Power System Idea

Nght_Walkr said:
I put this on a JJK post because this series is what inspired me to create this idea in the first place. This is an idea that I have been working on. My goal is just to spread my idea around and see what others out there think so I can gain inspiration for the future. And with that let’s begin (it’s quite long, sorry haha)

My power system is called Strain, a stress based energy/source aligned with different states of mind and emotions.

People/civilians are always feeling stress in different types of ways and can be projected in different ways too. When someone goes through a specific event known as a ‘Trigger’ their stress starts to form around their body from head to toe appearing as a dark substance (like Symbiotes from Spider-Man). This substance is Strain in its pure form ‘Infecting’ their host and turning them into a ‘Virus’. In this form, a person loses their sense of self as well as the ability to speak, make choices, or even recognise people they know and love. They will attack other people indiscriminately by infecting them with their own Strain and causing them to become ‘Semi-Viruses’. The idea for them is, if they’re going down then they’re gonna take more people down with them in the hopes that they aren’t alone in this form/way. They are left in that form for around a day until they are fully consumed by their own Strain, and there is no chance of them returning back to human form.

There are people who can prevent civilians from transforming into Viruses, as well as eliminate them in case they can’t come to their senses, they are called ‘Anti-Bodies’. Anti-Bodies are individuals who can utilise Strain to handle Viruses. They develop Strain in a similar process to how a Virus forms, (it’s quite long, so I might elaborate if anyone finds it interesting) however internally they locate the origin of their Trigger and channel their stress (like cortisol) all over their body, through the ‘Incubation Period’ - how long it takes for the Strain to develop inside of someone.
After Incubation, the Strain is conditioned inside a person meaning that it doesn’t act out unless the user prompts it to act/be used. With this, Anti-Bodies are able to to do things that normal civilians can’t, whether it’s handling Viruses or any other kind of situation (which involves other people who can use Strain their own way called ‘Strain Users’)

One key thing about Strain, is that it is an “active energy” meaning it reacts to either the environment around them or feelings of their user/host; this shows that emotions correlate to Strain and how it acts.

Basic Skills:
Strain Users of any kind are able to utilise both their Strain and emotions hand in hand in order to perform certain feats. Here are a few things that they can perform using basic manipulation of Strain.

- Projection (Tōei, 投影)
This is a skill that allows one to extend their Strain outwards which creates an aura that other people can feel. This is used to help stun or deter Viruses and Strain Users if they become too much to handle, or simply as an intimidation tactic

- Channel (Chaneru, チャネル)
This skill allows a user to hone in on one specific emotion to bring out the most of one’s own Strain.
E.g. by channeling on your anger, you become much stronger

- Discharge (Taiin, 退院)
This is a skill that would be used a lot by Anti-Bodies. Discharge allows one to disperse/release built up emotions as an energy outside of their bodies. This allows them to reset their Strain levels back to the start and continue from where they once were (get to this part later)

- Corruption (Fuhai, 腐敗)
A bit of a dark skill/technique that’s utilised, Corruption allows one to force their Strain to have control over an object of their choice, therefore possessing their features and properties

- Sense (Sensu, センス)
By focusing their Strain on one of their 5 senses, a host/user can detect the Strain of any individual to highly accurate degrees. However, each of the 5 senses may require higher usage than each other

Stressors:
Everyone has a unique aspect of their Strain, meaning that there is no such thing as the same type of Strain. A way of demonstrating this is through an extension of one’s own Strain which is known as a ‘Stressor’

A Stressor is a unique ability that someone can utilise, and it comes under different categories. Generally, a Stressor is formed through these steps:

1. Experience a stress event during life, could be any day at any time etc…
2. The event ends but our ‘thoughts’ perpetuates it/keeps it alive
3. Forces one to keep thinking about that event over and over again, which as a result keeps the stress response active
4. This may predict certain things such as illnesses/conditions/Stressors
(This was partly based off a video I watched about stressors in general)

Stressors allow individuals such as Anti-Bodies to perform all kinds of different feats relating to Viruses and can be any sort of ability in relation to the Trigger of one’s initial stress.
(E.g. A person may be late for school, and that really bugged them following the event. So when their Stressor forms, they may obtain a time based ability so that (in their mind) they are never late/behind again)

Drawbacks/Limitations:
As mentioned above, Strain is an active/living energy meaning that it fuels itself on the emotions of their host/user; it is prone to attacking or interfering with the actions of the host/user whenever it pleases. As the stress of an individual grows, so does the power of the strain, especially when it comes to more negative emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, etc… If someone is in an agitated state while using their Stressor, it may hinder their actions while doing so; too much emotional activity will transform the user into a Virus, therefore killing them. The difference between them and civilians is that Anti-Bodies/Strain Users are already utilising their own Strain to maintain their own bodily functions and abilities; this added on top of transformation is simply too much for the human body to handle

For this there are 2 key features that a Strain User can use in order to counter Strain ‘creeping’ up on the user:
1- Users (like Anti-Bodies) are permitted to wear watch like objects called meters or monitors. They help calculate how active the Strain is inside of said person’s body during times of duress; this reading is also known as the ‘Activity Level’.
The reading would go from 1 - 100% (cause simplicity, and would look like this:
- 0-25% = safe area
- 25-50% = acceptable area
- 50-75% = risky area
- 75-85% = narrowing the gap
- 85%+ = *ALARM BELLS*

Because of this, the user needs to be wary of how they address a given situation. If they approach a Virus with a hyper/headstrong attitude, then their Strain would increase which leads to them burning themselves out and in turn, transform them into a Virus.

2- If by chance/circumstance a user of any kind find themselves in a position where they can’t calm themselves down and revert their Strain back to normal, then they will have to perform an extension method of Discharge called ‘Break-Even’. This is when all the energy/power that has been built up gets transformed into a powerful release that deals a devastating blow to the environment and anyone around the person using it. It calculates (not in maths terms because I hate maths) the cost of one’s Strain (what they build up) and then interest of the after effects (what they receive afterwards) Simply put:

Cost
= what the user loses/provides

Revenue
= the ability/special move that is gained, as well as a complete reduction or ‘cancel out’ of the creeping energy.

So in their terms: Strain Users will use up energy gained from both themselves and their Strain in exchange for a more powerful/deadly attack against the opponent, essentially making a deal with themselves

And with that, my partial explanation of my power system. I really hope you guys like the ideas that I’ve come up with. I have been thinking of this idea over the past 2 1/2-ish years and I had lots of fun researching different ideas from other anime, media in general and even concepts/beliefs in general.

My main inspirations were:
-Jujutsu Kaisen
-Bleach
-Fire Force
-Spider-Man (Symbiotes specifically)
-HunterXHunter
-Different theories/ideas such as Carl Jung’s Jungian Archetypes, Taoism, etc..,i

I have many more ideas in store such as different categories of Stressors based on internal/external influences, different types of Viruses that exist, even secret skills that can only be unlocked when at a certain point of stress or something like that.

Please share your thoughts and I’ll try to answer them if possible. Thank you! :)

Zarutaku said:
Your concept of a power system based on "Strain" is fascinating and has a lot of depth! It taps into emotions and the psychological implications of stress in a unique way, creating a narrative rich with potential for character development, conflict, and growth. Here are some thoughts and suggestions to consider as you refine and expand your idea:

Strengths of your concept:

Emotional Resonance: By linking powers to stress and emotions, you create a relatable framework. Readers can connect with characters who struggle with mental health or emotional challenges.

Clear Mechanisms: The mechanics of "Strain," including how it transforms individuals into Viruses or allows Anti-Bodies to manage the effects of stress, are well-defined. The idea of "Trigger" moments adds a compelling narrative element.

Diversity of Abilities: The variety of skills and Stressors allows for a vast array of character powers, making every user unique. This diversity can lead to interesting dynamics in team interactions and battles.

Consequences and Limitations: The drawbacks you’ve established create tension and stakes. The notion that emotional instability can lead to transformation into a Virus adds a layer of urgency to characters’ decisions.

Suggestions for further development:

Character Backstories: To enhance emotional investment, consider crafting detailed backstories for your main characters, focusing on their respective Trigger events and how they have shaped their Strain. This will help readers understand their motivations and struggles.

Stressor Categories: You mentioned exploring different types of Stressors based on internal/external influences. Elaborating on this aspect could enrich the lore. For instance, you could categorize Stressors into types like "Environmental," "Relational," or "Existential," each granting distinct powers.

Coping Mechanisms: To deepen the exploration of mental health, consider introducing coping mechanisms that characters can develop. Some might harness their Strain positively, while others might succumb to their Viruses, leading to potential redemption arcs.

Evolving Relationships: Explore how different characters with varying types of Strain interact. For instance, an Anti-Body encountering a Virus could lead to both conflict and opportunities for understanding, friendship, or redemption.

Visual Representation: If you envision this concept in a visual medium (manga, anime, etc.), consider how the appearance of Strain and Viruses could be differentiated artistically. Unique designs for each character’s Strain could make the visual storytelling even richer.

Expanding the Lore: Your mention of different types of Viruses and secret skills hints at a larger world. Consider how societies, organizations, or even governments react to the existence of Strain, Viruses, and Anti-Bodies. This could lead to themes of societal fear, discrimination, and acceptance.

Symbolism and Themes: Since your system is rooted in stress and emotions, leverage symbolism in character designs, settings, and plot points to reinforce themes of mental health, resilience, and personal growth.

Conceptual Conflict: Think about larger conflicts not just limited to physical battles against Viruses but ideological ones. For instance, should society treat Strain Users as heroes or threats?

Lastly, seek feedback:

Engaging with potential readers or fellow creators can provide valuable insights and help refine your idea. Consider starting a blog or social media account dedicated to your concept to share developments and receive feedback.

Your passion and thorough thought process shine through, and it’s clear you’ve invested a lot of creativity into developing this power system.