I'm not precisely sure if this is the correct place to submit such a query, but...

I've been doing a bit of reading across the website and I think I've finalized a concept for my first character. Unfortunately, I feel as though I'll be met with unwelcome arms when I bring him into the world. The reason: he's a viscanti Paladin.

To me, the idea DOES sound a bit noobish, if not out-of-character.

However, I noted that at the bottom of the racial page on viscanti, there is mentioned the idea of "reformed" viscanti. This is essentially what spurned my whole idea of such a preposterous character-design. Having read this little tidbit, I was given the impression that the idea of a viscanti defending New Celest was not so far-fetched, if even a little..."rare."

Unfortunately, I feel as though such a character will be looked upon negatively. I'm not so worried about in-character responses, as much as I am about out-of-character ones. I don't like being looked upon as someone who doesn't recognize the lore behind a game. I may merely be paranoid, but I'm afraid people will look at me as such a player. Obviously, no one wants to be looked at in such a way...

I thusly present my question: is it appropriate, IC-wise, to play such a character, or should I stick to something less controversial?

Really, only Celestians can answer this question well. However, from an outsider's standpoint, I'd think it would depend a lot on how you played him (knowing that you'd be heavily discriminated against as a character). If you rail against this, create a fuss, etc, you'll definitely annoy some people OOCly. If you roll with the punches and do the best you can, I'd hope that they'd be willing to give you some sort of a chance.

It technically is allowed to be a Viscanti in Celest, the given reason being that you can't choose what race you are born as (ICly, at any rate). However, you are given the chance to reincarnate into another race, and you will be strongly urged to do so. To remain a Viscanti in Celest will practically deny you anything but dross power - if that (I think the Star Council would arrange for someone to help you to link from Astral nodes, as an alternative). It would also imply the mindset that you are embracing, however slightly, tainted heritage by refusing to reincarnate into a non-tainted race. You would be tolerated, unlike Illithoids, merely because a) Viscanti have souls and Taint > Soulless, and b.) you'd be serving the Light.

On the OOC side, it sounds terribly overdone. The archetypal maligned (you could call it 'evil' but that's entirely PoV) race/class/etc. turning to the 'good' side... or vice versa, good turning to evil. That's not to say it CAN'T be done well, but it takes effort to take what would be an initially cliched idea and make it fresh and original.

Because you really -did- do some research on the history of the Viscanti, and can defend your choice, I think you'll be one interesting character. Yes, there will be outrage in New Celest. Yes, the merian noise will echo around the walls of the Basin of Life. You should, however, write a history/background to your character, so that everyone'll know that your not just some lolalt who wants something different. That way, you can show people that you know your reason for being 'reformed', and that you did some reading.

One glitch I see: Viscanti are banned in Celest...

Viscanti Paladins get the short end of the stick. The one with the pointy things on it. Roleplay as you wish, but remember that the Paladins do abide by the rules (Though some press them) and that all Viscanti have the odds stacked against them. I can get you the rules and such so you know what to expect before making the fellow.

Edit: Viscanti are NOT banned in Celest. They just really aren't all that welcome. As for dross power, some citizens don't even want Viscanti touching the Pool.

The main problem with this is they'll probably expect you to reincarnate as soon as you show up, unless you come into the city as an outsider and make sure you don't have your free reincarnation anymore. And if you do that... you might find it's not really all it's cracked up to be.

Its not inappropriate, but you'd have a tough life. Probably a lot of people nagging you to change race, permanant power blocking, near total lack of trust, no gods wanting you in their order, etc. You'd probably have to be pretty accepting of all the abuse too, or you'll likely get chucked out. Or you might just get chucked out to start out with, I dunno, I don't really keep track of such things to closely. Can't imagine it being much fun.

Correction:
Illithoids are banned outright, Viscanti are tolerated and sort of second-class citizenry almost on-par with being Elfen/Merian in Magnagora. I think, however, that Celest would be more willing to help a Viscanti around the power ban (no Taint is to come in contact with the Pool).

Yes its a noob thing to do.

It might be fun for about a weak, at tops.

Thanks for the fast replies! Honestly, I was not expecting something so quick.

Note: I'm responding a bit late to some of the first posts. Don't worry, I've read over all of your replies.

@Xenthos: Believe me, I'm not the sort of person that would play such a character merely to cause a ruckus. I'm well aware that, in playing such a character, I would be discriminated against ICly. I'm prepared to deal with that sort of thing. Thanks, for the warning, though. I'll take your advice to heart, given I decide to play such a character.

@Denust: I like how you've addressed this on both an IC and OOC standpoint! I agree with what you say on both sides, as well. Your IC point is especially good, considering the "reincarnation" aspect. I'm also aware that choosing such a...well...strange job for my character would deny me any great stat-bonuses on the game-mechanics side of things. I'm prepared for such a challenge. Also on the OOC side, this concept does seem to be overdone; however, to my knowledge, it has yet to surface in Lusternia, at least in any major character-concepts. (On a sidenote, I feel like I'm abusing hyphens today...)

@Arvont: Thanks for the bit on having an interesting character. I try, really...even if this idea does seem a bit cliche in some aspects (as mentioned by Denust). However, I was not aware of the banning of viscanti in Celest. Perhaps I should do a bit more research...

@Jigan: I would like to read over these rules prior to diving in, yes. If you could fetch me them, it'd be much appreciated!

@Everyone else: Having looked over the disadvantages to creating such a character, I still would like to give it a shot. Of course, if I was told to recreate or change race or what have you, I would gladly oblige. I'm not doing this to clash with set rules. I'm doing it for the sake of my own enjoyment...or lack thereof, if I find it's "not all it's cracked up to be."

Fun or not fun, I don't forsee your charachter being able to get anywhere to be around long enough to have the reasons for the character to exist.

Many people have tried it, none have stayed around as that type of charachter. (which is why I say it is a noob thing to do)

I would have to ask what your purpose in creating such a character would be? I'll be blunt. ICly you will not be able to get even dross power from the nexus, you will be looked upon with great distrust, you won't advance in the city, you won't get to hold positions, and you'll be generally persecuted greatly and barely tolerated with some people looking for any reason to kick you out. OOCly people will view it as just another person who wants to play that reformed drow type of character.

Honestly, it seems a bit masochistic and you would have to work extremely hard to not just be dismissed out of hand.

Mysti will still be your friend, no worries.. I would try to talk you into reincarnating, but if you don't, no biggie.. it's the heart that matters, not the form in which it sits.

However, Catarin DOES have a point. Most are not so open with their friendship, you WILL be distrusted, and even if you are the most Light Loving Paladin in the basin, you will never be promoted, at all. Period. It's nothing against you, it's the history surrounding your race. Doing this is only inviting people to distrust you.

If you do this, have a legit reason why you are not reincarnating.

I always go with either "Only have one, buy me a dagger if you wish",. or, " Shouldn't have to, fates sent me here this way"

"If you were truly of the Light and wish to serve it as you say, you would shed this hideous and Tainted shell and embrace a form more fitting for your chosen path. As you refuse to do so, clearly you are a maggot spy. Begone!" outcitizen whoever, go have a drink.

Yep, latter one always meets with that reponse and with good reason. If you're being belligerent about it, expect to be booted. If you ran out of reincarnations (actually or just saying you did) you may get away with it.

I've seen all the reasons and responses mentioned in this thread many times, and will sadly have to echo Catarin's point. I've always wanted to see the 'reformed Viscanti' but it's never been done; you'll get lots of pressure to reincarnate and this is where most people stop, because they do end up reincarnating (or quitting the city). It'll require a radical shift in thinking and maybe another 1 or 2 world catastrophes before the general populace would accept such an individual living amongst them, I think!

The closest 'easy' alternative I see would be an orchlach... I think Fain favours the viscanti and orclach races?

You'd get away with it, but you would be horribly restricted in what you could do. Mags should understand: being a Viscanti in Celest really is a parallel to being a Merian or Elfen in Magnagora, or an Illithoid in Serenwilde, or a Kephera in Glomdoring. It just doesn't work out very well, it's not particularly fun, and your character is almost always going to be held in high suspicion because that race does not really belong there. The reasons were either provided in the histories, or played out recently in the case of the Kephera & Illithoids.

Catarin is right: you'll most likely be kicked out because you refuse to reincarnate. Now, if you've used your reincarnation already, you have a slim chance since Celest's laws allow a Viscanti citizen. You just have almost no rights whatsoever, as has been stated repeatedly. It would be hard to gain any sort of lenience with the current Star Council, and quite frankly, they're justified in such RP.

We ban illithoids completely, actually.