Recognising the Divine/Infernal

William Burke · Recognising the Divine/Infernal

This is kind of a rhetorical question since I suspect that the universal answer will be FOIP, however I'll ask anyway.
Given that the divine messengers amongst us can choose to appear however they desire, how do mere mortals recognise them as the same being if they have chosen a different form.
Is it possible at all, or should we wait for the "'tis I, L'Clerk" moment or for that matter, does a trace the eidolon's true self leak through allowing mortals to see through the "disguise"?

Aestar

This is an OOC rule that covers 'rules of engagement' for all players in the system rather than specific incidences and as such I don't think the answer should be FOIP.

Eidolons are covered by the disguise rule in the same way that all other characters are. Any character in maelstrom is basically 'what you see is what you get' - they are bound by their player's ability to phys-rep them. If you recognise a character *i.e. the OOC combination of player and phys-reps that makes the IC appearance*, then you are free to recognise them IC. If you are unsure OOC, then go and discreetly ask OOC. As with everything, taking the piss because you happen to recognise the manufacturer of their shoes, or happen to know that X person has Y phys-reps in their OOC kit armoury, is a bit lame. If I recognised someone OOC using different racial phys-reps, but saw they'd put considerable effort into changing their appearance, I'd probably wait until they did something obviously characteristic to the character before I 'twigged' IC. Otherwise you'll find everyone in disguise is stunningly and magically always recognised by anyone who happens to LARP with them in other systems, for example.

"All eidolons are capable of changing their physical form over time, but whatever shape they assume their heritage is always apparent by a soul symbol on their forehead. You must include a visible soul symbol on your forehead as part of your phys-rep. A soul symbol is a mystical symbol a few centimetres across." (from the PD website Rules->Eidolons page)

Illithidbix

Yeah, the technical rule is "What you see if what you get" and you can ask any player in the system "Are you *character name* in disguise", and they have to answer truthfully, even Eidolons.
Rules are here: http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/rules/rules.asp?NavID=91

However, I agree with Theresa said, as with everything in LARP, a certain amount of sportsmanship should be involved.

I have the unfortunate ability to quickly recognize my friends very easily, this can be a bit annoying when some of them are playing Fallen and have obviously put a lot of effort into making very good disguises for themselves.

If I saw a Fallen in a well done disguise, in particular if it was a complete change of kit, right down to looking like a race I'd never seen them manifest as before, then I would presume my character didn't identify them(or otherwise reduce it to a suspicious niggle at the back of my characters mind)
Of course their mannerisms might give it a way (such as shouting “Isaac Varas! Prepare to die!”)

However if I saw the same Fallen in their humanish form wandering around with just a hat on (and I'd seen them in a generally huamish form before) I'd be far more suspicious and probably pounce on them.

William Burke

I was thinking about the question a little more meta-physically than as a game mechanic really.
What I was trying to ask was whether an eidolon of any flavour was able to pass as mortal at all.
Or, whether their divine nature inevitably shone through even when they try and hide it under the ubiquitous "hat of cunning disguise"(tm).

Illithidbix

Depends on the Eidolon really, some of them are masters of subterfuge and deception and can blend in with the mortal world, others are about as subtle as a quarter ton of concrete nailed to an elephant and stick out like a sore thumb.

As a good guide most of those Fallen who weren't very good at concealing their nature probably won't still be around or else they are powerful enough not to care.
The loyals of course suffer from no such Darwinian selection. Smile

Bacon

Eidolons can disguise themselves as mortals. They can even manifest clothing that can be used to cover up the soul symbol. However 'show us your forehead' is a common greeting in the gameworld, so no disguise is guaranteed 100% succesful.

Some Eidolons have begun the game masquerading as mortals. There are some FOIP ways to make such disguises even better. It doesn't work for everybody, but it might work for you.

Basically, your ability not to be recognised IC is directly related to your ability not to be recognised OOC. If you can fool me, you can fool my character... As a freaky OOC confession, I have a surprisingly good sense of smell. I would recommend that you change your perfume when you change your shape, as scent subconsciously triggers recollection an awful lot better than visual clues.

Primus

Glic

I can hear people better than see or smell them and this is a way i always get people. The last event I attended I spent a great deal of it talking to a certain eidoloin in one costume. On the last day i was passing by someone and commenting to my friend just how brilliant their costume and make-up job was and was surprised I'd not noticed them before. I was completely fooled...until they said hello.
Same thing happened this event, an avian waved at me from across the market place and i was all "who the hell is that" until he got close enough to say hi.
like everyone else I think disguise in the game world should be handled with sportsmanship and discretion. I'm just lucky enough to be too stupid to see through people Surprised

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