Male player + female character: a new twist

[Desdichado]

Now, male players with female characters isn't a problem in my group, but here's a new twist for those who don't like it; I'm curious what you think.

I'm starting a campaign tonight under Quickbeam as DM. My character is a male changeling rogue. The campaign starts in Diamond Lake (yes, it's Age of Worms), a small mining hell hole. My concept is that I came from the nearby "free city" and am a bit of an urban con man. In particular, my character liked to impersonate young ladies' husbands and sleep with them. Somehow or another he got caught with the mistress of a big crime boss type of guy, impersonating the crime boss, and he had to run. In fact, he had to leave the "free city" altogether and take up a disguise, so he's now living in Diamond Lake as a female half-elf who sings and dances in a tavern.

So, I'm playing a male character, who in turn is playing a female character. It's my intention that although the other players know that I'm really a changeling, their characters will not until I'm forced to give it away, and I'll just play the role of a female half-elf, only shapeshifting (if I can help it) when no one else is in sight.

Any comments on this situation from those who don't like male players playing female characters?

 

[Bloodstone Press]

I don't have a problem with cross gender role playing, but I do think your idea is interesting. I can imagine a lot of great opportunities for uncomfortable, unusual or humorous situations involving a character like that.

 

[reveal]

I don't have a problem with cross gender role playing, but I do think your idea is interesting. I can imagine a lot of great opportunities for uncomfortable, unusual or humorous situations involving a character like that.

Quite right. The first time they see "her" stand up to pee will be hilarious!

Recently, I had a player try out a changeling rogue/chameleon prc. It didn't work out (he didn't like it as much as he thought) and went back to his old warforged rogue. However, he had a great backstory that gave me a great hook if I could have used it. He had been a prostitute, both male and female, and had fallen in love with a john when he was in female mode. He got pregnant and had a daughter. The man found out the players character was a changeling and ran away with the daughter. I would have loved to have used that.

 

[shaylon]

This is an interesting concept, I foresee the DM being able to make your life difficult if they so choose. Keep that in mind!

-Shay

 

[Desdichado]

Recently, I had a player try out a changeling rogue/chameleon prc. It didn't work out (he didn't like it as much as he thought) and went back to his old warforged rogue. However, he had a great backstory that gave me a great hook if I could have used it. He had been a prostitute, both male and female, and had fallen in love with a john when he was in female mode. He got pregnant and had a daughter. The man found out the players character was a changeling and ran away with the daughter. I would have loved to have used that.

That is cool. Was the daughter a changeling too?

 

[Desdichado]

This is an interesting concept, I foresee the DM being able to make your life difficult if they so choose. Keep that in mind!

Oh, he's already told me flat-out that we'll be seeing that crime boss again. You can't hide from trouble forever!

 

[the Jester]

Sounds very cool- though I don't have a problem with male players playing female characters (I encourage it, as well as the inverse- female players with male characters).

I love it when the players come up with characters that are just dripping with plot hooks...

 

[reveal]

That is cool. Was the daughter a changeling too?

I don't know. He played the character for 3 sessions and switched back so it was delved into very much. Last his character knew, the daughter was taken away and he was trying to find her.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I had a Spymaster once with three different established identities in a Freeport campaign. One of the identities was that of a female pirate captain. The character was male, of course, and his other two identities were male. The male ids were both members of the party and the female was supposed to become an enemy of the party but alas the campaign was dropped half way through Hell in Freeport. Pity.

 

[Romnipotent]

A friend of mine plays that in LG. Disguise self, a beuatiful busty chick too... he loves elaborating on her decolatage.

Its funny... "Your a Guy?" WHAT!"
its just.. umm... interesting, have fun