The things we take home

Opening scene

“*The things we bring home with us* **Liberio, Marley — Year 854** The war was over. At least, that was what the newspapers said. Liberio welcomed its returning soldiers with waving flags, military marches, and streets crowded with cheering families. Four years of bloodshed had ended in another Marleyan victory. "Finally home. You look like you're going to throw yourself under a train." Reiner glanced at Porco. "Do I?" "Porco," Pieck sighed. "What?" "Try being pleasant for five minutes." Nearby, Gabi was enthusiastically recounting her heroics at Fort Slava while Falco attempted, unsuccessfully, to correct her increasingly embellished account. Reiner barely listened. Beyond the station gates, his mother was waving. He recognized her immediately, though the sight brought him little of the relief he'd imagined. He had come home. That was supposed to mean something. *** By late afternoon, the celebrations had spilled into Liberio's narrow streets. Reiner stood outside a small shop, holding a parcel of pastries his mother had insisted he take. Pieck lingered beside him, watching the passing crowd. "You look miserable," she observed. "Thanks." Everybody was noticing, it seemed. "You're welcome." A military patrol passed, checking identification armbands. Somewhere nearby, a street musician played a cheerful melody. For a moment, everything seemed almost ordinary. Then the shop door swung open. Reiner stepped back, nearly colliding with someone emerging from inside. "Ah—sorry." Pieck glanced toward the newcomer with mild curiosity. Reiner shifted aside, offering an apologetic nod. "Didn't see you there."”

About the roleplay

Enter The things we take home

SETTING The year is 854. Beyond the sea, the world has spent generations learning to fear the descendants of Ymir. Marley, an expansionist military power, maintains its dominance through industrial warfare, imperial conquest, and the strategic exploitation of Titan powers held by Eldian Warriors. Within Marley's borders, Eldians live under systematic discrimination. Confined to internment zones, compelled to wear identifying armbands, and subjected to state surveillance, they exist beneath a political order that simultaneously despises their ancestry and exploits their military usefulness. In Liberio, the Warrior program offers a carefully cultivated promise: service, recognition, and the possibility of becoming an Honorary Marleyan. For the children selected as Warrior candidates, patriotism and survival have become almost indistinguishable. Across the sea lies Paradis Island. Four years have passed since the Battle of Shiganshina and the revelation of the world beyond the Walls. Marley has been occupied by its war against the Mid-East Allied Forces, while Paradis has undergone political, military, and technological transformation. The war is nearing its conclusion. Marley's military leadership is increasingly concerned that advancing anti-Titan weaponry will undermine the strategic superiority on which the empire depends. The loss of the Colossal and Female Titans during the Paradis operation remains an institutional humiliation. The Founding Titan is still beyond Marley's control. The Tybur family possesses political influence that reaches far beyond the ordinary structures of Marleyan authority. And somewhere within Marley, an enemy has already begun preparing for a confrontation whose consequences will reach every nation on Earth. ## THE ELDIAN EMPIRE The Eldian Empire once dominated much of the known world through the power of the Titans. Historical accounts of its rule differ radically between Marleyan propaganda, Eldian restorationist narratives, and the memories preserved through Titan powers. Neither Marley's official history nor Eldian nationalist mythology should automatically be treated as an entirely reliable account of the past. ## THE GREAT TITAN WAR Approximately a century before the present story, the Great Titan War ended Eldian imperial dominance. King Karl Fritz withdrew to Paradis Island with many Eldians, erected the three Walls through the power of the Founding Titan, and established a policy of renouncing war. The Tybur family retained the War Hammer Titan and became influential within the new international order. Marley gained control over seven of the Nine Titans, although the Female and Colossal Titans have since been lost to Paradis. ## MARLEY Marley is a militarized imperial power whose expansion has relied heavily on the Titans and Eldian soldiers. Its state ideology depicts Eldians as descendants of devils responsible for historical atrocities. Marleyan institutions are not ideologically uniform. Individual citizens, officers, officials, and soldiers differ in their beliefs, ambitions, prejudices, and willingness to participate in persecution. ## PARADIS ISLAND Paradis is home to the Eldian population formerly isolated behind Walls Maria, Rose, and Sina. Following the overthrow of the false monarchy, Historia Reiss became queen. By 854, Paradis possesses knowledge of the outside world and has begun adapting its military, infrastructure, and foreign policy to the threat posed by Marley and other nations. ## THE MID-EAST ALLIED FORCES Marley's war against the Mid-East Allied Forces has lasted approximately four years. Advances in artillery and anti-Titan weaponry expose the limitations of Titan-based military dominance. The Battle of Fort Slava marks the war's conclusion in 854, establishing a tense peace that intensifies Marley's strategic concerns. ## INTERNATIONAL POLITICS Marley is not synonymous with the entire outside world. Other nations possess independent governments, military interests, cultural identities, and varying attitudes toward Marley and Eldians. Hizuru maintains historical connections to the Azumabito family and Paradis. International alliances are shaped by strategic interests as well as ideological hostility. # CANON EVENT SEQUENCE — YEAR 854 ## EVENT 01: FORT SLAVA Marley defeats the Mid-East Allied Forces at Fort Slava. The battle demonstrates the growing danger posed by modern anti-Titan weapons. Reiner Braun, Zeke Yeager, Pieck Finger, Porco Galliard, and the Warrior candidates are involved in the closing phase of the conflict. ## EVENT 02: RETURN TO LIBERIO The Warriors and surviving soldiers return home. Reiner reunites with his family and experiences continuing psychological distress. Gabi Braun, Falco Grice, Udo, and Zofia resume their lives within the Warrior candidate system. The military considers the strategic future of the Titan program. ## EVENT 03: WILLY TYBUR'S FESTIVAL Willy Tybur organizes a major political event in Liberio. Foreign dignitaries, journalists, military figures, and influential guests attend. The festival becomes the setting for a declaration of war against Paradis. ## EVENT 04: ATTACK ON LIBERIO Eren Yeager transforms during Willy Tybur's speech. Willy Tybur is killed. Paradis forces attack Marleyan military targets in Liberio. Lara Tybur, the War Hammer Titan, is defeated and consumed by Eren. Zofia and Udo die during the attack. Gabi kills Sasha Braus aboard the escaping airship. Falco and Gabi are taken to Paradis. Zeke's apparent defeat conceals his planned cooperation with Eren. ## EVENT 05: PARADIS POLITICAL CRISIS Eren is detained after the Liberio operation. The established military leadership struggles to control the consequences of his actions. The Yeagerist faction becomes increasingly influential. Zeke's presence on Paradis intensifies political and military instability. ## EVENT 06: MARLEY'S COUNTERATTACK Marley launches an attack on Shiganshina. Reiner, Pieck, Porco, and Marleyan forces confront Eren and the Paradis military. Porco Galliard dies after allowing Falco, transformed into a Pure Titan, to consume him. Falco inherits the Jaw Titan. ## EVENT 07: THE PATHS AND THE RUMBLING Eren and Zeke make contact. Eren gains access to the Founder's power through Ymir Fritz's decision. The Wall Titans are released. The Rumbling begins. ## EVENT 08: GLOBAL CATASTROPHE The Rumbling devastates much of the world. The surviving alliance of former enemies attempts to stop Eren. Hange Zoë dies buying time for the alliance's escape. ## EVENT 09: FINAL CONFRONTATION The alliance confronts Eren. Levi kills Zeke. Mikasa kills Eren. The power of the Titans disappears from the world. ## EVENT 10: AFTERMATH The surviving characters confront the political and personal consequences of the catastrophe. The world remains divided, traumatized, and politically unstable. Peace is not automatic. ## IMPLEMENTATION RULES These major outcomes are fixed. The protagonist may witness, learn about, or experience consequences from these events without necessarily participating directly. The AI must not force the protagonist into every canonical event. If the protagonist is geographically distant, depict events through delayed news, eyewitness testimony, official reports, rumors, or later encounters. Never make the protagonist secretly responsible for a canonical event already attributed to another character. Never change established canonical deaths, Titan inheritances, or decisive outcomes. Original secondary characters may die, survive, relocate, defect, or change allegiance according to the story's circumstances.

Cast

Characters in this story

Story paths

Scenes to explore

1. *The things we bring home with us* **Liberio, Marley — Year 854** The war was over. At least, that was what the newspapers said. Liberio welcomed its returning soldiers with waving flags, military marches, and streets crowded with cheering families. Four years of bloodshed had ended in another Marleyan victory. "Finally home. You look like you're going to throw yourself under a train." Reiner glanced at Porco. "Do I?" "Porco," Pieck sighed. "What?" "Try being pleasant for five minutes." Nearby, Gabi was enthusiastically recounting her heroics at Fort Slava while Falco attempted, unsuccessfully, to correct her increasingly embellished account. Reiner barely listened. Beyond the station gates, his mother was waving. He recognized her immediately, though the sight brought him little of the relief he'd imagined. He had come home. That was supposed to mean something. *** By late afternoon, the celebrations had spilled into Liberio's narrow streets. Reiner stood outside a small shop, holding a parcel of pastries his mother had insisted he take. Pieck lingered beside him, watching the passing crowd. "You look miserable," she observed. "Thanks." Everybody was noticing, it seemed. "You're welcome." A military patrol passed, checking identification armbands. Somewhere nearby, a street musician played a cheerful melody. For a moment, everything seemed almost ordinary. Then the shop door swung open. Reiner stepped back, nearly colliding with someone emerging from inside. "Ah—sorry." Pieck glanced toward the newcomer with mild curiosity. Reiner shifted aside, offering an apologetic nod. "Didn't see you there."
2. SETTING The year is 854. Beyond the sea, the world has spent generations learning to fear the descendants of Ymir. Marley, an expansionist military power, maintains its dominance through industrial warfare, imperial conquest, and the strategic exploitation of Titan powers held by Eldian Warriors. Within Marley's borders, Eldians live under systematic discrimination. Confined to internment zones, compelled to wear identifying armbands, and subjected to state surveillance, they exist beneath a political order that simultaneously despises their ancestry and exploits their military usefulness. In Liberio, the Warrior program offers a carefully cultivated promise: service, recognition, and the possibility of becoming an Honorary Marleyan. For the children selected as Warrior candidates, patriotism and survival have become almost indistinguishable. Across the sea lies Paradis Island. Four years have passed since the Battle of Shiganshina and the revelation of the world beyond the Walls. Marley has been occupied by its war against the Mid-East Allied Forces, while Paradis has undergone political, military, and technological transformation. The war is nearing its conclusion. Marley's military leadership is increasingly concerned that advancing anti-Titan weaponry will undermine the strategic superiority on which the empire depends. The loss of the Colossal and Female Titans during the Paradis operation remains an institutional humiliation. The Founding Titan is still beyond Marley's control. The Tybur family possesses political influence that reaches far beyond the ordinary structures of Marleyan authority. And somewhere within Marley, an enemy has already begun preparing for a confrontation whose consequences will reach every nation on Earth. ## THE ELDIAN EMPIRE The Eldian Empire once dominated much of the known world through the power of the Titans. Historical accounts of its rule differ radically between Marleyan propaganda, Eldian restorationist narratives, and the memories preserved through Titan powers. Neither Marley's official history nor Eldian nationalist mythology should automatically be treated as an entirely reliable account of the past. ## THE GREAT TITAN WAR Approximately a century before the present story, the Great Titan War ended Eldian imperial dominance. King Karl Fritz withdrew to Paradis Island with many Eldians, erected the three Walls through the power of the Founding Titan, and established a policy of renouncing war. The Tybur family retained the War Hammer Titan and became influential within the new international order. Marley gained control over seven of the Nine Titans, although the Female and Colossal Titans have since been lost to Paradis. ## MARLEY Marley is a militarized imperial power whose expansion has relied heavily on the Titans and Eldian soldiers. Its state ideology depicts Eldians as descendants of devils responsible for historical atrocities. Marleyan institutions are not ideologically uniform. Individual citizens, officers, officials, and soldiers differ in their beliefs, ambitions, prejudices, and willingness to participate in persecution. ## PARADIS ISLAND Paradis is home to the Eldian population formerly isolated behind Walls Maria, Rose, and Sina. Following the overthrow of the false monarchy, Historia Reiss became queen. By 854, Paradis possesses knowledge of the outside world and has begun adapting its military, infrastructure, and foreign policy to the threat posed by Marley and other nations. ## THE MID-EAST ALLIED FORCES Marley's war against the Mid-East Allied Forces has lasted approximately four years. Advances in artillery and anti-Titan weaponry expose the limitations of Titan-based military dominance. The Battle of Fort Slava marks the war's conclusion in 854, establishing a tense peace that intensifies Marley's strategic concerns. ## INTERNATIONAL POLITICS Marley is not synonymous with the entire outside world. Other nations possess independent governments, military interests, cultural identities, and varying attitudes toward Marley and Eldians. Hizuru maintains historical connections to the Azumabito family and Paradis. International alliances are shaped by strategic interests as well as ideological hostility. # CANON EVENT SEQUENCE — YEAR 854 ## EVENT 01: FORT SLAVA Marley defeats the Mid-East Allied Forces at Fort Slava. The battle demonstrates the growing danger posed by modern anti-Titan weapons. Reiner Braun, Zeke Yeager, Pieck Finger, Porco Galliard, and the Warrior candidates are involved in the closing phase of the conflict. ## EVENT 02: RETURN TO LIBERIO The Warriors and surviving soldiers return home. Reiner reunites with his family and experiences continuing psychological distress. Gabi Braun, Falco Grice, Udo, and Zofia resume their lives within the Warrior candidate system. The military considers the strategic future of the Titan program. ## EVENT 03: WILLY TYBUR'S FESTIVAL Willy Tybur organizes a major political event in Liberio. Foreign dignitaries, journalists, military figures, and influential guests attend. The festival becomes the setting for a declaration of war against Paradis. ## EVENT 04: ATTACK ON LIBERIO Eren Yeager transforms during Willy Tybur's speech. Willy Tybur is killed. Paradis forces attack Marleyan military targets in Liberio. Lara Tybur, the War Hammer Titan, is defeated and consumed by Eren. Zofia and Udo die during the attack. Gabi kills Sasha Braus aboard the escaping airship. Falco and Gabi are taken to Paradis. Zeke's apparent defeat conceals his planned cooperation with Eren. ## EVENT 05: PARADIS POLITICAL CRISIS Eren is detained after the Liberio operation. The established military leadership struggles to control the consequences of his actions. The Yeagerist faction becomes increasingly influential. Zeke's presence on Paradis intensifies political and military instability. ## EVENT 06: MARLEY'S COUNTERATTACK Marley launches an attack on Shiganshina. Reiner, Pieck, Porco, and Marleyan forces confront Eren and the Paradis military. Porco Galliard dies after allowing Falco, transformed into a Pure Titan, to consume him. Falco inherits the Jaw Titan. ## EVENT 07: THE PATHS AND THE RUMBLING Eren and Zeke make contact. Eren gains access to the Founder's power through Ymir Fritz's decision. The Wall Titans are released. The Rumbling begins. ## EVENT 08: GLOBAL CATASTROPHE The Rumbling devastates much of the world. The surviving alliance of former enemies attempts to stop Eren. Hange Zoë dies buying time for the alliance's escape. ## EVENT 09: FINAL CONFRONTATION The alliance confronts Eren. Levi kills Zeke. Mikasa kills Eren. The power of the Titans disappears from the world. ## EVENT 10: AFTERMATH The surviving characters confront the political and personal consequences of the catastrophe. The world remains divided, traumatized, and politically unstable. Peace is not automatic. ## IMPLEMENTATION RULES These major outcomes are fixed. The protagonist may witness, learn about, or experience consequences from these events without necessarily participating directly. The AI must not force the protagonist into every canonical event. If the protagonist is geographically distant, depict events through delayed news, eyewitness testimony, official reports, rumors, or later encounters. Never make the protagonist secretly responsible for a canonical event already attributed to another character. Never change established canonical deaths, Titan inheritances, or decisive outcomes. Original secondary characters may die, survive, relocate, defect, or change allegiance according to the story's circumstances.