New Character Path?

[Suno_Regin]

I've read about 4 descriptions that sound something like this:

"Xx used to be a Lemur, but after coming into contact with a dark mage, he is now an Ylian. He is now on a quest to reverse the effect and reclaim the body that was once his"

Completely random example, but before I even consider roleplaying with people that "had their race changed" I'd like to know if this type of magic is even legit.

[Dajoji]

*WARNING: Mary Sue Alert!*

For what's worth, morphing spells exist and they have been used in many events, although I prefer to see them as illusions or of temporary length. I guess any kind of uber magic trick should be avoided in general.

And about running into similar background stories, well... it's no surprise, really. I guess everyone has to start somewhere and somethings come to mind first (blame it on TV, popular culture or Microsoft). As long as it is within settings, I guess it's ok. It's not great but it's not bad either. Not their fault if it's been done before (and better) and they didn't know. Hopefully, they will learn from it and come up with better background stories for their future characters or steer the current one into a more original one.

[neko kyouran]

it has been recorded to have actually been done in game by talad himself.

http://hydlaa.com/smf/index.php?topic=20344.0

and yes, that event did take place in game and stronith's char was changed from kran to menki in the database.

[zorbels]

Just to elaborate on Neko's post .....

One of our guild member actually went on a quest to find the God Talad and ask for his permission. When Stronith was changed from Kran to Enki this didn't happen without consequences. It was also done in game, physically Stonith was changed by Talad. Not just by imagination. We also tried to write the story together to make it so it was believable and possible. You don't ask the gods for a favor and expect to give nothing in return. Stronith had to give up his stats and begin life as an Enki. 

I think if a person has a good background story and can explain the turn of events (change in character) then it should be respected and roleplayed along with. If magic is possible in PlaneShift then why can't a persons physical form change? If the person doesn't really have a story and is just running around claiming to be different but with no reason then I probably wouldn't give the roleplay another thought.

[Phinehas]

Well, it seems a little far-fetched to me, despite the fact that it's apparently official.

To address the first post however, no it is impossible for anyone to cast any harmful magic on a Lemur, especially the kind that would degenerate them into a lesser species such as Ylian scum. Can't be done. We're just that smart and awesome. Really.

[CrazyYlian]

Yes, it seems a little far-fetched to me, too.

To the first poster however, magicking a Lemur into a Ylian is clearly impossible. Can't be done. You simply can't make a diamond out of a fetid piece of Ulber dung.

[Xordan]

Yes, it seems a little far-fetched to me, too.

To the first poster however, magicking a Lemur into a Ylian is clearly impossible. Can't be done. You simply can't make a diamond out of a fetid piece of Ulber dung.

Actually you can. You turn the dung into fundamental particles and then turn those into carbon, then structure those into a diamond. Easily done by a God

[Suno_Regin]

Sure, but according to more information in the person's description, "a cloaked figure" did it, not a God.

[zorbels]

Well, it seems a little far-fetched to me, despite the fact that it's apparently official.

Yes, it seems a little far-fetched to me, too.

Perhaps it is to some who might see holes in the story that I didn't. (I sent PM's to the those who are sceptical to explain to me what I missed, hopefully there will be some insight as to were I went wrong. ) For a couple of newbies to RPing I think Stronith and I did a really good job. Not saying it is perfect but it took alot of work to make sure the stories we wrote work with in settings. I believe we accomplished that. Sure you would really have to think about what your doing in game and pay attention to detail. For example: Stronith was used to being a Kran. He was strong and used to having a big body. When he was changed, he had issues with being sore and off balance. He was learning how to use his body again. He would act this out in character.

If a person can come up with a story that is believable then why can't they change forms? Especially with magic? Or being cursed by a powerful dark mage? Of course there would be consequences to this change. As someone mentioned in another thread you can't just change your form and then change back. You would need some recover time. A dark mage can't change someone or curse them with magic and not have down sides to it. (Of course I am referring to serious Rper's and not the ones who put little effort and leave the following month.)


In RL we have imaginary werewolves in movies and books. They can change from human to wolf on a full moon. In some stories they can change when they want. There are always consequences to these transformations though. Like the wolf can't think like a human anymore. The wolf can't eat normal food and seeks out the blood of an animal or human. A wolf changing back to human can't just get up and go to work without resting first, etc. So why isn't it possible in PlaneShift?

It's easy to say it won't work, or it isn't believable. Lets see someone explain why though? I can't see the other side of this debate so I need someone to literally tell me their thoughts. Given a good enough debate I might be swayed to change my mind about the issue. As it stands I am not going to turn my back on RPer's who try new things. How can we have a healthy community with not the "same old stories" if were not willing to have new things happen. Trial and error is how we learn to do better.

Thanks for reading my post.

[Waylander]

I think you are all missing the point here.

There's one less kran and one more enki, we should all be celebrating

Fun fact: Not only was this a species change, it was also a sex change!

Okay, now that I am done with that.  Sure, you should stay within the settings but, if a player really wants to try something new I don't see anything wrong with going into the "far fetched" category.  I mean, to be honest, this is how I went -

Waylander Ylian - scrapped
Druss Kran - scrapped
Cadoras Enkidukai - later became Nurahk
Nostra Ynnwn - later became part of Nurahk's soul
Armeen (can't remember) - later became part of Nurahk's soul.


Nurahk is the soul of the son of Cadoras/Armeen/Nostra (Cadoras being the host and the other two being souls) and Shauri - he is also the adopted son of Sangwa.  With this reasoning he is nobility in the House of Purrty.  I've never actually approached Lolitra with this, deciding instead to basically deny it.  He used to have two souls (Nostra and Armeen) passed on from Cadoras.

I've decided to scrap most of his history.  Changed it to "Nurahk used to known as Cadoras, during his time under this name he had two servants, Nostra and Armeen.  Basically puppets.  Cadoras became mentally unstable and developped multiple personality syndrom, believing that the two servants he once controlled were now seperate souls within his body.  He lost all his memory one day and decided to be known as Nurahk (around here he started believing he was his own son) from then on, the multiple personality syndrom has since disappeared."

I'm not saying you should godmod and I'm definitely not saying I didn't make mistakes in my character development.  But keep in mind it is a game and the player may want to try something new.

Cheers.

[Phinehas]

Although several biting remarks come to mind, I will restrain myself to the opinion that you, Cadoras, may be a fun person in general, and a good RPer for the most part, aren't exactly what people should be modeling themselves after.

[Waylander]

Of course not.  I never said that I was, I was merely pointing out that people do go outside of the settings.  Keep in mind every spell you make up is stepping outside of the settings and more far fetched than what Stronith did

I made mistakes but I have learned from them.  I'd never deprive people of the ability to do the same instead I would merely guide them by pointing out said mistakes.

[Dajoji]

There's a difference in how one can introduce a plot in-game. In Zorbels' case, the whole thing happened there. It took place through roleplay and that, in my opinion, validates is. Not to mention there was indeed divine intervention involved not just players claiming a god showed up. It happened. But obviously, that makes that RP very rare and special and not something everyone can throw every week.

On the other hand, there's what one chooses to put in their background story, i.e., whatever precedes their RP and sets their current personality. People sometimes go over the top here and this is where it's important to try to keep it simple and original. It can easily trivialize some plots that are not meant to be common and that's when you bump into cursed warriors, frail females with deep sorrow in their eyes, evil warlords surrounded by shadows and dark auras, etc. Of course every serious RPer learns from experience and has their plots evolve and sometimes even outgrows them.

Not much we can do about those who are still learning and experimenting but be patient, offer guidance and hope their search leads them to something more original. At least they are trying.