Need some good flavor text to describe a stunning beauty

[NewJeffCT]

the players may be encountering a powerful evil cleric that the book describes as "rivals goddesses in her beauty, but devils in her evil," or something to that effect. But, you get the idea, I hope.

I want a few good lines of flavor text to describe that to the players (it will be a role-playing situation, not combat...) that she is not your average pretty tavern wench, or even some young duchess or princess.

She is human and fair skinned. Most people from her nation have brown or black hair, but other colors (while rare) are not unheard of...

Thanks!

 

[Thanee]

"rivals goddesses in her beauty, but devils in her evil..."

Maybe leave out the last part...

In some cases, it's actually better to not describe something in detail and leave that part to the minds of the players.

Bye
Thanee

 

[NewJeffCT]

"rivals goddesses in her beauty, but devils in her evil..."

Maybe leave out the last part...

In some cases, it's actually better to not describe something in detail and leave that part to the minds of the players.

Bye
Thanee

True - I will leave that last part out, but wanted a bit more than just that partial phrase.

 

[Rechan]

In my experience, someone (or something) that's really beautiful will cause a moment of awe, so:

"When you see her, for a moment the world stops, and your heart skips a beat as you take in her features."

If her beauty is really out of place (like, unnaturally so), you could comment about it seeming almost god-sculpted, or beauty purified.

Also, I think the beauty is in the roleplaying. Laying her evil out there on the table takes away from the general impression. Play her calm, regal, acting like a queen at court, or almost coy and sweet (but not flirty).

 

[Oni]

I'll take a crack.

With skin of alabaster and hair like spun shadows, this woman is possessed of a stark and desolate beauty the likes of which you've never before seen.

 

[Wicht]

Some terms that describe yet still leave it all to the imagination...

you are struck by her Flawless beauty,

she smiles with her perfect lips,

she runs a hand carelessly through her long, silky hair,

her eyes sparkle like crystals as she smiles at you,

with a smile that could charm the sun itself,

one perfect finger taps absently,

she moves with a form and grace that captivates the eyes of all,

 

[delericho]

This could be a tricky one: if you wax too lyrical, your players will probably laugh, losing the effect you were going for.

You might try describing the effect she has on others as she passes: a miserly merchant rushes to offer her his wares for free; a crude deck-hand pauses in mid-curse, blushes, and turns away; a young man suddenly becomes all gangling limbs and stuttering voice as she smiles in his direction...

Or, you could describe the PC's own reactions: an involuntary catch of the breath, a quickening of the pulse... But be very careful with this one: a lot of players don't like being told how their PCs react - they feel that that is their area of control.

Or there are always the classics: "a face that would launch a thousand ships", "more lovely and more temperate than a summers day"...

 

[Daern]

maybe google some Baudelaire or other romantic poetry?

 

[GlassJaw]

Make sure you mention her "butter-supple loins".

 

[delericho]

...that she is not your average pretty tavern wench, or even some young duchess or princess...

One other thing that occurs is that you could put the PCs in the company of "average pretty tavern wenches" or "young duchesses or princesses", be sure to comment on the attractiveness of these individuals, and then have the priestess arrive and effortlessly put them in the shade.

Weis and Hickman did a very similar thing in the Dragonlance Chronicles with Tika and Laurana.