So, basically, writing a story that is supposed to be comedic, like Discworld. In my story follows an executioner who bungles the execution of the Dark One, and shatters the one Great Axe that can kill him, dooming the realm for eternity, and having him cast out as a pariah. This is a society where Dark Ones and divine weapons and such are identified and crafted, respectively, in a very efficient manner. Oftentimes, Dark One are discovered and killed at birth, and divine weapons are crafted years in advance. So, all that said, I'm thinking of one of two approaches, and looking for advice as to which one you think is better: The Original Story: My first idea is that the people who handle these prophecies are part of a secret society of executioners, and they resolve these matters in secret. When one of the more... idiotic members of the secret society tries to enchant the Great Axe with some "holy milk" he's acquired, the axe rusts, and when the executioner goes to use it, it shatters. My New Approach: This idea is very similar, except these sorts of matters are resolved publicly by a division of the government known as the "Department of Prophetic Efficiency (DOPE)." This is, of course, inspired by the real-life DOGE, and this idea has come about due to my frustrations as a federal worker. Anyways, when the king of the realm falls ill, the prince is named regent in his stead, and wants to make a big impression. One of the things he does is he creates a small group (the secret society) of yes-men, and gives them power over the DOPE. They're very inexperienced, and don't really know what they're doing, so when the prince exclaims that this execution will be the best that anyone has ever seen, and the Great Axe will be the sharpest ever made, the DOPE insists that the axe is sharpening well past the point of being too brittle, much to the executioner's protests. In both cases, the axe is messed with and shattered, but not sure which approach might be better. The whole DOPE thing actually came from a real set of magical regulations that I created to handle prophecies and Dark Ones and such in my stories, but not sure if this approach makes sense and isn't too convoluted here. Would love some feedback as to which one you think is better, and/or how each can be improved. Thanks! EDIT: Also, as idea #2 stands now, we start the story just after the DOPE has been taken over. Might it make more sense to have the DOPE approach my executioner, he agrees, and only after he's gotten to the city does the secret society come in and take over?
I have some thoughts. I will PM you as I will be going down a political tangent. (Also, sorry about your job.)
