Princes of the Universe, Part I

[Sisiutil]

The next thing I have to decide is how much more effort I want to put into finishing off this epic tale.

I could finish Princes off pretty quickly, with a story allocated to each of the remaining civs. Boom, boom, boom, epilogue, done.

Or, if I get (or force myself to be) inspired, I could really draw it out. The upside to this is more story. The downside is frequent delays as you wait for me to update. To be honest, I have only played the game up to the point where Scipio's story ends, so I'd have to play it through to the end and see what additional story ideas, if any, arise.

I also know I want to finish this tale off and move on to something I can get published. I could do both, of course, but perhaps it's my anal retentive side popping up here, forcing me to finish what I start before moving on.

I'd be interested in hearing what you readers think, though of course the final decision will rest with me--kind of like how Caesar's version of representative government works.

 

[r_rolo1]

Do as it pleases you most. I doubt that you want to make a boom, boom, you're dead ,I win story....... we have westerns for that

And i sense that Mr Scipio would give a good Sharpe if he has time for it

 

[neferator]

The author knows best of course! But I would love to see more detailed stories personally rather than a quick finish which may run the risk of seeming rushed compared to the rest of it...

 

[Sisiutil]

The author knows best of course! But I would love to see more detailed stories personally rather than a quick finish which may run the risk of seeming rushed compared to the rest of it...

Yes, I kind of feel that way, that a quick end now would do a disservice to what has come before. I think what I need to do is play through several turns and see what happens and what stories may be derived from it.

 

[Civfan333]

I don't think it should be a bam, bam, bam, bam, dead, because that would be kind of anticlimactic for what has been happening from the rest of the story.

 

[sophie]

I agree completely this story has been (as you said) epic in length, and to just tack on an ending would be a disservice to the excellent story you have provided us.

 

[Crowqueen]

I'm one for more epic story, Sis. You've started so you'll have to finish, I'm afraid.

 

[Ambler]

+1 for the epic ending.

But know that you are a prince amongst men, and we all greatly appreciate the sacrifices you've given on our behalf!

 

[sylvanllewelyn]

I know you started it as an experiment, but it does seem that your writing style always tends to focus on individuals, or more precisely, heroes. But you'll have to decide what kind of hero you want to write about, because you seem a little undecided. There could be the mythic hero, the fairy-tale hero, the dark fantasy hero, the commoner's hero, the unknown hero (like the kind that stays behind and doesn't get on the lifeboat).

I also noticed that you are very hesitant to write unhappy endings to your stories. I fully expected the soldiers to die with gallentry; it seemed to be the most obvious way to end the story. It's kind of hard to call someone a hero and then not give them a tragic ending.

 

[Niklas]

sylvanllewelyn, I couldn't disagree more. Heroes definitely don't need tragic endings. And still, Sisiutil has killed off two of his, the GA creating a great work in Madrid, and the GM who went on a mission. And the fact that there are a bunch of different heroes with different characteristics is only a plus. IMNSHO.

 

[sophie]

I noticed that as well, his stories tend to follow the romantic ideals and the "roman virtues" pretty consistently. However I don't particularly mind in this setting, although it may be better to follow a different route when you go pro (otherwise, I think your books might come off as a bit cheesy )

 

[Izipo]

You know Sis, you're the one that made me register... It's been nearly two years you started this, do you really think we cannot wait and want a rushed ending ?

This story redefines what EPIC is, it definitely needs an epic ending.
Now, does it needs to be drawn out (as you put it) ? Hmm, I'm not too sure about this.

The fact that you haven't played the game to the end is rather interesting, I'm really looking forward to reading how you storytell the fall of Elizabeth. There is lots of story material right there, maybe a political hero tale ? A spying mission gone wrong ? A tragic but insignificant incident that starts a world war ?

The possibilities are endless. I'm sure you'll take our breath away regardless of the path you choose in game.

 

[sophie]

Elizabeth? We haven't even finished the war with Ghengis, let alone Alexander. I find it interesting that Alexander didn't join into the war, considering the blatant foreshadowing you threw in at the end of the Hanno story. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to seeing fighting with infantry and marines that should make for a few good yarns. Although I agree with Izipo, I'd like to see a political story set in Rome, so we can get another glimpse at what has happened to the patricians of noble Rome. Have they changed? become arrogant? corrupted? Is the mighty Roman empire simply a gilded one once you enter Rome? I'd love to see how politics have changed in the empire since it's been what? several hundred years since you switched to democracy?

 

[Sisiutil]

I know you started it as an experiment, but it does seem that your writing style always tends to focus on individuals, or more precisely, heroes. But you'll have to decide what kind of hero you want to write about, because you seem a little undecided. There could be the mythic hero, the fairy-tale hero, the dark fantasy hero, the commoner's hero, the unknown hero (like the kind that stays behind and doesn't get on the lifeboat).

I also noticed that you are very hesitant to write unhappy endings to your stories. I fully expected the soldiers to die with gallentry; it seemed to be the most obvious way to end the story. It's kind of hard to call someone a hero and then not give them a tragic ending.

As Niklas pointed out, I have killed off some characters within their stories, but yes, I have a hard time doing that. Which is curious, considering that I'm a fan of Joss Whedon, and that guy's practically a homicidal maniac when it comes to his characters...

 

[r_rolo1]

Caesar, in his high wisdow, probably offered the nobles family a oportunity to redeem themselfes in the army , dying as flies .Or offered them some nice domains in the ex-aztec land ( following a certain gold mine example ,grabbed by a certain high ranked officer in those days ) with the condition of them to not intervene in capital politics. Both very Roman ways of dealing with things

I'm somewhat puzzled for the lack of action of the greeks so far as well.....

 

[Sisiutil]

Caesar, in his high wisdow, probably offered the nobles family a oportunity to redeem themselfes in the army , dying as flies .Or offered them some nice domains in the ex-aztec land ( following a certain gold mine example ,grabbed by a certain high ranked officer in those days ) with the condition of them to not intervene in capital politics. Both very Roman ways of dealing with things

I'm somewhat puzzled for the lack of action of the greeks so far as well.....

Well, I'm playing the game and using its events to inspire stories. So I can't FORCE the AI Alexander to do anything, it's up to him and my CPU to make a move, then up to me to try to incorporate it into a story.

 

[r_rolo1]

Well, Alex lacking to help the Khan when he needs most would not be a strange thing as well, considering the caracther of his AI in game Maybe a secret agreement with the wise leader of the Roman empire ?

 

[Jaaboo]

I think you should start some build up to the conclusion. Julius has a decision to make about Elizabeth doesn't he?

 

[Pieman]

I think you should start some build up to the conclusion. Julius has a decision to make about Elizabeth doesn't he?

There's a ceartain Greek in the middle of the road, though...

 

[sophie]

Well, I'm playing the game and using its events to inspire stories. So I can't FORCE the AI Alexander to do anything, it's up to him and my CPU to make a move, then up to me to try to incorporate it into a story.

Well, you know I just assumed that it had already happened in the game and you were merely alluding to it, but hey I guess maybe you were assuming Alexander was going to jump in. Besides, who am I to tell you how to run your story?