Metis Deformity: Acromegaly:
Jan. 2nd, 2005 03:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dunmurderinAlso originally posted at IGU, date unknown
Metis Deformity: Acromegaly:
This is an adaptation of something I wrote as part of a discussion on large size as a metis deformity over at the Ex Libris Nocturnis boards. The person in question was talking about a character who was 2.5 meters in homid and not more than 3.5 meters in Crinos.
The problem with making [large size] a metis deformity, at least IMO, is that it's not a disadvantage to the character as it stands. The idea that their balance is bad [because of the flaw, the original poster’s idea] is a good way to try and make the flaw more of a disadvantage, but really, it still doesn't outweigh the fact that the character would be larger and therefore probably stronger and more intimidating in both Crinos and Homid forms.
Now, on the other hand, if you reworked this flaw to resemble gigantism or acromegaly, the condition would be less twinky and a bigger disadvantage, especially if it were combined with acromegaly. Both conditions are the result of increased levels of Human Growth Hormone. Gigantism is what happens when HGH producing tumors appear in childhood. Acromegaly is what happens when these tumors continue to produce HGH in adulthood (at least that's the way I'm understanding it, I could be wrong here). Yes, they'd still be much taller than average, but the odds are they aren't necessarily going to be better off because of their increased growth. Real-Life Giants have trouble finding clothes, cars and even houses that fit them. They're also more likely to have joint and back problems because they're stretched out so much. In addition, acromegaly can also cause increased growth in the bones of the hands, feet, face, jaw and skull as well as other body tissues (..but, uh..probably not *that* one, sorry guys *G*)
Acromegaly can also cause other problems, such as changes to the structure of the face due to the enlarging of the bones of the head. The following is quoted from a site on the condition:
"Overgrowth of bone and cartilage often leads to arthritis. When tissue thickens, it may trap nerves, causing carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by numbness and weakness of the hands. Other symptoms of acromegaly include thick, coarse, oily skin; skin tags; enlarged lips, nose and tongue; deepening of the voice due to enlarged sinuses and vocal cords; snoring due to upper airway obstruction; excessive sweating and skin odor; fatigue and weakness; headaches; impaired vision; abnormalities of the menstrual cycle and sometimes breast discharge in women; and impotence in men. There may be enlargement of body organs, including the liver, spleen, kidneys and heart."
Now granted, impotence may not be that big a problem for the average metis, but some other more major problems like diabetes mellitus, hypertension and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and an increased risk for colon polyps, which can develop into cancer, could be, depending on your game. Particularly the diabetes and the heart conditions, since they're conditions that are more likely to have day-to-day effects. Hey...can Garou *have* heart attacks? If they Raged hard enough, could they keel over because of it?
Okay, now most of this, you (speaking in the general sense) probably aren't going to RP, particularly the cancer issue, but other things, particularly the skin odor, could be used effectively in a campaign [or on a MUSH]. Maybe your metis's packmates recognize him by his smell. Maybe it's a cause of ridicule among other pack members. Maybe his condition caused him to fall asleep once when he shouldn't have. Considering that, according to Guardians of the Caerns, most metis children stay in crinos until they're eight or nine, there's a very good chance their condition could be well along before anyone even thinks to do anything about it. And even after their First Change, chances are Garou society isn't going to think the child needs medical attention. After all, most seem to view metis's deformities as their punishment for being born.
Also, since acromegaly develops in adulthood, it could be that the metis in question was relatively normal-looking until he or she turned twenty-one or so (21 is when our bones stop growing, iirc, so it's a likely time for acromegaly to develop) and then *bam* they start developing saggy skin, funky BO and the Saudis start negotiating the oil rights to their skin. Also, how's a Galliard going to feel if all of a sudden that lovely soprano of theirs deepens into something not too dissimilar to a frog croaking? Or, to go back to the idea of fatigue, an Ahroun who suddenly can't keep his eyes open while on guard duty? Or who's too sore from hauling his own body around to train? A Stargazer who just can't see well anymore?
Just some thoughts, feel free to use or toss out as much of this as you like. 8)
Kathy
Links:
Unfortunately, I don’t remember the site where I got the quote used in this article. Needless to say, it is a quote, I didn’t write it.
Pituitary Disorders Education and Support: http://www.pituitarysupport.com/id47.htm Information on acromegaly as well as several other pituitary disorders that might work as metis deformities or flaws.
Acromegaly.com Hall of Fame: http://www.acromegaly.com/hall.html
Famous folks who had acromegaly, including Andre the Giant.
Pituitary Network Association: http://www.pituitary.com/ Another group for information and support for folks with pituitary disorders.
Metis Deformity: Acromegaly:
This is an adaptation of something I wrote as part of a discussion on large size as a metis deformity over at the Ex Libris Nocturnis boards. The person in question was talking about a character who was 2.5 meters in homid and not more than 3.5 meters in Crinos.
The problem with making [large size] a metis deformity, at least IMO, is that it's not a disadvantage to the character as it stands. The idea that their balance is bad [because of the flaw, the original poster’s idea] is a good way to try and make the flaw more of a disadvantage, but really, it still doesn't outweigh the fact that the character would be larger and therefore probably stronger and more intimidating in both Crinos and Homid forms.
Now, on the other hand, if you reworked this flaw to resemble gigantism or acromegaly, the condition would be less twinky and a bigger disadvantage, especially if it were combined with acromegaly. Both conditions are the result of increased levels of Human Growth Hormone. Gigantism is what happens when HGH producing tumors appear in childhood. Acromegaly is what happens when these tumors continue to produce HGH in adulthood (at least that's the way I'm understanding it, I could be wrong here). Yes, they'd still be much taller than average, but the odds are they aren't necessarily going to be better off because of their increased growth. Real-Life Giants have trouble finding clothes, cars and even houses that fit them. They're also more likely to have joint and back problems because they're stretched out so much. In addition, acromegaly can also cause increased growth in the bones of the hands, feet, face, jaw and skull as well as other body tissues (..but, uh..probably not *that* one, sorry guys *G*)
Acromegaly can also cause other problems, such as changes to the structure of the face due to the enlarging of the bones of the head. The following is quoted from a site on the condition:
"Overgrowth of bone and cartilage often leads to arthritis. When tissue thickens, it may trap nerves, causing carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by numbness and weakness of the hands. Other symptoms of acromegaly include thick, coarse, oily skin; skin tags; enlarged lips, nose and tongue; deepening of the voice due to enlarged sinuses and vocal cords; snoring due to upper airway obstruction; excessive sweating and skin odor; fatigue and weakness; headaches; impaired vision; abnormalities of the menstrual cycle and sometimes breast discharge in women; and impotence in men. There may be enlargement of body organs, including the liver, spleen, kidneys and heart."
Now granted, impotence may not be that big a problem for the average metis, but some other more major problems like diabetes mellitus, hypertension and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and an increased risk for colon polyps, which can develop into cancer, could be, depending on your game. Particularly the diabetes and the heart conditions, since they're conditions that are more likely to have day-to-day effects. Hey...can Garou *have* heart attacks? If they Raged hard enough, could they keel over because of it?
Okay, now most of this, you (speaking in the general sense) probably aren't going to RP, particularly the cancer issue, but other things, particularly the skin odor, could be used effectively in a campaign [or on a MUSH]. Maybe your metis's packmates recognize him by his smell. Maybe it's a cause of ridicule among other pack members. Maybe his condition caused him to fall asleep once when he shouldn't have. Considering that, according to Guardians of the Caerns, most metis children stay in crinos until they're eight or nine, there's a very good chance their condition could be well along before anyone even thinks to do anything about it. And even after their First Change, chances are Garou society isn't going to think the child needs medical attention. After all, most seem to view metis's deformities as their punishment for being born.
Also, since acromegaly develops in adulthood, it could be that the metis in question was relatively normal-looking until he or she turned twenty-one or so (21 is when our bones stop growing, iirc, so it's a likely time for acromegaly to develop) and then *bam* they start developing saggy skin, funky BO and the Saudis start negotiating the oil rights to their skin. Also, how's a Galliard going to feel if all of a sudden that lovely soprano of theirs deepens into something not too dissimilar to a frog croaking? Or, to go back to the idea of fatigue, an Ahroun who suddenly can't keep his eyes open while on guard duty? Or who's too sore from hauling his own body around to train? A Stargazer who just can't see well anymore?
Just some thoughts, feel free to use or toss out as much of this as you like. 8)
Kathy
Links:
Unfortunately, I don’t remember the site where I got the quote used in this article. Needless to say, it is a quote, I didn’t write it.
Pituitary Disorders Education and Support: http://www.pituitarysupport.com/id47.htm Information on acromegaly as well as several other pituitary disorders that might work as metis deformities or flaws.
Acromegaly.com Hall of Fame: http://www.acromegaly.com/hall.html
Famous folks who had acromegaly, including Andre the Giant.
Pituitary Network Association: http://www.pituitary.com/ Another group for information and support for folks with pituitary disorders.
