Tagline

Overview

Pitch

The year is 700 AC, King Bellicose has commissioned the creation of three great war machines from the fabled Artificers in Exile to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the re-founding of the Provincial Kingdom. These mechs, each worth more than an entire system, are specially designed to function in any paradigm, allowing their pilots unparalleled martial efficiency across the galaxy.

The first, the Preudomme, will be gifted to the Heir apparent, Princess Fortuna. The remaining two will be gifted to the scions of great houses, as a gesture of gratitude, and as an investment in the shining future of the nation. That’s where you, a student at The Branched Provincial Academy of the Chivalrous Arts. (or BPACA) come in.

Vast park lands and ivy covered brick buildings sprawl across a habitation ring circling the striking white marble stadium of the first Joust. Far below is the shining green planet of Branched. 20 years ago Branched was selected to be site of His Majesty King Bellicose’s war palace. With that honor came the king's court, their subjects, a vast military apparatus and resentment. Funding to the BPACA exploded overnight, elevating the little backwater academy to the center of martial learning in the empire. You belong to one of the three groups lucky enough to attend this prestigious school, which means you have a chance at winning one of the two tricentennial mechs, and everlasting honor and glory besides.

You might be:

Child of one of the ruling merchant dynasties of Branched. Your family has been on Branched since time immemorial, your family manages a vast shipping empire, or provides security for traders, or runs a bank on the planet. Your money is old, but, at least in your eyes, earned. You resent the new arrivals and crave a return to your global supremacy.

Child of one of the lords of the King’s Court. Your family arrived with the King. Your parents own entire systems, this dirty backwater is barely worth your notice. You will win one of the tricentennial mechs, all that remains to be seen is whether you’ll break a sweat doing it.

Child of a nameless family, you attend BPACA on scholarship, or thanks to the benevolence of his majesty. Either way, you know what it’s actually like to fight for something, to grow up wanting and striving. You only have one shot at this, one chance to write your name in the history books. Better make it count.

Cast

Fortuna Bellicose, In disguise as Thunis Amandae. - Lauren

• Thunis is posed as the son of the Amandae military family who recently transferred to the Academy. It is clear why the Amandae would want one of the Mechs.
• Princess Fortuna is undercover within the student body in an attempt to sway the competition in the direction she thinks will best serve the kingdom.

Hardihood - Benjamin

• The child of the only synthetic family in the Provinces nobility, Hardihood needs to win one of the tricentennials to hold on to his family's waning power.

Lilian Castrelle - Eoin

• The heir to the Castelle shipping magnate, Lilian wants a tricentennial to prove her worth and please her distant father.

Odessyus - Hecate

• Odessyus attends the academy on scholarship and sets his sights on the mechs as his chance to rise above his station.

Unity Perlite - Elliot

• The only Branched native in the running, Unity is more interested in the politic swirling around the tricentennials than in possessing one of the mechs.

Synopsis

Solitaire

Lilian - Escorting goods and equipment as part of a school tour to the (bland backwater) planet, and enjoyed the outing in the high (albeit, quaint) gorgeous countryside

Thunis - You’ve been off duty, going among the locals in civilian dress, and… Were met not with hostility, but with wary friendliness

Odessyus - You’ve been meeting with your spies (Other scholarship kids who want you to succeed) in the local Rich kid’s households (maybe a friend who is from a royal household?) and today you couldn’t meet because someone was following you

Hardihood - HAS BEEN TRAINING AND LEADING MANEUVERS WITH MY LOYAL AND STALWART FELLOWS. THEY SHOWED EXCELLENT DISCIPLINE AND TEAM SPIRIT, WE WENT TO THE SODA FOUNTAIN AFTERWARDS.

Unity - prowling around unguarded off-world shipments
Discovered off-worlders have doubled their escorts

A Conversation Over Food

Ody and Hollihood

Hollihood notices that Ody looks tired, Ody notices the opposite of Hollihood - he is full of energy, and looks to have been recently upgraded.

Rumors in play: Off-worlders have doubled their escorts, it is unclear why. Thunis has been seen without escort and out of uniform among the common folk.

Ody conspicuously gets Hardi's attention, drawing it away from her classmates who are sneaking by carrying something hidden. She asks how he's been doing and comments on his peppiness. HArdi explains that he has been training successfully, and invites her to come next time. Ody's compatriots are ushered back into the room by some of Hardi's people and sat down for food. The things they are carrying are revealed to be party supplies.

Hardihood gets straight to the point, and tells Ody that he hopes to see them form a new noble house like his fmily once did. He asks if they will accept his help in winning one of the Tricentennials. Ody is take aback and asks if he doesn't want one. Hardi replies that of course he wants one - but there are two. Ody asks if he is proposing a friendship, and Hardi says no - of course they will be rivals. He proclaims Ody worthy of the role.

Ody asks: something gives you away to me, what is it?

Hardi is genuine, but he is trying to gauge whether Ody will dare to enter the competition. He asks her as much outright. Ody dodges the question.

Hardi asks: I'm feeling generous. What favor do you ask of me?

Ody asks if he will let their people by so they can throw a surprise party for a professor. Hardi says yes, and offers to help.

Ody asks: I hope to find common ground with you about loyalty - is there any?

Hardihood is truly loyal.

They both pass turn by commenting on the food. Hardihood has never tasted it, and Ody informs him that it is extraordinary.

An Animated Disagreement

Lilian and Thunis, all others present.

As Lilian passes Thunis on the quad, she makes sure he hears her gossiping with her friends about his consorting with commoners, excalimg on how embarassing it is. He stops and asks her to state her greivance outright, and she accepts.

Lilian notices that Thunis is actually bothered by this subject.

Hardihood asks the debaters to make a slogan that encapsulates their position.

Lilian says "Peasants aren't pleasant" - associating with them is distasteful, and associating with them sullies a noble persons status.

Thunis says "One must know to rule" - and adds that if Lilian is afraid that being in proximity to peasants will hurt her status, maybe it wasn't very impressive in the first place.

Hardihood says Thunis had a sick burn, but a weak slogan, and gives the point to Lilian.

Unity asks them to Express their commitment to their stance, even if it is not true or right.

Lilian makes sure Thunis hears her and friends gossiping about his trips to the surface, they argue in the quad about the subject.

Lilian notices that Thunis is actually annoyed by this. Thunis notices ?

Hardihood asks them to make a slogan

Lilian says "Peasants arent Pleasant" - associating with them is distasteful and sullies their status

Thunis says "One must know to rule"- and says that if Lilian is afraid that peasants will lower her status, perhaps it isnt so strong.

Hardihood gives a coin to Lilian

Unity Express your commitment to your cause, even if it is not true or right

Thunis

Hec how does your position best serve the neglected interests o the under priveliged

Thunis

A Dance

A dance is held to celebrate the opening of the competitions. Princess Fortuna herself was supposed to host, but is conspicuously absent.

Unity asks Thunis to dance. They notice that Thunis's hands are more calloused than most of the off worlders and comments on it, saying that he is more of a  fighter than the rest. He says he has been preparing for it all his life. Unity asks if he would be interested in a business proposal, and he asks to hear it. She says that they could have use for each other, as an informant and a future leader. She says she doesnt expect any body who isn't an off-worlder to win one of the mechs, but wants to get what she can out of this competition. He says that he thinks she is underestimating the other competitors, and that he will have one of the mechs, but she should keep an eye on who gets the others.

Lilian and Hardihood dance together, ()

The partners switch - LIlian and Thunis end up together, Thunis notes the particularly fine modification to her dress uniform.

Unity and Hardihood dance together. He lifts her as part of the dance, and she asks him to linger, enjoying the birds eye view of the room. When the dance ends, they thank each other, and she compliments him on his great perspective.

Stealing time Together

After the dance, Lilian invites Ody to her private room. They have done this before. Ody says that she danced with Thunis, and she confirms this (unfortunately). Ody says they are concerned about the fight she had with Thunis, and that they felt they had to choose. Lilian takes their hand and says she feels threatened by Thunis, and had hoped Ody would support her publicly. Ody touches her wrist and says she does not have the position or power to throw support around like that.

Lilian apologizes and says she is under stress trying to get one of the mechs. Ody asks about her father, and she deflects.

i am always uncertain about my actions except the ones that bring me here. I supported thunis because i believe he will loose. I only have the option to win. You could lose, and your father would forgive you, but i ,must win to have a chance at living a life that I want

Lilian offers to help Ody to win one of the mechs, and says that it would create a very powerful alliance

Ody asks if they are proposing a marriage contract, Lilian calls her formal Would you rather i call it fun? Isnt that what we always have? Ody smiles and draws away and says it is late. Lilian says they understand, and reminds her that this is the most sincere relationship she has.

Ody brings up hardihood as truly genuine, and Lilian says hardihood is so genuine as to be untrustworthy.

They part.

A chase

Unity finds out that Thunis is sneaking to the surface at night but does not know why. They chase him through the city and countryside. He makes a daring jump that Unity is not willing to follow, and they call after him that if he keeps runnign he will loose his chance to learn a secret. He responds that if he keeps running, she will learn a secret. (how does she stop him?) He stops and asks what she would have him do, She says she wants him to trust her. He says that if she helps make sure that Lilian and Hardihood don't take both of the mechs, she will gain his trust. SHe agrees, and bows, using the proper for for his house. He bows back, with the royal bow. They both turn and leave, and the camera pans up, showing that the only thing in the direction Thunis was heading is the kings war palace.

A Tactical skirmish

Hardihood challenges Thunis to a skirmish game. He invites ody to join his side, and she accepts. Thunis asks Lilian, who refuses.

It's a losing battle, Thunis doesn't have the numbers. He puts up as much of a fight as is reasonable and then concedes

Meeting Sword to Sword

Ody and Thunis are the last two people in the training hall, both wiht swords. Ody turns to Thunis and asks if Thunis wants to do real training. He accepts, and they circle.

Odysyus asks Thunis waht his game is, and strikes. She overreaches, giving him an opening for a dirty cut, but he doesn't take it.

They lock swords, and Thunis tells Ody that she is a singular person, and that he is interested in seeing where she goes. She replies that if he thinks she is singular he has not been paying enough attention.

Thunis manages to grab her wrist, and pulls her close. He says that he has been paying plenty of attention to her, and thinks that she might be just they right type. She does not draw away, and asks what he means. He says that he thinks she could be a symbol of a part of this empire that is often overlooked.

She renews her attack, and gets Thunis at a disadvantage. She is angered by his hinting, asking who he is to give her anything. Thunis smiles and says he does not plan to just give her anything, before launching into a fierce attack.

The two fight, trading blows, Thunis not holding back as he did at first. Finally, he pins her, sword beneath her chin. She concedes, but tells him that he has never fought for or earned anything. He asks what she calls this, his sword still under her chin, and she replies "Luck". He smiles and lowers his blade, saying that in that case, she is going to need a lot of luck to get where she wants to go.

Thunis turns to leave, but Ody calls to him - she says she can see the motivations of the other competitors clearly, but not his, and asks where his heart is.

Meeting sword to sword

Hardihood challenges Lilian to a duel in mech. Lilian accepts

She compliments his skills and compares him negatively to him, citing his loss against Hardi in the last fight. Hardi says he considers Thunis his superiour, which is why he tried to overwhelm him with numbers. Lilian leaves an opening for a dirty blow, and he does not take it, but charges in aggressively.

Lilian fights back fiercly and Hardi is very pleased and says so.

Hardi lands a light blow, the fight is becoming blindinly fast. Lilian does not flee, but does reassess a bit, expressing surprise at his speed and ferocity.

She pretends to falter, and Hardi takes the bait, going for a finishing blow. Lilian is forced to give ground despite expecting the attack, and draws her second sword to help defend herself.

They grudge, and Lilian pushes, eventually twisting to cut the blade parts of his mechs arms off, then holds him, blades to his neck. He challenges her to finish it. She hesitates, then obliges, severing his head.

Conversation over food

Ody goes to visit Hardi while he is being repaired.

How is your recovery, are you doing ok my friend?

thank you for your concern. I will be fit to fight in the mele, if not at my former strenght

if i had a mech id give it

i wont pilot a mech

I want to ask about relationships and what it means to become a lord

by all means

Ive had other people approach me with support

that makes sense you are the unknown element the dark horse

with that i am afraid of the support im garnering and afraid to choose you are the first to give it freely and clearly, i like the future you envision

i do to, i think it is unlikely. I think you will get an armor but dont think I have a chance

i was hoping you would

me too

will we still be friends after this, though we wont win together? Or even better rivals

if you have an armor and I do not, i dont htink we can be rivals

 i will still consider you my rival

that is kind, if you found a new house i would be hally to serve you

serve? as rivals. add our strength to yours as a whetstone to a blade. Ody  - i plan to fight to the last i may not survive

D:

our family has fallen from favor. it has been long since we rose, our claim at heritage is weak. this was our last chance. but perhaps we can join

i think you are my truest friend here. I thought i would be supporting you, but i will accept your support

if you happen on a mech sized weapon during the fight, toss it to me.

A Free for All

The remaining four clash in a final battle for the mechs. Ody and Lilian immediately gun for Thunis, who attempts to fight back but is mostly overwhelmed. During the fight he does land a blow on Hardihood who is grievously injured. Ody finally fixes Thunis in her sights for a killing blow, but hesitates. She opens coms to give him one more chance to explain himself. He declines, saying, "I am just an obstacle. If you want it, take it." Ody takes the shot, piercing his reactor and causing a small explosion, and winning the match for her and Lilian. As soon at the match ends, medics swarm Thunis' mech, initially ignoring Hardihood until prompted by the other contestants.

The winners are brought to the stage to receive their rewards, and are greeted by a familiar face. Thunis, slightly singed but unharmed, and dressed in the official regalia of the Heir Apparent - Princess Fortuna was always here. She crowns the winners with the circlets of the Tricentennials, telling them that she looks forward to their service.

Developments and Implications

The Castelle family possesses one of the Tricentennials.

Ody receives the other Tricentennial and founds a new house, (ask Hecate to name it).

Both owe close allegiance to Princess Fortuna, but especially Ody.

Fortuna and Unity form an alliance, giving Fortuna an intelligence network under her control and the Perlites a strong political position.

"The Apparent" become a secret faction within the Provinces, led by Fortuna and pursuing her interests and with influence over all three Tricentennials.

Hardihood's house falls into obscurity.