Shattered Eagle: Fall of an Empire (WIP) [216k words | Updated 07/14/2024]

[No_This_Is_Patrick]

[Azan]

@Mumble

It’s quite uncommon to find stories that portray women in positions of authority and power, establishing a society where matriarchy prevails. I am not going to lie that i find it a welcome and refreshing change.

When playing stories with a medieval setting ( since they largely tend to have a patriarchal setting ) as a female MC, i find pleasure in actively defying societal expectations and norms when given the chance. I find it empowering to guide her through a journey of self-discovery and rebellion, challenging the limitations placed upon her by the world.

Which is why I am intrigued by the idea of exploring the opposite perspective and witnessing how the story unfolds when the MC is male, navigating a world where prejudice and inequality are directed towards men.

Given the male MC’s role as a prefect, a respected position for a man in Iudia, and not of easy reach, considering how long it took him to obtain it, as well as with the upcoming opportunities and connections we gain through our chosen skills, I guess MC is already underway of proving society wrong.

But aside from this, what I personally sensed from the story is that MC is quite OK with how the empire and to an extent the church run things and that they seemed quite a believer of the goddess, even though they express ( at least for male MC as i didn’t play any other route, maybe i will do a run with a female MC to see the differences ) how unfair it is that he is in his forties, hasn’t long to live, and yet he still hasn’t made any breakthrough in his life.

It’s true that power and greed have been options for the end goals, however they feel pretty vague. I would have liked if the narrative through choices outright stated that MC would want to bring change to how men are perceived and treated using their new positions and connections. I wished MC had the choice to either believe or not in this realm’s religion, or even strongly oppose and challenge it or certain aspects of it ( even though it’s not something MC can express freely now, it could be something they are thinking about and working towards ). There is also this little tidbit “Learn the secrets of sorcery” does it include all MCs ?

I chose to gain the empress’ favour through subterfuge, and let me tell you the family reunion along with MC’s different reaction to it had me laughing, especially since we could be polite to Titus and act all clueless, I even chose to leave when he asked to speak with her, as if to say see ? It’s all her not me, let the empress be the one to add fuel to the fire between them. I can’t wait to see what destruction we will bring to this family, I only wish we can still salvage Augusta before leading it to ruin, but I know that she would never forgive MC for any harm brought upon the empress ( I hope we can put an end to her reign ). So I am torn between playing the loving, proud parent, taking the blame for her mistakes and pulling her strings like a puppet. I guess there is no plan for MC to sit on the throne, since it was stated that we could rule through putting Augusta on it instead ?

Thank you! There is actually going to be a church scene soon that will allow more info on the religion and choices on how your character views it. I had thought I put in some more skeptical answers, but I’ll go in and see there’s leeway for more directly critical views for an m!MC to think. Maybe I can put something in about change in the idealism motivation.

Seeking out the secrets of sorcery is something all MCs can do (though the Sorceress career already starts with you being a proficient sorceress) and it isn’t locked into Knowledge motives. Motives will not lock you out of any content in the game, they’ll just provide unique flavor and a few dialogue prompts here and there. I don’t want to limit player choice arbitrarily.

As for whether you can become the reigning monarch of the Empire…we shall see, shall we?

@chazers

I kinda hope we get the opportunity to romance the emperor too, manipulating both monarchs for the ultimate MAX POWER

You would probably gain more power from romancing the janitor, tbh.

@No_This_Is_Patrick

700×911 155 KB

Gonna be honest I CACKLED seeing this LMAO.

[Choiceplayer]

I’m happy there’s a new game about being an advisor, I remember the last one went silent years ago which was a total bummer.

I thought about making a game with a similar premise myself once I start my time at university but as you’re already making this one I’ll be happy to cheer you on!

[Aeternitas]

I can see shades of both the Principate and the Dominate in Iudia, and I love it!

Since you mentioned wanting to deal with the role of men in this matriarchal society and the idealism stat, perhaps you could implement something like the Corpus Juris Civilis? A widespread legal reform could tackle both corruption and the plight of the poor and the common people. It could also feature more egalitarian treatment for men as an optional choice. The Julian Code has a nice ring to it.

[Azan]

I have definitely taken bits here and there lol. As for legal reform, that will definitely figure in soon. That will be something Ceto’s populist faction is pushing, for example, though Ceto is not what you would call a selfless leader (not that any of these characters are but still).

[chazers]

Exactly

What good is manipulation if I can’t have people simping over me while I plot and scheme their demise?

[Akoa]

Oh just thought of something that could be added (feel free to ignore me if you want) maybe a written description of relationship levels and reputation levels, like 30 trust “Augusta sees you as a friend” or 90 trust “Augusta sees you as the father she always wanted” you know stuff like that.

If it’s too much to add feel free to not do it I just like those descriptions myself personally.

[Aeternitas]

I’ll second that. I always enjoy a description to attach to the numerical value. Seeing the higher-level text pop up provides a feeling of accomplishment and emotional attachment to the characters.

[Richard_Wells]

Oh, a matriarchal society? That’s quite interesting. I’m really curious to know where you plan on taking this.

[Oreven]

Julia just can’t comprehend the artistic genius that is Titus. He is the Michelangelo of the Iudian Empire.

[Murdockchan]

Looks like we have a B. A. Baracus quote in one of the options :

I PITY THE FOOL

[Robjection]

Like so many others, I’ve enjoyed playing this game so far. I had a couple of situations on my first playthrough where going to the stats screen and then returning to the game caused the story to jump back a bit, but I wasn’t able to repeat those so it might have just been a technical glitch.

I have one question about the stats screen though. You have a choice at the bottom to go to Personal Information, but for the entirety of chapter 1, there are only 3 stats in that bit of the stats screen. Are there going to be other things added there so that it’s not so barren - maybe a summary of all the personal relationship stats so you don’t have to go Stats Screen → Codex → Major Characters → Imperial Family every time you want to see how Augusta is doing - or would it be more prudent to just move those stats into the main stats screen?

[Iukan]

I love it

[Azan]

@Akoa

Oh just thought of something that could be added (feel free to ignore me if you want) maybe a written description of relationship levels and reputation levels, like 30 trust “Augusta sees you as a friend” or 90 trust “Augusta sees you as the father she always wanted” you know stuff like that.

If it’s too much to add feel free to not do it I just like those descriptions myself personally.

@Aeternitas

I’ll second that. I always enjoy a description to attach to the numerical value. Seeing the higher-level text pop up provides a feeling of accomplishment and emotional attachment to the characters.

@Robjection

I have one question about the stats screen though. You have a choice at the bottom to go to Personal Information, but for the entirety of chapter 1, there are only 3 stats in that bit of the stats screen. Are there going to be other things added there so that it’s not so barren - maybe a summary of all the personal relationship stats so you don’t have to go Stats Screen → Codex → Major Characters → Imperial Family every time you want to see how Augusta is doing - or would it be more prudent to just move those stats into the main stats screen?

Thank you for the feedback! I think I might take care of these in one go, I’m going to work on a “Summary of Relationships” tab in the main menu that will contain one sentence descriptors as to your factional and personal relationships.

@Oreven

Julia just can’t comprehend the artistic genius that is Titus. He is the Michelangelo of the Iudian Empire.

LMAO. Thank you for the meme!

[Yockey]

Oh boy. I loved it! Im thirsting for more

[Azan]

Small Update! I have implemented a Summary of Relationships menu under the Stats Menu, which should portray the relationships the MC has with the various characters and factions. Let me know if it gets buggy so I can fix it.

[Leon_Kincoln]

This is so good, but I can’t see no other path for the mc other than as a kingmaker, cause I don’t think they can do much if they become emperor considering how old they already are especially in those times.

[coal8]

@Azan

which should portray the relationships the MC has with the various characters and factions.

This is actually pretty neat, especially loved seeing this

Empress Julia Vitallia Hevernica:
You are the Empress’ lover and most trusted confidante.

[Azan]

@Leon_Kincoln

This is so good, but I can’t see no other path for the mc other than as a kingmaker, cause I don’t think they can do much if they become emperor considering how old they already are especially in those times.

There are a few types of Emperor/Empress, it should be said, other than Emperor/Empress Regnant.

Also, it should be said some of Rome’s quite accomplished Emperors took office at older ages, as well. Claudius took the throne at 51, Trajan at 45, Marcus Aurelius at 40, the MC’s age. But we shall see how things will go…

[pomster]