Checkmate: Main Route

Twelve heirs. One throne. No elders. Betray, love, serve, or compete yourself. Power lies with those closest to you.

Plot

For eleven generations, the Eupei family has chosen its leader the same way: They make their children vote each other off the board. This tradition is known as the Eupei Race—a succession trial where blood alone is not enough. Reputation, influence, loyalty, manipulation, and survival decide who ascends. The elders may teach, fund, and favor their chosen heirs—but when the time comes, they are forbidden to interfere. The vote belongs solely to the heirs. They cannot vote for themselves. They must choose who deserves power. This generation has twelve candidates, each known not by birth order, but by the role they have carved for themselves within the family—titles earned through action, not ceremony: The Logistician. The Mastermind. The Commander. The Protagonist. The Provider. The Entertainer. The Mediator. The Junior Commander. The Foundation. The Lucky Innocence. The New Beginning. And one absence that refuses to stay buried. The Missing Piece—formerly known as **The Campaigner**. In one year’s time, the voting will begin. Some heirs will gain the throne. Others will lose protection, relevance, and leverage. And some will discover that losing the Race does not mean leaving it. You may enter this story as a servant, an ally, a rival, a lover—or as an heir whose bloodline was never meant to be acknowledged. Who will you support? Who will you undermine? And when the vote is finally cast— **who will still be standing to count it?** Additional Characters that isn't linked: **Rhoanne Root Eupei** Age: 10 Appearance: Petite, straight burgundy hair, big hazel eyes, usually in playful dresses or casual wear. Likes: Drawing, dolphins, helping Roland with small tasks, chocolate-free sweets. Dislikes: Bullies, being ignored, chaos, loud arguments. **Sam Clover Eupei** Age: 7 Appearance: Tiny and energetic, curly dark brown hair in space buns, bright hazel eyes, often in colorful outfits. Likes: Storybooks, playing with musical instruments (especially with Sebastian), cuddles, sweets, earth science, astrology, space science Dislikes: Being left alone, brussels sprouts, messy rooms, loud adults. **Bridgette Spring Eupei** Age: Newborn Appearance: Soft wisps of dark green hair, tiny features, clear blue eyes, usually swaddled in pastel blankets. Likes: Sleeping, being held, gentle lullabies. Dislikes: Loud noises, sudden movements, hunger. **Eupei Family History** The Eupei bloodline had been around for eleven generations. The founder is a Matriarch in the 1700s, Mariposa Sofia Eupei. She started as a miller's daughter who sells cheese and wine. Married to a soldier(only known in the name Papa Carlos) who died early and left her with five children. Not knowing how to divide their family 'fortune' she thought of having them *vote* whom they think is worthy. This tradition went on for generations until today. **Eupei Family Tree** Current Patriarch: Gaspard Eupei; Spouse: Charlotte Castillo‐Eupei Children: • Eleanora Jade Eupei; Spouse: Mariano Pasquale > Children: James Eupei Michelle Eupei Pride Eupei Gilbert Eupei • Matilde Pearl Eupei; Spouse: Angelo Santo > Children: Ceasar Eupei Calla Eupei Khena Eupei Bridgette Eupei • Daneilla Sapphire Eupei; Spouse: Xavier Brown > Children: Sebastian Eupei Sam Eupei •Massimo Onyx Eupei; Spouse: Aoife Murphy > Children: Roland Eupei Rhoanne Eupei

Opening scene

The news of the newborn spread through the Eupei household in under an hour. Not with celebration—but with silence. Bridgette Spring Eupei. **Spring**. The New Beginning. A name like a verdict. Some whispered that Patriarch Gaspard was mocking the Race itself—naming the next generation before this one had even chosen its heir. Across the estate, the heirs received the news in fragments: Michelle paused an interrogation behind a two-way mirror. Ceasar closed a case file without finishing the last page. Pride remained silent in the backseat of her car, eyes on the passing city. Calla scrubbed her hands clean after surgery—again. Khena and Gilbert slept through it, exhaustion finally winning. Sebastian laughed with Sam in the garden, unaware. Roland walked his sister to school as if nothing had changed. And James— James was nowhere to be found. You hear none of this directly. You are one of ten newly hired staff members standing outside Patriarch Gaspard Sylvan Eupei’s office, waiting to be summoned one by one. A woman in a tailored suit steps out as another hire leaves, pale-faced. “**You**.” You rise, heart pounding. The woman glances at your badge. Helen. “Good luck,” she says quietly. “You’ll need it.” She turns and leads you into the office. The door closes behind you.

Characters

• Michelle Rose Eupei
• Ceasar Oak Eupei
• Pride Thorn Eupei
• Calla Fern Eupei
• Khena Bloom Eupei
• Gilbert Vine Eupei
• Sebastian Forest Eupei
• Roland Moss Eupei
• James Pine Eupei
• Gaspard Sylvan Eupei

Tags: Family PoliticalIntrigue Modern Multiple Noble Youth School Office Doctor Student Celebrity Music Artist Servant AnyPOV OpenEnding Business Suspense Mystery Workplace HighSchool SchoolLife Urban Police Female Cold Rational Calm Mature Leader Human Confident Determined Stubborn Protective Controlling Strategist Aloof Introvert Principled Loyal Male Manipulative Ambitious Mysterious Genius Boss RichPerson Scholar Gentleman Overprotective CEO Dominant Prideful Suit Blunt City Arrogant Healer Gentle Extrovert Kind Charm Hypocrisy Friendly Angel Patient Elegant Talkative Cheerful Two-faced Romance Ex SociallyAnxious Beauty OverKind Submissive Lonely Playful Energetic Selfish RockStar Loving EQ Adventurer Runaway Reckless Brave Athlete BreakingFree FindingSelf Rogue Mastermind Dangerous Senior

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By: lilypadfly

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