Post by Mr. Pooka on Mar 4, 2020 18:42:06 GMT -5
Sphinx Traits
Sphinxes may have many different traits, especially Egyptian Sphinxes who are extremely diverse! Some traits come from different bloodlines, some from breeding, some from magic and some that can't be explained easily or at all!
So what are traits exactly? Well there are two answers to that question;
#1 - The first is the 'Out of Character, non-RP' answer which is that traits are different characteristics and physical differences from the standard Sphinx. Decoration and Diversity to make a Sphinx look awesome!
#2 - The second 'In Character, Roleplay world building" answer is that traits come from many different sources and may show off personality, magical effects or affinities, evolution, mutation, bloodlines and heritage in a physical way.
Traits can be used to show off backstory, recreate otherworldly characters who get 'Sphinxified', build unique looking characters and much more. Different Sphinx types view Sphinx traits in different ways as well!
While we often have canon reasons for why certain traits exist in the world, they are certainly not limited to one particular reasoning! Most importantly, Sphinxes is always a Roleplaying adoptable and everyone is always strongly encouraged to create their own stories and backgrounds and even personal settings! Lets look at Feather Wings as an example...
Feather Wings are a fairly rare trait among Egyptian Sphinxes in our canon and most often they come from bloodlines that included Greek Sphinxes, whom virtually all have feather wings and frequently mix, marry and meddle with the Egyptians. While that is a simple and straightforward way to explain Egyptian Sphinxes with feather wings it is far from the only way they can exist both in and out of our canon. Alternate bloodlines (Falcon/Swan Netjers? Celestial Angels? Bird Pookas?) and magic (Powerful spells? A trip to Rosemary's Lab? A godly blessing or manifestation from Isis?) are two of the most common concepts though there are many more options and ideas... You could use them as a mysterious backstory (A winged Sphinx born to a family who have not had wings in any know memory), as a story goal (a Sphinx born with no wings who always has wings in their dreams and searches for the meaning, purpose or reason who uses a rare in game option to get them one day) or perhaps a prophesy (only once every 94 years is a winged hero born to this particular noble family!). You could also use them to represent traits from your own personal settings, stories or roleplays! (Sphinxify your Fallen Angel, D&D Avarial or Aasimar, Anthro Pegasus or Genetic Scientist?) ...or sometimes you might just want to own a really cool Snowy Owl mimic and to heck with backstory! (-8 its all good!
Among the Sphinxes of Khemet traits are not usually used as a method to define another's personality or disposition except perhaps in a superficially positive way. Traits may be viewed differently in different places though! Take Wolf Traits for example. In Ahket most would simply look towards the positive aspects associated with wolves and canines like loyalty, howling, hunting and tracking with the occasional lighthearted mention of the natural competition between cats and dogs. In Lamoria wolves are often associated with several frightening creatures of the night like werewolves and vampires so might be viewed with superstitious wariness unless proven wrong (or of course right). In Katterhiem wolf bloodlines are often considered fierce, strong and carry long legacies though a rare few are feared for their worship of Fenris.
Traits are not necessarily defined by what we have titled the trait! The titles are just a simple method for sorting, building and customizing Sphinxes. Some examples include;'Cat ears' which look very similar to Fox ears. 'Bat Wings' are our default Dragon wings. 'Round Horns' could be infernal devil horns. Feel free to interpret any trait how you wish while creating your Sphinxes!
Traits are not usually something that changes with a Sphinx once created. Of course with every rule we do tend to have rare exceptions...
It does also need to be mentioned that not all traits are available for use or purchase. Some traits may be unique, custom or possibly retired. Some traits are limited or restricted to certain times or settings. Some are one-off artist inspirations for unique characters or come about through unusual means like an odd game or strange magic cookie effect. Sometimes what seemed like a good idea at the time really wasn't. Not every one of the little tweaks or unique little bits out there need to be defined, categorized and explained, (-8
We also occasionally break our own rules because we can! For example, the rules below explain that Feather Tails are an exclusive trait that may only be used on Hierocosphinxes. So you cannot order them for customs for anyone except Hierocos, they will not pass to non-Hierocos during breeding season etc... that doesn't mean that we might not use a Feather tail on a specific premade or fancy unique Sphinx now and then if it is appropriate. Just because we've used a specific trait like this doesn't change the core rule or automatically make it available for others to use it the same way!
If you do find something on the rare Sphinx that you don't find listed below that you are curious about feel free to ask me about it in the 'Can I have that?' thread HERE!
Traits can be used to create so many fun, beautiful, intriguing, creative and interesting Sphinxes! Here are just a few examples built with trait options that are usually available to everyone!
Sphinxes may have many different traits, especially Egyptian Sphinxes who are extremely diverse! Some traits come from different bloodlines, some from breeding, some from magic and some that can't be explained easily or at all!
So what are traits exactly? Well there are two answers to that question;
#1 - The first is the 'Out of Character, non-RP' answer which is that traits are different characteristics and physical differences from the standard Sphinx. Decoration and Diversity to make a Sphinx look awesome!
#2 - The second 'In Character, Roleplay world building" answer is that traits come from many different sources and may show off personality, magical effects or affinities, evolution, mutation, bloodlines and heritage in a physical way.
Traits can be used to show off backstory, recreate otherworldly characters who get 'Sphinxified', build unique looking characters and much more. Different Sphinx types view Sphinx traits in different ways as well!
While we often have canon reasons for why certain traits exist in the world, they are certainly not limited to one particular reasoning! Most importantly, Sphinxes is always a Roleplaying adoptable and everyone is always strongly encouraged to create their own stories and backgrounds and even personal settings! Lets look at Feather Wings as an example...
Feather Wings are a fairly rare trait among Egyptian Sphinxes in our canon and most often they come from bloodlines that included Greek Sphinxes, whom virtually all have feather wings and frequently mix, marry and meddle with the Egyptians. While that is a simple and straightforward way to explain Egyptian Sphinxes with feather wings it is far from the only way they can exist both in and out of our canon. Alternate bloodlines (Falcon/Swan Netjers? Celestial Angels? Bird Pookas?) and magic (Powerful spells? A trip to Rosemary's Lab? A godly blessing or manifestation from Isis?) are two of the most common concepts though there are many more options and ideas... You could use them as a mysterious backstory (A winged Sphinx born to a family who have not had wings in any know memory), as a story goal (a Sphinx born with no wings who always has wings in their dreams and searches for the meaning, purpose or reason who uses a rare in game option to get them one day) or perhaps a prophesy (only once every 94 years is a winged hero born to this particular noble family!). You could also use them to represent traits from your own personal settings, stories or roleplays! (Sphinxify your Fallen Angel, D&D Avarial or Aasimar, Anthro Pegasus or Genetic Scientist?) ...or sometimes you might just want to own a really cool Snowy Owl mimic and to heck with backstory! (-8 its all good!
Among the Sphinxes of Khemet traits are not usually used as a method to define another's personality or disposition except perhaps in a superficially positive way. Traits may be viewed differently in different places though! Take Wolf Traits for example. In Ahket most would simply look towards the positive aspects associated with wolves and canines like loyalty, howling, hunting and tracking with the occasional lighthearted mention of the natural competition between cats and dogs. In Lamoria wolves are often associated with several frightening creatures of the night like werewolves and vampires so might be viewed with superstitious wariness unless proven wrong (or of course right). In Katterhiem wolf bloodlines are often considered fierce, strong and carry long legacies though a rare few are feared for their worship of Fenris.
Traits are not necessarily defined by what we have titled the trait! The titles are just a simple method for sorting, building and customizing Sphinxes. Some examples include;'Cat ears' which look very similar to Fox ears. 'Bat Wings' are our default Dragon wings. 'Round Horns' could be infernal devil horns. Feel free to interpret any trait how you wish while creating your Sphinxes!
Traits are not usually something that changes with a Sphinx once created. Of course with every rule we do tend to have rare exceptions...
It does also need to be mentioned that not all traits are available for use or purchase. Some traits may be unique, custom or possibly retired. Some traits are limited or restricted to certain times or settings. Some are one-off artist inspirations for unique characters or come about through unusual means like an odd game or strange magic cookie effect. Sometimes what seemed like a good idea at the time really wasn't. Not every one of the little tweaks or unique little bits out there need to be defined, categorized and explained, (-8
We also occasionally break our own rules because we can! For example, the rules below explain that Feather Tails are an exclusive trait that may only be used on Hierocosphinxes. So you cannot order them for customs for anyone except Hierocos, they will not pass to non-Hierocos during breeding season etc... that doesn't mean that we might not use a Feather tail on a specific premade or fancy unique Sphinx now and then if it is appropriate. Just because we've used a specific trait like this doesn't change the core rule or automatically make it available for others to use it the same way!
If you do find something on the rare Sphinx that you don't find listed below that you are curious about feel free to ask me about it in the 'Can I have that?' thread HERE!
Traits can be used to create so many fun, beautiful, intriguing, creative and interesting Sphinxes! Here are just a few examples built with trait options that are usually available to everyone!
