Okay, so, if you've known me for any length of time, you'd probably know that I have what I like to call "Character ADD." I did it in World of Warcraft, I do it in Dragon Age, and now...I do it in the fur fandom.
So, my question is: Many "characters" that represent different aspects of myself, or one hybrid?
See, I have a frighteningly hard time pinning myself down to just one type. I'm a cat, yes, and very much am I a cat. However, I also have aspects of a horse, and aspects of a bird, too! :birdy:
So, I've flipped back and forth, I've changed my fursona, I've changed back, I've done different things. I realize I'm not really satisfied if I just stick with one. I do, very much, like hybrids! I've seen some of them that are absolutely awesome (and sound totally impossible!) and seen some that are crazy-weird.
However, I've not seen one yet that is quite as much in balance as mine, or quite so far across the creature-spectrum.
So, hybrid or multi-fursona?
Or should I just stick with a snow leopard, and try to not feel incomplete?
Hmm. I'd say pick the character you feel is the most socially accepted, yet representative of yourself, and stick with it. There's nothing wrong with having multiple 'characters', but I've always believed in having a single one as 'you'.
I'm a good example. I'm Aphinity the dolphin, but I have ioco as a second character. I can pull him out of my hat, so to speak, whenever I want to :)
Become a digimon and all your problems are solved hehe :P.
I know its not everyone from the furry community that knows every detail about digimons and pokemons. But here's the thing digimons can digivolve and become something else, it can be a hybrid, something completely different, same thing with added features (like wings!) and so on... I think that being a furry is having the freedom of choosing what you wanted to be and not limit yourself to what already exists in this world or just what the human mind acknowledges as possible.
All you need is creativity :birdy:
See, here's a whole new can of worms.
I suppose you could be a cat that's a fan of being a bird, just like we are humans that are fans of being animals, plus anthropomorph given the situation.
There's also shifters. In this case, I was not the person who made the choice, rather it happened in a tabletop RP that involved my fursonna. The character started off as a simple house cat, but there was a spell cast upon, which allowed him to shift into a more humanoid form. Thus life went on for a number of years, and he learned the best of both worlds, and became a crime lord. :P Time continued on, everyone turned their backs, and the character was left to fend for himself in a world where everyone was hunting him down. He wound up doing a deed for another crime organization, and a spell was cast as a reward, to enable him to shift into a half cat half dragon hybrid, as well as the other forms; and so, the shifting ability had to be re-learned from square one.
You don't have to have a background story, but this is where mine came from. The character design is finally being arted now, after the idea was sitting on character sheets for 9 years.
Beyond that, I'm mostly a naturalist. I had a fursonna that was a blue and white cat, but I eventually decided to go for something that looked more real, more believeable. The only reason why I haven't dropped the shifting, is because I worked hard for those abilities. :P
Wow, I appreciate everyone for their opinions, and there are some great ones here! I've not heard such diverse answers to such a subject (I've scoured the internets for other thoughts on the subject).
Aphinity: I had thought of this, but unfortunately I find it hard to separate myself from the identification of a horse and a bird, also. Originally, and for a very long time, I've identified as some kind of cat. It's been only in the last few years how snow-leopard-like I am. However, I would argue choosing a character that is "socially acceptable." There is quite a story around why I would argue it (mostly because I feel I should always be striving for being socially acceptable, even if it's not how I really feel, and it's brought me nothing but trouble and grief), however, the main point would be thus: Socially acceptable is boring. I realize it's supposed to be the personality behind the face that we should all be looking at, but then again, we are using our fursona's to represent who we are, as far as we can define that idea. Socially acceptable isn't exactly how I would define me, at this point :P
I would ask you, though: Does the idea of having multiple characters become confusing? How do people associate Ioco as one of yours? Why did you make him?
AMZinthos: Umm, not really into the Digimon/Pokemon thing (sorry, but they never appealed to me) though I probably know more about them than some would expect :P I appreciate the idea, however! But this:
: AMZinthos August 31, 2010, 07:04:03 -06:00I think that being a furry is having the freedom of choosing what you wanted to be and not limit yourself to what already exists in this world or just what the human mind acknowledges as possible.
All you need is creativity :birdy:
That's the best thing I've heard someone say about being a Fur in a very long time. Thank you! I will try to take this sentiment to heart :)
Felix: Wow, that's a very interesting character evolution! My husband also likes the idea of "what's possible," in that he's not a fan of hybrids, or funny colours or whatnot. An interesting thought, however, about being a cat that is a fan of being a bird. How would one portray that?
Hm. I tend to stick to a wolf and have always been one since I started the fandom. Though I do have aspects of other animals... like I like purring and stuff. I say to just do whatever feels right to you. :)
There will always be some dumbass somewhere out there that won't accept the idea of mixing species, mythological creatures, digimons/pokemons or entirely new species and whatnot. Probably because their either extremely jealous of not coming up with the idea themselves or their limited understanding of "can" and "can not" doesn't work well (because a anthro fox is fine but a gryphon is not).
Sorry for the little rant here I got some guy at AC trolling me at AC saying my fursona was uncreative and not possible to exist.
Uncreative, possibly my imagination works better on enhancing things that already exist rather than creating from scratch, but when he said not possible to exist I just looked at him with a smile and thought "Yup, a genuine dumbass"
I don't know how to answer your question in any other way except choose what you think is best.
I have multiple characters, but all are the same creature. 1 in particular is most like me physically. Where as every character represents a different part of my personality.
So I'll talk to you about my main character. I chose a Celtic Kelpie, which is a shapeshifter as my creature because I liked Peophins from Neopets, I like horses and dolphins, I like mythological horse creatures, water, and something creepy and morbid but cool looking. She has 2 forms she keeps to. Humanoid and feral Kelpie. Both forms that I like, since I'm not a fan of Anthro normally (Unless it's realistic, or has a neat concept). I occasionally change my character to a different creature but always classify it as a Kelpie because that's her true form. I did not choose this ability randomly, I just went along with it because it's the power of this Mythological creature. And she has a story behind it on why she chooses to be in her humanoid form alot. It's a long story to go through, so I'd rather not tell it. Lol.
So you could have a character that shapeshifts to different things, but have a true form. Or you could combine alot of things into 1 creature... but that gets too complicated and sometimes lame looking.
I have a friend who is a 'shapeshifter' ... and no offence meant to anyone, but it seems like a cop out mary-sue type of thing to have.
Like I said, I went along with what a Kelpie does, which is Shapeshifts. I don't use it to be a Mary Sue, nor do I abuse the powers of shapeshifting. Infact, my character is only sexual to her mate, who is one of my other characters. Other than that, my character's just normal.
I hate Mary Sues. And to be accused as one isn't something I rather enjoy. Good thing I don't roleplay.
I have no alter ego really. I am simply the mundane unattractive human that I was born as.
However I understand why others might feel freedom in acting like something other than what they are.
If it is a mythological animal that naturally shapeshifts, that is one thing and not mary-suish... but my friend is just like "I can shapeshift into anything! I am a wolf, now I am a fox, now I am a fruit bat!" so I don't mean to offend you Wrath (especially with a name like that! lmao), forgive me?
I forgive you. ^_^ And my username is what people call me in real life. Although it gets people thinking online that I'm male, when I'm a female. I wasn't mad, I was just defending my points, and clearing up the fact I'm not a Mary Sue.
Hehe, well guys, part of the fear is that it would end up looking "lame," as Wrath had said. It's an interesting idea to have a "true form" and a shapeshifter. However, I would also be concerned about coming across as Zenia had said...relatively frivolous, and whatnot.
Perhaps I shall pull out the stops and find me a mythical creature I like! Someone recommended a chimera! :-3 :birdy:
Would you guys like me to update here if I come to a decision?
Shapeshifting is cool. That is the shortest possible way to explain why people justify it being a good idea.
It is one of the biggest loopholes ever to not exist. But then neither do our fursonnas, outside of imagination, and items such as fursuits and art of some kind. Where's the liquify setting?
But really, how do you justify something being best for your fursonna, if it's based on you, and has features that simply cannot exist? You wish you could, that's how. It's ok, I understand, since I'm there.
But outside of acting, you can't actually shift, as you yourself in reality, at furmeets, or amongst other furs, etc... IRL, so to speak.
If this is your cup of tea, maybe you should lay off on the sugar and cream. It's unnatural. :P
I'm especially fond of sugar and cream in my tea, actually.
If I understand your meaning, you're saying that shapeshifting is unnatural, and thus should not exist, yes? So, what about people who have Gryphon fursonas, or other hybrids? Or even people who have Pokemon and Digimon fursonas? Are we saying they don't exist and thus cannot have that fursona either?
I, personally, am not especially fond of some ideas in the fur fandom, but I don't ever tell people they cannot exist. That's rather hypocritical, don't you think? Gee, in my mind, I can be an anthropomorphic _______, but you can't be an anthropomorphic something else? Both of them don't exist, as we do not actually have anthropomorphic species on this planet. I see it as the same, and agree with the others...it's all about creativity.
That's why we're all here, is to be creative and put ourselves out there however we choose to.
Much respect for you man. If this site worked like a site I go on called GenXGlow, I'd press the respect button for what you just posted.
Also I concider my character as more of a "demonic spirit" than a "species".
I didn't say it is wrong to be creative.
But, here's another can of worms.
There are a whole lot of furries, like 70% or more, that believe they are what they create.
A cat re-incarnated after death as a human.
You can't do that with a digimon. :P
I suppose that depends on how you view creativity, and how it happens/where it comes from/what happens after it's done.
That rather aside, this was more asking for opinions on a particular dilemma, than having a huge existential debate on whether furs are "allowed" to be something "made up" or indeed mythological.
If your intention was to say that I should be a Snow leopard and try to be satisfied with that, then I respect your opinion.
Well on that note, You can stick to the snowmeow, by all means.
If you want to be a hybrid, by all means go ahead, but those are the consequences.
How's that?
Imagine how difficult it would be for the artist drawing your hybrid species... but if you can pull it off, Awesome. :3
Yes, I imagine it would be pretty difficult to draw that kind of hybrid! :birdy:
Thus, if you want to be a hybrid, it may be a good idea to design it well.
Make the design, set up your own custom colour scheme, 'cause we gotta look at your butt ugly self (just kidding) and see what you come up with.
If you run into an imagination block, you have a choice. Go back, or put it off. Or try something else. Just don't go changing every couple of months... it shows instability.
The foundations of this subculture are built around 'instability.'
The founding fathers of furry society were basket cases of extremely acute dis-associative identity disorder.
If somebody wants to be wolfox with angel wings one month and then a vampire demon cat the next, let them. They could do soooo much worse.
Let me put it to you this way, is pretending you're a purebred wolf very psychologically stable behaviour? Is it something generic society embraces?
Since when has there been these rules? Why is it okay to be a fox or a wolf, but not a hermaphrodite green furred wolfox with antlers and dragon wings?
: Renwaldo September 08, 2010, 10:15:32 -06:00Since when has there been these rules? Why is it okay to be a fox or a wolf, but not a hermaphrodite green furred wolfox with antlers and dragon wings?
What? That's not allowed??? *pouts* No fair!
That's pretty much my opinion on it: be what you want to, **** what other people think. Mythical, real, purebred, mix, doesn't matter. Just be true to what you are. I've even seen one fursona that was a 3-headed chimera with a snake as a tail. Sure *to me*, that seems preposterous. But that's them, and how they choose to be, so good for them.
: Aphinity August 31, 2010, 06:37:45 -06:00
Hmm. I'd say pick the character you feel is the most socially accepted, yet representative of yourself, and stick with it. There's nothing wrong with having multiple 'characters', but I've always believed in having a single one as 'you'.
I'm a good example. I'm Aphinity the dolphin, but I have ioco as a second character. I can pull him out of my hat, so to speak, whenever I want to :)
agreed, it's pretty much the same with me,
I'm Rascal Coyote, but I also have a second character Temba the Lion.
: Renwaldo September 08, 2010, 10:15:32 -06:00
The foundations of this subculture are built around 'instability.'
No it's not, it's built around fur. It's just unstable at times because we can't agree on anything.
No, I meant all of our cultural icons are unstable crazies. :-\
We have culture icons?
: Felix McKline September 07, 2010, 11:31:13 -06:00
There are a whole lot of furries, like 70% or more, that believe they are what they create.
So you're saying that in my past life I was a Demonic Spirit? Sweet.
> Does the idea of having multiple characters become confusing?
Yes, it does. Other people can't keep up with all your character changes (often having different names), and it makes you seem capricious. So I prefer the idea of chimerical characters to represent multiple aspects to ones persona. The idea is already well-established in mythology. (Sphinx, Gryphon, Minotaur, Chimera, &c.)
: spuug September 19, 2010, 11:00:47 -06:00
> Does the idea of having multiple characters become confusing?
Yes, it does. Other people can't keep up with all your character changes (often having different names), and it makes you seem capricious. So I prefer the idea of chimerical characters to represent multiple aspects to ones persona. The idea is already well-established in mythology. (Sphinx, Gryphon, Minotaur, Chimera, &c.)
I think I love you. You can use the word "capricious," and actually spell it, and know what it means. :birdy:
I suppose I've always been afraid of seeming a little too...well, indecisive or
capricious, but I've had such a difficult time feeling satisfied. I think a large part of the decision-making will be done in designing the possible hybrid character. If I like the design, then I may go with that...and if not, I may stick with simple, and go with just a snow leopard.
I had thought about a gryphon for a while, but I'm not
quite that birdlike. We shall see!
I'm off to draw! :-3