Canon Promo: Sovereign Tea

So I've Tricked You Into My Canon Promo :)

"If you want 30 hours of pretty women talking about war crimes, please play my game!" - Devs





What is Sovereign Tea?
- An indie game!
- A isomatric, turn-based tactics, strategy RPG indie game!
- From the devs: Command the Tea Princesses to victory over the Coffee Empire in this adorable Strategy RPG! Brew your minions, position your armies, and tactically press forward to achieve victory.
- Here's the release trailer!
- From me: It's got a great cast of characters (very shippable! all women!!), a storyline with a lot of politics, challenging gameplay with each kind of unit having their own little mechanic, and the art is so pretty! (If you're not into challenging gameplay but are into the rest, there's a story mode to make the battles themselves easy!)

(official game art)




How long is it?
- It took me 30 hours to beat the game. If you're better at turn-based RPGs than I am, or you spend less time dithering over pretty women talking about war crimes, you can probably beat it more quickly. There's a silent let's play of the game beginning here and a dev commentary version here!


Where can I find it?
- Steam (here) or Itch.io (here)! It's listed at $14.99/£12.79 but I've seen it on sale for as little as £4.
- 31/10/25 edit: it's now free! (The game dev landed a job with a no-compete clause)


What is there to be fannish about?
- pretty women
- 12 endearing and flawed playable characters, each with their own character arc
- it has many little guys as units with flavour text like: "Its vanilla origins imply it should be merely a medic. Somehow, it developed an insatiable need to stab its enemies."
- many people spend time in a dungeon, which is hot if you're like me and into captivity
- many vibes for the enemies/rivals to lovers people to enjoy
- much "I owe you my life" and loyalty going on
- also much "hey so the traditional way we've always done things without explanation kind of sucks" going on
- fantasy war and politics is fun
- the devs respond to me asking lore questions abour Miss Durian Star!!


What does the game look like?

This is how it looks during the turn-based tactics gameplay (this level is at night)!


(It gets harder.)


This is how it looks when walking around talking to allies between missions!




What's the cast like?

A character chart, from the devs!




Offering Some Blorbos

Dragon Well


Dragon Well is traditional, wise, gorgeous, and spends a lot of time making sure that everyone else thinks so too. She's really sweet with Genmaicha! 

Says things like: 

• It will take some time to explain…walk with me, Genmaicha.
• It is good to once again see the face of a friend.
• I would like to vocalise my disagreement! Unhand me!
• No! You already know how long it takes me to do my hair! (Thirty-two minutes.)
• I’m sure she already knows, although that doesn’t make her loss any easier.You don’t have to worry about her—I’ll keep her safe.
• Silver Needle, walk with me. You seem stressed and deserving of a break.
• Sometimes silence is best. Let us simply walk.
• I, too, want recognition. I want to be recognised as a just, proper Tea Princess who holds true to her intricate and complex moral code. I want the image of myself on the battlefield to reflect that of myself in peacetime. … I follow treaties and agreements to the letter. I am a woman of my word. I protect my allies and provide them guidance as necessary. 
• A well-argued flaw in my logic that I believe only you would have been willing to point out. Softening an argument when discussing fundamentals is more rude than the direct approach you tend to employ. With your input I am confident I can rework my philosophy.

Relationships:

• @ Mint: "I have yet to understand why I tolerate your presence, never mind why I appreciate it." (Mint's antithetical presence validates her life decisions) 
• @ Bai Mudan: "Intelligent, cautious, meticulous, modest, honourable, unmatched in her ability to-" (Is interrupted from her swooning here)
• @ Silver Needle: "I find her presence grating, as she is a boisterous woman, but her mind is as sharp as her silver hair."
• @ Shou Mei: "Once you look beyond her lethargy, she is a surprisingly competant strategist."
  
  

Mint

Mint is an excitable, unflappably cheerful extrovert with a strong sense of justice warring with a general high regard for life while not always catching social cues to calm down... kind of like a shounen protagonist. She's so funny being a little chihuahua nipping at Dragon Well's heels, and I love her charged interactions with Black Rose.

Says things like: 

• It’s been so long! Come here and give me a big hug! It’s not a proper hug until a rib is broken.
• Fine, I’ll let go. Can I at least repeatedly pat your head?
• I get it. She’s perfect in your eyes, which probably means she’s insufferable to everyone else.
• What are friends for if not to inflict irreconcilable trauma onto one other?
• Well, would you look at that? It appears the enemy was already waiting for us. How lovely!
• It appears to be a rushed job of enforcing the area. Doesn’t look like they did a great job at that.
• Hit ‘em fast, hit ‘em hard, and twist their arm!
• My weapon of choice would be a bamboo rod. It’s not efficient, but it looks cool!
• If an ally needs help, I’m there!
• We’re… not burning it down. We’re just going to collect some intelligence and then leave.
• Part of the reason I joined the Tea Princesses was to promote unity among the realms. We’ve been secluded for too long. I just wish the opportunity didn’t manifest in the form of a war.
• We just had an excruciatingly long debate and now you want to subject me to more meetings? … At least you’re honest! What do you need?
• Hah, I knew you’d crack under the slightest compliment! I’m a trickster at heart, Genmaicha! Nobody can stop me!

Relationships: 

• @ Genmaicha: "I didn’t need to meet you to sympathise with you. Dragon Well told me what happened and I felt it was wrong."
• @ Dragon Well: "There's that infamous Dragon Well anger! I love it when your eyes burn red. It makes me feel as if my days are numbered."
• @ Silver Needle: "A shouting match? That definitely is both is loud and fun. There’s the Silver Needle I was promised! I can already tell we’re going to be the best of friends!"
• @ Black Rose: "I think Black Rose got in my head. She made me realise something about me that I never knew. I… like fighting? And I’m good at it. I’m not evil! But I must be honest with myself, I haven’t felt this alive in a long time. It is… unfortunate and embarrassing to admit aloud." and "Did she call me her sweetest Mint? I think I’m going to be sick…"
• @ Marocchino: "To top it all off, did you see what she wrote about herself? It was beyond vulgar! She’s obsessed with her own self image! Marocchino is a self-centred woman who likes to pretend that she is a dainty, fragile flower in need of love and protection. The reality is far more bleak: she is a murderer! I need to put her in her place!"

Black Rose (Part-time antagonist)
Peak enemies/rivals to lovers fodder. She's unapologetic and I headcanon her as autistic for the following reasons: she's got a rigid sense of right and wrong, she's got a sword and warfare hyperfixation, she's very very open about her feelings and opinions, consistently has to fumble back for control of the converation once she realises she's misread it or found new information, and generally doesn't seem to vibe with most of the other princesses and regents. I think she should hang out with Mint more.

Says things like: 

• You stole my ship. 
• You and I signed a border agreement. That border was under threat. The Coffee Empire disrespected our arrangement. They will suffer. 
• You used the present participle. Dear Chamomile, who do you think I am? Let us use the past participle: reclaimed. I have already reclaimed your land… Right, returning the land. That’s definitely what I was going to do. I was definitely going to return your land.
• Your sailing is lacklustre and mine is spectacular. 
• I’ll bring her head to you on a pike. I’m sure her expression will be just as incredible to behold… Right, analogies. That’s what I was doing. I was making an analogy.
• Put in a good word for me with the others, please.
• If it isn’t the elusive Earl Grey in the flesh, and what soft and tender flesh it is!
• A finger will do. Which digit is your least favourite? Usually consent isn’t required when swords are involved.
• I want you to call me Admiral Black Rose. I want to continue my raids. I want to rename the Milky Bay to the Bay of Roses. You know you can’t stop me. Say it. Being called an admiral by the single most powerful Tea Princess… What an incredible feeling!
• Ta-ta!
• That said, do pen me a letter about all your exploits after your mission. Give me all the gruesome details. You and I are going to be great friends.
• Well, this isn’t exactly what I wrote, but…
• Negotiations? Negotiations are boring. Regicide is the one true path in this world. If you’re a beginner when it comes to driving the life out of you prey I would be more than happy to—
• The brews you make are well-tuned to stealth, so much so that at times I was powerless against you. Within this chaos you managed to break free and live. You handed me my first real military defeat. You humbled me. That means you’re special.
• You do. We all do. You wanted to win the war. Earl Grey’s discriminatory policy wasn’t cutting it any more.

Relationships:

• @ Mint: "Mark my words, my sweetest Mint, I will fight alongside you in battle one day."
• @ Rooibos: "I used to pride myself on not having any friends, but lately some new emotions have been forming within me. Both you and Chamomile have been quite kind to me. If you have some free time I can perhaps show you what it’s like to fight off a navy."

Silver Needle
She's quick to anger and quick to calm, and can be relied on to make smart, competant decisions when it counts! Her interactions with Bai Mudan and Shou Mei are so sweet, and they make a really great team that are willing to call each other out when necessary.

Says things like:

• Ladies, listen up! 
• Hah! If that’s how strong we are against surprise attacks, wait until they see our organised efforts!
• This force was large enough to cause a ruckus, but not large enough to subdue a realm!
• Hey. Before we get carried away, let’s just go to the border and ask them what’s happening.
• It’s settled then. Let’s embark!
• Right back to you, Bai-Bai!
• I can tell you’re stressed. Listen, we won today’s battle; you can relax tonight.
• Why don’t you try it out? Go on—insult me!... Bai Mudan, you are the only person in the world that could possibly think that a reasonable insult.
• I could honestly use a hug right now. Just don’t get used to it.
• Delivery! One Mate, tied and bound as requested.
• How are you like this?
• It was wrong of us to exclude them. Those mistakes were made out of our own ignorance, but we’ve learned our lesson.

Bai Mudan

She reeeeeeally wants Earl Grey-senpai to notice her, and seems to idolise Dragon Well. Bai Mudan tries so hard to be cold and logical but she's just a squishy little flower with many feelings!

Says things like:

• Shou Mei, as thankful as I am that you are unharmed, I must let you know how unbecoming of a Tea Princess it is to oversleep.
• Am I in the minority here? How exiguous.
• Formality dictates as such!
• …I dislike exercising my thoughts in such a manner, but your point has been made.
• Tragedy won’t befall us. We must believe in that.
• Being mean is hard!
• As it stands, your territory holds no strategic value. They knew they could claim it without issue, and they did. Collateral in war is inevitable.
• How audacious of you. I do not allow emotion to dictate military strategy.
• If you want a change of pace, I’d be more than happy to brew you a light and refreshing cup of white tea. It’s my speciality, after all.
• Shou Mei, I know you’re going to say no to this, but may I hold you? I can make it brief if—

Shou Mei

This war could have been an email so she could sleep in. Hates everyone and everything except exactly two people: Silver Needle and Bai Mudan. When she can be pulled out of her sloth, she's fun-loving, witty, and very sharp.

Says things like:

• You should try it sometime. Maybe then you’ll understand.
• Good thing I know how to translate the way you speak, Bai-Bai. Heh.
• Let’s say you were invading another land. Would you want them to have time to prepare a counterattack?
• Why is this even happening? Just leave us alone!
• We did it! Well, that’s enough physical activity from me for a lifetime.
• Are we just collateral, then? Do our borders mean nothing to them?
• …I’m not sure it’ll be alive for much longer. See that brew over there?
• Is it lucky? I’d rather have been wrong. I’d rather avoid war.
• Hey. Have either of you seen a brew like that before?
• Derision is supposed to be unwelcome. That’s why it’s fun!
• Hypotheticals like that only inhibit your ability to assess the situation before you. You must learn to identify those thoughts and negate them.
• I typically keep my palms hidden within my hanfu, but if I were to be honest with you, I feel the same way. I’m terrified too. 
• I was. I’m slow. Now I’m here. I’ll be fine. Maybe.