PATHS TO POWER: 1 OF 5

[doomlimit]

On Battle Fantasia, gaining and growing in power are major components of the stories we tell. In most stories about supernatural powers, the rules about attaining power are a constant subtext, even if they don't always matter intensely. On Battle Fantasia, we're trying to stick to a key rule to the Magical Girl genre, which might seem a little

Comments

[theeternalmind]

A note on Utena Tenjou: those who bear the Rose Signet/duelist ring are almost always contracted to Ends of the World to have the chance to participate in the duel game and potentially win the Power to Revolutionize the World. Utena is unique because she doesn't have that. One could reasonably argue that she's instead contracted to Prince Dios, although the particulars of that are a spoiler.

The current Champion of the Duels/One Engaged, no matter who that is, would also acquire Artifact (Sword of Dios) and Artifact (Rose Bride). Utena wouldn't like Anthy being treated or thought of as an artifact (read: object), but for all intents and purposes, that's what she is in the context of the duel games.

Otherwise, this was a very interesting and informative read! Thanks for posting it, Doom~ I'll look forward to the rest in the series.

[doomlimit]

Contracts interact with Utena a little weirdly because capital-C Contracts are more than just an agreement to do something with power; there's magic in them, a destiny conferred. I'm not sure the Duelists actually have something like that? Certainly they're in thrall.

Utena's deal is actually probably a contract with the Prince, though, yeah. You'll see more about Contracts in hopefully a couple days.

[theeternalmind]

Hmmm. I was about to agree with you, but then I remembered the Spirit Swords. Those don't become a thing until the Black Rose Saga, but once they're introduced they stay a thing for the rest of the series, and the Black Rose Saga shows very clearly that that's a thing you can only do once you've got a Rose Signet.

[shachihoko]

"... because capital-C Contracts are more than just an agreement ... there's magic in them, a destiny conferred."

Why on Earth does this make me think of the Dresden Files? Or is this just a shared trope?

[doomlimit]

Contracting with mystical forces is not particularly unique to us. Hell, none of the paths to power really are; wizards with their iconic staves, ancient contracts with supernatural creatures, these are all a part of magical fiction going back centuries.

Magical Girl is somewhat unique in that it only SOMETIMES bites you in the ass, though. Or at least, you don't always notice the bite through all the sparkles.

[parasaurolophus]

Also, Magical Girl type Contracts aren't usually as in-detail legalistic as Dresdenverse ones.

I say usually because a few of them are very specific about their wording (Madoka Magica and Mai HiME come to mind).

[gamergeekgirl]

Here are my thoughts on Utena and PtP Artifacts

[theeternalmind]

Yeah, Doom clarified that for me in an earlier comment--sorry for the misunderstanding. I appreciate you breaking it down further, though.