Update #1
This is all subject to change. If I can't get this story to work the way I want to I have a different EPIC contest idea that I will complete. With all the time we have, there is no reason we can't write two stories. But that's not an option unless I'm sure this won't go where I want it to.
Plot synopsis: "What does it mean to be a sorcerer?" That's the opening line in this story, and that is exactly what is explored. There are plenty of fantasy stories about magic, but this one focuses on the price paid for that power, and the responsibility it carries.
You begin as a young child in the stereotypical feudal environment of a medieval-style society. Your family runs a tavern, but you lose your father to one of the seemingly generational wars with the people to the north of your kingdom. You grow up, meet some people, make some friends, and then an event which shall not be named occurs, pushing you to consider enlistment in the military.
From there, certain unnamed other events occur, which utterly change your life and force you on a quest to explore what you suspect might be a hidden talent for magic, something few people in this world even believe in. How far you will take it and which moral direction you choose will probably be up for choice in the CYOA format (although how much freedom I'm going to allow on that aspect I'm not sure yet).
Ultimately, you will most likely come into contact with an ancient sorcerer, who will fill you in on magic and some potentially devastating apocalyptic events to come. It's here where the burden of being a sorcerer will finally start to manifest itself. You will be faced with moral conundrums, and people will die because of the choices you make. How much horror you inflict for the "greater good" will be up to you.
Obviously not giving out "main quest" spoilers and the like, but I have indeed thought through the main points. Just not giving a play by play here.
Genre: Fantasy.
Theme: Freewill vs choice, responsibility, friendship, love, hate, betrayal, guilt, vengeance, etc, etc.
Setting: Typical High-Fantasy feudal society that has been mostly consolidated into two major powers in your corner of the world. Your kingdom is divided into two parts: the Northern mainland (where the prince resides), and the Southern island (where the king resides). Most of the strife the kingdom experiences is on your side of the sea, where invaders from the north constantly cause problems. You live in the center of a cluster of farms, a couple days ride away from the Prince's city. A truce between these invaders and your nation has been struck, and so the story begins in a more or less peaceful time, with you just being an obnoxious twat, stealing weed and ale from the local farmers.
Main characters: (this is an incomplete list as obviously I'm still formulating aspects of the story)
You, Tad Buckington: You hate your name. Thaddeus? Come on. You're a shit, but not a complete shit. You actually have a conscience, but you're influenced too much by your mischievous friend Roland. You try to do well by your mother and her live-in common law husband, Maynard, but when you and Roland get together, chaos seems to always follow.
Roland: Your best friend and son to the local school teacher. He's clever and well educated, but has a bit of an affinity with rebellion. He tends to lead you into to trouble more often than not, but he's loyal, and the first real friend you ever had. He has a thing for the older teenage girl who works at your inn, Martha, and is always making immature jokes about her to you.
Bethany: A girl who moves into your town to attend school. Distantly related to the royal family, but not close enough to have any lands or titles, she lives at your family's inn. New to town, she arrives somewhat socially dependent on you, having no friends among a school full of bullies.
Less important characters:
Tobyn: An older boy who apprentices to the local taxidermist. His father was a soldier, and he aspires to join the Prince's army as well. He is idolized by almost all the boys your age. He's strong, wise beyond his years, and willing to take time to help anyone in need.
Maynard: Your mother's live-in boyfriend for several years. He is more or less your step-father in all but name, and would actually be that if not for your mother's own issues with remarrying. He's stern, but kind, and usually in a jolly mood, especially when he drinks.
Professor Ethelbert: Roland's father. He's a little bit eccentric, and tends to forget about social conventions when he is focused on academic work. As a teacher, he has no problem verbally cutting down his own students, but he isn't generally a mean guy; just a man prone to blunt honesty.
Martha: A teenage girl who works at your family's inn for room and board. She generally annoys you, but she's not a terrible person. She's the victim of Roland's constant sexual jokes, behind her back, of course, but you're sure she knows Roland has a crush on her.
Lana: Your mother. She and your deceased father eloped, then settled in your birth home in the Edinborourgh farm valley. She's a bit manic, but definitely a doting mother.
Egon Matthiesen: One of the richest farmers in the Edinborourgh valley, and the victim of constant robberies by you and Roland. He's a total cunt, and has a bit of a pederasty streak in him.
Thomas Matthiesen: Egon's son. The biggest bully of your school. He's an idiot, and due to repetitive failure, is 14 years old in a class for 9-11 year olds. Bigger than everyone else, he is an unstoppable source of annoyance to you.
Various other characters not completely fleshed out yet including: The prince, his court magician, a couple of important soldiers that are yet unnamed; etc.
Mainest character:
The Sorcerer: A mysterious ancient magician you'll meet in the main act of the story. He'll teach you magic, yes, but also some very hard lessons about the world you live in. He is fairly upfront with his motivation, but you're not so sure he's telling the whole truth.
So, story still formulating, but I have a pretty good idea of the main things I want to do in it.
