#project underworld

Me again! Writing this a whole 15 minutes after I finished the last one. (last journal entry) I kinda figured that with all the talk about how I'm a writer and that I'm going to work on my novel over break (Easter Break) and just how much I talk about my novel in general, I might as well write what it's about!

⚠️WARNING⚠️: I don't have much aside from the characters set in stone and no real written/drafted plot. I plan to work on that. (Yes, real work, not procrastinating)

"Project Underworld" is a work-in-progress title. A writing YouTuber that I watch a lot of videos from, Ana Neu, titles all her WIPs as "project" and then something relating to the story. Since my main setting is The Underworld, I decided to go with that. I also follow how Ana does her character charts. But before we get into our cast, we need to know what the story is about!

I don't currently have a set-in-stone plot for Project Underworld, but I know some of the things I want in it, so I'll try to string something together.

The story focuses on Hades, King of the Underworld and Greek God of the Dead, and the setting of the Greek Underworld. Hades rules his kingdom with his wife Persephone for half of the year. Others who work in the House/Palace of Hades are Hecate, the Goddess of Witchcraft and Crossroads; Charon, the ferryman who takes souls over the River Styx; and Thanatos, the God of Peaceful Death. (There are others, but these are some main ones) Thanatos is especially important as one of my main characters. While being the God of Peaceful Death, he is also the Lieutenant of Hades, his right-hand man, and the best (read: only) friend of the King of the Underworld.

To get back to the plot, the story has a heavy tension bulid and suspense as things slowly go wrong in the Underworld, and that someone seems to be willing to stop at nothing to get back at Hades. Everything builds up as the actions get darker and more sinister, reaching a shocking plot twist that Hades's own wife, Persephone, with the aid of Charon, are behind it all.

Stuff happens, giant battle, grief, etc etc... leading to an ending that sets up a second book in the series-Apollo, God of just about everything under the sun (and including it, believe me) has gone missing, and his twin sister Artemis, needs Hades and his right-hand's help.

The story has some dark scenes and themes, but also lighthearted moments. I'm thinking about doing two POVs-one of Hades’s and one of Thanatos’s-maybe even a friends-to-lovers situation for them. Many of the main characters-notably Thanatos, Hades, and Apollo-come from rough pasts. But, enough on that. Let's meet the cast! And I'm just doing my main(ish) ones in order on my character Google Doc.

Thanatos: Thanatos, nicknamed "Than" and "Little Death" by Hades or "Thanny/Thannycake" by his older twin brother Hypnos, is about 22 (the gods are thousands of years old but can appear whatever age they choose) with black or silvery hair and gold or silver eyes. (Still working on it) He's sometimes quiet and reserved due to his trauma, but around others he's kind, bold, and a little reckless. He has large, black, angel-like wings and often wears his scythe pendant, which is a necklace given by Hades that matches Than's own scythe. It stands as a reminder of all he went through to get where he did and of his job. Thanatos also had a plushie replica of himself in the classic black robes of the stereotypical Grim Reaper and was a birthday gift from Hades. His fatal flaw is his past.

Hades: Hades, with the nicknames "H" by Thanatos and "Hade" (rhyming with "shade") from his two younger brothers, appears as roughly 24, with pale olive skin and dark black hair. His eyes are a dark purple, almost black, that matches the rest of his kingdom. He can be a bit impulsive and protective, but mainly he is very stoic and introverted. He wears suits like it's the only clothes he owns, as well as his wedding ring. The ring is kept even after the betrayal and later divorce. He's a work-heavy person and is an interesting character. His fatal flaw is impulsivity and holding grudges.

Apollo: Apollo is Hades’s nephew through his brother Zeus. His nicknames include "Little Sun" by Thanatos, "Sunbeam" by Hades, "Sunshine," "Phoebus" by Artemis, "Phoebes" by Hermes (kinda pronounced as one word) "Sundrop" by all of Apollo’s siblings, and "Pollo" by Artemis. He's 16-17ish, with tan skin, sandy blonde curls, and bright-blue eyes. He has a giant sun plushie that Artemis gave him, as well as a sun pendant to go with her moon one. While the literal sun god should be happy, energetic, and, well, a ray of sunshine-trauma has made Apollo timid, quiet, and skittish. Despite it, he is still sentimental and kind. His fatal flaw is love.

Persephone: Persephone is an interesting character. She appears as younger than her husband, who uses the nickname "Seph" for her. The interesting part if her character is that due to her two domains, I've given her two different appearances. Persephone keeps her tanish skintone, but in the spring and summer when she is above on the earth as Goddess of Spring, her hair is a dirty blonde/strawberry blonde and her eyes a greenish blue. When the fall and winter comes and she goes home to Hades, her hair and eyes go to a deep brown. She is kind and loving, but as the story goes on, it changes. Her fatal flaw is temptation. (May change appearence)

Charon: Charon is a bit of an older character, around 30s-40s. He doesn't have any nicknames, but many know him as "The Ferryman." He is mysterious, with a gaunt and pale appearence, greying black hair, and dark eyes. Those who know him say he's irritable, grumpy, and angry. Charon aids Persephone in her betrayal of Hades. He does not yet have a fatal flaw.