I'm about to embark on a one-shot that takes place at a black tie gala event. I was curious, out of all the playable races that could reasonably make sense appearing at a formal event, are there any who could show up nude and it wouldn't be frowned upon?
That depends entirely on the background setting/culture of the world you're playing in and if there are any cultures there for which nudity at a formal event is not a tremendous faux pas.
If you're playing in Faerun, Exandria, or any other 'Typical D&D' setting, I don't know of any species that eschews clothes which would also be invited to such an event. One could make case for things like tabaxi, which have fur and thus can be "nude" without actually being uncovered or indecent depending on how one interprets their fur, but even then. One would assume that any such events would be places that invite ornamentation and costumed excess - critters with fur would die, ornament, or style their fur, and likely wear heaps of jewelry in lieu of more typical clothes if they didn't bother with formal dress.
Anything with skin will be expected to cover that skin at any formal event in any world I'm familiar with. After all, one can hardly show off their wealth, status, and good fashion sense by not spending hundreds of gold on extravagantly overpriced formalwear, ne?
EDIT: That said, if you feel like being nude just because? Disguise Self allows you to take on the appearance of any fashion you desire while not actually wearing anything beneath the illusion. It not only allows you to flaunt your skin (in secret) at such an event, but it'll save you a ton of cash. So long as you can find time/have enough spell slots to maintain the spell throughout the event and avoid an Emperor's New Clothes scenario, of course.
That depends entirely on the background setting/culture of the world you're playing in and if there are any cultures there for which nudity at a formal event is not a tremendous faux pas.
If you're playing in Faerun, Exandria, or any other 'Typical D&D' setting, I don't know of any species that eschews clothes which would also be invited to such an event. One could make case for things like tabaxi, which have fur and thus can be "nude" without actually being uncovered or indecent depending on how one interprets their fur, but even then. One would assume that any such events would be places that invite ornamentation and costumed excess - critters with fur would die, ornament, or style their fur, and likely wear heaps of jewelry in lieu of more typical clothes if they didn't bother with formal dress.
Anything with skin will be expected to cover that skin at any formal event in any world I'm familiar with. After all, one can hardly show off their wealth, status, and good fashion sense by not spending hundreds of gold on extravagantly overpriced formalwear, ne?
EDIT: That said, if you feel like being nude just because? Disguise Self allows you to take on the appearance of any fashion you desire while not actually wearing anything beneath the illusion. It not only allows you to flaunt your skin (in secret) at such an event, but it'll save you a ton of cash. So long as you can find time/have enough spell slots to maintain the spell throughout the event and avoid an Emperor's New Clothes scenario, of course.
Great points! I'm playing a Bugbear, and am allowed one uncommon magic item, so I've chosen the ring of mind shielding in part because it allows my race to be indiscernible by others. My character never wears clothes, so I was wondering if there was another, non-evil race I could tell the attendees I am to avoid some level of conflict. All races are game for this one-shot.
...I'm not sure how a bugbear is "undiscernible" as a bugbear with a Ring of Mind Shielding. You still look like a bugbear. People can't read your mind and say "that's a bugbear's mind!", but they can look at your large, long-limbed, hairy giga-goblin body and go "that's a bugbear's body!" I would consider switching to a Hat of Disguise over the Ring of Mind Shielding, as that disguises your physical form a'la the Disguise Self spell previously mentioned.
In The Tamuli, D. & L. Eddings second series follow up to The Elenium, one of the Empresses (the Emperor had to have one wife from each of the kingdoms he ruled over by law) was from a culture where their tradition was blatant nonmanogamy until there was a pregnancy. So basically she went around overtly topless (especially at formal dinners when she would... accessorize) and sleeping with anyone she darn well chose until the Emperor got her pregnant, and then she covered up and went monogamous like everyone else. Well, mostly, she still wore less than everyone else as part of her traditional culture attire.
In Star Trek, the Next Generation, there was an episode where we get an introduction to the concept of a “Traditional” Betazoid wedding in which everyone actually “in the wedding” was expected to go nude as part of the ceremony.
There’s nothing like that in “official D&D” that I’m aware of, but there’s no reason it can’t be in your D&D as long as your players are comfortable with it.
...I'm not sure how a bugbear is "undiscernible" as a bugbear with a Ring of Mind Shielding. You still look like a bugbear. People can't read your mind and say "that's a bugbear's mind!", but they can look at your large, long-limbed, hairy giga-goblin body and go "that's a bugbear's body!" I would consider switching to a Hat of Disguise over the Ring of Mind Shielding, as that disguises your physical form a'la the Disguise Self spell previously mentioned.
Damn, you're totally right! Totally misread that one!
...I'm not sure how a bugbear is "undiscernible" as a bugbear with a Ring of Mind Shielding. You still look like a bugbear. People can't read your mind and say "that's a bugbear's mind!", but they can look at your large, long-limbed, hairy giga-goblin body and go "that's a bugbear's body!" I would consider switching to a Hat of Disguise over the Ring of Mind Shielding, as that disguises your physical form a'la the Disguise Self spell previously mentioned.
This - a Ring of Mind Shielding prevents others from discerning your creature type, but that’s for mechanics, spell or abilities that can detect particular types of creatures, like undead for instance. It doesn’t mask your appearance, including your race.
In Star Trek, the Next Generation, there was an episode where we get an introduction to the concept of a “Traditional” Betazoid wedding in which everyone actually “in the wedding” was expected to go nude as part of the ceremony.
Ah yes, Deanna Troi's mom.... One of the most hilarious recurring guest characters of the series.
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I'm not sure any traditional D&D race would go without clothing. Realistically speaking, everyone at the highest levels would at least have enchanted robes or the like.
Now, this could be more like Ancient Egypt (I think it was the Egyptians... maybe some other old cultures?), where the richer you were, the more clothes and jewelry you wore, and the poorest were basically naked. But I can't think of anyone based on race that would go naked. Even the frog and fish people wear something, iirc.
In Star Trek, the Next Generation, there was an episode where we get an introduction to the concept of a “Traditional” Betazoid wedding in which everyone actually “in the wedding” was expected to go nude as part of the ceremony.
Ah yes, Deanna Troi's mom.... One of the most hilarious recurring guest characters of the series.
The actress who played Lwaxana Troy was also the same actress who played Dr. McCoy’s Nurse Christine Chapel, and show creator Gene Roddenberry’s 2nd wife IRL.
There's a fair number of races that might lack externally visible genitalia (many non-mammals lack them), which is the most likely to be acceptable nude. Ranking them
Warforged: routinely depicted as not wearing clothing, though it sort of doesn't count...
Locathah: illustrated as nude.
Tortle: Turtles do not have externally visible genitalia, and not obviously clothed on the cover of The Tortle Package.
Lizardfolk: illustrated as mostly nude, but a 'monster' species (Neutral, however).
Grung: illustrated as nude, but a 'monster' species
Dragonborn: not generally illustrated nude, but reptilian.
Aarakocra: not generally illustrated nude, but many birds lack externally visible genitalia.
Kobold: not generally illustrated nude, but reptilian. Monster species.
Another option to avoid having to find a bugbear sized tux or gown would be for your character to be described as a servant of one of the other characters ... you wouldn't have to wear clothing, but you'd probably want to Chewbacca it and wear some fake hand cuffs / manacles (and sadly have to indignantly follow around one of your other party members and serve drinks or taste food ... seems like a bit of a stretch for a bugbear, but I'd totally buy off on the concept for any small sized creature). Or just play the chewbacca card straight out ... wear a fancy belt. Afterall Chewie stood up in front of the rebel alliance with Luke and Han at the end of Star Wars with very little on. Then again, he was denied a medal ... perhaps that was due to his nudity.
I think many of the fey races, pixies, nixies, etc. are hit or miss about wearing clothing, but for a formal event they'd probably still apply as somebody else suggested body paint, flowers, and whatnot.
But as far as telling attendees you are some other race, I'd go with some story that you are a fairy race (whatever appearance you choose to match that) ... you could even be a giant, intelligent sloth from some far away jungle. But if you go that way, please ... tell ... your ... story ... very ... s.l.o.w.l.y. ;)
Another option to avoid having to find a bugbear sized tux or gown would be for your character to be described as a servant of one of the other characters ... you wouldn't have to wear clothing, but you'd probably want to Chewbacca it and wear some fake hand cuffs / manacles (and sadly have to indignantly follow around one of your other party members and serve drinks or taste food ... seems like a bit of a stretch for a bugbear, but I'd totally buy off on the concept for any small sized creature). Or just play the chewbacca card straight out ... wear a fancy belt. Afterall Chewie stood up in front of the rebel alliance with Luke and Han at the end of Star Wars with very little on. Then again, he was denied a medal ... perhaps that was due to his nudity.
This is a movie over 40 years old, and it's the first time I've ever seen someone point out that Chewie is functionally nude throughout the whole thing.
This suggests pretty strongly that in a good story and setting this stuff just doesn't come up because it doesn't matter. If you're 100% certain everyone in the table is cool with discussion of acceptable nudity in your campaign then go for it, but if you are 99% sure then maybe just don't bring it up. It doesn't need to be relevant and it's the kind of thing that can creep people out. I would have been just fine going my whole life without ever questioning whether a bugbear has external genitalia.
I'd simply like to point out that if you're thinking of having a character go nude, you really need to talk with the rest of your table and make sure everyone is okay with it. While it's hardly the most outrageous example of iffy roleplay, it is something might make another person very strongly uncomfortable, so it's best to make sure it will go over well ahead of time.
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I'm about to embark on a one-shot that takes place at a black tie gala event. I was curious, out of all the playable races that could reasonably make sense appearing at a formal event, are there any who could show up nude and it wouldn't be frowned upon?
Maybe Genasi or some sort of Eladrin Elf. Both with body ornamentation like glued on crystals or other body painting.
That depends entirely on the background setting/culture of the world you're playing in and if there are any cultures there for which nudity at a formal event is not a tremendous faux pas.
If you're playing in Faerun, Exandria, or any other 'Typical D&D' setting, I don't know of any species that eschews clothes which would also be invited to such an event. One could make case for things like tabaxi, which have fur and thus can be "nude" without actually being uncovered or indecent depending on how one interprets their fur, but even then. One would assume that any such events would be places that invite ornamentation and costumed excess - critters with fur would die, ornament, or style their fur, and likely wear heaps of jewelry in lieu of more typical clothes if they didn't bother with formal dress.
Anything with skin will be expected to cover that skin at any formal event in any world I'm familiar with. After all, one can hardly show off their wealth, status, and good fashion sense by not spending hundreds of gold on extravagantly overpriced formalwear, ne?
EDIT: That said, if you feel like being nude just because? Disguise Self allows you to take on the appearance of any fashion you desire while not actually wearing anything beneath the illusion. It not only allows you to flaunt your skin (in secret) at such an event, but it'll save you a ton of cash. So long as you can find time/have enough spell slots to maintain the spell throughout the event and avoid an Emperor's New Clothes scenario, of course.
Please do not contact or message me.
Great points! I'm playing a Bugbear, and am allowed one uncommon magic item, so I've chosen the ring of mind shielding in part because it allows my race to be indiscernible by others. My character never wears clothes, so I was wondering if there was another, non-evil race I could tell the attendees I am to avoid some level of conflict. All races are game for this one-shot.
...I'm not sure how a bugbear is "undiscernible" as a bugbear with a Ring of Mind Shielding. You still look like a bugbear. People can't read your mind and say "that's a bugbear's mind!", but they can look at your large, long-limbed, hairy giga-goblin body and go "that's a bugbear's body!" I would consider switching to a Hat of Disguise over the Ring of Mind Shielding, as that disguises your physical form a'la the Disguise Self spell previously mentioned.
Please do not contact or message me.
In The Tamuli, D. & L. Eddings second series follow up to The Elenium, one of the Empresses (the Emperor had to have one wife from each of the kingdoms he ruled over by law) was from a culture where their tradition was blatant nonmanogamy until there was a pregnancy. So basically she went around overtly topless (especially at formal dinners when she would... accessorize) and sleeping with anyone she darn well chose until the Emperor got her pregnant, and then she covered up and went monogamous like everyone else. Well, mostly, she still wore less than everyone else as part of her traditional culture attire.
In Star Trek, the Next Generation, there was an episode where we get an introduction to the concept of a “Traditional” Betazoid wedding in which everyone actually “in the wedding” was expected to go nude as part of the ceremony.
There’s nothing like that in “official D&D” that I’m aware of, but there’s no reason it can’t be in your D&D as long as your players are comfortable with it.
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Damn, you're totally right! Totally misread that one!
This - a Ring of Mind Shielding prevents others from discerning your creature type, but that’s for mechanics, spell or abilities that can detect particular types of creatures, like undead for instance. It doesn’t mask your appearance, including your race.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Ah yes, Deanna Troi's mom.... One of the most hilarious recurring guest characters of the series.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I'm not sure any traditional D&D race would go without clothing. Realistically speaking, everyone at the highest levels would at least have enchanted robes or the like.
Now, this could be more like Ancient Egypt (I think it was the Egyptians... maybe some other old cultures?), where the richer you were, the more clothes and jewelry you wore, and the poorest were basically naked. But I can't think of anyone based on race that would go naked. Even the frog and fish people wear something, iirc.
The actress who played Lwaxana Troy was also the same actress who played Dr. McCoy’s Nurse Christine Chapel, and show creator Gene Roddenberry’s 2nd wife IRL.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Can I just express how happy I am this thread has shifted to Star Trek? (Not being sarcastic)
There's a fair number of races that might lack externally visible genitalia (many non-mammals lack them), which is the most likely to be acceptable nude. Ranking them
Another option to avoid having to find a bugbear sized tux or gown would be for your character to be described as a servant of one of the other characters ... you wouldn't have to wear clothing, but you'd probably want to Chewbacca it and wear some fake hand cuffs / manacles (and sadly have to indignantly follow around one of your other party members and serve drinks or taste food ... seems like a bit of a stretch for a bugbear, but I'd totally buy off on the concept for any small sized creature). Or just play the chewbacca card straight out ... wear a fancy belt. Afterall Chewie stood up in front of the rebel alliance with Luke and Han at the end of Star Wars with very little on. Then again, he was denied a medal ... perhaps that was due to his nudity.
I think many of the fey races, pixies, nixies, etc. are hit or miss about wearing clothing, but for a formal event they'd probably still apply as somebody else suggested body paint, flowers, and whatnot.
But as far as telling attendees you are some other race, I'd go with some story that you are a fairy race (whatever appearance you choose to match that) ... you could even be a giant, intelligent sloth from some far away jungle. But if you go that way, please ... tell ... your ... story ... very ... s.l.o.w.l.y. ;)
Thank you all for the replies! Gives me a lot to work with!
This is a movie over 40 years old, and it's the first time I've ever seen someone point out that Chewie is functionally nude throughout the whole thing.
This suggests pretty strongly that in a good story and setting this stuff just doesn't come up because it doesn't matter. If you're 100% certain everyone in the table is cool with discussion of acceptable nudity in your campaign then go for it, but if you are 99% sure then maybe just don't bring it up. It doesn't need to be relevant and it's the kind of thing that can creep people out. I would have been just fine going my whole life without ever questioning whether a bugbear has external genitalia.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
I would say that any creature that's privates are covered up in either fur or scales would be acceptable
From the title this whole thread could have gone in a very bad direction.
Socially, any species without visible genitalia could work like Plasmoids, Warforged etc.
Mechanically, you'll likely want the above + something that could have a decent unarmored AC, such as a Thri-Kreen, Autognome, Tortle etc.
I'd simply like to point out that if you're thinking of having a character go nude, you really need to talk with the rest of your table and make sure everyone is okay with it. While it's hardly the most outrageous example of iffy roleplay, it is something might make another person very strongly uncomfortable, so it's best to make sure it will go over well ahead of time.