Demigod experiments question. · 10:10pm Jul 26th, 2021
So I'm thinking in the next chapter I'll have Gerhardt conduct an experiment in an attempt to use what he learned from scanning Celestia and Luna to use necromancy to create the soul of a demigod. I have a few different ideas of how this could possibly go, but I wanted to ask what you all think first. Should he fail? Should he succeed? If he succeeds should it move on to the afterlife as he intends, should the gods intervene and give it its own body, or should it form a body for itself and go on a rampage having been driven insane by something or other? Link to Strawpoll
If he succeeds and the soul moves on to the afterlife as he intends or if he just outright fails all together, not much will come of this. It will effectively just be another intro into a chapter rather than being the plot of an entire chapter in its own right and it won't have much impact on the over all plot of the story. Otherwise, if he succeeds and it somehow gains its own body then it will become its own character. Either a side character like Pixel and Isabelle or an antagonist like Natura.
I don't want to bloat the story with too many characters since I realize that would be a detriment to the story and he does already have one child to deal with. This was just an idea that came to me while trying to write the next chapter. Though I don't believe one extra character will make that much difference, especially with the events to come. Still, ultimately, I leave the decision up to all of you.
On a side note, good news! I'm starting to figure out how to write the next chapter of The Nightmare Technomancer, and I'm trying to start working on The Lord of Hunger and The Exile again! I don't know how long either will take but I just thought some of you may like to know that. Neither of those stories are dead, just so you're aware.
Edit: Also, if you think it will be just another Pixel, you're sorely mistaken. It will 100% be its own character with its own personality if you all decide to have it included in the story. It won't have any of the pre-programming that made Pixel what she is thus it will very much be its own thing.
I understand your concern about a bloated number of characters but I also think that it's not really an issue yet. I've read several stories on this site that seemed, at first, to be overfilled but it worked out. Sometimes you have to write characters and then they fall into the background when they aren't relevant. EX: If it did "create its own body" but didn't go insane, the demigod could potentially be a tool used in the story that accelerates the research. Once that purpose is served, they fall into the background where they might not get overly involved.
I'm not in your head, so you might have already thought this, but I think that it sticking around and ending up as a son is a non issue. Given the nature of their creation, the tech and magic surrounding them and Gerhardt's presence and involvement would probably make the demigod closer to what his intended outcome for Pixel was.
I think whether the demigod sticks around or whether the experiment just works and we move on is mostly a matter of whether you got things you want to happen and write about. If you got ideas and think your story won't suffer, from your view, because you got too many things going on, then go for it.
Side Note: Given that demigods, alicorns and the like, are already something that the world and it's inhabitants can just "randomly" produce, I'd think that the gods of MLP wouldn't really care too much about the experiment. Probably some would notice and make note, but not really intervein.
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All fair points that make a lot of sense. Thank you very much! I do have a few things I want to write about still, I just thought that this may be an interesting addition.
Though as for the gods intervening and giving it a body, my thought process was that maybe since it is half god they may sense it's creation and want to give it a chance at life despite Gerhardt’s wishes to the contrary. They might have a bit of empathy for another divine being? Then again, one may just decide to adopt it if it just moved on into the afterlife so there's that possibility as well. Well that was my thought process anyways.
Still I definitely see your point and it makes sense. The gods of MLP don't really seem to have that much of a vested interest in intervening in the matters of mortals unlike the gods from Gerhardt’s universe. Perhaps they might decide to get involved if he created an actual god rather than a demigod, but that’s not going to happen so it's at moot point anyways.
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I agree with you on the "actual god" point. Writing my comment was a little hard, because I was struggling with giving my thoughts/opinions while not overloading and seeming pushy.
In perfect honesty I'm a fence-sitter between it just working as planned and it "getting a body." The second option would, in my opinion, entail Gerhardt acquiring an ally of sorts.
If you truly would like to talk further, I could PM you. I've overall enjoyed this story but I don't want to "highjack" it or overly influence, intentionally, accidentally, or otherwise.
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Oh don't worry. I wouldn't let anyone hijack my story but I absolutely love to hear the thoughts and opinions of my readers. So never be afraid to tell me your genuine thoughts and opinions in regards to anything I write. Unless you're explicitly telling me "Hey, do this." or "Write it like this." rather than, "Hey I think this would be cool." or "This might be a good idea." I won't think you're being pushy or overbearing. I am always more than willing to hear any suggestions anyone might have for me or have a discussion about my stories. So if you would like to talk more about this, feel free to shoot me a PM. I'm always willing to talk! 😊
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What interests me as often when people...say write GodS in a story, its almost a short hand for very very very powerful mortal. Because otherwise that title is not as good as say...calling someone a god?
Now you may wondering...what do you mean? A gods a god...
Well, thats my point. Most unwittingly make their gods (creaters true) but if they can die? Or have obvious limitations...they if you want to split hairs. Are just very powerful?
The only reason I bring it up as such is that I think people go with this idea unknowingly? Say calling a ageless person...immortal? Unwittingly or on purpose creates...drama that non to often is explored?
Basically I just think its a interesting thing that not to many people think about...? Maybe? Im not sure?
I just it could be cool if say a character every one assumed was god? Could die? Then the question becomes is this a god? But...what is then? Explore this further? If a person can create gods? Could they not become ones?
And if all these not gods arent? Is there something out there even greater then them...laying wait? Unseen? Unbother at their play at gods?
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Interesting questions and I do see your point. Thus the reason my story has classifications of gods. A demigod is what happens when a lesser god breeds with a mortal. A lesser god is a minor god created by the Mid Gods. A mid god is a significantly more powerful minor god created directly by the actual gods of the universe. The Greater Gods are about as powerful, limitless, and alien as either Azathoth or Yog Sothoth from the Cthulhu Mythos and are who manage and control the universe as a whole. They can create universes if not entire multiverses or even beyond that at will with a mere thought but typically choose not to as there is no point as by doing so they would just be creating more Greater Gods as Greater Gods are formed along with their respective universes.
Anything below the Greater Gods are essentially just really powerful mortals as you suggest as they do have limits. However the Mid Gods are incapable of dying as they don't have physical forms, only physical avatars, and cannot be destroyed by anything save the Greater Gods themselves. The Lesser Gods cannot be killed by mortals but are capable of killing eachother. Greater Gods cannot die or be destroyed under any circumstances period. Their power is truly limitless. Even if their universe is destroyed they themselves will continue to exist and can simply remake their universe if they so desire.
Gerhardt's universe is something known as an "eternally expanding universe" meaning it has no beginning, rather it has always existed. Thus the Greater Gods of his universe have no beginning, rather having existed forever.