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NAME
Atem (Atum-Ra)
SPECIES
Egyptian God (Solar/Chthonic)
OCCUPATION
God-King (previously: Pharaoh)
CANON
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (Alternate Universe)
PRONOUNS
he/him/his
STATUS
Eternal
About.
After reaching the field of reeds, Atem uncovers the memories of his numerous past lives, revealing that his true identity extends beyond a Pharaoh who lost his life to protect his lands so long ago. He was perpetually caught an eternal battle between light and dark; a fierce protector of balance and justice. He was Atum-Ra; God of the dying sun. He has lived this life several times over; each time ending similarly with locking his memories and power away to contain an uncontrollable evil.
First impressions.
VISUAL. Despite his height (around 5'6"), Atem has a commanding presence. He possesses toned, athletic musculature and striking violet-red eyes. Like many Egyptian's of his time, his signature wild and intense hair is not authentic, as his real hair is plain dark and closely cropped. Atem's skin emits a subtle golden glow, particularly when exposed to sunlight.
FASHION. Atem's fashion is versatile, adapting to the time periods he inhabits. As a Pharaoh and God, his attire is predominantly white and violet, occasionally he's been known to wear black with red or black and gold. Atem is often embellished with numerous jewels, gold, and precious stones, but there is a practical aspect to his attire, featuring light and mobile designs with shoulder armor and a designated space to carry his khopesh.
DEMEANOR. At first glace, Atem is a more serious type who likes to get to the meat of things straight away. He's dignified, confident without boasting, honorable, and proud, yet calm enough for the most part. Though there is an intenseness to him, he emanates a warmth that feels protective - but there's much more running beneath this surface.
AURAL. His voice is deep, commanding, present, and surprisingly emotional. There's a power to it. When calm, it's warm and soothing, but when impassioned or angered, there's grit. Although his accent has faded, there is still some hint of it that comes out. If Atem is around those from his homelands and surrounding areas or gods, whether his own or not, a stronger accent can sometimes return. He can speak decent Japanese and English as well as most Arabic dialects new and old, coptic, and older languages lost to time.
Personality.
Atem is a character of complexity, encapsulating both light and darkness. At first, he seemed to have only a core drive remaining - the service of ma'at. Righteous, but ruthless - a stern judge, utilizing outdated and often lethal methods that no longer align with the current era. He was cold, calculating, and even cruel; a vigilante by modern standards. However, despite his unwavering commitment to justice, he has since grown - developing the capacity for a deeper sense of compassion, kindness, and unity - balancing his pride with a slice of that humble pie.
This said, Atem remains highly driven and can still be aggressive at times, willing to bend the rules or employ unconventional tactics to achieve his desired outcome or uphold what he believes is right if deemed necessary. He's confident, passionate, strong-willed and sharp-minded. He possesses bravery and cunning, and although he experiences deep emotions, he rarely allows them to cloud his sense of purpose and objectives. He will see things to the end. He will fight against the odds, until the very last breath, and sometimes needs to be pulled back from this bullheadedness.
A born and trained leader, Atem is comfortable making tough and sometimes unpopular or questionable decisions, though not all of them have been the right ones to make. Where once his choices would be taken as law, he now listens when someone questions him (usually); he accepts the possibility of error and sees others' input as valuable. (also usually). He seeks balance and understanding as much as possible. Despite his assertiveness and courage, Atem can be remarkably gentle. However, if provoked, or if what he values is threatened, he can display a formidable wrath. Atem is a skilled diplomat, military-minded, and a strong strategist. Despite retiring his deck (for the most part), he remains a great lover of games and competition.
While not quick to trust and somewhat reserved with the full scope of his person, his natural inclination is one of a protector and he aims to uplift others with light and warmth if sometimes a little on the tough love side. Who he is around one person might not be the same as who he is around another. Atem may seem humble by royalty or God standards, treating those around him and with great respect unless given reason to not, but his old-fashioned ideals and status do present themselves from time to time. He is stubborn, can be catty, and at times arrogant. His occasional playful and mischievous nature is contrasted by a restlessness hinting at an unfulfilled need, possibly stemming from the dark part within him.
Atem is a sun god and a chthonic god; a creator and a destroyer. While he embodies light, his deeper symbology is the dying sun, the light that lives in the darkness. More entertainingly, he's also not that well versed in more social occasions, although not hopeless. He's used to war and conflict. This can leave him to be a little awkward sometimes, shy, or out of place.
This said, Atem remains highly driven and can still be aggressive at times, willing to bend the rules or employ unconventional tactics to achieve his desired outcome or uphold what he believes is right if deemed necessary. He's confident, passionate, strong-willed and sharp-minded. He possesses bravery and cunning, and although he experiences deep emotions, he rarely allows them to cloud his sense of purpose and objectives. He will see things to the end. He will fight against the odds, until the very last breath, and sometimes needs to be pulled back from this bullheadedness.
A born and trained leader, Atem is comfortable making tough and sometimes unpopular or questionable decisions, though not all of them have been the right ones to make. Where once his choices would be taken as law, he now listens when someone questions him (usually); he accepts the possibility of error and sees others' input as valuable. (also usually). He seeks balance and understanding as much as possible. Despite his assertiveness and courage, Atem can be remarkably gentle. However, if provoked, or if what he values is threatened, he can display a formidable wrath. Atem is a skilled diplomat, military-minded, and a strong strategist. Despite retiring his deck (for the most part), he remains a great lover of games and competition.
While not quick to trust and somewhat reserved with the full scope of his person, his natural inclination is one of a protector and he aims to uplift others with light and warmth if sometimes a little on the tough love side. Who he is around one person might not be the same as who he is around another. Atem may seem humble by royalty or God standards, treating those around him and with great respect unless given reason to not, but his old-fashioned ideals and status do present themselves from time to time. He is stubborn, can be catty, and at times arrogant. His occasional playful and mischievous nature is contrasted by a restlessness hinting at an unfulfilled need, possibly stemming from the dark part within him.
Atem is a sun god and a chthonic god; a creator and a destroyer. While he embodies light, his deeper symbology is the dying sun, the light that lives in the darkness. More entertainingly, he's also not that well versed in more social occasions, although not hopeless. He's used to war and conflict. This can leave him to be a little awkward sometimes, shy, or out of place.
Backstory.
Prior to events in Yugioh: Duel Monsters Long ago, from the primordial waters, an entity rose from the darkness to bring light into existence. This entity was known as Ra. Soon, others followed. Deities of light and deities of dark. Some belong to the sky, some to the shadows, some dwelled beneath the surface. Many others followed, all keeping charge of various things. Time, love, vengeance, prosperity, and so forth. They created food, wildlife, flora, humans. This entity who rose from the darkness chose one person to grant access to their powers and represent their essence on earth, and that person was the Pharaoh.
Revered as light and justice, the Pharaoh would protect his sacred lands and bring balance, harmony, and growth to their people. This was true up until one particular Pharaoh let the darkness in. Akhnamkanon, faced by the fact that his armies were no match for the invading forces agreed to unlock a dark and terrible power on advice of his brother Akhenaden. While darkness has never been inherently evil, the darkness that was unlocked upon this day was. It was here where Ra, whose love for light ran so deep, chose to create an aspect of himself and place it within the soul of a human on earth. He became Atum-Ra, and the child was named Atem.
Revered as light and justice, the Pharaoh would protect his sacred lands and bring balance, harmony, and growth to their people. This was true up until one particular Pharaoh let the darkness in. Akhnamkanon, faced by the fact that his armies were no match for the invading forces agreed to unlock a dark and terrible power on advice of his brother Akhenaden. While darkness has never been inherently evil, the darkness that was unlocked upon this day was. It was here where Ra, whose love for light ran so deep, chose to create an aspect of himself and place it within the soul of a human on earth. He became Atum-Ra, and the child was named Atem.
YGO! DM - Post Dark Side of DimensionsFrom here, basically the same shit that happens in the canon does happen, only its happened several times, continually resetting until Atem can find a way to finally lock this darkness away for good. Time and time again he was forced to lock himself and this entity away to be reawakened on Earth and slowly uncover his purpose. Time and again - whether his time as Pharaoh is one day, a few weeks, or several years - he chooses a similar path. This time, however, when the world came to its conclusion and started again, he was going to choose a different path. He was going to choose compassion. At least, he was going to try.
Abilities.
Listen, before I try and make sense of this shit I just have to point out that a bunch of "powers" are vague bullshit? I mean, late 90's / early 00's amirite???
LIGHT & DARK. Atem is a being of both light and dark. He is a primordial being, a self-made God, and chose to become a being of light as he emerged from Nu's chaotic waters. Is he also Ra? Yes, and no. You're welcome for clearing that up. Those who can sense things would be able to sense both his warmth and that dark abyss within him. While dark does not necessarily mean evil it can be dangerous - with great power comes great risk, and a lot of Atem's magic is dark. This said, Atem has a strong resilience to dark magic but he can fall victim to darkness should it be strong enough. He can deflect and pierce through darkness and can banish the darkness in someone's heart. Atem can also survive in non-human realms easily.
INTUITION. Atem has divine intuition. He can sense the light and dark in a person's heart and can typically sense danger whether in his own future or if someone else is in trouble. This said, he knows when someone is calling out to him and can find them through this calling. He can also sense what someone is and whether they are associated with something or someone, depending. E.g. If someone is connected to another deity, or if someone is related to a person he's deeply connected with. He can also sense someone's power to some extent, the power of their heart and spirit, or other mythical powers although it might be a vague reading.
STRENGTH OF WILL. Also known as "heart of the cards", also known as "protag bullshit". We do often see this appear in "wow what are the odds I drew this card" sort of nonsense but we've seen it other ways, too. When he really needs something to happen, when things seem to be at the end of the end, his determination and will is so strong that he can alter reality towards a more favorable outcome or at least a less devastating one. This can apply to himself and others, lending them or himself the will to continue on against all odds. Strength of will can also be interpreted as granting others his characters of spirit. When someone is need, he can lend aspects of himself through influence. These things often come in terms of courage, determination, strategy, honor, and strength.
SHADOW MAGIC. The fun stuff!! As mentioned, Atem is a being of both light and dark. He possesses knowledge of something called shadow magic, dark and powerful magic that can lead to lethal consequences. While he still uses some of this magic, mostly in the communication, summoning, and control of ancient creatures, he no longer uses most of it - unless deemed absolutely necessary or backed up against a wall.
So what the fuck is shadow magic? Well, the "Shadow Realm" is basically the land of the dead. The Duat. He can bring people to the Duat and pull people out of the Duat. He can initiate penalty games - which aren't really games at all, the person challenged typically always loses, rip. He can reach out to and manipulate people's minds and souls - can create illusions and drive people to madness. He can also create illusions and imprint / trap people in these illusions infinitely.
Please read up on the Millennium Items and the Millennium puzzle if you please.GENERAL CRAP.
Military minded. He's strategic, and knows how to fight in more than just shadow duels or lower-stake games. Atem is well skilled in riding - he knows how to fight hand-to-hand, with spear, dagger, and khopesh. The small amount we've seen him fight combat he does seem to have that whole enhanced everything going on, as you do. Given the au has him as an aspect of Ra, he's reasonably Goes Hard Bruh.
Permissions.
BACKTAGGING. Yes, please. I can be quick sometimes and slow other times. That said, my interest or inspiration might wane if it's been awhile. In that case I might reach out- likewise, it's totally fine to reach out to me, or tag me somewhere else!
FOURTH WALLING. It's fine for people to know about Atum-Ra from Egyptian Mythology and whatnot, but I'd rather not have people point out that he's from some fictitious world.
THREAD HOPPING. I kinda love thread hopping, so its always fine by me unless something is a private thread and marked as so.
HANDWAVING. Totally fine if the thread has gone dry or inspiration has leaked but we still want to move forward. In this, I'm also totally okay with timeskipping.
PHYSICAL AFFECTION. He's not adverse to it, but he's not the most physical person until he really trusts and cares for someone. Part of this is the way he was raised and another part of it is that he's just actually a bit shy and awkward sometimes. rip.
ROMANCE/SHIPPING. I've been known to go sailing from time to time both canon and cross canon. Kinda love cross canon, tbh, esp if they are also deities or something of the like - bring me a Thoth, Osiris, or Seth (because who doesn't love a little drama) - but I have a big ol' list of canon ships. Observe.
OTP
- Atem/Kaiba
- Atem/Thief King Bakura (Yami Bakura)
Canon Also-Yes:
- Mai
- Anzu
- Isis
This said, I don't set sail straight away and typically need development and to get a feel for how we as writers jive and how our characters jive before locking it in, even if the ship is an otp.
OTP
- Atem/Kaiba
- Atem/Thief King Bakura (Yami Bakura)
Canon Also-Yes:
- Mai
- Anzu
- Isis
This said, I don't set sail straight away and typically need development and to get a feel for how we as writers jive and how our characters jive before locking it in, even if the ship is an otp.
SMUT. I'm fine with smut, though I vastly prefer for things to build to this point so we are both comfortable and know our writing styles and interests are aligned. Further, its worth noting that while Atem himself is not young, his body is of a young teenager. Adult in ancient times, not so much in modern times. If the spice seems to be on the rise but there are concerns, I'm also happy to FTB, discuss oocly, or whatever works best!
VIOLENCE/INJURIES/DEATH. He's a God and a King, absolutely he can fuck up some shit with his khopesh... or also get fucked up, so let's go. Totally fine with grave injuries, let's just check in with one another. I'm a slut for death scenes, too, and besides its not like he fuckin' stays dead so let's do it.
TELEPATHY & MIND-READING. Atem has gotten a better hand on his magic since he's grown but it's still very possible to read his mind and use telepathy with him. Let's just talk about it if its anything big!
