I'm currently working on a fantasy RPG that includes anthropomorphic characters. It includes classic fantasy races (human, dwarf, elf, gnome, halfling, half-orc), as well as anthropomorphic characters based on literally every existing tetrapod, except birds and flying mammals, which I'm saving for a future supplement, because I don't want to figure out the game mechanics for flight yet. I wanted to get some input from fellow furries on a few things.
1) In the game, I'm using the term "beastkin" for anthropomorphic characters. I have beastkin divided into "clans" of similar beastkin, like the Cat Clan and the Dog Clan, and the "kin" terminology works well because I can use the same suffix to refer to a specific clan, like catkin, or even a specific race, like leopardkin. Also, kin can be singular or plural, depending on context, so it's versatile. So my first question is how do you feel about the "kin" terminology to refer to anthropomorphic characters? If you don't like it, Is there some other terminology that you prefer?
2) I wanted a better term for a beastkin's base animal besides "base animal," which could also be used in-game by the actual characters. I decided to use "nagaul," which is basically a word for a shapeshifter, taken from Mesoamerican folk religion, which incorporates the idea that everyone has a unique spirit animal, since each nagual could only shift into their unique spirit animal, and no other type. Granted, beastkin don't shift, but they do have a transitional form between a human and their base animal, so it seems appropriate, plus I just think nagual has a nice ring to it. So what do you guys think, do you like nagual? If not, is there an alternate word you'd recommend for a beastkin's base animal?
3) I currently describe beastkin as generally having three fingers and a thumb on each hand, with claws or small hooves on each finger instead of fingernails, since this is how they're often portrayed in art. Realistically, in a game with regular humanoids like humans and dwarves who have true fingers, with four fingers and a thumb, the humanoids (and certain beastkin based on primates) should have better manual dexterity than beastkin, who have less fingers and awkward claws or hooves on their fingers. Rather than penalize the beastkin, I give the humanoids a +1 bonus with any task involving fine manipulation, like forgery or pickpocketing. Question 1: What do you think of making beastkin's default hands have three clawed or hooved fingers and a similar thumb? If you don't like it, what alternative would you suggest?
4) I'm giving all the beastkin internal anatomy that's basically human. So they're all warm-blooded and have placental reproduction, even beastkin based on cold-blooded animals like turtles or frogs. So beastkin based on reptiles and egg-laying mammals don't lay eggs; they get pregnant and have babies. Similarly, marsupialkin don't have tiny babies that have to live in their pouch for a while to survive; they get pregnant and have regular, full-sized babies, just like humans. I do let marsupialkin keep the pouches, but they're just for convenient storage, not raising babies, which means I let the male marsupialkin have them, too. What are your thoughts and comments on this? I'm especially interested in what people think about male marsupialkin having pouches. (Let me know if your fursona is actually based on a marsupial, as I think your opinion on this particular issue holds a little more weight.)
Thank you for your feedback,
Topher
1) In the game, I'm using the term "beastkin" for anthropomorphic characters. I have beastkin divided into "clans" of similar beastkin, like the Cat Clan and the Dog Clan, and the "kin" terminology works well because I can use the same suffix to refer to a specific clan, like catkin, or even a specific race, like leopardkin. Also, kin can be singular or plural, depending on context, so it's versatile. So my first question is how do you feel about the "kin" terminology to refer to anthropomorphic characters? If you don't like it, Is there some other terminology that you prefer?
2) I wanted a better term for a beastkin's base animal besides "base animal," which could also be used in-game by the actual characters. I decided to use "nagaul," which is basically a word for a shapeshifter, taken from Mesoamerican folk religion, which incorporates the idea that everyone has a unique spirit animal, since each nagual could only shift into their unique spirit animal, and no other type. Granted, beastkin don't shift, but they do have a transitional form between a human and their base animal, so it seems appropriate, plus I just think nagual has a nice ring to it. So what do you guys think, do you like nagual? If not, is there an alternate word you'd recommend for a beastkin's base animal?
3) I currently describe beastkin as generally having three fingers and a thumb on each hand, with claws or small hooves on each finger instead of fingernails, since this is how they're often portrayed in art. Realistically, in a game with regular humanoids like humans and dwarves who have true fingers, with four fingers and a thumb, the humanoids (and certain beastkin based on primates) should have better manual dexterity than beastkin, who have less fingers and awkward claws or hooves on their fingers. Rather than penalize the beastkin, I give the humanoids a +1 bonus with any task involving fine manipulation, like forgery or pickpocketing. Question 1: What do you think of making beastkin's default hands have three clawed or hooved fingers and a similar thumb? If you don't like it, what alternative would you suggest?
4) I'm giving all the beastkin internal anatomy that's basically human. So they're all warm-blooded and have placental reproduction, even beastkin based on cold-blooded animals like turtles or frogs. So beastkin based on reptiles and egg-laying mammals don't lay eggs; they get pregnant and have babies. Similarly, marsupialkin don't have tiny babies that have to live in their pouch for a while to survive; they get pregnant and have regular, full-sized babies, just like humans. I do let marsupialkin keep the pouches, but they're just for convenient storage, not raising babies, which means I let the male marsupialkin have them, too. What are your thoughts and comments on this? I'm especially interested in what people think about male marsupialkin having pouches. (Let me know if your fursona is actually based on a marsupial, as I think your opinion on this particular issue holds a little more weight.)
Thank you for your feedback,
Topher