Courtly Courting in Pseudospain - Choice of Romance

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Games > Let's Play! > Courtly Courting in Pseudospain - Choice of Romance

Haifisch: Nov 12, 2010; Most things in the world aren't black, aren't white, aren't wrong, aren't right, but most of everything is just different.

Choice of Games posted:

Play as a young courtier who catches the monarch's eye. Will you find true love? Gain a crown? Lose your head? A text-based multiple-choice game of romance, deception and court intrigue.

Choice of Romance is one of the better Choice Of Games, a company that produces CYOAs of wildly varying quality - you can see some examples in the LPs of Heroes Rise(warning: will make your brain bleed) and Choice of Broadsides. Despite its name, Choice of Romance is isn't about romance(unless you go out of your way to make lovey-dovey choices) as much as it's about politics in the land of Definitely Not Spain. It has a sequel, Choice of Intrigues, which you can proceed to if you get the correct ending - I'll be LPing Intrigues next no matter what ending we get, so don't let that affect your choices.

Now, let's start!

Part I: Choice of Romance posted:

A high-pitched shriek splits the sweltering summer air: "Help! Oh, help, help!"

Your youngest sister Clara skids to a stop in front of you. "Francisco and I were playing in the barn!" she sobs. "He was showing me spells, and he set the hay on fire, and now--"

A breath of wind springs up, and the acrid scent of smoke reaches your nostrils.

The barn is some ways away from your parents' villa and the vineyards--there's that. But it is full of hay for feeding the horses, and hay catches fire so fast--it would be so easy for the wooden barn to burn to the ground--

The smell of smoke grows stronger the closer you get. By the time you reach the barnyard, your throat and eyes are stinging. You can't see flames from the yard, but as you approach the door, you can feel their heat. Out of the corner of your eye, you see the grooms running towards you. Then you reach the barn door and look inside. Your seven-year-old brother Francisco, face white with terror, is backed up against the barn's far wall, surrounded by leaping flames.

What are you going to do?

1. I don't know! There's nothing I can do!
2. I rush into the barn to grab Francisco.
3. I shout to the grooms to bring buckets of water. The best way to save Francisco is to put out the fire.
4. Like Francisco, I know some magic. Maybe there's a way to use magic to get him out.

Stats posted:

Name ???
Booksmart 50
Charm 50
Subtle 50
Magic 50
Wealth 25
Reputation 90

# ? Feb 10, 2013 10:56

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# ? May 22, 2013 00:55

Elfface: Nov 14, 2010

Ah, I've been playing these recently. Really should try and finish it at some point... but I gave them money for Heroes before reading the Let's Play... grrrrr.

And we should know Magic. The cause of, and solution to, all life's problems.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 11:04

mmtt: May 8, 2009

Choice of Romance is pretty good. It makes more sense if we play it as a female character though. Let's become the Francesca Underwood of Not-Spain.

Magic

# ? Feb 10, 2013 12:21

Yapping Eevee: Nov 12, 2011

Ooh, what's this? Another Haifisch thread?

Count me in.

If playing Trine 2 multi-player recently has taught me anything, it's that Magic is always the answer.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 13:04

Dav: Nov 5, 2009

mmtt posted:

Choice of Romance is pretty good. It makes more sense if we play it as a female character though. Let's become the Francesca Underwood of Not-Spain.

Given that we decided to play Broadsides as a woman it seems only fair to play Romance as a man.

But more immediately, magic is the cause of and solution to almost all of life's problems.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 13:24

Haifisch: Nov 12, 2010; Most things in the world aren't black, aren't white, aren't wrong, aren't right, but most of everything is just different.

>Like Francisco, I know some magic. Maybe there's a way to use magic to get him out.

Minor Exposition posted:

Your family, like most noble families of Iberia, has magical talent. Unfortunately, you are Death Mages. Death Magic is very useful in combat, but it tends towards firebolts and so forth--in other words, it is better at starting fires than at putting them out. Francisco almost certainly started this one with a firebolt gone wrong.

But then an idea occurs to you. You run around to the back of the barn, and, summoning all your concentration, throw a firebolt at the back of it. A hole explodes in the wood.

You run towards the hole, and it is like running towards an oven. The fire within is hotter and higher every second. But you've provided Francisco with an escape route, and he stumbles towards it just as you get there. You grab him and pull him to safety. The grooms have arrived by then, and you hear the head groom shouting orders at the other two. They start carrying water from the well nearby to put out the fire.

You hear shouting. It seems that Clara succeeded in waking the household, and here they all are--your mother and father and siblings and most of the servants. Your father takes charge of the situation, and under his management, the fire is quickly put out. Your mother cries, alternately praising you for your clever use of magic and berating Francisco for stupidity.

When the excitement is over, the entire family returns to the house.

This is one of the most pointless decisions in CoR - it doesn't affect our stats or any later plotlines. However, using magic here lets us know what type of magic we wield earlier than we could otherwise.

Familial Exposition posted:

You walk through the vineyards, through the courtyard, and towards your family's somewhat shabby villa. The villa is old and well-constructed, but not as well kept as it might be. Underneath the trellis of bright flowers, for instance, the lintel could really use painting. But the family simply does not have the money to keep up appearances as they should be kept. . . Your great-grandfather was a Conde, and your great-aunt was a Condesa, and you have a second cousin or something who is a Condesa now. But your father is only an hidalgo--a younger member of a noble house. He has the title Don for courtesy, and he has a fine house in the country, but he doesn't have anything else. Not much money, and no power. Just the house and the family name. And so you don't have anything else, either, as you approach your sixteenth birthday--when you officially come of age.

Far away in the capital city of Orovilla, things are happening. There Life Mages and Death Mages study to advance their art; there young men and women enjoy masques and balls and hunts and jousts; there wise and devious advisors lurk at the edges of the monarch's glittering court.

Perhaps it is not quite true that nothing ever happens here. Now that something has, are you feeling glad that life here is usually calm and kind of dull?

1. Yes, actually.
2. No, not at all! I'd like more excitement on a fairly regular basis.

Stats posted:

Name ???
Booksmart 50
Charm 50
Subtle 50
Magic 50
Wealth 25
Reputation 90

# ? Feb 10, 2013 14:05

Elfface: Nov 14, 2010

To Adventure!

And if this games 'true' playthrough is female, like Broadside's was male, then yes, let's be boys and experience genderflipped world. Perhaps a dashing military woman will be our suitor...

# ? Feb 10, 2013 14:52

tonberrytoby: Feb 29, 2012

We want Action.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 15:03

Brainamp: Sep 4, 2011

No, action bad.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 16:01

Haifisch: Nov 12, 2010; Most things in the world aren't black, aren't white, aren't wrong, aren't right, but most of everything is just different.

>No, not at all! I'd like more excitement on a fairly regular basis.

Fluff text posted:

I rather suspect more excitement is waiting in your future.

Oh, before we go any further: you are your parents' eldest child, but are you an eldest daughter or an eldest son?

1. Daughter.
2. Son.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 16:18

Brainamp: Sep 4, 2011

Since I played a son last time, I wanna see a daughter.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 16:25

Lord Tywin: Oct 3, 2012

I also played a dude so Daughter

# ? Feb 10, 2013 16:36

The Saurus: Dec 3, 2006; Why aren't the LP threads making what I want to read RIGHT NOW?!

Echoing daughter cause I played a son.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 16:42

Heavy neutrino: Sep 16, 2007; Ishida's about to make you his bitch.

I also played a guy when I failed pathetically at the game and got my head chopped off so let's be a daughter.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 16:51

Haifisch: Nov 12, 2010; Most things in the world aren't black, aren't white, aren't wrong, aren't right, but most of everything is just different.

Go go gadget naming posted:

Very well. And what is your given name?

1. Ana
2. Catalina
3. Isabel
4. Mar�a
5. Violeta
6. Something else.

Haifisch posted:

Such lovely Spani-er, Iberian names to choose from. But knowing goons, I expect to wake up tomorrow to see that you've named her Dongs de Pe�a or something. No, we can't customize our family name for some reason.

How dare you good madam.

No, we shall be Mujer de Castillo.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 17:11

Jeabus Mahogany: Feb 13, 2011; I'm mad because of a thorn in my impenetrable hide

First name Barkley.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 17:11

ZeeToo: Feb 20, 2008; I'm a kitty!

Haifisch posted:

Your family, like most noble families of Iberia, has magical talent. Unfortunately, you are Death Mages.

This line made me laugh so hard. "Oh, I can save the day thanks to my magic... wait, I'm a loving death mage." It's just a pity that it still worked after that.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 17:18

meristem: Oct 2, 2010; I HAVE THE ETIQUETTE OF STIFF AND THE PERSONALITY OF A GIANT CUNT.

Mar�a del Socorro de Castillo y Rivera, Coco in short.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 17:28

Obscil: Feb 27, 2012; PLEASE LIKE ME!

Pi�a de Colada. We like getting caught in the rain.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 19:12

Elfface: Nov 14, 2010

Obscil posted:

Pi�a de Colada. We like getting caught in the rain.

Seconded. Or Colada de Pena as it would have to be, but still...

# ? Feb 10, 2013 19:13

SNARF SNARF SNARF: Apr 23, 2012; i don't understand what you're talking about, but it makes me mad as hell! Listen to me, as I spout gibberish, and know that I. I am MAD.

I won't be voting in any of this, because I've completed this (and the sequel) but I just want to say that this game is really, really, really good and miles better than any other non-paid Choice of Games, in my opinion.

I suggest people to always try to vote in the subtle and manipulating direction, because its what causes more tension and what feels funner, motherfucker makes it look like you're playing in the Game of Thrones.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 19:53

Haifisch: Nov 12, 2010; Most things in the world aren't black, aren't white, aren't wrong, aren't right, but most of everything is just different.

>~~Pi�a de Colada~~ Colada de Pe�a.

A fine name for a fine young woman.

Character building posted:

And what sorts of things are you good at, Do�a Colada? Like all young people of your class, you've been well-trained in the social graces: you can dance, and make polite conversation, and play a little music, and ride in a hunt. And you have at least a basic understanding of magic.

The ancient noble houses of Iberia are all mage houses. Members of a Life Mage family are born with the ability to make plants grow, to heal the sick and injured, to calm those who are agitated. Members of a Death Mage family are born with the ability to throw firebolts at enemies in battle, to kindle flame and to heat metal. But like anything else, much study and practice is required if the mage wishes to excel. You know at least a little magic. . . whether or not you studied it seriously is up to you.

Tell us about yourself, Do�a Colada. What sort of person are you? What did you spend your spare hours studying, when you were younger?

1. I spent every moment of my free time in the library. I am well-read in history, literature, mathematics, and foreign languages.
2. I studied magery with my father every moment I could spare. I am unusually skilled at it for my age.
3. I learned how to read the people around me, and how to get what I wanted from them with minimum possible effort.
4. Studying? I did as little of that as possible. I spent most of my free time daydreaming. I am quite lovely to look at, though. And I am a very graceful dancer, and very charming when entertaining guests. Everyone says so.

Stats posted:

Name Do�a Colada de Pe�a
Booksmart 50
Charm 50
Subtle 50
Magic 50
Wealth 25
Reputation 90

There are no prizes for guessing which choice changes which stat.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 23:39

Brainamp: Sep 4, 2011

Let's see where being a sneaky bitch will get us.

# ? Feb 10, 2013 23:49

my dad: Oct 17, 2012; this shall be humorous

Studying? Pfft, who needs brains and charms when you've got charm.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 00:00

Lord_Ventnor: Mar 30, 2010; Someone needs a brohug

Why do you think Do�a Colada used dangerous magic to save her brother instead of something more sane? She's an accomplished magician, of course.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 03:49

Haifisch: Nov 12, 2010; Most things in the world aren't black, aren't white, aren't wrong, aren't right, but most of everything is just different.

Flipping a coin to move things along. (fake edit: And of course another vote came in while I was doing that, but it didn't break the tie at all, so I'm sticking with what we have.

)

>I learned how to read the people around me, and how to get what I wanted from them with minimum possible effort.

Subtle Cocktail posted:

Very wise of you. Some would call that manipulation, but manipulation is such a horrid word, isn't it? It's simply easier to get what you want if you are careful than if you make a great fuss.

And what would you say is your second most notable quality?

1. Reading my mother's collection of books in the library. I am reasonably well-read in history, literature, mathematics, and foreign languages.
2. I studied magery with my father, and he says I have mastered the basic spells very well. Shortly we will start working on more complex ones.
3. It's not exactly a skill, but people comment on how sweet I am and how lovely to be around. How charming, in short.

Stats posted:

Name Do�a Colada de Pe�a
Booksmart 50
Charm 50
Subtle 80
Magic 50
Wealth 25
Reputation 90

# ? Feb 11, 2013 03:52

whowhatwhere: Mar 15, 2010

Booksmart.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 04:09

Brainamp: Sep 4, 2011

I went for magic last time, so let's Turn up the Charm!

# ? Feb 11, 2013 04:13

Doopliss: Nov 3, 2012

Magic out of pure spite.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 04:15

Anime Reference: Dec 10, 2007; Yeah, it's an anime reference.

Charm, it'll synergize well with our Machiavellian streak.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 04:17

Snow Job: May 24, 2006

Booksmart

Haifisch posted:

Choice of Romance is one of the better Choice Of Games, a company that produces CYOAs of wildly varying quality

Which are the good ones? I played Dragons a few times through and really liked it. Not much luck after that.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 05:12

Lord_Ventnor: Mar 30, 2010; Someone needs a brohug

Magic, of course.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 05:36

Obscil: Feb 27, 2012; PLEASE LIKE ME!

charm

# ? Feb 11, 2013 05:42

JT Jag: Aug 30, 2009; I say, old bean.

Charm.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 06:31

Haifisch: Nov 12, 2010; Most things in the world aren't black, aren't white, aren't wrong, aren't right, but most of everything is just different.

>It's not exactly a skill, but people comment on how sweet I am and how lovely to be around. How charming, in short.

We've successfully made a lady who can wrap people around her little finger with ease. Too bad she can't be good at everything.

Almost done with base stats posted:

That tells us what you're good at, but you can't be perfect. What would you say is your greatest weakness?

1. I could never be bothered studying my lessons. I can never keep straight all the names of foreign countries and all the Kings and Queens we've had in Iberia, and I'm terrible at languages and mathematics.
2. I have only the barest scraping of magical talent. I can handle the very basics, but not any more than that.

Stats posted:

Name Do�a Colada de Pe�a
Booksmart 50
Charm 70
Subtle 80
Magic 50
Wealth 25
Reputation 90

# ? Feb 11, 2013 06:36

JT Jag: Aug 30, 2009; I say, old bean.

Pssh, who needs magic? It's not like this is China or anything.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 07:16

JosephWongKS: Apr 4, 2009; Setz sama posted a new 4koma! I've gotta tell everyone RIGHT NOW!

My Little Romance: Friendship is Non-Magic.

# ? Feb 11, 2013 07:21

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# ? May 22, 2013 00:55

The Lone Badger: Sep 24, 2007

Exploding people is a good backup to charming them, but we've never actually bothered learning anything. Why spend all that effort when we can con other people into doing whatever drearisome task would require it?

# ? Feb 11, 2013 07:26

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The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Games > Let's Play! > Courtly Courting in Pseudospain - Choice of Romance

Choice of Games posted:

Part I: Choice of Romance posted:

Stats posted:

mmtt posted:

Minor Exposition posted:

Familial Exposition posted:

Stats posted:

Fluff text posted:

Go go gadget naming posted:

More naming posted:

Haifisch posted:

Haifisch posted:

Obscil posted:

Character building posted:

Stats posted:

Subtle Cocktail posted:

Stats posted:

Haifisch posted:

Almost done with base stats posted:

Stats posted: