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penancemods) wrote2020-06-06 11:11 pm
penancemods) wrote2020-06-06 11:11 pm
REDEMPTION VS CORRUPTION
Redemption vs. Corruption
Penance at it's core is a horror game based on the concept of redemption vs. corruption. While there is an overarching plot regarding the political structure and mythology of Hell itself along with monthly events to test, torture, punish and lure characters into sinning, the underlying mechanics of Penance can be divided into two camps. Those who wish to redeem themselves and those who fall into sin.
During a sinners stay here they will have plenty of prompts that put a person's moral stance on things and/or test their ability to endure difficulties on the line. Sometimes, regardless whether someone is on the path to corruption or the path to redemption, sinners may be gifted simply by their participation in events, length or stay, or other special moments. While things are certainly not set in stone, and characters may change their path many times during their stay, there are many benefits and difficulties that arise from either path that one might take.
Redemption Choosing redemption in Hell is a far more difficult task than giving in to sin and corruption. It also tends to take longer. Players who decide to use this mechanic and choose redemption as their path can utilize this game as a method to redeem characters with the goal of retiring them after they've turned a new leaf (or simply enjoying their new way in life). If a character is "retired" or dropped after they have redeemed themselves it is assumed they were either brought back to life or welcomed into the gates of Heaven.
Demons are FAR less accommodating to those who are on the 'righteous' path. They will often refuse to speak with and aid these sinners. Want something you can't find anywhere in the Hotel? You're out of luck. Stuck in a room? Oh well. Good luck with that. They may be rude, pushy, inconsiderate, and reluctant to give these people any time of day. While they won't outright attack those choosing redemption they certainly wont make life easy.
People who choose this path also wont be too favored by those in charge. While Lucifer will make it seem like he encourages redemption, the truth of the matter is that Hell requires sin to maintain and grow. In order to get special requests from Lucifer himself or higher tier housing upgrades, your character may be tempted into sin or bargaining. Their request may also take longer to get to or be denied several times before accepted.
But what good things come with choosing redemption?
As a character starts to show dedication and work toward the path of redemption they may begin to experience the following:
Characters will be able to take sins off their list! They may even start to feel more redeemed, lighter, healthier and overall better.
They may potentially, after long hard work, develop angelic features as they continue their path of redemption. Although a shining halo in Hell could come with its downsides but you know what they say: suffering gets you closer to God.
As time passes and their dedication continues they might find themselves more naturally resilient and resistant to temptations.
After considerable resistance to temptation, they may also find themselves experiencing divine protection from cases of severe danger.
Corruption You're in Hell. Sinners are surrounded by temptation in every sense of the word. Events hone in on topics like jealousy, rage, and gluttony to name a few. Challenges lurk in every corner probing the mind to rehash trauma, fear, sorrows, and guilt. More tantalizing sins are found throughout: sex, drugs, and a promise of luxury awaits those who choose corruption. If you're already dead you might as well enjoy it, right?
Choosing the path of corruption is notoriously easier. The setting lends itself to an unfair and imbalanced system. Hell requires sinners to sin in order to grow. Which means that if you want immediate benefit, comfort, and entertainment, you can only receive this by falling to sin. Want the Hotel to open more doors? You need to sin. Want to uncover more about Hell itself? You have to sin. Hell feeds on sin. Many attractions are also by their nature sinful. Clubs promote promiscuity, indulgence, slothfulness, gluttony, and lust.
Likewise, favors and requests require sinning. While the demons tend to not particularly like anyone, there are several instances where character's have become quite friendly with the locals as it were. Overall, sinners are treated far better and they are more likely to grant small requests for those who choose sin. The same goes for special requests. For larger and more specific items and requests a resident must have a history of sin and sometimes, literally, strike a deal with the devil. While there are housing upgrades available for those who choose redemption, the more fancy suites are reserved for those who sin.
Sinners might not get to heaven this way and they may find themselves slowly turning into a demon, but hey. It's more fun!
The Middle Ground Technically there is a "middle ground", although people who chose to ride the thin line between redemption and corruption don't necessarily get either perks or experiences involved. If they don't sin enough, they won't be able to enjoy favors from staff or Lucifer himself nor the more comfortable upgrades to housing. If they don't work hard enough to redeem their soul, they won't get any protection or resilience to temptation either.
Demons will typically be fairly ambivalent toward these people and may be willing to trade or answer requests but it's a bit more difficult due demons not trusting those who haven't 'chosen a side'.
Furthermore, these pathways are never set in stone. A character can start in corruption, can even develop demonic features, and then have a change of heart where they choose redemption, the features fade, and their new path begins. Likewise this can happen reversely where a character works toward redemption and that path falls apart.
It's all up to you. Which path do you want to choose?
Navigation
During a sinners stay here they will have plenty of prompts that put a person's moral stance on things and/or test their ability to endure difficulties on the line. Sometimes, regardless whether someone is on the path to corruption or the path to redemption, sinners may be gifted simply by their participation in events, length or stay, or other special moments. While things are certainly not set in stone, and characters may change their path many times during their stay, there are many benefits and difficulties that arise from either path that one might take.
Redemption Choosing redemption in Hell is a far more difficult task than giving in to sin and corruption. It also tends to take longer. Players who decide to use this mechanic and choose redemption as their path can utilize this game as a method to redeem characters with the goal of retiring them after they've turned a new leaf (or simply enjoying their new way in life). If a character is "retired" or dropped after they have redeemed themselves it is assumed they were either brought back to life or welcomed into the gates of Heaven.
Demons are FAR less accommodating to those who are on the 'righteous' path. They will often refuse to speak with and aid these sinners. Want something you can't find anywhere in the Hotel? You're out of luck. Stuck in a room? Oh well. Good luck with that. They may be rude, pushy, inconsiderate, and reluctant to give these people any time of day. While they won't outright attack those choosing redemption they certainly wont make life easy.
People who choose this path also wont be too favored by those in charge. While Lucifer will make it seem like he encourages redemption, the truth of the matter is that Hell requires sin to maintain and grow. In order to get special requests from Lucifer himself or higher tier housing upgrades, your character may be tempted into sin or bargaining. Their request may also take longer to get to or be denied several times before accepted.
But what good things come with choosing redemption?
As a character starts to show dedication and work toward the path of redemption they may begin to experience the following:
Corruption You're in Hell. Sinners are surrounded by temptation in every sense of the word. Events hone in on topics like jealousy, rage, and gluttony to name a few. Challenges lurk in every corner probing the mind to rehash trauma, fear, sorrows, and guilt. More tantalizing sins are found throughout: sex, drugs, and a promise of luxury awaits those who choose corruption. If you're already dead you might as well enjoy it, right?
Choosing the path of corruption is notoriously easier. The setting lends itself to an unfair and imbalanced system. Hell requires sinners to sin in order to grow. Which means that if you want immediate benefit, comfort, and entertainment, you can only receive this by falling to sin. Want the Hotel to open more doors? You need to sin. Want to uncover more about Hell itself? You have to sin. Hell feeds on sin. Many attractions are also by their nature sinful. Clubs promote promiscuity, indulgence, slothfulness, gluttony, and lust.
Likewise, favors and requests require sinning. While the demons tend to not particularly like anyone, there are several instances where character's have become quite friendly with the locals as it were. Overall, sinners are treated far better and they are more likely to grant small requests for those who choose sin. The same goes for special requests. For larger and more specific items and requests a resident must have a history of sin and sometimes, literally, strike a deal with the devil. While there are housing upgrades available for those who choose redemption, the more fancy suites are reserved for those who sin.
Sinners might not get to heaven this way and they may find themselves slowly turning into a demon, but hey. It's more fun!
The Middle Ground Technically there is a "middle ground", although people who chose to ride the thin line between redemption and corruption don't necessarily get either perks or experiences involved. If they don't sin enough, they won't be able to enjoy favors from staff or Lucifer himself nor the more comfortable upgrades to housing. If they don't work hard enough to redeem their soul, they won't get any protection or resilience to temptation either.
Demons will typically be fairly ambivalent toward these people and may be willing to trade or answer requests but it's a bit more difficult due demons not trusting those who haven't 'chosen a side'.
Furthermore, these pathways are never set in stone. A character can start in corruption, can even develop demonic features, and then have a change of heart where they choose redemption, the features fade, and their new path begins. Likewise this can happen reversely where a character works toward redemption and that path falls apart.
It's all up to you. Which path do you want to choose?