RP for PrCs that Physically Change Characters

[PJtheFey]

There are a few classes that change characters physically but the extent of the changes aren't really detailed. I'm mostly interested in the Dragon Warrior class because they somehow learn to breathe fire, but I am curious if we are free to RP related changes like developing a forked tongue like a dragon or patches of scaled skin.

Frost Mage is another class that says that the character develops frost for skin.... How deep do the changes go? Are these characters now semi-elemental in nature?

Although not a physical change I am also playing an Air Genasi, Wizard, Stormsinger. Is there enough wiggle room in terms of how we RP some people of these things as to say that the spell casing is all methodical wizard casting, but the storm songs are an extension of her elemental heritage instead of an expansion of Bard music?

I just don't want to take creative liberties IC only to have a DM tell me two months later "No this strays too far from lore" and then have to backtrack.

Mechanically everything is the same. It's more RP, text based cosmetic details I am interested in, and explanations for manifesting class abilities.

[DM Golem]

This covers a number of different points so I will answer as best I can.

There are a few classes that change characters physically but the extent of the changes aren't really detailed. I'm mostly interested in the Dragon Warrior class because they somehow learn to breathe fire, but I am curious if we are free to RP related changes like developing a forked tongue like a dragon or patches of scaled skin.

The writeup of the class refers to taking on some draconic traits, which largely is mechanically expressed by the breath and elemental resistance.

How far can this be taken with non-mechanical traits? Generally we suggest that what is shown IG broadly matches what is RPed. That would mean outright scales would be out.

We would probably not mind a forked tongue for a dragon warrior (seeing as tongue is not represented IG), we would probably not mind unusual looking eyes, or thick nails falling short of claws.

We probably would not mind a hard to see fine patina of scales if, for example, armour skin was taken to represent that.

We probably would mind actual red or gold scales, horns, claws, draconic bonestructure - or just more than one or two of the above.

Basically, minor cosmetic change can fall within "draconic traits", and is not conceptually far different to descriptions of jewellry, clothing, scars and eye/hair highlights. But something going beyond minor would be stretching the latitude we think the class would grant.

Frost Mage is another class that says that the character develops frost for skin.... How deep do the changes go? Are these characters now semi-elemental in nature?

They remain human (or whatever race), with icy skin. This can be RPed as a layer of ice on the skin, or skin magically infused with ice, or some such. Magically the body becomes resistant to cold. We won't be prescriptive about the details of how this works; but we do state that the PC remains fundamentally human or whatever race they are.

Although not a physical change I am also playing an Air Genasi, Wizard, Stormsinger. Is there enough wiggle room in terms of how we RP some people of these things as to say that the spell casing is all methodical wizard casting, but the storm songs are an extension of her elemental heritage instead of an expansion of Bard music?

I just don't want to take creative liberties IC only to have a DM tell me two months later "No this strays too far from lore" and then have to backtrack.

Mechanically everything is the same. It's more RP, text based cosmetic details I am interested in, and explanations for manifesting class abilities.

There is latitude about how you express the bardic magic that underlies stormsinging but it remains bardic magic (as do the bardic spells). We indeed encourage creative RP around spellcasting and bards are well suited to this. Its always nice when its more than the click of a hotbar.

Unfortunately this latitude does not stretch to RPing something thats mechanically one thing (a bard spell) as another (an innate ability).

You are free to RP that your character believes its an innate ability though; or as I suggested free to RP that her nature impacts how her bardic spells are given effect. IE, free to RP a gloss on bardic magic in terms of text base cosmetic details.

[PJtheFey]

Thanks Golem! This helps a lot!