วันพุธ, ธันวาคม 31, 2557
23:21
ลาทีปีเก่า รอรับปีใหม่
23:21
วันพุธ, ธันวาคม 31, 2557
วันจันทร์, ธันวาคม 29, 2557
อย่ากลัวเรื่องไม่เป็นเรื่อง
วันจันทร์, ธันวาคม 29, 2557
22:29
เห็นคำถามเลเยอร์ส่วนใหญ่
22:29
จะเป็นเกี่ยวกับชุดไม่เป๊ะแล้วกลัวดราม่า
น่าแปลกที่เลเยอร์กลัวดราม่าเกี่ยวกับชุดที่แต่ง
มากกว่ามารยาทในงานคอส
งานคอสคอมที่ผ่านมา ข้อกำหนดของงานมีไว้เรียบร้อยแล้ว
ในเพจของงานก็มี
- สงวนห้องน้ำชั้นล่างไว้สำหรับผู้ที่มาเข้างานและซื้อสินค้า
- ข้อกำหนดเรื่องสถานที่ถ่ายรูป ห้ามถ่ายรูปกลางถนน
พอทีมงานเข้าไปเตือน ก็โวยวายว่า ออกเฟสว่า
ไม่ไปงาน coscom แล้วค่ะ
สต๊าฟงาน coscom ไร้มารยาท
ละเมิดสิทธิส่วนบุคคล ทั้ง ๆ ที่ตัวเองยืนถ่ายรูปกลางถนน
มีหลักฐานก็เป็นรูป ที่ตากล้องถ่ายเอาไว้
งาน coscom วันอาทิตย์ ที่ 28 ขอฝากไว้หน่อย
--- จงกลัวดราม่ามารยาทในงานคอส มากกว่าชุดเป๊ะหรือไม่เป๊ะ ---
ถ้าคุณไม่แก้ผ้าไปงานคอส ไม่มีใครมาดราม่ากับคุณหรอกค่ะ
วันพฤหัสบดี, ธันวาคม 25, 2557
วันพฤหัสบดี, ธันวาคม 18, 2557
ความหนาของถุงน่อง
วันพฤหัสบดี, ธันวาคม 18, 2557
22:29
ความหนาของถุงน่อง คิดเป็น ดีเนียร์ ( denier )
22:29
ดูภาพประกอบ
เรียงความหนาจาก 30D - 120D
I Want to Stop Time
22:19
It’s almost dawn, there’s beginning to be a faint light
I know it’s almost time for us to part
My heart is starting to break, but what should I do?
I want to cry…
I want time to pass slowly…I want a little more time
I want to look at your face, I want to stop the time…
For as long as possible before you have to go
Just give me some time to say something
And I’ll remember it from today until the day I die
I know it’s almost time for us to part
My heart is starting to break, but you have to go
I want to cry…
I want time to pass slowly…I want a little more time
I want to look at your face, I want to stop the time…
For as long as possible before you have to go
The one thing my heart knows well is that I’ve never had anyone else
Love me like this, like you, a love that fills my heart…
I want to cry…
I want time to pass slowly…I want a little more time
I want to look at your face, I want to stop the time…
For as long as possible before you have to go
Greenpeace = Ecoterrorist
12:41
http://www.denisekrum.co.nz/greenpeace-campaign-ruins-clean-up/
Greenpeace อาจจะถูกห้ามการมาขอรับบริจาคในเมือง Ellerslie
1. Ellerslie เป็นเมืองเล็กๆในโอ๊คแลนท์
2. หลังจากมีคนติดป้ายติดโปสเตอร์ตามที่ต่างๆจนดูรกหูรกตาไปหมด คนในเมืองจึงร่วมกันจัดการป้ายเหล่านั้น
3. คนในเมืองทั้งเด็กผู้ใหญ่ และอาสาสมัครจากต่างถิ่น มาช่วยกันลอกและขัดทำความสะอาดเอาโปสเตอร์ออกจากสถานที่สาธารณะ จากเสาไฟ จากตู้ไฟ จนสะอาด
4. วันต่อมากลุ่มกรีนพีซ ก็เอาป้ายประชาสัมพันธ์โครงการต่อต้านบริษัทปลาทูน่ามาแปะทั่วเมือง โดยแปะลงบนพื้นที่ห้ามแปะสาธารณะ ที่ชาวเมืองเพิ่งช่วยกันลอกโปสเตอร์และทำความสะอาดไปหยกๆ
5. อาสาสมัครและชาวเมืองโมโหมาก มีการเข้าเพจGreenpeaceไป ซึ่งในเพจกรีนพีซเอารูปป้ายที่ติดในเมืองมาลง comment ที่ต่อว่าเหตุการณ์นี้ถูกนำออกทั้งหมด เหลือแต่คอมเมนต์ของคนอื่นที่ไม่รู้เรื่องที่เกิดขึ้น เข้ามาชื่นชม
6. ผู้จัดงานทำความสะอาดเลยติดต่อไปว่าทำไมกรีนพีซถึงมาทำแบบนี้ และขอให้ส่งคนมาลอกออกไปให้หมด
7. คนในกลุ่มกรีนพีซ ตอบกลับว่า บางครั้งคุณก็ต้องทำสิ่งที่ผิดกฎหมายเพื่อให้บรรลุผล และปฎิเสธที่จะส่งคนมาลอกป้าย
8. เลยมีการขู่ว่าถ้าไม่ส่งคนมาลอกป้าย จะแจ้งความ
9. เลยส่งคนมาลอกป้าย
หลังเหตุการณ์นั้น คนในเมือง Ellerslie เลยมีแนวคิดว่าจะแบนการเข้ามาประชาสัมพันธ์เรี่ยไรเงินทุนในเมือง
ภาพ ป้ายของกลุ่มGPที่เข้ามาแปะในตำแหน่งที่เด็กๆและชาวเมืองช่วยกันขัดออกไปหยกๆ
วันพุธ, ธันวาคม 17, 2557
Weirdness With Tumblr’s Publish Date Format
วันพุธ, ธันวาคม 17, 2557
18:32
Tumblr สามารถตั้งเวลาโพสล่วงหน้าเอาไว้ได้
18:32
โดยการใช้ schedule
ตัวอย่าง
next monday, 10 am
บล็อกที่เราเขียนไว้จะโพสวันจันทร์หน้า ตอน 10 โมงเช้า
หรือ จะกำหนดเวลาให้แน่ชัดไปเลย
December 5, 10:05am
บล็อกที่เราเขียนไว้ก็จะโพสวันที่ 5 ธันวาคม เวลา 10.05
โดยการตั้งเวลา จะเป็น เดือน วันที่, เวลา am / pm
ตั้งเวลาใน app จะง่ายกว่ามาก
เพราะมีตัวตั้งเวลาเลย ไม่ต้องมาพิมพ์เอง
ตั้งวันที่
ตั้งเวลา
กองอวย Misteltein ออกปฏิบัติการ!!
13:30
ตามไป follow ได้ที่ http://misteltein-lancer.tumblr.com
มุดเข้าหน้าเว็บเกาหลี ดูดเอาภาพ art work มา
แล้วใส่ source จริง ๆ อยากเก็บภาพ fan art ของตัวละครที่ชอบ
แล้วเอามาแบ่งปันกับชาวบ้านชาวช่อง พร้อมทั้งบอกที่มาของรูป
ตัวอย่าง ภาพโฆษณา Cash Bee ของเกาหลี
คุณเคยผ่านการทำแท้งหรือยุ่งเกี่ยวกับเรื่องนี้มาหรือเปล่าครับ!!
11:03
นี่คือเสียงคุณริวผ่านเข้ามาในหัว หลังจากได้อ่านสถานะ Facebook ของ cosplayer คนหนึ่ง
ชีวิตเราไม่เคยยุ่งเกี่ยวกับการทำแท้งของคนจนกระทั่งไปเห็นสถานะนั้นเข้า
ส่วนตัวคิดว่าเรื่องการทำแท้งเป็นเรื่องสีเทา
เพราะกฏหมายในประเทศอนุญาตให้ทำแท้งได้มีแค่
ถูกข่มขืน การตั้งครรภ์เป็นอันตรายต่อแม่เด็ก
จากการเข้าไปส่องเฟส cosplayer คนนั้น ดูท่าทางอายุยังไม่ถึง 25 ด้วยซ้ำ
แต่ที่หน้าตกใจ ก็คือ มีคนเข้าไปให้กำลังใจด้วย
ถึงจะบอกว่าให้เอาเด็กไว้ แต่ใครล่ะจะเลี้ยงดู
แต่การทำแท้งก็ไม่ใช่สิ่งที่ถูกต้องนัก
เราไม่เห็นด้วย แต่ก็ไม่สนับสนุนเรื่องนี้
หรือจะปล่อยให้เด็กเกิดมา ยกให้คนอื่น หรือส่งสถานเด็กกำพร้า
ถ้าคุณไปทำแท้งมาจะอัพสถานะในเฟสบอกเรื่องราวนี้ไหม ?
หรือจะเก็บเงียบอยู่ในความมืดของหัวใจตลอดไป
ป.ล. อย่ามาถามว่าคนไหน ก็เพราะว่าไม่ได้สนใจมากนัก
วันอังคาร, ธันวาคม 16, 2557
Mistilteinn - Misteltein - Mystletainn
วันอังคาร, ธันวาคม 16, 2557
21:36
21:36
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lancer เกม Closers Online ชื่อ ภาษาอังกฤษอย่างเป็นทางการในเกม Misteltein
ชื่อเกาหลี 미스틸 테인
Mistilteinn / Misteltein / Mystletainn
เขียนได้ทั้ง 3 แบบ
เป็นชื่อดาบในตำนานของชาวนอร์ท
ซึ่งทำมาจากต้น Mistel ซึ่งภายหลังได้ปลุกเสกโดยโลกิ
วันพฤหัสบดี, ธันวาคม 11, 2557
เลเยอร์เฟสปลิวโดยไม่ทราบสาเหตุ
วันพฤหัสบดี, ธันวาคม 11, 2557
22:06
Facebook จะลบ accounts ของ คอสเพลย์เยอร์ โดยไม่บอกล่วงหน้า
22:06
เป็นเพราะว่า เฟสบุ๊ค เน้นเรื่องลิขสิทธิ์มากเกินไป
เลยการเป็นว่าเฟสของคอสเพลย์นั้น
ละเมิดลิขสิทธิ์ของค่ายที่สร้างตัวละครเหล่านั้น
ปัญหานี้เกิดกับคอสเพลเยอร์ทั่วโลก
ส่วนตากล้องก็ใด้รับผลกะทบเช่นกันเพราะถ่ายรูปคอสเพลย์
ขอให้รู้ทุกคน และเฟสอาจจะปลิวได้โดยไม่บอกล่วงหน้าเหมือนกัน
ไปใช้ Google+ กันเถอะ ไม่เรื่องมาก
วันศุกร์, ธันวาคม 05, 2557
วันพฤหัสบดี, ธันวาคม 04, 2557
NTREEV มึง~~~~~~~~~~~!!
วันพฤหัสบดี, ธันวาคม 04, 2557
11:45
ไม่มีอะไรนอกจากคำพูดว่า
11:45
NTREEV มึง~~~~~~~~~~~!!
29 พฤศจิกายน 2556
เป็นวันที่เกม trickster online เซิฟเวอร์ไทยปิดตัวลง
ตอนนี้ครบรอบ 1 ปีที่ปิดตัวลงไปแล้ว
อันนี้โทษ แวโลฟ ไม่ได้
เพราะก่อนจะปิดเซิฟ ตั้งแต่เดือนเมษา
แวโลฟ ไม่ได้มีโปรโมชั่นเติมเงินล่อผู้เล่นแบบหนักเลย
ntreev เกิดเป็นบ้าอะไรก็ไม่รู้ หลังจากมีตัวละครใหม่ลงมา
อีกไม่นานก็ปิดเกมทิ้งไปเลย
Ntreev ฉลองเกม trickster online ครบรอบ 10 ปี ด้วยการ....
ปิดเกมทั้งมันทุกเซิฟทั้ง อินเตอร์ / ไทย / ญี่ปุ่น / เกาหลี
Ntreev มึง~~~~~~~~~~~~!!
วันจันทร์, พฤศจิกายน 10, 2557
OTP
12:20
โอ้ตัวเธอคือเจ้าหญิง ส่วนผมเป็นเพียงข้ารับใช้
โชคชะตาที่ได้รับมา คือฝาแฝดที่ต้องจากกัน
ไม่ว่าเธอจะเผชิญ เรื่องร้ายแรงอะไรแค่ไหน
เพื่อที่จะปกป้องเธอ แม้เป็นมารผมก็จะทำ
ที่ตรงนั้น พวกเรากำเนิดขึ้นมาท่ามกลางความหวัง
พร้อมกับเสียงระฆังที่ดังลั่นก้องฉลองให้สองเรา
พวกผู้ใหญ่ ที่มา ร่วมงานนั้นกลับมีเหตุผิดใจกัน
จึงได้แยกเราออกเป็นสองทาง อนาคตขีดออกเป็นสองทาง
ต่อให้โลกทั้งใบนั้น จะไม่ปรายตา
ไม่เคยเห็นมองเห็นว่าเธอนั้นสมควรมีตัวตน
โปรดอย่าลืม ว่าผมจะคอยอยู่ปกป้องเธอ
เพราะฉะนั้น ขอพระองค์ทรงยิ้มแย้มอยู่เรื่อยไป
โอ้ตัวเธอคือเจ้าหญิง ส่วนผมเป็นเพียงข้ารับใช้
โชคชะตาที่ได้รับมา คือฝาแฝดที่ต้องจากกัน
ไม่ว่าเธอจะเผชิญ เรื่องร้ายแรงอะไรแค่ไหน
เพื่อที่จะปกป้องเธอ แม้เป็นมารผมก็จะทำ
มาวันหนึ่ง ได้มีโอกาสไปยังประเทศข้างเคียง
ได้ยินเสียงสาวงามที่มีรอยยิ้มน่ารักประทับใจ
เสียงร้องเพลงที่บรรเลงออก/มาจากตัวเธอช่างสดใส
วินาทีนั้นผมก็เข้าใจ ว่าตัวผมนั้นตกหลุมรักเธอ
แต่องค์หญิงนั้นทรงโกรธเกรี้ยว ไม่พอใจเธอ
พระองค์นั้นต้องการให้ลบล้างเธอทิ้งไป
ส่วนตัวผมนั้นคงต้องทำตามคำพูดเธอ
แต่ทำไมกัน ทำไม หยุดน้ำตาไม่ได้เสียที
โอ้ตัวเธอคือเจ้าหญิง ส่วนผมเป็นเพียงข้ารับใช้
โชคชะตาที่ได้รับมา คือฝาแฝดผู้แสนโหดร้าย
"ของว่างของวันนี้ นั้นคือ บริออช นะครับ"
พระองค์ทรงแย้มยิ้มมา ยิ้มนั้นช่างดูไร้เดียงสา
ราษฎร ทุกคนทั้งหมดร่วมมือกบฎดินแดนนี้
ความแค้นเคืองทับถมขึ้นมาเหลือเอ่ยจนเกินจะกลั้นใจ
หากว่ามันคือบาปและกรรมทั้งหมดที่ควรได้รับไว้
ไม่เป็นไร ผมเข้าใจ ขอให้ผมได้แบกรับมัน
เอ้านี่ไง เสื้อผ้าของผม รับไปซิ นี่ ผมให้ยืม
ไม่ต้องกลัวสายตาคนอื่น ไม่มีใครแยกได้หรอก
ไม่เป็นไร ก็เพราะ..พวกเรานั้นเป็นแฝดกันนี่นา
โปรดเถอะหนา ขอให้เธอนั้นจงหนีไปให้ไกล
โอ้ตัวผมคือเจ้าหญิง ส่วนเธอเป็นผู้หลบหนีตาย
โชคชะตาที่ได้รับมา คือฝาแฝดที่ต้องจากกัน
หากว่าเธอเป็นมารร้ายที่/ไม่ว่าใครเกินจะรับไหว
เลือดพวกเรานั้นมีเหมือนกัน ผมก็เป็นมารร้ายเช่นกัน
นานมาแล้ว ที่เล่ากันมา ยังมีดินแดนแห่งนึง
ดินแดนนั้น มีความเป็นอยู่ที่แสนระทมและทุกข์ใจ
ผู้ที่คอยดูแลปกครองอาณาจักรที่เริ่มสั่นไหว
ไม่ใช่ใคร ผู้นั้นคือ พี่สาวที่น่ารักของผมเอง
ต่อให้โลกทั้งใบนั้น จะไม่ปรายตา
ไม่เคยเห็นมองเห็นว่าเธอนั้นสมควรมีตัวตน
โปรดอย่าลืม ว่าผมจะคอยอยู่ปกป้องเธอ
เพราะฉะนั้น ขอพระองค์ทรงยิ้มแย้มอยู่เรื่อยไป
โอ้ตัวเธอคือเจ้าหญิง ส่วนผมเป็นเพียงข้ารับใช้
โชคชะตาที่ได้รับมา คือฝาแฝดที่ต้องจากกัน
ไม่ว่าเธอจะเผชิญ เรื่องร้ายแรงอะไรแค่ไหน
เพื่อที่จะปกป้องเธอ แม้เป็นมารผมก็จะทำ
ขอให้เธอจงโชคดี มีชีวิตที่แสนสดใส
หวังซักวันถ้าได้เจอ แล้วเรามาเล่นด้วยกัน
Stat ที่ตันในแต่ล่ะ rank ไม้
11:20
ว่าแต่ล่ะ Rank จะมีค่า stat ตันอยู่
ไม่ว่าจะเป็นไม้สาย power control spin balance
Rank E
power 14
control 12
impact 12
spin 5
curve 5
Rank D
power 15
control 12
impact 13
spin 6
curve 6
Rank C
power 17
control 12
impact 14
spin 6
curve 6
Rank B
power 19
control 13
impact 15
spin 7
curve 7
Rank A
power 20
control 13
impact 16
spin 8
curve 8
เรื่อง stat ของไม้ มันจะไปวัดกันตรงที่ rank A ไป S
ถ้าไม้สาย control rank A ไป S จะได้โบนัสคอนเพิ่มมา 1 จาก 13 เป็น 14
ในขณะที่ไม้สาย power spin ทำไม่ได้ ส่วนไม้สาย balance ก็ต้องมาลุ้นกันว่าจะได้ค่าอะไร
ไม้สาย control rank S ทำสปิน สูงสุดได้ 8
ในขณะที่ไม้สาย spin rank S ทำสปินสูงสุดได้ 9
เพิ่มมาหนึ่งหน่วยจากค่าปกติ
วันเสาร์, พฤศจิกายน 08, 2557
long live the queen Epilogue: Happy Peasants + Sailor Briony
วันเสาร์, พฤศจิกายน 08, 2557
16:31
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w6gDSQo8uCM7iORUyio7YGub7vzEYuKGYE61EN_fZVk/edit?usp=sharing
16:31
Long Live the Queen Epilogue
Happy Peasants + Sailor Briony
Play log
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 Accounting in the morning.)
(Studied Production 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 Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Accounting 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: Let her stay
Elodie, Crown Princess: I want to hear what she has to say.
Elodie, Crown Princess: She stays.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
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 3
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Accounting 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.
All of a sudden, the Duchess of Ursul rushes into the garden and points a sword at you!
No, not at you. At your... feet?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Princess! Don't move!
Menu: [Hold still] [Look down]
Player chose: Hold still
You want to hold still, but you don't have the composure to hold your position without peeking.
You look down where her sword is pointing.
There's a snake in the grass!
You can't help it - you squeak and jump back. The snake tenses and prepares to strike.
Charlotte, Lady Merva: No!
Your cousin pushes you aside, and the snake's fangs sink into her leg.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Lottie!
Too late, Julianna swings her sword and cuts off the snake's head.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: What is going on out here?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your daughter's been bitten by a milk viper. They're poisonous. Get an herbalist, right away!
Lucille, Countess of Nix: I will treat my daughter. I certainly can't trust anyone here to keep her safe!
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm sorry...
Charlotte, Lady Merva: I don't feel good.
Lucille, Countess of Nix: We will be returning home to Merva immediately.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your aunt has a point. Milk vipers are not native to this area. That snake should never have been here.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Someone may have tried to kill you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Will Charlotte be okay?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I don't know.
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 4
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Production 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: I was so worried about Charlotte, after that snake bit her...
Elodie, Crown Princess: But her mother said she's okay, so I guess it turned out all right.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Maybe she has a guardian angel!
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: What drastic action?
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean by drastic action?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Try to reach the crystal. If you can't, come and talk to me again.
Week 5
(Studied Accounting in the morning.)
(Studied Production 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: We have a Duke of Sedna?
Alice: ... No, my Lady. The duchy of Sedna is in Talasse.
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 Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Trade in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
As you are walking, you spot a familiar figure in the palace gardens.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (It's the Duchess of Ursul! Maybe I should go and say hello.)
Then you notice that seated beside her is a woman in the robes of a priestess. They are very close together, their hands gently touching as they speak.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Looks like she's busy!)
You turn and walk in a different direction, so as not to disturb them. At that moment, you notice something unusual. It looks like someone just left the palace grounds by going over the hedge.
Was that a servant? A thief? Or... an assassin?
Menu: [Climb up to look over the hedge] [Call the guards] [Run and hide]
Player chose: Call the guards
Elodie, Crown Princess: Guards!
However, by the time the response is organised and directed to the area beyond the palace, there's no sign of any intruder.
You wonder if you were only imagining it.
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
(Put on the economics outfit.)
Week 7
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Accounting 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!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (These things happen. It's not a big deal.)
Menu: [Accept her apology] [Apologise] [Punish her]
Player chose: Accept her apology
Elodie, Crown Princess: No real harm done. Please be more careful in the future.
Alice: Yes, my lady. Thank you.
You overwhelm the guards with facts and figures, explaining that you need treasury access to adjust the royal budget, which may affect their pay packets as well as the taxes assessed on their friends and family. They stand aside.
The glitter is dazzling, but some sixth sense draws you towards one little locked box in particular. This is what you need. This is the crystal that will make you a Lumen.
You tuck the box into your pocket. You can show it to your mentor later and get instructions on what to do next.
Week 8
(Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence 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: (Hmm. If it really works, that could be a very important invention.)
Menu: [Invest] [Don't invest]
Player chose: Invest
Elodie, Crown Princess: We would be happy to invest in your venture.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I got it!
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do I do now?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Pick up the crystal with your bare hands. Press it against your chest, over your heart, and say "Illuminate!"
Menu: [Do it] [Don't do it]
Player chose: Do it
Elodie, Crown Princess: Okay... Here we go... Illuminate!
You feel dizzy, and both larger and lighter than you were before. The crystal has disappeared from view, but you know where it is.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Wow.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The priestess here is a friend of mine. I will come to your lessons in the faith and train you to use your powers.
Week 9
(Studied Ciphering in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Intelligence 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!)
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
Week 10
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery 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: Execute him
Elodie, Crown Princess: And here you have our answer.
Elodie, Crown Princess: OFF WITH HIS HEAD!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Ship that back to Ixion. If they know what's good for them, they'll get out of my way.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 11
(Studied Public Speaking in the morning.)
(Studied Flattery in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
You receive a report on the outcome of the battle against the Ixionites.
You succeeded in driving them out of Maree, but it cost you almost a full battalion of soldiers and a great deal of materiel.
You lost 1032 soldiers.
Elodie, Crown Princess: The Duke of Maree will be happy, but we could have done better!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Dad, if this trouble with Ixion started years ago, why didn't Mom fix it?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Your mother told the Duke of Maree and the Duchess of Hellas that it was their problem and they should sort it out themselves.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Should I have done that?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The situation is different now. Everyone on all sides wishes to see what sort of Queen is coming to the throne.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Everyone is judging me.)
Week 12
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Court Manners 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 pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
Week 13
(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Court Manners.
(Studied Sense Magic 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 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 14
(Studied Resist Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic 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.)
When you return to the castle, your father is waiting for you.
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 attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 15
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic 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: Word has come from the factory for books that you funded. They have assembled enough equipment to begin printing test pamphlets.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As their royal sponsor, it is your right to decide the content of the first printing.
Menu: [Poems praising your mother] [Religious doctrine]
Player chose: Religious doctrine
Elodie, Crown Princess: We should take this opportunity to celebrate our devotion to the gods, especially the Good Lady.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The temples will be pleased by your piety.
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 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 16
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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 would rather not go
Elodie, Crown Princess: No... I guess I'd rather stay here.
You watch the procession from your tower window, feeling safe but lonely.
Suddenly, you hear someone moving around inside your room. You turn in surprise, but it's only a maid.
Alice: My lady? What are you - Should you not be in the procession?
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Skipping a major festival... Is everyone wondering about me?)
Menu: [Confess your fears] [Yell at her]
Player chose: Confess your fears
Elodie, Crown Princess: I can't go outside... there might be assassins.
Alice: Oh.
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 Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Voice 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.
No doubt every noble family with eligible sons has dreams of a royal wedding. Your choice will raise some hopes and dash others. Feuds could be born here.
The Duke of Kigal has not yet named any of his sons as his official heir, but his second son, Linley, was always kind to you at school. If you wished to show favor to Kigal, Linley would be your choice.
The Duchy of Elath is currently held in regency for its young lord Adair, who is only twelve and a head shorter than you are. Elath is a rich territory, and at least little Adair wouldn't try to take any liberties.
Dancing with Banion, the Duke of Maree, could be quite awkward if you did not actually wish to marry him. He has been waiting years for a powerful heiress to accept his suit.
Not all nobles are created equal. You could choose someone charming and unimportant, like the Earl of Mima, a territory too minor for anyone to consider it a threat. However, the major families might eat him alive afterwards.
If you wished to distract attention from your marital prospects, you could choose someone clearly ineligible. One of your uncles, or an older family man like the Earl of Ishtar, or even a woman, though that would be mildly scandalous.
Menu: [Linley of Kigal] [Adair, Young Lord of Elath] [Banion, Duke of Maree] [Chaine, Earl of Mima] [Armand, Duke of Mazomba] [Erwin, Earl of Ishtar] [Examine the women]
Player chose: Examine the women
As a Queen, few would dare comment about your choice of companions, but until you have provided an heir to the throne, there is great pressure on you to make an appropriate match. That doesn't mean you have to give in.
It might be entertaining to see the reaction of Julianna, Duchess of Ursul, if you asked her to dance with you. Would she be flustered, for once?
Brin, the Duchess of Hellas, is an attractive and unmarried woman. What might people think, seeing the two of you together?
The most important woman present, after yourself, is Arisse, Duchess of Lillah. She is married, elderly, a mother and grandmother many times over, but might be flattered by the acknowledgement of her status.
Or, if you truly wanted to set the court on its ear, you could demand your first dance with a mere servant. A maid - like Alice. The assembled nobles would be outraged.
Menu: [Julianna, Duchess of Ursul] [Brin, Duchess of Hellas] [Arisse, Duchess of Lillah] [Alice, the maid]
Player chose: Brin, Duchess of Hellas
You feel deliciously wicked at the expression of shock on her face, but it soon fades into something more ambiguous. Her hand in yours is warm, and too late, you wonder if you're playing with fire.
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.
You interact comfortably with your peers, leaving a wise word in every ear.
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 bravery and courage keep our borders defended.
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.
(Put on the lumen outfit.)
Week 18
(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
Alice: My lady, a bouquet has arrived for you.
The flowers are unusual - long spikes of red, thick with nectar and emitting a strong fragrance, nothing like the delicate blossoms in most vases.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Honey-flowers... that's code for a sweet and secret love!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: Who sent them?
Alice: The Duchess of Hellas, I believe.
Menu: [Accept them] [Reject them] [Give them to Alice]
Player chose: Accept them
Elodie, Crown Princess: Put them on display. I think they look nice.
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: 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 Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic 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.
Based on the records and notes of current expenditures, if you maintain the current rate of tax, you will still have nine thousand, one hundred and nineteen gold lassi and ninety silver tilassi available for special projects.
If you lower taxes, you will lose some of that money because it will go to pay your existing costs; if you raise taxes, you should have more.
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.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Pssst! I need to talk to you!
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: What is it?
Elodie, Crown Princess: That priestess, Selene... She's a Lumen! I can sense it!
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I know.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do you mean, you know? If you knew that, why didn't you tell me?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You didn't need to know.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Your job is managing the domain. Some of us have other duties. Our missions have been passed down for centuries, little princess.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: We are here to train you. You don't need to know any more than that.
Menu: [Order her to explain] [Let it go]
Player chose: Order her to explain
Elodie, Crown Princess: You're supposed to obey me! I order you to tell me everything you know!
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That would require more time than we have available. If you survive, you will learn.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Gahh!)
Week 20
(Studied Meditation in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic 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? This man is a Lumen! Where did he get a crystal?)
Menu: [Question him about crystal] [Pardon him] [Imprison him] [Execute him]
Player chose: Question him about crystal
Elodie, Crown Princess: It was a demon's magic that killed your wife? Not your own magic?
Condemned Man: ... So you know what I am.
He throws out his hands, and his fingertips elongate into floating strings of gold.
Condemned Man: DIE!
Golden chains slash at you like whips.
With so much warning, of course, it is easy for you to resist. His attack bounces harmlessly off your shields, the chains flying back in the direction from which they came... where they find an easier target.
Before your eyes, the renegade Lumen is choked to death by his own powers.
After a moment, an orange crystal materialises next to his body.
Elodie, Crown Princess: I guess I'll have to take that for safe keeping.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 21
(Studied Divination in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)
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 attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 22
(Studied Meditation in the morning.)
(Studied Lore 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: Leave him with Arisse
Elodie, Crown Princess: Adair must be upset enough already without us taking him away from his home.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Leave him with his stepmother.
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 23
(Studied Lore in the morning.)
Your skill in Lore is now 50. You may not increase this skill until your other Faith skills are 25 or higher.
(Studied Divination in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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: (I wonder if she also writes naughty poetry?)
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 creep through the castle dungeons, catching glimpses here and there of the fate that awaits troublemakers in this kingdom. Even nobles can end up here, sometimes. It's a good reminder to stay on the straight and narrow.
Week 24
(Studied Meditation in the morning.)
(Studied Decoration in the afternoon.)
You receive a letter from Young Lord Adair.
It's a bit messy and hard to read, but he seems to be thanking you for letting him stay with the family he knows.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 25
(Studied Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Lore 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!)
You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
Week 26
(Studied Instrument in the morning.)
(Studied Voice in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What a beautiful day!
Elodie, Crown Princess: It's nice to stop and breathe sometimes.
You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
Week 27
(Studied Instrument in the morning.)
(Studied Voice 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 Decoration in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Decoration 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 her mother
Elodie, Crown Princess: You should listen to your mother. She loves you, and she deserves your respect.
Lieke, Countess of Dis: Thank you, Your Highness.
Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury: I am the Duchess of Sudbury, and I must command respect of my own.
Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury: We're not children anymore, Elodie. If you let people treat you like that, you can't rule them.
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 pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
Week 29
(Studied Decoration in the morning.)
(Studied Decoration 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: Well, yes.
Briony, Lady Mead: So come with me! It'll be an awesome adventure. Our parents are going to be so impressed.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Is that what this is really about? Briony's parents?)
Menu: [Go with Briony] [Send her alone] [Tell her not to go] [Ask about Briony's parents]
Player chose: Ask about Briony's parents
Elodie, Crown Princess: Briony... What is going on with you and your family?
Briony, Lady Mead: Nothing.
Briony, Lady Mead: Really, nothing. Ever since Uncle Kevan moved in my parents don't want anything to do with me.
Briony, Lady Mead: I'm an adult now, you know!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Technically. She's sixteen.)
Briony, Lady Mead: And they still say I have to be at school all the time. I'm the heir, I should be spending time in Mead!
Elodie, Crown Princess: When did your uncle move in?
Briony, Lady Mead: I don't know, a few years ago. After Gran's divorce.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (The Duchess of Lillah divorced her second husband, and then he died.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (He would have been the stepfather of Briony's mother and uncle.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: That must have been a stressful time for your family.
Briony, Lady Mead: Yeah, I'm sure, but so what? That was years ago! They've had plenty of time to get over it!
Briony, Lady Mead: I just want them to pay attention to me. If I find the lost treasures of Nova, they have to notice.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You've already run away from school. If they don't notice that, they won't notice anything.
Briony, Lady Mead: You mean... it's hopeless???
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, I mean, all you need to do is stay here and wait. Getting into more trouble won't make a difference.
Briony, Lady Mead: Oh. I guess maybe you're right.
Briony, Lady Mead: Thanks, Elodie! You're smarter than I remembered.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Argh!
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 30
(Studied Accounting in the morning.)
(Studied Accounting in the afternoon.)
Alice: The Duchess of Mead is here to see you, my lady.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Elodie! Where is my daughter?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Which daughter?
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: You know very well that I only have one.
Briony, Lady Mead: Really, mother? Because sometimes I think you don't have one at all!
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Briony! Thank goodness you're all right.
Briony, Lady Mead: Oh, now you care? You certainly didn't want to see me before! You haven't let me come home in ages!
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Briony, darling, there are things you don't understand...
Briony, Lady Mead: I don't understand because you never tell me anything!
The Duchess sighs and embraces her daughter.
Corisande, Duchess of Mead: Very well. If that's what it will take. Come home with me, and I will explain everything.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Looks like everything worked out for the best!
You wander through the parts of the castle where other people rarely visit, but find little except spiderwebs. Yuck.
Week 31
(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Production 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: (How strange. There must be an open window somewhere.)
You receive a letter from Briony hinting at some of the complicated family drama that has been going on.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Her father keeps alternating between wanting a divorce and being afraid of losing his home.)
There's an extra section at the end of the letter written in code.
Unfortunately, you can't figure out what that part says.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Well, I hope she'll be happier now.)
You pay your respects to your mother's tomb, and wonder if the same fate is waiting for you.
Week 32
(Studied Dance in the morning.)
(Studied Flexibility 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: (That spoils the whole display!)
You pick off the dead leaves and adjust the floral arrangement, muttering under your breath about blind butlers.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (There! That's so much better.)
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!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Chocolate producers in Kigal usually ship goods down the Napo River through Ursul, not straight to the capital.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (This merchant house probably specialises in something else and only traded for the chocolate.)
There is a little card with the box - 'With Our Compliments, The House of Kraellat'.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (That's oddly high-handed for some tiny trader I've never heard of.)
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 creep through the castle dungeons, catching glimpses here and there of the fate that awaits troublemakers in this kingdom. Even nobles can end up here, sometimes. It's a good reminder to stay on the straight and narrow.
Week 33
(Studied Reflexes in the morning.)
(Studied Flexibility 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: None
Elodie, Crown Princess: I guess I'll just watch from my tower.
The tournament goes on without you.
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.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Good thing I didn't eat them!)
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have nine thousand, one hundred and sixteen gold lassi and forty-two silver tilassi.
Week 34
(Studied Reflexes in the morning.)
(Studied Flexibility 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: Don't
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, it's too late for 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.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 35
(Studied Dance in the morning.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
(Studied Flexibility 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 creep through the castle dungeons, catching glimpses here and there of the fate that awaits troublemakers in this kingdom. Even nobles can end up here, sometimes. It's a good reminder to stay on the straight and narrow.
Week 36
(Studied Flexibility in the morning.)
(Studied Horses 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?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (And he's a Lumen, too!)
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: Your game by your rules, for my life? That doesn't sound fair to me.
Togami: The rules of formal dueling have been passed down for centuries and must be upheld.
Togami: It is important that we do this by the ancient codes.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Why should I?
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: Accept his terms
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then... I must.
Togami explains the rules of formal dueling to you, including a carefully inscribed circle of wards which will contain the effects of any powers you wield, protecting bystanders from danger.
And then it is time to begin.
You trade attacks, one spell sensed and countered by another, reserving your strength as much as possible. It might almost be exciting if your life weren't on the line.
You need to end this quickly before his experience allows him to come up with a trick you can't defeat.
He's used to dealing with magical attacks, but he might not be expecting a physical one.
Perhaps if you rushed him, you could take him off guard? Up close, he couldn't use his fancy spells. But what would you do then?
You still have to use magic to win, you can't just grab him and bang his head against the floor.
Perhaps you could focus your power into the shape of a sword and attack him with that.
Or maybe if you could distract him somehow, you could cast a spell that he couldn't block?
Menu: [Magic sword] [Dazzle him]
Player chose: Dazzle him
Drawing on your knowledge of design and your control over light, you surround yourself with strands of rainbow color which flow over and around your image.
But that's only the beginning. Once you are in the cover of this prismatic 'shield', you can create a false image of yourself and step invisibly aside.
The strain of keeping up the illusion of yourself responding to Togami's attacks is high, you can't keep this up for long. You have to end it now.
Stepping up as close behind him as you dare to limit the time and space he has to react, you raise your hand and force out a high-speed disc of solid light.
It drives into his neck, killing him instantly.
You have won.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 37
(Studied Decoration in the morning.)
(Studied Reflexes in the afternoon.)
You may now play Sports on the weekends.
Once you defeated the King of Shanjia in a duel, the invasion was meant to be over. In practice, it is not quite so easy to expel a foreign army from your lands, particularly when their leadership is falling apart.
The remaining Shanjian generals seemed surprisingly eager to go home and left without a fuss, but a large number of soldiers have broken ranks and run amok, looting and pillaging their way through Nova just for fun.
A number of royal holdings have been damaged and valuables stolen. Not only do you lose them, but you will have to pay for repairs.
With so many renegades on the loose, Nova seems likely to have severe bandit problems for years to come.
You creep through the castle dungeons, catching glimpses here and there of the fate that awaits troublemakers in this kingdom. Even nobles can end up here, sometimes. It's a good reminder to stay on the straight and narrow.
Week 38
(Studied Decoration in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Decoration.
(Studied Reflexes in the afternoon.)
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.
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!)
You take to the court for a few games of tennis. Feel the thrill of competition!
Week 39
(Studied Dance in the morning.)
(Studied Dance in the afternoon.)
You may now attend Ballroom Dancing on the weekends.
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 are happy to collaborate with the designers to ensure you are shown off to the best possible effect. You are still so young, after all. Good design will help a lot in making you look like a Queen.
Others are more interested in the subject of your marriage.
Whomever you decide to marry will be elevated to the highest ranks of the nobility, which could mean a major shift in the balance of power. Therefore, everyone is talking about the top candidates, even though you're under no obligation to marry so young.
Talarist, the Duke of Sedna, is one option. Certainly he expressed interest in marrying you earlier. Your union would bring stronger ties to the domain of Talasse and improve the situation along the Elath border.
Then there is Banion, the Duke of Maree, a powerful and eligible noble only about ten years older than you.
You have received an interesting proposal from Banion's sister Brin, the Duchess of Hellas. She suggests that if you marry her brother, she might then wed your father, in which case she'd be able to see you more often.
There is Kevan, the Earl of Io. Although he is only an earl, his family connections could make him politically useful.
There's little Adair, the eventual Duke of Elath, although at twelve he's only a child.
At least he's almost old enough to understand the concept of romance - some people think you ought to marry Gwenelle's half-brother Anciet, who hasn't even turned nine yet!
There are two or three minor earls around the age of twenty who might be passable alternatives, and of course you could decide to ignore noble traditions entirely and marry a commoner... if you were prepared to deal with the uproar.
While you will need to marry eventually, you are still very young. You could put this decision off until later. However, a clear succession contributes to the stability of your domain. Are you leaning towards any option?
Menu: [Talarist] [Banion] [Kevan] [Adair] [Anciet] [No one]
Player chose: Banion
There's no time to pursue that thought at the moment, but perhaps in the future...
You take to the court for a few games of tennis. Feel the thrill of competition!
Week 40
(Studied Dance in the morning.)
(Studied Dance in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Dance.
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!)
Once his daughter was secure on her throne, Joslyn returned to his birthplace to focus on his duties as Duke of Caloris.
He soon became engaged to Brin, the Duchess of Hellas.
Following Elodie's victory over the Shanjian king, the public opinion of Lumens rose to a height that hadn't been seen in a hundred years. Young children would dress up and play at being magical kings and queens.
Freed from the need for secrecy, the Duchess Julianna and the Priestess Selene were able to announce their shared magical powers and their love. At Elodie's prompting, the lovers pledged their devotion to each other in a private ceremony, after which Selene retired from the priesthood to accompany her wife to Ursul.
As neither of them intended to bear children of the body, Julianna made arrangements for her niece Briony to be declared the next heir to the duchy of Ursul as well as the inheritor of her crystal. Briony's mother Corisande hoped that the training necessary to make her flighty daughter into a future magical girl warrior would keep her out of worse trouble.
After the failed invasion, relations with Shanjia remained tense.
First came the recriminations and demands from the Queen of Shanjia, devastated by the death of her husband, which Elodie ignored. Next came the subtler approaches, the quiet gratitude and offers for alliances from ministers who were thrilled to see Togami gone.
Elodie ignored those also, which was just as well, since the next thing to arrive was the preserved head of one of those 'traitorous' ministers, sent by the Queen of Shanjia as a warning.
There was no sign of war in the immediate future, but there was not likely to be alliance either.
Elodie proposed marriage to Banion, the Duke of Maree, and was accepted. They were attended at their wedding by Elodie's father Joslyn and Banion's sister Brin, who were themselves recently wed.
The complicated family entanglements continued through the years. Brin and Elodie developed a close friendship and were more often seen with each other than with their respective husbands, and their children considered themselves more siblings than cousins.
Which meant that the future Duke of Caloris would be Elodie's half-brother, nephew, and pseudo-step-son, all at the same time.
The invention of the printing press sparked the beginning of a new age of literacy and knowledge. No longer were books the sole preserve of the noble and wealthy; now information and ideas could be easily passed from one place to another. As the birthplace of this invention, Nova was at the center of a storm of change.
The social calendar throughout Elodie's reign was packed with games and galas, dances and competitions - not just for entertainment, but also to keep her rivals on their toes.
And thus Queen Elodie's legacy stretched into the future...
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