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[LP CYOA] Epic

Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
2,951
Meh, Europe is a backwater right now, Egypt and the east is where the action is. We are familiar with the territory and languages and have allies that we can call on - if what we are looking for is another shot at being a king (or a god-emperor), A or B gives us the most direct way for this.
 

oscar

Arcane
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
8,036
Location
NZ
Yeah, we've got a good millennia 'till Europe gets interesting (though Minoa and Mycenae aren't too bad). I say we visit Asia.

Flipped to E
 

Azira

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Nov 3, 2004
Messages
8,519
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
Codex 2012
Unfortunately we're still quite a good way off from the founding of Rome, though the Viking Age is at least two and a half millenia into the future. Option C will bring us to Scandinavia, possibly stopping by Greece on the way - no we won't find the Vikings there, but maybe the beginnings of the stories that will become the Old Norse religion. No matter where we end up, I plan to start involving some mythology for the upcoming chapter (Wikipedia mythology, but still... I try.)

You guys not relishing the prospect of actually moulding the Norse mythology? Heck, we're going to be Thor! :incline:
Ah well, I'm happy whatever the choice is. I can also see the merit in housecleaning here in Egypt. It's true that abandoning our human companions isn't a very bro thing to do. I can be convinced to flip, but will refrain from that for now.
 

Kipeci

Arcane
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,027
Location
Vicksburg
I don't care about being a god-emperor, we've already shown ourselves to be... less than amazing in administration. I'd dive right for the head of the Gieloth infestation if not for that we should be taking care of Egypt first. I say we unify Egypt and slaughter the remaining tentacles, install Akil as the pharoah and then get out of there to attack more tentacles. By the time we've extirpated them, let us then take on the world, by ourselves if necessary. But ridding humanity of that delicious cancer takes priority over decadent etc.
 

Esquilax

Arcane
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
4,833
True, though I don't really give a shit about advancing the growth of Egypt.

Neither do I, per se. But my instincts tell me that our actions are going to have a butterfly effect down the road, and that means that if we let one of mankind's oldest and greatest civilizations collapse in on itself right now, it could have a harmful effect on the progress of Man overall down the road. I'm not saying that we should hunker down like we did in Sumeria, rather that we should clean up the mess we inadvertently made before we head off to parts unknown for more wacky adventures.

Based on his personality, Ean would find running off right now unthinkable.

Norse mythology? Heck, we're going to be Thor! :incline:
Ah well, I'm happy whatever the choice is. I can also see the merit in housecleaning here in Egypt. It's true that abandoning our human companions isn't a very bro thing to do. I can be convinced to flip, but will refrain from that for now.

You're right. All of the choices seem to be ridiculously interesting. In fact, to be perfectly honest, A seems the least interesting*, but it's the only thing that I can see a man like Ean doing.

* Nothing, and I mean nothing, will ever compare to the sheer badassery of swimming across the ocean to fight an army of tentacles with a sword forged from your own bones.
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
On that topic: treavebro, if Ean has two swords out at once, does he get double the benefits? Do they get jealous?
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
Intermission: Forging of the Honourblade

You have decided to forge Sekhenun's gift, the Honourblade! Removing a rib was a very painful endeavour, but you gritted your teeth through it and begin the process with materials that your companions have gathered for you. During the forging, you come to a theory: if you remove the morphic field limiter, omitting the step, your Honourblades would be able to resonate with each other, thereby increasing the effect of the weapons exponentially. Should you do so?

A. Sekhenun must have put that limiter in for a reason. She has not lied to you so far, and you trust her... somewhat. You include the morphic field limiter in your forging of the Honourblade.

B. Sekhenun is a Gieloth after all, and must be afraid that you would be able to access the full power of her weapon. You will not let her tricks hold you back. You omit the step - by doing this, you will take your first step towards obtaining unlimited power!

***

A - 8
C - 6
E - 1

Voting closes in 4 hours. Update will be up in 5.
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
Intermission: Forging of the Honourblade

You have decided to forge Sekhenun's gift, the Honourblade! Removing a rib was a very painful endeavour, but you gritted your teeth through it and begin the process with materials that your companions have gathered for you. During the forging, you come to a theory: if you remove the morphic field limiter, omitting the step, your Honourblades would be able to resonate with each other, thereby increasing the effect of the weapons exponentially. Should you do so?

A. Sekhenun must have put that limiter in for a reason. She has not lied to you so far, and you trust her... somewhat. You include the morphic field limiter in your forging of the Honourblade.

B. Sekhenun is a Gieloth after all, and must be afraid that you would be able to access the full power of her weapon. You will not let her tricks hold you back. You omit the step - by doing this, you will take your first step towards obtaining unlimited power!
UNLIMITED POWAH could lead to overload. bad idea, start out small. Ean is a warrior king, but he is also wise, or at least comes off as wise. A wise man doesn't casually overstretch his bounds.

Voting A.
Edit: Any chance we could make it an axe?
 

CappenVarra

phase-based phantasmist
Patron
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
2,912
Location
Ardamai
A. A.

I'm still butthurt that you guys haven't chosen the light-bending powers. I mean, a close combat specialist, centuries of martial experience, invisible, glowing eyes - we could've called him Zeratul :P :(

Also, how do you counter invisibility? Why, the most obvious answer is telepathy - a skill tree we've already taken, giving us access to mind shielding down the road. So we would be undetectable both by eyesight and telepathy. But no, let's go for the gross weapon option... Which will bite us in the ass.

Oh well, I guess I shouldn't sleep while a vote is ongoing ;)

Stay in Egypt. Why do you guys presume that in this alternate history things will go the same as in actual history? Who says Rome will become a superpower? Who says Vikings will appear? Sure, they have a good chance of appearing, without supernatural meddling. But the whole point of alternate history is to mold it in interesting ways different from the real world. I'd say that Egypt is pretty cool, already has a track record of multi-millenial history - what if, with our actions, Egypt can be the empire spanning the Mediterranean, preventing Rome from ever gaining any prominence? I'd love to keep fair Summeria alive and superpowered, but we already kinda fucked that up - and we'll be back there to fix it, but only after we've established a proper power base in Egypt.

Also, staying in Egypt has a chance of attracting further Gieloth attention - they might send someone to replace Sekhenun, giving us further challenges and power ups without having to travel :)

Intermission choice B is just stupid greedy. Then again, I didn't vote for Volourn so I don't know what you guys had in mind. Sheer idiocy! ... Oh, you want me to name the bloody thing too? Not interested, call it AssBiter...
 

TOME

Cuckmaster General
Joined
May 25, 2012
Messages
1,820
As much as I'd love to run off to either Sumeria to make our people great again or head further east to get into contact with a few immortals to get a better idea of the nature of this struggle, I think that Ean's sense of responsibility wouldn't allow him to leave Egypt in such a mess. We should stay here and make Egypt prosperous again.

Given all that we have on our plate, being King again is probably a bad idea. Fortunately, we know somebody who'd make a great ruler/statesman. Somebody who is noble, smart, kind, brave and charismatic: Akil. Might even be a good idea to let him take the credit for killing Sukhenun.

A

This. Let's unity egypt and then do the same in Sumeria. And A for the miniupdate.
 

Smashing Axe

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
Messages
2,835
Divinity: Original Sin
B for mini-update, because hey, what the hell. It's not like anyone else is going to vote for it.

Call the sword Sekenun's Gift, I think it sounds better.
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
Looks like we didn't let Ean go amok and turn into a puddle of goo by removing the limiter. Yay.

***

Chapter 3.13: Egypt Aflame

The forging of the Honourblade landed you in bed to recuperate for two months. Both the removal of the rib and the forging process itself strained your body… but at last you were healed. There was no time for further rest, however. During your convalescence you had indicated to your companions your wish to rebuild Egypt. They were pleased at this, and you asked for them to begin gathering information. Today you meet to discuss what they have discovered, and your plans for Egypt. You raise yourself off the bed, clutching the Honourblade to yourself – you had carried it with you all this while to improve your recovery rate. It truly is a wondrous sword; you feel lighter, stronger, and more alert just by having it by your side. When you first grasped it after completing its creation, you imagined you heard a sound akin to "roofles" in your mind, but it has not reappeared since. Hopefully that disturbing sound does not recur...

***

The meeting was attended by your companions, as well as several of Akil’s friends; there were two old priests, Donkor and Funsan, a brash young man that Akil introduced as the leader of the militia, Netzi, and a matronly woman named Anath who was the head of the local crafts guilds in Heliopolis. This was your first time meeting them, but you hear they are the most influential people in the city now that the cult has been destroyed.

“Good morning!” You greet the table cheerfully as you walk down the stairs.

“It’s afternoon, boy, have you no manners?” snaps Donkor. So it is… the sun seemed suspiciously high for morning. You grin in embarrassment and give your apologies. You’re in a good mood today – it’s been so long since you could move around freely. Taking your seat at the table, you wave at Akil, who you’ve asked to chair the meeting.

He coughs, and begins. “Well, since we’re all here, let’s start by explaining what we know so far.” You begin listening intently. As is your habit, you summarize the facts up in your mind at the end of the exposition, to make it easier for you to analyze your next move.

Pharaoh Wankare was still in control of Memphis, but his hold is tenous. The collapse of the cult had led to the other cities in the Nile Delta rising in open rebellion. The situation is a total mess, and from your own occasional tapping of the Gieloth network, you know that some of Sekhenun’s Children are formenting the chaos in the outside cities against those still advising Wankare. You wonder why that is. Akil estimates that Wankare’s rule would not last the year, but his fall would further fragment the cities of the Nile Delta as they struggle to gain control of Memphis.

Samun and Kamun’s report on Heracleopolis, where they had relatives, show that the ruler of Heracleopolis, a veteran Egyptian general by the name of Astarth, was marshalling his forces in preparation to invade Memphis in six months time. Astarth is popular with both his people and certain cities in the Nile Delta, and if he takes Memphis, he will be hard to dislodge from the throne. He is a warmonger and would likely set his sights further afield regardless of whether Egypt is able to sustain more wars. Gieloth hold some sway in his court, but not at the highest levels of council.

Thebes had been visited by Mutyre, and she found that the Thebans had not engaged in much military build-up. Although outwardly they seemed uninterested in participating in the Egyptian civil war, they appear to have sent emissaries to Babylon. You are unclear about the nature of those emissaries, and the Thebans remain reclusive and secretive so far. The Gieloth have amassed some significant influence in Thebes.

“Well, it seems like the best course of action is to focus on Memphis for now.” you conclude. Akil agrees. “I suggest that we act quickly before Wankare is deposed by others, defeat him ourselves and install a Pharaoh of our own on the throne. I have a name for your consideration – he is of royal blood and would be acceptable to everyone – Wanketh, a cousin of the current Wankare and vocal critic of the regime. He’s currently hiding out in Cairo.”

“I think there is another choice for Pharaoh.” adds Mutyre. She looks at you. You nod, knowing what she is thinking. Before you can say anything, Akil exclaims in delight, “Of course! Master Runi, you can take the throne yourself! You are powerful and noble. Surely Egypt would flourish under your rule!” You glance back at Mutyre, raising your eyebrows. She just shrugs.

***

1. The Future Pharaoh

A. You choose to install Wanketh as the next Pharaoh. By all accounts, he is a just, level-headed, if naive young man, loved by the people, and will make an excellent puppet king.

B. Akil is your choice. He has been a loyal companion, and you feel he has the administrative foresight to run a kingdom. With you as an advisor he would be a fine king.

C. You agree to take the throne. With your knowledge of the Gieloth, and your immortal powers, you will be able to inspire the people of Egypt to greater heights.

***

2. Strategy

The issue of Memphis’s prospective rulership was not the only one you had to solve, however. The divided cities of the Nile pose a problem to you - should you unite them before attacking Memphis, or should you go straight for Wankare's head? Heliopolis itself had a militia of five hundred men, ex-would-be-revolutionaries all, ready to fight, but the other cities too had their armies, and Wankare himself boasted of a professional army numbering nearly two thousand men. By defeating or convincing the other cities, you would be able to add men to your army, but to do that the Gieloth influencing those cities must be stamped out.

A. Uniting the divided cities under your banner would allow you to gather enough men to face Wankare's own army, making the task of besieging Memphis easier. There is a risk of not being able to unite them in time before Heracleopolis invades, however.

B. Time is of the essence - you go straight for Wankare and the throne of Memphis. The battle would be tough, and you cannot count on the other cities not interfering. The other cities rebel not because of a desire for independence, but because of Wankare's misrule. You are confident you can wrap this up by cutting off the head of the snake.

***

3. Ean’s Tasks

Defeating Wankare and the cities also means defeating the Gieloth influencing them. In this, you have the biggest part to play.

A. You take charge and lead the militia in open warfare, hoping to force your opponents to surrender with brute force. Your prowess on the battlefield should net you victory with ease, and flush the Gieloth out into the open as you have before.

B. You leave the army’s training and direction to Samun, Kamun and Netzi, while you work in the shadows to hunt down and assassinate Gieloth, as well as their other sympathizers in positions of power. You are the only one who can reliably detect and defeat a Gieloth infiltrator – no other person can perform this task.

***

4. Heracleopolis

The city of Heracleopolis is about to invade Memphis in half a year, but they may also be convinced to send aid. Their aid would cost you, however, and you are not sure if you should send emissaries to them.

A. You seek help from Heracleopolis, accepting the conditions they may impose upon you.

B. You offer Heracleopolis a truce should you take power successfully in return for them ceasing their invasion plans.

C. You send emissaries to Thebes attempting to get them to invade Heracleopolis a a distraction, accepting the conditions they may impose upon you.

D. You ignore Heracleopolis. Why bother letting Astarth know of your plans when you will be coming to eat his food after you deal with Wankare?
 

newcomer

Learned
Joined
May 23, 2012
Messages
919
CB

We're going to have a looong time sitting on the throne... and being invaded by gieloth nations...
 

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