Decadent Dreams

• Discrimination on the basis of gender or sex.
  • This may occur in the form of gender roles.

There are two merkingdoms that have been at war for centuries: the trade-heavy Coral Reef and the transport-based hub of Atlantia. To resolve this conflict, the Elders of each kingdom have decided to unite their lands by marriage – of the Stingray Princess Manta to the first son of Coral Reef’s Elder; Prince Flowerhorn. The two have been best friends since they were little fishlets, however, they are not in love. In fact, Princess Manta has been crushing on her chambermaid, Grey. On the other hand, with dreams of becoming the best undersea chef there ever was. All hope seems lost for these ambitious royals, but Chambermaid Grey is not who she seems to be… A serendipitous meeting reveals her to be the long lost sister of Prince Flowerhorn! Now Princess Manta and Princess Sealily can be happiest inter-kingdom couple there ever was!

But not all is easy in this endeavour, with whispers of a potential revolution and the people’s trust in royals lessening by the day, can Manta and lost princess Sealily really convince the people that they really do represent them?

Coral Reef looks like - well - a coral reef, with sprawling beds of multicolored coral, seaweed and low-lying buildings fashioned into anemone and sea caves within rock. Atlantia on the other hand lies in the big blue sea far from shore, and is comprised of tall bronze buildings swirling up to an central spire of the palace in the centre of the city. The Merfolk in Atlantia are based on deep sea or solitary marine life, while people in Coral Reef tend to resemble reef-like tropical fish.

• Princess Manta: Playable. Manny for short, she’s a plucky girl with a Manta Ray tail. A fast swimmer and great fencer, she is the pride of her Kingdom. Responsible and impressionable as she is, she’s fallen for her chambermaid and finds herself shy and unable to speak around her.

• Prince Flowerhorn: Playable. A tall young man with long silver hair and a single horn protruding from his forehead, he is the Coral Reef’s elder’s first son and betrothed to his best friend Manny. Though he doesn’t want to be tied down as he has secret dreams of opening a fusion restaurant on the bustling main streets of Coral Reef. He is currently unable to do this due to his royal duties of being a prince.

• Princess Sealily: Playable. A long lost sister of Prince Flowerhorn who thinks she’s an orphan. Currently she works as a maid in Atlantia under the name Grey. She is a young lady with watery, kind eyes and a Grey whale tail protruding from the hem of her dress. Differences in rank make her force herself to forget how far she has fallen for Manny.

• Fencing Coach Swordfish: Playable. An elderly fencing coach who has been training Manta since she was young, he also knows Flowerhorn and has watched countless matches between them both.

• Head Chef Dory: Not Playable. Head Chef of Coral Reef's kitchen for over 20 years, his expertise is as sharp as his wit, and he loves to joke and laugh. He is Flowerhorn's main inspiration for being a chef, and has taught him many recipes over the years.

• Elder Octo: Not Playable. Flowerhorn’s father, he wants his son to get married to increase trade between the two kingdoms. He tends to come off as casual and down for anything, but actually has stubborn and unshakable beliefs. He is unlikely to change his mind unless it would benefit his kingdom.

• King Blue: Playable. Manta’s father, he seems old and sickly. Seems to care for Manta. Not much else is known about him.

• 1: Flashback: At an annual ball Flowerhorn brushes off his sister Sealily to play with and Manny at the direction of Elder Octo. They wander to the ball's kitchen and meet Head Chef Dory, and the Prince is inspired to become a chef at first sight. Sealily gets lost on this night.

• 2: It is present day, Elder Octo and Fencing Coach Swordfish are watching their a fencing match, while Flowerhorn uses a rapier. Flowerhorn doesn’t fight well due to his crippling regret at losing his sister so many years ago. He only finds solace in baking, much to the disapproval of his father.

• 3: It is the day before the wedding and Grey is helping fit Manny into her gown, Manny is talking to her about how she doesn’t want to marry her best friend, and they fall hopelessly in love with one another while sharing ideas of a new democracy, where their potential relationship wouldn’t be taboo.

• 4: Flowerhorn is in the kitchen, following his dream of becoming a chef by running away. Grey intervenes and Flowerhorn finds out she’s Princess Sealily. He relinquishes his kingdom to her as he is not fit to rule.

• 5: The wedding attended by Elder Octo and King Blue. Manny and Sealily are happily married and many opinions are voiced against revolution – the crowd seems oppressed by the royal court, but few see hope in Sealily’s bold words to inspire change.