Many dark looks were aimed your way at the gala.
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] [Julianna of Ursul]
Player chose: Julianna of Ursul
Elodie, Crown Princess: We need to locate Julianna. A rogue Lumen is a danger to the entire domain.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Without more clues of where to search, your agents are apparently unable to locate her.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could detail a portion of your army to patrol for signs of her, but that would take them from their other duties.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: If you offered a reward for her capture, the people of Nova would also aid in the search.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: However, she was imprisoned once before, and that did not contain her.
Menu: [She has to die] [I want her alive]
Player chose: I want her alive
Elodie, Crown Princess: I can't order her killed out of hand. I want her alive and able to tell me the truth.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Some years ago, Julianna spent time with the Duke of Maree and the Duchess of Hellas.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (But I'm not likely to get any support from that direction now.)
Menu: [Send soldiers on patrol] [Post a reward]
Player chose: Post a reward
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right, we'll post her description and offer a reward to anyone who can bring her down.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 19
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Naval Strategy 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 wander through the parts of the castle where other people rarely visit, but find little except spiderwebs. Yuck.
________________________________________
Week 20
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Strategy in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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: Execute him
Elodie, Crown Princess: I don't care whether there were demons or not, you're still a murderer and your life is forfeit.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You will be hanged in public as a deterrent to future criminals.
He opens his mouth to argue with you further, but then his shoulders slump.
Condemned Man: Yes, Your Majesty.
You wander through the parts of the castle where other people rarely visit, but find little except spiderwebs. Yuck.
(Put on the military outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 21
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
Your skill in Trade is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Economics skills are 25 or higher.
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
You receive word of an unfortunate incident at the gallows where the man you judged was sent to be executed.
As he was led to the platform, he suddenly lashed out with explosive magical power, killing several guards and spectators before making his escape.
The population is buzzing with rumors of a secret cabal of evil Lumens who sacrifice innocents in their dark rituals.
Reports also arrive from neighboring duchies, where angry mobs hoping to collect a reward have been assaulting any woman who vaguely matches the description of the former Duchess of Ursul. Luckily, no one has yet been killed, but neither has the correct target been located.
You wander through the parts of the castle where other people rarely visit, but find little except spiderwebs. Yuck.
________________________________________
Week 22
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
You may now tour the Barracks on the ________________________________________
Weekends.
(Studied Logistics 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: (Not to mention that she's closely related to the Duchess of Mead and the Duke of Kigal!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She could control almost the entire eastern half of Nova. People already call her Nova's other queen!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Duchess Arisse almost certainly killed her second husband after she divorced him.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Her son, the Earl of Io, apparently hates and fears her.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (And the last Duke of Mead died in mysterious circumstances while she was around.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Which meant the title of Mead passed to Arisse's daughter.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (But without proof, she couldn't be punished.)
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: Send him to your uncle
Elodie, Crown Princess: What about your brother Armand? He would be a safe pair of hands to watch over Adair.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
You wander through the parts of the castle where other people rarely visit, but find little except spiderwebs. Yuck.
________________________________________
Week 23
(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Naval Strategy 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.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 24
(Studied Dogs in the morning.)
(Studied Dogs in the afternoon.)
You receive a letter from Young Lord Adair.
So far, he's enjoying himself with your uncle Armand in Mazomba. He says the trees look different, and there are a lot more frogs. He looks forward to visiting the lookout fort at Shepherd's Point.
You wander through the parts of the castle where other people rarely visit, but find little except spiderwebs. Yuck.
(Put on the weapons outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 25
(Studied Dogs in the morning.)
(Studied Dogs in the afternoon.)
Your skill in Dogs is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Animal Handling skills are 25 or higher.
While studying reports of trade and goods shipments, you notice something interesting. The domain of Shanjia, which is now the major power on the western continent, appears to be stepping up production.
In particular, their increased demand for wood, hemp, linen, and metals suggest that they are producing new ships - and new weapons. This could be the precursor to a warfleet.
Whatever they're doing, it will take time. If they intend to attack Nova, you have enough warning to make your own defensive preparations.
The downside is, they won't come cheap.
Menu: [Build more warships] [Do nothing]
Player chose: Build more warships
You send orders for the assembly of new ships, and the strengthening of weaponry and cladding on the existing fleet. If trouble comes, you'll be ready for it.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 26
(Studied Naval Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Logistics.
Alice: My lady, there is a letter for you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Who sent this? It isn't signed...)
It appears to be a poem, describing you in a manner that is entirely inappropriate for a Queen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I *what*? With a *squid*?)
Menu: [That's hilarious!] [That's terrible!]
Player chose: That's hilarious!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's actually pretty funny!)
Just then, an incredibly unlucky breeze swirls between the windows of your tower bedroom, tugging the paper out of your hands and off into the sky.
You stick your head out the window to discover the 'poem' caught and fluttering on the roof nearby. You can almost reach it.
Menu: [Climb out and grab it] [Ignore it]
Player chose: Ignore it
What's the worst that can happen? It blows off and someone reads it and laughs at you? That's better than breaking your neck.
Besides, if you're lucky it will rain and wash the words away.
You wander through the castle dungeons, but see nothing of interest.
________________________________________
Week 27
(Studied Climbing in the morning.)
(Studied Climbing 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: Send your regrets
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I'd better stay here.)
You spend the ________________________________________
Weekend holed up alone in your room with your favorite toys. It's childish, but you feel a bit better.
________________________________________
Week 28
(Studied Swimming in the morning.)
(Studied Swimming in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
Elodie, Crown Princess: *sigh*
Elodie, Crown Princess: (All of my friends are at Gwenelle's party and I don't get to go.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I sent Gwenelle a letter saying that I couldn't come, but it was her mother the Countess who replied.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I think she's insulted that I didn't consider the event important enough to attend.)
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 29
(Studied Climbing in the morning.)
(Studied Climbing in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Matters have come to a crisis. Arisse, the Duchess of Lillah, has declared civil war.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?!?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Apparently she feels that you are a weak leader, unfit to be Queen, and has managed to sway several others to her banner.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Who is against me?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: A number of minor earls and countesses. The Duchess of Mead and the Duke of Kigal.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The Duchess of Sudbury is with Lillah.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But Gwenelle's my friend!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Sudbury is completely surrounded by rebel duchies. She may not have a choice.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The situation in Hellas and Maree is less clear.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What forces can she muster, and what are we still holding?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: We have 4 battalions, 2 companies, and 1 platoon.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The naval side is, of course, useless in this conflict.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: By my estimate, Arisse can field 5 battalions, 2 companies, and 1 platoon.
Elodie, Crown Princess: That's not good.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: It will come down to a question of strategy.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There are ways to increase the number of soldiers you have available.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could offer to pardon various imprisoned criminals in exchange for military service.
Menu: [Pardon criminals] [Don't]
Player chose: Pardon criminals
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right, let's do that. Criminals probably already know how to fight.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
Forces are in motion, but they will take time to reach their peak.
You are impressed by the discipline of the loyal Novan troops, but the responsibility for their lives weighs heavily on your shoulders.
There are approximately 4 battalions, 2 companies, and 2 platoons under your direct command.
Progress on your new warships reportedly proceeds apace.
(Put on the athletics outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 30
(Studied Composure in the morning.)
(Studied Composure in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The negotiator for the rebels has arrived to speak with you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Surrender now and I will be lenient.
Diplomat: We are not here for our surrender. We are here for yours.
Diplomat: You have one chance to avoid needless bloodshed.
Diplomat: Agree to marry one of Duchess Arisse's sons. She will become your regent and guide the domain into stability.
Diplomat: You will be allowed to maintain a figurehead title.
Menu: [Agree] [Refuse] [Suggest compromise]
Player chose: Suggest compromise
Elodie, Crown Princess: I am willing to marry her son and listen to her advice, but not to give up my crown.
Elodie, Crown Princess: My ancestors were kings and queens when Arisse's weren't even Novan.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I am the Queen. Nothing she says will change that.
Diplomat: I am afraid that is not good enough.
Diplomat: Surrender now, or prepare to meet us in battle.
Menu: [Surrender] [Refuse]
Player chose: Refuse
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then battle it must be.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 31
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Elegance in the afternoon.)
War rages for control of Nova.
As defending Queen, you are required to take personal control of your forces.
Battles are won and lost, fallen soldiers decorating the landscape. The final outcome...
... is a victory for your side.
Your forces sweep through the rebellious duchies and are met with cheers by the local population. Arisse, the ringleader, is executed, and the other rebels forced to pay tribute to keep their holdings.
Of course, there is also a cost paid in lives.
Your understanding of military strategy helped limit the losses received by your side.
Total casualties were 1041.3975 on your side and 1704.105 among the rebels.
Of course, there are no more rebel soldiers now - they are once more your loyal subjects.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
________________________________________
Week 32
(Studied Presence in the morning.)
(Studied Presence in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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: (Someone on hall duty is being lazy. Those flowers should be replaced.)
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'.
All of a sudden, your puppy, who is usually so well behaved, growls at the box of chocolates and lunges at it.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Bad dog! Chocolate isn't good for you!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Silly thing, making such a fuss.
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.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
(Put on the weapons outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 33
(Studied Swords in the morning.)
(Studied Swords in the afternoon.)
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: Fencing
Here the devotees of the blade can challenge each other to duels fought only for points, not blood and honor.
You win your first match to uproarious applause, but are soon overpowered by more experienced competitors. Still, you did very well for your first tournament!
All the winners are announced and displayed to great cheers. As near-Queen, you place flower garlands around their necks.
All of a sudden, a man approaches the winner's platform.
It's Kevan, the Earl of Io.
In one hand, he carries an armored gauntlet. In the other, a sword.
Kevan, Earl of Io: My family's blood is on your hands!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Arisse, the ringleader of the rebellion... She was his mother.)
He casts the metal glove to the ground with a clatter and raises his sword, pointing it at you.
Kevan, Earl of Io: I challenge you, Elodie! A life for a life!
He's challenging you to a duel?
Menu: [Accept] [Refuse]
Player chose: Accept
Elodie, Crown Princess: Very well. I will meet your challenge.
As the challenged party, you have the choice of weapons.
Menu: [Swords] [Staves]
Player chose: Swords
Elodie, Crown Princess: Bring me my sword.
The crowd seems not to realise at first that this is a blood match and not entertainment. Or perhaps they do, and their cheering is all the louder for it.
Kevan's rage fills him with great strength, but makes him erratic - and unpredictable.
Worse, he's armored, and he seems willing to settle for nothing less than your death or his.
You are somewhat tired from your earlier efforts in the tournament, but you have the stamina to keep going for now.
Finally, after much footwork and dodging, you are able to penetrate his defences. Your sword drives through a weak spot in his armor, slicing through muscle and bone.
He lies at your feet, bleeding, helpless - and his final act is to spit upon your feet.
Even in death, he would not submit. You had no choice.
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.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
(Put on the athletics outfit.): (Put on the military outfit.): (Put on the athletics 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: I've been expecting something like that.
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: Direct the fleet
Elodie, Crown Princess: The risk is mine to take.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You have your mother's heart.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Do your best, and Nova will survive.
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 35
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Public Speaking in the afternoon.)
Danger on the high seas!
Ships close in on each other, angling into range.
You clamber up the rigging to take a position in the crow's nest, where you can watch the enemy's movements with a spyglass and shout out any necessary changes in plan.
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.
Your grasp of strategy allows you to recognise when the tipping point has been passed, and order your remaining vessels to retreat before they are all destroyed.
This saves lives, but it means leaving the Novan approach completely unguarded.
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 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.
(Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 36
(Studied Flattery in the morning.)
(Studied Court Manners 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] [Offer marriage alliance] [Refuse outright]
Player chose: Offer marriage alliance
Elodie, Crown Princess: What if I marry you instead? Then everything I have is yours as well!
Togami: Silly little girl. I already told you. Your land isn't what matters to me.
Togami: And I already have a wife - a woman far riper than you.
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.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
________________________________________
Week 37
(Studied Elegance in the morning.)
(Studied Presence 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.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
________________________________________
Week 38
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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: An extravagant feast
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Roasted meats, cakes, chocolates, wine, enough for everyone! And I can give out commemorative cups and coins!)
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 Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.)
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: Don't listen to all of those fools pressuring you to choose one noble or another, not at a time like this.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Have they no decency? You deserve the time to mourn.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ...
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Dear niece, it would break my heart to see my own daughter in such a situation. Both of you are still so young.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: Remember poor Cayleigh, the past Duchess of Elath? Her father forced her into marriage to get an heir for the duchy.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: And for that, she died in childbirth when she was only seventeen.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: At your age, it is neither wise nor safe to wed.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You're probably right. There's no need to hurry.
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 conversation outfit.): (Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.)
________________________________________
Week 40
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Public Speaking 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. She refused to accept it. For the first time in centuries, magic would have no hold on the throne of Nova.
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.
During Elodie's reign, the public opinion of Lumens and magic in general would fall to a new low. Parents taught their children that Lumen power was all tied up with witchcraft and blood sacrifice, and would always lead to sorrow in the end.
In some territories, any village outcast found to be in possession of a shiny bit of rock was likely to fall victim to a lynch mob, and the miscreants were rarely punished. Better safe than sorry when it came to magic, after all. Even healers and priestesses were eyed with some suspicion. Who knows what costs their powers might have?
The young Queen sponsored expeditions of trained knights to venture into the Old Forest and attempt to exterminate the monsters within. Unfortunately, black magic would not give up its grip on Nova so easily. Many lives were lost, and with their blood, the monsters appeared to grow even stronger...
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.
What he sought there, Elodie did not know, but she suspected it might someday have grave consequences for Nova...
Elodie eventually married a foreign duke in order to advance alliances and promote Novan strength.
It was not a love match, but the two parties learned to respect and care for each other. They raised two children, a son and a daughter.
Elodie's interest in military strategy led her to treat country management as something of a game - a game that she intended to win.
That meant building up Nova's strength to the point where no invader could ever threaten its sovereignty again.
And thus Queen Elodie's legacy stretched into the future...
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