Ixthos Posted November 2, 2022 Report Share Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) Welcome ladies, gentlemen, and kandra of all generations, and a special welcome to those doing NaNoWriMo! Welcome to the Flexiprompts! The idea behind this is to provide a couple of flexible, variable writing prompts, so that two people can both use the same prompt and yet get somewhat different writing suggestions. The way it works is you either choose a prompt from below or let some dice decide on the prompt for you, and then fill in the variable fields based on the result of further dice rolls, taken from the list below each prompt. I hope you find these ideas interesting, and I hope your writing goes well! So, grab a d6 (six sided dice), roll it (or ask Google to roll for you), or choose from the following: If you rolled a 1 or 2 go to to Spoiler Box A If you rolled a 3 or 4 go to Spoiler Box B And if you rolled a 5 or 6 go to Spoiler Box C Spoiler Box A Spoiler The Frustrated Horror Monster A(n) [A1] is terrorising a [A2], and it has set its sights on murdering a specific group of people in particular. However, the monster is frustrated, as the hero of the story [A3], and figures out that the monster wants to kill them and the rest of that group. Over time the monster becomes [A4], and decides to [A5], while the hero's resolve to defeat it continues to grow. The story is from the POV of [A6]. Options: [A1] 1 - Vampire 2 - Werewolf 3 - Ghost 4 - Revenant 5 - Living nightmare 6 - Alien [A2] 1 - Village 2 - City 3 - Camp 4 - Research facility 5 - Military unit 6 - Family line [A3] 1 - Is in a time loop, resetting whenever they die 2 - Is immortal 3 - Can't feel fear - at all 4 - Carries something which hurts it and it can't get near them 5 - Is themselves a monster (reroll on the [A1] list for the type) 6 - Is really, impossibly, supernaturally, lucky [A4] 1 or 2 - More and more frustrated 3 or 4 - Afraid of the hero 5 or 6 - Apathetic [A5] 1 or 2 - Flee 3 or 4 - Try even harder 5 or 6 - Change tactics [A6] 1 - The monster 2 - The hero 3 or 4 - A side character 5 or 6 - (reroll twice and pick two different options, rerolling any reroll that lands on a previous option or this one again) Spoiler Box B Spoiler The Corrupted Artefact A [B1] of the hero has found [B2], and it seems to have [B3], and releasing [B4], and so the hero must [B5] and [B6] to stop the disaster. The story is from the POV of [B7]. Options: [B1] 1 - Old friend 2 - Rival 3 - Love interest 4 - Mentor 5 or 6 - (reroll twice more and combine the two together, for example an old friend who is also their rival. If this option is landed on three times then combine all roles together) [B2] 1 - A genie's lamp with a malevolent genie 2 - A magical, non-sentient sword 3 - A gem that has replaced their heart 4 - An enchanted suit of armour 5 - A crown 6 - A musical instrument they are now constantly playing [B3] 1 or 2 - Driven them mad such that they don't realise what they are doing 3 or 4 - Turned them evil, or revealed their truly evil nature 5 or 6 - Put them in a coma while it puppets their body [B4] 1 - A growing zombie army 2 - A deadly plague 3 - Mind controlling dust 4 - A growing storm 5 - Immortal warriors 6 - (reroll twice more and use the two together, for example a zombie army surrounded by a storm. If this option is landed on four times then combine all roles together) [B5] 1, 2, or 3 - Infiltrate where the magical artefact (and their old friend / rival / love interest / mentor) is 4, 5, or 6 - Lure them into a trap [B6] 1 or 2 - Kill their old friend / rival / love interest / mentor 3 or 4 - Break the artefact 5 or 6 - Take control of the artefact, at the risk of suffering their old friend / rival / love interest / mentor's fate [B7] 1 or 2 - The old friend / rival / love interest / mentor 3 or 4 - The hero 5 or 6 - An omniscient narrator Spoiler Box C Spoiler The Alien Space Ship During the [C1] somewhere in [C2] during [C3], an alien space ship [C4] some distance away from the nearest settlement, and the curious humans send someone (or a small team) to investigate. The story is from the POV of [C5], who must face [C6] along the way and / or on board the ship. Options: [C1] 1 - Stone Age 2 - Bronze Age / Iron Age 3 - Middle Ages 4 - Renaissance 5 - 1800s / 1900s 6 - 2000s (Modern) [C2] 1 - Africa 2 - Asia 3 - Australia 4 - Europe 5 - North America 6 - South America [C3] 1 or 2 - War / Cold War 3 or 4 - Famine / Plague 5 or 6 - Time of peace and prosperity [C4] 1 or 2 - Crashed 3 or 4 - Landed 5 or 6 - Was uncovered (having been long buried) [C5] 1 or 2 - a human 3 or 4 - an alien 5 or 6 - a human and an alien [C6] 1 - rival humans to the team, or fellow members of the team 2 - local dangerous animals 3 - alien creatures 4 - the ships security systems 5 or 6 - (reroll the dice twice, selecting two options now, and reroll only one dice if you have already landed on this option previously) Good luck, and I hope you enjoy! Edited December 14, 2022 by Ixthos 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AltonicKeys Posted November 3, 2022 Report Share Posted November 3, 2022 Dang, this is really cool! Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medium Posted November 3, 2022 Report Share Posted November 3, 2022 yoooo this is siiiiiicik 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ixthos Posted November 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2022 (edited) Welcome back to the Flexiprompts! Today well be continuing similarly as before, though perhaps, maybe, we'll see if subsequent ones are so straightforwards! This time the prompts are a bit more themed, so to speak. There are four here now, with two fantasy themed (with possible science fiction elements), and two science fiction themed (with possible fantasy elements). Two are based on classic genre tropes with a twist added, and two are a little more exotic. Each of the prompts will also involve rolling at least one of the options twice for two different characters or groups. These options will be listed with an asterisk* next to them. I hope you enjoy! So, once again, grab a d6, or use Google's dice roll function, and choose from the following: If you rolled a 1 go to to Spoiler Box A If you rolled a 2 go to Spoiler Box B if you rolled a 3 or 4 go to Spoiler Box C And if you role a 5 or 6 go to Spoiler Box D Spoiler Box A Spoiler The Fallen Chosen One (Fantasy Twist) The Chosen One, a(n) [A1], the only one who fits the ancient prophesies, who is destined to fight and defeat [A2], is suddenly [A3], and so (one of) their [A4], a(n) [A1]* and the people's best hope to survive with the Chosen One unable to fulfil their role, must [A5]. The story is from the POV of [A6]. Options: [A1] 1 - Young man (teens to early twenties, thirties in a pinch) 2 - Young woman (teens to early twenties, thirties in a pinch) 3 - Middle aged man (approximately 45 to 65) 4 - Middle aged woman (approximetly 45 to 65) 5 - Old man (70+) 6 - Old woman (70+) [A2] 1 - A conquering kingdom 2 - Orcs or their equivalent 3 - A dark wizard 4 - An evil deity / eldritch horror 5 - (reroll twice, and combine the two together as separate enemies working together, such as a conquering kingdom allies with orcs) 6 - (reroll twice, and combine the two together into a single enemy, such as an army made up of dark wizards, all of whom are orcs) (Note: if you land on one of the last two options, and then land on the second with one of the rerolls, combine them however you see fit.) [A3] 1 - Killed 2 - Revealed to be a traitor working with the enemy (though they are still indeed the actual Chosen One) 3 - Discovered to be a fraud 4 - Flees from fear or stress (though they are in deed the actual Chosen One) 5 - Rendered too ill or wounded to continue, though they are still alive 6 - Kidnapped by the enemy [A4] 1 - Mentor(s) 2 - Student(s) 3 - Parent(s) 4 - Child(ren) 5 - Lover(s) 6 - Rival(s) (Note, if the ages involved cause an issue, for example with parents and children, either reroll their age, choose an appropriate age, or consider methods around it, such as an old child for a young individual due to time travel or one of them was under a magical sleep spell for decades) [A5] 1 - Step up and try to fill the role of the Chosen One, even though the prophesies don't apply to them 2 - Try to resurrect / redeem / legitimise / recover / heal / rescue the Chosen One 3 - Lead the people to safety away from the threat, as without the Chosen One it can't be defeated 4 - Flee 5 - Join the villain 6 - Initially hang back, and refuse to get involved, watching as the people struggle, until they [A5]* (reroll on this table, and reroll again if you land on this option) [A6] 1 or 2 - The mentor / student / parent, etc. 3 or 4 - The Chosen One (if dead it is their ghost observing. If captured, perhaps their magic lets them see what is happening) 5 or 6 - The villain or one of the villains Spoiler Box B Spoiler The Ultimate Frontier (Science Fiction Twist) While exploring space, an explorer / team of explorers in the form of [B1] from a society of [B2] detects strange readings from a [B3], and upon navigating the hazards and challenges associated with that environment, it discovers that the source is a [B1]* from a different society of [B2]*, who have a message: [B4]. The explorer(s) from the first civilisation know this message will not be welcomes by their people, because [B5]. Either way, something must be done. This story is told from the POV of [B6] Options: [B1] 1 - Robotic probe 2 - Loan individual and their ship 3 - Small team 4 - Large, advanced ship 5 - Fleet of ships 6 - (reroll twice, and combine roles such that the "smaller" group is the advanced scouts of the larger, so a probe sent by a small team, or a loan individual who is part of a fleet) [B2] 1 or 2 - Entirely human (or entirely one species of alien) cyberpunk society, mostly on Earth (or Earth-equivalent) but a few colonies in other star systems 3 or 4 - Entirely human (or entirely one species of alien) post-scarcity utopia, spread throughout the galaxy and possibly beyond 5 - Mixture of human and alien in a cyberpunk society (as above) 6 - Mixture of human and alien post-scarcity utopia (as above) [B3] 1 - Barren moon / barren planet (by the standards of the civilisation) 2 - Lush moon / lush planet (by the standards of the civilisation) 3 - Gas / ice giant 4 - Star 5 - Black hole 6 - Nebula, or any other stellar phenomena you like, like a pulsar or neutron star [B4] 1 - The engines of the first civilisation are damaging another world / the worlds of the second civilisation 2 - Something dangerous is coming that has already consumed the second civilisation, and it is heading for the first 3 - The first civilisation's society is based on a lie, and the truth must be told 4 - The second civilisation has come to absorb the first civilisation into itself / conquer the first civilisation - and they have the means to do so 5 or 6 - (reroll twice, and combine both options. If this option is landed on again, then reroll once so that only two options are chosen) [B5] 1 or 2 - The explorers from the first civilisation know the government is corrupt and would either suppress the message or try to profit from it, or just save themselves, sacrificing the rest of their civilisation 3 or 4 - The changes this will bring, or which would be required to stop the problem, would destroy the first civilisation 5 or 6 - The explorers don't believe the message, and know no-one else among their people would either (the message may or may not be true - roll again, and if the result is a 1, 2, or 3, the message is actually true despite what the explorers think. If it is a 4, 5, or 6, it is a lie) [B6] 1 or 2 - The first civilisation's explorers (if multiple levels, roll a second time - if the number is a 1, 2, or 3, use the "smaller" group in the chosen explorer group, such as the probe if the probe was one of the options. If you role a 4, 5, or 6, choose the larger group, such as the fleet if the fleet was one of the options) 3 or 4 - The second civilisation's emissaries or vanguard (as above, if multiple levels roll a second time, and if you roll a 1, 2, or 3, use the "smaller" group in the chosen emissaries or vanguard group, such as the probe if the probe was one of the options. If you role a 4, 5, or 6, choose the larger group, such as the fleet if the fleet was one of the options) 5 or 6 - A member of the higher ups in the first civilisation, hearing the full report, including the challenges the explorer group faced Spoiler Box C Spoiler The Other Side (Twist on Fantasy) A (or the equivalent of a) [C1] from a [C2] has just died, and finds themselves in the afterlife, which might come as a bit of a shock, because [C3]. Things are not peaceful in the afterlife, however, as although they want to [C4], two events, being a [C5], have brought chaos to the (or their part of) the afterlife, and so they must find a way to either end the conflict / danger, or survive it. During their time in the afterlife, and possibly along the way if they are travelling, they meet several individuals, at least one of whom is a [C1]* from a [C2]*, as well as someone else from their own world. The story is from the POV of the person who is now in the afterlife and is told in the [C6]. Options: [C1] 1 - Noble 2 - Commoner or craftsman 3 - Soldier 4 - Scientist 5 - Priest 6 - (reroll twice and combine the roles) [C2] 1 - Fantasy world 2 - Post-scarcity science fiction utopia 3 - Cyberpunk world 4 - Modern world 5 - Primitive world 6 - (reroll twice, and combine the two together, for example a cyberpunk world that has collapsed into a stone-age society) [C3] 1 or 2 - They believed in a different sort of afterlife than the one they find themselves in 3 or 4 - They believed in reincarnation 5 or 6 - They didn't believe the afterlife existed [C4] 1 - Explore 2 - Settle down 3 - Find a specific loved one who died before them 4 - Find a way to return to life 5 or 6 - (reroll twice and use both goals, such as explore to find multiple loved ones, or settle down while finding a way to return to life) [C5] - NB: roll twice on this table and use both events. If you get the same result twice, reroll one of them. 1 - There is a civil war in the afterlife 2 - There are dangerous monsters terrorising the dead 3 - Beings from another world - possibly a living world - are invading 4 - The rulers of the afterlife, or this part of the afterlife, have gone missing 5 - Many of the dead are seeming to vanish, which may or may not be a good thing, but frightens many 6 - Many of the dead are becoming empty shells [C6] 1 or 2 - First person 3 or 4 - Second person (i.e. "You," the reader being the main character who finds themselves in the afterlife) 5 - Third person limited 6 - Third person omniscient Spoiler Box D Spoiler The Teleporter (Twist on Science Fiction) The trial run of an experimental teleportation device, able to access other universes, designed and built by [D1], has produced an unexpected result: it has formed a two-way connection to a [D2], ruled by an evil force, and not only can't it be turned off, but it also [D3]. This is a problem, and [D4]. To do this, the designer(s) must (all, or at least the POV characters) [D5]. Fortuitously, in the other world, or among the worlds, accessed by the device, the designer(s) find at least one, and possibly more, people or teams that are the equivalent of [D1]*, who seem the best bet to help them solve the problem ... if they can be trusted. The story is from the POV of the lead designer and is told in the [D6]. Options: [D1] 1 - A mad scientist / engineer 2 - A team of university students 3 - A small company 4 - A large, very wealthy company 5 - A government team of researchers 6 - (reroll twice, and combine the two roles such that the "smaller" is working for the larger, so a mad scientist working with a team of university students, or a small company hired by a government research department. Otherwise, if you land on this option four times combine all the roles together) [D2] 1 - A much more advanced world, with powerful technology much more advanced than that of the portal builders 2 - A fantasy world, with magic that can do some of what technology cannot, and which can't do some of the things technology can 3 - A parallel timeline, where events unfolded just a little differently 4 - A completely alien world 5 - (reroll twice, the teleportation device is linked to a world that combines the traits of two of the previously mentioned, such as an utterly alien world that was the result of a parallel timeline combining with an alien dimension, with small pockets of normal space where humans can live. If you land on this or the following option again, mix and match as you see fit) 6 - (reroll twice, the teleportation device is now linked to two worlds simultaneously. If you land on this option again. If you land on this or the previous option again, mix and match as you see fit) [D3] 1 - It jumps around randomly on the other side, and not all locations in that world as safe 2 - It jumps around space randomly on this side, and the area affected by random portals or teleportation is growing 3 - It brought something dangerous here before the portal could be secured 4 - It accidentally teleported something valuable from here to the other (or another) universe, that item now taken beyond the range of the portal 5 or 6 - (reroll twice and use both results simultaneously. If you land on this option three times combine all the results together) [D4] 1 or 2 - The teleporter must be deactivated or brought back fully under control, and any damage mitigated 3 or 4 - The teleporter must be destroyed 5 or 6 - The other world must be understood, as it is impossible to sever the link now [D5] 1, 2, or 3 - Go through the teleporter into the other world or worlds 4, 5, or 6 - Stay in the lab [D6] 1 or 2 - First person 3 or 4 - Second person (i.e. "You," the reader being the main character who designed and built the teleporter) 5 - Third person limited 6 - Third person omniscient Hope you find this fun and I hope it gives you some ideas for writing. Good luck! Edited November 8, 2022 by Ixthos Fixing beginning section 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AltonicKeys Posted November 8, 2022 Report Share Posted November 8, 2022 Ooo modern priest and a sci-fi soldier character dynamic, fun! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ixthos Posted November 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2022 Welcome back once again to the Flexiprompts! Today's list is smaller than last time, being only two prompts, but I hope to also use this time to give a brief summary of what I'd like to do with some of the future posts. If you're interested, read the spoiler box below. Otherwise, feel free to skip to the dice rolling section! Spoiler I have a lot of real life commitments as well as have an entry I'm still meaning to post in the general religious discussion thread, so I probably will only be posting in this thread once or twice a month for the next while, but God willing, the plan is for the next few posts to do the following: A few subplot prompts to add to a story or to combine together, such as Romance subplot Mystery subplot Trauma subplot Action subplot Comedy subplot Some setting prompts - precise division to be determined, but covering Cultures Magic - likely at least two, the prompts covering seed ideas and internal dynamics Aliens and Species World and Ecosystems And then back to some more plot prompts - possibly more science fantasy related as well as more mystery based plots If you are interested in prompts along any lines other than those mentioned here, please feel free to let me know, and I'll see if I can work some in. Now, on to the prompts! So, once again once again, grab a d6, or use Google's dice roll function, and choose from the following: If you rolled a 1, 2, or 3, go to to Spoiler Box A If you rolled a 4, 5, or 6, go to Spoiler Box B Spoiler Box A Spoiler The Retired Detective Mystery A retired detective, [A1], has been killed. A [A1]* who [A2], decides to investigate, even though [A3]. Along the way [A4] and [A5]. The POV of the story is [A6]. (Optional: The story has a twist in the form of [A7].) Options: [A1] 1 - An old plainclothes detective 2 - A uniformed sergeant who walked a beat 3 - A wealthy eccentric 4 - A kindly old man or woman with no formal training, but much success when they involved themselves in mysteries 5 - A supposed (and possibly genuine) "psychic" 6 - Young amateur sleuth (for murder victim roll they still are retired, it is just that they retired very young) [A2] 1 - Was a friend of theirs 2 - Believed the victim was secretly a murder 3 - Was either raised by them, were raised together, or raised them 4 - Had a romantic relationship at one time that ended 5 - Was either their debtor or their creditor 6 - (reroll twice and use the two new results together - if you land on this one again, just reroll that roll once) [A3] 1 - They are forbidden from investigating, or it is illegal for them to investigate 2 - They are sick and should be resting 3 - They have to travel far to investigate, as their home is in a different city or country 4 - They have another case 5 - They can only investigate it from a distance, and can't directly interview anyone or visit the scene, requiring external assistance 6 - They themselves are a suspect [A4] - NB: Roll twice on this table and use both results. If you land on the same result twice then that even happens at least twice, or twice at once. 1 - There is an attempt made on the investigator's life 2 - They discover a secret from the life of the victim that reverses their opinion of them (good or bad) 3 - Someone drugs the investigator 4 - The evidence goes missing 5 - The investigator is kidnapped 6 - (reroll on this list twice more, and use both results) [A5] - NB: Roll twice on this table and use both results. If you land on the same result twice then that even happens at least twice, or twice at once. 1 - There is a second (or third, etc.) victim 2 - A suspect dies 3 - The investigator is accused of the murder 4 - The investigator is framed for another crime 5 - The death of the victim turns out to be a VERY small part of a much larger web of crimes 6 - (reroll on this list twice more, and use both results) [A6] 1 - The investigator (standard Whodunit) 2 - A newspaper tracking the events, or gathering the information after the fact 3 - The murderer (Columbo-style Howcatchem) (if no true murder (see [A7] - Note) then whoever is the main, hidden to the detective, antagonist) 4 - The victim (if truly dead (see [A7] - 1) then this POV is of their ghost, who may or may not remember who killed them) 5 - A third party with the detective (a la Watson for Sherlock Holmes, or Hastings for Poirot) 6 - From an omniscient narrator [A7] 1 - The victim didn't actually die, and either faked their death or was kidnapped 2 - The death was a suicide, not murder (can still be motivated by the actions of someone else) 3 - The victim's death was an accident, either on their own part, or one someone else's 4 - The investigating detective is actually the murderer OR someone close to them who was helping investigate 5 - The victim wasn't the intended victim 6 - Two separate murder plots collided (Note, for any of the non-murder or accident scenarios, the twist can also be expanded so that the death was made to look intentional afterwards, thus a third party wanted the death to be investigated or seen as a murder.) Spoiler Box B Spoiler The Alien Zoo Escape The Alien zoo - in the form of a space ship - has a new exhibit: [B1] who [B2]. Naturally, they don't take kindly to being imprisoned, and resolve to escape. This is difficult, however, because [B3] and [B4]. To escape, they will need the help of two other prisoners, being a(n) [B1]*, and a(n) [B5] who [B2]*. Together, they [B6] (Optional: before they eventually [B7]). Use any POV you like. Options: [B1] 1 - An elf 2 - A dwarf 3 - An orc 4 - A golem 5 - A world's Dark Lord 6 - (reroll twice and combine the natures - for example, a half-orc half-elf, or an elf Dark Lord, or a golem made by or in the image of an orc, etc. rerolling only once if this option is landed on again) [B2] 1 - Is an undead ghost, revenant, or vampire (for a golem (or sword - see [B5]), it could be someone revived as a golem or sword, or the ghost of a golem or sword if the golem or sword had some sort of spirit, or the golem or sword has some sort of vampiric properties) 2 - Conquered their world 3 - Is a refugee from their world subsequently kidnapped by the aliens 4 - Was long dead or dormant but revived by the aliens 5 - Is very skilled with magic 6 - (reroll twice and use both results, up to a maximum of three rerolls) [B3] 1 or 2 - The aliens know exactly what they are dealing with 3 or 4 - The aliens inadvertently stumbled upon the main prisoner's weakness in making the exhibit 5 or 6 - The aliens plan to eliminate them once the exhibit grows tiresome for them [B4] 1 - The zoo is in deep space, far from the world the prisoners came from 2 - Is in another universe or timeline than the one the prisoner came from 3 - They have been stripped of whatever items they typically would have had to aid them 4 - There is an anti-magic in effect in the zoo 5 - They also brought the arch-nemesis (either an individual or members of the species) of the prisoner along as well 6 - (reroll twice and use both options - reroll a maximum of three times) [B5] 1 - Sentient sword or other weapon 2 - Old ally of the prisoner from their world 3 - Old enemy of the prisoner from their world 4 - Alien from a different species to their captors 5 - Alien of the same type as those that imprisoned them 6 - (reroll twice and combine both options, such as an old ally who became an enemy, or their captors are symbiotic) [B6] 1 or 2 - Escape - but leave the zoo intact 3 or 4 - Escape - and destroy the zoo 5 or 6 - Take control of the zoo [B7] 1 or 2 - Turn on one another 3 or 4 - Crash the ship (either before or during their attempt to escape - and possibly destroy it - or take control) 5 or 6 - Seek out the alien home world I hope whoever is reading this is having a great day, and I hope you have a wonderful week! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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