Shadow Artists and Race

[Asche]

So, I've checked the FAQs, and done some reading in the threads, but don't think I have a solid answer on this. The old 'Tuluk Hierarchy' chart puts a master assassin lower in class than an accomplished bard, but greater than your average starting out bard, and higher than a master thief. Obviously, this is an old document on an issue that has undergone some changes. But, lets assume a Master Assassin commands a respect separate from fear when people look upon his tattoo.

Can an elf be a Shadow Artist? It seems, given their cultural appreciation of thieving as a great art, this blends in perfectly with the opportunity of a Shadow Artist. They'd have less repercussions for failure, and they'd possess a rank of respect in Tuluki culture. Now, perhaps its the scenario that "Yes, they technically can, but the stigma is so great they'd never practically get the rank." But is an elf ALLOWED to command that rank by the templarate, or even become a Shadow Artist? If so, how would Tuluki citizens react to an elf that is a member of a caste that would outrank most of the population? Tuluk isn't my expertise, obviously.

[spicemustflow]

Tribeless elves could be good Shadow Artists, tribal ones would have problems because of their loyalty to the tribe. Kill that raider? Yeah, but he gives us useful info on situation out there and brings us his loot to fence... Also, if you want your shadow artist to keep his mouth shut, tribal elf is a very bad choice.

Elves now have the potential to be criminals' criminals, which is, imo, awesome.

[Cutthroat]

For the record, this is the newest social hierarchy chart for Tuluk: http://armageddon.org/help/view/Tuluki%20Caste%20Structure Just so we're all on the same page.

I think that elves would be able to be a shadow artist, and gain rank (as well as other nonhuman races). They would probably find being a shadow artist harder in a number of ways - not only due to the Faithful's possible reluctance to promote them, but also due to it being harder and/or outright impossible for a nonhuman to gain any sort of official patronage from an eligible patron, and all the benefits that come with it. A human shadow artist (or bard, or hunter, or artisan, etc) will always have the distinct advantage of having a full range of patrons available to him.

As for how Tuluki citizens would react to a nonhuman of a distinguished rank... the log "The Elven Seeker" between Aja and Tuha is something that I think would be applicable to this situation. Even if that log dealt with two bards, I think a similar situation with shadow artists would be similarly awkward. But that's a feature of the caste and social system of Tuluk, and potentially it can offer an exciting opportunity and conflict for players stuck in that kind of situation.

[Fathi]

Elven shadow artist problems: you commit a theft or murder and even though there is no evidence, everybody assumes it was you because you're an elf.

[BadSkeelz]

A human and elf shadow artist pair might be able to exploit that tendency with a bit of thinking.

[Saellyn]

Code Select Expand

Groaning, weakly, the sloe-eyed man says, in sirihish,
     "Who... woulda thought... it wasn't the necker..."

With a grim smile, you say, in sirihish,
     "I know. You just made that assumption, and we exploited you."

You attack the sloe-eyed man.
You brutally bludgeon the slue-eyed man on his head, wounding him.
You brutally stab the sloe-eyed man on his neck, wounding him.

The sloe-eyed man crumples to the ground.

[long live miley cyrus]

I actually kind of expect a lot of them to be elves. Not sure why. For the ambiance maybe?

[Patuk]

You would be right, but that'd require for there to be actual PC elves.

[Lizzie]

Shadow artists who race are twinking. You're supposed to use sneak, not run!

[Zoan]

You would be right, but that'd require for there to be actual PC elves.

Haw that's funny because everyone's an elf/breed in Tuluk.