To say the least, disappointed with the direction they took him at.The initial concept was more than impressive, a Tzimisce who took an interest in the meaning of gender (and the concept of "gender" itself). Guess such a character could have served as a moderate transgender fanservice at best, but these aren't mainstream, so the devs had come up with something that sells faster...To put it short, I'm not amused that my clan of choice is represented not by a researcher, but a LGBT bait who isn't just a disgrace to the former, but a walking insult to the transgender crowd, and by that I mean people who actually changed their gender by SRS/HRT. Guess they're really fond of this association with pervs and drag queens.Speaking of minor wasted opportunities, I can't but recall an infamous MDMA incident, when our proud hero had fixed someone's mouth for questioning his looks originality, while being fvcked up on the mentioned stuff. That not only ironically showcases a notorious LGBT people's intolerance of any critique, but does not match the drug (which also known as Extasy) profile. It would've made more sense if he did not take this as an offence at all (nothing is new under the moon), or made this impudent youth look like a complete ignoramus by explaining the origins and meaning behind the Gigerian creature he was compared to, thus fixing his mouth verbally.Roughly speaking, MDMA (aka extasy) is famous for rendering its user almost unable to feel any negative emotions, which is its trademark and the main reason it's so kvlt and highly sought after a club drug. Because of this, the scene feels extra awkward.
Tzimisce are a clan that truly embodies the Becoming. They are the Chrysalis from which all things are possible. Unfortunately, in reality they often turn out to be a rather shallow disappointment.
It's also worth of note that Metamorphosis is one of the (in not the) cornerstones of gothic literature and poetry. Therefore, it could be said that Tzimisce epitomizes Gothic.
As of devs frightened of being considered politically incorrect, ironically enough, that resulted in self-fulfilling prophecy, they've managed to do exactly that in respect of both crowds (transgender people and LGBT) whom they sought to please so hard. Worth mentioning that the latter would be pissed for such a mixup not less, they tend to cling onto their family jewels ever more than straight, which is amusing.
For although nepenthe has calmed me, I know always that I am an outsider; a stranger in this century and among those who are still men. This I have known ever since I stretched out my fingers to the abomination within that great gilded frame; stretched out my fingers and touched a cold and unyielding surface of polished glass.(c) H. P. Lovecraft
To put it short, what does it mean to become someone... something else. How does it feel from character's perspective. Not necesarry in literal sense, e.g. human who had become a vampire.No gothic story is complete without a protagonist or one of leading characters undergoing some kind of profound change from experience.QuoteFor although nepenthe has calmed me, I know always that I am an outsider; a stranger in this century and among those who are still men. This I have known ever since I stretched out my fingers to the abomination within that great gilded frame; stretched out my fingers and touched a cold and unyielding surface of polished glass.(c) H. P. Lovecraft
In different genres, it's just another mean, conversely, in gothic, it's the end, and, oftenly, the whole point of the story. One could think of metamorphism as of normal character development (polymorphism) taken onto the whole new level. Not just any change, a change into something that would not qualify as a former self. Like, who am I? Myself or someone else who carries my memories?For example, what had happened to Rovena from the novel by E. A. Poe could be interpreted as if she actually had become Ligeia, or her spiritual successor, at reader's discretion.Granted, such an element could be used in just about any genre, but it's possible to imagine them without even a lead's character development, not so for this particular one.Such a topics are often explored in related genres, such as cyberpunk, which could be considered a cross between sci-fi and gothic. For example, a character who was returned from dead by tech as a half-cyborg questioning own identity. Is he the same person indeed, albeit altered, or something else that believes itself so?
Indeed. Though, I if was to design a logo for myself, I would depict Ouroboros discrete instead of continious.
Myself have a theory about historical Vlad Tepes that he had deliberately crafted and cultivated the infamous image which he is known for as a means of demoralization, making use of the Turks' fear of vampires. Should he been like that for real, he would've run out of people rather quickly.Following the death and rebirth topic, prince Eugene of Savoy was believed by some Turks to have been him who returned from the dead in order to get a revenge on them for being killed. By an uncanny coincidence, he had a skill in handling melee weapons and a taste for ultraviolence that one could expect from a Dark Ages aristocrat (who actually particiated in battle on a regular basis unlike their successors). However, unlike Vlad, an unprofessional behavior was the last thing he was known for, on the contrary, he was regarded as a decent person, albeit a bit cold. These tendencies were apparent only during his rather adventurous youth days.
On topic, isn't it ironical that we (me and fictional Vykos) had came to the same realisation thorugh different means (mine was a minor side effect from a drug trip, it was far more interesting than that, but it's a whole another story), but maked diametrally opposite conclusions from it?
He was, however, cruel beyond measure to empires that sought to invade Wallachia, such as Ottoman empire. A true Tzimisce.
Which is another example of his sense of humour, let them taste their own medicine if they like such a form of execution that much.