hmm, not sure why baca would need so many requirements. I installed baca using pip as per (github.com/wustho/baca), on a hedless ubuntu based server. Maybe on Arch it would need to install / update python packages?
You could also try epy (github.com/wustho/epy) which is also a terminal based epub reader.
you can automate a lot of the basc profile stuff in your dotfiles with some automation such as github.com/anishathalye/dotbot to bootstrap a new install. it makes your new distro right at home, and if you combine this with github to store your dotfiles, you’ll also have a backup of your environment.
Looks like a pretty straightforward install! And a fun project to have a personal message space with friends. It includes the ability to launch gameoso you could maybe set it up as a personal lobby for gaming buddies.