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1. of nothing (apropos@fsebugoutzone.org)'s status on Sunday, 17-Nov-2024 12:06:55 JST of nothing
   free story idea:
   1. a regression/time loop, where the main character tries to avert an apocalyptic event.
   2. but, this is impossible. Not 'nearly' or 'seemingly', but 'completely'. The situation progressed too far before the starting point, there are too many different threats. Even if dramatic victories against individual threats can happen, and even if the main character can gain incredible power and skill through repeat attempts, the end is the same: everybody dies.
   3. but, this isn't really a regression or a time loop at all. The main character, in reality, is an oracle, experiencing the time loop as prophecy. The main character is also unaware of this.
   4. repeated prophecy is a very grave mistake that was only possible because the main character learned of the ability and executed it without supervision. Out of high position, others spoke about the ability while thinking the main character would surely have been taught the dangers already. Out of high position, the book describing the process was easily accessed. Out of foolishness, the many warnings in that book were disregarded. Out of genius, the book was followed without the assistance the writer assumed would be needed. Out of a high position, the prophecy was started with the resources to keep doing it an incredible amount of times.
   5. so the story is: an impossible challenge is attempted over and again - and remains impossible, and in the end it was also futile to try so many times because the main character's _real_ starting point is far in advance of the time loop. And, it's also lethal to try so hard because running each attempt is draining.
   6. but, even though the overt aim of the time loop - to avert the apocalypse - is absolutely impossible within the constraints of the time loop, in the process of trying to avert it, the situation changes to the point that the prophecy is interrupted and the main character can awaken - in the real world, with plenty of time to avert the apocalypse, and not drained to death by the time loop.
   
   bring your own:
   1. impossible conflict
   2. satisfying loop-break.
   
   for inspiration, watch Madoka.
   • of nothing (apropos@fsebugoutzone.org)'s status on Sunday, 17-Nov-2024 12:06:55 JST of nothing

     in reply to
     more inspiration: The Regressed Demon Lord is Kind
     
     That doesn't have the time loop or desperate struggle, but it does have a very satisfying loop-break, and it's more the feel I want, where the 'regression' is not just a writer's device to allow the plot to happen, but feels more like a character that is part of the story, that's constantly relevant to what's going on, and that the characters gradually learn more and more about as the story progresses.
     
     My progression:
     1. oh it's a regression story
     2. oh it's a time loop?
     3. oh this isn't *really* happening somehow? Is this all an illusion?
     4. WTF IT WAS POINTLESS ALL ALONG
     5. ok, even though the task was futile, it wasn't futile to try to do it
     New Janny in Town likes this.