1) First of all, shape-shifting is not entirely without precedent in Eorzea, though it is most commonly limited to voidsent Imps there are a few rare instances where the races of man have reportedly demonstrated the ability. It is unclear, however, if their shape-shifting powers are legitimate or sailor talk.
In any event, I'm not including the previous mentions of Dravanian alteration and voidsent submission (usually via a copy of the Sharlayan tome, Necrologos) as examples of shape-shifting. Shape-shifting implies being able to shift back and forth between forms, something that is impossible in the aforementioned examples. Having consumed dragon blood imbued with the powerful magicks of a Celestial Wyrm, an Ishgardian harboring the essence of Ratatoskr permanently becomes a dragon - be it aevis or syricta. And those who become one with a voidsent lose their human form.
2) Lore aside, the main crux of this character trait is that in most roleplay, this apparently very central plot point will never come into play. In what RP will your character turn into a big white cat? How would this be portrayed outside of the lion/coeurl mount or in verbose character emote descriptions? And if it's something that is so seldom brought to the front of your rp, it's negative side effect of repeated use resulting in more difficult re-transformations becomes a non-issue of an eventuality that will never come to pass in roleplay. At that point, it seems to serve little function other than to make your character sound more interesting over tavern table conversation.
I think the trait could be better explored by making the shape-shift inconveniently impossible to control, assuming it's really a curse inherited from blood not some magic he's mastered. Or that such transformations are long, painful, or the character no longer possesses control of their body when shifted, a true negative drawback considering there's no telling what or who he might do or hurt as a big cat. Permanent transformation can always still be a legitimate worry, but as it would likely never affect actual roleplay, it can't really be counted as a negative power-check.
3) Is the father killing his son's children to stop them passing on this shape-shifter curse? Otherwise his actions seem really extreme, and casts a lot of doubt on an already matriarchal society who only appreciate the company of Keeper men in small doses choosing the son of a homicidal male as their leader. Would they not cast him out of their family as well, now that he is cursed to protect themselves? It would explain why your character can travel around to rp in various places than him being a leader of a family group?
Just some things to think on when continuing to develop the character.
Dural Tharal Wrote:Bear in mind that imps are skilled at shapeshifting shams.
Wanted: Palemoon Parazuzu Wrote:Rumor has that well-known songstress Parazuzu, often seen performing in central Limsa Lominsa's Octant, is actually a lycanthropic asassin hired by the international crime syndicate Zer'maat Five to eliminate a high-ranking official in the Knights of the Barracuda. Azeyma's Shields' W'mhelgo Hena has been tracking Palemoon's movements for the past fortnight and believes she may have discovered a pattern. Join the Isleguard and assist her in capturing the shapeshifter before she can carry out her bloody mission.
Wanted: Xha Viqqoh the Nibbler Wrote:According to intelligence gathered by agents of The Horn and Hand, international crime syndicate Zer'maat Five has hired the services of one "Xha Viqqoh the Nibbler" to infiltrate the upper levels of The Mizzenmast and assassinate the Admiral where she sleeps. Considering the number of guards on duty at the tower, this would normally be an impossible task. The Nibbler is rumored, however, to be a formidable mage with the ability to change her appearance into that of a tiny rat. Fortunately, the whereabouts of the shape-shifter's hideout have been discovered and the Shields are planning a covert mission to capture the criminal and foil her masters' plans. Join Isleguard W'mhelgo Hena immediately and assist her in her operation.
In any event, I'm not including the previous mentions of Dravanian alteration and voidsent submission (usually via a copy of the Sharlayan tome, Necrologos) as examples of shape-shifting. Shape-shifting implies being able to shift back and forth between forms, something that is impossible in the aforementioned examples. Having consumed dragon blood imbued with the powerful magicks of a Celestial Wyrm, an Ishgardian harboring the essence of Ratatoskr permanently becomes a dragon - be it aevis or syricta. And those who become one with a voidsent lose their human form.
2) Lore aside, the main crux of this character trait is that in most roleplay, this apparently very central plot point will never come into play. In what RP will your character turn into a big white cat? How would this be portrayed outside of the lion/coeurl mount or in verbose character emote descriptions? And if it's something that is so seldom brought to the front of your rp, it's negative side effect of repeated use resulting in more difficult re-transformations becomes a non-issue of an eventuality that will never come to pass in roleplay. At that point, it seems to serve little function other than to make your character sound more interesting over tavern table conversation.
I think the trait could be better explored by making the shape-shift inconveniently impossible to control, assuming it's really a curse inherited from blood not some magic he's mastered. Or that such transformations are long, painful, or the character no longer possesses control of their body when shifted, a true negative drawback considering there's no telling what or who he might do or hurt as a big cat. Permanent transformation can always still be a legitimate worry, but as it would likely never affect actual roleplay, it can't really be counted as a negative power-check.
3) Is the father killing his son's children to stop them passing on this shape-shifter curse? Otherwise his actions seem really extreme, and casts a lot of doubt on an already matriarchal society who only appreciate the company of Keeper men in small doses choosing the son of a homicidal male as their leader. Would they not cast him out of their family as well, now that he is cursed to protect themselves? It would explain why your character can travel around to rp in various places than him being a leader of a family group?
Just some things to think on when continuing to develop the character.
