It is the year 990 AC. Earth is dead, a distant memory consumed by darkness and time. The age of science and understanding is long gone, succeeded by an era of magic and ignorance. Ganymede, one of the largest havens for remaining humans, is ruled undivided by the cruel Jovian Republic… with the exception of a single island and its newly elected ruler.
You are the Sovereign of Natrun, the last free city of Ganymede, having just ascended its wooden throne. On the very day of your triumph, the Jovian Republic vows to destroy your realm, tear down the walls of Natrun and raze your city to the ground. You must unite your people against the invaders, face the might of enemy armies, and decide just how much you’re willing to sacrifice.
For the city must survive.
Genres: Science-fantasy, dystopian fiction, optional romance
Current Length: 113k words (without code)
Features:
- Create a character of your chosen gender, race, sexuality, background and motivation
- Reform Natrun, uphold the status quo, pursue absolute power or simply burn it all down
- Appease or antagonize various groups and factions of your domain
- Romance one of your allies, your former enemy, or just an attractive stranger
- Build and command an army in whatever manner you choose
- Decide what you’re willing to sacrifice
Content Warnings: A society so evil and oppressive it would give George Orwell a stroke
Author’s Note: Walls of Natrun is a story I’ve been drafting for a while now. It takes place in the same universe as Saturnine, but tells a much larger story in more fantasy-like setting. The project is currently in its infancy, but I’m planning to release major updates in short order, so any feedback at this stage would be very valuable.
Romance Options (minor spoilers)
Victor(ia) Vorei
Gender: Variable
Position: Your Exchequer and Elector Count(ess)
Age: 40
Preference: Slightly prefers women
Appearance: Fair skin, raven hair, grey eyes
Likes: Social restraint, following the rules, frugality
Dislikes: Showing emotions, extravagant perfumes, the sight of blood
Description: You’ve spent the last few months engaged in open war against Vic and vice versa. Both of you wanted the throne of Natrun, and you were both a cut above all other contenders. In some respects, Vic was arguably better, but that didn’t stop you from eventually defeating them and becoming the Sovereign in their stead.
Perhaps Vic still hates you for it. Perhaps not. Their face is almost always unreadable, their emotions greatly subdued and carefully hidden. They are the paragon of public restraint, the beacon of stoicism that exudes dignity wherever they go. That makes them a worthy and dangerous opponent… with an added bonus of making Vic more than a bit alluring.
Perhaps there is a chance of you becoming friends. Perhaps you’ll become something more than friends, given enough time and trust. It’s a remote possibility for sure, but Vic is always there if you desire a noble and affluent partner.
Sergi the Savant
Gender: Male
Position: Exalted Priest
Age: 42
Preference: Slightly prefers men
Appearance: Fair skin, ginger hair and beard, brown eyes, tall and lean
Likes: Philosophical debates, matured wine, the smell of tree bark
Dislikes: Smoking, pointless cruelty, choose-your-own-adventure scrolls
Description: If you have a single equal in Natrun in terms of power and renown, Sergi the Savant is that equal. He is the Exalted of Natrun, the highest-ranking priest of your city and possibly the most feared person on the entire island. His influence is great, and his actions tell the tale of an unyielding and uncompromising zealot.
And yet… there’s a certain softness to Sergi that most people are unaware of. He seems to know mercy, perhaps even empathy, and sometimes even acts on these qualities. That makes him a rare specimen, and makes part of you excited by the prospect of working with him.
He also refrained from taking any vows of celibacy. This could be a chance for you to seduce the powerful priest… or perhaps to genuinely fall in love. Who knows. Everyone in your circle of advisors is a mystery, and Sergi may just be the most puzzling one of all.
Marcia Rupoli
Gender: Female
Position: Castellan
Age: 35
Preference: Strongly prefers men
Appearance: Brown skin, dark hair, purple eyes, pronounced muscles
Likes: Maces, discipline, spicy food
Dislikes: Weaklings, ranged weaponry, alcohol
Description: Marcia Rupoli is the rising star of Natrun’s armed forces, her life a story of unprecedented success. It’s rare for a woman, or a foreigner, or anyone younger than forty to become the city’s Castellan, and yet Marcia managed it without apparent trouble. She’s now in charge of keeping the Natrun Castle, as well as its ruler, relatively safe from death and harm.
You can’t say she’s been doing a bad job. You’re still alive, and you’re fairly sure Marcia will protect you if given a chance. She’s strong, brave, good with a blade… though she prefers maces over the swords of nobility and halberds of the other guards.
There are certainly some questions you need to ask her, facts you need to learn about your loyal Castellan… but maybe you should try to befriend her first. Perhaps you should do more than that. After all, though her charm might be peculiar, Marcia Rupoli is by no means ugly or unappealing.
Farai
Gender: Male
Position: Troupe Master
Age: 33
Preference: Strongly prefers women
Appearance: Dark skin, white hair, crimson eyes
Likes: Pretty dresses, cold beer, battle axes
Dislikes: Being asked too many questions
Description: You’re not sure when and how Farai became an important figure in this war. He arrived at Natrun in March, bringing more joy to its people than the coming of spring ever could. His plays are as moving as they are entertaining, and he’s as good of an actor as he is a director, but that’s not all there is to him.
Farai is weirdly… carefree. In a world of misery and in times of strife, Farai manages to stay consistently upbeat and optimistic, refreshingly confident and charismatic. He could have fled Natrun long ago, but instead chose to help the city out of the goodness of his heart. He treats the whole conflict as some fun game, either unaware or uncaring that he may die soon.
He’s also quite dashing, his looks rivaled by only a few Natrunian natives. You suspect he’s intentionally seducing you, but even if… maybe it would be wise to humor him. He’d be quite valuable as an ally, and even more valuable as a friend. Let alone a friend with benefits.
Elvira
Gender: Female
Position: Stylist
Age: 41
Preference: None
Appearance: Fair skin, blond hair, hazel eyes, pointy ears
Likes: Shopping, theater, choose-your-own-adventure scrolls
Dislikes: Cigarettes, loud sounds, being on the shopping list
Description: “Elvira” is quite an odd name. Nobody knows what it means, or even what Terran language it originates from, but your stylist seems to like it. She requested it herself when you bought her two years ago, right before your ascent to power truly began.
Ever since, Elvira has been extremely helpful, if slightly irritating. She’ll wake you up with cold water, then paint your face and nails with artistic flourish. She’ll offer advice and encouragement alongside sarcastic remarks and shameless jokes. She has all the loyalty one could expect from a servant, but no respect or deference that befits her station.
Maybe it’s just a Sylphian thing, one of Elvira’s several inhuman traits. Or maybe it’s your cue to make her more than just your servant. After all, it’s perfectly normal for a noble to get acquainted with their freedwoman… even if Elvira is anything but normal or ordinary.
