Needing scars - maturing appearance [Archive] - Wizards Community

Needing scars - maturing appearance [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Stormbrand
08-06-07, 07:32 AM My current character, the Aasimar Paladin, needs some scars on his face - he has a very youthful appearance, and he needs to look slightly older than his true age of 17 for a romance storyline (the things we do for love :rolleyes: ).

This is his current (rather detailed appearance).

Tall and strong and straight of limb, with a natural bearing that declares strength of character. Thick, fair hair flowing to the length of his neck is white-blond, bordering on platinum, making a natural cushion for a helmet. Bright, striking eyes sparkle with warmth and show a deep intensity in pools of amber flecked with traces of green. Solidly built on the arms, chest and shoulders, with an obviously classical physique.

His face is clean-shaven, with smoothly cut features defined by a subtle grim cast hinting of vigourous resolve and courage beneath a ready smile. That face is broad and blunt, well-structured and at once very open, showing a charming simplicity. Combined with skin smoother than most, bearing a fair complexion rich with colour, his appearance is very pleasing to the eye.

My intent is to add some facial scars without them dominating his appearance, so my aim is

- subtle,
- blend in with his attractiveness from being an aasimar (which he does not know about),
- make him look older.

Here is the story on how he got them:

When a page boy (age 8), he stayed in the Duke's manor. The Duke's family kept a slave, a young girl who would weep inconsolably for her family. When she cried too much the Duchess would hit her. When the boy tried to defend her the Duchess hit him.

Refusing to raise a hand to a woman, least of all the wife of his lord, all he could do was try to fend off the blows as best he could. It did not occur to him that standing aside was an option. To him, it wasn't.

2 turns of the hourglass and some facial scars later, the page boy had still not moved. Eventually the Duchess stormed off in a rage, having burned herself out with her attacks. Wasting no time, and missing meals to do so, the young page boy took off with the girl in the darkness and found an honest family to take her to a neighbouring village which would look after her. Perhaps he should have wondered why he could see so well in the dark.

It was near to dawn when he returned, and the Duke was not happy...

So any suggestions on the specifics of these scars? My assumption is that the scars were from the nails of the Duchess. Any thoughts? Looking for some nice description that fits in with the rest of his appearance.
Fithero
08-06-07, 08:04 AM Perhaps you could go with the old '4 claw marks diagonally across the face' and whenever someone asks about them, they get a interesting suprise.

"How'd you get those? Owlbear?"

"Nope, I ticked off the lady of a household."

That or just a whole lot of criss crossed thin ones...

Peace
CrimsonWyvern
08-06-07, 07:53 PM I would suggest that some scars are on your arms. The stereotypical "Blocking" pose is crossed arms in front of either one's body or face, at least in how I see it. Therefore, some of the scars are likely to be on the arms when they were used to block. I would also suggest that a lot of scars be on your face as well, but they should probably be faint so as not to be the dominating aspect of your character's appearance. Another suggestion I have is that if you have scars that aren't on the face, you take care to not have them be shown often, such as wearing a scarf to cover neck scars, or perhaps you should do the opposite, such as not caring about whether or not your scars show, either not noticing them, or by viewing them as a reminder of what you did, to show that doing good requires sacrifice.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
08-08-07, 06:52 AM Good suggestions so far. Don't forget jewelry though. A line through the eyebrow from a lucky blow with a ring works wonders for aging... especially since the eyes hold much of ones youth.
Stormbrand
08-09-07, 08:10 AM Good suggestions so far. Don't forget jewelry though. A line through the eyebrow from a lucky blow with a ring works wonders for aging... especially since the eyes hold much of ones youth.

Thanks, I really like that one. Now has three scars - a line through his eyebrow, a diagonal line to the left of one eye, and another down the edge of the jaw.

I would suggest that some scars are on your arms. The stereotypical "Blocking" pose is crossed arms in front of either one's body or face, at least in how I see it. Therefore, some of the scars are likely to be on the arms when they were used to block. I would also suggest that a lot of scars be on your face as well, but they should probably be faint so as not to be the dominating aspect of your character's appearance. Another suggestion I have is that if you have scars that aren't on the face, you take care to not have them be shown often, such as wearing a scarf to cover neck scars, or perhaps you should do the opposite, such as not caring about whether or not your scars show, either not noticing them, or by viewing them as a reminder of what you did, to show that doing good requires sacrifice.

Will definately do the forearm scars. The rest would end up having more of an impact than intended.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Stormbrand 08-06-07, 07:32 AM	My current character, the Aasimar Paladin, needs some scars on his face - he has a very youthful appearance, and he needs to look slightly older than his true age of 17 for a romance storyline (the things we do for love :rolleyes: ). This is his current (rather detailed appearance). Tall and strong and straight of limb, with a natural bearing that declares strength of character. Thick, fair hair flowing to the length of his neck is white-blond, bordering on platinum, making a natural cushion for a helmet. Bright, striking eyes sparkle with warmth and show a deep intensity in pools of amber flecked with traces of green. Solidly built on the arms, chest and shoulders, with an obviously classical physique. His face is clean-shaven, with smoothly cut features defined by a subtle grim cast hinting of vigourous resolve and courage beneath a ready smile. That face is broad and blunt, well-structured and at once very open, showing a charming simplicity. Combined with skin smoother than most, bearing a fair complexion rich with colour, his appearance is very pleasing to the eye. My intent is to add some facial scars without them dominating his appearance, so my aim is - subtle, - blend in with his attractiveness from being an aasimar (which he does not know about), - make him look older. Here is the story on how he got them: When a page boy (age 8), he stayed in the Duke's manor. The Duke's family kept a slave, a young girl who would weep inconsolably for her family. When she cried too much the Duchess would hit her. When the boy tried to defend her the Duchess hit him. Refusing to raise a hand to a woman, least of all the wife of his lord, all he could do was try to fend off the blows as best he could. It did not occur to him that standing aside was an option. To him, it wasn't. 2 turns of the hourglass and some facial scars later, the page boy had still not moved. Eventually the Duchess stormed off in a rage, having burned herself out with her attacks. Wasting no time, and missing meals to do so, the young page boy took off with the girl in the darkness and found an honest family to take her to a neighbouring village which would look after her. Perhaps he should have wondered why he could see so well in the dark. It was near to dawn when he returned, and the Duke was not happy... So any suggestions on the specifics of these scars? My assumption is that the scars were from the nails of the Duchess. Any thoughts? Looking for some nice description that fits in with the rest of his appearance.
Fithero 08-06-07, 08:04 AM	Perhaps you could go with the old '4 claw marks diagonally across the face' and whenever someone asks about them, they get a interesting suprise. "How'd you get those? Owlbear?" "Nope, I ticked off the lady of a household." That or just a whole lot of criss crossed thin ones... Peace
CrimsonWyvern 08-06-07, 07:53 PM	I would suggest that some scars are on your arms. The stereotypical "Blocking" pose is crossed arms in front of either one's body or face, at least in how I see it. Therefore, some of the scars are likely to be on the arms when they were used to block. I would also suggest that a lot of scars be on your face as well, but they should probably be faint so as not to be the dominating aspect of your character's appearance. Another suggestion I have is that if you have scars that aren't on the face, you take care to not have them be shown often, such as wearing a scarf to cover neck scars, or perhaps you should do the opposite, such as not caring about whether or not your scars show, either not noticing them, or by viewing them as a reminder of what you did, to show that doing good requires sacrifice.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 08-08-07, 06:52 AM	Good suggestions so far. Don't forget jewelry though. A line through the eyebrow from a lucky blow with a ring works wonders for aging... especially since the eyes hold much of ones youth.
Stormbrand 08-09-07, 08:10 AM	Good suggestions so far. Don't forget jewelry though. A line through the eyebrow from a lucky blow with a ring works wonders for aging... especially since the eyes hold much of ones youth. Thanks, I really like that one. Now has three scars - a line through his eyebrow, a diagonal line to the left of one eye, and another down the edge of the jaw. I would suggest that some scars are on your arms. The stereotypical "Blocking" pose is crossed arms in front of either one's body or face, at least in how I see it. Therefore, some of the scars are likely to be on the arms when they were used to block. I would also suggest that a lot of scars be on your face as well, but they should probably be faint so as not to be the dominating aspect of your character's appearance. Another suggestion I have is that if you have scars that aren't on the face, you take care to not have them be shown often, such as wearing a scarf to cover neck scars, or perhaps you should do the opposite, such as not caring about whether or not your scars show, either not noticing them, or by viewing them as a reminder of what you did, to show that doing good requires sacrifice. Will definately do the forearm scars. The rest would end up having more of an impact than intended.