How would the PPC handle...

Subject: How would the PPC handle...
Author: Chliever
Posted on: 2009-12-18 02:07:00 UTC

...a canon that has been sort of 'absorbed' by another?

I'll explain what I mean. Let's say we have two canons. Initially, they're completely independent of each other. They're connected in some way, but they don't interact at all. Then, suddenly, a retcon in one establishes that the other is canon to the first one. The two canons are now... sort of... canon to each other.

Baseline example: Castlevania. Initially, it was a series about Dracula, yes, but Dracula is a public domain character. Then, along comes Bloodlines, which establishes that the 'real' Dracula story (the Stoker novel) is now part of the Castlevania story.

Does this make the two one canon? Would the PPC treat it as such? Could a copy of the book be used to exorcise a Castlevania fic?

Now, this is a fairly rare phenomenon, and I don't think the PPC has encountered it yet. I just thought it would be best to be prepared in case we do.

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How would the PPC handle... by Chliever on 2009-12-18 02:07:00 UTC

Re: How would the PPC handle... by hushpiper on 2009-12-18 16:46:00 UTC Reply

I think they'd be treated as separate except in cases where the connection between them is relevant.

So a Dracula badfic obviously wouldn't benefit at all from a copy of one of the video games, but a Castlavania badfic might from a copy of the book. However, I'd say that in the latter case, it'd probably not be very effective unless the fic specifically violated the part of Castlevania canon that's supposed to be covered by Dracula.

I guess. >.
The power of Stoker compels you! by Barid on 2009-12-18 03:00:00 UTC Reply

I think that the Dracula story is the Canon. Castlevania is an offshoot of the Dracula legend, like the branch of a tree. In this case, it seems more like the offshoot is trying to become more true to the original Canon.

To sum up, they are both Canon, but I would call Castlevania a child-Canon to Stoker's parent-Canon. The good news is that you can definitely use a copy of the book to exorcise a Castlevania fic.

I think that if you have two canons that are connected, with or without actual interaction, then they are actually part of the same root canon. That canon may not have a name, but I think it still exists.