The Seven Heirs of Ophaesia: Part One (WIP)

[Morjavick]

I started with a prince who is very shy
The hate of the king is making him an insecure child always seeking for the love of his mother.

I wonder what he will become

[Infel]

I wasn’t going to comment at first but seeing as the poll seems…skewed that Nethica is supported as a bi character but Jasiphae isn’t, wanted to add as a pansexual person myself i was psyche’d to see that Jasiphae might also become a bisexual love interest because wooo more ladies for my princess and not only allows me to not have to force myself to make a male character in order to romance her but I also believe in your ability to write a believable non-stereotypical bi character. Like not to say that I can’t see where the others are coming from, because I can! In fact I would’ve been vehemently against this if both characters were gay and then turned bisexual just out of demand (because i view that as decreasing representation as opposed to increasing it, if i make any sense. English isn’t my first language so I want to establish that I don’t want to argue/heated debate, I just want to provide my perspective)

That said, this is also a fantasy series - there are also people who play these things as escapism just as much as there are people who play it for realism and besides I believe you can do this without compromising your vision of her character so I really hope you will consider her if you also consider Nethica (though I also want to note that I will respect your decision regardless)

[Fawkes]

I had to scroll back like 60 posts to start replying to you guys.

@Zoilus

How was this precedent established? You mentioned that the heads of the Ophaesian religion come from the ranks of the Paladins, is this to prevent the possibility of a King-Patriarch?

Paladins have since the beginning required people who join their ranks renounce their family and any claims they may have (as do those who become priests of Myteus or priestesses of Naphenia). It’s so that the order may have the absolute loyalty of its members. For many people who become Paladins or priests/priestesses, they don’t have any family to begin with.

No son of a king becomes a Paladin because of the chaos that would ensue should every other member of the royal family perish and leave the Paladin prince as the sole remainder of Rithalus’s line. A direct descendant of Rithalus must sit on the throne of Ophaesia, but a Paladin swears away all his family ties before Tepharon, which would make a Paladin prince sitting on the throne horrible blasphemy.

@VelvetDivine

If the Princess becomes Queen Regent - with iron a fist can she rule? :o

Absolutely. A Queen Regnant MC can be as brutal as you like.

@idonotlikeusernames

Hmmm…sounds like my mc may need to drag his bookish big bro out to meet cute guys and play matchmaker sometime. Also this really does make him our best brother
Now I also feel bad for Olarion if he does need to become King, since that’ probably not going to do wonders for his love life.

@ParrotWatcher

But we can at least help Olarion get a boyfriend?

Olarion is actually already in love with someone. It starts off unrequited but is eventually reciprocated, regardless of your actions. Whether he ends up with that person in the long run, however, depends on your choices, but Olarion is only ever interested in that person.

@idonotlikeusernames

I assume Sebby falls under this header then, assuming gay marriage was to be legal?

Very much so. Being in any sort of relationship with Sebriel would cause some to view you as a threat.

@idonotlikeusernames

How do you see that working out? I mean the mc is not going to have much power in the army if they’re disguised as part of the peasant levies or common soldiers.

I’ve always pictured it as an Eowyn or Song of the Lioness sort of situation, to be honest. Disguise yourself as a boy and hope for the best. But in all seriousness…

@Perfect_Storm

Didn’t Fawkes say that you could either go yourself or get Terrisen to take you with him? The Terrisen part is easy, since he is a few years older and likely going legally, so he could just take you as part of his retinue and forget to mention it to anyone.

If Terrisen takes you with him, it is a good deal easier as he is going there legally. He’d sneak you in as part of his group and help you stay under the radar of those who would recognize you and send you home (such as Neraven).

You can also enlist the help of Senetha. He will be very, very reluctant to help but can be persuaded. Going with him offers more anonymity than going with Terrisen and fewer consequences for you in the end.

Regardless of how you decide to sneak away to fight, you may be caught early on and sent home. You may make it all the to where the armies camped but be caught before the first battle. You may be caught mid-battle. You may be caught afterwards. Regardless of your choices,
you will, at some point, be found out. It can go a lot of different ways for you. It’s one of the, biggest branches, if not the biggest, in the game.

@Perfect_Storm

This war, did Eraven actually do anything to avoid it or is he the warmongering hawk I assume him to be. I mean, by all accounts the last war isn’t more than a generation ago, why another so soon? Who spat in whose cornflakes, so to speak?

Incidentally, the war isn’t Eraven’s fault at all. He actually did everything he could to prevent it. He’s a dick, but he grew up during peacetime and would have liked to keep it that way. He never wanted to see any of his children (except, perhaps, you) have to march off to war – he takes it as a failure on his part as both a king and a father.

@Infel

I don’t know if this was asked before but I was wondering if aside from Olarion would it be possible at all to have a better relationship with your other siblings or your father? like maybe not ever friendly but at least some kind of cordiality or indifference as opposed to burning hatred?

It is possible! You can become very close with Terrisen and Baelira in particular.

@Urban

So she wants the straight Male MC to remain single? Because she doesn’t approve any of the possible straight partners.

She may not approve of them to begin with, but her opinion can change.

@lovinglydull

I wonder of Grandad/Grandma Maeliah will end up coming into the picture, or if they’re dead already. I like to imagine them visiting at some point to size up their namesake.

You get to meet your maternal grandparents, as well as some of your various other Maeliah relations, in chapter two.

@rose-court

This only reinforces my Adam Driver fancast of Atheron.

I’m surprised so many picture Adam Driver for Atheron! I was partly inspired by John Stamos while creating him, but Henry Cavill as Theseus isn’t a bad pick either. Atheron has a strong jaw, a short beard, and looks older than he really is due to spending so much time at sea, which has also tanned his skin considerably. He starts to go grey at his temples once he’s in his early-thirties. I also picture him with dimples. I have a personal preference for older men, and he’s like a sort of wish-fulfillment for me lmao.

@rose-court

Wait a minute.

Is the whole arranged marriage thing a ploy by Eraven to get a son he actually likes?

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaamn, son.

Oh my god, no wonder Ysonia would hate Atheron regardless of culpability. If Eraven likes him, he must be a dick!

I think you guys are overestimating Eraven’s opinion of Atheron. He likes him in the way one likes a person you mostly know by reputation. If you marry Atheron, he and Eraven butt heads on multiple occasions. Atheron does not like being used as a pawn, and Eraven doesn’t like to be questioned. Ysonia dislikes Atheron because you are forced to marry him. She knows what it’s like to be in an unhappy marriage, and she would like to spare you from one.

@Sammysam

Hmm, how short would be acceptable?

For women, at least past your shoulders. Any shorter would be unfashionable. You get the chance to cut your hair short as a girl in the game. There are a lot of people who would have something to say about this.

@Sammysam

And also: How much can MC influence fashion trends in Ophaesia?

“Fashionable” is a character trait, so I plan for you to be able to have a lot of influence on Ophaesian fashion. This can mean more women cutting their hair shorter.

@rose-court

Hrm, actually, what’s the difference in hue between the blonde of House Dhalas and the potential champagne blonde of yourself and your mother?

Well, the blonde color of House Dahlas has its origin in two other houses: House Haelith (Queen Seriah’s house) and Verathae (Queen Alapharen’s house). The blonde originates more from House Haelith, as their members tend to have fair, ashy blonde hair. The warmth – the “honey” qualifier – comes from House Verathae, members of which have warm brown hair, such as Alapharen’s honey brown. So the House Dahlas blonde now looks more like this, while the Maeliah blonde looks more like this. For reference, House Haelith blonde is like this, and House Verathae brown is like this.

I’m… very particular about colors lol. I have a strong mental image for each character, which a lot of times just doesn’t align with anyone who already exists.

@Queen-Irene

Will we be any way we will able to take the name of our mothers house

Such as completely renounce your Dahlas name and instead be entirely Maeliah? If so, somewhat.

@awkward_viking

As a member of the royal family and a descendant of a major noble house, she should be married to somebody with so much influence they could take over a small country in the eyes of the Maeliah. Atheron is more of a symbol of what could have been but what is now a squandered chance

That’s very much how the Maeliah feel about the MC’s marriage to Atheron. They’re already furious with how mistreated Ysonia is by Eraven, but to do this is an outrage, especially given past history between House Dahlas and House Maeliah.

@literary_warrior

I got another interesting question. Sorry if this been asked already. But my question is would our MC have the opportunity to mend their relationship with the king?

You can somewhat, but only so much progress can be made with the King. You can be the perfect child, the objective best of your siblings, but he will still resent you because of your mother. He may reluctantly approve of some of your actions, of who you make yourself out to be, but you’ll never be secure in his affections. There are some people you can simply never please.

@Panda

Since you did say there will be sort of a rivalry with Terrisen then would the way he react change with a female MC? Would the relationship be taken less seriously and would the parents not be as worried?

If Jasiphae is bisexual and you pursue her as a woman, there are many who wouldn’t even see your relationship with her as potentially romantic – they would think you’re just good friends. It would definitely be taken less seriously by outsiders. Not by Terrisen or Jasiphae though.

@idonotlikeusernames

See and your cast is already quite big, I wouldn’t add more characters unless you had to, particularly since those you already have seem well thought out and have their unique and distinct roles and personalities, adding more just risks diluting that imho.

The temporary love interests are, for the most part, not big deals and are moreso there for your character to experience heartbreak, to break hearts themselves, and philander.

@rose-court

Color me shocked! I honestly didn’t expect Atheron to be this popular, let alone leading the polls, since hardly anyone mentions wanting to romance him, especially when compared to Nethica or Sebriel who I was sure were going to win.

Shocked I tell you, but I guess more people like the tall Adam Driver types than I realize, lol.

I’m very shocked as well! I did not think he was so popular, but I’m glad he is. I think he’s an interesting character. There’s certainly some depth to him.

@Koda222

Will it be possible for the MC to think they are godtouched and use that to become like a powerful priest?

You can’t become a priest, but you can believe you’re God-touched. Others can believe so as well, sometimes whether you do or not.

@Zoilus I love your fancast of Ysonia! That’s not too far off from how I picture her. I have a different mental image of Jasiphae and Kaedra personally, but it’s honestly so cool to see how you guys imagine them. Though the more I look at Holland Roden, the more I can see her as Kaedra. Kaedra’s hair is darker, though – so dark, it some light it looks nearly black. Color-wise, something similar to this. For the curious, I picture Jasiphae’s hair color to be this, like a Targaryen blonde.

@mistylavenda

I am being so spoiled with these tidbits of what’s to come, so forgive me @Fawkes , but would it be possible to know a bit more about Senetha?

I’m glad someone asked! He’s been missing out on the love, and I think he was one of the first RO’s I came up with. Spoilers ahead!

His full name is Senetha Tephys. Tephys as a surname is given to an orphan boy sent to train with the Order of Tepharon. (Orphan girls who grow up in a temple of Naphenia are given Naphenys, while boys who grew up in a temple of Myteus get Mytys.) When you first meet him, he is training to be a Paladin. Terrisen met him when he went to the Temple of Tepharon for his thirteenth birthday and they struck up a friendship. Terrisen is fascinated with Paladins, and while he cannot become one, he wants to train like one. At the King’s insistence, a Paladin begins to train Terrisen, and he brings along Senetha so Terrisen has someone his own age to train with. You meet Senetha when he is training with Terrisen.

He’s the same height and age as Terrisen, though he seems older due to his stern personality. He’s disciplined and austere, even by Paladin standards, and quite fastidious as well. He’s a perfectionist and holds himself to impossibly high standards. Paladin training agrees with him, giving him an outlet and a way to control the world around him to a degree. He hates feeling powerless and out of control.

Paladins, priests, and priestesses are strictly forbidden from engaging in any sort of romantic or sexual relationships. Senetha tends to follow rules to the letter… and were it not for you, he would follow this one as well. He falls for you first, when you’re both still young, but he does what he can to ignore his attraction and push you away. He shuts down, making it difficult to get to know him, and he’ll even be mean in order to drive you off. He does everything within in his power to stop anything from happening between the two of you, even though, for him, the temptation is nearly unbearable. Under his stoic exterior is a great deal of passion.

If it was discovered that the two of you were carrying on a relationship, both of you would be in danger.

Of the RO’s, Senetha is the most skilled fighter due to his training to be a Paladin. When you’re young, you can ask Senetha to train you to fight.

@Eiwynn

I actually will be ok with your decision regarding these characters. You have the writing skill to represent bi characters with respect and without stereotyping and all the issues you talk about above.

@Eiwynn

So go forward how you think the characters should be developed and I will be happy with whatever you do write.

I’ve never been disappointed in your writing ability so far.

Thank you so much. Your confidence in my ability means more than words can describe.

@KingMe

(And I truly hope you didn’t feel put on the spot, or felt that you needed to defend yourself - that was never my intention! Just wanted to share my feelings/thoughts.)

I didn’t feel that way at all! You brought up some very reasonable concerns, and I wanted to make sure you guys knew I heard you. I really appreciate what you’ve said, as it made me examine my actions, which is never a bad thing. Criticism and feedback is so critical to being a better writer. I always appreciate it.

@Infel

That said, this is also a fantasy series - there are also people who play these things as escapism just as much as there are people who play it for realism and besides I believe you can do this without compromising your vision of her character so I really hope you will consider her if you also consider Nethica (though I also want to note that I will respect your decision regardless)

Thank you! I seriously appreciate your faith in me.

@Hylaire_Dessalines1

May I please beta test the game? I always wanted to play The Seven Heirs Of Ophaesia.

I only have the first chapter of the game available to test, and I’m not at the moment looking for beta testers for unreleased parts of the game. Thank you for your interest though!

[No_This_Is_Patrick]

Can a female MC not go through with the arranged marriage or get out of it somehow?

[Sammysam]

Yes, as far as I remember Fawkes already mentioned that MC can avoid it.

[No_This_Is_Patrick]

Thanks that’s great! I usually hate arranged marriages unless there’s a way to get out of them and sorry Atheron you seem cool, but only way my Princess is marrying you is through her own choice.

[rose-court]

@Fawkes

I’m surprised so many picture Adam Driver for Atheron! I was partly inspired by John Stamos while creating him

[clutches heart]

How did you know my first crush was Uncle Jesse???

@Fawkes

He starts to go grey at his temples once he’s in his early-thirties.

That’s it, I don’t think I can legitimately romance anyone else in the cast. I’ll do it to see what happens, but my heart officially belongs to Atheron!

The dimples are just icing on the seven-tier cake that is Atheron.

[mistylavenda]

Augh! clutches chest

My knight-in-shining-armor. It hurts.

I hope the relationship isn’t a forbidden one for the entire game.

[idonotlikeusernames]

@Fawkes

I’ve always pictured it as an Eowyn or Song of the Lioness sort of situation, to be honest. Disguise yourself as a boy and hope for the best. But in all seriousness…

Eh? My mc already is a boy? Still disguising as a more minor noble or an officer is likely to be noticed in no time and joining the peasant levies/conscripts is both highly risky and not likely to be a position from which we can do much to influence the overall course of the war.

Only Senetha, no dice with persuading Nethica, or members of his family who might go?

@Fawkes

(except, perhaps, you)

Now there’s a thought, why not simply ask dear old dad, or would that only get male mc’s “volunteered” for the suicide missions?

@Fawkes

“Fashionable” is a character trait, so I plan for you to be able to have a lot of influence on Ophaesian fashion. This can mean more women cutting their hair shorter.

I’m curious what it might mean for male mc’s to be trendsetter’s for male fashion. Talk about wish fulfillment.

@Fawkes

That’s very much how the Maeliah feel about the MC’s marriage to Atheron. They’re already furious with how mistreated Ysonia is by Eraven, but to do this is an outrage, especially given past history between House Dahlas and House Maeliah.

If they think that’s bad, I’d like to see them once my mc hopefully gay marries Sebby.

@Fawkes

The temporary love interests are, for the most part, not big deals and are moreso there for your character to experience heartbreak, to break hearts themselves, and philander.

Any cute noblemen from the great big empire to the South and Verey among them, as that would allow my mc to pick up quite the taste for cute, exotic foreigners even before meeting Sebby.

[lovinglydull]

@Fawkes

You get to meet your maternal grandparents, as well as some of your various other Maeliah relations, in chapter two.

I have a feeling they’ll give a slightly warmer reception to the MC compared to King Eraven, considering the MC represents Maeliah’s stake in the royal house.

@Fawkes

“Fashionable” is a character trait, so I plan for you to be able to have a lot of influence on Ophaesian fashion. This can mean more women cutting their hair shorter.

Aldrovanda would get a kick out of manipulating the world of fashion for sure, but this makes me want to play a dedicated “fashionista” character, one for each gender.

[Panda]

Are all of the RO’s okay with you romancing others or will there be any jealousy? Your list of RO’s all sound amazing and I won’t be able to pick just one. And how would a non fighting female MC be able to manipulate the war to her advantage? I like to play sneaky, behind the scenes characters.

[mistylavenda]

Y’all know what I think would be perfect? A scene with Senetha carrying the MC on his back! Due to an injury perhaps. It’d really fit the imagery of a knight dutifully serving his lady.

[rose-court]

@Panda

I like to play sneaky, behind the scenes characters.

Yeah, I like to play as Ysonia too, lol.
I mean, my F! MC is her mother’s daughter except she will have a happily arranged marriage to Adam Driver Henry Cavill John Stamos Atheron.

[lokidemon007]

Will Ysonia be happy that we have a happy marriage with Atheron, @Fawkes?

[violet_dewinter]

(presses fingers to lips) Dimples and gray hair. And butting that gray-templed head with Eraven. Oh my.

While we’re talking about family, I am so glad we get to meet our maternal grandparents soon. I can’t wait to see what kind of family Ysonia came from.

Re: Senetha – will he fall in love with the MC no matter what, or are there certain personality thresholds they have to meet first? Or are you planning something like the friendship/rivalry mechanism from Dragon Age 2?

Edit: echoing Panda’s sentiment about poly relationships where everyone involved communicates and accepts what’s going on - please. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that implemented in a game, but I would love to see how it works out.

[lokidemon007]

@Fawkes

Will dear old dad try to force the MC into a vocation that makes them celibate?

[ParrotWatcher]

@Fawkes

but a Paladin swears away all his family ties before Tepharon, which would make a Paladin prince sitting on the throne horrible blasphemy.

You’re just making it sound more tempting…

@Fawkes

Olarion is actually already in love with someone. It starts off unrequited but is eventually reciprocated, regardless of your actions. Whether he ends up with that person in the long run, however, depends on your choices, but Olarion is only ever interested in that person.

A male person?

(I mean, if he’s gay, it would be wrong for him to have to end up with a woman… )

@Fawkes

I’m glad someone asked! He’s been missing out on the love, and I think he was one of the first RO’s I came up with. Spoilers ahead!

Well, now I just have to have a third character for Senetha, too… Stop making me like your characters so much!

@mistylavenda

It’d really fit the imagery of a knight dutifully serving his lady.

Or his prince.

[justme]

@Fawkes

You get the chance to cut your hair short as a girl in the game.

Is this option only going to be available to rebellious MCs, or can we do it for purely aesthetic reasons? And how short is short? Just above the shoulders, like the men? Chin length? Pixie cut?

@Fawkes

This can mean more women cutting their hair shorter.

Finally, a noble cause for which my MC can use the power she plans to amass!

---

Does the MC need to be skilled at combat to be of use in the battle, or can a MC with high Warfare but little to no fighting skills also succeed?

[Kronos]

I hope there is an option to trick the king into letting you go such as, requesting an audience and as he throws the MC out they causally mention how annoyed it would make your mother.

[ParrotWatcher]

Or just point out how easily you could die…