Author: nihtgenga (---.edu.au)
Date: 11-04-2004 15:13
G'day,
cool idea but I would find most of it unusable in its current state. Ignoring for the moment the cheesiness of a floating ball of faerie light on the shoulder, this setting suffers from the standard D&D Paladin problem ("give me a moment and I'll find out if that guy is evil"). Serial killers, etc. would be very easy to spot. And vanity is much less of a sin here, after all, we don't like looking at ourselves. Of course, the idea of prison rehabilitation would be interesting as it would be aimed at removing stains. Society would be very much a case of the 'haves and the have nots' with the 'have nots' being the only socially acceptable people to be with ironically.
I would prefer to go a little more subtle, such as only the soul owner and specially trained people (priests, cultists (or so they claim), etc.) can see it. You then can look into things like long term relationships leading to mingling of souls, your partner slowly developing the ability to see into your soul (and do ex's keep that ability?). We could end up with roving Inquisition type priests or an Equilibrium type situation.
Alternatives could be instead of floating souls, sins show up a cryptic evolving tattoo patterns on the torso and upper arms and legs. (the more evil people could conceal with clothing). The idea that a sinful person doesn't die from that state but instead is possessed by 'something' comes to mind as well. And these 'somethings' can mask their sins as well....
Interestingly enough, the existence of Hell would negate a number of religions that don't include the Zoroastrianism style of a punishing afterlife.
I don't know, there are a lot of great options here but I have to admit I don't like the direction you are taking the concept, including physically entering the afterlife. Fine for a story, not so good for a game. (I am intrigued by the relationship between consciousness and the soul though).
Cheers
|
|
