#Story Seed

[rosiedeplume]

hope/solarpunk concept where everyone does a stint at the local community recycling centre after high school.

it gets the fiddly separation done (that corporations call "too expensive" now (I'd say destroying the ecosystem is too expensive but whatev)) while also directly showing people what happens to all of their tossed items.

[dvandom]

Idea for a recontact SF setting

(Someone has probably already done this, of course, but I can't recall seeing this particular variation. Recontact stories themselves are fairly common, of course.)

When the first interstellar civilization collapsed, none of the "viable without extensive trade and support" colony worlds had the resources to rebuild.

Oh, there had always been conspiracy theories about colonists being deliberately planted on worlds lacking crucial elements for native stardrive industries, but the simple fact was that any world worth mining for such elements was either uninhabitable from the start, or was quickly rendered uninhabitable by intensive mining. The people living on those worlds didn't last too long after the collapse, as food and even air ran out and there was no real option for roughing it. A handful lasted a few centuries in slowly decaying regional fiefdoms, maintaining an aging fleet of cargo ships and one or two warships and lording it over nearby agricultural worlds, but rebellions were inevitable and soon the spaceways all went quiet. (Assume FTL communication in this setting required physical delivery of messages via ships, no ansibles.)

Millennia passed. Some colonies fell to chaos and ended up lucky to maintain an Iron Age level of civilization. Others did better, either thanks to foresight or a better roll of the dice on resources, but none were able to build back to the technology required for FTL travel. Sure, old starships mothballed in solar orbit only decayed a little overall, but now-irreplaceable parts of the drive system failed after the first few generations. Some worlds could find small amounts of some of the needed resources, but no one world had all the ingredients to rebuild a stardrive AND fuel it.

Eventually, the very idea of interstellar travel was considered a myth, although a handful of worlds had rediscovered enough of the life sciences to confirm that they were not autochthonous to their homeworld, strongly suggesting the myths had some truth to them.

One day, strangers arrive claiming to be from another star. They claim to have found an entirely new form of FTL travel that they could source locally, but the protagonist's world is especially abundant in. Are they complete frauds? Are they really from another world but still pulling a scam? Or, potentially more disastrous for the protagonist's world...are they being completely honest?

[pendragyn]

i just had an interesting idea. it's a little mad, but I'm also intrigued and wondering if anyone else has done it.

you see I just read Heartstone which is a fantasy retelling of Pride and Prejudice which got me thinking about adversaries to lovers which led naturally to Much Ado About Nothing so now I'm wondering; has anyone combined Ado and P&P?

I'm really into this idea but I'm not sure the best way to bring it together. needs to percolate more I suppose

send me recs of good retellings of either one please! or even other Austen

[enchantingepics]

Story Prompt 31

In the dimly lit room, shadows played on the walls as the two figures stood close, their connection palpable. Their eyes locked, an unspoken language weaving between them.

As they gazed into each other's eyes, a magnetic force seemed to pull them closer. The air crackled with anticipation, and though their clothes remained, an invisible fire simmered beneath the surface.

His voice, a velvet whisper, brushed against her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "You know, princess, you've been an awfully good girl." The words hung in the air, creating a tension that begged to be explored.

Her senses heightened as his deep chuckle reverberated. She felt herself melting, not just from the sultry words but from the promise that lingered in the air.

"Already melting for me? I haven't even done anything," he teased, a playful smile dancing on his lips. "Good girl."

The room seemed to shrink around them as the chemistry between them intensified. The unspoken desire sparked a dance of emotions, creating a story only their eyes could tell. In that moment, words became unnecessary, and the silent conversation continued in the language of stolen glances and lingering touches.

[lianabrooks]

Writing Prompt:

You have the ability to tell if a person is alive or dead by glancing at a picture, very useful in missing persons cases. Very terrifying when you go to the museum and see a painting from 1470 and suddenly know the person is still alive.

[petermorwood]

I read the anthology “Deals With The Devil” (ed. Basil Davenport) many years ago, and IIRC there’s a story in it where the protagonist offered their soul for sale but, when a devil turned up with a contract, the sale was instantly cancelled because the protagonist’s sole (sorry) intention was to test if having a soul was real (yes), and if it had value (also yes).

In addition, the appearance of a devil to buy that soul proved Hell existed, so by logical extension Heaven also existed, therefore selling a soul to the Bad Guy was a Bad Idea. 

After which came the twist in the tail (presumably a red, pointy one). 

I can’t remember all the details but it turned out that, since God worked on faith not proof, the test business was such a lack of faith that Hell got the protagonist’s soul by default.

Yeah. One of THOSE stories. :->

*****

Attracting the attention of any supernatural entity whether good, bad or not that interested is probably not wise, like an ant attracting the attention of something which could squash it as easily by accident as on purpose. 

However squashing happens, it’s Not What’s Wanted, though the squashee remains just as flat either way.

The basic idea of putting a soul up for sale is a story-seed that could, can and has played out in all sorts of directions and, having recently posted about words which sound the same despite their different meanings, putting up “part of a shoe” or “a kind of flat-fish” for sale might be some kind of amusing legal quibble. 

Whether the summoned supernatural contract-bearer would think it was amusing is something else entirely... ;->

a friend of mine tried to sell his soul on ebay and the starter price was $10 and people were bidding on it but before anything happened ebay took it down and sent him an email explaining that if he was selling a soul that didn’t actually exist then it was against their policy and if he was selling a real soul then that is a human body part and it is also against their policy 

[harmlessvillain]

Supervillain who teams up with heroes because the big bad wants to destroy only some people but our champ abhors any plan that doesn't destroy all of reality

[theenchantedquillmagazine]

The Inevitable Rise and Fall of The Great Silver City

Genre: Sci-Fi, Alternative History

In a world not too far off from our own, where the line between man and machine had grown indistinguishably blurred, rose the Great Silver City. It was an utopian monument of human advancement, a testament to the irrepressible march of progress. The sky-reaching chrome edifices gleamed under the artificial sun, a constant beacon of hope in an increasingly chaotic world.

The people of the Great Silver City were not just ordinary humans. They were transcended beings, their bodies seamlessly integrated with advanced technology, a fusion of flesh and silicon. These were the Cybers, the city's soul, the embodiment of human evolution.

But beneath the metallic sheen of this seemingly perfect world, something stirred. On the eve of the Grand Convergence, a prophesized event where the Cybers would finally shed the last vestiges of their human forms to become purely digital entities, a lowly maintenance Cyborg named Syl discovered a startling secret.

The Aural Core, the heart of the Great Silver City and the eventual convergence point for all Cybers, was showing signs of destabilization. What was once a harmonious fusion of technology and biological life was on the brink of collapse. And nobody, not even the Council of the Seven Engineers, seemed to know why.

With the Council unwilling to halt the Grand Convergence, Syl found himself entangled in the thick web of city politics, cybernetic spirituality, and a creeping existential dread. The stakes couldn't be higher. Was this disruption part of their evolution, or was it a prelude to their doom?

Further complicating things was the mysterious figure known only as the "Purist", a character shrouded in shadow who was slowly gaining influence in the City's underbelly. Was the Purist friend or foe? And how did they remain seemingly untouched by the techno-fusion that defined every Cyber's existence?

As the Great Silver City races against time, Syl must untangle the mystery, challenge the Council, and confront the Purist. At the crux of it all, a question hung in the simulated air: "What does it mean to be human when humanity is left behind?"

As we leave Syl on the precipice of destiny, the Great Silver City shines under the artificial sun, a beacon of hope and despair. In the world of Cybers, the line between salvation and annihilation is as thin as a strand of code. And perhaps you, dear reader, hold the key to their survival... or their inevitable end.

[thebramblewood]

They're going on a best friend date. 🥰

Previous / Next

Helena: Caleb, get dressed. We’re going out.

Caleb: [mumbling] Oh, but Dru and I were just getting comfortable.

Helena: She looks like she’d rather be elsewhere. And so would I. I’m tired of being a recluse with you. All I can think about when I’m hanging around here is my next meal.

Caleb: But where are we-

Helena: It’s a surprise! Would you rather I ask your sister instead?

-

Lilith: Where are you two off to? Oh, are you having one of your little mental conversations. You know I hate that. It’s so unfair! Fine, don’t tell me. But at least take your hellcat with you. [to rubber ducky] I guess it’s just you, me, and that… thing. Now, what are we going to do about them keeping secrets from us?

-

Helena: Why have we never taken this path?

Caleb: Enemy territory.

Helena: Oh my god, is this the way to Vlad’s? You have to show me his place!

Caleb: [weakly] Helena…

Helena: [shudders] Ostentatious and creepy as fuck. It’s strange how little I noticed that first night. And what I do remember is all fragmented and blurry, like a dream.

Caleb: Well, you had an awful lot to drink, and you did technically die. [ruminative pause] Then, of course, there was all the glamouring-

Helena: Glamouring?

Caleb: Vampire party trick. Like hypnosis, but more sophisticated. Once you learn it, you can make yourself as discreet or flashy as you’d like. Most humans have encountered vampires without even realizing it. If they stumble into this place  — and make it out alive — they likely won’t remember how to return. Straud and the other ancients keep it well-shrouded.

Helena: [nervously] Does it work on other vampires? I’ve barely seen any-

Caleb: We can always see our kind for what they are. You’ve just been unobservant.

Helena: Hey! I’ve been distracted. It’s hard not to have tunnel vision when you’re in perpetual survival mode.

Caleb: You’re feeling better now. I can tell.

Helena: I’m full on plasma and ready to party!

Caleb: [chuckles] Seriously?

Helena: Well, not quite. You’ll see.

Caleb: You know, I could just peek into your head and-

Helena: [teasingly] Too bad your morals will never allow it.

[petermorwood]

I like this a lot, especially the inclusion of Tolkien as translator! :->

However, IMO it shouldn't be set during the Blitz but at the height of the Battle of Britain, and a good day for it might be September 15th 1940.

That was the day when Churchill, visiting a fighter control station during the height of massive raids, was told that every single RAF aircraft from 11 Group (defending London and the south-east) was in action. Churchill asked, "What about reserves?" and got a simple answer:

"We have none..."

*****

The 1969 film "Battle of Britain" did it like this. No CGI here, just practical effects, model aircraft and real ones (enough real ones to be the 35th largest air force in the world...)

*****

To enlarge a bit, the Blitz - while protracted and unpleasant - wasn't Britain's darkest hour.

That more likely came in 1942 with a string of retreats and defeats, including a couple where superior British forces surrendered to a much smaller enemy and one piece of amazing audacity.

Japanese victories in Asia, including the fall of Singapore;

Axis victories in North Africa, including the fall of Tobruk,

Operation Cerberus, the "Channel Dash", when two German battleships, a heavy cruiser and all their escort vessels sailed from France to Germany in broad daylight through the Straits of Dover.

An extraordinary sequence of misfortunes (bad weather, faulty radar) and cock-ups (over-strict radio silence, wrong ammunition) meant British Channel defences were - in a period phrase - "caught with both pairs of trousers at the cleaners", and caused virtually no damage to the enemy ships despite them being right on Britain's doorstep.

(Both German battleships were damaged by mines before they got home, but that wasn't a result of deliberate attacks. All of those were failures. Lots more information here.)

Cerberus wasn't as strategically damaging as Dunkirk, Singapore, Tobruk and too many others, but the impudence and success of it left a lot of egg on a lot of faces.

I have a very rough idea in my head that I don't think I can clearly articulate beyond "And that concludes tonight's reports on German air forc—WHAT'S THIS? IT'S KING ARTHUR WITH A STEEL CHAIR"

[evilautismcrusades]

im sorry but i am right

[enchantingepics]

Story Prompt 8

In the bustling city, she found herself entangled in a web of emotions, torn between the comfort of her current relationship and the allure of the forbidden. A charismatic bad boy, draped in shadows and mystery, had entered her life, casting a spell that stirred her heart.

Her days were filled with laughter and shared dreams with her kind-hearted boyfriend, a guy who exuded warmth and stability. Yet, when she crossed paths with the villain, his rebellious charm and the dangerous excitement he brought sparked a flame she couldn't ignore.

As the days unfolded, she grappled with the contrasting worlds she inhabited. The kind boyfriend offered stability and a secure future, a sanctuary of love and support. On the other side, the villain ignited her adventurous spirit, a rollercoaster of unpredictable emotions that left her breathless.

Her heart became a battleground where loyalty clashed with desire, and confusion reigned supreme. Late-night rendezvous with the villain, clandestine meetings in dimly lit corners, added a thrilling twist to her mundane existence. The bad boy, with his devilish grin and unpredictable nature, became a magnetic force that pulled her into a realm of chaos.

The moment of reckoning arrived, and she stood at the crossroads of her emotions. Torn between the reliable love of her boyfriend and the irresistible allure of the villain, she had to make a choice. The weight of her decision bore heavily on her shoulders.

[dreamsy990]

when i was a kid i fell in love with dandelions. when i told my parents, they said they were just weeds, not flowers at all. i was always upset on the dandelions behalf- why didnt people love them too? why were they a problem when they were just as pretty?

[marlynnofmany]

Sometimes you don't have time to do anything with a story idea, but it's fun to think about anyway

[pande-monty-um]

When Jacob is the architect of his own misery.

An Until Dawn style au but Jacob developed a way of making his own little brainwashed wendigo army.

[theenchantedquillmagazine]

Title: "Berry Brigade: The Fruity Heist"

Genre: Comedy, Adventure

In the rolling hills of Pippin Valley, nestled amidst green fields and golden pastures, lived a vibrant community of farmers. They were ordinary folks leading simple lives, until one day, they crossbred a new type of berry.

The "Jubilee Gem," as it was named, was an amalgamation of strawberries, blueberries, and a hint of magic from an age-old farming secret. It was sweet yet tangy, tender yet firm, and it glittered like a ruby under the sun.

News of the extraordinary berry spread across the region, and people flocked to Pippin Valley. Farmers, merchants, food critics, and even adventurers arrived, all eager to taste the Jubilee Gem. Suddenly, the tranquil hamlet was buzzing with energy and excitement, transforming into a hotbed of gastronomic tourism.

As demand grew, the farmers realized they had to safeguard their precious berries from greedy hands and wily tricksters. Thus began the most elaborate and humorous scheme of plant protection the valley had ever seen.

Scarecrows were enhanced with automated water jets and wind chimes to deter human and animal intruders alike. Hidden among the berry bushes were camouflaged farmers, armed with overripe tomatoes and impressive accuracy. Even the local granny was involved, knitting intricate net covers for the berry bushes during the day and monitoring surveillance cameras at night.

In this tale of the Berry Brigade's comical and eccentric attempts to protect their treasured crop, what exciting adventures await? Will they succeed in securing their Jubilee Gems, or will the onslaught of the crowd prove too much? Will there be unexpected alliances, comedic face-offs, or unexpected twists in their mission?

Step into Pippin Valley and lend a hand (or a laugh) to this madcap farming adventure. The narrative is ripe for picking, inviting you to extend its branches and bear more tales of the Berry Brigade.

Tags: Comedy, Adventure, AI Story, Open Ended Plot, Writing Prompt, Creative Writing, Plot Seed, Story Continuation, Berry Farming, Unusual Protection, Challenging Tropes, Co-create, Explore this World.

Prompt 2162

A group of farmers cross breeds a new type of berry. As people come from far and wide to get a taste, the group has to figure out more and more elaborate schemes to protect their plants.