Aeternum Dolorem is an AU of my world that mimics Dead by Daylight (a game I know the premise of but have never played nor gotten into), which is a game riddled with killers with powers to massacre everyone, survivors with perks to.. well.. survive, and a timer to note how long the suffering of the game's round will last. Basically a run, gather, hide, survive from the killer sort of game. And if you are the killer... MASSACRE EVERYONE!!
The AU works similar in that way, having killers and survivors with powers, gimmicks and perks to help tip the scales in their favor. It's been days or a month or weeks since I first had this idea. I haven't been thinking about it much because I'm more focused on the angst that could take place in the lobby or in matches when 'The game begins.' But I think I'm able to wing it. Hopefully.
So here are the list of survivors and killers, along with an idea of their powers/perks:
Survivors:
Ailas
Equia- able to use limited offensive and defensive magic, and they aren't to the highest caliber that would be the most suitable for surviving. (Basically Dusekkar)
Gabriel
Katherine
Helen- it isn't a clear idea, but it works similar to Xander except with flowers as the method of mainly support, no offense
Roman
Oliver
Ronan
Micheal
Jay
Xander- able to throw potions that poison/harm the killers, and throw potions that buff survivors. (It would be funny to say that it's random and unknown. Hey, it's like gambling!)
Luke- his wing spell gives him the advantage during chases, and is silent. Perfect for ambushes to stun
Cassandra
Karl- he's able to regenerate his health thanks to DETERMINATION
Aiden
Seth- once enough damage has been inflicted, the kid enters a special phase wherein they've been taken over by the Gods in the moment of anguish (Thinking about TSC from AvA)
Reonix- is able to revive after being killed once, but the second life has some disadvantages to it.
Hunter
Zav- his curse comes into handy here because the ability is to use his voice to stun/pushback the killer in dangerous situations
Killers (Which I've thought more about):
Estarossa- I don't have much but something with nullification
Kiora- its able to control the (mainly) battlefield using pen, paper and their imagination. However, they have a limited amount of paper to how many times they can change the battlefield.
SoSo- upon killing someone, they're able to copy the perks and abilities the killed survivor had to use against the others. It stacks too.
Blake- aside from their main weapon (the sniper), he's able to lay down some suspicious substances that'll trip up survivors. He's able to be affected by it as well in the same way as them.
Dice- before each fight/chase between him and survivors, a coin flip is done. The coin flip determines who will gain a buff from the kerfluffle, so it isn't one sided. Basically gambling.
Dollie- I also don't have much but something about string and manipulation
Elas- he's able to corrupt survivors' health to be poisoned and slowly kill them, or their abilities to be completely unusable
Insanity/Mind Crab- the demon of insanity, able to drive a survivor mad, causing them to kill the others. It can only affect one survivor, who gets buffed, each round.
Mark/The Dark Lord- he's able to regenerate but unlike his counterparts where it comes naturally, he's able to life-steal. Meaning the more damage he does, that's how much he gains for HP.
Navaxan- upon killing someone, he can resurrect the people he's killed to make them into his lackeys, like what he did before. And the nerfs to necromancy aren't there as much anymore.
The Mimic/Deception- the demon of deception, able to copy anyone's appearance to fool them. Not just appearance but memory, personality, everything about them just to deceive.
You can already see that most of my personas are on the killer side, with only two of them being survivors. Wow. I'm crazy.
Anyhow that's basically it. Please do not take me seriously on these because again it's an AU for my sake and angst shit. That's all, bye.
WORLD BUILDING: DEMON, THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FOR THEM
@make-it-fast bro you made me think with that one question and honestly, MORE EXCUSES TO FINALLY FUCKIN WORLD BUILD. I'M COUNTING THIS AS PART OF THE ORIGIN SERIES... MAYBE. I MEAN IT'S STILL ABOUT GRAMBIES SOOOOOOOOOOOO
To recap, Grambies are extensions of Gods who used their own power to make them. There are three types: Minor Gods (those who help their creator Gods in their domain), Angels (those who act as companions rather minions, and are messengers for both Gods and Humans. Also the ones maybe active with the mortal realm. Different from Fairies' jobs) and Demons (those specifically made from the God of Chaos due to their nature similar to the creator)
Now, we're focusing on demons. LET'S GO BABY!
Demons do not feel remorse. They don't quite frankly care about anything. They are monsters. They do anything to entertain themselves. Most of the time it end up being a disaster to humanity.
Think of them as the ones from Frieren. They deceive and trick only for them. They lie. They aren't to be trusted. It's all a ploy. They work similar to them.
Demons only exist for one thing: to bring destruction. Even if they aren't aware of it, they end up doing it. Even if they want to do good, or search for it, they end up doing it. It's in their nature as beasts and creations coming from their creator God.
Most demons just accept it and treat it like a job, some don't even know and think it's all just a game, others may try fighting back. In the end it's futile because this is what they we made for.
Demons are concepts of Chaos that exist around the world. Concepts personified, and spread it around. They have full control over it, and can influence anyone forcefully. But if they die, the concept doesn't go away. It still exists since it's part of Chaos, it's just that they can't force influence it.
In the beginning, there were few demons that were born during the early stages of humanity. These were known as "First Demons". Because of that, they end up being the strongest amongst them all in the ranks. Said strongest are known as "Greater Demons". By strongest it means their influence over humanity, and yes the ENERGY they posses.
Other demons (who later popped up as more chaotic concepts were formed) can be Greater ones if their influence on humanity is great. Do you get me? If the influence is great, then the more people who suffer from it, the more power they gain since it kinda acts like food or an amplifier. Shows as well how strong their concept is. Something like that.
Demons can take up many mantles, but they stick with one that works or find effective in feeding.
Those who lack in power or in food end up going to Greater Demons and being a part of them, or a branch of their concept. For example: the Demon of Wrath has many things tied to it like war and hate, those two things end up being demons who work under the main demon. They do it so in the end, those demons can get power and food the more people fall under wrath's and their influence. Again, it's a bit difficult to understand so I hope you get me in a way.
Luckily this is just an exploration of concepts.
Demons, mostly the greater ones, are able to make other demons. Those demons become an archetype or something. Things to help spread more than demons who work or make a pact with Greater ones. Wow, I'm not making sense. But imagine this: the Demon of Lust creating Succubi and Incubi. Or the Demon of Deception creating changelings.
The main point is, Greater Demons, thanks to their power, can make their own demonic race.
So I guess now there's three rankings for them: Greater Demons (big guys with power thanks to their influence on humanity), Middle Demons (those who make a pact to gain power and food), and Lesser Demons (those who don't make a pact, or demonic races that lowk just live and do the dirty work rather than the Greater Demon idk)
Fuck what I said down below Imma make a hypothetical list of Greater, Middle and Lesser Demons. I'm a masochist ✌💔🥀 but aren't all writers?
Greater
(NOTE: Most of them end up having a connection somewhat, lowk they might have to work together HAHA. Or that they were middle that got into greater down the line)
Pride
Wrath
Lust
Envy
Greed
Insanity
Deception
Corruption
Middle
(NOTE: Middle end up having similar or tied in concepts with the Greater ones. It's so that they can get fed if their concepts are similar to the ones they made a pact with, or whoever they made a pact with, that's what their concept is? Bring me back to Frieren I had fun there)
Hate
War
Theft
Violence
Ego
Want
Lesser
Succubi
Incubi
Changelings
Remember these are ideas, thoughts and/or concepts. I'm testing things out. But I mean either way... they're still demons. Why we need a hierarchy 💀💀
I made a funny concept or joke. It'll be hard to explain since I haven't gone into detail with my characters but I think it still can.
There are three generations to my characters: catalyst, fire, and onix. Each, respectively, represents the past, present and future. I won't fully go into detail of who's who, I'll just focus on the main idea here.
The first to enter the suffering is the catalyst gen. There's some emotions here and there, considering someone who "died" or those who have "died" were alive again here. It's very emotional. The second to enter was the fire gen who also had tearful reunions since those were their parents. All except maybe one or two out of... past.. issues. The third to enter was the onix gen, not really understanding what was happening much. Except there was a... you could say tearful reunion of creator and creation.
Now, there are three people or four that I'll focus from each gen. Ronan and Helen (catalyst), Karl (fire), and Reonix (onix). This is, by all means, the timeline of the Firewing family. Ronan and Helen gave way to Mark, Mark later on gave way to Karl, and Karl gave way to Reonix. Note that Reonix isn't really a biological or real person, more so of a projection or hard formation of Renegy. Think of a hologram that's real, but still isn't. That's the boy.
During the meet up, when no rounds were happening, everyone was getting to know each other. Mostly the Past and Future. The Present was a medium for them to get along. And here's where the funny begins (before the angst):
It's a canon that Karl died, via using his own life force, to make Reonix. That still technically makes Reonix his son even if there was no conception. More or less I don't think a dead guy can... you know. So the boy is an unofficial child and therefore grandchild.
Karl was taught by his father, a very long time ago that will come back, never, ever, have sex before marriage. Or sex... at all until it's an approved and recognized relationship. It's not a bad teaching. Very good actually. But in this context... where the past knew nothing of the present and their actions... this lesson might as well have been seen as "chucked in the trash."
In short: Ronan and Helen don't know that Karl's a 'special class' of undead after the civil war, therefore cannot (anymore) have an actual kid. Later down in life, Karl used his own life force to make Reonix who he saw as himself, but different. You know, like a child. And likewise, Reonix saw Karl as a father... that... never existed because he was dead by that point. And this was NEVER explained by Karl properly because he didn't know how to. Which gave way to this idea I had came up with earlier (dialogue):
Ronan: BOY WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE! WHO'S THE WOMAN.
Karl: I DIDN'T. EVEN. DO. SEX. AND THERE'S NO WOMAN.
Ronan: THEN EXPLAIN THE FUCKING CHILD YOU HAVE!
Karl: I DON'T KNOW HOW!
Ronan: YOU'RE NOT MAKING YOUR CASE EASIER HERE BOY.
Karl: JUST KNOW, I DIDN'T DO ANY SEX- I CAN'T EVEN ANYMORE
Ronan: FUCK YOU MEAN 'ANYMORE'!? DID YOU ALREADY DO IT BEFORE?
Karl: NO!
*very loud and audible arguing about sex, pre-marital sex, and the child that is Reonix*
Luke: Wow. And I thought our arguments were bad. This... is surprisingly worse. And uncomfortable.
Micheal: Damn, it is if you're the one admitting that.
Cass: Should we... should we explain it instead? I mean we all know the truth- Miss Equia is here to-
Xander: NOONONONONONONO- No. This is gold. Do not let it end just yet. Would it be even better if they were putting knives to their throats or nah?
Aiden: Xander. I will put a knife to your throat if you don't stop.
Jay: Alright calm down you two.
***
Oliver: ...do we even do anything at this point? They're pretty heated right now.
Gabriel: If you want to get in the cross fire, go for it. When is comes to fight like these in the family, it's best to let it run its course. Especially when it's these two... finally.
Katherine: After all these years as well. Looks like being someone different helped him fight back.
Roman: Though, hopefully it won't result in Ronan's... second death.
***
Ailas: Equia, what's going on over there- who are these people? How do you know them? What happened?
Equia: I'll explain everything in due time. Just... not now. Not... now.
***
Zav: ... (he's mute because of the curse, luckily it's good in combat)
Hunter: How long is this squabbling going to last. Kid, you alright?
Reonix: Yeah? I mean I don't understand what's going on... are they talking about me?
Hunter: Unfortunately. And they're doing so with much passion.
Helen: Oh my, they truly are getting rowdy there. I do hope they don't hurt themselves... Anyhow, you must be Karl's child. Lovely to meet you, my name's Helen. I didn't expect a grandchild already, and you're already the sweetest thing I've seen!
Reonix: Thanks :DD
*the two proceeded to become friends, while everyone else in the background was already stopping Ronan and Karl from killing each other the second time B))*
Onix Generation applies to the Ivyrinth Empire, or people (leaders) of the Empire and people who conspire with them/have accountability of some of the characters. This character generation is basically the children in someway of the last, also there are other randos in here but they're important because they co-conspire/are affiliated with the main guys or are part of the main guys. I guess they somewhat bear responsibility of the last guys, but overall not really.
magic most of the time has no grounding to reality- esp if it has smth to do with conjuration magic. one of the hardest magic to master bc u urself need to be creative, and the cost of it is big depending on what youre trying to do. anything else? a bit of fair game
but regardless, all magic comes with a cost. magic isnt smth innate to humans- it was gifted, with only few in society wielding it compared to the gods and magical creatures. and bc of that cost there r risks to casting some magic.. the biggest one being to ur life. tho u need to give your "life" to cast magic in the first place so i mean its a fair trade
i need to go small bc i might start explaining way more but basically all im saying is that magic comes at a cost bc it isnt innate to humans, and id say it would get worse esp with the field of conjuration. to conjure is to create, and the world existed bc it was conjured by magic (aka god). but bc it isnt innate and theres a limit, itll cost a lot than a god bc they were born with it and therefore kinda dont have the limitations as it does to humans
the main example (and prime) idea of this is with.. uh.. a spell that lets u conjure bird wings. ignore the fact it may be a reference btw cough cou- to use them u ofc need to conjure the wings and use it- but over time youll find yourself feeling more tired. the cost of summoning and using them is your own energy- i mean makes sense right? and with the help of anatomy (aka what if humans had wings), itll furthermore increase the exhaustion ofc they manage to make the wingspan big but then again the force needed to lift off...
mmmmmmmmmm but i mean ignoring that- ignoring all that...
One day I was bored and decided why not just make a bunch of secret/underground stuff?
Welp, here it is 😔✌
Midnight Scouts (Run by: Ivyrinth Empire, District 3)
>compared to the daylight scouts, these type of scouts are sent out to collect information relating to corruption, scandals, and the like
>in a sense, they are like spies; daylight scouts, if anything, are only collecting information about terrains, plants, medicine and more. They don't concern themselves with anything other than the norm
>these type of scouts might as well be akin to investigative journalists and like them, it's a risky job
Assassin's Guild (Run by: Some Midnight Scouts and Nobles)
>there's an even deeper group within the midnight scouts that not only collect information, but, on occasion are hired to kill; they are not mercenaries. This isn't known to the government
>it isn't just within the Empire but around the world, these underground guilds were made for nobles to kill their rivals; nobles are the ones giving the things they need (e.g. a secret building and funds for equipment)
>there's only a few countries that have official recognized public guilds, everything else is underground; gotta make a living somehow in this political world 😔✌
Gambling Ring (Run by: Unknown)
>gambling is actually severely illegal and any casino or ring are put into investigation, and those running them are thrown into prison
>someone made an underground ring which advertises gambling, and free for everyone; the ring has it's own rules in which whatever/anything goes- including cheating, however you must not get caught in the act; it also has it's own system and ranks to keep everything flowing
>it's unknown how a person can enter because no one has ever really seen it, it just happens to be there when one needs it; in this way it has never been found by authorities
Holy Order (Run by: All Churches, those in the highest position)
>an underground order made by all churches to hunt down demons; the people who are apart of this are known as "exorcists"
>exorcists have their own ranks, systems, and more; they may be run by the churches but they are completely independent from them
>the order is special because those working for it gain an even greater 'blessing' from the ethereal angels and/or gods, more than the priest and such because of the difference in their jobs
Chaos' Cult (Run by: The Few Hundred Witches)
>the cult is run by witches- people who made deals with demons for whatever reason, and aid in their goal of bringing the world into chaos; they're underling and doing the dirty work of bringing back the god, rather than the god's own subjects doing it (demons)
>their jobs are unknown, however they must be stopped still; no one has found their base nor investigated fully
>the only known information about them is the fact they are attempting to break the seal of chaos
Thinking about the Ivyrinth Empire and District Kingdoms (avoiding the fact it's like America for good reasons), I really think I should give each District a distinct culture since they may live on the same land but it doesn't mean they're the same people.
They may have universal cultures they all share or holidays, kinda like July 4, but apart from that, what else?
Listening to this masterpiece over and over gave me an idea regarding the 5th District. District 6 can't be the only one that has games or hosts them now, hm?
Each District has their own competitions and games aside from shit like Olympics in District 6. One of them, in District 5, would be something similar to an Agni Kai. Now, I'm not an ATLA fan so I don't have much context to what it is. But from face value, it's a duel between two great fighters, particularly in the military, to show off power and stuff.
It's like ranking. A game to rank the best fighters- and hell, if they win they might get a military rank like general or commander. Maybe that's how you get it too
Wow, I wanna thank my DM for making that GDoc asking questions about the Empire it's somewhat coming in clutch- I just need to ask for it back because... it was sent to my alt which is DEAD
