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 Accounting 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.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 2

(Studied Accounting 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 Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Production 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: Look down
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.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
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: I'll try to find a way
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right. I will try to get into the treasury.
(Put on the economics outfit.)
Week 5

(Studied Accounting in the morning.)
(Studied Accounting 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: Something sparkly will make me feel better.
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 6

(Studied Production in the morning.)
(Studied Trade in the afternoon.)
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: Run and hide
You rush back to the safety of your stone tower. Better safe than sorry!
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 7

(Studied Production in the morning.)
(Studied Trade in the afternoon.)
As you are walking up the stairs, a maid comes running down holding a towering pile of linen.
Before you can react, she barrels into you, sending you and the sheets flying.
Alice: Oh, my lady! I'm so sorry!
Menu: [Apologise] [Punish her]
Player chose: Apologise
Elodie, Crown Princess: No, it was my fault. I should have gotten out of your way.
Alice: ... If you say so, my lady.
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 8

(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Strategy 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.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 9

(Studied Logistics in the morning.)
(Studied Naval Strategy in the afternoon.)
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Your Highness, my sympathies for your loss. Even after all these years I sometimes forget that my own mother will never be coming back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Thank you.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: However, I must call for your aid. The Ixionite occupation of the county of Imbrium has gone on for too long. Now is the time to push back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I know there's been some problems with Ixion, but I don't know the details. I guess they're occupying southern Maree.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (We have plenty of troops, so it shouldn't be that hard to drive them out, if we want to make a fight of it.)
Menu: [Try to negotiate] [Prepare for battle]
Player chose: Prepare for battle
Elodie, Crown Princess: Well, if they want a fight, then we'll give it to them. I will arrange for troops to be sent to your aid.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Now that I'm a Lumen, I bet I could make the Ixionites run screaming with a little bit of magic.)
Menu: [Use battle-magic] [Don't]
Player chose: Use battle-magic
Elodie, Crown Princess: They'll find we have some surprises up our sleeves!
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Thank you, Your Highness.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Your Highness, if I may ask... That necklace you're wearing. Where did it come from?
Elodie, Crown Princess: It was a gift from the Duke of Sedna.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Then, you have made arrangements with him?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Um... What sort of arrangements?
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Your Highness, that is a courting gift. The man wishes to gain your hand in marriage.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Oh. I didn't realise.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 10

(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)
The campaign against the invaders in Maree has been concluded.
The Ixionites were initially cowed by the appearance of a Lumen, but rallied themselves to give you a good fight. Still, your magical skills encouraged your troops and you were victorious, losing only 573 soldiers.
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have nine thousand, one hundred and twenty-two gold lassi and twenty-six silver tilassi.
Week 11

(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There are reports that a keythong has been sighted leaving the Old Forest.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What's a keythong?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: A beast with the body of an enormous golden cat, a sharp beak, and spikes on its back.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Eek!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Several disappearances in southern Caloris are already thought to be the work of this creature.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What do we do? Should we send hunters?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The traditional policy on stray beasts is to hope that they return to the forest and stay there.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Hunters are no match for such creatures. You would only make it angry and waste more lives.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So... we just let it eat people?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Everyone dies in the end.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Also, there is a letter for you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Talarist, the Duke of Sedna, will be arriving next week for an official visit.)
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 Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
Talarist, Duke of Sedna: Ah, Your Highness. What a pleasure it is to meet you in person at last. Your description did not do you justice.
Elodie, Crown Princess: *giggle*
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't know how to deal with handsome older men paying me compliments!)
Talarist, Duke of Sedna: I was so pleased to hear that you had accepted my humble offering. A jewel for a jewel - but you are the more precious.
Talarist, Duke of Sedna: I hope that this is only the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship. A union between us would bring stability to both our peoples.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (He really does want to marry me!)
Menu: [Accept his offer] [Politely decline]
Player chose: Politely decline
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I need to let him down gently.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: I am not marrying you! I'm only fourteen!
Elodie, Crown Princess: (... That may not have been gentle.)
Talarist, Duke of Sedna: ... I see.
Talarist, Duke of Sedna: I regret the misunderstanding.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
The game will now attempt to save the log and open it in a web browser.
Menu: [Continue] [Cancel]
Player chose: Cancel
(Put on the lumen outfit.)
Week 13

(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist 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: Put her to work
Elodie, Crown Princess: This woman failed in her goals. She harmed no one. I do not require her life.
Elodie, Crown Princess: If she is kept far away from your sister's court, she will no longer be a threat.
Kevan, Earl of Io: You're going to forgive her?!?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm indenturing her, not pardoning her. She will serve as a heavy laborer in northern Ursul.
Kevan, Earl of Io: She should be made an example of! She should be drawn and quartered in a public square!
Elodie, Crown Princess: I have spoken!
Condemned Woman: Gods bless you, miss!
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 14

(Studied Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Lore 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 is a woman here to see you. She wishes Crown funding for a project.
Woman: Thank you for seeing me, Your Royal Highness. I... I come to you on behalf of the people.
Woman: I wish to build a hospital where any citizen afflicted with disease can be brought for treatment.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Putting all the sick people together? Wouldn't that make them die even faster?)
Elodie, Crown Princess: We are not interested.
You sneak 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 15

(Studied Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Lore 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] [Army recruitment] [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 is absolutely furious about that woman's trial.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (She's bored and looking for an adventure. Well, I don't have any to suggest to her!)
You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't like it if he finds out.
Week 16

(Studied Meditation in the morning.)
(Studied Divination in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Today is the procession and planting for the Festival of the Good Lady. Will you be leading the parade?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: If you have any concerns about your safety, please, stay here.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The people will recover from disappointment; if we lose you, there is no recovery.
Menu: [I will lead the parade] [I will parade and make a speech] [I would rather not go]
Player chose: I 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: (It's a major festival, but there are other ways to celebrate.)
Menu: [Confess your fears] [Yell at her] [Make religious excuse]
Player chose: Make religious excuse
Elodie, Crown Princess: I prefer to give thanks for the Good Lady's blessings by meditating.
Alice: That's very wise of you, my lady.
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 17

(Studied Meditation in the morning.)
(Studied Divination in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Are you ready for the grand ball?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: All the nobles in the domain are here to see you - to see their queen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (gulp!)
You finish dressing and descend the stairs to make a grand entrance.
All around, the rich and powerful pause in their activities to gaze upon you, the ruler of them all.
Seeing yourself reflected in so many eyes makes you want to run away and hide.
After a moment, you force yourself to carry on, but you're sure they've all seen you hesitate.
Your father waits for you at the bottom of the stairs and offers you his arm.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The first dance is for us.
He guides you gently around the dance floor, never rushing you. It's fun to dance with your father, but the look in his eyes is so sad.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: After this, you must choose your own partner. There are a number of men who hope to catch your eye.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The Duke of Kigal alone has brought three eligible sons, all near your age.
You look around the room at all your possible partners - which is to say, everyone. No one may begin dancing until you do. You can pick whomever you want and you will not be denied.
Menu: [Someone about your age] [Someone younger than you] [Someone older than you] [Someone already married] [Someone scandalous]
Player chose: Someone scandalous
You don't want everyone assuming that whoever you pick first is your intended marriage partner, so why not make your choice as ridiculous as possible?
With that in mind, you approach the Duchess of Ursul.
You admit to yourself that you were hoping such an outrageous act would cause her to lose some of her composure, but she remains unruffled. At least the chorus of shocked whispers around you as you take your place on the floor is gratifying.
Dancing with a real partner feels quite different from dancing with your father. You knew him, knew his steps like a part of you. Now every move is a mystery.
Unfortunately, you lose track of which steps you're supposed to do when, and trip over your own feet. Oops!
Between the dances, there is time for the guests to mingle, chat, and sample tiny bites of exquisite food.
During a lull in the music, Banion, the duke of Maree, taps an elegant fingernail against a wineglass, letting the clear note ring out through the room.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: If I might have your attention?
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: I believe we should offer our compliments to our lovely hostess.
Banion, Duke of Maree, Earl of Serenitatis: Her 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?
You sneak out of the castle to have a little fun. You enjoy your freedom, but your father won't like it if he finds out.
(Put on the faith outfit.)
Week 18

(Studied Divination in the morning.)
(Studied Divination in the afternoon.)
You wander downstairs to visit your father and talk about the latest events in the domain.
You're moving with such enthusiasm that you don't realise your father isn't alone until it's too late to avoid him and his... companion.
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: You are too kind, Joslyn.
Countess Sirin. Not a member of your circles - she's a bit more than a decade your senior, far too old to have ever been your friend. And yet, not at all old, as noblewomen go.
She has two minor titles, no husband, and your father's arm in her grasp.
How dare she make a move on your father?
Menu: [Shame her with silent scorn] [Insult her with false flattery] [Trip her as she passes]
Player chose: Shame her with silent scorn
You meet her eyes and imagine your mother's disapproving presence behind you.
She notices your stare, but only smiles at you ever-so-sweetly.
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: Darling Elodie. I hope you have been well.
Elodie, Crown Princess: ... Fine.
Sirin, Countess of Miranda and Callisto: Perhaps we'll be seeing more of each other in the future.
She gives a little wave and exits.
Once she's gone, you raise an eyebrow at your father.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Don't give me that look, young lady. She's a nice woman, nothing more.
Elodie, Crown Princess: She wants something more!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: And it's not going to happen any time soon.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You should be careful how you deal with people like Sirin. You need the goodwill of your nobles as well as your commoners.
Elodie, Crown Princess: There haven't been any problems so far.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Many dark looks were aimed your way at the gala.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As Queen, you must be aware of everything around you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I am paying attention to what's around me!)
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have nine thousand, one hundred and twenty gold lassi and sixty-one silver tilassi.
Week 19

(Studied Divination in the morning.)
(Studied Divination 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 twenty gold lassi and thirty-six 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: Raise taxes
Elodie, Crown Princess: We need more money. Raise the taxes.
Elodie, Crown Princess: If we adjust this and this here, most people won't even notice the difference.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Only the ones who can afford it will pay more.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 20

(Studied Lore in the morning.)
(Studied Lore 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: (I do feel some kind of magic around him. Is it possible that he's telling the truth?)
Menu: [Pardon him] [Imprison him] [Execute him]
Player chose: Pardon him
Elodie, Crown Princess: I'm very sorry for your loss. The monsters are responsible, not you. Don't blame yourself.
Elodie, Crown Princess: The priestess of the royal grove will take care of purifying you.
Condemned man: Bless you, Your Majesty!
A walk in the fresh air helps you forget the burdens on your shoulders.
Week 21

(Studied Meditation in the morning.)
(Studied Meditation 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: Climb out and grab it
You take a moment to look at where you'll have to climb in order to reach your target.
It's so close! You just need to put your foot here, and your hand there, and then reach a little bit more...
...
... OW!
You're lucky you didn't break your neck, but your bruises are going to make it difficult to do anything strenuous for a while.
Elodie, Crown Princess: There's something I don't understand.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: What is it?
Elodie, Crown Princess: Magical powers are connected to Lumen crystals, right?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That is correct.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But I can make myself glow by concentrating the right way, and it doesn't feel like it uses the crystal at all.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Let me see.
You concentrate, and your skin begins to glimmer.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You're right. It's not proper magic. It's something else.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Is that bad?
She holds her hands above your shoulders, moving slowly down along your arms.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: I sense no danger. Ignore it. It's a distraction.
Menu: [Drop the subject] [Keep pushing]
Player chose: Keep pushing
Elodie, Crown Princess: There are a million magical secrets I don't know, but I'm trying to learn.
Elodie, Crown Princess: This one affects me personally! I need to know what's causing it.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Very well. If I had to guess, I suspect it has something to do with your mother's powers.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: She was already a Lumen when she bore you. Some small trickle of that energy may have passed into you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So the daughter of an active Lumen might have strange powers...
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: That is hardly a power. It's a quirk. It's not worth wasting time on.
(Put on the lumen outfit.)
Week 22

(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic 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: Send him to your uncle
Elodie, Crown Princess: What about your brother Armand? He would be a safe pair of hands to watch over Adair.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: As you wish.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 23

(Studied Wield Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Wield Magic in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Wield Magic.
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?)
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 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 24

(Studied Sense Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Sense Magic in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Sense Magic.
You receive a letter from Young Lord Adair.
So far, he's enjoying himself with your uncle Armand in Mazomba. He says the trees look different, and there are a lot more frogs. He looks forward to visiting the lookout fort at Shepherd's Point.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 25

(Studied Resist Magic in the morning.)
(Studied Resist Magic in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Resist Magic.
Staring up into the sky out your window, you notice a strange flash of light.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (A falling star at that angle... It means war is coming to Nova!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (At least, it might. Not every sign in the stars is meant for me.)
Still, if there is a war about to happen, this forewarning gives you time to prepare and build your strength.
Menu: [Hire more soldiers] [Do nothing]
Player chose: Hire more soldiers
You make a note to have the recruiters try to get more soldiers ready for the army.
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 faith outfit.)
Week 26

(Studied Lore in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Lore.
(Studied Meditation in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I have unpleasant news to report.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Talarist, the Duke of Sedna, has instituted high tariffs and trade restrictions at the Elath border.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Business is disrupted, and there are growing shortages of supplies.
Menu: [Send emergency aid] [Do nothing]
Player chose: Send emergency aid
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then the royal treasury will pay to keep the people fed.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
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 27

(Studied Lore in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Lore.
(Studied Divination in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Divination.
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.)
You remember dreaming about a road through a dark forest, surrounded by monsters like the keythong your father told you about. Of course, the Old Forest is nowhere near Sudbury.
Menu: [Go to Sudbury for Gwenelle's party] [Send your regrets]
Player chose: Send your regrets
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I'd better stay here.)
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
The game will now attempt to save the log and open it in a web browser.
Menu: [Continue] [Cancel]
(Put on the economics outfit.)
Week 28

(Studied Trade in the morning.)
(Studied Production in the afternoon.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: *sigh*
Elodie, Crown Princess: (All of my friends are at Gwenelle's party and I don't get to go.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I sent Gwenelle a letter saying that I couldn't come, but it was her mother the Countess who replied.)
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I think she's insulted that I didn't consider the event important enough to attend.)
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 29

(Studied Trade in the morning.)
You have nothing more to learn about Trade.
(Studied Production in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Production.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Matters have come to a crisis. Arisse, the Duchess of Lillah, has declared civil war.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?!?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Apparently she feels that you are a weak leader, unfit to be Queen, and has managed to sway several others to her banner.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Who is against me?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: A number of minor earls and countesses. The Duchess of Mead and the Duke of Kigal.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The Duchess of Sudbury is with Lillah.
Elodie, Crown Princess: But Gwenelle's my friend!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Sudbury is completely surrounded by rebel duchies. She may not have a choice.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The situation in Hellas and Maree is less clear.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What forces can she muster, and what are we still holding?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: We have four battalions, three companies, and one platoon.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The naval side is, of course, useless in this conflict.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: By my estimate, Arisse can field five battalions, three companies, and two platoons.
Elodie, Crown Princess: That's not good.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: It will come down to a question of strategy.
Elodie, Crown Princess: We have that printing factory, right? Get them to write up some sheets to denounce Arisse!
Elodie, Crown Princess: If the soldiers read those, they might change their minds about following her.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I hope it will be effective.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There are ways to increase the number of soldiers you have available.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could offer to pardon various imprisoned criminals in exchange for military service.
Menu: [Pardon criminals] [Don't]
Player chose: Pardon criminals
Elodie, Crown Princess: All right, let's do that. Criminals probably already know how to fight.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
Forces are in motion, but they will take time to reach their peak.
Sitting in on court sessions is not fun at all, but it pleases your father and it may be important for your future.
Week 30

(Studied Accounting in the morning.)
(Studied Meditation in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Meditation.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The negotiator for the rebels has arrived to speak with you.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Surrender now and I will be lenient.
Diplomat: We are not here for our surrender. We are here for yours.
Diplomat: You have one chance to avoid needless bloodshed.
Diplomat: Agree to marry one of Duchess Arisse's sons. She will become your regent and guide the domain into stability.
Diplomat: You will be allowed to maintain a figurehead title.
Menu: [Agree] [Refuse] [Suggest compromise]
Player chose: Refuse
Elodie, Crown Princess: I am the Queen, and I will not give in to threats.
Diplomat: Since we cannot come to an agreement, we will meet you on the battlefield.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 31

(Studied Logistics in the morning.)
(Studied Naval Strategy in the afternoon.)
You have unlocked a new outfit!
War rages for control of Nova.
As defending Queen, you are required to take personal control of your forces.
Your control of magic enhances your claim to divine right of rulership.
Your Lumen powers cause chaos among your enemies with explosive displays and waves of terror. You lack the strength to take on a whole army by yourself, of course, but they don't need to know that.
Battles are won and lost, fallen soldiers decorating the landscape. The final outcome...
... is a victory for your side.
Your forces sweep through the rebellious duchies and are met with cheers by the local population. Arisse, the ringleader, is executed, and the other rebels forced to pay tribute to keep their holdings.
Of course, there is also a cost paid in lives.
Total casualties were nine tenths of a battalion on your side and three and a quarter battalions among the rebels.
Of course, there are no more rebel soldiers now - they are once more your loyal subjects.
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.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Where did she get a crystal? All the Lumens in the domain were supposed to have been wiped out two hundred years ago!
Elodie, Crown Princess: Except for your ancestor.
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!)
(Put on the military outfit.)
Week 32

(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
You may now tour the Barracks on the weekends.
(Studied Strategy 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: Gold
Elodie, Crown Princess: A purse of gold for the champions!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well. I will draft the announcements.
You leave him to his work.
As you move through the hall, your eye falls upon a vase of flowers. Pretty, but apparently not getting enough water. The leaves on one blossom have shriveled.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (A leaf killed by a secret weakness... A hidden threat.)
You continue up the stairs to your room, where a maid is waiting for you.
Alice: My lady, a gift has arrived from Kigal.
Elodie, Crown Princess: From the Duke?
Alice: No, my lady. A merchant house, I believe. It was sent with a shipment down the Cavalla River.
You tear open the brightly colored paper, to find:
Elodie, Crown Princess: Chocolates!
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'.
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 are impressed by the discipline of the Novan troops, but the responsibility for their lives weighs heavily on your shoulders.
There are approximately seven battalions and two platoons under your direct command.
Week 33

(Studied Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Strategy in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Strategy.
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.
When you ask questions, it turns out that the merchant house which supposedly sent you this present never existed.
Someone has tried to kill you... but you don't know who.
You are impressed by the discipline of the Novan troops, but the responsibility for their lives weighs heavily on your shoulders.
There are approximately seven battalions and two platoons under your direct command.
Week 34

(Studied Naval Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Naval Strategy in the afternoon.)
Alice: My lady, your father wishes to speak with you. He says it's urgent.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine, I'm coming.
You find your father standing over a map of the coastline, his face grave.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Ships have been sighted on approach from Shanjia. Not tradeships - this is a warfleet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: What?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Within a week they will be in Novan waters. Within two they could reach the capital.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Then we will fight to defend ourselves.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You can try to use the treasury funds to hire additional soldiers, but it may be difficult on short notice.
Menu: [Recruit soldiers] [Don't]
Player chose: Recruit soldiers
Elodie, Crown Princess: Fine, we'll do that.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You will need to draw up a naval strategy for our ships to carry out.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You could choose to act as admiral and lead the fleet in person, but the danger to you would be very great.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Unless you think your personal skills will make the difference, I would strongly advise against it.
Menu: [Direct the fleet] [Stay in the capital]
Player chose: Direct the fleet
Elodie, Crown Princess: The risk is mine to take.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You have your mother's heart.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: There is one more thing. I hesitate to ask, but...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: An invasion...
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This is the sort of disaster for which a Lumen's power may be worth the cost.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: If the fleet could be destroyed before they reached our waters, many lives would be saved.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I don't know any magic that could sink a whole fleet!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: I... I'll have to talk to my mentor.
You find the Duchess of Ursul in her guest quarters.
Elodie, Crown Princess: A fleet from Shanjia is attacking us. Is it possible to sink them all with magic?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It is easy enough to attack one soldier, one ship, as a demonstration. But to obliterate an entire fleet...
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: You would need an immense amount of power spread over a large area, more than any one Lumen could control.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: If you tried to raise that much power yourself, you would die. Not could. Would.
Elodie, Crown Princess: So it's hopeless.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Not necessarily.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: The most dangerous power of Imperial Nova was that of Lumens acting in concert.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: If the need is great and the will is true, one Lumen may choose to give command of her power to another.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Three, perhaps four people working together might have the strength to destroy a fleet.
Elodie, Crown Princess: You, me, and Selene. Will that be enough?
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: It might. Are you willing to take the risk? Such power has its price.
Menu: [Yes] [No]
Player chose: Yes
Elodie, Crown Princess: This is what I was born for. I say we do it.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: Then we will begin the preparations.
Julianna, Duchess of Ursul: So be it.
You are impressed by the discipline of the Novan troops, but the responsibility for their lives weighs heavily on your shoulders.
There are approximately eight battalions and one platoon under your direct command.
Week 35

(Studied Naval Strategy in the morning.)
(Studied Naval Strategy in the afternoon.)
You have nothing more to learn about Naval Strategy.
Danger on the high seas!
You and your two fellow Lumens join hands to focus your powers.
Your magical training has paid off by allowing you to stage this attempt at a safe distance from the invading vessels of war.
Far in the distance, you hear the roar of the ocean you have charmed as it buckles beneath the incoming ships, opening up a maw of void into which they tumble helplessly.
Then, as they fall, the water rushes back in around them, washing over decks and pummelling hulls.
Even from so far away, you can see the disturbance you have made rippling through the water.
Some of the Shanjians may survive, but their threat as an invasion has ended.
You visit the royal treasury and check your available funds.
You have nine thousand, one hundred and twenty-six gold lassi and thirteen silver tilassi.
Week 36

(Studied Logistics in the morning.)
(Studied Logistics in the afternoon.)
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The magical storms you summoned created giant waves which swept inland as well as out.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Damage has been reported along the shoreline from Mazomba down to northern Maree.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: The beaches are covered with wrack and the bodies of animals, and many fishers and cocklers are missing.
Elodie, Crown Princess: Are you blaming me?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Of course not. Many more lives would have been lost if the fleet had landed.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What worries me is that these reports are increasing, even long after the events of the battle.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: More than that, an observatory in Caloris has seen strange shapes in the sea to the west.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Something worse than a simple storm may have been unleashed.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Does that mean... a sea monster?)
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
The game will now attempt to save the log and open it in a web browser.
Menu: [Continue] [Cancel]
Week 37

(Studied Poison in the morning.)
(Studied Poison in the afternoon.)
In the grand hall, your father is waiting for you.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Our fears have been realised. A kraken has risen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: A kraken?
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: An enormous tentacled sea monster which can dive and surface at will.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: It is fast, voracious, and apparently unkillable. Any ship that ventures into its range is at risk.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: This could destroy Nova's shipping.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (And ocean shipping is really important to our economy!)
Elodie, Crown Princess: What can we do? Do we just wait and hope it goes away?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: No.
Quite unexpectedly, the priestess strides into the room.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: What are you doing here?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: I came to bring the records of the circle, so that you would know what you face.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Left alone, the beast will feed until the seas run red, and only then will it sleep.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: It would cost hundreds of thousands of lives.
Elodie, Crown Princess: !
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: There are only two ways to end its threat.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Lumen spellweaving can freeze a kraken in its tracks, holding it motionless - but only for a short time.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: If the spell is renewed every moon giving the beast no time between castings to move freely...
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: It should eventually sleep.
Elodie, Crown Princess: How long would that take?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Approximately seven years.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Years!)
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: But if at any point the spell cast is too weak, or is not renewed in time, it would break loose.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: And the treasury would be drained keeping up such a routine. What is the other way?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: It is well-known that eldritch beasts can be driven out by... sacrifice.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: The life-force of a Lumen or potential Lumen on the cusp of adulthood, would be the ideal choice.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: No! You will not take my daughter!
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: You see, Elodie! This is why I told you to reject them! They are all witches!
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Even without her mother's crystal, she would still have been a potential Lumen.
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: Keeping her ignorant would not have kept her safe.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: I will not allow this!
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: The choice belongs to the Queen.
Elodie, Crown Princess: (Me.)
Menu: [Sacrifice yourself] [Try to seal it]
Player chose: Try to seal it
Elodie, Crown Princess: We'll have to do our best to seal the kraken away, no matter how long it takes.
Elodie, Crown Princess: After all, isn't that what our magic is for? To defend the world from darkness?
Selene, Priestess of the Second Circle: I will teach you the necessary spells. You must arrange the transportation.
Joslyn, King Dowager, Duke of Caloris: Very well.
You attend services in the castle grove, letting the peace of the ritual calm your heart.
Week 38

(Studied Novan History in the morning.)
(Studied Novan History 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?
The first of your soon-to-be-regular voyages has now set out with Selene on board. She appears to have some special affinity with sea water which makes her the best choice to guide a vessel while it hunts for the elusive beast. After all, you have to find it before you can enchant it.
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: A respectable feast
Elodie, Crown Princess: (I'm sure we can afford to give everyone in the city some bread and sausage and a bit of cake.)
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 39

(Studied World History in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.)
The castle is buzzing with preparations for your upcoming coronation. Ministers press you with details for your favorite colors and flowers and so on.
You really can't see the point of wasting time worrying about decorations when there's so much else to worry about.
Others are more interested in the subject of your marriage.
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.
However, your earlier rejection of him would seem to make that less likely.
Then there is Banion, the Duke of Maree, a powerful and eligible noble only about ten years older than you.
There's Kiran, the new Duke of Lillah. He's close enough to your age that you remember meeting him at school, where he was already becoming quite handsome. Lillah is a powerful territory, and he has family ties to much of Nova. It would be a good match.
Except, of course, that you are responsible for the death of his mother.
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] [Kiran] [Kevan] [Adair] [Anciet] [No one]
Player chose: Anciet
There's no time to pursue that thought at the moment, but perhaps in the future...
You are impressed by the discipline of the Novan troops, but the responsibility for their lives weighs heavily on your shoulders.
Week 40

(Studied World History in the morning.)
(Studied Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.)
At this time last year, you were celebrating your fourteenth birthday. You were in the school gardens, surrounded by your friends. A teacher brought you tea and cakes, while a wealthy merchant's son wove a crown of flowers for your head.
It didn't matter so much that you were a princess then. Your title was something for the future. Many of your peers would be Duchesses or Earls or the like, someday, but not then. You were children.
Your parents could not attend on the actual day, but they did send wonderful gifts, some for you, and some for you to share. And a week later, they came for a visit, and your mother took you with her through the countryside in a splendid carriage.
It was the last time you would ever see her.
You wonder if, wherever she is, she can see you now.
You are fifteen years old, a legal adult. You have worked and studied and suffered and prepared, and now the time has come.
You kneel before the priestess, barely hearing her words as she recites the blessings.
She calls upon the gods to deliver peace, wisdom, and prosperity to you, and through you, to all of Nova. And then she calls upon you, for your oath of rulership.
Priestess of the First Circle: Will you guide and govern and protect your people to the best of your ability, according to law and custom?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I will.
Priestess of the First Circle: Will you to the best of your power uphold the ideals of love, honor, justice, and mercy?
Elodie, Crown Princess: I will.
Priestess of the First Circle: Lords and Ladies assembled: I present to you your undoubted Queen, who has sworn you her loyalty.
Priestess of the First Circle: You who have come to give homage, will you do the same?
One at a time, the head of each duchy approaches your throne and kneels to swear his or her service to you and your heirs.
Priestess of the First Circle: People of Nova, I give you Elodie, daughter of Fidelia, your true sovereign. What say you all?
People: LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!
Elodie, Queen of Nova: (Thank you! I will!)
Once his daughter was secure on her throne, Joslyn returned to his birthplace to focus on his duties as Duke of Caloris.
He was pursued by many women, but showed little interest in remarrying, directing them instead to his brother, the Duke of Mazomba.
The Queen and her trusted Lumens sailed out every week to check on the condition of the kraken and reinforce the seals. It was inevitable that others would discover their secret and blame them for it. After all, the old Novan capital had been rendered uninhabitable by monstrous Lumen experiments. A tentacled beast from the deep was just more of the same.
The Novan people were not the only ones to notice the increased naval traffic and the frequent absences of the young Lumen Queen. Pirates from Orcus stepped up their raids in the area, hoping to take Elodie hostage and ransom her for a fortune.
The Queen was forced to engage an even larger naval escort to make her regular trips to the binding site, and the Novan economy struggled under the burden.
It was something of a private joke between the queen and her friend Gwenelle, Duchess of Sudbury, that one day Elodie would marry Gwenelle's young half-brother. After all, he wouldn't be eligible for years, and Elodie had the whole world to choose from.
But what with one thing and another, the Queen never quite found the right husband. To her surprise, eight years after she had taken the throne, she discovered that little Anciet had taken all that joking quite seriously... had, in fact, fallen in love with her.
After that, they had to convince Gwenelle that the wedding invitations weren't a prank!
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.
Elodie developed a deep interest in the hidden lore of Nova. Why had no one properly dealt with the problem of the Old Forest? What happened to the Lumen crystals of the Novan nobles of the past? The answers she found would surprise her, particularly the artifact trove her father had been hiding from her all this time.
Deciding that lost was no less dangerous than found, Elodie made it her goal to round up and catalog all of the magical weapons and dangers of Old Nova.
And thus Queen Elodie's legacy stretched into the future...