(BG art by AceofIntuition)
Hymns AU Info
Hymns of Struggle is a complete fanfic and AU I'm very proud of! Here's where to begin:
Hymns has eight books in its canon, in order:
I also have a lot of art I've made and friends have made for me!!!
Characters
Francine Vahl
Francine is one of the two main characters of the story. In modern times, she finds Joey Drew Studios while searching for her missing cousin. Shortly after being trapped in the studio, she becomes convinced that they can only wait till the Ink Demon sets them free. So how, then, does she care for herself meantime? She wonders, she discovers, and she has empathy, even when the others in the studio do not for her. Indeed, she's the only one of flesh and blood known to have entered the studio and lived...so far.
Details:
Younger 20s
Sapphic
Overweight, wears a maroon hoodie and a light blue tee with a heart pocket
Reminds others of Henry for a reason.
Empathetic, lighthearted, bullheaded, studious, and curious.
Sammy Lawrence, the Prophet
^By AceofIntuition
^by Junebird24
One day, a young woman fell down the studio to find her cousin. Instead, she finds Sammy. But whether he likes it or not, sacrifice fails and she's here to stay, and this makes him our second main character. What a joy for him. He spends his days praying to the Demon, to find his way day by day, minute by minute through piety and song. His shoulders ache with the weight he's not what he's supposed to be, and yet his heart is void of what he was before. With Francine, he looks for reason in their existence, and perhaps he comes to understand faith just a bit better.
Details:
Late 20s when last "human"
Mostly lacks memory of who has was; memories that surface hurt and are emotionally unwanted
As with most other beings of the studio, his form is taller than when human.
Melts when stressed (does not fully deform but the sensation is unpleasant).
When human, wore round glasses, overalls, and a dress shirt. His hair was styled with a slight pompadour.
Reserved, hopeful, patient.
Alice Angel, once Susie Campbell
And even deeper into the mechanical abyss sits the angel. Unlike Sammy, she remembers. And she's not happy about it. She feels alone, unaccepted and unwilling to accept others. She's steeled, and hostile, and vulnerable. Francine...oh, she reminds her of someone. She isn't sure she likes it.
Details:
Mid 20s when last "human"
Feels she can't be human, and so she rebuilds her body into her own form, of her own choice.
Holds grudges against Sammy for both when they were alive and now, as he worships the demon she believes tortures them.
Sapphic
Sings to control the searchers, but nothing works on the demon.
Fears returning to the puddles and ruining her progress.
When human, had short aubern hair and was slightly short.
Heartbroken, strategic, values autonomy and humanity.
Norman Polk, the Projectionist
And somehow, even below Alice there's room for the projectionist. No one knows what he remembers, nor even if he cares. He just wanders. But perhaps, in the piles of hearts are his own he cares with.
Details:
When "human", was mid 60s. Wore a cap. Was friends with Susie Campbell
May still be friends with Alice.
Senses sound with vibrations. Enjoys singing.
Bendy, the Ink Demon
There is no other descriptor for him but "god." That's what he is. Whether or not he created this universe, here he prowls, watching, judging. Sammy says he loves. Alice says he hates. And Francine...isn't so sure how to feel. But one thing is for certain. Beware the Ink Demon. He's always watching.
Details
Made from the first sketch of Bendy, cremation aches, and living human blood in a ritual gone awry. An unintended creation, alongside the studio hellscape.
Never speaks.
No matter percieved motivation, no one knows precisely why he does what he does.
Joey Drew, the Father
(^By AceofIntuition)
A long time ago, all Joey wanted to do was be true to himself and love his family. Look where that got him now. Where that got everyone.
Details:
Inheritor of the Drew estate upon his mother's death, and used their wealth to pursue his own dream as she pursued hers.
Simultaneously spunky and grandfatherly. Spritely, fairy-like.
Has high standards for others as he does for himself, but is capable of convincing them they can reach those standards if they just believe.
Henry's adoptive father, and father to all who need one. Is considered Linda's grandfather.
Ginger hair and sideburns, round glasses, honey eyes, and a distinct cartoonish outfit. 50 years old at the time of the studio's downfall.
Comparable to Mary Poppins and Willy Wonka.
Henry, the Son
^by Slipnslideblog
A long time ago, all Henry wanted was to find out who he was and how he was going to change the world. With his dad, nothing felt impossible. And then his dad showed him his perfection was impossible, and Henry ran away.
Details:
Talented artist, and eventual animator and second hand of Joey Drew Studios.
Dreams of hearing stories from around the world, and send his own just as far.
Has a male romantic partner, Marvin, who sculpts. Henry raises Marvin's child as his own. Her name is Linda.
Wears a powder blue shirt. Has black hair, and gains a few white streaks by the time he visits the studio again. At that time, he's the age Joey was the last they saw each other.