Best Of

I don't go back and forth so I don't really have any take on most of the questions, but I just selfishly wanted to chime in because I've gradually changed Valdas' pronouns over time, even though its presentation has changed little (and tbh I'm open to whatever changes feel right!). It started out he/him because honestly I was returning to the game and didn't even know any other option. Then switched to they/them when I knew the option and it felt right. But as it got Idreth and slowly has its own Thing(tm) going on I switched to it/its, in part because it helps with the presenting 'otherworldliness' / 'monster' vibe that I want going on (for my own headspace for roleplaying it too). It's 'the creature' or 'the beast' and rarely 'the Nazetu.'

I suppose its vibe is still more masculine, because it is conventionally so, but I try to incorporate some things that muddle with that a bit--largely inspired by @Qelres and their Nazetu style, as well as what we've weirdly independently hiveminded on about Nazetu, haha. So it wears a lot of (or will eventually qualify as 'a lot' as I work on building the repertoire) jewelry, opulence, and a Fashion Skirt. But I also don't have a large social sphere so most people still go with he/him, which is fine, but the RP I hold dearest (read: Qelres and Veris) rolls with that development and change.

Just as a side note, as someone who flirts with gender identity myself, it was a really nice thing to come back to! And I love that it's something people are playing with and embracing.

Official Genderbent Name™:
Boybatti. I will also accept Siboyti.

The Differences:
Boybatti is taller and still more on the femme/androgynous side, and a definite pretty boy. His tail is longer, but doesn't move around as much in the way that hers does, most often just a dead weight. He is far less animated, very unexpressive, and always looks like he's displeased or bored. It takes a lot for him to express himself in a visible way. When he does, though.... he's very transparent and intense, and more prone to following violent/darker urges. In the sense that some characters are predators, he's a snake as opposed to a wolf or a rojalli.

He spends less time doing deep, stream-of-consciousness style thinking, and his thoughts are significantly more straightforward and basic. This can help in that he's more direct and to the point, and in a way much more confident than Girlbatti. Sib has always been attracted to all the genders, but Boybatti is much more likely to have a reaction (and also follow through).

I struggled with how I would approach him in his role as Watcher, because I so firmly associated it with a feminine witch archetype, but quickly became comfortable with being an adorably dedicated boy witch.



Since then, he's taken to his duties with a bit more work ethic than Girlbatti, but I think she is the more creative of the two. Neither are more gutsy or willing to push the limits of 'acceptable sacrifice' than the other.

The Method:
A complex Shamanic ritual involving certain star alignments, animal parts, body fluids (no, not those kinds of fluids), and marking of the body. It's a temporary change, and it comes with a baseline of dull, aching pain that gradually increases the longer she stays a man, and then has a wicked hangover afterwards.

Gender Identity:
Sib has always been a bit like an animal in the sense that she's never really perceived gender as a thing. She's cognizant of differences in sex, but they're purely physical/biological things to her and not so much tied to an identity.

Clothing:
It's only been relatively recent that Sib has cared about clothing overly much. She was pretty much feral-wear up until she became the Watcher, and that she doesn't really run around so much as a dhurive-wielding Sentinel any longer. Now she wears dresses, spiked heels, short shorts, knee-high boots, etc. of a certain aesthetic. Boybatti pretty much adopts a lot of the clothing that she wears, but because the character is so vain, they'll only wear what makes them look most like a snack. Boybatti will wear pretty much anything regardless of whether it's traditionally feminine or masculine.

Difference in Player Reception:
I've been pleasantly surprised that it's been all positive. I feel that right now Boybatti gets more attention, but that could be the novelty factor. The most notable difference has been with the people Sib is closest with - @Pilar @Lin @Aisling. It's completely changed their relationships, for better or for worse! Especially with Lin!

Edit: I did want to notate that originally, I had planned to make Rihrin a man. But when it came time in the creator, I hit female out of habit and decided to roll with it because it's easier for me to remember the pronouns. I ended up beginning to regret this a few months in to gameplay, started considering doing a change, but it got held off and put on the back burner because of other RP that was going on. I'm so glad that I've now done it, though, because it feels like I finally have the full character I had wanted as far as what I had in my head. Not sure if it's helpful to know, but I've had enough people ask that I figured I'd add this in at the top. And, adding in a few more notes since I'm finding figuring out the differences is fun.

What differences are there when your character changes?

Male is half a foot taller than female. Male has a little broader shoulders, slimmer hips. Male is more hotheaded, spontaneous, and flirtatious - thinks on how to do things better in the future versus focusing on what they did wrong and wallowing in it. He also is more into living in the moment, most of the time. Enjoys booze and sweets more. Not huge on Damariel's fetters/etc, which is an internal conflict between the two. He is more into arts, especially painting. When brews, actually focuses on alcohol more. Likes blues and silvers. Prefers chakra blossoms.

Female is softer, shyer, impatient, not as confident often. Very Tsunarde. Female is more into jewelry and clothing work. Cooking, brewing - but less about alcoholic drinks. Likes salty things, like bacon. Big on meats. Dense sometimes. More studious. Reds and golds. Prefers snow white orchids. Appreciates art, but doesn't feel inclined to it in most forms except for dance and crafts.

Both are interested in any gender for relationships (pansexual), though they lean towards male companions versus female because of familiarity with it (since Rin was born female and most coming to them have been male). I am gradually merging personalities, though I don't think that'll ever be a full thing. But, it did start out with a lot of figuring out the other half that had not been explored, which was a real blast - still is.

Do they change through magic? Shapeshifting ability? Do you prefer simply not to worry about it?

They change through magic, flames/light washing over them when it happens.

Does your character still identify as a given gender?

They identify as that gender at the time, but do not specifically identify as one or the other priority-wise. They are just both, two halves of a whole.

Have people treated you differently or shown a difference in their interest when you change?

It's a mixed bag here. Men definitely come after the female part to RP more than women do, and vice-versa for the male. I have a handful that come to RP with both, and see them as equal parts. Hopefully that list will keep growing, as sometimes people don't seem to want to interact at all if I'm RPing in one side and not the other.

Is it a complete nightmare to find clothing, or does your character simply not care?

It was initially until the male part of Rin could figure out what they were. What they individually liked/wanted. Kind of a journey of re-discovery.

What's your obligatory genderbent name (Masculin, Siderella, Bronecia, etc.)?

Stine has one that is not forum appropriate. Right now, I use Malerin (reminds me of mallard ducks).