Ego

In *Monark*, a person's **Ego** is a part of the psyche linked to an individual's sense of self and seven sins or desires. It serves as a kind of experience system and determines what Fiends will be available to the protagonist. In terms of game mechanics, only the Ego of the protagonist is explicitly measured and developed, specifically through numeric values in each of the seven sins.

## Ego development

The values in the various desires can be increased through answers to specific assessments given throughout the story. This includes a fifteen question multiple choice test given very early in the story. Defeating Fiends of a particular sin also increases that desire's value in the protagonist's Ego. The protagonist can also take Psychology Tests during the story, which take the form of multiple choice questions that the player answers, giving an increase to the value of a desire.

## Ego benefits

Developing the protagonist's Ego will unlock restrictions on what Vessels his Fiends may equip and allows him to acquire crystals in the game world called Alter Egos, which provide some permanent benefit such as a stat boost.

## List of sins

The seven sins or desires that make up the Ego, along with their associated fiend, are:

* Pride
* Wrath
* Envy
* Greed
* Gluttony
* Sloth
* Lust

The Fiend for each sin start out named after the sin, so the pages above also cover the Fiend in question. The player is allowed to rename the Fiends, and there is even an achievement for renaming one Fiend.

Note that these tend to have more expansive definitions than the usual meaning of the words. For example:

* Greed also includes the drive to achieve one's goals, not merely the acquisition of money or material things.
* Gluttony is not merely about eating, but consumption in a more general sense. It generally includes a powerful desire for growth, and not necessarily just the physical kind.
* Sloth includes more than laziness. It includes rationality and wisdom and may be more about aversion specifically to wasted effort, rather than effort in general.
* Lust arguably has the most expanded definition of all of these desires. More than just being about sexual desire and attraction, it is also about a general desire for interpersonal connection, as with that between romantic partners, friends, and family.

Meanwhile, Pride, Wrath, and Envy are generally closer to their conventional definitions.

## Initial Ego quiz

This initial quiz is given by Yoru early in the game and determines the starting values for the protagonist's Ego.

From testing, the quiz would appear to work as follows:

* The *first and last questions* have *no effect* on the final Ego values.
* For the other standard questions, each has one response that gives +40 to a desire, while the other has no Ego effect.
	+ Each desire has two associated questions, except, ironically, for greed, which only has one.
* If there is a tie for the top desire, Yoru will ask a followup question asking the protagonist to choose a set of words.

The questions, possible answers, and the associated point values are:

1. What does school life mean to you?
	* Studying.
	* Enjoying my youth.
2. Are you the diligent, note-taking type?
	* Yes.
	* I don't need them. (Sloth +40)
3. How would you feel if you let a friend copy your notes, and they did better on the test than you?
	* They don't deserve it! (Envy +40)
	* Good for them.
4. It seems like your friend is about to mess something up. What do you do?
	* See how things play out.
	* Warn them to be careful. (Pride +40)
5. Somecut cuts in front of you, but you've been waiting for ages! What do you do?
	* "Back of the line, bub!" (Wrath +40)
	* Glare at them in silence.
6. You need money to fulfill your goals, but you're flat broke. What do you do?
	* Give up.
	* Go into debt, if that's what it takes. (Greed +40)
7. Have you ever looked at a naughty website? On your phone, or your desktop, maybe?
	* I have. (Lust +40)
	* Never.
8. Okay, let's say you're at a buffet. How do you decide what to eat?
	* I try as many different foods as I can. (Gluttony +40)
	* I'm not really all that picky.
9. A situation has already been settled, but someone insists on disagreeing. How do you respond?
	* Get annoyed. They're just being obtuse. (Sloth +40)
	* Let them talk and adapt if needed.
10. Someone you hate is loved by everyone around you. What do you think about that?
	* It's frustrating and unfair. (Envy +40)
	* It's none of my business.
11. You're forced to take on a leadership role. How do you make your decisions?
	* It's my way or the highway. (Pride +40)
	* I don't know what I'd do.
12. Would you say you've ever truly loved someone?
	* No.
	* Yes. (Lust +40)
13. If you had extra free time and money, how would you spend it?
	* Use it to further my personal growth. (Gluttony +40)
	* I wouldn't change my life at all.
14. What would you do if someone started baseless rumors about you?
	* Angrily deny it and denounce them. (Wrath +40)
	* Get depressed and let it happen.
15. Is there someone or something you care for with every fiber of your being?
	* There is.
	* There isn't.
16. Choose one of these sets of words, would you?\*
	* Confidence, Beauty, Affirmation (Pride +40)
	* Release, Propel, Explode (Wrath +40)
	* Contrast, Spite, Contempt (Envy +40)
	* Obsession, Avarice, Desire (Greed +40)
	* Collect, Assimilate, Grow (Gluttony +40)
	* Reason, Wisdom, Resignation (Sloth +40)
	* Love, Unity, Fate (Lust +40)

\* Only sets of words associated with the desires tied for first will appear. This question won't appear at all if there is no tie for first.

### Additional Ego notes

In addition to a message based on the desire with the highest score, the Ego analysis also makes notes on how balanced the desires seem to be. Such notes may include:

>
> As a whole, your desires are all quite strong.
> You have a firm sense of self and a stable Ego.
> It's important to indulge your desires, after all.
>
>
>
>

>
> Your desires are quite strong indeed...
> You have a firm sense of self and a stable Ego.
> Something about you seems unbalanced, though...
> None of your desires should be neglected, you know.
>
>
>
>

>
> Hm... It seems your desires are a bit lacking, somehow.
> What desires you do have are strong, but you appear to lack balance.
> Are you afraid of wanting things?
> None of your desires should be neglected, you know.
>
>
>
>

## Vanitas's Ego Tests

Vanitas will periodically give Ego tests to the protagonist as well. These tests include:

* Vanitas's fable
* Vanitas's romance test
* Vanitas's image test
* Vanitas's pop quiz