A matter of taste then. Nothing wrong with either with my preferential admiration of the Theodosian Walls lays in the fact of the intricate defensive value of it and the history of it along the way. That and the physical visual image that was and is painted to me when considering how one would have to break through those high and thick walls
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I find Constantinople one of the most beautifully situated cities on Earth. Two peninsulas facing each other, surrounded by sea, with a strait in the middle. They straddle continents and allow for easy access to both the Mediterranean, through Marmara, and the Black Sea. Itās easy to see why it was chosen as Nova Roma. Of all the capital cities of its age, perhaps only Tenochtitlan could claim a more picturesque surrounding.
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I know a lot of folks (Including me) are here for the story and the world
Im here to build the city of the Worldās desire 
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I wonder how many people who get this outcome will just reload the chapter, but despite Augustaās state of being, there will be further developments of her character that result. I try to avoid writing plain āfail states,ā but instead when I can make failure have interesting consequences. Thatās why there will be no death until the last chapter, and why even perceived āfailuresā and deaths then will still result in epilogues.
Itās a good IF, Iād recommend it.
Ah, thanks for pointing out that oversight, Iāll correct it!
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Itās definitely a pretty sight. The views across the Bosporus or the golden horn are something else. Tenochtitlan with its bridges and islands mustāve been magnificent ā when I last visited CDMX, I poured over all the reconstructions I could find. Of the contemporaries to Constantinople, Iād have loved to also see Tang dynasty Changāan or its imitation, Heian era Kyoto. Iām also fond of Cusco.
But the Urbs Roma will always be my favorite. Particularly in discussions of late antiquity where Constantinople gets way too much attention. Itās often erroneously attributed the prominence it had in the Middle Ages. In late antiquity, Roma was unquestionably senior in Roman eyes even with emperors no longer resident (there were literally lists of the most important cities in the Empire, and Roma was first). Additionally even in the east, Constantinopleās status was hotly contested and resented by Alexandria and Antioch. They didnāt like this newcomer to the scene demanding prestige and status. Arguably, it was the long residence of Theodosius II that first started to distinguish Constantinople from a normal dynastic/tetrarchic court city. And its of course no coincidence that the famous walls were built by his advisors.
edit:
Yes! I am intrigued by that. It still hurts me a lot and Iāll try to avoid it for my ācanonā run but Iām at least going to try to play through that version of it. I can handle it better than I can handle tyrant or puppet I think.
Iāll check it out!
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I suspect not many. We as beta testers know that there are variables and timers associated with the scene that pick different results, but someone playing Shattered Eagle on release would simply think that Augusta 's abduction comes after reaching the Palace and would not immediately know of an alternative.
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I suppose that is a very fair point! There wouldnāt really be that same level of awareness of the mechanisms of that sequence in most readersā perception.
In other news: Iāve finally gotten past a particularly frustrating and branchy scene which had been taking quite some time to get ahold of in Chapter VII. Iām hopeful my progress will accelerate from here! Already the writing has been flowing more efficiently since.
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I have finally completed the first third of Chapter VII of Shattered Eagle (I had to delete some sections of previous chapters as well), finishing up with a frustratingly branchy thicket of text and opening up into a new section. My writing progress has gone swimmingly this September, and I hope to have further updates to share soon!
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Compared to what I have put down and estimated in my outline, itās not that much. I believe this story will end up at about 900k-1m words w/o code by the end of my first draft, but that could fluctuate.
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Omg finally had time to read this and enjoy this masterpiece since the last update and OMG itās just sooooooooo good. The pacing is great, always feels like every choice you make is a huge decision. I just absolutely love it and canāt wait to see how the rest of the story progresses!!
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I have just finished the demo for the first time. Your story is very intriguing and well written. Iām absolutely in love with it.
One question is whether there is a way to increase the values of empire status. I havenāt been able to find a way in my playthrough. Itās a bit odd that no matter what I choose the country inevitably devolves into chaos or bankruptcy.
The other thing is that when Leta brings Diana to the capital and suggests that Diana (who seems a bit sus) hang around Augusta it would be reasonably for mc to report to mum Julia and have her ātax squadā look into Diana. Itās a shame that this isnāt an option but I guess it would ruin the big surprise reveal?
Anyway, Iām really looking forward to your next chapter.
Victory Clock (Battle for the Spire): 0 (Success at <= 0)
Victory Clock (Battle for Kyro): -8 (Success at <= 0)
Arcanii Battle Strength: 48
Kyro Status: 2 (0 = Pyrrhic Victory; 1-2 = Incomplete Victory; 3 = Complete Victory)
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Thank you!
The decline of the Empire stats is intended, through much of the story the MC is trying to mitigate the damage to the Empire that the events of the narrative impose. There are ways to improve the stats, the most useful skill for this is and will be Economics, but while the final numbers will certainly be rebalanced as I get feedback from playtesting, this story is called āFall of an Empireā for a reason. Reversing the Empireās decline will not be an easy task.
Part of that is the necessity of the story, unfortunately.
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Me when I met with the goddess: āPlease, save Julia. I canāt live without her.ā
(Star Wars reference)
Seriously tho I need the next chapter. Truly a great story you got here.
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Augusta and Victoria High School AU
Augusta was the most popular girl in Iudia Academy until Victoria transferred from Hadat High School, her father Iblinās alma mater. Victoria used to be a student in Iudia Academy until Julia took the title of Principal from her grandma, Scylla, and got her mom, Aite, fired. Now Victoriaās back for revenge and theyāre both competing to be prom queen.
This is an old fanart I finished about a month ago while I was bored. I was thinking of doing the rest of the characters too but I didnāt feel like committing to that project. Itās on the maybe pile for me. I wanna focus on a 1966 fanart for now.
Some other stuff I thought of making but probably wonāt:
- Principal Julia
- Vice Principal Prefect
- Social Science Teacher Consentia
- PE Coach Antonius
- Librarian Darius
- Jock Euric
- Nerd Marius
- Stay at home dad Titus who Julia only married for his family connections in the school board and is currently separated in fact from Julia
- Creepy lady who sells drugs to kids during recess Ceto
idk what to make Laurentius since he hasnāt done much yet
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I think she sells more than drugsā¦.
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I honestly really like Titus. I can never will myself to be seriously mean to him, no matter how many times I replay! If only he were a romance option, lol
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You can flirt with him if youāre not romancing Julia and he can reciprocate.
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The run for my prefect is, he has no personal beef towards the guy and feels for him up until he threatens to reveal Augustaās parentage, that turns him from unfortunate punching bag who deserves better to evil monster who needs to die
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Seconded.
He reciprocates? I recall him just running away? Though I havenāt read the most recent chapter yet so Iām behind.
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