Welcome to the first chapter of our exciting new series, Meet the Monniverse Storyteller!
Every story in the Monniverse begins with a spark of creativity, and behind that spark is a storyteller with a unique vision and life experience. To celebrate their incredible work, we asked our storytellers questions—diving into their inspirations, creative process, and what it means to bring the Monniverse to life.
Meet the PHØENIXDØWN
What’s your name, and where are you from? Tell us a little about your background and the place that inspires you most.
My name is Gregg. In the cryptoverse and art communities I'm known as ph0enixd0wn. (A pseudonym based on the Final Fantasy video game series. Phoenixdown is an item that revives fallen allies. I began creating art as a child then as an adult I studied culinary arts and became a Chef at Johnson and Wales University in Denver, Colorado. In 2018 I suffered and injury that left me unable to walk for the next year. During that dark time I began drawing and painting again. This led me to the digital world of art and I began creating designs for Mile High Gear, a streetwear company I founded at the end of 2019. After 3 very successful years Mile High Gear was no longer possible due to a fire in my apartment building that left me with only the clothes I was wearing and whatever was in my pockets. I lost everything I owned and my source of income. I've spent the last 2 years living in my car trying to rebuild my life, my career as an artist, and reopen Mile High Gear. Several places inspire me, from the classical far away origins of art movements in Italy, Spain, Greece, and France, to my favorite place to find inspiration, the streets. Psychedelic murals, street art, political graffiti all flood me with emotions.
What’s your current path? Are you working, studying, or pursuing other passions? How do these experiences shape your storytelling?
Currently I am rebuilding my life and career from square one. It took me almost 2 years to fully recover from my injury in 2018. And though I love to cook and the culinary arts, I have chosen to explore the possibilities of making an income via my art, marketing abilities, or managing an online clothing business. So far it has been difficult to pursue with having no funds to begin with. I guess starting out as a "starving artist" makes it challenging to no longer be a "starving artist." Yet the possible benefits far outweigh the struggles of today. I am always studying new technologies in the fields of art, crypto, music, SEO marketing, advertising, and e-commerce. At today's rate of advancements in AI and design, a constant student mentality is required. I enjoy very much helping other brands succeed with their mission via my art or marketing techniques but I have yet to land a steady income or role within any of these brands. Although the experience I've gained from each of them is essentially priceless when looking at the bigger picture of where I would like to be as an artist. I intend on relaunching my streetwear company and most importantly, no longer living in my car. Kitchen, bathroom, or walls and ceiling in general are all luxuries to me now lol. As far as my storytelling being shaped by the recent events of my life, I now see and understand that there are more than 2 sides to every coin. My perspective and attention to details have increased and my empathy towards characters and people has become more genuine and aligned to my values and morals. So any writing I do, I look at it from multiple points of view, cross examined against many scenarios.
What inspired you to begin writing stories?
Share the moment or experience that sparked your passion for storytelling.
Ironically I developed a passion for storytelling by first understanding the importance of listening. As a young child I grew up in a town with a population of less than 5,000. Despite its size, my father's father had a new story to tell me every day I would see him, which was often, until he passed away when I was 10 years old. He had a way of keeping me intrigued and curious about every sentence he would say next. Similar to the narrator in the movie Big Fish. As a kid I assumed most of his stories were just that, stories to tell children. But after he passed and I grew older, I would randomly encounter the people and subjects of his stories and they would validate his stories. Now had I not paid attention and listened to his every word, I would have missed these encounters and never known the truths that he spoke. It was then I learned that to be a great storyteller you have to find a way to make your audience great listeners. And then I read the works of Stephen King. I had felt true fear from a book I could close at anytime I wanted. But I didn't. I would continue to put myself in moments of terror just to learn what happened next.
What excites you most about Blockchain and Web3?
How does this innovative space influence your creativity and storytelling?
it's transparency, honesty, and ability to constantly grow all while connecting people that share the same desires and values. The unimaginable becomes a reality. Many forms of art turned digital, then turned AI, then turned generative. Now AI can be trained to create AI, art is no longer confined to a canvas, and video is now immersive and it's images tangible. New communities are bringing new thoughts and ideas to a larger audience at incredible speeds.
Can you introduce your Monniverse character? Who is your character, and what makes them unique? What inspired their creation?
My character is Thomas, a young boy that lost his mother during birth and at the age of 7 his father was killed in WWII. Being orphaned and a desperate, naive child, Thomas attempts to find his drowned father in the hopes that his father was still alive and breathing in his military diver's suit. Just before his final living moment and death was inevitable, the Monniverse Oracle watched and felt great sadness and sympathy for Thomas and granted him life until he found his father's remains. But even the Oracle could not foresee how Thomas would react once he found his father. Thomas was overcome by a sadness and rage unknown to this world, even during a horrible World War filled with death and sorrow. Thomas developed a vengeance that could never possibly be satisfied. He now possessed an eternal life granted to him by the Oracle, and lasting until he found his father. But in his heart and mind, Thomas knew that what he found was no longer his father. This awareness prevented the Oracle's gift of life from expiring as it was intended to. Thomas was now immortal. Taking a chain from the remains of an underwater mine he attached it to his father's diver suit like a leash on a dog. In time he poured so much love and energy in to making his father appear within the suit, that something did form in that suit. An extension of Thomas and his neverending rage. Thomas and the Diver are unique since they originally lived above the Monniverse and are now technically bound to the Monniverse because the Oracle's compassion clouded foresight. Thomas believes that the misuse of the world's creativity caused the events and war he feels victim to. Also he is not just one entity, at times he is two. Himself and the Diver he keeps at his side. Thomas was inspired by my feelings and mental state after and throughout my paralyzing injury, the death of my younger brother shortly after, and the loss of all my possessions, my business, my financial security, my home, and the devastation of my marriage. All happening in less than 4 years. I experienced anger and depression on levels that caused my physical health to deteriorate and yet I was still grasping and trying to restore or save the life I had before. Just as Thomas is desperately trying to return to his former life.
What role does your character play in the Monniverse? Imagine your character as part of a Monniverse production—a movie, series, or comic. What would their story arc or journey look like?
Thomas is the antagonist that seeks to stop all creativity and destroy the Monniverse and what it brings to the world. The story arc would be: 1. Thomas's background already established. Add more details. 2. Rising actions/events- would be he discovers the Monniverse and it's civilization of creative minds and instantly wants to destroy all of them. Until he meets a young orphaned mermaid and develops a connection with her but his anger drives her away and in return causes him more sorrow to not have her as a friend. He tries to win her affection back. Throughout any event or displays of anger it is important to remember that 3. Climatic Moments- Thomas still has the mentality and emotional control of a child. He will have temper tantrums like a child. He will also have a yearning for the safety and security that a child can only receive from parents. There will be times that the innocent child who's scared of the loneliness he feels will emerge, and times where the spoiled brat is visible. 4 Falling actions- moments when Thomas realizes that the love he is deprived of will save him from his dark emotional torment. As well the realization he may never obtain that love. 5. All of these events will either make Thomas a friend to certain Monniverse characters and develop bonds or increase his desire to be a foe to them and possibly target specific characters to cause harm. Thomas learns that what he seeks to damage in the Monniverse is in fact the same thing that can save him...if he can allow it to.
How do you approach crafting your stories? Share your creative process, favorite tools, or rituals that help bring your ideas to life.
I think of a character that I would either love, fear, feel sorrow for, or laugh at/with. Then I question why would I feel these things, what events took place in this subject's life that led them to arrive at the moment they become part of the story. Music can start my creative process almost instantly. The lyrics/story of a song that I am listening to enhanced by the sounds they are wrapped in will paint an image in my mind. For example the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles tells the story of several characters and their lives, which are intertwined around a circus. That was the first album I listened to and became aware of the story being told from the first track to the last. My favorite tools are constantly evolving. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude are a few that I use for writing but I found that assigning them personas before pulling the info from them is a big help. Or having two or more AI chats debate against each other to find the common ground answer. Now when it comes to image or video creation I use a very long list of tools.
What challenges have you faced as a storyteller, and how have you grown? Reflect on any obstacles and the lessons they’ve taught you in your creative journey.
My biggest challenge was internal in regards to feeling that I really captured my audience in the way that I intended to. I realized that my perspective it style of writing may not be suited for everyone and just because the reader may not understand me or my point of view doesn't necessarily mean the story was any less interesting. It was just not preferred by that individual.
How do you see your stories contributing to the Monniverse community? What impact do you hope your narratives will have on the world of Monniverse and its members?
I hope that my stories bring balance while promoting the ideals and mission of the Monniverse. I would like for my contributions to tap into a creative perspective that others may not be aware they have, or at the least expand their imaginative horizons. As I learn from their styles and imaginations I hope to return the favor.
What are your long-term goals as a Monniverse storyteller? Share your aspirations for your role and how you envision the Monniverse evolving in the future.
My long-term goal is to nurture what has already been established within the Monniverse and ensure that its future flourishes far beyond my time with the Monniverse, to leave a legacy for future members to enjoy. I envision the Monniverse to continue being a pioneer not only in the Web3 space but also in the future of standard media (animations, cartoons, movies, video games, MMORPG, card collectibles, apparel, virtual worlds, amusement rides, creative writing camps, children's books, cosplay conventions, NFT marketplace, online community forums)
Are there other storytellers or characters in Monniverse you'd like to collaborate with? If yes, tell us why and how you’d bring your visions together.
First, I think that all of the current writers are extremely talented and each of them have their own strengths. I would feel honored to collaborate with any of them. Though my style is typically not as cute or bubbly as most of the writers, I can appreciate their ability to create in that fashion and hope to learn the process behind their creations. The world needs more creators with their abilities and perspectives while also being aware that all that glitters is not gold. I was drawn to the Monniverse for several reasons and one of them being the positivity that each of you have naturally flowing between each other. The level of encouragement and support the Monniverse community for each other is unmatched and rare in today's world. Yet there is a focused structure that is purpose driven and expects the best from it's creators. So I was surprised to see how many members have enjoyed my story of Thomas or the one of the ghost and the bonsai garden, being that those stories were on a darker side. So I as hope to learn other writers thought process, I have had conversations with those that have questioned my process as well. This instilled a feeling of acceptance within the Monniverse community beyond my artworks. Also I would love to put their ideas in motion videos.
What does being part of the Monniverse mean to you personally? Reflect on what Monniverse represents for you and your creative journey.
It means being a part of something bigger than myself, something that brings wonder, something with a strong foundation of like minded creators with a common goal. By chance after entering an art contest, I was introduced to the Lens protocol by an artist that I admired (now frens), Jessy Jeanne, during a very dark, low point in my life. Through that connection I found another artist I knew of from an article I previously read, Carla Monni. I then learned of the Monniverse and was instantly a fan of it. Time went by and I created a few artworks inspired by the Monniverse. Then one day I received a message from Monniverse Co-Founder Stanislav telling me that he liked my work. I was surprised that my work was noticed and by a big Web3 innovator none the less. I was offered to join the Monniverse AI discord group. Naturally I assumed it was a scam or a fake account pretending to Stanislav. When I realized it wasn't a fake, I was quick to accept the opportunity to be a part of Carla and Stanislav's Monniverse. I was amazed by what was happening and being built beyond the general publics view. Seeing what these artists, writers, musicians, and developers were doing, I felt like I was witnessing the beginning of something that would change the world and Web3. It was like being there when Disney or Marvel first began to grow. I knew to that for me to continue being a part of this I would have to step up my game and step out of my comfort zone and learn new techniques and technologies. As I began submitting my creations other artists not only liked them, they wanted to learn what tools I used and then added them to their toolboxes. I as well added their tools to my toolbox. Seeing my contributions being valued and appreciated brought me a sense of personal accomplishment and I wanted other artists to feel the way I was feeling. So I will always openly share any knowledge I have with the others working on the Monniverse in hopes that it will further strengthen the talents of the Monniverse. The Monniverse represents a necessary family/friend connection that I was recently being deprived of, restoring a light in my life that I could restore on my own. I'm grateful for my time and experiences being in the Monniverse and eternally grateful for the French fry loving artist that led me to it.
What are some stories, books, or movies that inspire your writing? Share the influences that have shaped your storytelling style or Monniverse creations.
This would be a very long list. From childhood cartoons, Disney/Pixar films, and Final Fantasy video games, to Stephen King, Anne Rice, J.R.R.Tolkien, and the lyrics from songwriters like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Eddie Vedder, Pink Floyd and many more. The Dark Tower books (not the movie) are a big influence, also the Dungeons and Dragons series. I think what it would be like to mix those with nautical stories if pirates, mermaids, and treasures of Atlantis.
Lastly, what motivates you to continue creating within Monniverse? Highlight the most rewarding aspects of being part of this creative community
The artists and developers inspire me to want to improve as an artist while I contribute more and more to the ecosystem of the Monniverse. Seeing the Monniverse grow into something makes me feel like a child again and knowing that I contributed to letting others feel that nostalgic moment but in a new futuristic style.