Story Overview
The story of Fable IV picks up fifty to seventy-five years after the end of Fable III. Regardless of the kingdom's condition at the end of that game, Albion has continued advancing culturally and technologically. Steam and industry are just as widespread, if not more so, but the corruption seen in Fable III has long since dwindled as great strides are taken in civil rights.
The monarchy of old has also evolved, with the king no longer holding absolute power over his subjects. In recent times, a parliamentary system of elected officials has developed, and they act as advisers to the king, and can vote to overrule his decisions and decrees. Under this new leadership, Albion has abandoned its isolationist ways, emerging suddenly into the world theater and gaining quite a degree of notoriety.
However, not all are pleased with Albion. Strathayne, a nation far to the west of Albion's shores, was never too fond of the tiny kingdom. Strathayne was a state that earned its way in the world through diplomacy and - in some cases - war. The fact that this small, new face has garnered such a presence in world affairs is a great offense. Diplomatic conflict served only to push Strathayne and Albion further and further apart, and a bitter hostility rose between them.
Deep within the mountains of Strathayne, miners uncovered something...incredible. An immense construct, larger than any they had ever seen, had been hiding beneath their very feet. For years, Strathayne's top scholars poured over the structure, seeking to learn its secrets. What they discovered was startling, but intriguing.
This construct, this Monolith, was an Old Kingdom weapon. They knew not how it worked, but the ruling parties of Strathayne had something sinister in mind. If they could not operate it normally, they would bend its will to their own through technology.
On a day like any other in Bowerstone, the people of Albion's capital scurried about their lives in blissful ignorance. As the sun settled in the horizon, a fleet of Strathayne's war ships approached and promptly began shelling the city. They were met by Albion's own navy, and a great oceanic battle took place. Just as the smoke began to clear, an enormous black mass materialized above Bowerstone. A light plumed inside, and from within a ray of malice shone. There was a burst of light, that faded.
In a matter of moments, Bowerstone was leveled.
Content with their victory, the Strathayne ships retreated, and the Monolith disappeared from sight. The survivors of Bowerstone were filled with fear and anger.
It has been ten years since that attack. Strathayne has begun a crusade, intent on world domination. Albion has since recovered, but not a single citizen doesn't wish to see Strathayne burn. They yearn for revenge, but in order to attain it, they will need a weapon of their own. Something to combat Strathayne's ill-gotten Monolith.
It needs a Hero.
The Hero
The Hero of Fable IV begins the game as a young boy or girl in Bowerstone Old Quarter. It's your mother's birthday, and your father has tasked you and your younger sister to put your heads together and buy her a present. By completing various tasks, the two of you finally earn enough money to buy her a puppy.
As you return home, Bowerstone is suddenly attacked, and soldiers flood the streets, capturing and executing those unfortunate enough to get caught. Unfortunately, they discover the Hero, but just as they are about to capture you, you're suddenly overcome with Will and kill them. You faint afterward, and were it not for the sudden appearance of a mysterious cloaked woman, you would have died.
Ten years later, you've enlisted in Albion's military, but upon discovering your status as a Hero, you are removed from the enlisted ranks and made into an agent of the Crown. As the story progresses, you perform various tasks for your superiors, as well as Theresa herself.
Customization
As in previous Fable games, you have the ability to customize your Hero, starting with their sex. From there, you can choose from a variety of different hair styles, clothes, jewelry, makeup, tattoos, and more. Your morality also comes into play, affecting not only your appearance, but also dialogue and more.
There are two factors that contribute to your morality: your good/evil alignment, as well as your attitude. By performing crimes and acts of evil, you push yourself further down the path of darkness, causing your skin to become a ghastly pale, your eyes to become black and sunken in. Crows are naturally attracted to you as well. Acts of benevolence, such as saving villagers from renegades or turning in criminals, will cause your skin to adopt a golden hue, and your eyes will turn the brightest shade of blue. Doves flutter about you, and the faintest hint of a halo can be seen.
Your attitude can be either polite, joking, or rude. Selecting polite options will cause your hero to maintain impeccable hygiene, and will cause him or her to remain pleasant and levelheaded in conversation. Joking options will cause your Hero to become more charming and humorous, and he or she will frequently make jokes and witty comments during dialogue. Rude options adversely effect your hygiene, as well as make your Hero a little more crude and blunt in conversation.
Weapons and Spells
As always, your Hero will use a number of spells and weapons in combat. Melee weapons and ranged weapons contribute your Strength and Skill, while spells contribute to your proficiency in the powers of Will.
Melee weapons consist of one- and two-handed swords, axes, and maces, as well as two-handed hammers and halberds. Using one-handed melee weapons will cause your Hero to become more lithe and agile, while heavier weapons cause them to bulk up. Ranged weapons consist of pistols, one- and two-handed crossbows, rifles, and shotguns. Using such weapons will cause your Hero to grow taller.
Melee weapons also come in tiers: iron, steel, masterwork, and legendary. Weapons in higher tiers generally inflict more damage, and some come with augmentation slots. Legendary weapons are something of an exception, as they may not necessarily be as strong as normal weapons, but often have augmentations that greatly increase their value. In addition, weapons can also come from different manufacturers, which can slightly affect attack power and speed, but are mostly aesthetic.
Spells come in two varieties: personal spells, and offensive spells. Personal spells consist of healing and shielding magic, as well as spells that grant certain buffs for a short time, i.e. Berserker. Summon is also classified as a personal spell. Offensive spells are pretty self-explanatory, consisting of abilities like Fireball, Shock, and Blades. As in Fable III, spells can be combined, but only if they are in the same school.
