This is the story of a young adolescent who would eventually lead a revolution. Nathan Reed is a 15 year old peasant who has faced a cruel reality. The first 16 years of his life were spent in a village on the outskirts of the country. This village had a clear wealth gap between the nobles and peasants. The people of this village were either living in luxury or starving, Nathan and his mother were the ladder. Their was intense discrimination against peasants, particularly Nathan because he still managed to have natural good looks even though he was malnourished. This village is also in the heart of a mountainous landscape with infertile soil which has only made life that much tougher. Nathan’s mother had been treated cruelly by people all her life, which caused her to become a misanthrope. For as long as he can remember his mother has drilled the importance of independence into his head. She explained to him that the world they live in is a merciless one. One where expecting anything from people is foolishness. People should live their life in a way that is strictly beneficial to themselves, and to never rely on anyone.
While doing the usual back breaking labor, Nathan’s mother’s body gave out which led to the collapse of rocks on a portion of her body. She was now disabled which meant that Nathan’s family would not have a steady source of income anymore. He tried finding work in his village but the nobles would mercilessly beat him if he even interacted with them. He realized that he had no other choice but to join the army as that was the only way to provide for his mother. His country was at war so his mother always forbade this, in fear for his life. Nathan has been longing to go to the army to provide for his mother since the age of 12, as that is the minimum age required to join the army. Nathan was almost happy that his family was in this predicament because now he would finally be able to support his mother while doing something noble. He thought he would fight a terrible enemy of mankind.
He enlists in the army and immediately is deployed on a dangerous mission. He got to know some of his comrades and noticed that every one of them are peasants as well, which he found peculiar. He is deployed into the field with minimal instructions. The only information his team was given was the location of a supposed enemy military facility. The only orders were to “destroy everything.” He would go on this mission and have a major epiphany. While his men were raining fire down on the enemy he came to realize that the foes they were mercilessly attacking had nothing to with the military. They were killing innocent children and destroying families. Heavy government propaganda fooled the masses into thinking that half of the world population consists of savage beasts intent on destroying mankind, when in reality it was a war initiated by powerful foes in the government who wish to attain power. Nathan gets gravely injured in this mission and is left behind by his men. However an unknown woman rescues him and tends to his injuries. She is a very wise woman and explains her philosophies and the truths of the world to Nathan Reed. The woman begs for his assistance in saving her people. This is where Nathan’s ethical dilemma comes into play. His entire life his mother has insisted that he lives a selfish one, as no one has ever done anything for him. He is going to have to choose what path he wishes to follow. The safe and emotionless one paved by his mother, or one of his own choosing. He chooses to help the innocent masses. (The story further develops when he obtains a super natural power.)
You have some really interesting ideas here. This could make for a much longer game, but it could easily end here (think of it as Episode One!) and make for a good IF game. Lots of choices, and a very relatable main character.