#persona: shades

[talesofsonicasura]

Shades

The first Persona game I've experienced is funnily enough not Persona 5. My true start in a sense had been the quieter and homey air of Persona 4 Golden. Despite not being able to play it back then, the game left enough impression to get me invested in the series.

There is one particular part that stuck with me though. It was the idea of someone's Shadow becoming a Persona through acceptance. A very common occurrence as everyone in the game except for the Protagonist gone through this.

Most of the bosses in 4 is someone's Shadow who went berserk if their other half rejects them. Why you may ask? Because these are the manifestations of our inner darkness, a Doppelganger. Doppelgangers can be considered an already volatile powder keg to put it simply.

Personas are the opposite side of this very coin. An incredible power that can only be wielded when someone accepts their shadow half and can take many forms depending on the person. Or you might view it as a conduit for a summon if going for the demons route like in Shin Megami Tensei.

Shadows can become Personas and vice versa. Yet, what if there's a halfway point? Neither a Shadow or Persona but have the potential to become either depending on their choices.

An entity I will call a Shade. Beings stuck in the threshold between both paths and whose actions can determine what they become. Shades work on completely different rules though.

The creation process being the biggest difference as they don't originate from any variation of the Metaverse. Every Shade was once a human or non-cognitive being. From an entire person to even a body less soul.

All Shades are someone whose life or potential were completely shattered. Those that wish to move forward but can't without assistance. Shades can be created in two different ways.

First is Patronage where a Persona or Shadow offers to grant them this wish. The Shade born from such a process always takes after their 'Patron' in form and have similar abilities. EX: Shades whose Patron is Arséne often tend to share the Curse attribute alongside physical traits to him like horns, wings, or similar attire.

The second is Cognition Metamorphosis. A peculiar process where the potential Shade manifests their own form without a patronage. Their visage and abilities are based on the individual's inactive Shadow/Persona. Cognition Metamorphosis can only occur if the potential Shade has a strong spirit or in an area heavily linked to the Metaverse called a Transcendent Point.

The state of the person's body upon either transition is an important factor. Should a potential Shade not have one or it is too damaged then it'll take time to fully develop. Kinda like tadpole into frog.

An accurate comparison unlike those who do have an intact body. They fully emerge from it as a complete Shade. A process made easier and faster with their old body acting like a conduit or a chrysalis to be more accurate.

Now I can really delve into differences that Shades have when it compared to Persona and Shadows. These entities can be fully interacted by everyone outside of the Metaverse. Normal living beings are able to see, hear and even touch Shades without any issue.

This is because they aren't fully separated from the human realm until becoming either a Persona or Shadow. Although there will be complications though. Every Shade has a negative effect on a person's perception of them.

These tend to range from unable to say certain words, inability to hear their voice, or an unnatural villainization. A sometimes very volatile twist in perception as some individuals become unreasonably hostile to Shades that can affect them. Not everyone is susceptible to this negative shift though.

Shades are born with the ability to create Domains. Personal dens and places of safety that can be created by melding their power into an area. A pseudo Safe Room to put it simply. Domains can be adjusted by their respective Shade whether on purpose or personal growth towards their Persona/Shadow evolution.

If a Shade die, then their body and anything crafted by their powers disintegrate as erased from existence. How they become a Persona or Shadow also varies. The latter being more easier to achieve if a Shade looses themselves to inner darkness from sorrow to sheer malevolence.

In order to become a Persona, they have to find their goal. Whether it be a purpose, truth, or even a resolve. A Shade who manages to reach this particular goal then they become a Persona and can leave the mortal realm for the Sea of Souls. These two respective processes are called Ascension/Descension.

Persona born from Shades can remember their past lives with full detail and are able to return to the mortal realm if they formed a strong enough bond with an individual(s). Those that become Shadows hold no memories nor emotions other than the one which created them. It is highly advised to be ready for a vicious fight if encountered.

Shades have the ability to grant boons to non Persona users which can evolve over time, Crowning being the term. Animal like receivers become Familiars who could potentially transform into powerful Beasts called Dusks. People are blessed with powerful weapons, armor and even magic.

If the crowning Shade becomes a Persona then their familiars transition into Shades while Dusks become Persona. Items or magic transcend into much more powerful variations. Not the same can be said for the opposite.

If this Shade becomes a Shadow, then their familiars transition into unstable Shades and Dusks to volatile Shadows. Given items or magic become cursed making them very hazardous to the wielder. Even those around the gifted can be in danger if too close.

This is probably one of the few ideas that I already wrote for but never flesh out. For those wondering, it is a MHA/Persona fanfic on Ao3 called Incarnation. (One that needs to be updated as it's stuck in hiatus.)

If you guys want to try out this idea then go ahead. Make sure to link the page so any confusion can be confused and others could give a try. I'm always curious on what people can come up with!

[kekisu]

get out of that dusty attic and have a sleepover with your sister idiot

[lycancoffee]

Hey, Joker!!!

drawing of all the navis "helping" joker play a game ive been meaning to do 4ever

[graegrape-art]

pathetic cringe single therapists in your area. or something

[sevensistershigh]

oh shit they raised the amount of photos we can have in a photo post?

[sufroyo]

some p3/p4 portraits for fun! (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)

[eggs-can-draw]

Anybody else struggle w/ protags that you’re “supposed to project yourself onto”? Like. No. That isn’t me, that’s my buddy. I’m not the one going through this, they are, but we’re still in this together. They may be a vessel for my choices, but I’m still taking them into account when I make those choices.

I unno

[ronanxing]

andromeda's a big, wide open galaxy

[luuxxart]

i had the joker persona 5 sonic forces dlc and forgot to redeem it before it expired

[petorahs]

what matters most is how you bring joy to life, so 🎶

(happy birthday to one of the most well written characters in fiction, goro akechi 🫶 i gave him peony-resembling flower since it can symbolize long life, prosperity and belonging which is what i wish for him :] )

[cryptid-condor]

pose practice with everyone’s favorite guy

[junimo-hexed]

I swear the Laserhawk fandom is just Rayman fans who are mostly here for the weird little alien dude.

[just-posting-kalone]

Akihiko Sanada from the hit game Persona 3?!

[junesprince]

this one's for the 5 eritoshi and p5t fans

[juliasgoodusername]

the mortifying ordeal of being known

[quil12]

A few more of these