I Surrender/TV Show Meme: The Ambassador
dimity_blue's Prompt:
How about: A god or goddess (from any mythology) accidetally winds up
trapped in a modern city. S/he still has some powers but the local police
frown on smiting and s/he doesn't seem to be able to get the hang of
technology.'
So I was going to play this straight, then I realized I already have a story idea that works with mythology, if not Gods and Goddesses per se. I figure I'll pose it as a TV show that takes place in the late 90's - just in time for the "real" Y2K.
The Ambassador
It should be noted that there are witches and warlocks who inhabit the Outer Lands, referred to as "civilians." Some civilians refer to the places where witches and warlocks hide as "covens", but this is considered a pejorative.
Magic: Although some basic magic is universal, much of it has to be utilized by a combination of personal gifts and magical items. No'allyn, for instance, has the gift of calming animals - thought to be how she survived the dragon attack that killed her parents and brothers, despite the fact that she was just five years old at the time.
The Good and Evil Plot: In the year 999, there was a terrible battle chronicled only in song. With a new millennium coming, old monsters are rising - something all beings are very aware of.
Story: Being an orphan, No'allyn is a servant. Her ward is young Lady Hilda, a vain and not particularly bright woman who believes No'allyn exists as a pre-made friend. Lady Hilda has gone as far as to rope No'allyn into doing much of her coursework for her.
When the decision is made that a new Ambassador must be called, the former not having made contact for a long time, Hilda is set to go to Aelfenlag for the Ball, where it will be decided who the lucky person is. No one knows how The Questioning will work. She brings along No'allyn for support, but forces No'allyn to dress as another Lady so it won't be obvious Hilda needs a servant for everything.
Before Hilda can intervene, No'allyn she is quizzed on her knowledge of the Other Lands, of modern English, and other things. Before she knows it, she is on her way to modern day Vermont with only a few items and the key to home, which she wears as a necklace.
If only it could be that simple...
Cast
No'allyn: New to the Outer Lands, No'allyn manages to seem very innocent sometimes, but her medieval standards cause her to commit the occasional modern faux pas. She also has a hidden wit and trickiness not immediately obvious to either her kinsmen or new friends.
Lady Hilda: Believing No'allyn to be a friend (as opposed to a servant), Hilda feels betrayed when she goes off to the Outer Lands without her.
Miranda "Randi" Toolkit: Everyone assumes she's been gloomy since the freak wolf attack due to trauma/self-pity (depending on vantage point). Little do they know that she's harboring a monthly secret.
Cynthia Toolkit: The widow of the original Ambassador, Cynthia has mostly kept to herself. But upcoming battles force her out of her shell.
Peter Toolkit/Young Weland: Shows up only in flashbacks. Arrogant as a young man, he snubbed his old world and changed his name without notice - for a more modern and savory life, although he eventually his magical powers for good as an undercover cop.
Tamara "Tammy" Toolkit: Tammy knows she has inherited her father's powers, although she has little interest in exploring her identity further. At first...
Ruben Pratt: Tammy's best friend, Ruben suspects she's hiding something. Is a huge superhero nerd who is just meta enough to believe his friend might actually be a witch... and help her out if need be. We see him in season two.
Hugh Ryerson: A werewolf as well, Hugh serves as Miranda's confidante and father figure. He is a civilian warlock whose parents were unlucky enough to be studying werewolves. (They got away; he didn't. So they abandoned him.)
Andrea Garcia: Andrea is the descendant of Spanish witch and warlock conquistadors who sought a perfect land in what is now New Mexico. Later descendants fought back, pushing the Spanish out, but the magic remained. Andrea herself is a police officer, having been Peter/Weland's partner.
Justine Anderson: A local reporter and deep skeptic, Justine is forced to confront her staunch belief in "logic." Although she's important in season one, she only learns the truth in the second season.
The first 3 seasons...
Season 1: This would be fairly light and humorous as we're introduced to our world through the eyes of No'allyn ("Allie"). Miranda helps No'allyn become accustomed to the modern world... and, among other things, advises her that it is no longer acceptable to behead chicken for dinner. (Fortunately the chicken escapes the attempt unscathed.) We also learn that No'allyn can control Miranda in her wolf form, making them ideal partners-in-whatever it is they'll do. However, the fun and games end when they're forced to confront the werewolf who tried to kill Miranda... and realize he's part of something larger when he calls it "revenge."
Meanwhile, Cynthia is determined for her daughters to be close again, and finally begs Tammy to return home. The sisters reveal their respective secrets.
Season 2: A little darker. We get a larger sense of the war that's brewing, and what must be done to fight it. Tammy and Ruben are introduced. Meanwhile, Tammy realizes a lost woman on the news (who keeps calling herself Hilda) is speaking Old English. She gradually begins helping the "Scoobies" more, and also practices magic with Andrea and No'allyn.
We learn more about the origins of V'dlafyn, and the deeds witches and warlocks were forced to do. We find out that they were behind the very first werewolf, and this was the event that saw them leave what is now England.
Meanwhile, the climax has disastrous results: Hugh is killed. Hilda takes an emotional No'allyn back home for research purposes... only to sneak back and leave her behind. We then learn Hilda's special talent: Mimicry.
Season three: Hilda does a poor job of imitating No'allyn, but with the loss of Hugh, few notice as quick as they normally would. Tammy is the first to catch her, and she and Miranda finally visit their father's home... where they meet a very displeased grandmother.
How about: A god or goddess (from any mythology) accidetally winds up
trapped in a modern city. S/he still has some powers but the local police
frown on smiting and s/he doesn't seem to be able to get the hang of
technology.'
So I was going to play this straight, then I realized I already have a story idea that works with mythology, if not Gods and Goddesses per se. I figure I'll pose it as a TV show that takes place in the late 90's - just in time for the "real" Y2K.
The Ambassador
It should be noted that there are witches and warlocks who inhabit the Outer Lands, referred to as "civilians." Some civilians refer to the places where witches and warlocks hide as "covens", but this is considered a pejorative.
Magic: Although some basic magic is universal, much of it has to be utilized by a combination of personal gifts and magical items. No'allyn, for instance, has the gift of calming animals - thought to be how she survived the dragon attack that killed her parents and brothers, despite the fact that she was just five years old at the time.
The Good and Evil Plot: In the year 999, there was a terrible battle chronicled only in song. With a new millennium coming, old monsters are rising - something all beings are very aware of.
Story: Being an orphan, No'allyn is a servant. Her ward is young Lady Hilda, a vain and not particularly bright woman who believes No'allyn exists as a pre-made friend. Lady Hilda has gone as far as to rope No'allyn into doing much of her coursework for her.
When the decision is made that a new Ambassador must be called, the former not having made contact for a long time, Hilda is set to go to Aelfenlag for the Ball, where it will be decided who the lucky person is. No one knows how The Questioning will work. She brings along No'allyn for support, but forces No'allyn to dress as another Lady so it won't be obvious Hilda needs a servant for everything.
Before Hilda can intervene, No'allyn she is quizzed on her knowledge of the Other Lands, of modern English, and other things. Before she knows it, she is on her way to modern day Vermont with only a few items and the key to home, which she wears as a necklace.
If only it could be that simple...
Cast
No'allyn: New to the Outer Lands, No'allyn manages to seem very innocent sometimes, but her medieval standards cause her to commit the occasional modern faux pas. She also has a hidden wit and trickiness not immediately obvious to either her kinsmen or new friends.
Lady Hilda: Believing No'allyn to be a friend (as opposed to a servant), Hilda feels betrayed when she goes off to the Outer Lands without her.
Miranda "Randi" Toolkit: Everyone assumes she's been gloomy since the freak wolf attack due to trauma/self-pity (depending on vantage point). Little do they know that she's harboring a monthly secret.
Cynthia Toolkit: The widow of the original Ambassador, Cynthia has mostly kept to herself. But upcoming battles force her out of her shell.
Peter Toolkit/Young Weland: Shows up only in flashbacks. Arrogant as a young man, he snubbed his old world and changed his name without notice - for a more modern and savory life, although he eventually his magical powers for good as an undercover cop.
Tamara "Tammy" Toolkit: Tammy knows she has inherited her father's powers, although she has little interest in exploring her identity further. At first...
Ruben Pratt: Tammy's best friend, Ruben suspects she's hiding something. Is a huge superhero nerd who is just meta enough to believe his friend might actually be a witch... and help her out if need be. We see him in season two.
Hugh Ryerson: A werewolf as well, Hugh serves as Miranda's confidante and father figure. He is a civilian warlock whose parents were unlucky enough to be studying werewolves. (They got away; he didn't. So they abandoned him.)
Andrea Garcia: Andrea is the descendant of Spanish witch and warlock conquistadors who sought a perfect land in what is now New Mexico. Later descendants fought back, pushing the Spanish out, but the magic remained. Andrea herself is a police officer, having been Peter/Weland's partner.
Justine Anderson: A local reporter and deep skeptic, Justine is forced to confront her staunch belief in "logic." Although she's important in season one, she only learns the truth in the second season.
The first 3 seasons...
Season 1: This would be fairly light and humorous as we're introduced to our world through the eyes of No'allyn ("Allie"). Miranda helps No'allyn become accustomed to the modern world... and, among other things, advises her that it is no longer acceptable to behead chicken for dinner. (Fortunately the chicken escapes the attempt unscathed.) We also learn that No'allyn can control Miranda in her wolf form, making them ideal partners-in-whatever it is they'll do. However, the fun and games end when they're forced to confront the werewolf who tried to kill Miranda... and realize he's part of something larger when he calls it "revenge."
Meanwhile, Cynthia is determined for her daughters to be close again, and finally begs Tammy to return home. The sisters reveal their respective secrets.
Season 2: A little darker. We get a larger sense of the war that's brewing, and what must be done to fight it. Tammy and Ruben are introduced. Meanwhile, Tammy realizes a lost woman on the news (who keeps calling herself Hilda) is speaking Old English. She gradually begins helping the "Scoobies" more, and also practices magic with Andrea and No'allyn.
We learn more about the origins of V'dlafyn, and the deeds witches and warlocks were forced to do. We find out that they were behind the very first werewolf, and this was the event that saw them leave what is now England.
Meanwhile, the climax has disastrous results: Hugh is killed. Hilda takes an emotional No'allyn back home for research purposes... only to sneak back and leave her behind. We then learn Hilda's special talent: Mimicry.
Season three: Hilda does a poor job of imitating No'allyn, but with the loss of Hugh, few notice as quick as they normally would. Tammy is the first to catch her, and she and Miranda finally visit their father's home... where they meet a very displeased grandmother.