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Occultist Cosmetic Bodywarping
In reality, cosmetic surgery goes back to Ancient Egyptian times, involving nose reconstruction and the like.
With the chemical and physiological studies of the Alchemists, and the straight up arcane abilities to warp flesh that Occultists possess; It makes me wonder what the status or condition of bodily modifications and surgery in Achaea would be.
Naturally this is all generally circumvented by our capabilities to describe ourselves as we wish, within reason, but as far as justification for the minor commonly used features not exactly in line with the race (Newer players incidentally describing pointed ears on Tsol'aa, Normal eye colors on a Rajamala, Cow-tailed Trolls for those few who got them confused with Celtic and Brothers Grimm variety) or the desire or need to change it later (Realizing gray eyes is in poor taste comapred to blue, character is starting to get backpains and needs a reduction) it seems like a good scapegoat to explore.
And I'm sure the Occultists themselves would have a little more room to befuddle with appearances, a grook with non-prehensile facial tendrils, a troll having a crown of teeth around the crown of his head, a siren going full Mileena, a dwarf with a teratomic beard (nasty, don't google on a weak stomach) whether that was all intentional or a byproduct of delving into the art incorrectly.
It seems like an area that would be fun to play around with in the realm of roleplaying, however I also know that from my experience in tabletop games, this kind of thing is a dangerous, dangerous minefield. The last thing I want is people using this for Rajamala Nekomimi, or "Gender" antics that have caused firestorms in the past, especially over Satyr/Siren.
What do you guys think of this? It's probably also helpful or for the best if a Divine to hammer out and lay down the limits of Occultism with a rod of iron if this is to be explored at all.
However, restrictions set in place, enabling a Dr. Steinman style personality and background would be a rather interesting thing to have.
With the chemical and physiological studies of the Alchemists, and the straight up arcane abilities to warp flesh that Occultists possess; It makes me wonder what the status or condition of bodily modifications and surgery in Achaea would be.
Naturally this is all generally circumvented by our capabilities to describe ourselves as we wish, within reason, but as far as justification for the minor commonly used features not exactly in line with the race (Newer players incidentally describing pointed ears on Tsol'aa, Normal eye colors on a Rajamala, Cow-tailed Trolls for those few who got them confused with Celtic and Brothers Grimm variety) or the desire or need to change it later (Realizing gray eyes is in poor taste comapred to blue, character is starting to get backpains and needs a reduction) it seems like a good scapegoat to explore.
And I'm sure the Occultists themselves would have a little more room to befuddle with appearances, a grook with non-prehensile facial tendrils, a troll having a crown of teeth around the crown of his head, a siren going full Mileena, a dwarf with a teratomic beard (nasty, don't google on a weak stomach) whether that was all intentional or a byproduct of delving into the art incorrectly.
It seems like an area that would be fun to play around with in the realm of roleplaying, however I also know that from my experience in tabletop games, this kind of thing is a dangerous, dangerous minefield. The last thing I want is people using this for Rajamala Nekomimi, or "Gender" antics that have caused firestorms in the past, especially over Satyr/Siren.
What do you guys think of this? It's probably also helpful or for the best if a Divine to hammer out and lay down the limits of Occultism with a rod of iron if this is to be explored at all.
However, restrictions set in place, enabling a Dr. Steinman style personality and background would be a rather interesting thing to have.
2
Comments
Yes please.
Looking over the help files again it seems rules on names and descriptions laxed up over time, which is good, as even though I can't remember my first character's name, my first memory of Achaea was being yelled at to change it. Easing up on newbies for a better first impression so you can later guide them is a much better solution.
But I digress, Common Sense should still apply.
Traits indicative of other races should be avoided such as carapaces on non-Horkval, Wings on Non-Atavian, non-bird wings on Atavian (I could be mistaken on this, please correct me if I am), human skull/face for Raja or Xoran.
Things that would have mechanical reflections or confuse a newer player should be avoided, such as additional limbs that aren't small and obviously vestigial as you can only weild two things and only have your two normal arms broken (I've seen a few Horkval handle extra arms tastefully). I'd also specifically avoid the world "shriveled" because of it's relation to afflictions and curing.
And I'd go with the general rule of thumb from pointy ears on Tsol'aa, is that making a given asset scarred, asymetrical, and obviously unnatural as a good indicator that it's been modified is a pretty good idea.
Also, talk about the Tzimische reminds me: Keep any details best left to the bedrooms, private and preferably consistent with the gender you signed up for.
But like I said, I'm just erring on the side of caution with this. I dont mean to tell anyone how they should play.
And you won't understand the cause of your grief...
...But you'll always follow the voices beneath.
Make it an awesome description and have a story behind it.
Oh, you and you know, in regards to
Jakarana said: I just feel the need to point out that grey eyes aren't all that uncommon! (I know that's not relevant to the overall point of the post, but it was just kinda weird to have someone say that my eye color was in "bad taste" :P)
P.S. Gray eyes are the best.
Going back to the core point, I'm personally in favor for getting your unique quirks and traits as part of actual RP with other players, since you have more of a stable story, memory, and witnesses as people were actually a part of it, but it doesn't really matter that much since you have a full 18 years before character creation and then ~9 months of your life before your birth, in which stuff could have happened.
Since anything description-wise is possible, I guess it all goes back to what the big, core, mostly-objective NO's are when it comes to descriptions in general. The more I look, the more it seems rules have gotten more lax since I last played 3ish years ago.
And more clearly where can a mix of Occultist Warping+Alchemist Physiology "surgery" come in place to stretch these restraints?
In short, I'm unsure of the current state of the description rules since they're worded more loosely, and I would hate for anyone to cross any lines anywhere --spoken or unspoken-- and get in or cause any trouble for anything, which was the source of my former comment;
I'm sorry if I said it wrong, intent is hard to display in text.
So where is the line crossed? and where and how can the line be bent?
Edit to avoid double posting:
Another talking point I just found out: The Spiritwalkers are the only organization with both Occultists and Alchemists under the same roof. So this would mostly concern them.
If anyone from the Spiritwalkers could talk about any kind of standards they have in this regard, if any, it would be wonderful. House history, discoveries, and lore that you're willing to share would also be welcomed too.