When the camera was first introduced, many believed that cameras were a means of stealing a person's soul. By doing something as harmless as taking a person's picture, you stole their essence. Of course, they continued to be themselves... but something was lost - something intangible and borderline unrecognizable to that person. But what if there was an element of truth to this superstition?
Madasui, Japan is a strange place. Recently, people photographed by the city's rivers have been waking up empty. Those affected lose themselves over time - their memories, their motivations, and their emotions. Eventually, they die of seemingly natural causes. This phenomenon is called "The Nothingness Curse."
Of course, this curse isn't the only strange thing about Madasui. A number of rumours plague the city. There exists a parallel world that has been drained of all colour, where monstrosities called Shadows are born and hunt. Only those with a "Persona" can uncover the truth behind The Curse, and hopefully put an end to it.
Based on the Persona series of video games. Persona SC is a Play-by-Post forum RP. The link can be found here.
This roleplay provides examples of the following tropes:
- All Myths Are True: Not only due to the number of mythologies and pop culture phenomena used for Personae. Madasui has a lot of rumours. Averted in that the RP is new, so no one knows if they are or not.
- Alternate Universe: The forum is described as a Persona AU.
- Arc Words: The phrase listed in the page quotes, and variants of it.
- Author Appeal: Certain character traits are inspired by this, as are thread titles.
- Bilingual Bonus: Virtually every location and district has a Meaningful Name in Japanese. Some RPCs do as well; subverted in that most of the meanings are spelled out onsite or on this very wiki.
- Bland-Name Product: KyuuChan is an off-brand version of 2chan/4chan.
- Butterfly of Death and Rebirth: Though metaphorical, a blue butterfly guides RPCs in their awakenings.
- Cast Full of Gay: Many of the characters in the RP are on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum; several of them are gay or bisexual, and a couple of trans and genderqueer characters exist.
- Character Blog: There's a social media forum for this.
- City of Adventure: Madasui has several districts and a lot of rumours.
- Color Motif: Meta example. Two of the site's skins use muted colours reminiscent of its name. The rest use seasonal motifs.
- Comic-Book Time: Averted in that time does pass, albeit in month-long chunks at a time.
- Elaborate University High: Mishima Academy.
- Eldritch Location: Painted Madasui. It's a completely colourless version of the city filled with Shadows.
- Empty Shell: Those affected by recent goings-on can become this over time.
- Enemy Scan: The "Analysis" skill tree.
- Leitmotif: Some players assign their characters various themes.
- Local Hangout: Several establishments are very popular, even those in the Zetsurin District.
- Love Hotels: Hotel Zetsurin used to be a luxurious hotel, but now it's one of these.
- More Friends, More Benefits: Social Linking allows players to increases stats, critical rates, and do other great things.
- Mystery Meat: "Tsuchinoko Sticks" are said to be close to fish, but no one knows what they're made out of.
- Mythology Gag: Several references to the mainline Persona games exist.
- Shout-Out:
- Mishima Academy is named for an artist and seems similar to Hope's Peak.
- There's a Zetsurin district.
- The city's name means Stillwater.
- The URL of the site says Colour of Air.
- Summon Magic: As is expected from the Persona series.
- Tarot Motifs: Characters, Personae, and Shadows can have both Upright and Inverse Arcana. This has no bearing on the plot other than symbolism and ideas for characterization.
- Urban Fantasy
- Where The Hell Is Madasui?: Subverted.
Word of God confirms that the fictional "Aki Prefecture" is actually just the western part of modern-day Hiroshima Prefecture. Where Madasui is in that prefecture, though, is anyone's guess.
