The idea behind this is really high jumps with some combat viability, ie jump really high, make yourself small so they can't see you, and bump up the weight and viscosity for high impact. Similiarly, the slingshot attack. Jump at someone, up the weight and viscosity as well as shrink yourself last second, to create a hard ball going at high speeds into your face.
So the initial thought behind this is well in the name of the plan, get on ceilings spread yourself thin, then drop down on some and drown them/get in their brain through the ears. The assassin if you would. Of course, there are most definitely better uses than that but that was the thought.
[ ] Plan: Even Steven
- [ ] B 17
- [ ] St 17
- [ ] SP 17
- [ ] W 16
- [ ] V 16
- [ ] C 17
What it says on the tin, the even all-rounded distribution. I am worried that this may not hit any rank thresholds but I'm not sure of the impact of those anyway.
I'm out of ideas for stat distributions right now but I may think of some more.
Now for aesthetics,
[ ] Plan: The Eldritch Being
- Everything is confusing about it, its colours shift, it has many 3D shapes intersecting and floating around, its body is physcially impossible. Inspires terror in those who look for its sheer incomprehensibility: Shifting colours (any colour), Confusing mess of shapes
[ ] Plan: The Abyss Stares Back
- Really dark, a hole in the world dark. Thr only colour shpupd be the various body part we appropriate and even then they are in an almost chassis of our slime (so they can be hidden at will)
[ ] Plan: Am I on drugs?
- Colours, lots and lots of colours.
[ ] Plan: Ahh! My eyes
- Eye searing white, like the sun shining on a blanket of snow bright. It hurts to look
I cannot think of anything else so yeah. Hoping for other distribution and aesthetics to give a nice spread of ideas. Finally get some anarchy going.
Technically in about 12 hours.
But I probably won't start writing till another 24 if even so it doesn't really matter.
Also I appreciate the effort and ideas you give. ( :
And @_Plague Doctor_
While I like the idea that would require your stats to be allocated correctly and probably a skill for shifting as well.
And also there is no reason to do such a thing as I see it.
Edit
I checked your names sheet Plague and see the reasoning. Will add in as that's cute.
[X] Go to whichever known location is the closest.
Misc
[X] Try to shapeshift into a better form. Maybe a raptor shaped one?
Mind Management
CA:0
Minds:0
Named Minds:00
—
Destabilization counter .75/?
Politics
System:
True Anarchy
Goals
- Short term
— Expand CA storage
— Gain hearing
-Long term
— Take over whole of the city
Feeling satisfied with your exploration of the room you make your way to the door.
You find yourself stuck though, the gap underneath it too small to squeeze through.
Looking around for a solution you see a window.
You amble over and hop up to it.
Luckily it's not locked, if it even could lock, and you are barely strong enough to open it enough to slip through.
You land in an alley along the side of the building.
The mist seems to have thickened while you were inside and you can barely see above it.
Not particularly having a destination in mind you start ambling your way towards the closest place on the map.
the Graveyard.
You figure it's good practice with the radio compass, and you're curious if you could acquire an ear. Hearing would be quite useful.
As you wobble your way following the magnetic ball your minds wander.
One in particular seems to be more slightly awake. Their name is on the tip of your proverbial tongue but wriggles away leaving only an idea behind.
Having left town and not worried about anyone seeing you stop and focus on your form.
You've managed to stretch and squish yourself a bit so far, but nothing major.
The ability would be super helpful though and not just for the silly reasons your minds come up with.
Thinking as hard as you can, you imagine your body extending taller. The image of a picture book, a voice reading you to sleep, plastic toys being walked around a small house, the plush softness of your favorite raptor stuffed animal.
Exiting reverie your sense of self returns to the present.
Your form is not nearly as shapely as you had aimed for, instead just an elongated oval with two stubs where you imagined arms. The entire form slants slightly forward as if it was a long body with a tail.
Unstable you fall forward and collapse back into a sphere.
A part of you, that just moments ago was you, slinks away in sadness.
A goal to work towards then.
An unknown amount of time passes and you finally make it to a graveyard.
Gates and fences made of the strange wood delineate a patch of land. Inside are rows of large monoliths with small writing on them. Some have fruit placed in front, or trinkets made of twigs and leaves.
At one of the grave markers is a person leaned over.
Getting closer you can see they are tending to a line of bodies that you can tell came from the battle.
The man seems to be preparing them to be buried.
Seemingly satisfied he picks up a shovel and starts digging up in front of one of the large stone slabs.
–w–
Vote
What do?
- [ ] try to steal an ear
- [ ] hold back and wait
- [ ] (something with the man?)
- [ ] (what? write in)
Also
Appearance has no votes.
Stats has one vote for [ ] Did you look up?
Wished to wait a bit longer.
And also to clarify that the way stats work extra benefits are only determined by rank achieved not by number.
I think there is a fundamental flaw in this quest as it is currently.
I love the idea of the readers being Minds and I love all the systems I've set up for politics and interactions. I think it has the potential to be very interesting and engaging.
I also don't think it will get there.
To get to that point requires many readers heavily engaged in the story and willing to put time into making this idea work.
That's not going to happen when the story as it is provides little reason to be engaged.
Perhaps a better writer would be able to make the current situation work.
I am not that writer.
And thus the output is very flat and boring. Add on top that there is no main character to get invested in, and the way I've set things up the plot is passive and is not directly engaging you.
Technically yes the MC has goals and desires, but functionally it's not worth much because it's disconnected from any sense of character or desire.
This makes the story bland and uninspired. And also makes writing it a chore.
So what to do?
I don't know.
Here are the options I see, and while this vote is not directly responsible for what's going to happen I did want peoples opinions if they wish to share as y'all have been very kind to me so far and I hope to not lose what little audience I have.
1- Give up and work on something else.
Fuck that!
2- Write another 5k words with the current more passive plan.
Not against but may be a slog, I do have a tendency to give up too early though...
3- Write another 5k words with current setup but have plot come to MC and force more active decisions
Has pros and cons against 2. I'm not sure if it's better, I think it's just different.
4- Restart from first vote/character creation. Have a more "normal" option. And then after an extended prologue possibly have the characters mind connect to the Acheron and gain back the Minds system. Possibly different, possibly the same, the point is there will be momentum and focus, as well as hopefully more people by that point. Also note the word Possibly, maybe this whole Minds idea is saved for another story, we'd see how it goes.
Restarting is always risky. It may also be the best choice.
Thank you all, for all of your patience and sticking around. As always any thoughts, of any sort are deeply appreciated.
I'm fairly happy with how I originally set up the voting so I plan on just adding a few more options and updating a few things. As a whole it'll follow the same idea of having morai tokens to spend, and boons/curses.
Thanks for staying with me while I make this work!
Scheduled vote count started by Incon on Mar 12, 2024 at 4:53 PM, finished with 3 posts and 3 votes.
For those who have been here, I have rewritten some of the options and added in new ones. So though you can skip the intro I do recommend reading through the boons and curses.
For everyone else.
This is my (second) attempt at a quest set in the universe of The Mechanisms, specifically The City from Ulysses Dies at Dawn. I listened to the album and just had to have more and I thought it's exactly the type of a thing a quest is perfect for.
The main premise to the quest is you are a young being (not necessarily a child but we'll get there) and are in The City. For anyone who does not know this fandom I will explain all terms and this quest should be fine without knowledge. However the album is only 1 hour long and I highly recommend it.
The City is an ecuminopaleis of unknown size. As with all Mechanism albums it is based off of, and uses myths and stories. In this case it's the Greek ones. The city is controlled by the Olympians, people who are rich enough to buy immortality. Below them lie everyone else literally and figuratively. The Olympians and higher households own all of the surface and thus most people go their whole life without seeing the sun.
The Greek myths are all interpreted and translated into this sci-fi setting; examples from the albums include the cyclops eye being a giant crystal or the most important thing The Acheron.
When people die their brains are taken to be put into the Acheron to use as processing power. Thus dying is not even the end and simply considered the beginning to an eternity of being trapped within the Acheron. And of course presiding over the Acheron is Hades.
If you have any questions just ask.
Last in larger stuff this is a narrative driven quest. There may be some stats to give a general sense of things, but it will be for vibes at most.
I will try my best to make all choices obvious and results sensical. If you ever want more info on an option just ask and I will probably give more or state my reasons for keeping it hidden.
I love and crave feedback so please give any that you're willing. Whether it's that I was unfair in choices or just that you have ideas or thoughts. As for turns I'm planning on starting vaguely action by action but depending on what this quest turns into switching into a more structured week or month turns and if we get far then possibly year long turns.
For our first vote we will be setting the stage. You have 1 moirai token to start.
Boons cost moirai tokens.
Curses give you more moirai tokens.
Spend your tokens to create what type of quest it's going to be. Voting will be in plan format. Extra tokens are kept and can be spent in minor ways later on. This is a bonus though, not the intended use of them so please don't make decisions based on this fact you will be sad if you do.
An example of a plan may be:
[X] Plan Masochist Mode
-[X] Boons:
—[X] Squandered Chances -7
-[X] Curses:
—[X] Child of the City +0
—[X] Tartarus +2
—[X] Debt to an Olympian +3
—-[X] Hades
—[X] Frail Child +1
—[X] Infamous +1
Though I probably wouldn't recommend this.
After the basics have been established we will move on to character creation in a more detailed way.
Write-ins are always accepted and encouraged though I will veto any I don't think fit or don't want to write.
Lastly all votes (besides this one and parts of the next) are in character unless stated otherwise. Your PC may have incorrect assumptions and your choices will reflect them.
Voting options condensed for ease of use at the bottom.
Boons:
Boon of Hestia -2
There once was an Olympian known as Hestia. To the upper city she has been forgotten, replaced by Dionysius and more fanciful people. But the lower city remembers. They remember she was kind. They remember she cared for them when no one else did. You grew up hearing stories about how she would walk the levels no other Olympian dared and gave rations and credits to any who asked. Many a hearths still fire in her name and many still await the day she'll come back to help. But you know she won't. For when you were alone, you found home in an orphanage with a caring old lady as its keeper. She taught you kindness, she taught you how to love and survive, she taught you a healthy distaste for the olympians, she cared for you when even your parents had left you to rot in the streets. And when she died she whispered her name. Hestia. And names, are a powerful thing indeed.
Whether you choose to carry on your mother in all but names legacy is up to you though.
(Knowledge of a god is not something to scoff at. And you carry the final wishes of one)
Boon of Fate -2
The Moirai control everything and are the mind of the city. You have an uncanny ability to read and understand their logic. Allowing you to understand the City in ways few can.
(allows you to predict the working of the city in strange ways, such as always knowing when the next train is going to arrive to the schedule for the drones)
Boon of Destiny -2
The prediction algorithms and processes have determined you're destined for greatness. This gives you more leeway in your actions as less would dare get in the way of someone as prophesied as you. Though the designs of fate cut both ways.
(Choose a fate. It will come true though maybe not in the way you expect.)
To bring the sun
To be an Olympian
To destroy the sky
To anger the Moon
To kill a god
To revolutionize life
To be something new
(write in)
Boon of Asclepius -1
You were sickly as a child. You were also lucky, scoring a spot in a limited research study. Now your body heals quicker than most and your life expectancy is high.
(all but the deadliest wounds will be fully healed, and even those can be escaped.)
Artemis's Boon -1
You lost an eye as a small child due to a misplaced shot from a Huntress. Miraculously they paid for a replacement. Due to a mix up you got a then state of the art eye. It can see where most cannot and has allowed you to know more than you should. Being able to make it glow any color you want is also a bonus.
(allows you to see in all spectrums as well the ability to record a limited amount)
Hermes Boon -1
You were born to a Skytrain™ engineer. You grew up in the tunnels of the city's transportation network. Your mind is a map of the city, or a part of it, and your knowledge of it allows you to get where your going quicker then most. (gives you knowledge of the environment more than most both in the general sense and specific locations.)
Iris's -1
You were left at a post office as a baby. The workers took you in and raised you as their own. A big family made you a well socialized child and you never had doubt about what you wanted to do when you grew up.
(Addresses and locations stick in your head from years of deliveries and you have access to the mail of some of the city's elite, if you're willing to break the law.)
Boon of Aether -1
When you were a babe your parents sneaked their way to the upper levels. Somehow avoiding all the security and making their way higher and higher. You don't remember it but you know in your soul that you've seen the light and breathed unfiltered air under the sun's warm glow. It doesn't matter nobody believes you, you've touched the sky and it gives you strength to continue.
As you grew up you always felt a yearning to feel the sun again, and that desire has brought you in contact with a peculiar group of people aiming to do just that.
(gives your extra willpower and health (non literally) as well as connections to a certain group)
Child of Sirens -1
Your father was a siren and taught you some of his ways. Your voice is yours to control and your knowledge of relaxation and minds is well taught. As a child you used it to get an extra sweet from the baker or get the other kids to play the games you want. As you grew you trained your power and now are capable of far more.
(allows manipulation beyond normally possible)
Child of Hyacinthus -1
Your father was a consort to Apollo.
When he died under suspicious circumstances you where given all you need to have a comfortable life in the middle levels. As well as the ability to call upon an olympian once.
(instead of growing up in the lower levels like the vast majority you experienced a life of relative luxury.)
Taverns Child -1
You grew up in a bar learning curses from the workers and cards from the sharks. You've got a taste for (insert alcohol) and know how to deal with all types of people. With connections in near every circle and a finger in most pies your social network is surprisingly big for someone so young.
(allows you to say "I know a guy" to solve problems and accomplish your goals.)
Street Rat -1
No home besides the one you've made for yourself. You've got skills to survive and know how to get away from trouble just as much as you know how to get into it.
(Add if you have any friends/family you live with on the streets)
(Your street level knowledge allows you to escape from almost anywhere through the alleyways. And you have a plethora of random skills to call upon.)
Prodigy -1
You are a prodigy in an area of your choosing.
Squandered Chances -X
Waste your tokens for no reward. Put whatever number of tokens you want to squander in the X. (This is not a trick, it's just to get rid of tokens. There is no hidden reward if you do it.)
Write in: -?
Write in your own idea that fits within the world of Ulysses's Dies at Dawn. @ me and I will give a value asap.
Curses:
Tartarus +2
(Doing this will alter the first part of the quest greatly.)
You are the lowest of the low. The forgotten and scorned, thrown into the very deepest depths of the planet. To even get out of here and into the city proper is a task of its own. Whether you truly deserve this is yet to be determined.
(If chosen the first part of the quest will be escaping Tartarus or taking it over or some other thing in Tartarus. You will gain extra skills and strength from completing this endeavor though you will also gain enemies and curses)
End of the Line +2
(Doing this will alter the first part of the quest greatly.)
You've lived an empty life and are nearing old age. Your body is feeble and your time is near. But it's not over yet! Something has ignited your will to live and there are many ways to gain youth. (You must write in what has invigorated your will to live.)
(If chosen the first part of the quest will be obtaining youth. In character creation you will have more skills from a lifetime of work though you will only be able to carry a few to your renewed youth.)
Debt to an Olympian +1/+2/+3
(You can take multiple debts)
Choose which Olympian you are in debt to. Demigods and extended family +1. Most Olympians give a +2. Zeus, Posidien, Hades, give a +3. (Add in if you want how your family or you (though probably not as your most likely young) earned this debt.)
Charon's Acquaintance +1
When you were young you died.
The time had been called, and a Charon had come to deliver your mind to the Acheron.
Yet miraculously right as it was being transferred you came back to life.
A miracle it may not have been though.
Since then you've heard voices in your head and have trouble sleeping, worried you'll slip back into non-existence.
Nemesis' Nemesis +1
When you were young your family found itself on the wrong side of the law. You have memories of trial after trial, and in the end you were left by yourself.
Crime became the way you survived and deceit the rule you live by. You hate the city and dream of tearing down its legal system for what it's done to you.
Child of Cassandra +1
Your mother was a prophetic computer engineer. She helped fix a long standing issue with the second sister of fate and was known as the women who saved the city.
Or she was.
When she turned down a proposition by Apollo he got spiteful and used his power as an olympian to ruin her image and career.
She went from the darling of the technology sector , to scourge of the industry. Nobody would work with her and nobody would believe when she tried to say Apollo was at fault.
When you became an adult she chose to disappear, leaving you behind to bear the shame cast her way.
Dicey Relations +1
Drawn to gambling from a young age you made money throwing dice. As you grew up you continued playing and became a known gambler. Perhaps you played too much though as you lost all your money. You didn't lose your desire to give your life over to luck though, in fact it only got stronger.
Infamous +1
You will have to hide your identity lest you be found. Anonymity is your name and the cost of being caught is high.
The Mines +1
You were born in a mine hive colony. The belts are all you know and you know them well. Leaving this rock will be easy but the city is an unknown that you are ill prepared for.
Locked Child +1
Trapped in a room with only a window facing an empty alleyway as your entertainment. You were confined by scornful parents who hated your existence and have grown to despise small spaces and being told what to do.
Shortened Lifespan +1
Though you were avoided the worst symptoms of the sphinxes disease you where still affected. You know you will not live more then 10 years. All the more reason then to have an impact while you can.
Frail Child +1
Your body is weak, and you must rely on others for most physical labor.
Child of the City +0
(Choose No Boons. Or specify to choose boons for Flavour but will gain no benefits. Still uses tokens.)
Just another child abandoned in this cursed city. No boons to speak of, no parentage to gain from you have nothing except yourself. Of course this means all you ever gain is yours and yours alone. (I want to be clear this is not a mystery box this is not a secret option where it will be revealed you're actually special somehow. This is the hard mode option. The only thing to gain from it is pride and the ability to say you took everything yourself without any help from your upbringing. Of course it does make for a pretty fun character.)
Write in: +?
Write in your own idea that fits within the world of Ulysses's Dies at Dawn. Tag me and I will give a value asap.
A maximum of 1 childhood related option.
and 6 tokens spent total.
Voting Condensed
-[ ] Boons:
—[ ] Boon of Hestia -2
—[ ] Boon of Fate -2
—[ ] Boon of Destiny -2
—-[ ] (Insert fate here)
—[ ] Boon of Asclepius -1
—[ ] Artemis's Boon -1
—[ ] Hermes Boon -1
—[ ] Iris's Boon -1
—[ ] Boon of Aether -1
—[ ] Child of Sirens -1
—[ ] Child of Hyacinthus
—[ ] Taverns Child -1
—[ ] Street Rat -1
—-[ ] (Insert any friends or family here)
—[ ] Prodigy -1
—-[ ] (Insert what skill/field you are a prodigy in)
—[ ] Squandered Chances -1
—[ ] Write in: -?
-[ ] Curses:
—[ ] Tartarus +2
—[ ] End of the Line +2
—[ ] Debt to an Olympian +1/+2/+3
—-[ ] (Name of debt holder here)
—[ ] Charon's Acquaintance +1
—[ ] Nemesis's Nemesis +1
—[ ] Child of Cassandra +1
—[ ] Dicey Relations +1
—[ ] Infamous +1
—[ ] The Mines +1
—[ ] Locked Child +1
—[ ] Shortened Lifespan +1
—[ ] Frail Child +1
—[ ] Child of the City +0
—[ ] Write in: +?
If there are any questions I encourage people to just tag me. I love discussion and communication. Voting will be open 48 hours. And I'm aiming for updates at least once a week.
[X] Plan A Spark of Hope
-[X] Boons:
—[X] Boon of Hestia -2
—[X] Boon of Fate -2
—[X] Boon of Destiny -2
—-[X] (To Be an Olympian)
—[X] Boon of Aether -1
—[X] Street Rat -1
—-[X] (Several Fellow Orphans that where raised Hestia alongside you)
—[X] Prodigy -1
—-[X] (Technology)
-[X] Curses:
—[X] Tartarus +2
—[X] Debt to an Olympian +2
—-[X] (Asclepius for providing medical care to the MC)
—[X] Charon's Acquaintance +1
—[X] Child of Cassandra +1
—[X] Dicey Relations +1
—[X] Infamous +1
—[X] Locked Child +1
—[X] Shortened Lifespan +1
Born the child of a Cassandra a talented computer engineer she left when he young child abandoning him in Tartarus. Spent about a year and a half of hard living where he learned to adapt to Tartarus but finally the dangerous environment of Tartarus caught up to him causing him to die(leaving the means of death to the GM). But just as he was about to have his mind delivered to the Acheron he came back to life, Charon contacted Asclepius to research and heal this anomaly upon which his shorted lifespan was discovered and a debt was incurred towards Asclepius for repairing the MC's body. Charon took pity upon the boy and ended up bringing him to an orphanage where he knew the boy would be treated with kindness.
Basic story concept feel free to take what you want or ignore what you want from it.
How do people become Olympians?
Are all Olympians allied?
What's the deal with Tartarus?
How does Acheron function?
How is magic and divinity translated?
[X] Plan A Spark of Hope
-[X] Boons:
—[X] Boon of Hestia -2
—[X] Boon of Fate -2
—[X] Boon of Destiny -2
—-[X] (To Be an Olympian)
—[X] Boon of Aether -1
—[X] Street Rat -1
—-[X] (Several Fellow Orphans that where raised Hestia alongside you)
—[X] Prodigy -1
—-[X] (Technology)
-[X] Curses:
—[X] Tartarus +2
—[X] Debt to an Olympian +2
—-[X] (Asclepius for providing medical care to the MC)
—[X] Charon's Acquaintance +1
—[X] Child of Cassandra +1
—[X] Dicey Relations +1
—[X] Infamous +1
—[X] Locked Child +1
—[X] Shortened Lifespan +1
Born the child of a Cassandra a talented computer engineer she left when he young child abandoning him in Tartarus. Spent about a year and a half of hard living where he learned to adapt to Tartarus but finally the dangerous environment of Tartarus caught up to him causing him to die(leaving the means of death to the GM). But just as he was about to have his mind delivered to the Acheron he came back to life, Charon contacted Asclepius to research and heal this anomaly upon which his shorted lifespan was discovered and a debt was incurred towards Asclepius for repairing the MC's body. Charon took pity upon the boy and ended up bringing him to an orphanage where he knew the boy would be treated with kindness.
Basic story concept feel free to take what you want or ignore what you want from it.
How do people become Olympians?
Are all Olympians allied?
What's the deal with Tartarus?
How does Acheron function?
How is magic and divinity translated?
Wow!
I really appreciate the thought you put into this and justifying it. You've done a wonderful job.
And I also have to veto this. I know I didn't write it and I realize this mistake but that is just too many narrative threads. You found a way to make them not conflict which I genuinely find impressive, and also just don't want to manage all that.
I'll write into the og post but one a limit of only 1 "child of" perk, and a max of 6 tokens spent total.
I may have to change this, or just re organize the entire og post.
Apologies.
Wow!
I really appreciate the thought you put into this and justifying it. You've done a wonderful job.
And I also have to veto this. I know I didn't write it and I realize this mistake but that is just too many narrative threads. You found a way to make them not conflict which I genuinely find impressive, and also just don't want to manage all that.
I'll write into the og post but one a limit of only 1 "child of" perk, and a max of 6 tokens spent total.
I may have to change this, or just re organize the entire og post.
Apologies.
[X] Of Tragedy and Hearth
-[X] Boons:
--[X] Boon of Hestia -2
--[X] Boon of Fate -2
--[X] Boon of Asclepsius -1
--[X] Prodigy
---[X] Technology
-[X] Curses:
--[X] Child of Cassandra +1
--[X] Debt to an Olympian +2
---[X] Asceplsius
--[X] Charon's Acquaintance +1
--[X] Infamous +1
@Incon , is this plan okay? In your post you said only one "Child of" option.
When the MC was young, his mother Cassandra disappeared, leaving him with the odd ability to predict the City. He began to wander the streets, until a kindly old woman took him in. Of course, tragedy chose to strike then, with the MC becoming incredibly sick. He managed to secure a spot in a limited research study, but sadly, it wasn't able to cure him, with the disease ultimately taking his life. As a Charon was about to upload him, it was then that MC somehow managed to revive, with what Asclepsius did to him managing to ease it for him. Now, he's infamous for being one of the only people to manage to wake up from Death, and people want him for that. Of course, he's not going down that easily.
[X] Of Tragedy and Hearth
-[X] Boons:
--[X] Boon of Hestia -2
--[X] Boon of Fate -2
--[X] Boon of Asclepsius -1
--[X] Prodigy
---[X] Technology
-[X] Curses:
--[X] Child of Cassandra +1
--[X] Debt to an Olympian +2
---[X] Asceplsius
--[X] Charon's Acquaintance +1
--[X] Infamous +1
@Incon , is this plan okay? In your post you said only one "Child of" option.
When the MC was young, his mother Cassandra disappeared, leaving him with the odd ability to predict the City. He began to wander the streets, until a kindly old woman took him in. Of course, tragedy chose to strike then, with the MC becoming incredibly sick. He managed to secure a spot in a limited research study, but sadly, it wasn't able to cure him, with the disease ultimately taking his life. As a Charon was about to upload him, it was then that MC somehow managed to revive, with what Asclepsius did to him managing to ease it for him. Now, he's infamous for being one of the only people to manage to wake up from Death, and people want him for that. Of course, he's not going down that easily.
Ya that's fine, those work together well and isn't too many plot threads.
I'll probably come up with a few variations that would shift focus in different ways to vote on if it wins, but looks good!
Disclaimer: Some lore is universal and exists no matter which option you pick. Other details and lore only exist in one option. Just because a detail is stated in one option does not make it true for the other. These are OOC votes and are shaping the world itself. Characters and plot lines even if shared between options are not necessarily the same people and stories.
Also! Though this is an OOC vote individually each option is still shaped through the MCs lens. Information is not complete and that is on purpose.
To make each option interesting to read some details have not been repeated that would've been otherwise.
Become
TLDR; This will focus on politics in Olympia and building a name for yourself in an effort to become an Olympian. You want them to feel powerless, and nothing will stop you.
You were born to the darling of the Olympians. You grew up in opulence and fame. Until Apollo made it disappear along with your mother. He left you an orphan on the streets. No knowledge of the skills needed to survive, only the ability to understand the city in the way your mother had.
He left you to die, but instead you were saved.
An old lady named Vesta took you in and gave you a home, with many siblings, and constant care. She knew who you were and accepted you anyways.
You loved your new home, but it never got rid of the stain that had been ridden upon your family name. It never made you forget how much had been taken from you and that rage fueled you to retake your rightful name.
It was not to be.
The second time you were saved was many years later and by Asclepius. You had gotten sick but had not accepted your fate. Somehow you were picked for a medical study by the most renowned doctor in the city. You swallowed your disgust at having to rely upon an Olympian, and the son of Apollo no less, to live, to give you hope.
After numerous tests and medications failed you were resigned. As another surgery came to a close you let yourself die.
The Charons came to collect your mind, and you were halfway uploaded to the Acheron when your body came back to life. The surgery had worked, and your body was once again healthy, healthier in fact.
Your mind less so.
Contamination with the Acheron is a dangerous thing that is rarely studied and no one had ever returned from so far over the brink. How you didn't immediately get taken as a test subject you don't know. you do know that it cost you a debt to Asclepius.
When you told your second mother in all but name about the voices you heard in the silence or the visions you had of other lives she believed you and gave you comfort.
You lived peacefully for a while, caring for the other children and ignoring the delusions of grandeur you once held. Eventually, as all but the Olympians do, Vesta died. But not before telling one final tale.
The tale of Hestia, the oldest women to die, and the first women to live.
The knowledge left you burdened. You had never truly escaped the Olympians had you.
The knowledge left you angry. The Olympians would not escape you.
Your first mother had risen from nothing to near Olympian status. Why not you?
It would be hard. No one could find out whose child you were. No one could realize whose ideas and values you carried on. But your house will rise, and the gods will kneel.
Fight
TLDR; This will focus on forming a revolution and taking down Olympia to end the current system. You want the Olympians gone, and nothing will stop you.
You were born to two nobodies. Your mother Cassandra, a computer engineer who struggled to find work and your mom Vesta, a matron of a small orphanage.
Your childhood was mostly filled with love and many siblings, there where some odd things. The way your cuts healed faster then the others, how your mom never seemed to age. But life was good.
And then Cassandra found success, going as far as to entreat with the Olympians. Nights of distracting the other kids as your mothers argued downstairs, stressful days when you didn't understand how an ostensibly good thing made your life bad. You grew to resent the Olympians, hate the system they had made and the ways it twisted your family apart.
And then fortune turned even worse. The wraith of the Olympians is no trifle and your mother had earned it. Soon after she disappeared.
Your mom seemed broken by the loss and retreated into her work and herself.
You where furious and took it out on the world. You joined riots against the Olympians, and took every opportunity to spite the people that had ruined your family.
Your mom tried to get you to stop, worried about you and what could happen.
She was right.
You where caught, and for your defiance you where set to go to Tartarus. When you resisted you where killed.
Yet when the Charons came to upload your mind you revived, though not without taking a toll you had yet to discover.
Running away you made it home to receive a hug and an explanation.
When you were naught but a baby you became sick. Medicine didn't work and doctors failed. Not knowing what else to do your mom took you to the only man she knew who had a chance at saving you. Asclepius.
It worked.
Possibly too well.
She took you and disappeared hiding you from the Olympians sight.
When your mother started mingling with them, well it wasn't hard to figure out what some of the fights were about.
And then you learned the most important detail that explained why you were even treated by the most prominent doctor in the city, and why your mom despised the Olympians so much.
She used to be one.
Eventually she saw the harm that was being done and decided to leave her stature doing all she could to help the people she had ignored for so long.
And then you were born and cursed. And she chose to stop fighting to protect you.
At first you were angry at her.
You screamed, you raged. Your mom was what you despised and had hidden her sins.
You left the house not even saying goodbye. It is perhaps the decision you regret the most in your life.
When you got back it was to fire. Not even corpses remained of your mom or your siblings.
A man stood in front of the building tapping a cane with the head of a snake.
For a second time you ran.
The Olympians had killed your family.
They had destroyed your life.
And they where going to pay.
Voices and memories you didn't know gave you ideas. Skills from your mother allowed you to twist the fates. A soul nurtured by your mom gave you strength.
You didn't care what you had to do.
You would use the gifts your parents had left you, and the gods would fall.
Use
TLDR; This will at first focus on doing tasks and scheming in an effort to kill Apollo and possibly others depending on your judgment. You want revenge, and nothing will stop you.
You were born to the women who saved the city. She had stayed mostly anonymous and at first was known only by name.
And then you got sick.
She used her fame and fortune to higher the worlds greatest doctor. And he saved you. But it was at the cost of life beneath the Olympians cruel gaze.
Now in the spotlight your mother was at the whims of people more powerful then her.
She danced for them as best she could providing miracles and pleasing their egos. It wasn't enough.
For a sin unknown to you Apollo ruined your mother. He destroyed her credibility and stained her image. You have one memory of him. Your mom terrified as a booming voice sounds from behind the door, whispering her love as she made you go upstairs. A single image of a wide smile and sharp eyes as she opened the doors, caught from peaking through the banister.
She didn't return home.
The remaining few years of young adulthood passed quickly. You used the wealth that your mother had accumulated to live and did your best to not draw attention to yourself. Eventually the money dried up.
Life was meaningless, so you went in search of death.
It did not wish to be found, and instead of joining the Acheron the Acheron joined you.
You awoke to a man whose eyes you recognized, yet quickly they softened and you knew it was not Apollo.
Unconsciousness took you again but not before being told that you would be called upon.
For the second time you woke up in an unfamiliar place.
A women looked at you with kind eyes.
And so you came to live with Vesta.
For a while you were bedridden. Your mind was a disjointed mess and your body struggling to heal.
As the months, then years, passed though you found your place.
Vesta became the best friend you had never had. And for a time things were at peace.
And then you received a letter in the mail. It was addressed simply to the child of Cassandra, and had one word written in bold. "Ring"
Vesta seemed disturbed by the letter and retreated to her study leaving you alone to pack you stuff.
Before you left that very same night, she called you for a conversation.
She knew she need not warn you of the Olympians so instead she told you something else.
She spoke of her own life, of how she once lived beneath the sun, how she choose to leave. She knew she didn't need to warn you of the Olympians. So instead she warned you from becoming one. "There are no good gods. Even I am only paying off my sins."
No more words were spoken and you left with a promise to return as yourself.
For one year now you've worked as Asclepius's hand. Your looked down upon as your mothers child and you tread carefully. But your gift for technology and understanding the fates makes you a valuable tool.
Asclepius even seems to trust you, though to what extent that relies upon him knowing your secret of returning from the dead you do not know. It binds you to him and has kept you in line, so maybe it's not misplaced.
Then again, you are plotting his murder.
He is Apollo's son after all.
For now you wait though. Escaping attention by having little power and doing your tasks.
You're patient after all. You know the time will come, and at least two gods will die.
Your personality will be shaped by the focus and I have decided things such as your appearance and other physical details already.
Unless I come up with some important vote on exact starting positions the next update will be a real chapter, though length, as always, is left to the fates.
As usual if you'd like any clarifications just ask. (^-^)
P.S.
I enjoy that due to the combo of Asclepius and Cassandra you have come out having a grudge specifically against Apollo and his family. What a fun coincidence.
Also I really don't envy having to vote here as I genuinely love all these options and am interested in the story each of them would tell. It was basically just re-arranging the same four plot points in different orders, but it was surprisingly fun and I think has yielded 3 tempting pathways.
Some things are set due to being Cassandras child. You have reddish blonde hair that sits in tight curls no matter the length. Your eyes are dark brown and seem to catch the light with flashes of sliver. Your on the shorter side and have a roundish face.
-[ ] Become the power
-[ ] Fight the power
-[ ] Use the power
Okay damn those are all really cool plotlines. I'm really divided on which to choose. It feels like each path is inheriting something from Cassandra and Vesta/Hestia. Become the Power is inheriting Cassandra's ambition and Vesta/Hestia's will to live instead of survive. Fight is basically the rage against the system option that's been horrible to the MC. Use is most focused on the MC being his mother's son and seeking revenge and having the MC be a part of things.
-[X] Become the power
I like the mad ambition of it, maybe we can even rise up to become a second Hestia. That's my goal at least.
