Originally Posted by Johnny Angel (Post 1034352)

While working on a character, the thought came to me that I'm not sure how to imagine that certain things look. In particular, I'm at something of a loss when it comes to imagining how a character who defies the racial norm would look. This particular character was an Orc with the 'attractive' advantage.... or so that's what I'm considering. Using the 'impressive' looks modifier seems like it would work, but I'm still left trying to imagine a handsome or a pretty orc. Most depictions of them are unattractive. So, I figured I'd ask the community: how would you imagine a pretty orc?


Likewise, what about an ugly elf? Surely there's the rare outcast with bad genetics or a harsh life which would be considered ugly even by human standards, but it's difficult for me to imagine what an ugly elf wYould look like for the same reason I have trouble imagining a good looking orc.


Are there things which you have trouble envisioning in your head?

Originally Posted by Johnny Angel (Post 1034352)

While working on a character, the thought came to me that I'm not sure how to imagine that certain things look. In particular, I'm at something of a loss when it comes to imagining how a character who defies the racial norm would look. This particular character was an Orc with the 'attractive' advantage.... or so that's what I'm considering. Using the 'impressive' looks modifier seems like it would work, but I'm still left trying to imagine a handsome or a pretty orc. Most depictions of them are unattractive. So, I figured I'd ask the community: how would you imagine a pretty orc?


Likewise, what about an ugly elf? Surely there's the rare outcast with bad genetics or a harsh life which would be considered ugly even by human standards, but it's difficult for me to imagine what an ugly elf would look like for the same reason I have trouble imagining a good looking orc.


Are there things which you have trouble envisioning in your head?

Originally Posted by GURPS Basic Set: Characters

Reaction modifiers due to appearance only affect members of your own race, a very similar race, or a dissimilar race that finds your race attractive (for whatever reason).

Originally Posted by Stripe (Post 1034495)

For the elf, just imagine any ugly human and add pointy ears. You can't tell me Hugo Weaving (Elrond in the LotR movies) is really all that good looking. ;) Average at best, unattractive at worst.
)...

Originally Posted by Inquisitive Raven (Post 1034515)

Note above. So, your orc is pretty by orc standards, which may or may not have anything to do with human standards. The trick then is to figure out what orc standards are.

Well, species universals tend to be markers of good health. So, symmetry of form is good. Now, I'm not sure in general, but Shadowrun orks have tusks protruding from their lower jaws. Humans undoubtedly do not find these attractive, but orks probably appreciate a well matched pair in a certain size range. For a species (or subspecies in Shadowrun) that values combat capability, overall size is probably a major component of attractiveness. They're sapient bipeds and, I'm assuming, mammalian, so a good looking female should have wide hips.

I'll leave it to others to figure it out from there.

Originally Posted by jason taylor (Post 1034405)

Well I can imagine a battle scared elf but not a pretty orc.