Lineage and species FAQ - Revision history

Thespaceinvader: /* Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nation? */

2025-10-13T16:33:48Z

Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nation?

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:33, 13 October 2025
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	Under normal circumstances, orcs can only hear an ancestor if (a) they are genetically related to them or (b) they met them personally or are genetically related to someone who met them personally. With the addition of the [[Illarawm]] into the Imperial Orcs it is now possible for orcs to hear ancestors that don't fit in the above categories using the [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Living_Bridge\|Living Bridge]] technique.		Under normal circumstances, orcs can only hear an ancestor if (a) they are genetically related to them or (b) they met them personally or are genetically related to someone who met them personally. With the addition of the [[Illarawm]] into the Imperial Orcs it is now possible for orcs to hear ancestors that don't fit in the above categories using the [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Living_Bridge\|Living Bridge]] technique.

	===Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc ~~nation~~?===		===Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nations?===
	No. All orc player characters at Empire must be part of either the Imperial Orcs or an Apulian in [[the League]] nation, not one of the barbarian nations. While it may be possible to cultivate connections to a barbarian orc during play, such relationships often end tragically. Creating a background in which your character was part of a barbarian nation is better avoided. We will not provide you with any additional information about the barbarians than is on the main wiki, and some of that information is based on the Empire's view of the barbarian orcs and thus may be misleading.		No. All orc player characters at Empire must be part of either the Imperial Orcs or an Apulian in [[the League]] nation, not one of the barbarian nations. While it may be possible to cultivate connections to a barbarian orc during play, such relationships often end tragically. Creating a background in which your character was part of a barbarian nation is better avoided. We will not provide you with any additional information about the barbarians than is on the main wiki, and some of that information is based on the Empire's view of the barbarian orcs and thus may be misleading.

Twiggy at 13:57, 13 July 2025

2025-07-13T13:57:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:57, 13 July 2025
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	Yes, but as mentioned [[#\|below]] and under [[Lineage#Trappings\|trappings]], some individuals with lineage may find that their lineage grows stronger with the passage of time. If you want to do this, then your build on your phys-rep over time to increase the degree of lineage that your character has. The precise mechanisms by which your lineage grows stronger vary from character to character, it may be the passing of time, exposure to magic, etc.		Yes, but as mentioned [[#\|below]] and under [[Lineage#Trappings\|trappings]], some individuals with lineage may find that their lineage grows stronger with the passage of time. If you want to do this, then your build on your phys-rep over time to increase the degree of lineage that your character has. The precise mechanisms by which your lineage grows stronger vary from character to character, it may be the passing of time, exposure to magic, etc.

	This process does ''not'' go in reverse however;you cannot become more human over time. You should consider carefully if you want to increase your trappings as it is difficult to reduce them once you have done so.		This process does ''not'' go in reverse however; you cannot become more human over time. You should consider carefully if you want to increase your trappings as it is difficult to reduce them once you have done so.

	===How can I remove my lineage?===		===How can I remove my lineage?===

Hailmur: /* Orc */

2025-02-20T16:05:36Z

Orc

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:05, 20 February 2025
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	===How do I tell the orcs apart?===		===How do I tell the orcs apart?===
	[[Imperial ~~Orcs]]~~ and ~~Barbarian Orcs~~ are physiologically identical - in the same way that Scousers and Mancunians are physiologically identical. Telling them apart is possible, even easy, if you know them - but very hard if you're from Paris. The Imperial Orc players know about this problem and they're cool with it. Players who aren't playing orcs who have an IC concern about telling the Imperial ~~Orcs~~ from the ~~Barbarians~~ will need to make some kind of IC effort to learn to tell them apart. This is a deliberate part of the game design - it's a feature, not a bug.		Imperial orcs and barbarian orcs are physiologically identical - in the same way that Scousers and Mancunians are physiologically identical. Telling them apart is possible, even easy, if you know them - but very hard if you're from Paris. The Imperial Orc players know about this problem and they're cool with it. Players who aren't playing orcs who have an IC concern about telling the Imperial orcs from the barbarians will need to make some kind of IC effort to learn to tell them apart. This is a deliberate part of the game design - it's a feature, not a bug.

	===Can I hear ancestors from another nation?===		===Can I hear ancestors from another nation?===
	Under normal circumstances ~~you~~ can hear an ancestor if (a) ~~you~~ are genetically related to them or (b) ~~you~~ met them personally or are genetically related to someone who met them personally. ~~What can't be done - currently -~~ is to hear ~~the voice of someone who isn~~'t in ~~that set. Ritual magic alone cannot allow an orc to hear~~ the ~~ancestor of an adoptive parent~~.		Under normal circumstances, orcs can only hear an ancestor if (a) they are genetically related to them or (b) they met them personally or are genetically related to someone who met them personally. With the addition of the [[Illarawm]] into the Imperial Orcs it is now possible for orcs to hear ancestors that don't fit in the above categories using the [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Living_Bridge\|Living Bridge]] technique.

	===Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nation?===		===Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nation?===
	No. All orc player characters at Empire must be part of the Imperial Orcs nation, not one of the barbarian nations. While it may be possible to cultivate connections to a barbarian orc during play, such relationships often end tragically. Creating a background in which your character is part of a barbarian nation is better avoided. We will not provide you with any additional information about the barbarians than is on the main wiki, and some of that information is based on the Empire's view of the barbarian orcs and thus may be misleading.		No. All orc player characters at Empire must be part of either the Imperial Orcs or an Apulian in [[the League]] nation, not one of the barbarian nations. While it may be possible to cultivate connections to a barbarian orc during play, such relationships often end tragically. Creating a background in which your character was part of a barbarian nation is better avoided. We will not provide you with any additional information about the barbarians than is on the main wiki, and some of that information is based on the Empire's view of the barbarian orcs and thus may be misleading.

	===Do Imperial Orcs have lineage?===		===Do Imperial Orcs have lineage?===

Hailmur: /* How can I remove my lineage? */

2025-02-20T15:38:58Z

How can I remove my lineage?

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:38, 20 February 2025
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	===How can I remove my lineage?===		===How can I remove my lineage?===
	Having lineage is a major decision for your character. Once your character is lineaged it is extremely difficult to remove that lineage. In-character, the only known method of removing lineage is through the assistance of the eternal [[~~Ylenrith~~]]~~, and her boons are extremely rare and difficult to come by~~. Ritual magic does not have the power to remove lineage, although it may mask it for a time with glamours such as [[The_Twilight_Masquerade\|Twilight Masquerade]].		Having lineage is a major decision for your character. Once your character is lineaged it is extremely difficult to remove that lineage. In-character, the only known method of removing lineage was through the assistance of the eternal Ylenrith before zir transformation into [[Ylenwe]]. Ritual magic does not have the power to remove lineage, although it may mask it for a time with glamours such as [[The_Twilight_Masquerade\|Twilight Masquerade]].

	Out of character, if you find [[Lineage#Trappings\|your lineage trappings are problematic]], for example if you are having an allergic reaction to a prosthetic, then you can reduce or change the way your lineage manifests. You must have at least some physical trapping of your lineage however.		Out of character, if you find [[Lineage#Trappings\|your lineage trappings are problematic]], for example if you are having an allergic reaction to a prosthetic, then you can reduce or change the way your lineage manifests. You must have at least some physical trapping of your lineage however.

	If it is impossible for you to continue with your lineage trappings then you will need to create a new character.		If it is impossible for you to continue with your lineage trappings then you will need to create a new character.

	===Can we make a mixed-lineage group?===		===Can we make a mixed-lineage group?===
	Mixed-lineage groups are absolutely 100% fine.		Mixed-lineage groups are absolutely 100% fine.

Hailmur at 04:41, 20 August 2024

2024-08-20T04:41:07Z

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	===Can I play a lineaged character with no physical trappings?===		===Can I play a lineaged character with no physical trappings?===
	No. Every lineaged character must have at least one of the physical trappings listed.		No. Every lineaged character must have at least one of the physical trappings listed.
			<!--fix-->
	===Can I use animal make-up for my changeling?===		===Can I use animal make-up for my changeling?===
	[[Changeling\|Changelings]] are not anthropomorphic animals - they are human beings touched by the majesty and power of the realm of Summer. Some changelings have a single trapping associated with regal animals - a lion's mane, the stag's antlers and swan's feathers - because of the majesty of these animals, not because they are actually lions, stags or swans. They are not animals; they are neither animalistic or bestial and the trappings cannot include other features of these animals.		[[Changeling\|Changelings]] are not anthropomorphic animals - they are human beings touched by the majesty and power of the realm of Summer. Some changelings have a single trapping associated with regal animals - a lion's mane, the stag's antlers and swan's feathers - because of the majesty of these animals, not because they are actually lions, stags or swans. They are not animals; they are neither animalistic or bestial and the trappings cannot include other features of these animals.

Hailmur: /* How do I tell the orcs apart? */

2023-03-23T17:34:29Z

How do I tell the orcs apart?

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:34, 23 March 2023
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	===How do I tell the orcs apart?===		===How do I tell the orcs apart?===
	[[Imperial Orcs]] and Barbarian Orcs are physiologically identical - in the same way that Scousers and Mancunians are physiologically identical. Telling them apart is possible, even easy, if you know them - but very hard if you're from ~~Timbuctoo~~. The Imperial Orc players know about this problem and they're cool with it. Players who aren't playing orcs who have an IC concern about telling the Imperial Orcs from the Barbarians will need to make some kind of IC effort to learn to tell them apart. This is a deliberate part of the game design - it's a feature, not a bug.		[[Imperial Orcs]] and Barbarian Orcs are physiologically identical - in the same way that Scousers and Mancunians are physiologically identical. Telling them apart is possible, even easy, if you know them - but very hard if you're from Paris. The Imperial Orc players know about this problem and they're cool with it. Players who aren't playing orcs who have an IC concern about telling the Imperial Orcs from the Barbarians will need to make some kind of IC effort to learn to tell them apart. This is a deliberate part of the game design - it's a feature, not a bug.

	===Can I hear ancestors from another nation?===		===Can I hear ancestors from another nation?===

Rafferty: /* Can I hear ancestors from another nation? */

2022-01-11T16:06:52Z

Can I hear ancestors from another nation?

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:06, 11 January 2022
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	===Can I hear ancestors from another nation?===		===Can I hear ancestors from another nation?===
	~~If you are an orc, it is perfectly acceptable to hear the voice of your adopted parents when they are dead.~~		Under normal circumstances you can hear an ancestor if (a) you are genetically related to them or (b) you met them personally or are genetically related to someone who met them personally. What can't be done - currently - is to hear the voice of someone who isn't in that set. Ritual magic alone cannot allow an orc to hear the ancestor of an adoptive parent.

	~~Basically~~ you can hear an ancestor if (a) you are genetically related to them or (b) you met them personally or are genetically related to someone who met them personally. What can't be done - currently - is to hear the voice of someone who isn't in that set. Ritual magic cannot allow an orc to hear the ancestor of an adoptive parent.

	===Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nation?===		===Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nation?===

Rafferty: /* Can I use red contacts for a changeling? */

2022-01-11T16:06:07Z

Can I use red contacts for a changeling?

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:06, 11 January 2022
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	[[Changeling\|Changelings]] are not anthropomorphic animals - they are human beings touched by the majesty and power of the realm of Summer. Some changelings have a single trapping associated with regal animals - a lion's mane, the stag's antlers and swan's feathers - because of the majesty of these animals, not because they are actually lions, stags or swans. They are not animals; they are neither animalistic or bestial and the trappings cannot include other features of these animals.		[[Changeling\|Changelings]] are not anthropomorphic animals - they are human beings touched by the majesty and power of the realm of Summer. Some changelings have a single trapping associated with regal animals - a lion's mane, the stag's antlers and swan's feathers - because of the majesty of these animals, not because they are actually lions, stags or swans. They are not animals; they are neither animalistic or bestial and the trappings cannot include other features of these animals.

	===Can I ~~use red contacts~~ for ~~a changeling~~?===		===Can I have a different eye colour for my character?===
	The list of eye colours offered for the lineage is intended to be definitive. All the lineages have the potential for unusual eyes, so it is important to ensure that the list fairly short so that a lineage had a clear definition for what it was. This presents confusion with other lineages; orange eyes could easily be confused for the yellow or blood red eyes that some [[draughir]] possess for instance. We understand that someone with existing coloured lenses may want to use them, but we'd prefer players not to if they don't fit the listed descriptions.		The list of eye colours offered for the lineage is intended to be definitive. All the lineages have the potential for unusual eyes, so it is important to ensure that the list fairly short so that a lineage had a clear definition for what it was. This presents confusion with other lineages; orange eyes could easily be confused for the yellow or blood red eyes that some [[draughir]] possess for instance. We understand that someone with existing coloured lenses may want to use them, but we'd prefer players not to if they don't fit the listed descriptions.

Rafferty at 16:03, 11 January 2022

2022-01-11T16:03:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:03, 11 January 2022
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	{{FAQ}}		{{FAQ}}

	This section of the FAQ contains questions about [[lineage]] and [[orc\|orcs]]. For questions about other parts of the game, please see the ~~more general~~ [[~~General FAQ\|~~FAQ]].		This section of the FAQ contains questions about [[lineage]] and [[orc\|orcs]]. For questions about other parts of the game, please see the [[general FAQ]].
	==Lineage==		==Lineage==
	===Can I play a lineaged character with no physical trappings?===		===Can I play a lineaged character with no physical trappings?===
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	===Can I use red contacts for a changeling?===		===Can I use red contacts for a changeling?===
	The list of eye colours offered for the lineage is intended to be definitive. All the lineages have the potential for unusual eyes, so it is important to ensure that the list fairly short so that a lineage had a clear definition for what it was. This presents confusion with other lineages; orange eyes could easily be confused for the yellow or blood red eyes that some [[draughir]] possess for instance. We understand that someone with existing coloured lenses may want to use them, but we'd prefer players not to if they don't fit the listed descriptions.		The list of eye colours offered for the lineage is intended to be definitive. All the lineages have the potential for unusual eyes, so it is important to ensure that the list fairly short so that a lineage had a clear definition for what it was. This presents confusion with other lineages; orange eyes could easily be confused for the yellow or blood red eyes that some [[draughir]] possess for instance. We understand that someone with existing coloured lenses may want to use them, but we'd prefer players not to if they don't fit the listed descriptions.

	===Can I increase my lineage trappings?===		===Can I increase my lineage trappings?===
	Yes, but as mentioned [[#\|below]] and under [[Lineage#Trappings\|trappings]], some individuals with lineage may find that their lineage grows stronger with the passage of time. If you want to do this, then your build on your phys-rep over time to increase the degree of lineage that your character has. The precise mechanisms by which your lineage grows stronger vary from character to character, it may be the passing of time, exposure to magic, etc.		Yes, but as mentioned [[#\|below]] and under [[Lineage#Trappings\|trappings]], some individuals with lineage may find that their lineage grows stronger with the passage of time. If you want to do this, then your build on your phys-rep over time to increase the degree of lineage that your character has. The precise mechanisms by which your lineage grows stronger vary from character to character, it may be the passing of time, exposure to magic, etc.
Line 30:		Line 31:

	==Orc==		==Orc==
			===Will it ever be possible for orcs to use virtue-based religious skills?===
			No. It is a fundamental design principle that orcs and humans are different with regard to spiritual roleplaying. No orc will ever become [[dedication\|dedicated]], for example. There is no way that an orc character will ever be able to use the [[religious skills]] available to humans

	===How do I tell the orcs apart?===		===How do I tell the orcs apart?===
	[[Imperial Orcs]] and Barbarian Orcs are physiologically identical - in the same way that Scousers and Mancunians are physiologically identical. Telling them apart is possible, even easy, if you know them - but very hard if you're from Timbuctoo. The Imperial Orc players know about this problem and they're cool with it. Players who aren't playing orcs who have an IC concern about telling the Imperial Orcs from the Barbarians will need to make some kind of IC effort to learn to tell them apart. This is a deliberate part of the game design - it's a feature, not a bug.		[[Imperial Orcs]] and Barbarian Orcs are physiologically identical - in the same way that Scousers and Mancunians are physiologically identical. Telling them apart is possible, even easy, if you know them - but very hard if you're from Timbuctoo. The Imperial Orc players know about this problem and they're cool with it. Players who aren't playing orcs who have an IC concern about telling the Imperial Orcs from the Barbarians will need to make some kind of IC effort to learn to tell them apart. This is a deliberate part of the game design - it's a feature, not a bug.
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	Basically you can hear an ancestor if (a) you are genetically related to them or (b) you met them personally or are genetically related to someone who met them personally. What can't be done - currently - is to hear the voice of someone who isn't in that set. Ritual magic cannot allow an orc to hear the ancestor of an adoptive parent.		Basically you can hear an ancestor if (a) you are genetically related to them or (b) you met them personally or are genetically related to someone who met them personally. What can't be done - currently - is to hear the voice of someone who isn't in that set. Ritual magic cannot allow an orc to hear the ancestor of an adoptive parent.

	~~===Will it ever be possible for orcs to use virtue-based religious skills?===~~
	No. It is a fundamental design principle that orcs and humans are different with regard to spiritual roleplaying. No orc will ever become [[dedication\|dedicated]], for example. There is no way that an orc character will ever be able to use the [[religious skills]] available to humans.

	===Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nation?===		===Can I play an orc who belongs to one of the main barbarian orc nation?===
	No. All orc player characters at Empire must be part of the Imperial Orcs nation, not one of the barbarian nations. While it may be possible to cultivate connections to a barbarian orc during play, such relationships often end tragically. Creating a background in which your character is part of a barbarian nation is better avoided. We will not provide you with any additional information about the barbarians than is on the main wiki, and some of that information is based on the Empire's view of the barbarian orcs and thus may be misleading.		No. All orc player characters at Empire must be part of the Imperial Orcs nation, not one of the barbarian nations. While it may be possible to cultivate connections to a barbarian orc during play, such relationships often end tragically. Creating a background in which your character is part of a barbarian nation is better avoided. We will not provide you with any additional information about the barbarians than is on the main wiki, and some of that information is based on the Empire's view of the barbarian orcs and thus may be misleading.

	===Do Imperial Orcs have lineage?===		===Do Imperial Orcs have lineage?===
	No orc has lineage. Orcs are a separate species and the lineages on the wiki are specific to humans.		No orc has lineage. Orcs are a separate species and the lineages on the wiki are specific to humans.

	===What language do the Imperial and Barbarian orcs use?===		===What language do the Imperial and Barbarian orcs use?===
	English ~~- all~~ Imperial and barbarian orcs ~~speak English~~.		Imperial, as phys-repped by English, is the language spoken by both Imperial and barbarian orcs.
	[[Category:FAQ]] [[Category:Lineage]]		[[Category:FAQ]] [[Category:Lineage]]

Rafferty: /* Orc */

2022-01-11T14:21:56Z

Orc

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:21, 11 January 2022
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	===Do Imperial Orcs have lineage?===		===Do Imperial Orcs have lineage?===
	No orc has lineage. Orcs are a separate species and the lineages on the wiki are specific to humans.		No orc has lineage. Orcs are a separate species and the lineages on the wiki are specific to humans.
			===What language do the Imperial and Barbarian orcs use?===
			English - all Imperial and barbarian orcs speak English.
	[[Category:FAQ]] [[Category:Lineage]]		[[Category:FAQ]] [[Category:Lineage]]