This is mostly a narrotive post. Not much gameplay involved. I think I finally got the hang of developing some character and creating a plot beyond the scope of the game. I really hope you enjoy. I dont have any pictures for it though. I might go scrap up some paint drwaings but for now here you go.
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Chapter 6: Family Divide
2011 Theater 7, Regal Cinema, Colonie Center Mall, New York
Now screening, “One Last Breath: The Story of Constantine XI” more commonly referred to as simply “One Last Breathe.”
“Man it is really convenient that this movie came out right around the time we were studying this stuff in class.”
“Yea, I know. Seriously man, it’s like a book or movie or something.”
“Wonder what the previews are?”
“Yeah”
*Muppets Preview”
“Eh, I don’t know, it does have Jason Segel but these types of movies are never really that good.”
“I hear ya man. But you know the Smurfs wasn’t awful.”
“Yeah, but Neal Patrick Harris really made that movie. Well him and the Scottish Smurf.”
“That’s what I’m saying, if Neal Patrick Harris could do it, why can Jason Segel.”
“Ok whats next.”
“Happy Feet 2? Eh, it seems kinda corny, especially because they went out of their way to make the little penguin have a stereotypical black kid personality.
“True.”
“Really, another claymation movie. Nightmare before Christmas is the only good claymation movie and this one just looks terrible.”
“I hear ya, I hear ya. This does look kinda bad.”
“Oh time for the movie, shut up.”
“You shut up.”
From behind them “SSSSSHHHHH.”
One hour and thirty minutes later.
The coast of Anatolia is in sight, Konstantinos and his men are preparing to storm the port. Boulders from trebuchets land in the water around the ships, splashing the men on board.
“Men today is our day! Today we avenge our brothers who fell at Constantinople! Today we strike back at the Turk, in the heart of his empire! Steel yourselves! Ready! Charge! “
Konstantinos and his army of 3000 men storm the port city of Antalya. Turkish defenders, clad in turbans stand to try to hold off the Roman attackers, but their light armor is no match for the heavily armored Romans. The Turks are instantly broken, and now flee for the city gates. ! Turkish men are shown lagging behind the main force. The city gate begins to close. The quicken their pace. They draw nearer and nearer the gate, but they are too late. The gate is shut just seconds before they get there. They turn to face the attackers, who now surround the small group of Turks. The Turks plea for mercy, but like the defenders of Constantinople they shall find none.
50 Romans, lead by Konstantinos himself charge and slay the Turkish cowards. Now begins the siege of the city. The screen fades to black. Then comes back to life, now showing the gates of the city break open. Before the dust can clear 3000 Roman soldiers poor into the city meeting the defenders head on. Bloody scenes of hand to hand combat are shown, and within hours the city is claimed. The local noble heading up the city is executed by Konstantinos for refusing to hand over the city peacefully. The screen fades now showing scenes of combat blended with a map of Asia Minor with an arrow showing the route of Konstantinos army and the cities that fell at his hand. Izmir, was first and Konya was second.
The screen fades to black.
Back in Nafplio in Morea, in the council chambers, the council debates how to solve a new problem. Peasants from Achaea have risen up against the Empire. The Empire was bankrupt, and more than ever needed their crops to feed the army and upper nobility. This meant that there was less food for the peasants. The peasants of Achaea were sick of the so called oppression of the Empire. The council was split. Half of the council remained loyal to the Emperor and insisted the peasants be put down immediately and their leader hung for treason. The other half, lead by Demetrios, pleaded in favor of the peasants. They argued the Emperor had lead the Empire into a situation they cannot recover.
“Our Emperor, my brother, has led the Empire into ruin and destruction. We cannot win this war, and yet he continues to make our citizens suffer to continue it. These peasants are not rebelling because they want to overthrow the government. They just want to be able to eat and live without so much interference by the Emperor. Not only are they paying excessively high taxes, now we take their food to feed our army. We must make peace with the Turk. We must seek out the Turk for peace. If we give up Constantinople, we may be able to keep Morea and live in peace. But, if we continue this war effort, we will find nothing more than death. I beg you, good men of the Council of Morea, do what is right for our people, do what is right for the Empire, deny thy Emperor, and seek out peace with the Turk.”
“Traitor” cried out the leader of the loyalist faction. A noble by the name of Pavlos Meisurgos. “You are no son of the Empire. Your brother fights for his people and you stand here and defy him! You claim you wish to serve the Roman people by making peace with the Turk. What of our brother’s in Constantinople. Will you sacrifice all of them to the Turk, just to save the few people left in Morea not fighting the Turks.”
“Constantinople is gone you fool. Don’t you see. We will never go back to Constantinople. The Empire is dead. The Turks have won. If we continue fighting we will find nothing but death. But if we seek out the Turk we may find mercy.”
“Guards! Remove this filth from our presence.” Two guards clad in heavy armor enter and take Demetrios by the arms, and drag him out of the Council Chambers. “Send forth for the Emperor. Inform him his brother has committed treason and has been banished from the Empire. Those of you who wish to seek peace with the Turk would find it best to follow your false Emperor.”
“What! You do not have the authority to banish me. This is an outrage. I am the head councilor here.”
“You are a traitor. And as such you have no place here. The emperor will stand by my decision.”
Almost half of the council leaves, following the guards escorting Demtrios outside the city.
“Where did that messenger go? Get him back in here! Pavlos writes something on a piece of parchment. The messenger appears in the chamber doorway. “Here, take this and bring it to Konstantinos along with the other message.”
“Pavlos, what are we to do about the peasants. Surely when they receive news Demetrios was ousted they will be even more upset.”
“I know my dear Theodoros. This is why I have sent that boy to tell Konstantinos we need him to send half of his army home. That is if he is still alive. May G-d be with us.”
Screen fades to black.
The Emperor is seen outside the city gates of Konya when a young boy about 20 in age come running up to him. He hands him two letters. Konstantinos reads “My lord Konstantions, Emperor of the Romans, I regret to inform you your brother “Demetrios Palaiologos, has committed treason. He has conceded your defeat and seeks peace with the Turk. Because he is your brother his life was spared. I took it upon myself to banish him along with almost half the council, from the Empire. As your loyal servant I advise you stand by me on this. Also with your brother gone the council is in need of new leadership. As I have led the faction of the council that supports you, I request your permission that I take your brother’s place as head of the council.”
This news both saddened and angered Konstantinos. Furious his own flesh and blood would betray hims, and yet saddened that he would have to stand behind the councilor in banishing his brother.
Konstantinos then opened the next letter. “My dearest Emperor Konstantinos, peasants in Achaea have rebelled against your just and most glorious rule. In order to quell them we need you to send forth half of your army back home. Without such, we have no means of putting down this rebellion against the Empire.”
The Emperor agreed and sent home half his army. And to the courier he gave a letter to give to the new Head Councilor.
Fades to black. Credits role. Lights come on.
“Oh man, that was awesome. Konstantinos was such a badass. He made King Leonidos look ike a sissy.”
“Bro I know. How awesome was it when he stormed the port and took out 10 Turks before the rest of his men could even get to the battle.”
“I know man. Oh, oh how about the part where he lost his sword and still managed to kill like 10 guys with just his hands ad his shield.”
“Oh man yeah that was awesome. His brother was a real douche though. He completely stabbed his brother in the back.”
“Kinda. I kinda agreed with him. The war does seem really hopeless and Konstantinos is really putting his people through a lot of suffering. If you ask me that Pavlos guy is really sketchy. Kinda like Snape from Harry Potter.”
“Come to think of it your right. He seems really similar to Wormetounge.”
“Who?”
“Grima Wormetounge, you know, the really pale guy from Lord of the Rings. He was the advisor to the king of Rohan.”
“Dude, what is your obsession with the Lord of the Rings.”
“What do you mean, you just made a Harry Potter reference.”
“Yeah, once, you mention Lord of the Rings all the time.”
“Dude you make tons of Harry Potter references. You’ve made at least 6 since we have been here.”
“Yeah but, Harry Potter is cool and Lord of the Rings is lame.”
“Sigh, your such a douche.”
“If by douche you mean genius, then yes, yes I am.”
“No by douche I meant douche. So let me get this straight, a movie about teenage English wizards at a school of magic, that always seem to end up getting into mischief is cool, but a war against the forces of darkness in a medieval setting, that is the basis for almost every fantasy movie, book or game ever is lame?”
“Yep”
“I hate you sometimes, you know that.”
“Yep”
“Sigh”
