Date:         Sun, 20 Mar 1994 14:01:00 BST
Sender: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <[MYTHUS L] at [BROWNVM.brown.edu]>
From: "John R. Troy (JRT--Mad Demiurge of Vargaard)"  <[j troy] at [genie.geis.com]>
Subject:      JRT-ART: New Quirk--Eunuchs

    OKAY PEOPLE, DON'T LAUGH AT THIS ONE!  ;-)


    Eunuch (New Quirk)
         Some personas may wish to be eunuchs.  On AErth, the most likely
    place to find eunuchs would be in the Mid-Azirian states, as it might
    be a standard requirement for guarding a harem.  However, such personas
    who volunteer to "lose their 'manhood'" might be found as far as Ch'in.
    Certain monastic orders might require this condition of its members.
    It depends upon how much discipline is required--it is more likely
    found in orders of light rather than darkness.  And, of course, some
    unlucky persona might be emasculated as a side effect from a battle or
    situation, or perhaps a malevolent witch's casting--this depends on the
    JM's perspective (or sadism).
         First of all, note that human (and humanoid) eunuchs don't
    magickally turn into fat, lazy people.  Unlike animals, humans have
    intelligence and will, and learn a lot of their behavior.  While it is
    true that pre-pubescent eunuchs may not develop like normal men, other
    eunuchs can behave rather normally--and many are quite muscular and
    active.  Save for perhaps a higher voice and less hair, eunuchs are
    just like other males.
         A Eunuch, quite frankly, is immune to most, if not all mundane
    attempts at seduction and the like.  Such personas have had their
    biological carnal desire lessened by a large amount.  Note that it _is_
    possible to arouse a eunuch, if such a eunuch had gained that condition
    long after puberty (especially if it happened by accident), although it
    is difficult and requires will on part of the eunuch--great role-
    playing for a Casanova who was injured!  Most, however, have no carnal
    drive or desire.  Needless to say, role-playing a persona with this
    condition can be fun for players with a taste for complex types.
         While Eunuchs are immune to mundane attempts at sexual subversion,
    and such natural drugs as true aphrodisiacs, some explanation must be
    made towards Heka effects of this nature.  First of all, Infatuation,
    Carnal Lust, and "True Love" are three different things--very similar,
    but the first two have different biological effects, and the last one
    is pure emotion.  It is possible for a eunuch to "fall head over heels"
    with a woman, although rare.  There is some crossover, however--so some
    resistance or avoidance is possible in cases where dweomers induce
    enamoring of the opposite sex.

         Furthermore, most castings of this nature have other ways to
    affect the persona.  The Herbalism casting "Love Potion", when ingested
    by a eunuch, may not cause said persona to fall in love with a woman,
    but that same woman may be regarded as a boon companion.  If a witch
    casts the Lust Eyebite on a eunuch towards a woman directly, it might
    fail, but it the lust was directed towards treasure, it would work.
    Glamour and the like induce a genuine emotional state, so there is no
    extra resistance given here.  Also note that the "Extreme
    Attractiveness" rules affect Eunuchs as well--beauty in this case deals
    with Aesthetics, rather than amorous desire.  (Seeing a Deva is an awe-
    inspiring experience no matter what).  JM's should use their judgement
    here when determining any special immunity a eunuch might have to such
    effects.  These guidelines prevent players from "min/maxing"--taking a
    quirk to serve a special purpose, rather than for role-playing
    purposes.  Players who choose this quirk should be choosing it for
    role-playing, rather than for its would-be advantages.
         Healing this condition will usually require some form of
    regeneration--either by priestcraefters, alchemy, or some other
    dweomers.  It's not easy to fix, and requires a lot of BUCs, status,
    and the like.  In some cases, a malevolent persona might create a
    casting that _temporarily_ restores the drive/organs to a man--thus a
    witch casts this spell on harem guards, let's her beautiful daughters
    "work" on the shocked and stunned personas, while she enters the harem
    and furthers her vile tasks--then the guards return to their natural
    state later!  Some herbalism concoctions might negate some of the side
    effects of these conditions--JM's call here.