What is the antithesis of absolute power?

[Jo Zebedee]

If a mage/magician who never wanted their power was free of it what might they want instead? If they were someone who could have held a galaxy or a world but did a Dirty Harry what would they prefer? What would be satisfying for you to see the hero seek at the end that isn't power?

 

[barrett1987]

One way of doing this trope, is to take the guys efforts to leave the power and put him in a job/situation which mirrors what he once had

For example, a gardener. If he walked away from the power to hold the galaxy in his hand there is an inside nod if he instead becomes a gardener, in a way he holds the galaxy of the flower in his hands.

I read that somewhere and it was explain far better than i just did but i hope you get it. Just one take.

 

[ratsy]

Love. Leave it for love.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Could the mage not have to also give up an artefact of the power? A sort of side benefit? And have to deal with the tension of that longing vs the freedom? Just idea...

Other than that I would say something to do with family.

Or a pair of True Religion jeans

pH

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Inner peace. Personal freedom. You wouldn't get either of those while holding power over a world or a galaxy -- not if you were the kind of person who could walk away.

 

[Parson]

You walk away because you know that your power is hurting others, and so you make a great personal sacrifice. The greatest heroes are the ones who give the most.

 

[hopewrites]

You walk away because you know that your power is hurting others, and so you make a great personal sacrifice. The greatest heroes are the ones who give the most.

I wouldn't give up my absolute power in those circumstances as there is no guarantee my successor wont be worse.

But to the question; a small life. Hermitage or the like. Home and family if such is still possible after such a fall.
I cant imagine it not being perceived as a fall by many "he had all that power and he gave it up for what? Oh the folly." Scorn and power would (I expect) follow him where ever he went.
If it were me I'd change as much oc my appearance as possible, fake my death and find a nice mountain overlooking a nice sea and covered in an enchanted forest. Build a comfortable hut some where less accessable and grow things. Maybe tend the hurts of the denizens of my mountainy forest home. "Get away from it all" kind of stuff.

Or in a fit of madness decide that the antithesis of absolute power is absolute powerlessness and sell myself into slavery, only to be thwarted by my owners insistence I continue to use my power, but now for their will and ends and means not mine. Then die broken hearted at my inability to escape my fate.

 

[sknox]

Siddhartha.

Ratsy, do rather like the notion that love is the antithesis of power.

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

What would you want instead of absolute power? How about peace, freedom, maybe the love of a good woman, happiness, a clear conscience, a good nights sleep, rest. All the things you probably don't get while you're out there plotting to achieve absolute galactic domination.

Cheers, Greg.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Love. Leave it for love.

Ah, hadn't thought of that one, believe it or not...

Inner peace. Personal freedom. You wouldn't get either of those while holding power over a world or a galaxy -- not if you were the kind of person who could walk away.

This was closer to where my original thinking lay - but is it enough?

You walk away because you know that your power is hurting others, and so you make a great personal sacrifice. The greatest heroes are the ones who give the most.

Interesting. That's sparking a few ideas, Parson. Ty.

 

[hopewrites]

This was closer to where my original thinking lay - but is it enough?

Oh I definitely think so! Since this answer was already taken when I posted I had to come up with new ones, but I would be wholly one board with it. (and I think that you could make this idea sparkle like the stars above!)

 

[Mouse]

A nice cup of tea and a piece of cake.

 

[Nick B]

A nice cup of tea and a piece of cake.

I'd be happy with that.

Or maybe have the character lose someone special early on, before the power. Maybe a child. Any father would give up the power over a galaxy to have a lost child returned to him.

 

[Boneman]

I agree. Love, or the greater good.

 

[ratsy]

I can see a speech already, where the mage is arguing with those "advising" him calling him a fool for wishing love instead of the power. He will tell them that "love is the true power", and with that leaves, never to be seen again...

Hey Springs, I call dibs on this story...hahaha jk

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Hey Springs, I call dibs on this story...hahaha jk

Too late! Someone's already claimed them!

 

[HareBrain]

He will tell them that "love is the true power", and with that leaves, never to be seen again...

Do you want Huey Lewis and the News, Jennifer Rush, or Frankie Goes to Hollywood for the closing soundtrack?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Frankie every time.

 

[ratsy]

*The hero throws his school binder in the air, pages fly every where...they turn to slow motion as they hit the ground and we see the hero's feet walking away* cue the music

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

Would it disturb you all to know that I have both the Power of Love by Huey Lewis, Jennifer Rush (and the cover by Laura Brannigan), but not Frankie? In fact I think there's about fifteen different songs with the same title. It came up in a trivia quiz somewhere.

Cheers, Greg.