Half-Dragons Discussion

[Mel]

As this is a matter of some contest I feel it is important for the board to discuss it as a whole, as this board is a collective of all of our ideas.

I feel Half-Dragons would be beneficial to the board as a whole, adding in new scenarios, lines of character development, and general flavor.

[Charlotte]

Just chiming in, there is a clear precedent for half-dragons in Fire Emblem, no? As in, multiple characters are defined as half-dragon, half-human, so I'm not sure why it would be such a big deal for half-dragons to exist.

Like Mel said, it's something to add general flavor to the board and lead to some interesting characters and overall development. Ultimately all it adds is more options for the players, and if too many people jump on the half-dragon train, I don't see it being hard to moderate and manage how many are accepted/the quality of apps/etc. etc.

[Kenshin]

In the Fire Emblem series there are 5 known half breed Manakete, two having their father suggested of being human, one a manga only character leaving only two confirmed half breeds. It is also established by Fire Emblem lore that Manakete have an extremely low birth rate and infertility is a problem, adding humans to the equation wouldn't solve that problem.

Then there's the whole question of can hybrids transform? In game it's a 50/50 between the two confirmed hybrids, adding in the other three then it jumps to four can transform. The only hybrid that lacks the ability to transform also lacks a dragonstone, a much needed item to transform so it appears that hybrids follow the same rules that full blooded Manaketes do. From there we have two options, allow them to be able to transform thus taking away the main point of playing a Manakete/Dragon because they have access to everything a human does, or completely limit them to "lives longer" and take away from being half dragon.

As an admin, that puts me in a lose/lose situation. We would have to now create a rule set for hybrid races, the only thing that comes close to blood line restrictions is nobility. You have no real power IG when it comes to your nobility. That's a very fair rule to prevent people from writing in their own plot importance/power from the get go. Do we limit what a hybrid can do to create a 'fair' playing field between humans and dragons, or do we treat hybrids like dragons?

I will share part of the mod board with everybody here. We have a topic solely devoted to Manakete/Dragon apps where it requires 2/3 of the mods approval before we accept it. We sorta follow that when it comes to prepromotes if we're unsure if it follows the guidelines and want a second opinion. Manakete/Dragon has been the only class that is restricted and had a hold on apps in WotW's history due to the power the class holds from the get go, as well as the rarity of the race in current times as is due to established lore.

In addition adding in hybrids as a PC choice conflicts with current rules as well, trainee classes are to be in the age range of 13-16, even as a half dragon that would put their body at a much younger size than the standard trainee due to a slower rate of age. I for one do not wish to deny a trainee because they wanted to be a half dragon when it is 'over populated'.

I for one do not like the idea of writing, and rewriting, rules for the sake of one person who couldn't stand hearing no twice now. This is a subject with little thought I didn't like, and with even more thought I don't like it even more.

[Mel]

From what you have said there ate only two main points, as rarity and implementation can be managed as it has been shown in more than one situation. Can they transform or not on WotW, and how to handle them. 

A) They can transform and do everything a Manakete does.

Personally I am against this, as it infringes upon the class/race that we currently have. If someone wanted to be a hybrid they might as well just apply as a Manakete.

B) They can transform at a lesser degree that keeps it effectively useless in battle, and it has dangerous debilitating effects once they return to a human form.

This would effectively not challenge the power that the Manakete class/race has, while keeping in the lore that hybrids possess the ability to transform. The only point of it would be for general flavor, plot, and the like. 

C) They cannot transform, and their only gain is longevity. 

I feel that this one is self explanatory, they have a trait that sets them apart from the general Human population, which against your personal belief, does in fact still keep them in the spirit of a hybrid.

D) They have nothing and are conducted exactly as regular humans are. 

This is the only option that effectively "takes away from being half dragon."

On this topic there is no "lose/lose" situation as you've described it, there is only a discussion to be had of how would be best to implement it into the world we have already. 

[Kenshin]

I guess I didn't make myself clear enough. There is no discussion, the answer is still no and it always will be.