Male or Female model?

[Rynn]

So, I've been wanting to make a lithe Conjurer. I know for a fact that I want them to be male, but I don't know which character model I want to use. A lot of the robes do cover up the body quite well, and they can make a character seem nearly flat chested. I want a young, lithe young boy, around fifteen or sixteen. The character I have in mind is suppose to be fairly weak, unable to fight properly and relaying on magic for the most part. His lithe nature is suppose to be the result of malnutrition as a child. I'm a returning player, so I want to pick an option that would alienate me less from the community. 

 

These are the two looks I'm struggling with:

http://i.imgur.com/gO2eXIR.png

 

Any suggestions, hints or stories that could help me figure out which would be best to do? I'm leaning towards the female character model myself. I also want to know how the community ICly would react to a character like this. I know this isn't a new thing, but I'm curious as to what the IC repercussions might be as well as the OOC one.

[LandStander]

Ahhh noo!! No more cats!!

 

(I like the lady model)

[Zhavi]

I had wanted my girl Zhi to be rather on the androgynous side - I'd wanted her to pass for a boy. Breast slider all the way down. Yet, even with that, the dimorphism is still readily apparent. Hip rolling movement, for one. Even gear that minimizes breast appearance still nips in at waist and tucks under breasts in a way that it wouldn't on a male body. Maybe not a deal breaker, but not gender neutral enough to fool anybody (much to my disappointment). So, take that as you will.

 

As for the genderflip if you go with the chick, I think the biggest problem you will have is confusion. You could play it off as him just looking feminine, but with the way the female model moves and stuff, it will not come across as a biological boy. Which is still interesting, imo, but you know. Imo roll a level one with a trash name and see the movement for yourself. Even I don't strut that much irl, and I have wider hips.

[Siha]

I have to agree with Zhavi on this one, while I personally think it would be awesome to use the female model for more feminine kitty boys, the only robe I've noticed that actually makes it possible for that model to look androgynous is the that one alone. The rest of the robs, as Zhavi stated, tuck in at the waist for curves and almost clearly define the chest no matter how small it is. Now you could always of course put in his tag that he's supposed to be male but that's completely up to you, somehow I doubt you'll have many problems from people OOCly for it.

 

So in other words, for simplicities sake you could go with the male model, but on the other hand if you like the female model best and don't mind doing some OOC or IC hinting at his gender I say go for the female model! My roommate (who unfortunately is rarely on) is using a female model for her very feminine male character and I think it looks good when it comes to the face. Though the animations are admittedly hard to pass as anything male.

[Ignacius]

Just remember that, even with the modifications, it isn't going to read to your beat random RPer as a lithe boy, it's going to read as a boyish woman.  Everyone will, reasonably, assume the character is a girl until told otherwise and everyone will still think he is very effeminate.

 

It usually doesn't work in practice in open RP, is what I'm saying.

[projektai]

Unfortunately, I'm agreeing with what others are saying about the female model. I think the young faces on males are enough to roleplay a young boy in terms of looks, but if you wanted the skinny/lithe look, I see where you're coming from.

 

The only problem I see is within the animations and the voice. I like to openly roleplay, especially with others I just meet, I'm almost always in character, but if I were to see your character as the female model, I'd assume it was a she, who's boyish, or if they referred to themselves as "he" I'd assume your character was transgender. 

I, personally, just think the female model with its clothes and its animations, won't lend to your character coming across as a boy. I'm sorry. ;;

[Rynn]

Ahhh noo!! No more cats!!

 

(I like the lady model)

Yes cats! >80 Actually, this is my first cat person. I typically play Hyurs, but I want to try out that mind boost the Keepers get.

 

I had wanted my girl Zhi to be rather on the androgynous side - I'd wanted her to pass for a boy.  Breast slider all the way down.  Yet, even with that, the dimorphism is still readily apparent.  Hip rolling movement,  for one.  Even gear that minimizes breast appearance still nips in at waist and tucks under breasts in a way that it wouldn't on a male body.  Maybe not a deal breaker, but not gender neutral enough to fool anybody (much to my disappointment).  So, take that as you will.

 

As for the genderflip if you go with the chick,  I think the biggest problem you will have is confusion.  You could play it off as him just looking feminine, but with the way the female model moves and stuff, it will not come across as a biological boy.  Which is still interesting, imo, but you know.  Imo roll a level one with a trash name and see the movement for yourself.   Even I don't strut that much irl, and I have wider hips.

I don't mind the confusion. The character is suppose to be a little bit of a brat and would probably purposely make himself look even more feminine just to trick people. 

 

I have to agree with Zhavi on this one, while I personally think it would be awesome to use the female model for more feminine kitty boys, the only robe I've noticed that actually makes it possible for that model to look androgynous is the that one alone. The rest of the robs, as Zhavi stated, tuck in at the waist for curves and almost clearly define the chest no matter how small it is. Now you could always of course put in his tag that he's supposed to be male but that's completely up to you, somehow I doubt you'll have many problems from people OOCly for it.

 

So in other words, for simplicities sake you could go with the male model, but on the other hand if you like the female model best and don't mind doing some OOC or IC hinting at his gender I say go for the female model! My roommate (who unfortunately is rarely on) is using a female model for her very feminine male character and I think it looks good when it comes to the face. Though the animations are admittedly hard to pass as anything male.

Ah awesome The character is suppose to have been raised by a large family of females, so his mannerisms would be very feminine. I hope that can be a reasonable excuse for him having feminine mannerisms. 

Just remember that, even with the modifications, it isn't going to read to your beat random RPer as a lithe boy, it's going to read as a boyish woman.  Everyone will, reasonably, assume the character is a girl until told otherwise and everyone will still think he is very effeminate.

 

It usually doesn't work in practice in open RP, is what I'm saying.

Ah like I said before, it'd be in the character's nature to want to trick people for fun, and I don't mind explaining OOCly.

Unfortunately, I'm agreeing with what others are saying about the female model. I think the young faces on males are enough to roleplay a young boy in terms of looks, but if you wanted the skinny/lithe look, I see where you're coming from.

 

The only problem I see is within the animations and the voice. I like to openly roleplay, especially with others I just meet, I'm almost always in character, but if I were to see your character as the female model, I'd assume it was a she, who's boyish, or if they referred to themselves as "he" I'd assume your character was transgender. 

I, personally, just think the female model with its clothes and its animations, won't lend to your character coming across as a boy. I'm sorry. ;;

That's fine. 

 

Thanks for the feed back !

[Zhavi]

 

I don't mind the confusion. The character is suppose to be a little bit of a brat and would probably purposely make himself look even more feminine just to trick people. 

 

 

 

So. . .I guess what you're saying is that the character would purposefully play a drag queen type? I ask this because biologically there is a difference between the way males and females move, due to center of gravity and how the skeletal structure is set up. So I mean, just being raised by females and having female mannerisms is more of a cultural than a biological, and for the rest it'd mean he was err. . .stuffing his clothes. So if that's something that your character would do, then it'd work really well and would do away with any awkward questions pertaining to the model aspects. (or, at least, if it's mentioned during rp then you can just have him in drag, and if it's not mentioned then don't worry about it sort of thing)

[Jana]

Don't forget that this game has jiggly jubblies even on a size 0 Miqo bust.

[Blue]

Hello. Reading your opening post I almost thought I had made this thread myself, because I've made a character just like yours. He's an eighteen boy (was seventeen when I started RPing, his birthday was in January), and I managed to get an enough sweet-faced innocent boy just well. Anyone belonging to the Ishgardian plot who has met Vincent can tell you of how he does sound and act like a young conjurer who has never fought a battle before.

 

To choose a female model to RP a gentle boy is not necessary at all. Sure, the faces are limited and I wish there would be more, but it's your behavior that makes your IC age. Pick a male model and try out your character. Maybe ask OOCly if those you RP with have the impression he is young. 

 

Or like I do, give a general warning when you meet someone for the first time. I usually say something like this when I begin new RPs with people I've never met before:

 

"For those that are new to my character, Vincent is only 18 and has never faced true battle before, so if I act naively or sound childish, that's why."

 

This system has usually always worked for me. The people I RP him with always treat me as I feel my young boy should be treated (I particularly enjoy those that are annoyed at him for how scaredy and hesitant he is, I like to meet RPers that could help my character grow up), and I am very happy with this. Give male models a go!

 

Here is a picture of his face, should you be curios of my idea of a young teenager boy.

[E'irawen]

I wanted to post because I had a similar debate with myself not long ago. My character is a male miqote who is fairly feminine, thin, etc. When I draw him, even, he comes out looking more on the girl side of things (and I've had several people get a bit testy about this, thinking he was a she and being upset that they called a dude hot and thus their sexuality was threatened, but I digress)

 

While the male models are a little more buff than I want, I simply make it a point from time to time in RP to mention in writing that he is thin. IE: referring to his fingers as thin, his frame frail, etc. It's all in the writing.

 

That being said, it's still pretty possible to configure the faces just right if you play around with them and get a youthful appearance that isn't totally in-your-face-super-manly or anything.

 

Ultimately, it's really your choice, but I'd like to draw attention to some of the other things the people in here have said, mainly because it will come up in RP with people who are unaware of your character's background.  Most of the armors available to wear for females cater to the figure. Even with the boob sliders on 0, there is still a bit of puff here and there, there's jiggle, and most if not all of the armor cater to that sort of hourglass-esque figure (on every female in every race). If you're willing to deal with that and the fact that your character is going to be mistaken a lot for a girl, then I suppose you have nothing to worry about.

 

On a random sidenote, the fact that the race you chose was the Moonkeeper side of things, it'll help with the innocent youngling appearance because of the size of their iris/pupil. Sunseekers are slightly more difficult to achieve the look.

 

 

Bottom line, however, that I've learned from RPing in any game, period. IC is not equal to IG. Even with the limitations of avatar options in the creation, ultimately it is your decision as to how they look. An example being, my man'qote has a very long braid and his hair is shaggy, cut asymmetrically. Obviously that's not an option at all. So I picked a somewhat shaggy style that was similar-ish, but I make it a point (as I said above) in my writing to mention that he has a braid, whether it's him playing around with it or it swishing around in a rainy wind. Etc.

 

 

I think that's it... Forgive me if it's a little confusing or ramble-y or anything. Bit sleep deprived. ^^;

[Rynn]

 

I don't mind the confusion. The character is suppose to be a little bit of a brat and would probably purposely make himself look even more feminine just to trick people. 

 

 

 

So. . .I guess what you're saying is that the character would purposefully play a drag queen type?  I ask this because biologically there is a difference between the way males and females move, due to center of gravity and how the skeletal structure is set up.  So I mean, just being raised by females and having female mannerisms is more of a cultural than a biological, and for the rest it'd mean he was err. . .stuffing his clothes.  So if that's something that your character would do, then it'd work really well and would do away with any awkward questions pertaining to the model aspects.  (or, at least, if it's mentioned during rp then you can just have him in drag, and if it's not mentioned then don't worry about it sort of thing)

That's what I'll do I guess.

Don't forget that this game has jiggly jubblies even on a size 0 Miqo bust.

Haha oh yes.

Hello. Reading your opening post I almost thought I had made this thread myself, because I've made a character just like yours. He's an eighteen boy (was seventeen when I started RPing, his birthday was in January), and I managed to get an enough sweet-faced innocent boy just well. Anyone belonging to the Ishgardian plot who has met Vincent can tell you of how he does sound and act like a young conjurer who has never fought a battle before.

 

To choose a female model to RP a gentle boy is not necessary at all. Sure, the faces are limited and I wish there would be more, but it's your behavior that makes your IC age. Pick a male model and try out your character. Maybe ask OOCly if those you RP with have the impression he is young. 

 

Or like I do, give a general warning when you meet someone for the first time. I usually say something like this when I begin new RPs with people I've never met before:

 

"For those that are new to my character, Vincent is only 18 and has never faced true battle before, so if I act naively or sound childish, that's why."

 

This system has usually always worked for me. The people I RP him with always treat me as I feel my young boy should be treated (I particularly enjoy those that are annoyed at him for how scaredy and hesitant he is, I like to meet RPers that could help my character grow up), and I am very happy with this. Give male models a go!

 

Here is a picture of his face, should you be curios of my idea of a young teenager boy.

Ah your boy looks gorgeous Thanks for the advice!

I wanted to post because I had a similar debate with myself not long ago. My character is a male miqote who is fairly feminine, thin, etc. When I draw him, even, he comes out looking more on the girl side of things (and I've had several people get a bit testy about this, thinking he was a she and being upset that they called a dude hot and thus their sexuality was threatened, but I digress)

 

While the male models are a little more buff than I want, I simply make it a point from time to time in RP to mention in writing that he is thin. IE: referring to his fingers as thin, his frame frail, etc. It's all in the writing.

 

That being said, it's still pretty possible to configure the faces just right if you play around with them and get a youthful appearance that isn't totally in-your-face-super-manly or anything.

 

Ultimately, it's really your choice, but I'd like to draw attention to some of the other things the people in here have said, mainly because it will come up in RP with people who are unaware of your character's background.  Most of the armors available to wear for females cater to the figure. Even with the boob sliders on 0, there is still a bit of puff here and there, there's jiggle, and most if not all of the armor cater to that sort of hourglass-esque figure (on every female in every race). If you're willing to deal with that and the fact that your character is going to be mistaken a lot for a girl, then I suppose you have nothing to worry about.

 

On a random sidenote, the fact that the race you chose was the Moonkeeper side of things, it'll help with the innocent youngling appearance because of the size of their iris/pupil. Sunseekers are slightly more difficult to achieve the look.

 

 

Bottom line, however, that I've learned from RPing in any game, period. IC is not equal to IG. Even with the limitations of avatar options in the creation, ultimately it is your decision as to how they look. An example being, my man'qote has a very long braid and his hair is shaggy, cut asymmetrically. Obviously that's not an option at all. So I picked a somewhat shaggy style that was similar-ish, but I make it a point (as I said above) in my writing to mention that he has a braid, whether it's him playing around with it or it swishing around in a rainy wind. Etc.

 

 

I think that's it... Forgive me if it's a little confusing or ramble-y or anything. Bit sleep deprived. ^^;

Ah, that was wonderful for a sleep deprived post : D! Thank you!

[E'irawen]

It is no problem.  Regardless of your choice, feel free to add me in-game or send a message if you need any help and/or want some RP. K'aworu needs more friends, haha.

[Rynn]

It is no problem.  Regardless of your choice, feel free to add me in-game or send a message if you need any help and/or want some RP. K'aworu needs more friends, haha.

Awesome <3 I've made my char, so expect a whisper from Rynn Berne soon!

[Blue]

I guess I'm kinda late on this tip, but I figure that if you really decided to roll with a female model, a good way to suggest to others that you are a male would be to choose a name that respects the naming conventions for male Miqote's. R'ynn Tia/R'ynn Nunh for a Seeker of the Sun, or Rynn'a/Rynn'to/Rynn'li etc. for a Keeper of the Moon. That would give a good hint about your IC gender (though some may think you are an original Male Miqo'te who used a Fantasia potion, I guess). I don't mean to be a joykiller, but "Rynn Berne" would at a very first glance hint for a female of the Keeper of the Moon. Of course though, if your character was named by parents belonging to another race, the name is perfectly plausible. I am just speaking from a Miqo'te naming convention standpoint.

[Ignacius]

Unfortunately, I'm agreeing with what others are saying about the female model. I think the young faces on males are enough to roleplay a young boy in terms of looks, but if you wanted the skinny/lithe look, I see where you're coming from.

 

 

Well... actually, that's sort of a good point.  The characters, almost universally (except the Roegadyn) are ALREADY lithe and skinny.  And the faces, unless you intentionally choose one that looks older or slap a beard on it, already look like they're fifteen.

 

I mean, I had to go out of my way to make Ignacius look grown-up-but-not-middle-aged.  FFXIV and, if nobody minds me being a little stereotypical, Japanese games in general make the characters look exceptionally young and lean.  Your other option is... well.... Roegadyn.  You'd think there'd be a middle-ground.

 

Honestly, you could just shrink your character, go unmuscled, pick a young face and eyes, and look like a twelve year old.  No female model required.

 

I guess it kind of feels like you'd be going out of your way to use the female model.  Males in this game already look a little fae and effeminate as a matter of course.  It isn't like in WoW where you have a choice for men between running back and defensive linesman.

[Blue]

 

Unfortunately, I'm agreeing with what others are saying about the female model. I think the young faces on males are enough to roleplay a young boy in terms of looks, but if you wanted the skinny/lithe look, I see where you're coming from.

 

 

Well... actually, that's sort of a good point.  The characters, almost universally (except the Roegadyn) are ALREADY lithe and skinny.  And the faces, unless you intentionally choose one that looks older or slap a beard on it, already look like they're fifteen.

 

I mean, I had to go out of my way to make Ignacius look grown-up-but-not-middle-aged.  FFXIV and, if nobody minds me being a little stereotypical, Japanese games in general make the characters look exceptionally young and lean.  Your other option is... well.... Roegadyn.  You'd think there'd be a middle-ground.

 

Honestly, you could just shrink your character, go unmuscled, pick a young face and eyes, and look like a twelve year old.  No female model required.

 

I guess it kind of feels like you'd be going out of your way to use the female model.  Males in this game already look a little fae and effeminate as a matter of course.  It isn't like in WoW where you have a choice for men between running back and defensive linesman.

I agree with you for Lalafell, Hyur and Elezen, but I think he made a mistake picking Miqo'te. Miqo'te, much like Roegadyn, has very sensible physical differences between the two genders. We can't even pick a muscle tone on them, and Miqo'te male were purposefully made with very "male" stances and poses, including how they sit, walk, run, and stand; while Miqo'te females are all around feminine, almost to an exaggerated point, in everything they do (again, on purpose. SE has always had this kind of fetish for them since FFXI). Picking Hyur, Lala or Elezen would have probably given more androgynous options, which is why I went with Elezen with my feminine-looking boy (I have actually been mistaken for a girl while playing him a couple times).

[Naunet]

Males in this game already look a little fae and effeminate as a matter of course.

 

I'm not seein' it. o.0 Unless you pick the "pretty" fac, and even then it's only in the face. But nothing about the male bodies says effeminate to me.

[Rynn]

I guess I'm kinda late on this tip, but I figure that if you really decided to roll with a female model, a good way to suggest to others that you are a male would be to choose a name that respects the naming conventions for male Miqote's. R'ynn Tia/R'ynn Nunh for a Seeker of the Sun, or Rynn'a/Rynn'to/Rynn'li etc. for a Keeper of the Moon. That would give a good hint about your IC gender (though some may think you are an original Male Miqo'te who used a Fantasia potion, I guess). I don't mean to be a joykiller, but "Rynn Berne" would at a very first glance hint for a female of the Keeper of the Moon. Of course though, if your character was named by parents belonging to another race, the name is perfectly plausible. I am just speaking from a Miqo'te naming convention standpoint.

Yeah, the character was named by Hyur. I'm not familiar enough with Miqo'te lore to play one raised by an actual tribe, so I'd rather go with the lore I do know.

[Rinh Hallani]

One of my friends plays a more feminine looking male miqo'te and rolled him with the female model. I don't recall anyone having a problem with it OOC or IC. Of course some people assumed he was a she upon first meeting him but they were corrected ICly and, in my opinion, it actually resulted in some interesting RP.

[Jana]

Yeah, the character was named by Hyur. I'm not familiar enough with Miqo'te lore to play one raised by an actual tribe, so I'd rather go with the lore I do know.

 

The question then becomes "why play Miqo'te at all" when male midlanders (I don't know about highlanders) can be much more boyish?

[Rynn]

Yeah, the character was named by Hyur. I'm not familiar enough with Miqo'te lore to play one raised by an actual tribe, so I'd rather go with the lore I do know.

 

The question then becomes "why play Miqo'te at all" when male midlanders (I don't know about highlanders) can be much more boyish?

Mostly because of the Mind boost.

[Aysun]

Yeah, the character was named by Hyur. I'm not familiar enough with Miqo'te lore to play one raised by an actual tribe, so I'd rather go with the lore I do know.

 

The question then becomes "why play Miqo'te at all" when male midlanders (I don't know about highlanders) can be much more boyish?

Mostly because of the Mind boost.

Can claim it's stats all you want.. lol.. Those stats are negligible. Jana has a great point.

 

All male miqo'te also have markings beneath their eyes that darken as they age. So to hide his gender, or appear as feminine as you want him to, you would have to wear make up to cover those markings. Which means you're character would be purposefully trying to look like a girl.

 

I'm not saying they can't be feminine, but they have traits that you cannot ignore. They are males. They will always be a little taller than females. They will always have a more masculine voice and structure. They'll have their male markings. Miqo'te is a poor race to choose if you want a femmeboy character, despite it being the most common choice for those who want that.

[Jana]

The stat differences make no tangible difference in endgame; the one example I can think of is Lallafel BLM getting an extra cast with their Mind without having to work on the stat. Unless you're willing to rework your character into a Lallafel, starting stats are basically meaningless.

[Rynn]

Yeah, the character was named by Hyur. I'm not familiar enough with Miqo'te lore to play one raised by an actual tribe, so I'd rather go with the lore I do know.

 

The question then becomes "why play Miqo'te at all" when male midlanders (I don't know about highlanders) can be much more boyish?

Mostly because of the Mind boost.

Can claim it's stats all you want.. lol.. Those stats are negligible. Jana has a great point.

 

All male miqo'te also have markings beneath their eyes that darken as they age. So to hide his gender, or appear as feminine as you want him to, you would have to wear make up to cover those markings. Which means you're character would be purposefully trying to look like a girl.

 

I'm not saying they can't be feminine, but they have traits that you cannot ignore. They are males. They will always be a little taller than females. They will always have a more masculine voice and structure. They'll have their male markings. Miqo'te is a poor race to choose if you want a femmeboy character, despite it being the most common choice for those who want that.

I think this is the closest to a rude reply I've gotten on this thread. That makes me kind of happy.

 

The stat differences make no tangible difference in endgame; the one example I can think of is Lallafel BLM getting an extra cast with their Mind without having to work on the stat. Unless you're willing to rework your character into a Lallafel, starting stats are basically meaningless.

You see, I'm use to games where the bonus stats of races make differences in the game play. I'll probably think about reworking into a Hyur then, but I actually kind of enjoy the look I managed to get for the character.