Character Modification

[EriChar]

A few times recently, it has been observed that certain 'types' of characters suffer a certain level of unpopularity or even discrimination because of their very being. Characters of these types seem to get shunned, and ideas are shied away from simply because of what they are. SO, I've decided to look into a few solutions to some problems, old and new!

Long Term 'Genderbending'

Gender identity issues are important, and while I'm sure we're all amused with the campy way Oda portrays Okama, I think there are limited options to explore a more serious side of this character? With the more light-hearted manner that transmen or transwomen are portrayed in the series, it's difficult to get characters taken seriously, and anatomy is a whole separate issue.

To focus only on the anatomical aspect, the recent addition to the shop of the 'Hormocott' I think is a positive step, but this is only a temporary effect. I, myself, have had ideas about making a transgender character and have always found the body issue a challenge, so I would like to focus on the powers of the Horu Horu no Mi, and the Hormocott, in order to solve this. Both items, canon or original, imply that there is some substance in existence that can perform the miracle of true gender reassignment, even if one is merely temporary. However, for characters wishing to come up with a 'permanent' solution, it is rather difficult without risking some canon connections which would likely be refused. So, what to do?

My idea is to have a 'brand new serum' developed from the extract of the hormocott! In a world where items can 'eat' devil fruits, I don't think this would be a terribly difficult leap of science. Now I have two models for this plan, one which I call the 'Ivankov Method', which would be a full dose of this hormone changer and would from that point reassign someone's gender permanently. One could change to a male or female body from that point onward without the need to worry about being found out for 'passing' or some such.

The second idea would be more of a temporary but long term solution. This form of serum would not be as powerful, it's effect only lasting a little over a day, but would not reverse from the adrenaline rush like the Hormocott. Needing to be 'topped up' with daily injections like a diabetic might need insulin, this change would be harder to manage, but may also provide more sources of character development.

Of course, both of these options would be entirely personal. I do not wish to see permanent genderbending 'weaponized'. Hormocott's are supposed to be a little bit of fun that's easily solvable, but using more serious changes in ways of humour and conflict not only disrespects the people involved but also the issue of gender identity. For permanent gender-changing solutions, I think I would expect no price to be paid, as you're simply helping the person become who they have always been meant to be.

Body Size Issues

As has long been a problem on the site, the 'race' that perhaps suffers the most discrimination in terms of character choice are the Giants, simply due to their sheer scale. Difficult to accomodate on or off land, Giants seem to be steered clear of by all but the most determined of souls, making them an available but severely underused race. So, what to do? Despite the prevalence of giants in the world, most people seem to think in 'human sizes', so what we need is a way to help the giants become a more 'manageable' size. So, why don't we have that?

In a world where seashells can shoot fire and guns can eat, it seems a bit silly there there isn't something somewhere which can alter something's size? There have been Devil Fruits with this property, but to take a leaf from Alice in wonderland, wouldnt it be nice if there were something like a fruit or medicine that could help people modify their size? I mean if we needed an example in canon of non-fruit size changing being an option, look at how Usopp's Kuro Kabuto can change size?

I think it would be nice to give people that option. I'd like to provide a temporary item like a hormocott that could shrink a giant down to human size, so they can live with a little less stigma and inconvenience in a human environment? Obviously, this might prove problematic without the right changes, for instance, a human sized person with giant sized strength would be... A big risk. Because of that, I think any item that 'scales' a giant down should also scale their strength by the same degree, so the average giant has the average human strength at human size. Obviously the process would be entirely reversible, so I expect each 'shrink' item would have a method of return included, allowing the giant to quickly return to full size should the situation require.

Further to this, of course, is the issue of dwarves. While far from as 'burdened' by size as your giant in terms of capability, I don't doubt there are times when a dwarf might long to be the same size as a human? Perhaps it might offer options for romance with larger species that would be unavailable otherwise? In this regard, dwarves could 'grow up' to human scales, allowing them to interact with the world at a human level. Obviously, since Dwarves already have innate physical power that matches humans, their strength would not be 'scaled up, so they wouldn't receive a power boost from the act to any large degree. The once a day method from the giants, however, would be carried over.

I am tempted to add a sort of 'once a day' clause to usage, however, to stop people using massive size changes to unfair advantages, so the user would be limited to using one shrink and grow per day. Otherwise, the item has no effect. As for cost, I think these items would have a reasonable price in the range of the weather balls/pop greens for their once a day effect? Really, they're there more for convenience so I think it would be a reasonable 'curb' on people abusing this potential to expect a little outlay on their part?

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So yeah, those are the principle issues of race I can currently think of. Thoughts?

[Blaka]

I think a device to make giants smaller is a thing that even makes sense in canon. How else did Sanjuan Wolf, whose face is as big as the Marineford Execution Platfiorm, through the doors of Impel Down?
Either they temporarily shrunk him somehow or (less likely) put him in a gigantic bubble while they actually built Impel Down around him xD

[Deleted]

I think a lot of these ideas are really great! I'm all for more accessibility in terms of characters. In terms of the gendershift options, I think it'd be nice if both a temporary and permanent option were usable. Maybe the temporary shifter could be much more commonly available than the permanent, giving such inclined characters a good goal to work towards thematically. Explaining it as harnessing the power of the Horm-Horm fruit's injections (through science, medicine and possible the use of test subject okama) seems a great way to explain it.

I agree that'd it be great for giants to find a way to shrink down and become more manageable, and the same option being available in reverse for dwarves. However, I think dwarves should get some sort of drawback for being bigger, maybe having their strength reduced to that of a normal human, instead of the short tank powerhouses they are when they are at the smaller size?

If applied, what would be the rarity of such items? Would it just be available at the start in character creation, like Skypiean dials, or would it be something they have to work and save up for?

[Shinku]

I for myself find the problems that a person with gender issues is facing an interesting part of the character. It gives much room for character development and other things like that. But getting a solution is also part of a character development and a solution or at least a partial solution to their problem, sounds like a nice thing to have, or to work for.

If you add such a thing, then both a permanent solution as well as a temporary solution, should be available. There are a lot of different gender identities and a genderfluid person might not want a permanent solution, neither someone who isn’t sure yet, while a person that’s very clear on their gender might want one.

In the end it would depend much on the actual person, how that stuff will come to use. A conman might find it just as usable as transgender people. A lot of possible stories in here and with everything it depends on the players gasp of their character and their skills to show the characters problems and struggles and developments.
So I really favour the introduction of said genderbending stuff, even though I don’t plan on making another character and both of my guys are … well guys.

Same for the bodysize issue. It sounds like a good idea that’ll help rping different characters and that’s in my opinion very One Piece like.

PS: Since we’re already talking about gender issues, I’ll have to point out the heavily discrimination in the use of a very basic attack, also known as “groin attack”, which for some reason is only ever used on males, despite the proven effectivity on persons of the female gender.
I’m hereby declare my intention on promoting said attack on woman as well, for the sake of gender equality and will gladly accept any help from any member or staff that feels that this long ignored issue needs recognition.

[Deleted]

Can we open this back up for consideration, or is it dead? I'm kinda interested in seeing where this would go. Also, another note for discussion-

SPOILER: Click to show

What if there is a Mythical Zoan (don't know of any animal species that might apply here) that is gendered with the species? Like say a Hito-Hito no Mi Model: Yuki-onna or Hito-Hito no Mi Model: Incubus? Would the transformation into the full state alter the sex of the person if it differs? What happens if there's a half point and there's a difference in the sexes of the user and the species?

[Deleted]

I'm gonna post giving my two cents even though I'm not exactly "pro" on everything discussed. There are two sides to every coin, and the reason this thread probably died down is because no one of the opposite side came to express their opinions to help flesh out everything this idea may have to offer.

While I do find all of you to have good reasons behind the implementation of things such as gender bending and size changes, I feel like it's unnecessary to really make it a "thing." Well, as far as gender bending, what's stopping you from creating a character that is trans, or someone who would like to be the opposite gender of what they are, now? Seems like an interesting concept that only someone interested in it would actually do, so I say: just do it! I don't think not many people do it because they believe that they aren't allowed. To be blunt, they're probably scared or just have doubts that any RP would be made. For the record, I'd collaborate with a transgendered char. If someone doesn't want to, then oh well; their loss! =O

As for the size-enhancements/reductions for Dwarves and Giants, sounds like an interesting thing to implement, much like the hormocots, but why opt for an unique race, such as those, just to go and make them "normal?" I mean, I understand the whole sentimental story behind some of the motives, but I don't feel creating such a thing should make you want a Giant or Dwarf any more than you already do if you don't want one because they're too big or too small. Imagine the obstacles chars from the series have to face. That's part of the race's story dynamic, to me. If you don't want to deal with size issues, make a regular human. Want to get adventurous? Then go for one of the more outlandish races. I see this as something like making an arm-shortening potion for Longarms because you want a Longarm but don't want abnormally long arms all of the time. Why make a Longarm then? =O

Lastly, Noc, I believe if you have a gender-specific Myth Zoan, it'd make all sense that your gender would be tailored to its specifications, much like your species gets altered for your average Zoan.

[Deleted]

A few times recently, it has been observed that certain 'types' of characters suffer a certain level of unpopularity or even discrimination because of their very being. Characters of these types seem to get shunned, and ideas are shied away from simply because of what they are.

Since we've renewed this discussion, I'm a little bit curious about what sparked it since I was cryogenically frozen at the time. Do we have members who are discouraging or shunning trans characters? Because that seems like a bigger problem than the availability of genderbending items.

As for Dwarves and Giants, I agree with EJ. Balance issues aside, we run the risk of homogenizing. Size is a major part of both races' flavor, and there's not much functional difference between a human who can grow larger and a giant who can assume human size. I know the subject comes up a lot, but playing a giant or dwarf doesn't really require a lot of extra work or resources, just some extra consideration, and if someone wants to play one they should be willing to put that in rather than expect to be treated exactly like a human.