gg-university-if

[gg-university-if]

Wyd when A hits you with this stare?

hehe who wants to recreate challengers with the MC, A and Lorelai?

[gg-university-if]

hehe who wants to recreate challengers with the MC, A and Lorelai?

[gg-university-if]

Ahem

For King and Country is an 18+ period low fantasy fic which seeks to combine the extensive background work and history associated with high fantasy titles such as LOTR with more ‘realistic’ storytelling and settings. It may contain distressing content like depiction of regressive attitudes (sexism, misogyny and prejudice), major injury to the characters, character deaths, blood, gore, abuse and optional sexual content. More specific warnings will be given at the beginning of each chapter.

Remember those long summer days when the countryside was green and life was still young, when you were but a little culver and all the world was promised for you.

But summer has ended. Amidst the furore and tumult, autumn crept in unnoticed, finding you unprepared, still a greenhorn.

Now, the old order is dead, yet the Empire endures. In this new and uncertain world, what are you willing to do for your King and Country, O little culver?

Ah little tragedies, that you could not remain in the safety of your family's country manor, that they could not shield you once again from this world.

You must take to the capital at once, like all men and women of good birth, for king and country and the glory of the commonwealth! The spirit of progress and change has swept through the nation. The heady days of revolution are long over, and the streets have been washed clean of blood and filth. Invited to serve in the Gendarmerie and attend the prestigious University College, you must answer the King’s call. Navigate and become increasingly entangled in the web of intrigue, gossip, violence, and ideas that swirl around the nation. Enter a society radically different from the one you were raised to expect. These are the years that will decide your fate and that of your fellow countrymen. Act wisely, for it is not often that the world is within your grasp.

Features

Fully customize your MC. Choose your pronouns, sexuality, appearance and more. Assume the identity of a citizen of noble birth and experience the story through their eyes.

Romance one of seven ROs or engage in a polyamorous relationship with a pre-selected two of them. The only possible poly route is the Young King and the Queen Ruler.

Practice and specialise in the skills of the Gendarmerie with the option for swordplay, marksmanship, offensive galderquid and diplomacy.

Define your political leanings on the leading issues of your team – be that Radical, Reformist or Traditionalist.

Debate, engage and make allies and enemies with the various competing factions and interests that flock to the city.

Study at the University College, earning your professors admiration for your diligence, intellect, ambition or adventurousness or cruise through relying on your wealth and ability to hide.

Help to stabilize or sabotage the Empire.

Don't lose your head.

Critical Lore*

Talent

Galder denotes the practice of magic within our nation, a discipline requiring extensive study and mastery. The ability to manipulate Galderquid, the fundamental essence of magic, is a rare and intricate skill, demanding years of rigorous training to achieve even moderate proficiency.

Every individual possesses a basic affinity for Galderquid, but those with exceptional potential are identified through comprehensive evaluations conducted by village or city physicians around the ages of 12 or 13. These assessments determine the individual's capacity for advanced magical education.

Upon evaluation, candidates are assigned a national rank based on their proficiency. Those demonstrating exceptional aptitude are offered state-sponsored education at the prestigious University College at the age of 18. Others are placed in various other institutions or may pursue private tutelage.

Galder is often referred to as the "fifth philosophy," characterized by its non-intuitive nature. Mastery requires adherence to rigorous methodologies grounded in reason, first principles, and established precedents. The study of Galder encompasses several specialized fields, each with distinct applications and techniques:

Sympathetic Galder: This field focuses on influencing the minds of individuals or animals. It includes practices such as illusion creation, language translation, emotional manipulation, and sleep inducement.

Transmutative Galder: Involves altering the intrinsic nature or form of objects. This process generally relies on the principle that the original and transformed items must possess equivalent 'worth.' The approximate worth of common subjects of transmutation can be found in any good transmutation book.

Invocation Galder: Pertains to the summoning and manipulation of natural elements, including water, earth, fire, and wind.

Clerical Galder: Associated with the Church, this field is predominantly closed practice. However, educational institutions provide instruction in healing and charming, which are also fundamental aspects of clerical magic.

Archery: Involves the use of Galder to manifest a bow and arrows composed of energy. These projectiles deliver significant blunt damage upon impact but they have more varied usage and techniques as taught by bow-masters.

Blade-Use: Similar to Archery, this field focuses on creating blades, swords, or daggers from Galder. These weapons inflict substantial blunt damage but they have more varied usage and techniques as taught by blade-masters.

The Revolution

The Revolution is recognized as having commenced approximately ten years ago and concluded two years later with the ascension of King Edmund of House Northalay. The conflict was precipitated by a series of critical events and widespread discontent among the populace throughout the entire reign of the King Edmund Sr. regarding the laws of his government and his conduct as monarch.

The Revolution was notably ignited by the previous monarch's decision to disinherit his eldest daughter and legitimise his illegitimate son as heir presumptive. This controversial move generated significant unrest among the yeomanry and laborers, who perceived the monarch's actions as unjust and contrary to ecclesiastical teachings. Particularly in reformist cities across the Empire, widespread protests ensued, leading to the deposition and, in some instances, the defenestration of local officials such as Lord Mayors, Sheriffs, and Governors who supported the king and a state of national emergency being declared with martial law being invoked.

A retired general, Aldric Reval, who had previously fought in the unpopular Eleven Years' War on behalf of the crown, emerged as a pivotal leader of the revolution. Utilizing strategic peasant uprisings and sieges, Reval's forces delivered decisive blows to the royalist regime. The revolution culminated in the fall of the capital during the Sack of Feur.

Following the war, a constitutional convention instituted several significant reforms. While the monarchy was retained, it was transformed into an elective institution. In accordance with the dying wishes of the disinherited princess, who had perished during the conflict, the revolutionaries supported her youngest brother, Edmund, then only 17 years old, as king. A new system was established wherein the monarch would be elected by referendum from among the previous monarch's heirs and any citizens over the age of forty who could garner the endorsement of at least seven out of forty-three Provincial Governors and obtain fifty thousand signatures.

The bicameral parliament was replaced by a unicameral national assembly with universal suffrage. The sole eligibility criteria for parliamentarians are citizenship and attainment of the age of majority, with elections held every eight years.

General Aldric Reval was appointed as Lord-Protector of the Realm with extensive powers throughout Edmund’s reign and continued as Commander of the Armies for the duration of their tenure. Furthermore, the University College was opened to all individuals of suitable rank, not limited to the nobility.

Under the new provisions, all children from officially recognized noble houses or those with an annual income exceeding 1,300 libre must receive training and serve in the Gendarmerie and Youth Corps upon reaching the age of eighteen. This mandate was intended to instill the common national spirit and sense of noblesse oblige.

The reformist and radical factions, which had been barred from participation since the reign of the prior queen over sixty-four years ago, were officially unbanned and re-integrated into the parliamentary democracy.

The government is required to be formed by the majority party in the national parliament. The King appoints the Premier, who must then assemble a cabinet predominantly composed of members from the majority party. Although the King retains the authority to appoint cabinet members from outside parliament, early precedent set by King Edmund suggests that he will appoint those recommended by the Prime Minister.

The Gendarmerie and University College

The Gendarmerie, colloquially known among the common folk as the Small Army, serves as a voluntary armed force in peacetime within the Empire. Its primary role is to function as a national guard, maintaining peace and order across the extensive and diverse territories of the Empire.

During periods of peace, the Gendarmerie is comprised of volunteers who contribute to the stability of the nation. However, in times of war, the monarch is vested with the authority to implement conscription, thereby obligating young men to serve in the armed forces.

Following the Revolution, significant reforms were introduced regarding service in the Gendarmerie. Nobles and individuals from affluent households are now required to complete a compulsory four-year term of service and training within the Gendarmerie. This training is relatively light compared to full military training, designed to balance the economic and educational responsibilities of these citizens with their military duties. The intent behind this reform is to ensure that individuals from privileged backgrounds contribute to national service while accommodating their broader societal roles.

University College stands as the foremost educational institution within the Empire, renowned for its comprehensive and prestigious programs. Traditionally, it served as the premier academy for the children of nobility, the monarchy, and the clergy, maintaining a long-standing reputation for excellence in education.

University College's Faculty of Galderquid was one of the last strongholds of exclusivity, admitting primarily the aristocracy due to the national ranking system which favored noble applicants. As a result, high ranks in Galder were predominantly attained by nobility, given that opportunities for the common folk to study and advance were severely limited.

In the wake of the Revolution, significant reforms were instituted. University College expanded its admissions policies to include common folk, democratizing access to higher education. This shift has allowed individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to partake in the rigorous study of Galderquid alongside traditional subjects.

Beyond its distinguished Faculty of Galderquid, University College upholds a strong tradition in the liberal arts. It is known for its broad curriculum and research at the forefront of the emerging technologies of the world, encompassing a broad spectrum of disciplines and advancements relevant to contemporary thought and practice.

Situated in Feur, the capital city, University College benefits from its central location in what is often regarded as a hub of youthful energy and societal activity. Feur's reputation as a vibrant center for young nobles and genteel individuals enhances the college's role as a key venue for social introduction. It is frequently heralded as a place where the most advantageous social and matrimonial matches are made, positioning it as a pivotal institution in shaping the elite's social landscape.

The Empire

The Empire's history is both extensive and complex, rooted in the unification of the formerly independent nations of Peuter, Gallo, and Paria. This merger, which occurred nearly 150 years ago, marked the beginning of the Empire’s formation and laid the foundation for its subsequent development.

From its inception, the Empire adopted an expansionist stance, which has characterized much of its history. This policy of territorial growth has been met with widespread approval among its citizens, largely due to the substantial wealth and resources it has brought to the nation. As the largest empire in its region, it has established itself as the dominant lingua franca, further solidifying its influence and stature.

In the past four decades, the Empire has implemented a policy of assimilation. This approach has involved transforming its former colonies into integral provinces, thereby incorporating them into the Empire’s administrative and social framework. Citizens of these newly established provinces are granted full citizenship, while certain collaborators are bestowed with titles of nobility and established noble houses. This strategy aims to reinforce their allegiance and integrate these territories more thoroughly into the fabric of the Empire.

Despite its vast wealth and dominance, the Empire has faced relatively frequent rebellions in its newly acquired provinces, where calls for independence have persisted. Historically, these uprisings have been met with swift and overwhelming military responses. However, under the current administration of King Edmund, a new approach has been adopted. While the Empire has not ceded any ground, the government is exploring alternative methods of addressing dissent, reflecting a shift in strategy from previous practices.

*The lore detailed here is accurate but also only extends as far as the protagonist's knowledge of these subjects at the present time of the fic, some detail will be lost or may have been withheld from the MC and they may have misconceptions.

Romances

You remember meeting him once, when the royal family was on a progress throughout the realm. He was a shy, sickly boy that seemed to cling to his elder sister's leg and you scarcely heard besides a greeting and your occasional conversation when prompted by your Papa or when his mother pleaded with him to friends. It seems in the years since he has changed in many ways, from growing into his boyish good looks to now being the sole focus of society's adoration and focus for his amiable if dramatic personality and regular scandals that regularly dominate the newspapers though he still appears to take a backseat in the matters of governance.

Perhaps you shouldn't have been caught off guard when you caught his eye, he does apparently love a distraction...

Name: Edmund of House Northalay

Age: 27

Height: 6'5

Appearance: Edmund stands at a 6'5, noticeably lanky although his seemingly permanent jaunty posture appears to cut an inch or two of him. He possesses short bronde hair styled in such a fashion that it appears intentionally messy and fashionably ruffled with various products used to achieve the effect. He possesses a lean athletic physique although it is evidently achieved through some sort of diet or exercise for aesthetic rather than being muscles created by years of work. He nearly always has a relaxed expression with a smirk and his pale face is framed by his hazel blue eyes.

(gender-locked m) poly-route, solo-route

Tropes: Life of the Party, Commitment Issues

The courting of King Edmund with the Queen Consort Vania is a memory that you can't forget dominating the news the entirety of your twelfth year, each morning greeted with sketches of her striking visage and details of the few words she'd deigned to utter to the press and their marriage was the talk of the town for weeks. You remember the excitement on your mother, sister and brother's faces when you all received the invitation to the royal wedding.

As they walked down the aisle in that church, you couldn't help but try to scan her eyes obscured by that veil and for some reason as you made eye contact it sent a shiver down your spine.

Name: Vania Lionel, Lady Northalay

Age: 36

Height: 5'9

Appearance: Vania stands straight at a tall 5'9 although her heels often push her to 5'11 or even 6'0. She has long wavy chestnut brown hair interspersed with soft streaks of grey although more often than not it is in an updo of some sort for practicality. She has a healthy chubby physique with faint smile lines and wrinkles, with sun-kissed tan skin as well as doe-shaped deep brown eyes. Somehow a picture of beauty and severity, all the soft lines of her body somehow harsh.

(gender-locked f) poly-route, solo-route

Tropes: scary hot, masc women, girls with g*ns

The Revolution was just starting when Reval came to your family's manor. You can recall the tension in the air as you peered through the window at them and their host of men on horse approaching your home, the only home you'd ever known then. Reval, then a rising leader of the revolutionary forces, arrived asking for food and shelter for his men, their cap in hand as his face gaunt with the hunger of the early days of the revolution. What struck you most was how they made a point of having their soldiers—and even themself—assist around the house. the image of them, sleeves rolled up, carrying pails of water and helping the staff clean still persists. How they wished you well as they rode out, without fanfare but you could feel their fell purpose.

Name: Aldric Reval

Age: 43

Height: 5'11

Appearance: Aldric has short, practical wavy black hair streaked with grey throughout, reflecting years of experience and hardship. their muscled, well-built stature is a testament to their years of service. He has warm brown skin, indicative of his heritage being from the Empire. His light green eyes stand out against his rugged features, with a determined, piercing gaze.

(gender-locked gender-fluid) solo-route

Tropes: The Stoic, No Sense of Humour, Heroic BSoD

Your arrival in the Feur was marked by the jostling and noise of the bustling streets and the smell of smoke that pervaded the lower city. As you were squeezed in the cramped carriage, you could hear a boyish voice call out, hailing down the carriage which came to a sharp stop. They clambered in, you assumed to escape the rain but before sitting down they began handing out flyers which were covered in radicals' symbology and literature. After a moment and a flurry of scandalised whispering the coach once again came to a halt and the coach driver came around, throwing them out without much of a fuss. Undeterred, they landed on the ground with a cheeky smile, brushing the dirt of themselves and their now wet jacket before quickly running off with a call of “hail, hail!”

Name: K(eir/Kiera) Jamestown

Age: 19

Height: 6'1 (m) / 5'8 (f)

Appearance: Jamestown has straight ginger hair. In their male variant, it is short and parted in the middle, framing his face modernly. In their female variant, it is styled in a fashionable long bob, popular among the more radical girls in the cities. They have a ruddy complexion with a light smattering of freckles across their face and hands. Their lithe physique suggests years of inactivity and academic study. They have striking sage green eyes.

(gender-locked m/f) solo-route

Tropes: Firebrand, Roommates, Forced Proximity, One Sided Dislike

You remember the days of your childhood, playing together in the fields and forests. Over time, you mostly grew apart, but you still made an effort to say hello and have a short chat whenever you bumped into each other on the way to or from town. Their family lived on your land, and there was always a sense of familiarity between you. Imagine your surprise when you saw them waiting for the carriage out of your small provincial town to the capital city and University College, a bulging trunk in their hands. They wore a bashful smile as they explained they waved away the fact that they were a prodigy.

Name: A(dlai/Addison) 'Addy' Gardener

Age: 18

Height: 5'7 (m/f)

Appearance: Addy has blonde hair, worn slightly longer than most. They have fair skin and light brown eyes. Though not overly built, they have definite muscle definition in their legs and arms from working outdoors. Their sun-kissed skin is marked with sunspots, a testament to their time spent under the open sky.

(gender-locked m/f) solo route

Tropes: Guy/Girl Next Door, Secret Crush, Intelligence Equals Isolation, Friends to Lovers

On your first day reporting for the Gendarmerie, you felt a mix of nerves and anticipation. As you looked around at your fellow recruits, one person stood out. They seemed to tower over the rest and radiated an excitement unmatched by anyone else, eagerly standing first in line as the instructors called for order.

Later, as you headed to University College, you noticed someone strikingly similar to that towering recruit. Trying to strike up a conversation, they looked at you with confusion before saying, “You must've met my twin.” Before promptly departing, with a silent display of Galder their heavy book bag floated after them.

When you considered them, you were mortified how you hadn't immediately guessed it. Their entire beings seemed diametrically opposite to the other.

Name: F(allon/Farah) Rue

Name: G(arth/Galia) Rue

Age(s): 18

Height: 5'8 (f) 5'10 (m)

Height: 5'9 (f) 5'11 (m)

Appearance: F has warm brown skin and heterochromia—one eye brown and the other hazel. They carry themselves in an amiable and casual way, exuding a friendly and approachable aura. In their male variant, F wears their hair in single plaits tied up, showcasing a practical style. In their female variant, they have their hair in braids, adding a touch of casual elegance to their appearance. Their well-built stature and defined muscles speak of years of rigorous physical activity and training

Appearance: G has a striking appearance, with warm brown skin and heterochromia—one eye brown and the other hazel. They carry themselves with a straight back and an elegant sense of movement, exuding silent confidence and poise. In their male variant, G wears their hair in single plaits, showcasing a practical and neat style. In their female variant, they have their hair in braids, adding a touch of elegance to their appearance. Their stature is more often than not hidden under their clothes but suggests they at one point were much more active from their physique.

(gender-locked m/f) solo route

Tropes: golden retriever, himbo, heart of gold

Tropes: black cat, rivals to lovers

Additional

Demo: not yet available

Pinterest: not yet available

Art: not yet available

Feedback Survey: not yet available

All Asks and Reposts are appreciated, work will be slow but steady and a demo should be ready shortly!

ask me lore questions please, I have far too many notes on this.

[gg-university-if]

Hi,

I just wanted to ask if the demo is no longer available to the public because this keeps coming up when I click on the demo link 👇🏾

Yes, the demo isn't available to the public anymore.

As I'm not planning on updating for the time being it didn't seem right to leave it up indefinitely when I had no plans on finishing the next chapter.

I wasn't sure what everyone would've wanted but I believed that was the best resolution.

So sorry 😭

[gg-university-if]

I've really gotten into the House of the Dragon recently and it's reignited my will to write for my medieval fantasy fic, hoping I'll find something similar for GGGLU.

[gg-university-if]

My expert opinion is that books should be readerly and authors who write writerly books should be punched in the face.

[gg-university-if]

Just read A Little Life, do not recommend.

[gg-university-if]

SPOILER DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU PLAN ON PLAYING THE DLC.

I would've loved an Age of Compassion ending probably as much as I enjoyed the Age of Stars tbh.

I finished the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

[gg-university-if]

I finished the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

[gg-university-if]

missing the halcyon days of writing for pleasure, have got my friends to bully me into remembering why I went on hiatus

[gg-university-if]

Can't even celebrate Pride now because of Woke.

Happy Pride everyone!

[gg-university-if]

You know I am obsessed with this but I do understand life gets lifey and shit just needs to refocus. I wish you all the best and good luck with school!!! We shall miss you! 💜

I'll miss you all so much too 💞💞

Writing is really fun and if nothing else there are many authors on tumblr who are really good, I'd not been reading anything (non academic) for quite a few months but lots of authors have updated with great work.

I'd encourage you all to send your support to authors and continue to be such great readers!

[gg-university-if]

You will be missed:'(

Aw thank you, I wish I could continue to write but at this point every time I try it just creates more anxiety that I'm forgetting the characterisation of my own characters but I also get anxious about not writing and I also feel anxious about not studying whenever I'm writing.

I'm not gonna make any promises for obvious reasons but as soon as I finish with uni prep and academic stuff I hope I'll be able to come back and finish GGGLU I have far too many pages of plans and flow charts to abandon it completely.

I was contemplating handing it over to a friend with more time but I just can't give it up unfortunately 😅

[gg-university-if]

wishing you the best of luck in your future endeavors <3

Thanks and if fortune is on my side one day:

[gg-university-if]

I'll be deleting this blog in 24 hours just so anyone who needs to can see it.

Hi guys,

As university stuff has continued to pile up I've realised that I'm wholly unable to juggle GGGLU alongside the workload and academic responsibilities.

It feels unfair to leave the game up when I have no plan to update or write in the short or medium term currently and as such I'm contemplating deleting this blog and taking the game down.

It's been a privilege to write and have people enjoy my hobby but ultimately I don't think it's the right time for me to be pursuing my amateur literature career unfortunately.

[gg-university-if]

Hi guys,

As university stuff has continued to pile up I've realised that I'm wholly unable to juggle GGGLU alongside the workload and academic responsibilities.

It feels unfair to leave the game up when I have no plan to update or write in the short or medium term currently and as such I'm contemplating deleting this blog and taking the game down.

It's been a privilege to write and have people enjoy my hobby but ultimately I don't think it's the right time for me to be pursuing my amateur literature career unfortunately.

[gg-university-if]

How are you doing right now?

Currently? Dying under a library of books.

If nothing else I think my vocabulary will have expanded by time I return to writing for GGGLU.