Perseus Project!! That Really Helped Me With My Assessments In Uni. This List Is So Cool.

reblogging for writing tips

Words for Skin Tone | How to Describe Skin Color

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

Standard Description

Basic Colors

Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

Complex Colors

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

Modifiers

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

Dark - Deep - Rich - Cool

Warm - Medium - Tan

Fair - Light - Pale

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

Undertones

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

pictured above: warm / earth undertones: yellow, golden, copper, olive, bronze, orange, orange-red, coral | cool / jewel undertones: pink, red, blue, blue-red, rose, magenta, sapphire, silver. 

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

Creative Description

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

Natural Settings - Sky

Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

Flowers

Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

Assorted Plants & Nature

Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone.“ 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

“Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

Wood

Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

Metals

Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

Gemstones - Minerals

Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

Physical Description

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

General Tips

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics I 

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Featured Description Posts

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette

This is so pretty!!!

THEDAS LOCATIONS → [1/∞]

I really like this, seems well thought and interesting estimation of what a Hifumi Phantom Thief might be like. However I will like to note that in the social link it’s her father who is sick not her mother, her mother had to work extra jobs and put her own dreams on hold because of her husband’s illness. Hence why Hifumi’s mother is living her dreams vicariously through her daughter and because they need the money. I was curious about fusion of the two parents into a single character and I am curious how that came about and why? Not sure how to write notes on posts. But I think this might be it. Shrugs.

Possible Phantom Thieves: Mishima, Togo, and Sae (Part II)

Okay, I rarely do posts unless necessary and THIS is one of those times. For the last few days, I’ve been watching Persona 5 playthroughs (since I beat the ACTUAL game itself sometime prior), interact with other blogs concerning certain mechanics and scenarios in the game, and have been going fan crazy over certain characters *cough*Mishima*cough* Anyways, one of the things that I’ve contemplated at that time was the possibility of certain characters in the Phantom Thieves, if given the chance. I know, I know, the Phantom Thieves have enough people as is, but hear me out: what I’m about to analyze is merely a hypothetical. There’s no likelihood of it happening and everyone has their own opinions.

Now with further ado, let’s get to the topic at hand: “Mishima, Togo, and Sae as possible Phantom Thieves.”

Yep, I said it. These three specific characters if they were Phantom Thieves instead of actual Confidants. So beforehand, I should warn you that this post WILL get long because I will go in-depth to their contribution to the team, how they joined, and description of the Initial and Ultimate Personas.

These will be done in parts, as to not make the posts overly long and dreadful to read. For the other parts, choose from the ones listed below. Yuuki Mishima | Hifumi Togo | Sae Nijima

Warning: All artwork used in this work belongs to @5ru9 and reddit user, qphysx. All credit goes to them and I don’t claim any artworks as my own.

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Eikichi... This is one of many reasons why you are one of my favourite Persona characters.

Awesome recap!!! Looking forward to this! 😇

D&D Presents Panel

General stuff

this a show under the D&D presents banner, their focusing in on new D&D materiel and showing it off

Chris tries to do spoiler free sessions and jumble around the adventures from the book

it’s being live streamed on twitched and being posted on youtube after, THERE WILL BE A PODCAST VERSION.

It’s coming out early 2020, there’s probably going to be a session 0

Mica is going to eat the dice one day

I’m now only using the term ‘Math Rocks’ for dice now

Characters

Shady- Valance Knight, Teifling wild magic sorceror, ‘Vale’ was disowned at 15, was the first person in his town with magic. accidentally caused some shit. people want him dead. is pretty much like Elsa (who is that). Has a silver orb with strange ruins

Anna- Delviny pine, Half-elf bard, is known for being a story teller, is one the look for more stories, I might accidently call her Poppy lol. Lore College, Mark of detection. Has a deed of land for somewhere she doesn’t know

Mika- Sasuna (I don’t know how to spell the last name) , Levistus Tiefling Cleric, Tragic past, tricked into a cleric pack with a death god. has a small silver skull

Nate- Reiner, human fighter, ALIVE PARENTS AND FAMILY!! GOOD LIFE is woke about his privileged, was an order of the gauntlet, refuses magic. has a piece of obsidian that always feels warm(IS IT MAGIC?!?!)

How they meet

Reiner is the lynch pin, is trying to put together the party, these guys were at the bottom of his list. 

group name is T.O.R.C.H = the only red crab here

Setting

WE BE IN THE PERKINSVERSE MY BOIS, 

MIni series in the fandlin area, will be previewing 2020 big story

Q&A questions

Q: Will there be crossovers? A: YES chris is always open to crossovers

Q: are other D&D stuff being brought into the show? A: Chris is very open about the players wanting to bring in stuff as long as the have a good reason.

Spelljammers stuff is happening!

Q: are any of the cast canonically trans or NB? A: They haven’t thought about it yet

Q: will the stream format be similar to DCA? A: Yes, the want to update it a bit

Q: Will this be all ages friendly? A: Chris is aiming for 12 and up. there will be occasional swearing. so 13+

Q: Will be there be accents? A: Anna is tortured about this, she wants Delviny to have a different voice from her. | Mika will probably do a difference cadence. | Nate doing a different cadence as well. | Vale is remembering how to form sentences.(Like Star)

Q: How long will the episodes be? A:1 hour 45 minutes is their aim

Q: Will they be doing other streaming platforms? A: they don’t know exactly, but the producers are most likely 

Q: Most emotional moments for previous characters? A:Shady going to bring his father back to life and give a youth potion was acid instead. | Mika had a Beastmaster Ranger is in a depressed spiral and finds a white wolf, | Nate does not know there are so many | Anna; there are so many, Evelyn planning her death for her sacrifice | Chris; that time he TPK’ed and didn’t feel anything

So pretty! Must remember this if I ever end up running a game in that setting.

Syngorn Map Yo

Made one for my campaign in Tal'dorei and wanna share with anyone who may need one for their games. Enjoy!

Amazing, Greek mythology nerd part of myself thinks this awesome 👏

Too bad the prophet Cassandra never met Odysseus

Great list! Nice to see it all laid out in one place with sources.

List of Canon Ships/Pairings

I need a list of all canon pairings for reasons, so I figured I’d start a post so others could use it too. It seems like a good thing to have.

This will include characters who flirt with one another, confirmed in-game, and confirmed by Bioware. I’ll try to distinguish those too. These are all possible pairings in Dragon Age media, as in they do in fact exist and happen canonically. If I do inevitably forget one you can remind me via message or ask and I will add it. Feel free to ask about some pairings too if you are unsure on sources, I can point you to the right places (for example, Greagoir/Wynne seems heavily implied due to their corresponding sections in WoT Vol. 2. Where the Templar Wynne was intimate with, left and returned; while Greagoir was sent to Denerim as a disciplinary action during his younger years.)

Dragon Age Origins

Andraste/Maferath (In-game)

Maric Theirin/Rowan Guerrin (In-game)

Vasilia/Hessarian (In-game)

Eleni Zinovia/Valerius (In-game)

Calenhad Theirin/Shayna (In-game)

Calenhad Theirin/Mairyn (In-game)

Marethari Talas/Sarel (WoT Vol. 2, Extended Media)

Bryce Cousland/Eleanor Cousland (In-game)

Fergus Cousland/Oriana Cousland (In-game)

Landra/Loren (In-game)

Bhelen Aeducan/Rica Brosca (In-game)

Beraht/Jarvia (In-game)

Leske/Jarvia (In-game, dependent)

Gorim Saelac/Unnamed Surfacer (In-game)

Jowan/Lily (In-game)

Cyrion Tabris/Adaia Tabris (In-game)

Dilwyn/Gethon (In-game)

Soris/Valora (In-game)

Soris/Unnamed Human Woman (In-game)

Anora Theirin/Cailan Theirin (In-game)

Jory/Helena (In-game)

Dorothea (Divine Justinia V)/Marjolaine (In-game, Leliana’s Song, Hinted)

Harwen Raleigh/Marjolaine (In-game, Leliana’s Song)

Calian Theirin/Celene Valmont (In-game, Return to Ostagar, Hinted)

Loghan Mac Tir/Celia Mac Tir (The Stolen Throne, Extended Media)

Rendon Howe/Eliane Bryland (WoT Vol.2, Extended Media)

Herren/Wade (David Gaider)

Cammen/Gheyna (In-game)

Drass/Desire Demon (In-game)

Isolde Guerrin/Eamon Guerrin (In-game)

Teagan Guerrin/Bella (In-game, dependent)

Teagan Guerrin/Kaitlyn (In-game, dependent)

Athras/Danyla (In-game)

Pyral Harrowmont/Tercy Harrowmont (In-game)

Branka/Hespith (In-game)

Oghren/Branka (In-game)

Oghren/Felsi (In-game)

Sten/Shale (In-game, Flirting)

Leliana/Marjolaine (In-game, Leliana’s Song)

Zevran Arainai/Rinnala/Taliesen (In-game, WoT Vol. 2 , Extended Media)

Zevran Arainai/Isabela (In-game)

Wynne/Unnamed Templar [likely Greagoir] (In-game, Extended Media)

Alistair Theirin/Anora Theirin (In-game, dependent)

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ingrid sundberg's colour dictionary - writing help

Reblogging so I remember. Character research. I’ve made a half-elf, with a drow mother & half-drow father, raised in drow society particularly in a temple of Lolth. They worship a different goddess currently in the campaign, but it’s good know their roots better.

The Descent of the Drow

Requested by @adrainea​ for the lore giveaway.

Part 5 of 5: Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes & Beyond

So where are we now? On May 18th/ May 29th 2018 (digital version/hard cover) WOTC released Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes, and along with it some changes to this tale. Here’s my summary relevant to drow, though I highly encourage looking at the supplement its self. There’s much more to add, but I’m only including what is relevant to the question: What did dark elves do to become drow/banished? 

Elves were formed from drops of Corellon’s blood when he fought a godly war against the orc god Gruumsh. Corellon was like “oh neat” and adopted these blood spawned beings as his children

He favoured a few of them and made them the Seladrine gods. One of them would become Lolth.

Corellon had no fixed form, Corellon could be a flock of birds, a woman, a man, a river. Like Corellon, elves too had no fixed true form and could choose.

One day Lolth picks a form, names herself Lolth and tells the other elven gods that they should choose fixed forms as well to have power and impact on the universe.

The some elven gods agree, some do not. Elves become divided into those who agree with Lolth and those who agree with Corellon.

Lolth tries to kill Corellon for her usual reasons, fails, Corellon finds he can no longer trust his children and casts out ALL elves from Arvandor – they get pushed into the Feywild where they now have fixed forms, even those who stood by Corellon. (?)

The elves decide to explore Toril and other lands because they are naturally curious and emotional creatures, hungering for new experiences after the loss of their “father.”

Some elves continue to worship Corellon, some Lolth, some other gods.

[I get on a plane in several hours so no time for arts. Please enjoy this art “ Temple of Lolth “ by Julian Kok, featured in Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes] Closing thoughts:

Drow who repent can be gifted this ability to change form (biological sex) after a long rest. New lore states that all elves worshipped Lolth, not just the Ilythiiri. But they stopped and it was the dark elves who did not pull back. Whether this means all dark elves or only the Ilythiiri, is unclear.

If there’s a core thing to take away from MTOF it’s that: Drow aren’t born evil, not by race. They have a history, culture and environment that encourages certain behaviours. Remove them from that environment and they have a chance to change. If a drow, orc, or goblin, where born say in a good aligned city, grew up with humans, they would pretty much act as a human would, think and have values as their peers would. They’d look different, sure, their biology would have some effects, yeah. But they aren’t “born evil”. If you’re playing a drow (born in the Underdark into drow culture) it’s likely they will struggle with this inner darkness for a very long time, perhaps forever. And that’s fine. Such things are what make drow so thrilling to play. Despite being set up from birth to be drawn to darkness, they may overcome it, or use it in productive ways. I’ll leave you with this Paarthurnax quote, because I adore it and it’s relevant. “What is better ? to be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great effort ?” ~ Paarthurnax, Skyrim Be well friends, and may your characters be as varied and complex as you wish them to be.