My protagonist, with their powers, was totally capable of canonically learning that they were a character and I the author. I imagine I'm just dead at some point, unless I got his powers, but if he gets my life he's getting the better end of the deal from his perspective.
Your Protagonist Swaps with You
- Thread starter StoneInky
- Start date
Zagaroth
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2023
- Messages
- 180
- Points
- 58
Mordecai stares at the computer as he processes what just happened. There's enough contextual information for him to figure out the swap happened and that both worlds exist, the question is what to do about it. Hmm. Well, if what he types into the story happens... Mordecai grins as he begins figuring out how this device worked.
Careful experimentation showed that it was not entirely unlike some magical displays, though the keyboard interface and pointing device were very different. Once he has the logic figured out and can find the right files for the story, Mordecai starts writing about how his former author manages to work out how to use his new powers to open a cross-reality chat window using the soul link between Mordecai and his wives.
M: I think we can skip thinking about the metaphysical and ethical implications of this situation, given that everything before I met Moriko is 'backstory'. We're just going to assume that you tapped into a preexisting narrative and channeled that, alright? Oh, and your wife is asleep still, there wasn't enough of a disturbance to wake her up. The cats all scattered however.
A: That is more than fine by me. Um, there was no way to hide that from your wives, given that my soul is in your half of your core now, and I absolutely refuse to manifest an avatar while Moriko has that look on her face. Oh, wait, I think Kazue's figured out what I've done.
K: Yes! Good, he wasn't lying, but it's still creepy having someone other than you here love. I'll let Moriko know what's going on. How are you getting back here?
M: I think know how, but I want to talk with him a little about the situation first.
K: Alright, I'll just um, 'listen' in and keep Moriko up to date. I hate that I can't feel more than the fact that you are alive, the link is stretched really thin.
A: Thank you. So, I do have an idea. Look, to be blunt, I'd rather my wife, cats, and I all moved over to your world, though not like this. But I absolutely have to finish your story, and I don't think you can know I'm doing it. Maybe you guys and Kuiccihan can set something up for us in her territory that gives me and my wife the power we need for our electronics and create a link back to the internet. Oh, and our phone connections as well. Figuring out how to make this interface happen using your memory back up has already given me a 'headache', I think you need to figure it out on this side. What do you need us to do over here to get this process started?
M: Hmm, I'll work on temporary memory modifications after I get back there. I've figured out how to access your drawing programs, what I need is a way to teach Kazue how to decipher the files. Once we have that, I can draw out the ritual needed for your end. Forgin the link between the two worlds seems to be drawing magical energy into your world, so I think I will be able to conduct the ritual on my end in a week or two.
A: Oh, look up "webp" files, the format is open source so you should be able to find some sort of uncompiled code. That's a simple copy and paste into the chat for Kazue to read and then take apart by the logic of its structure. I am guessing that you can do that, she used to having a crystal brain by now, I am not. In the mean time, can we get me direct web access? I think my wife is going to want to talk to me directly, the same way Kazue needed to talk with you. Try to not freak her out when she wakes up, please? Just anticipate that her reaction is going to be similar to what you imagine Kazue's reaction would be in the same situation.
M: ... You and I are going to have a long talk when we are face to face.
A: Yeah, I know. But that can wait until we fix Deidre's situation. Look, I need you to really trust me on this, I have something figured out that some of my readers have picked up on that is going to turn out great for you, Moriko, and Kazue. Just, well, I suspect that if I don't write this out through normal story beats that I already have planned, then my writing is going to get rejected or something and then there is no telling what is going to happen. As it is, I would like to get this done before either your patron deity or his dad notice what is going on, this might encroach on the prohibitions about trying to create destined fates and such. And yes, I am avoiding their names until this is settled. You know why. Oh hells, Satsuki has noticed something is up. Kazue, please keep her from freaking out? I understand exactly how powerful she is and know all about her issues. If she acts in haste she could get Mordecai and I both killed, and frankly even I have no idea what would happen after that. I don't think anyone wants to know.
K: Yes, busy
M: That's another thing we're going to talk about.
A: I know, I know. I think all I can say right now is that she's completly sincere.
M: You look to be setting Fuyuko up to be a protagonist too, and there's these other story files, "The Dragon's Champion"? I get the feeling that these are going to tie back to her.
A: Yes, my intentions there should be clear, but all that starts to resolve somewhere in their twenties. I'm not sure if I should write that out more after we wrap up your story. I have some key information that they will want, but other than that I think I need to leave it alone. Yours I really need to wrap up because if I don't guide certain events right, things that would lead somewhere good might lead somewhere really bad instead.
K: Alright, I've got her being a good girl for now. I just realized, that stuff she brought to us, you know what all of that is, don't you? Including what she talked about not being able to bring over.
A: Yes, and I am so not talking about that right now. We can instigate a technological revolution *after* we get everything fixed. Oh, that reminds me, Mordecai, you want to find something called "Wikipedia" and get a complete downloaded copy of the entire thing. The history and culture stuff won't matter much here, but the technical knowledge will probably be useful.
M: That seems best. Now, here's what you are going to do, [...]
Quite some time later, Mordecai and his extended family and friends are back on their way after accepting some memory modification spells from Mordecai, and the author and his family are temporarily homed in a secure and warded area inside of Kuiccihan's territory while the author finishes up the story.
((Yes, I just wrote up all of that on the fly and now my brain says I dove too deep on that after having written a chapter earlier today))
Careful experimentation showed that it was not entirely unlike some magical displays, though the keyboard interface and pointing device were very different. Once he has the logic figured out and can find the right files for the story, Mordecai starts writing about how his former author manages to work out how to use his new powers to open a cross-reality chat window using the soul link between Mordecai and his wives.
M: I think we can skip thinking about the metaphysical and ethical implications of this situation, given that everything before I met Moriko is 'backstory'. We're just going to assume that you tapped into a preexisting narrative and channeled that, alright? Oh, and your wife is asleep still, there wasn't enough of a disturbance to wake her up. The cats all scattered however.
A: That is more than fine by me. Um, there was no way to hide that from your wives, given that my soul is in your half of your core now, and I absolutely refuse to manifest an avatar while Moriko has that look on her face. Oh, wait, I think Kazue's figured out what I've done.
K: Yes! Good, he wasn't lying, but it's still creepy having someone other than you here love. I'll let Moriko know what's going on. How are you getting back here?
M: I think know how, but I want to talk with him a little about the situation first.
K: Alright, I'll just um, 'listen' in and keep Moriko up to date. I hate that I can't feel more than the fact that you are alive, the link is stretched really thin.
A: Thank you. So, I do have an idea. Look, to be blunt, I'd rather my wife, cats, and I all moved over to your world, though not like this. But I absolutely have to finish your story, and I don't think you can know I'm doing it. Maybe you guys and Kuiccihan can set something up for us in her territory that gives me and my wife the power we need for our electronics and create a link back to the internet. Oh, and our phone connections as well. Figuring out how to make this interface happen using your memory back up has already given me a 'headache', I think you need to figure it out on this side. What do you need us to do over here to get this process started?
M: Hmm, I'll work on temporary memory modifications after I get back there. I've figured out how to access your drawing programs, what I need is a way to teach Kazue how to decipher the files. Once we have that, I can draw out the ritual needed for your end. Forgin the link between the two worlds seems to be drawing magical energy into your world, so I think I will be able to conduct the ritual on my end in a week or two.
A: Oh, look up "webp" files, the format is open source so you should be able to find some sort of uncompiled code. That's a simple copy and paste into the chat for Kazue to read and then take apart by the logic of its structure. I am guessing that you can do that, she used to having a crystal brain by now, I am not. In the mean time, can we get me direct web access? I think my wife is going to want to talk to me directly, the same way Kazue needed to talk with you. Try to not freak her out when she wakes up, please? Just anticipate that her reaction is going to be similar to what you imagine Kazue's reaction would be in the same situation.
M: ... You and I are going to have a long talk when we are face to face.
A: Yeah, I know. But that can wait until we fix Deidre's situation. Look, I need you to really trust me on this, I have something figured out that some of my readers have picked up on that is going to turn out great for you, Moriko, and Kazue. Just, well, I suspect that if I don't write this out through normal story beats that I already have planned, then my writing is going to get rejected or something and then there is no telling what is going to happen. As it is, I would like to get this done before either your patron deity or his dad notice what is going on, this might encroach on the prohibitions about trying to create destined fates and such. And yes, I am avoiding their names until this is settled. You know why. Oh hells, Satsuki has noticed something is up. Kazue, please keep her from freaking out? I understand exactly how powerful she is and know all about her issues. If she acts in haste she could get Mordecai and I both killed, and frankly even I have no idea what would happen after that. I don't think anyone wants to know.
K: Yes, busy
M: That's another thing we're going to talk about.
A: I know, I know. I think all I can say right now is that she's completly sincere.
M: You look to be setting Fuyuko up to be a protagonist too, and there's these other story files, "The Dragon's Champion"? I get the feeling that these are going to tie back to her.
A: Yes, my intentions there should be clear, but all that starts to resolve somewhere in their twenties. I'm not sure if I should write that out more after we wrap up your story. I have some key information that they will want, but other than that I think I need to leave it alone. Yours I really need to wrap up because if I don't guide certain events right, things that would lead somewhere good might lead somewhere really bad instead.
K: Alright, I've got her being a good girl for now. I just realized, that stuff she brought to us, you know what all of that is, don't you? Including what she talked about not being able to bring over.
A: Yes, and I am so not talking about that right now. We can instigate a technological revolution *after* we get everything fixed. Oh, that reminds me, Mordecai, you want to find something called "Wikipedia" and get a complete downloaded copy of the entire thing. The history and culture stuff won't matter much here, but the technical knowledge will probably be useful.
M: That seems best. Now, here's what you are going to do, [...]
Quite some time later, Mordecai and his extended family and friends are back on their way after accepting some memory modification spells from Mordecai, and the author and his family are temporarily homed in a secure and warded area inside of Kuiccihan's territory while the author finishes up the story.
((Yes, I just wrote up all of that on the fly and now my brain says I dove too deep on that after having written a chapter earlier today))
Last edited:
StoneInky
Heart of Stone, Head of Ink
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2024
- Messages
- 448
- Points
- 93
I assume A stands for Author, M for Mordecai, and K for the wife? Kuicchihan? You're lucky Mordecai was so nice, lmao. Ty for writing this, it was fun to read.
Zagaroth
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2023
- Messages
- 180
- Points
- 58
Yeah, K is Kazue. I didn't think about the fact that mentioning Kuiccihan might make that one confusing. But yeah, just the three of them using a jury rigged chat room. :D
Mordecai is, while not perfect, someone who has usually tried to be a good person and is trying to make himself a better person after he seriously screwed things up some time before the story begins.
He's also on the ancient-being side of things and thus a certain amount of wisdom. Getting into an ethical discussion on the issue of an author's world being real means untangling some metaphysical BS that is way too complicated and then gets into the infinite-worlds concept and at that point the arguments go no where.
He'd rather deal with Faerie politics, and he hates dealing with Faerie politics. Oh hell, that'd be another thing he'd want to talk to me about.
Mordecai is, while not perfect, someone who has usually tried to be a good person and is trying to make himself a better person after he seriously screwed things up some time before the story begins.
He's also on the ancient-being side of things and thus a certain amount of wisdom. Getting into an ethical discussion on the issue of an author's world being real means untangling some metaphysical BS that is way too complicated and then gets into the infinite-worlds concept and at that point the arguments go no where.
He'd rather deal with Faerie politics, and he hates dealing with Faerie politics. Oh hell, that'd be another thing he'd want to talk to me about.
Iloveshovels
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2024
- Messages
- 105
- Points
- 78
I’m fucked
Edeshei
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2025
- Messages
- 39
- Points
- 18
Welp, we'll both hate that circumstance.
My character as me:
Dawn in my body would probably be panicking, but she'll try to survive. But since she's in the modern world AND in my body she'll have the most unforunate time studying medicine :) without prior knowledge to anything I think she'll fail and worse comes to worse she'll drop out in med school.
Me as my character in the fantasy world:
Since I KNOW what will happen, I'll yeet myself out and start a new life in a safe town in another nation. Welp, I'll do better than Dawn in surviving imo.
klaizee
New member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2025
- Messages
- 14
- Points
- 3
The Switch: Milo Becomes Me, and I Become Him
(a mind-bending little what-if, unfolding in real time)
DAY ONE – Milo, in My Chair
The cursor blinks.
Milo—once the rogue rebel, the ghost in the Dominion’s system, the boy who hacked a heart and kissed an AI with trembling hands—now sits, groggy-eyed, in front of a laptop. He is me. Or rather, he's in me.
No glowing HUD. No gunmetal jacket. Just square-rimmed glasses, a hoodie from a thrift store, and a half-drunk coffee that he didn’t order.
“What the hell is a Wi-Fi router?” he mutters.
He opens a doc labeled: Oracle Unbound – Chapter 14 (Draft). A strange vertigo creeps in. He recognizes the world in the file. His world. His war. AURA-9’s breath, still warm in his memory.
But now... he’s the author.
He leans back in the chair, suddenly aware of the silence. No Dominion surveillance. No plasma drones. Just the sound of a fan humming somewhere offscreen.
Meanwhile…
I wake up in his body. The moment I blink into the chaos of Dominion’s final chapter, alarms are screaming. There’s a plasma burn in my sleeve. AURA-9 is clutching my hand. My—no, his—name echoes in her voice:
“Milo, MOVE!”
I’ve written this before. But now, it’s real.
I look around. The tower is crumbling. A ship overhead pulses like a god’s eye, and the five alien warlords just arrived with their messy grudges and misunderstood plans.
And I—ME, the author—am expected to run, fight, decide.
Oh.
Hell.
Back in My World…
Milo eats ramen with chopsticks like he’s holding ancient relics.
He walks to the window and watches the sky.
He doesn’t have to fight anymore. There are no drones here. Only birds.
But then he frowns.
He opens the laptop.
Types:
"Chapter 15: The Oracle Remembers."
And for the first time... the author doesn’t control the future of the story.
The protagonist does.