Fire Emblem: The Verdict of History

[ersatz]

Hi. I'm new to the forum. I had a story I wanted to tell, and for some reason it would only come out in the form of a script for a Fire Emblem fan game, which I am too incompetent with computers to ever actually implement. Here is a brief description I put together:

The story takes place in the lands surrounding a great sea. The city of Jatra, ruled by an aristocratic council, controls the vast majority of this territory. A young woman from a noble family, Keely Clearwater, crosses some powerful people in her attempt to reform provincial administration, and ends up exiled. Meanwhile, the Council moves to imprison Hasa Tsever, the Archmage, whose spiritual authority constitutes a challenge to their own. In exile, Keely meets Hasa’s apprentice, Milo, and the two of them conspire to solve their problems together. Needless to say, their actions lead to consequences they do not foresee. Those consequences do not, however, involve an evil sorcerer or a dark dragon god. The tone is generally serious (not to say humorless), and the focus stays in the realm of human politics and ideology throughout.

I took inspiration less from things like medieval or early modern European history and Tolkien-style fantasy, and more from things like Avatar: The Last Airbender, the ancient history of the Mediterranean, and the fiction of Ursula K. LeGuin. The main story is 98% complete (only paired endings and some alternate dialogues left unwritten). Supports are much further from finished, but I hope to write more of them over time. I'm not sure exactly what I'm hoping for in posting it here. Feedback is welcome, but I'm unlikely to change anything radically. More than anything, I suppose that "script for an unmade fangame" is just an odd medium to write in, but I did make it, and it would be nice if it could find some kind of audience somehow.

TW: Because this work is informed by ancient Mediterranean history, references to slavery and its impact on the broader social world are pretty constant. This includes some oblique references to the sexual elements of the slave trade, but nothing explicit or direct. On the whole I don't think the script, if it were made into a game, would receive an ESRB rating higher than T, but I would want to hear if anybody feels otherwise.

verdict of history main script.docx verdict of history supports.docx

[Von Ithipathachai]

This sounds intriguing.  I'll give it a look.

As for your lack of computer skills, what exactly is it that you feel is holding you back?  I ask because I too was in your very same position once.  I had an idea for an FE story of my own that I originally shared through a Written Works thread because I didn't expect to be able to bring it to life in a playable format.  Although the story wasn't finished to the degree yours has been, my thread also included my own class designs, character designs, and even some rudimentary maps.

However, while I was working on it, this software called SRPG Studio came out in English that opened up possibilities I had not even dreamt of.  After buying the software and putting in ample amounts of dedication and hard work as well as some compromise, the game I had more or less envisioned eventually managed to see the light of day as Sanctaea Chronicles.

Should you decide to take the plunge and embark on this same journey, do not hesitate to ask me for advice.  I have ample experience with SRPG Studio under my belt as well as multiple projects of varying degrees of length and completion.  I wish you luck in your endeavors.

[ersatz]

Thank you, it's very kind of you. You're right that I probably could learn the relevant programming skills if I put in the effort, but the harder truth is that for at least the next few months, I can't see finding the time. Or, for that matter, the inclination: the fun for me was mostly in writing the story. But who knows? Maybe someday when I have more time on my hands, I'll try it. And I'll certainly take a look at your game.

[Von Ithipathachai]

Thanks.  Maybe while you're still taking care of your other business, you can find some time to at least brainstorm ideas for what you'd want should you get the chance to turn this into something playable.

Since this is story is supposed to be for a game, after all, it would be prudent to think about what you would want out of such a game.  What mechanics do you want to implement?  How do you want your weapons and magic system to work?  What kind of class system are you gunning for?  Have you even thought much about what classes your characters are supposed to be?  All of these are very important considerations to make.

It is true that there is a significant planning component you need to deal with before you even think about implementing anything.  Luckily for you, you happen to be in an abnormally advantageous position having largely finished your story.

Since you've decided to try out my own game, feel free to join my Discord server if you need someplace more flexible to talk about game stuff.