The VR Legacy Continues

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Rotipher of the FoS
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Post by Rotipher of the FoS »

Here's a bit of editorial guidance on gender-specific pronouns, and how to use them when writing about doppelgangers:

1) If a doppelganger is in its natural form, or has assumed an identity other than its imago (= its favorite stolen identity, like Bloodsworth for Roja), or if the DM simply hasn't bothered to make up an imago for it, it's referred to as an "it" in OOC text.

2) If a doppelganger is operating wholly under the direction of its Clay (= its "inhuman monster" personality), it's an "it" OOC as well, regardless of its guise. This also applies in-character, during social interactions among doppelgangers that take place away from human witnesses (i.e. they call each other "it" in private).

3) If a doppelganger is in its imago form, and its imago personality is in the forefront, it's a "he" or "she", be it in-character or otherwise. Role-assumption in the case of an imago runs that deep.

4) Crazy doppelgangers who lose track of what they really are take on the appropriate gender, for purposes of all pronouns. Fellow dopps will still refer to the insane one as "it", rather than humor its delusion.

5) Juvenile doppelgangers are always "he" or "she" until their Wakening, when their true nature asserts itself. Their "child-face" identity retains a gender until they abandon their juvenile guise entirely, so a young dopp who tries to continue in its old life is called "he" or "she" while it's playing that role.

6) Doppelgangers who've permanently lost the ability to change shape eventually take on the gender of the form they're stuck in. This isn't immediate, however; dopps who haven't yet resigned themselves to their "crippled" status (like the PoM's prisoners from SotK) are still "it".

7) In-character "flavor text" in which a doppelganger is present, but has not yet been exposed as a dopp, should use "he" or "she" until such time as its true nature is discovered by the non-doppelgangers around it. No need to give away a nasty surprise too soon, after all. :wink:

8 ) Non-doppelgangers should always refer to doppelgangers as "it", or as he/she in quotation marks (e.g. "It was then that I realized 'she' was a monster, and 'her' feelings for me, naught but a cruel lie...."), once they know the truth. This is how the human mind subconsciously distances itself from the alien, particularly if the human in question feels betrayed by the dopps' deceptions.

9) Sodo is always a "he", no matter what form he assumes. Sodo's personality (gender included) is about the only thing the Paridon darklord has to cling to for stability in his life, so he always thinks of himself as a male, and compels his underlings to refer to him that way as well.

---

If anyone has questions about these guidelines, or if any of them need clarification, please post your queries here where others can see them.

(Heh. For once, a "pronoun/gender question" came up about a game-book, that wasn't about being 'politically correct'! Who woulda thunk it? :roll: )
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Post by Undead Cabbage »

Thank you Roti, this really clears things up. :D

As for my end of the writing, it's coming slowly but surely.
9) Sodo is always a "he", no matter what form he assumes. Sodo's personality (gender included) is about the only thing the Paridon darklord has to cling to for stability in his life, so he always thinks of himself as a male, and compels his underlings to refer to him that way as well.
You mean aside from him impulsive, ambitious, and arrogant manner? :wink:
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Post by Rotipher of the FoS »

Undead Cabbage wrote:You mean aside from him impulsive, ambitious, and arrogant manner? :wink:
Well, yeah, those are also aspects of his (lack of) personality that Sodo holds to with a fair degree of consistency. :wink:
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Post by Nathan of the FoS »

Could everyone report on the current standing of their section?

"Salient Abilities/Breeds" is...well, I've been sending out "final drafts" for about three weeks now. :P So it's very close,
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Post by Sorti »

Sent to Ropither on the 14th of Jan... Is there still time to work on it? I thought it concluded, but could be reworked...
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Post by NeoTiamat »

I've been doing nitpicky little edits for a while now, and am essentially ready. Rotipher wanted to do some final ideas, but my part is finished.
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Post by Undead Cabbage »

I sent Roti the section on Doppelganger society a while back. As for my other parts, I've already talked to Roti about them.
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Post by CorvusCornix »

I also thought the deadline had already passed, I sent my "Filler-Story" in three weeks ago.
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Post by Rotipher of the FoS »

Sorry about the lack of progress-reports on my end, guys -- the start of a new semester's teaching caught up with me faster than expected :oops:, plus I'm in the process of filing my first ever promotion-application with my college :shock: -- but rest assured, I am working on the VRF:D as often as possible. I'll try to get back to each and every one of you over the next few days, to let you know what needs revising or could be elaborated upon.

FWIW, I had hoped to finish the draft of my Graben Island submission for the NS Gaz over the holidays, but personal matters came up that delayed that a bit, so I had to juggle more projects than anticipated in January. Still, I'm really close to finished with that, and will be able to focus exclusively on the Doppelganger book very soon.

The January deadline was meant for people's first drafts really, so I could see how well the sections fit together and where more information might be needed. Nathan's work since the 14th has been revising and expanding on his ideas: an option which is still open to anyone who's thought of additional material since then. Unless any of you are too busy and would prefer to leave it up to me, I'm sure I'll have things to send back to each of you for clarification and so forth.

I deeply appreciate your efforts, patience, and understanding, guys. Rest assured, this project will not be left in limbo.
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Post by NeoTiamat »

Would it be out of place to ask for a progress report?

If you need some small section written or what not to finish up, I'd be glad to help.
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Post by Rotipher of the FoS »

I may just take you up on that, NeoT. Spring Break is next week, so I'll be able to get some work done then; I'll see what I can pass on to you for revision, if you're interested. Thanks!
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Post by NeoTiamat »

Spring Break already? Bah... I have to wait for two more weeks.

Still, send it over. Edits, re-writes, write-ups, whatever, I'm around.
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Post by Nathan of the FoS »

I should be able to chip in something on editing/rewrite, too, if necessary.
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Post by Undead Cabbage »

My heart has to sink, since I'd absolutely love to help out more than I've committed, but I just don't have the time. Heck, I'm still in the hole for some of my previous commitments :? I really do appreciate what you're doing here Rotipher :D.
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Post by The Nightmare Man »

I'd be willing to offer some further assistance, should it be required...
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