Sorry For Taking A While To Get Around To This, But I Really Wanted To Think About Your Ideas And Add

Sorry for taking a while to get around to this, but I really wanted to think about your ideas and add some of my own!

First off, I adore Merch and would happily draw so much art of him if I could replicate the style to my satisfaction.

So let's start;

I think Merch would have a pattern similar to the darker pattern in Stella's hair, which could be in his electric hair/mane, also, building of my idea for Mammon having gold claws on his hands and needle-like feet, I think Merch's would be more akin to crystals. Also, I love the general idea of him being a peacock spider, specifically.

Thinking about it, Merch would probably be great at making (and, should the need arise, manipulating) friends, given that both of his parents are extremely extroverted people.

Also, he would have both electric and crystal powers, so he could really make a mess when he feels like it.

I feel Merch would very much be the type of kid to remind a teacher there was homework, he just loves being active, just like his dad.

For his older self, the idea of Merch becoming an imagineer is amazing, but I just want to add the concept of him wearing suits that evoke both glittery 60s and 70s stand up comedians and something to do with electricity, like a simplified circuit pattern.

I'd love to explore the dynamic between Octavia and a slightly older Merch, especially as he would quickly outgrow her. I could imagine they playfully mess with each other quite often. I could see Merch gently resting his arm on Via's head, sarcastically asking where his big sister could be.

You mentioning Charlie made me realize that if Merch eventually found out what the original hotel looked like, he would never let Charlie hear the end of it.

Leviathan would also do everything he could think of in an attempt to be Merch's favorite uncle.

I can't help but think Merch would have a slight soft spot for Andrea, since he might notice how much the time they spend together means to his uncle.

Merch would also take every chance to slip Fizz's hat off in front of others, because he knows how uncomfortable it makes him.

Yeah, I don't think anyone but Stella and Mammon could properly manage the chaos of baby Merch.

When it comes to Stolas, I think Merch would absolutely arrange for some elaborate event as a big front for setting up a humiliating experience for Stolas. Naturally playing dumb about both the prank and the fact he knows what Stolas did the whole time.

So, this brings me to a big idea I haven't mentioned anywhere, I like to think that Mam's palace is on an island just off the coast of Greed's mainland, a part of the island which was previously empty is converted into a bit of an arcade type spot, for Via and Merch to entertain friends at.

Mammon would also make sure Merch knew how to defend himself without using his powers, in case he had to do it in a hidden form, without drawing attention.

In addition to the cent thing, instead of the playing card diamonds, I think Merch would be associated with the more typical 5 pointed from the side view, flat topped diamonds.

Personally, I think Merch would be slightly taller than Stella and Octavia, but still notably shorter than Mammon, mostly as most spiders are a good bit bigger than peacock spiders.

I can't even express how much I LOVE the idea of Merch having a shilling tick, I don't think Octavia would really mind, at this point she'd have long since embraced the "corporate shame" she used to be annoyed by, she can, for lack of a better term, see the appeal.

Merch would also follow his family's tendency towards music, his first instrument would be bongos, again, because peacock spider.

I think Octavia would actually get really invested of taking care of little Merch, because it wasn't until she learned about the egg that she realized she had an internalized wish to have a sibling.

A Golden Goose Idea

After putting some thought into it, I’ve decided to hop back online for a moment and share some ideas I’ve had for a Mammon X Stella fan kid. I probably won’t do much of anything with with the character, but I felt like sharing my vision of a gremlin child for this glorious ship, while also borrowing from some of the ideas posited by @prof-ramses.

Ideas Under The Cut:

While Stella had experience from when Octavia was still an egg and was for the most part pretty reserved during the incubation period, Mammon’s nerves were shot and his dread over something going wrong before the egg hatched led him to act (more) aggressive and impulsive towards those outside his family. During the months leading up to the hatching day, Greed as a whole was walking on pins and needles for fear of provoking its ruler’s fury.

When the day finally came, Mammon and Stella welcomed a bouncing baby boy into the world and in that moment both felt like they were at the top of Hell.

They named him Merch.

Physically, Merch takes heavily after his father (same general build and four arms, but his head is more blocky and he has four visible eyes), with some attributes from his uncle Andy (he has some sparse crystalline/icy feathers). Overall, he draws a lot of inspiration from a Peacock Spider (Arachnophobia Warning).

Personality wise, Merch has the innocent, but chaotic energy of Spooky Month’s Skid and Pump mixed with the scheming and quick thinking of Louise Belcher. Merch is also possessing of a boundless sense of curiosity and a complete lack of understanding of boundaries or warnings, often resulting in him leaving chaos in his wake when left unattended.

Has a really close relationship with both of his parents, often helping his mom with her art projects and being overjoyed whenever his dad takes him to any of his various businesses (especially Loo Loo Land).

I like to think Merch eventually grows up to be an architect/engineer/imagineer that specializes in making fair rides and amusement parks as a tribute to both of his parents’ interests.

His relationship with Octavia is a bit distant given the significant gap in their ages, but the two get along pretty well and often turn to one another as someone they can vent to.

When it comes to his extended family, the Sins are (for the most part) overjoyed to have another little one running around they can dote on and guide towards eventually becoming a new superpower in Hell and Charlie just lights up whenever she sees him and he’s always excited to hangout with his cousin.

As for uncle Andrealphus, Merch follows in his dad’s footsteps in stringing him along and subtly insulting him to his face. Mam has definitely taught him to do the same to Ozzie and Fizz under the guise of it being a game.

While Camio and Furfur are overjoyed that Stella and Mam have another kid and they do genuinely care for Merch, after their first (and last) time babysitting him, they prefer to be around him with his parents or sister also being present.

The only person Merch legitimately dislikes is Stolas because, even if Merch doesn’t know all of the details, he knows that Stolas hurt his mom and sister. Stolas is probably the only person Merch actively schemes against in the hopes of making his life more difficult.

While Stella and Mammon are pretty involved and present parents, Merch is pretty much free to wander and explore Greed unattended, the same applying to Octavia, with no fear of either of them being in any real danger. Everyone in the ring knows better than to mess with them because, unlike Ozzie, Mammon would be far more active in ensuring either of his kids’ safety, even if it means cutting a bloody swath through his own territory.

In terms of voice, I can only really picture him as sounding like Pump.

I really like the idea of Merch wearing clothes emblazoned with a cent sign as a nod to Mammon’s design incorporating dollar signs.

I also like the idea of Merch just generally being larger than the rest of his family as an adult, while keeping most of his easy going and cheerfully chaotic personality despite maturing.

Merch has a tendency to say corporate buzzwords and shill Mammon brand products. He doesn’t really understanding what he’s talking about, he just wants to imitate his dad. Mammon and Stella find this habit adorable, while Octavia is left more than a little exasperated by it all.

Merch is every bit as touchy-feely and has the same personal space invading tendencies as his father.

Reviewing the Hollow Sorrows soundtrack

I did this back with the TADC pilot an had a great time with it, so I'm back with the latest addition to the SM score

Foolish Sinners

I really like the variety on display here, the spider's presence being underscored by frantic strings being a particular highlight. Short and sweet opening track.

The Garden's Guardian

Given that Gregor is the featured character of the episode, it's really important for his theme to be both effective and non-intrusive, as it plays several times in the episode. The actual feeling of the song is a great example of "showing the character's truth", as in, encapsulating Skid and Pump's first impressions of the father.

I'm Glad I Picked This Job

One of those fun bit tracks we get every so often in SM, and with a lovely chip-tune feel. My only complaint is that it makes me more bitter about the fact we won't get a proper sci-fi themed episode.

Sweet Enough

This one I'm a bit mixed on, we didn't really need another variant of Sweet & Sour, especially since we actually get 2 in this episode alone. It's not bad by any means, it just felt a bit unneeded.

Holy Sweet

I like how deliberately out of place this song feels, it feeds into the sense that Gregor is new and not used to the town's "local ways". Again, this also calls back to a character's truth, with Kevin's immediate dislike of Gregor.

Vessel's Parasite

I love the way this song unfolds like a summoning ritual for Moloch, it helps in setting just how much of a threat he really is. There's little else to say, just a great horror track.

The 9th Circle

So, this is the first appearance of what I've dubbed the "exorcism motif", but only later into the song, after it expands on Vessel's Parasite. This is followed by the emotional interlude, which I'm somewhat disappointed didn't feature the Happy Fella motif. The piano segment following this is the exorcism motif I alluded to earlier.

Valley of Shadows

I love this track, easily my favorite for this episode, it conveys a very unique energy that I feel it could only really be accompanied by a monster rampaging through town. I also like how it just so happened that the first SM episode to release after Undertale Yellow features what's easily the most Toby Fox-esqe track in the whole series, at least up to this point. I can't be the only one picking up the Dummy motif, right?

Ashes to Ashes

I'll just say what we're all thinking, I wish we got more of the evil Spooky Swings at the beginning, but alas, that isn't what the scene called for. Then we get the more intense version of the exorcism motif, which leads into the final confrontation. Said confrontation just amps up the drama of the melody, but in a very natural way.

Ruega Por Nosotros

I really like this simple track is composed of 2 neat segments, Gregor's motif and the exorcism motif. It helps sell the feeling of a literal hollow victory.

33:20

This really is just great eldritch ambience to be a cultist too, but that's all it needs to be. It also helps show Eyes as a genuine threat for the first time.

Disbelieve

First off, I find it interesting that the title isn't "Disbelief", but "Disbelieve", as if it's an order. Which would be fitting, as this is the first time we see the boys in genuine emotional pain and confusion. I'm very interested to see if this theme's motif will make any future appearances or quotes.

Judgement Hour

A really solid credits theme, it doesn't quite top Compliments to The Chef, but the way it starts as a Friendly Nightmares remix, before the Ooga Booga break and then goes into it's own thing is really creative and makes for a unique experience.

Now for the tracks outside the main episode.

I enjoyed this year's variation of the Newgrounds theme, and it's interesting how you can almost make out a genuine melody in title_missing3, like it's foreshadowing a theme for the Candy Dealer. Tubular Swings is nice, but nothing to really write home about.

I'm pretty sure Pelo confirmed on X after TT came out that we wouldn't see the boys grow during the course of the series. Maybe in an ending montage in episode 10 of in the spinoffs Pelo's briefly mentioned, but other than that, I don't think we'll be seeing these designs.

I'm glad they're talking about Pelo's VAing in SM 6 in the Spookycon (around 2 hours in) because I noticed immediately when watching how different Skid's voice sounded right at the end how it was lower and much more serious and emotional and apparently Pelo was crying himself during saying those lines and-

I love this!!!

I've been waiting for this spider and it's debut FOR SO LOOOOONG

I've only known about Rancilda and Putrice for like half a day, but if they don't get redemption arcs and happy endings, I will kill everyone in this fandom and than myself.

They're just goober girls, and must be protected from their mom's speciesism.

finally watching all the stuff starkid released today and mY GOD I CAN FEEL MY HYPERFIXATION SLAMMING VIOLENTLY BACK INTO MY BODY here are all my unhinged little thoughts

first of all i missed them all so much i love starkid livestreams <333

I ALSO FUCKING LOVE FAIRYTALE RETELLINGS!!!! OH MY GOD!!!

bryce and james in major roles do you WANT ME DEAD

ANGELA AS THE EVIL STEPMOTHER OHHH YESSS OHHH YEAH

also her casting announcement video was iconic

mariah and lauren as the stepsisters too i cannot wait for this shit oh my god

CRYING AT THE FACT THAT THE OTHER VIDEOS ARENT DONE YET BC THEY DIDNT EXPECT TO GET FUNDED SO FAST

also all the puppets are so fucking cool r u joking this is going to be insane

kim as the fairy queen bro i am Going to be in love with her

sir hopsalot and crumb i would die for u in a heartbeat

i am also SO excited for the makeup and the costumes i feel like starkid is about to completely outdo themselves with this one

Joey Richter As The Woods

GET GROSS GIRLS!!!

hocus pocus vibes with the stepmother and sisters ohhh i have never been more on board

I find it interesting that no one's pointed out this line from Moloch, we know Pelo is vey particular about the use of "everything" in SM, and here we have what is, to my knowledge, the first use of "nothing" in the franchise.

Now we have another word to keep an ear and eye out for. If you have any ideas, please share them in comments or RBs