so an ugly race

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Bruno

I've suggested that as an explanation for why Orcs are so cranky, and always seem to be lead by a human/demon/whatever evil overlord.

And why there are so many half-orcs. Still doesn't explain why there are so many half-humans roaming around.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Bruno

I've suggested that as an explanation for why Orcs are so cranky, and always seem to be lead by a human/demon/whatever evil overlord.

I tend to assume orcs are unnatural, which gets rid of any concerns about being ugly. Hm. That gives me an interesting idea: orcs aren't a race at all. Instead, orcishness is some sort of disease or curse, which is blocked by something in civil society (say, regularly attending church), and thus bandits and outlaws and isolated communities that have lost their leadership tend to naturally turn into orcs.

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

And why there are so many half-orcs. Still doesn't explain why there are so many half-humans roaming around.

Because humans have a serious shortage of taste?

[SolemnGolem]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Because humans have a serious shortage of taste?

Hey! We humans aren't "promiscuous", we're "evolutionarily adaptable"!

[vicky_molokh]

Also, many Parahuman races have Appearance in their templates and are affected by this Appearance.

[jacobmuller]

Originally Posted by ericbsmith

snip: an Ogre may be Ugly by human standards he can still be Attractive by Ogre standards.

I had Ugly in a number of racial templates and decided to dump it for that reason plus it was Free Points for players.

It's an issue I'd like to handle - the various races all being unattractive to humans or the other races. I mean, would Appearance (Not Own Race, -75%) be a solution? (if they have a racial appearance, this sets reaction values and a point cost that can be bought off - an inverse universal).
Or do you just make it a Racial Feature note?

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

It's an issue I'd like to handle - the various races all being unattractive to humans or the other races. I mean, would Appearance (Not Own Race, -75%) be a solution? (if they have a racial appearance, this sets reaction values and a point cost that can be bought off - an inverse universal).
Or do you just make it a Racial Feature note?

The whole matter has been handled already on p. 43 of GURPS Social Engineering, and without awkward complexities like (Not Own Race, -75%). Basically, (Not Own Race) is automatically part of racial appearance, by definition. If you want the racial appearance to affect the race itself, you have to buy Appearance with (Universal, +25%) as a racial trait.

Bill Stoddard

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by whswhs

Basically, (Not Own Race) is automatically part of racial appearance, by definition.

Which makes racial appearance substantially different in value from conventional appearance, and possibly almost totally valueless (if the race in question is the dominant race in an area).

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Which makes racial appearance substantially different in value from conventional appearance, and possibly almost totally valueless (if the race in question is the dominant race in an area).

If your race is the dominant race in the reference society, then your race's appearance would ordinarily be neutral.

Bill Stoddard

[kansasdave]

Originally Posted by ericbsmith

...So while an Ogre may be Ugly by human standards he can still be Attractive by Ogre standards.

True, though it might be fun to have a universe where human beauty is a cosmic standard. This would work for the sort of pulp setting where the hideous tentacled monstrosities are bent on capturing beautiful Earthlings.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by kansasdave

True, though it might be fun to have a universe where human beauty is a cosmic standard. This would work for the sort of pulp setting where the hideous tentacled monstrosities are bent on capturing beautiful Earthlings.

You know, I've read a lot of pulp science fiction. And I have seen scenes where tentacle monsters grab for girls. But you know, in the each of those cases they were also grabbing for the guy, and in no case with amorous intent. The main appeal of girls to tentacle monsters is that they can't run as fast.