The Illusion of Danger

[Mickey Finn]

That the protagonist is in danger in fantasy noir (and most books, really) is an illusion...sometimes, in rare cases, they die, but usually you're really looking to see how they get out of the mess they're in.

Based on acknowledgement of this as a conceptual truth...how would you guys feel about a protagonist who cannot die? There's never any mortal danger (to the main character), and you know this up front, but there are plenty of other ways to mess with said main character.

How would you guys react to such a situation?

(And yes, this is more than just theoretical. It involves a project I'm working on.)

[XavierDLH]

I believe it could work out quite well.  In fact, I've seen a similar concept work in the old PC game, Planescape: Torment.

[pathele]

As a writer, I think that as long has the protagonist has something to lose (even if it isn't his life), then it could make for an good story.  But the key would be to make the reader care about the consequences and maybe the fact that he is immortal (ie, has to live with himself and his choices forever) could be used very effectively.

I think it would be harder to hook the reader, but could be worth the effort.

As a reader, I would be fine with it, as long as I felt that he was vulnerable in other ways. 

-paul

[Mickey Finn]

All powerful characters suck Yep, the point is to make them (more than one character will be 'cursed' with this) human.

I'll try to avoid alot of angst in the protagonists, though.

[James]

The one thing that I don't like in any multiple book series is that even though the protagonist maybe in the worst danger imaginable by the author you know 99% unless it's the last book in the series that he or she will not die. Some how the protagonist will get out of the peril they are in.

I had the same feeling when Harry was going to Artis Tor thinking 'oh he is going to somehow manage to save Molly from Mab's winter strong hold' but was gladly surprised with the twist.

So a protagonist that cannot die is certainly interesting, but like the ubove post whatever interupts the equilibrium of his or her world we must feel for his situation. Case in point is my thread on worst book in Mac's. The book I said had no mortal danager for the protagonist but the situation the author had put him in didn't really make me connect with the story or the main charactor.

[Amber]

Hmmmm... since the illusion of mortal danger does little for me, I don't think that setting someone up who you KNOW can't die would make that much difference.

I'd love to have an author surprise me at some point.

"He stared me in the eye and said, 'I'll shoot you if I have to.'  I reached for my gun, and..............."

[Donna]

I agree with Amber.  Since we know the protagonist almost never dies, having someone who's immortal doesn't lessen the suspense any if the characters are compelling and it's a good plot.

Immortality can be pretty hellish, when you think about it.  Most everyone around them will die, rather quickly from the immortal's perspective.  Maybe some of them have deadened their emotions towards mortals, avoiding them.  That might be a good hook for the protagonist; how he moves from indifference to caring, at least about one person.  Other immortals maybe play with mortals or use them -- regard them as disposable. 

And there are the problems immortals would have in dealing with each other.  I suppose they can avoid each other, but if they can't be killed, each one knows he's stuck with running into the others throughout eternity.  Grudges can get pretty intense.

[novium]

I don't know, I could be leery. However, if handled right, maybe.... especially if it was something hinted at yet still uncertain or mysterious.... I'm trying to think of examples where similar things have worked, and what has come to mind was- of all things- the x-files. Specifically, scully, and the references to the fact that she has no death. And there was that one episode where her death was "stolen" from her by the photographer who had lived 150 years, because he lost his (chance to die).  I guess the effective thing was that despite knowing that she was relatively safe as a main character, the viewer was never really sure...and scully believed she could be in mortal peril, as did others, so it never lessened the suspense. Just toyed with it a bit. Oh, I know I am rambling, but whatever.

[Mickey Finn]

"And there are the problems immortals would have in dealing with each other.  I suppose they can avoid each other, but if they can't be killed, each one knows he's stuck with running into the others throughout eternity.  Grudges can get pretty intense. "

Oh, yes. The name of the story is Chessmen. Said immortals like to come up with new ways to hinder each other.

[novium]

which book was that?

Case in point is my thread on worst book in Mac's. The book I said had no mortal danager for the protagonist but the situation the author had put him in didn't really make me connect with the story or the main charactor.

[Dayna Barter]

I think my enjoyment would depend on the overall story.  If done well, the fact that the character's immortal need not lessen any suspense in the story.  The trick is to still provide the character with a risk of losing something important.  If not his life, then another person, or an enterprise he's built, or a reputation... something that matters to him.

[James]

which book was that?

Case in point is my thread on worst book in Mac's. The book I said had no mortal danager for the protagonist but the situation the author had put him in didn't really make me connect with the story or the main charactor.

Rule Of Four

[Ghoulfish]

If the Protangonist doesn't die then it risks nothing unless it can possibly lose from the situation - like if you lose I kill your mortal friend, or a God who created a people and loved them and must fight to save them.

I guess the circumstances dictate if it could work or not.

[harryismyhero]

There's nothing wrong with a main character who's immortal. The main character from one of my novels I'm working on is an immortal half-vampire. ('Course, I'm not saying he can't die; he's immortal, not invulnerable. )

Personally, as long as the character is interesting and three dimensional, someone I can really get invested in and actually care about, I have no qualms about an author having an immortal character(s).

Of course, the thing I love about fantasy novels/TV shows is that, even if the main character dies, that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to stay dead. *cough*Buffy*cough* 

[Danielle/Evie]

I'm curious....what if there was a long series where at the end the protagonist does become evil? Would that be a terrible disapointment? If it was timed right I think it would be really interesting to create a likable character and slowly have him/her be tempted...or have him/her become evil more by accident or anything else, like they get into a bad position for a heroic reason?