[WIP]The Monarch of Mediana(Space Opera|Warfare|Court Intrigue|Mystery|Minor update 31/10|40k words)

Rule the stars- or be consumed by them.

You are the newly crowned monarch of Mediana, a forgotten world in a fractured galaxy. Long ago, your ancestors dominated the stars, but something went terribly wrong. The once-mighty networks between the colonies were severed, leaving each world to fend for itself.

Now, your system clings together by a thread. Three planets- Mediana, Excubria, and Fornax- form a fragile Triumvirate on the brink of collapse. Your regent refuses to relinquish power, your senate plots behind closed doors, and ancient secrets begin to stir.

In this narrative strategy game of politics, betrayal, and cosmic mystery, every choice shapes the fate of your dynasty and your star system.

Survive the throne. Unite the Triumvirate. Uncover the lost secrets of the once mighty galactic empire.

Your reign begins. The galaxy watches.

To play the demo, go here: COGDemo

Detailed Summary

You have just ascended the throne of Mediana, one of three habitable worlds in your star system. Millennia ago, this system was part of the heartland of a vast galactic empire, but a malevolent being known as The Betrayer shattered it overnight, cutting all communications between star clusters.

Seven years ago, your mother, Queen Cassia, vanished into the void to seek an ancient artefact. It is said to be capable of resurrecting Lumia, the Divine Sovereign of that fallen empire. Unfortunately, she never returned.

In her absence, a regent ruled in your stead. Now that you have come of age, you inherit the crown, but with most of its power leeched away. The regent has gathered loyalists among the senate and the people, leaving only the Cult of Lumia openly supporting you, but their faith too hides its own ambitions.

As you take your place on the throne, your sibling worlds, Fornax and Excubria, sense weakness and declare war. With treachery festering within and invasion pressing from beyond, you stand at the brink of ruin.

Only one ally remains steadfast: your newly appointed Praetorian, who is once your childhood companion. Together, you may forge a new destiny for Mediana- or sacrifice them to seize the power you need to survive.

ROs

Renatus/Renata:

The Regent of Mediana before you come of age. They wield great sway over the senate, and for some unfathomable reason, the common citizenry also takes a liking to them. Despite their dutiful appearance, you suspect that the Regent covets your power.

Appearance: Dark hair, dark eyes. Pale complexion. They looked middle-aged when they first accepted their assignment, and somehow still looks the same after all these years.

Haskell/Haskelle:

The Autarch of Fornax, a planet specialised in industry. Brilliant, cold and calculative, they view the world through the exacting lens of mathematics.

Appearance: Dark hair, grey eyes. The skin near their temples is replaced by chrome plates where cables stick out.

Khonsu/Khonath:

The Kindling of the Flamekeeper cult, a vessel which Lumia will be reborn in. They are devout and mysterious, often quoting scriptures in their speech.

Appearance: Red hair, hazel eyes. Possess a sort of beauty that seems too perfect to be real. They also have a mark in the shape of an eye on their forehead.

Servius/Servia:

Your Praetorian and childhood friend, perhaps the only one you can trust among the den of vipers. Loyal and unyielding, they put their duties above all else.

Appearance: White-gold hair, blue eyes. Due to their mixed ancestry, the Praetorian possesses both the fine features of Medianan nobility and the towering physique of Excubrians.

Content Warning (WIP)

Gore, violence, death, drug use, suicidal attempt, brainwashing, child abuse.

A word from the author

I wrote this game with the goal of blending an exciting narrative with strategic gameplay, and I hope I can deliver on that. While I place strong emphasis on the plot, I also take great joy in crafting the characters who inhabit it. Keep in mind, though, that even though there are romance options, this isn’t a full romance game. Not everyone will get a happily ever after. Some routes focus more on power and ambition than on love. Ultimately, each character’s fate will be shaped by the story- and by your choices.

The plot may evolve as development continues, but the main framework is already in place and unlikely to change drastically. If you come across any bugs (and I’m sure there’ll be a few), please let me know! I’d also love your feedback on your stat distribution (are the checks too difficult?), as well as your thoughts on the pacing and characters so far.

Most importantly, I’d love to hear about your MCs. What kind of ruler do you envision them to be?

Update Log

31/10/2025: Prologue, Act I Part I,II & Interlude I are done. Next goal: Act I Part III, bug fixes, stat adjustment

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Alright, I’m interested. I’ll check this out in a couple hours and give my thoughts.

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Experienced and error when I chose to build ammunition.

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May I know what the error message is?

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Line does not exist or something to that effect. I think I was out of money to spend when I selected that choice.

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So this like dune without without human worm hybrid, nice

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@cascat07 i updated the file, hopefully it is fine now

@Zen1 you are not far off;)

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Just finished the demo and i’m loving it so far it’s nice to see a space opera IF since there aren’t that many of them around looking forward to the next update.

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I haven’t enjoyed a demo for while now, somehow many demos make me bored quickly or don’t really interest me even though some are popular. I loved this though, I’m looking forward to the rest. Thank you for your hard work. :smiling_face:

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I hope the whole book wont be about only the war

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This reminds me a lot of Warhammer 40k

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@tbs9090 Thanks a lot! I too hope to see more space opera or the general sci-fi fics.

@Nounou_Kpop Thank you! I will try update frequently, but I am a slow writer haha

@Khotun Unfortunately, the war is the part and parcel of my setting, and it is also the reason why certain characters do what they will do down the road. However, your character can choose not to focus on it as much (as in delegating the major decision process to your advisors), and focus on unravelling mysteries or internal political struggles. Of course, delegating has its own peril…

@Custodes in the grim future of Mediana, there is only war (ok, maybe not always war if the MC can find a way out of it :wink: )

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@Custodes
Took the words from my mouth…or text…anyway
:laughing:

I did find a type oh when the regent tells you to retire three words are put together (I don’t know how to put my own picture in here or I would)

But besides that so far I really like it keep up the good work👍.

Oh and really appreciate the cheat mode already being implemented

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I will take a look there and see if I can correct the error. Thanks for the heads-up!

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This was pretty cool, obviously it reminds me of Dune. I look forward to reading more.

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Interesting start! Lookin forward to more!

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I find it strange how like 2 of the ROs are basically your enemy, like R wants to keep their power and is quite possibly the reason why the MC’s mother is dead and H is the leader of the planet that’s at war and doesn’t seem to be able to feel emotions like love given how they are and the whole robotics thing, S and K are the only normal RO’s and the ones that makes more since to be ones, the MC knew S since childhood and all K has ever done is do their job and be helpful by providing foresight using their third eye;

Now it could just be passing issues, and the relationship between the MC and the ones I mentioned from the start and drastically change further in the story, or something else

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i will echo the last reply. Its a fantastic beginning. Really hope to read more.

The story and the stat are well balance. Its good to read the story.

There one thing that seem to work less. When making decisions on how to defend your world. If the readers think again (I’ve done assigning task >> the reader return to odd numbers, they are more ressource than before way more). Something don’t add up in the numbers.

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@chrisbat dune is definitely one of my inspirations!

@FabulousBlasphemer Thank you!

@Random_Person Wellll, enemies to lovers is definitely one the tropes that features heavily here. The catch is, said trope is only in one route. As for the other- well, I honestly don’t know how to define it, kind of like a rivalmance I suppose? But not exactly. Suffice to say it will definitely not be boring.

The first part will probably have more interaction with S, since they are your friend & the commander of your army. K’s scenes will become more prominent when more esoteric elements surface, and they definitely can be someone more than just a helpful advisor. (Maybe after you resolve one or two of their problems. Or don’t.)

@JoshiYinmith Thanks for the heads-up, will try to correct the bug… soonish!

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Hey actually on this note (rival romances)will you be able to k…I mean will they be able to have “accidents”that cost them their lives or will they be kept alive

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