Domains and their Creators question...

[naraht]

If an author writes stories that are popular enough to cause a domain to form (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Wizard of Oz, Pern, ), and the author does and goes to either Heaven or Hell, what can that side do with the author to affect the domain?

[William]

The author is presumably an expert on the subject matter. They can probably give input into future manipulations of the media stock -- translations, adaptations, screenplays, et cetera -- that will be more likely to support a Side's goals in affecting the public image of the Domain and its inhabitants.

The author is unlikely to have any sort of supernatural bond with the Domain unless the Domain's inhabitants found them and offered such a bond; Heaven would have been likely to object, but they can't always be around, including during every popular author's dreams. A Domain that existed before the author wrote their stories could have made contact with the author to get its underlying mythos expanded. In either such case, the author may have some supernatural leverage over the inhabitants: Servant bonds, economic promises, et cetera.

If the inhabitants have any fondness for the author, a message from Heaven bearing the author's input might be taken very seriously in a negotiation, or threats from Hell to do something particularly horrible to them.

An author doesn't generally have any sort of Tether-relationship with a Domain, even if they first dreamed it up. Such a bond would be very unusual.

[malloyd]

On the other hand an ethereal version of the author, reflecting the fans view of him, might well have considerable power over the domain (because the fans who create them both believe he does, and because his primary role in their daydreams probably is to change the domain to suit them in a way they are dreaming they can persuade him to). For a popular work such an entity would form well before the author dies anyway, and depending on your views on ethereal assumption would be a strong reason for the actual author to stay far away lest he be destroyed.

[robkelk]

I'd be inclined to go with the concept of Death of the Author here - and not just because of the obvious pun. The creator is separate from the creation, just as God is (seen to be) separate from the Symphony, and the Ethereal Domain has to stand on its own without assistance (or protection) from its creator(s).

IMHO, of course.

[Rocket Man]

Originally Posted by malloyd

On the other hand an ethereal version of the author, reflecting the fans view of him, might well have considerable power over the domain (because the fans who create them both believe he does, and because his primary role in their daydreams probably is to change the domain to suit them in a way they are dreaming they can persuade him to). For a popular work such an entity would form well before the author dies anyway, and depending on your views on ethereal assumption would be a strong reason for the actual author to stay far away lest he be destroyed.

I'd be curious to see what ISNorden had to say on this one. She's begun introducing the concept of Legend to her campaign, an ethereal parallel to Fate or Destiny -- not that you left the world brighter or darker, but that you left it a story that will live on.

[ISNorden]

Originally Posted by Rocket Man

I'd be curious to see what ISNorden had to say on this one. She's begun introducing the concept of Legend to her campaign, an ethereal parallel to Fate or Destiny -- not that you left the world brighter or darker, but that you left it a story that will live on.

The creator(s) of popular, long-lived, and memorable works probably have achieved a Legend in my campaign: although his true soul can still enter Heaven or Hell, human memories of the author will generate a moderately powerful ethereal in his image. (Treat "author/artist" Legend-shades as free-willed ethereals with 6-8 Forces, appropriate affinities and Songs, and a Dread of seeing their work forgotten/destroyed. Their personalities will be a combination of the real artist known to his family and friends, and the public image known to fans and critics. Some artist Legend-shades are fiercely protective towards a Domain inspired by their work; others are more tolerant towards third-party interference (mortal or celestial).