Designing a Hell for Ranma- can anyone help?

[SpaceKnight of Chaos]

This topic isn't exactly what you might think from the title. I debated for a moment putting this in Ideas, but decided that the fact I'm seeking advice on putting something together for a concept meant that this belongs here in Research.

I had a concept for a fanfic develop after seeing the discussion for a Nanoha/Disgae crossover fanfic in the Ideas forum, which basically feeds upon my long-burning desire to see a "Ranma has a special heritage" fanfic where this *isn't* either through Nodoka or through Nodoka conceiving Ranma by cheating on Genma. The basic concept is that weird things have begun to happen around the Tendo dojo -well, weirder things than usual- and Genma has begun to act strangely, even for him. While Ranma is walking somewhere alone, puzzling over things, he is attacked by a monstrous creature- one so powerful that he can't defeat it. As it readies itself to kill him, however, Genma suddenly appears and curbstomps the monster with all the ease of Ranma trashing Kuno.

Ranma, naturally, demands to know what just happened (though it's hard to say whether he's more startled that Genma effortlessly defeated a creature that Ranma lost to, or at Genma actually fighting someone other than Ranma for the first time since they came to Nerima), and Genma explains things. Genma is a Disgae-style Demon Overlord- well, an EX-Overlord. Genma's throne was stolen and a vast deal of his power (at least half of it) was lost thanks to the efforts of some rival Overlords, and he fled to Earth to hide from them. Disguising himself as a human, creating the identity of "Genma Saotome, bumbling vagabond martial artist", he eventually fell in love with Nodoka, married her, and fathered Ranma. However, the enemies who cost him his throne have finally decided that it's time to get rid of Genma, and they don't care who they destroy in the process.

Before anyone brings it up, no, this is not one of those stories where Ranma's 'lineage' is what makes him so powerful- in fact, I actually have a scene planned where Ranma angsts (as much as Ranma can angst) to Genma about all his victories being false, as he 'cheated' with his demon power, only for Genma to flatten Ranma and bluntly tell him that he sealed away Ranma's demon side while Ranma was still in utero. What he's become, he earned solely on his human capabilities. If Genma was to unseal Ranma, which he's unwilling to do, Ranma could become much more powerful.

I might also have it that one or more of the other Nerimites has non-human blood in their veins, though they will also be either sealed or so watered down that they have no real benefit from it.

Anyway, to go with this story, I'll need to develop an infernal cosmology, explaining/examining the demon dimension(s), demonic society, and demonic nature (forms/breeds, abilities, personalities, etc). Is anyone interested in giving me a hand with this?

[Locke69]

Anyway, to go with this story, I'll need to develop an infernal cosmology, explaining/examining the demon dimension(s), demonic society, and demonic nature (forms/breeds, abilities, personalities, etc).

Hmm, so you're looking to make your own universe, taking a few concepts from Disgaea as a base?

Well, the society for the demons in Atlus's massive universe has never been explained outside the strong survive and lead (and Prinnies, never forget the Prinnies). But fine tuning, that could be fun.

As for their forms, reincarnation is the canon excuse from Altus. Barring that one Overlord that consumed worlds. -_- But I don't think that many people remember him after they soundly defeat him and his avatar forms.

But yeah, I'll help you out if you want. Just a little addled at the moment of writing this post up.

[Sunshine Temple]

Lock69 this is a warning. Your avatar is too large.

Rule:
I) Signature images should be under 100 pixels high by 350 pixels wide of image size and 100kb of file size. Avatars are limited to 225 (height) by 140 (width) in size. and 100kb of file size. Animated avatars are allowed, but annoying ones will be subject to change. Animated avatars must meet the same criteria as non-animated avatars.

Change it to one of a valid size.

[Dumbledork]

Unfortunately I never played Disgaea and only know some of the concepts through Chibi-Reaper Naruto/Disgaea crossover, but I'd definitely like to see Kuno reincarnated as a Prinny.

[mondu_the_fat]

Their cosmology isn't consistent. In one game, one character would claim to be the most powerful, then in the next they're second fiddle. Prier never becomes overlord in her canon, but shows up as one in the other games, for example. The stories also don't occur within the same eras. La pucelle seems 15th to 17th century earth, while disgaea is somewhere in the far future (given that earth has starships). Placing the story during Ranma's 20th century, the political situation might have been different (laharl's father might be alive; laharl might be asleep; zetta might not have been the most powerful overlord yet; Babylon might still have been supreme overlord).

Of course, a time setting along the 20th century gives you some freedom. You can just make everything up, as the major players during the time of Disgaea simply haven't shown up yet in the scene (with the exception of Babylon).

[SpaceKnight of Chaos]

This isn't an actual Ranma/Disgae crossover, I was just inspired by what I've heard of Disgae, just to point out.

[stratagemini]

Well i guess the first question you need to answer for yourself is "Are these demons religiously based? or are they merely inhabitants of another dimension that might have inspired hell?"

If you go with religiously based, you need something to do with punishment and souls and so on. You're basically better off ripping off Spawn if you go that direction. In the other direction you can basically say that Demons are like Humans only much stronger because they aren't human.

[SpaceKnight of Chaos]

Definately not religious-based. I don't 'do' religion in my works. Thanks for pointing that out though.

Hmm... now that I think about it, the idea of Kuno pulling some stupid stunt and getting stuck in the body of a Prinny equivalent (because, really, what's more funny than a guy with an ego the size of Pluto getting stuck in the body of an animate stuffed penguin?) sounds like a hoot. I'll have to come up with a similar 'petitioner' for my setting... thanks Dumbledork.

[Frog]

Since it's only loosely based on Disgaea here are some points I'm gonna throw out from what I remember of the games:

1. Human souls are reincarnated as Prinnies in the Netherworld until they have atoned for their sins. Then they're reincarnated back in Earth. (See: Larhals mom and Gordons rival)
2. Half-human souls are also reincarnated as Prinnies. (See: Laharl)
3. Demon souls are immediately reincarnated as a new demon. (See: Laharls dad)
4. A human soul can become an Overlord if sufficiently strong or by defeating a previous Overlord. The process turns the human soul into a demon. (See: Priere)
5. Ghosts can exist in the Netherworld. (See: The first Defender of Earth)
6. There are dozens of Overlords claiming to be "the strongest". (See: All the games)
7. Demons have really wonky government. (See: The Dark Assembly)
8. Even a half demon can live for ridiculously long, while aging very little. (See: Laharl)
9. Angels are not necessarily opposed to Demons. (See: ... I think there were some conversations between Laharls dad and The Seraph. Not so sure about this point. I suppose Flonne is a good example)
10. The Netherworld(s) actually exists as a physical place. (See: Gordon arriving in a spaceship)
11. Humans can be turned to demons by Curses. (See: Cursed Memories)

I can't think of any more random points. Now to go to some of the points you asked about:

Demonic Society: The Overlord is the supreme ruler of his Netherworld. Which is to say, he's the strongest... for now. His vassals are always plotting against him and the position does not come with life insurance. To rule over such a large place he depends on the Dark Assembly to make and propagate laws, and Vassals to rule over territory. The Dark Assembly is incredibly corrupt, cares only for their own interests, and can only be coerced by bribery or force. Vassals are pretty much the same.

And that's all I can think of at the moment. The points are a bit sketchy. Been ages since I last played Disgaea 1 and 2 and LaPucelle.

[Heaven's Deamon]

On point three, I'm pretty certain that Krichevskoy became Vyers because of something Lamington did, so they could continue to carry out the plan they had been working on.

[Frog]

On point three, I'm pretty certain that Krichevskoy became Vyers because of something Lamington did, so they could continue to carry out the plan they had been working on.

You're forgetting that Rozalin is a similar case, without angelic interference.

At the very least, Overlord class demons can reincarnate themselves as demons without much of a hassle. Though their memories seem to suffer for it... temporarily at least.

[Heaven's Deamon]

The reason I think Lamington had something to do with it is because "Vyer's" body was wearing out. In his talks with Lamington, there are comments on whether he has enough strength, and I think Lamington makes a comment at one point that if Vyers reaches his limit, even he (Lamington) won't be able to help.

Zenon on the other hand from what I could tell basically sealed the memories and either reverted the body to an infant, or aranged for a female of the village to give birth to her reincarnation, either way it was done BEFORE HAND, not post mordem as it would have been for Krichevskoy.

[Frog]

Hm, that's right. I'd forgotten that little detail concerning Rozalin. Oh well. Scratch that. Apparently if you have enough reosurces and outside help, demons can reincarnate themselves as demons again, but it's not something that happens spontaneously.

Makes me wonder what happens to demon souls. Prinnydom? Somehow I doubt it, since that was specified for human souls. Are they just destroyed when they die or what?