[LP CYOA] Epic

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

8A - Yes, she's an alien who has devoured living humans in order to increase her power - but look at that shapely posterior!

And those teeth! Good oral hygiene right there.
Seriously, though, I think the criteria would be better suite with 8B, since Ean never paid Sek's looks any attention after their first encounter and relied more on her brainpower.
Which may be why she teased him about "virginity." He didn't pay her any attention and even had the gall to pass her up for a couple of twenty-somethings with half her looks and none of her brians.

Eh, but he was being pressured to do so. Felt to me like he didn't really want to be married at that point. Her looks were the first thing he noticed about her and besides Sek, he didn't ever really developed feelings for anyone. His sex life before marriage was mostly prostitutes.
edit: And yes, he relied on her brains, but as far as attraction (which is what the question was about) it seems it was looks first and then later personality.

 

[Kukulkan]

Why not?

Having Katanas in a Europe that has had no contact with Japan is jarring and ruins the immersion.

Why would it have no contact with Japan?

Hmmm you have a point there.

 

[ScubaV]

You know, I think it's time to spice things up. For now, I'm putting in my vote based on an archetype, which I think would be the better way to do this. Could also flip to an Ean 2.0 suggestion, if it stands a chance.

The Distinguished Gentleman- a somewhat sophisticated, but infinitely prestigious young man from a poor background, working his way up with wit, guile and derring-do.
1A- Why, a gentleman and a scholar, of course.
2A- Such an up-and-coming young gentleman can't afford flights of fancy.
3A- and he must make connections.
4B- his lower-class upbringing made him a little rough around the edges, sadly. But someone of his drive will no doubt get over such an obstacle.
5A- cunning never did a gentleman harm and there is no dishonor in cunning.
6C- a distinguished man is nothing without his wit.
7B- Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite.
8B- such a partner, romantic or otherwise, would be a welcome addition.
9B- pick one's battles wisely and always adapt.
10B- a gentleman always knows when to bow out with dignity.

I like this idea. Consider my vote the same.

 

[Tigranes]

I flip to the Baltikan bandwagon as well - if only because it will allow us to resurrect the unfortunate Elias Kleinman.

 

[CaptainAwesome]

Baltikan vote.

 

[Bloodshifter]

Treave I have no words in which to express the awesomeness of that ending.

Did anyone noticed how we Created the Masters? (Technically)

Woot we finally get to stay with Sek forever now she can teach a Virgin!!!

School, Giant Mechas, and multiverse hijinks. Treave I could kiss ya.

As to the archtype
Edit never mind
1.A (Smarts)
2.B (Ean lives on!)
3.B (Kings must have pawns not friends)
4.A (We were a silver tongued devil)
5.C (who abhored lying not to mention we sucked at it)
6.A (Even at our best and weakest your Partner will support you)
7.B (Those fools shall die none can replace the worth of one who is OUR friend)
8.C (Only a few would get this reason but strong legs and great core)
9.A (A king changes the World and does not bend)
10.A (Why would we leave evryone to not bask in our Awesomeness?)

 

[treave]

The currently winning combination is:

AAAABCBBAA
AABAACABAA
ABAABCADAA
ABAABABBAA
AAABBBBBAA
AAABBCAABB
AAABBABDAA
AAABACBBBB
BBAACABAAB
AAABACBBBB
AAABACBBBB
AAABACBBBB
ABBACABCAA
ABAABBBBAA

1. A - 12
2. A - 9
3. A - 11
4. A - 7, B - 7
5. B - 7
6. C - 8
7. B - 11
8. B - 9
9. A - 9
10. A - 8

AAA(A/B)BCBBAA

Give me some time to put up the state of the world update, should be done within the next 12 hours, then within the next 24 we should start our beautiful school life in a town blooming with golden flowers. I'll keep the questionnaire vote up until the state of the world is released.

 

[Bloodshifter]

Gods our character prays to the God of Randomness doesn't he?

 

[Baltika9]

Just as good, I later realized treave wasn't making custom requests, so we'd end up with a shy, compulsively-lying neckbeard. Just as well, I suppose. Tigranes, I thought of him more as a lower-class rogue with a sharp wit, silver tongue (albeit one that needs polishing, a lot of it), killer fashion sense and a rapier and pistol at his side. Basically, a standard Renaissance gentleman-of-fortune.
root: all good, time to kick Luci's ass. Or serve him, either works for me.

 

[Storyfag]

The Renaissance was a thousand years ago. And ended with Diogenes Camna becoming the ur-Master. Think along more modern lines. Or into the future.

 

[Baltika9]

True, but I meant the general vibe of the character. And we have yet to see the state of the world, mayhaps monarchies are alive and well.

 

[GreyViper]

1. How did you gain entry to the Academy?
A. Academic scholarship.

2. Are you more of a pragmatist or an idealist?
B. Idealist.

3. Do you like making friends?
A. Yes.

4. Are you good at making friends?
A. Yes.

5. Is lying ever acceptable?
B. Yes, if it is necessary to avoid greater harm.

6. From the list below, select the one thing most important to you.
B. Power


7. Would you sacrifice the life of a loved one to save a hundred strangers?
B. No.


8. What attracts you in a partner?
B. Smarts

9. If you are unhappy with the state of things, you would rather change:
A. The world.

10. Do you want to live forever?
A. Yes.

So few questions, can we go for the harem ending and is the new protagonist geneticly special or just normal?

 

[TOME]

treave, just a few more question. When was Shulgi at the peak of his powers and just how powerful he was at the time compared to other immortals? And what was Dio's backup plan? Take the Tree out for a ride? Wouldn't that have failed since the sphere was already forming?

 

[treave]

So few questions, can we go for the harem ending and is the new protagonist geneticly special or just normal?

There might be less romance than you expect. As for the protagonist, it's a mystery.

treave, just a few more question. When was Shulgi at the peak of his powers and just how powerful he was at the time compared to other immortals? And what was Dio's backup plan? Take the Tree out for a ride? Wouldn't that have failed since the sphere was already forming?

Peak Shulgi was just before his defeat, and he would've been able to defeat Super Marduk with the equivalent of maybe a vigorous thirty minute workout. Dio planned to retreat to the Sacred Tree. The egg hatched quicker than expected because of Ean absorbing the Tree, actually, which did its subconscious best to slow down the process so that it could mine more resources. If not, it would've hatched just as the Tree was ready.

Or you could call it convenient plot timing...

edit: The 'state of the world' has been turned into a timeline, and it's taking a bit longer than expected. Should be out soon though.

 

[Baltika9]

Did Shulgi and Naram ever hear of Ean's "achievements" and achevements, and if so, what were their thoughts on the matter? Picard-style facepalm or ?

As for the protagonist, it's a mystery.

Mecha-Cthulhu?

 

[treave]

Interlude: A Brief History (3000 - 4000 A.C.)

3010 A.C.
Collapse of the Concordiat; the entirety of East Asia is rendered uninhabitable at the end of the Time of Troubles. Most of the survivors cross the sea to Japan, once a vassal of the Concordiat and relatively untouched by the destruction of the Sacred Tree. Others migrate westward and settle in the kingdom of Tamur.

3011 A.C.
Astronomers of the Old Shinar Empire note that the stars have radically changed position since the end of the Time of Troubles. Astrologers claim that their fortune-telling charts have always accounted for the new positions.

3014 A.C.
The various wayward kingdoms of the Old Shinar Empire officially return to the fold.

3087 A.C.
The Indus Empire completes its absorption of the former vassals of the Concordiat.

3089 A.C.
The first commercial steam engines are introduced in Skane. Free Scania is brought under the aegis of the Shinar Empire.

3099 A.C.
The Indus Empire invades Assyro-Babylonia, assuming Shinari weakness. The forces of the Shinari push back the Indus army with ease. Further assaults are swiftly repelled, though no land is gained by either side. An unstable peace sets in.

3152 A.C.
A virulent plague originates from the Indus Empire, spreading like wildfire throughout the continent. The young are particularly susceptible. 26 million people die in the first year.

3155 A.C.
The plague continues to spread, with casualties nearing 60 million. Economic and technological progress begin to slow. The Indus Empire fragments into multiple small kingdoms.

3158 A.C.
More than 200 million have fallen victim to the sickness, reducing the world’s population by 25% compared to the turn of the century. An entire generation of children has been lost to the plague. Rebellions in Skane depose the monarchy and turn it into a republic.

3160 A.C.
A cure for the plague is synthesized from Inanna flowers growing in Olympus. The structured bureaucracy of the Old Shinar Empire helps its swift distribution.

3200 A.C.
The first steamship is built in the docks of Hispalis. The Rus tribes coalesce under one king to form the kingdom of Rus.

3250 A.C.
Intrepid explorers begin setting out for the western continent.

3254 A.C.
The first steamship from the Old Empire reaches the New World.

3300 A.C.
The first Hispalian colony is established on the eastern coasts of the New World. It is named New Hispalia, exhibiting the chronic lack of naming creativity that has plagued the Old Shinar Empire for millennia.

3301 A.C.
Proposals to call the New World ‘Diogenesland’ are shot down by the Council of Nobles

3302 A.C.
The Council of Nobles officially names the New World ‘Shulgiland’ after an ancient Sumerian king. Rumours of massive amounts of currency being exchanged in shady parlours abound.

3366 A.C.
Multiple technological developments happen concurrently in various fields. This year would be known later on as the Year of Industry.

3370 A.C.
Agricultural advances reduce reliance of the northern kingdoms on the breadbaskets of the south.

3380 A.C.
A conglomerate of merchant guilds establish the first factory in Etrurea. The first trade delegations from Japan reach the Old Empire, calling themselves the Higashi, Kingdom of the East.

3400 A.C.
An increasing reliance on coal for steam power causes conflicts with the Indus kingdoms.

3415 A.C.
The Skane Republic declares independence over lack of compensation for its coal reserves. The Great Civil War begins.

3425 A.C.
The Great Civil War ends with the independence of most of the client kingdoms of the Shinari. The Old Empire is reduced to the kingdoms of Assyro-Babylonia, Egypt and Hatti.

3441 A.C.
Republicanism spreads throughout the continent as Hispalis and Etrurea replace their kings with directly elected representatives.

3443 A.C.
The various colonies of Shulgiland declare independence while the old continent is mired in its troubles. No one really notices.

3470 A.C.
A failed revolution in the Old Empire ends with a very minor branch of the Imperial family coming to power instead of nationalists. The Empire is given the appellate ‘New’.

3500 A.C.
The New Shinar Empire begins earnest exploration of the African continent as part of their new policy to ‘Look South’.

3511 A.C.
Steam-powered blimps are introduced.

3531 A.C.
Frequent transcontinental flights begin.

3561 A.C.
Large swathes of Africa are colonized by the New Shinar Empire. Conflicts with natives are frequent.

3598 A.C.
The Indus Confederation comes into being, patterned after the Shinari representative system of government.

3617 A.C.
The Higashi colonize Australia.

3666 A.C.
Political tensions begin to rise between the New Shinar Empire and the Indus Confederation over colonial concerns. The Indus Confederation signs a defense pact with the Higashi.

3681 A.C.
Fuel combustion engines begin to supplant the dated steam technology at a rapid rate. The anonymous inventor has been popularly quoted as saying “You people are loving steam a little too much, and that’s getting you nowhere.”

3700 A.C.
War breaks out between the New Shinar Empire and the Indus Confederation. The fighting takes place mainly in Africa.

3701 A.C.
The Higashi join the war on the side of the Indus.

3703 A.C.
The New Shinar Empire loses its African holdings. They decide to strike directly at the Indus Confederation.

3708 A.C.
The Indus Confederation’s capital is captured, but they continue to fight.

3709 A.C.
Higashi troops aid the Indus Confederation in pushing the New Shinar Empire out.

3710 A.C.
The aeroplane is invented in the New Shinar Empire. It is promptly put to use as a weapon.

3711 A.C.
Indus Confederation warships break through into the Mediterranean and begin laying waste to shipping. The northern nations decide unanimously to aid the New Shinar Empire militarily.

3714 A.C.
The United Nations of Shulgiland (UNS) are formed as a neutral alliance against pressure to interfere from the Shinar, the northern nations, or the Higashi.

3715 A.C.
The combined forces of the New Shinar Empire and the northern nations succeed in breaking the Indus Confederation, and it surrenders.

3716 A.C.
The Higashi pragmatically agree to stop the war. The terms of settlement turn the Indus into a Higashi puppet.

3720 A.C.
Discontent elements within the New Shinar Empire start a rebellion over the massive reduction in living standards since the war.

3722 A.C.
The revolution in the New Empire ends with another very minor branch of the Imperial family coming to power. The Empire is given the appellate ‘Neo’. No one is bothered to point out that the meaning is the same.

3730 A.C.
The first computer is invented in the UNS.

3750 A.C.
Massive improvements in technology and living standards occur all over the world. The anonymous inventors that are responsible are popularly quoted as saying, “You people really are getting nowhere by yourselves, even with a big war under your belts. Hopefully this will be the last time.”

3751 A.C.
The Imperial family go into business, leveraging their resources and connections to form the Imperial Shinar Corporation (ISC). It soon becomes the most powerful company in the world thanks to its successful monopolization of the previous year’s inventions, helped by its reputation for being politically neutral despite being run by the head of state of an empire.

3781 A.C.
Mankind begins to look beyond the skies.

3790 A.C.
The first rocket is sent into the upper atmosphere by the Neo Shinar Empire.

3800 A.C.
The first satellite is launched by the ISC, broadcasting the popular folk song, “Flowers of Inanna”

3803 A.C.
The UNS succeeds in sending the first man into space. The first man into space does not succeed in getting back alive.

3805 A.C.
The Higashi succeed in bringing back a man from space. Alive.

3810 A.C.
The UNS lands a probe on the moon, claiming it for themselves.

3811 A.C.
The ISC lands a bigger probe atop the UNS’s probe, crushing it.

3815 A.C.
After several instances of trial and error that send several dozen astronauts flying off into space with no hope of return, the ISC succeeds in having the first man on the moon. The UNS fails to land their man atop the ISC's man and concedes the moon race to the Neo Shinar Empire.

3820 A.C.
Several space stations are launched by the space-faring nations.

3830 A.C.
The Higashi and the UNS collaborate to begin construction of the first space colony.

3831 A.C.
The human population passes 6 billion. The Neo Shinar Empire collaborates with the northern nations to begin construction of a moon base.

3860 A.C.
The first space colony is completed along with the moon base. They are named “Peace” and “Hope”, respectively.

3881 A.C.
A ring of solar panels around the Earth is proposed as a means of clean, cheap energy. Initial investments would require the cooperation of all nations.

3892 A.C.
The Solar Ring project is approved. Construction of relays begin. At the same time, a rival energy project is started based on helium fusion.

3900 A.C.
The ISC begins researching Inanna flowers, which appear to have the ability to terraform inhospitable land. East Asia serves as a testbed for their research.

3905 A.C.
The first mechanoid power-suits are created for space work, powered by self-contained fusion reactors.

3923 A.C.
The first successful manned mission to Mars happens.

3933 A.C.
Construction of a Mars base begins. The Solar Ring project is completed.

3950 A.C.
The population of humanity in space surpasses 500 million.

3968 A.C.
Mankind reaches Jupiter and begins constructing helium-3 mines.

3980 A.C.
The first Inanna flowers are successfully grown on modified soil on the moon.

4000 A.C.
The population of the world surpasses 10 billion. Of that number, 2 billion people currently do not reside on Earth.

 

[m4davis]

Well I know I caught shulgi's technological pushes did you also ean is now the cure to a terrible plague and the key component in terraforming and finally we had a um interesting space race

 

[Baltika9]

"Shulgiland," eh? I wonder what other hijinks he was up to while high in Inanna flowers.
And is Ean still remembered? Anything named after him, or did he get screwed in terms of memory by generations?
I think I speak for all of us when I ask: have RPGs been invented yet and has the popamole set in?

Edit: oh, and does the Imperial Academy provide education for military officer corps?

 

[Kukulkan]

Are there any states in the New World outside of the ones the Europeans have established?

 

[treave]

The military is a university pathway. As for the New World, the UNS is not exactly a US expy. The members include many indigenous states spanning North and South America. Colonization in this world was a tad less brutal and less driven by God and gold.

 

[Kukulkan]

Does Japan intend to extend its control over to East Asia and begin some conquests of South East Asia?

 

[treave]

It already controls SE Asia via the Indus Confederation. East Asia is still no man's land, but they do have a joint research facility there with the ISC.

 

[Kukulkan]

What is the largest religion in the world so far? Is there an equivalent to socialism in Epic Europe?

 

[Baltika9]

So the Neo Shina'Ar Empire is basically this world's United Kingdoms expy? What about the Rus' current situation?
What about Nazism and communism, these ideologies around yet?
Also, how big exactly are the mechs right now? Power armor sized or Warhound titan sized?
Edit: and, finally, does any nation have an equivalent of the Commissariat?

 

[treave]

Society is mostly irreligious. You do get these weird cults springing up every decade or so, but they are usually quickly quashed. Rus is a normal nation. Fascism and socialism are known concepts but no Nazism or Communism. The people instrumental in creating those particular ideologies never appeared here. Mechs are about 7 metres. No commissars here, you might want to check out something called WH40k for those.