In the description of Kaathan humans in the AWD setting on PDF, it states that the High Kaatha are "stygian colored", and yet it also states that long exposure to the Waters of Life have left many of them "almost translucent".
I'm not clear on what's being described here. The online Oxford English Dictionary (compact) defines stygian as "very dark", which I knew, so I'm thinking literally black (as opposed to dark brown) skin here.
On the other hand, the online OED also defines translucent as "allowing light to pass through partially; semi-transparent", which I also knew.
The two descriptions seem mutually exclusive, so I'm confused. Was 'translucent' a typo? Was the word meant to be 'luminous' perhaps -- indicating the real-world phenomenon where some zulus have brown skin so dark it almost appears to "glow" because of a trick of vision?
Or, since this is a fantasy setting, does the description mean that the High Kaatha are literally becoming semi-transparent from long proximity to the Waters of Life?
Speaking of life, I should go get one, after asking such an esoteric question!
Thanks for any help!
TheNewGuy
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"But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you"
Confused About High Kaathan Humans
No, they are not mutually exclusive. Black Diamonds still have translucence. So can Black Sapphires and Spinels. They can also be totally opaque.
Plus not everyone has the translucence quality. Only "many", which can be a wide numerical range.
Still, it just means that even as black as they are, many of them appear to have the light shine through, not necessarily strongly/brightly/easily. Just to a noticeable degree.
Yes, I know of what I speak. Over 10 years experience worth of knowledge.
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The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society
Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/
My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames
Plus not everyone has the translucence quality. Only "many", which can be a wide numerical range.
Still, it just means that even as black as they are, many of them appear to have the light shine through, not necessarily strongly/brightly/easily. Just to a noticeable degree.
Yes, I know of what I speak. Over 10 years experience worth of knowledge.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society
Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/
My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames
Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael
Grand Knight Commander of the Society.
Fair enough, good Tree, but I'm still unsure as to whether the High Kaathans are meant to be literally "almost translucent" (this being a fantasy game and all), or whether the author was simply attempting to describe luminous skin tone in poetic language.
The use of "stygian" for very dark/black suggests that it may be poetry in action here, but as it's all part of a magic-steeped fantasy setting, I'm really not sure.
TheNewGuy
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"But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you"
The use of "stygian" for very dark/black suggests that it may be poetry in action here, but as it's all part of a magic-steeped fantasy setting, I'm really not sure.
TheNewGuy
_________________
_________________
_________________
________
"But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you"