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I've read theroughly through this thread, And I agree. I've been going through (To the best that I can) Charictures, posts and stickies on IoDM content. I dont plan on questing untill I have a intersting and unique charicture and plans for the charicture, and untill I have gotten to know the IoDM community.... I just wish the Quest roleplay boards were more active. sweatdrop

Well >.> The "reading RPs because it's fun!" part applies to everybody!

*keeps remembering things and coming back to post them* Please correct me if I'm wrong, shop owners.

One of the problems that has occurred in the past is the idea of combo serums. To keep for IC consitancy, keep in mind that Moreau has to have already created the combo serum by the time that the islander arrives, it isn't something just easily whipped together by the time that the characters get to the island. Moreau must've already had a reason to mix that serum. Zach was intended to look like a dragon because they wanted to bring the mythical beast to life. Chubbs has three of the most ferocious mammals known to man. Alec was an attempt to see how an animal/plant would exist. Having reasons like this prevent the island from having the random and offkey mixes that don't seem like a realistic choice to invest money in. Be aware, the islanders are Moreau's gold mine. Each of them is probably worth more than a few million dollars.

Now looking on that as an OoC matter, don't just chose two random animals to have in a combo because you have an idea in your head that looks cool or you happen to like both of the animals involved. All serums, combo and regular, are subject to the change in any matter of ways. It's all up to the artists to decide how your serum is going to change and what the final result will look like. For example, it has been known that if Bilious is doing the art for your serum as opposed to Emerwyn, it is most likely to have more morbid results. Most single animals can be pictured with a single final result, but combo animals can go any which way. Lets say you did a Wolf/Leopard combo and in your head, you imagine the final result to look somthing like a wolf with with leopard print fur and a leopard tail. But by the time your character reaches 100% it actually looks like a leopard with a wolf tail and longer, dark fur. This isn't what you imagined, but it's what you got. The artists put lots of blood, sweat and tears into every piece that they do. If it was their choice to have the change happen that way, then so be it.

Now if your heart is absolutely set on the way the final outcome will happen, then you have to manipulate your way to getting what you'd like by buying additional serums. For example, if you wanted to get the wolf with the leopard tail and leopard print fur then you'd have to buy the Different Species Tail Serum (50k) and the Exotic Markings Serum (200k). Instantly your final price has been bumped up by 250k.

The same goes for mythical serums. Zach's serum came out with the intent of being mythical, the auction he was won from allowed combo serums as long as it was a change into a fictional creature. Now look at Gaius, he is intended to come out looking like a Black Winged Horse (Pegasus, if you will). But EvionVixen couldn't get a horse/raven combo serum, because for all she knows she could've gotten a feathered and wingless horse. Though comical, I don't think she'd like that to happen. And she couldn't just post "Serum Type: Pegasus" because (I hate to break it to you) they aren't real. The same goes for unicorns, manticores, chimeras, other dragons, sphynxes and more! If you're looking for a specific outcome, you have to manipulate the system. Although this is a Sci-Fi RP, they shop owners try their hardest to keep this as realistic as possible. Moreau can't have his lackeys run out into the world, get unicorn DNA, bring it back and mix it into a serum. It simply doesn't work like that.

Please take everything I said into account if you've even considered getting a combo serum. The last thing everyone wants is someone being upset with their character because it didn't come out the way they wanted. This post is only sent out as a precaution. Consider your serum choice carefully.

Amen, Jaar.

If I may be so bold, I think what it all boils down to is that if you want to get to the island, you can't just invent some character, slap an animal or combo to it, and call it done. It takes a LOT of time, research, and effort to get a character exactly the way you want it. I've been working on my character for something like 8 months now, and I'm STILL not done filling her out fully. The island is not for someone who just wants to stroll in somewhere and win a serum. It's much more of a committment. The willingness to be committed shows in the planning behind the character, not just back story, but in serum choice.

So, I guess what I'd like to point out is that the island isn't like a lot of the other shops around Gaia. You want to be unique, but you want to be realistic and specific. Charging in with a spur of the moment idea that has little or no careful planning behind it will most likely lead to disaster.

Aaaaand now I'll be quiet, since I feel kind of like an a** for posting here when I'm not on the island xD;

I have no problem with strange combinations or as I call them "WTFYRUPICKINTHATLOLOLOLLOL111" Really I don't. Under one condition, THERE HAS TO BE SOME REASON FOR IT.

I'm for instance questing for a Chupacabra serum, which would be considered a mythological animal of sorts. Now I've admitted I just thought it looked cool but I also like the duality it gives my quest character so I've already given myself a reason (despite how small) reason for its usage.
Now just cause I'm picking this doesn't mean I'm not also aware that there's a prettty big chance I won't get it. I'm already willing to pay extra for whatever attatchments are needed, but if you do get an unnatural animal then you really should have backup animal(s). I have like four or five. smile So it isn't bad that you choose something extremely out of this world, but it is if you're just doing it because you think it looks cool. Cause yes, one of the things that seperates this shop from many others is that it's woven it's on little Moreauverse and the description and rping is like none other which means the choices behind the serums need to adhere to that. So should you decide you want a combination of some sort then at least of backup or a reason why you're getting that.

Also remember to research the animals you're using. The better you explain how and why they all fit in the combination the better your chances are at getting it, because not only will the owners know what you want but the artist as well. Take my animal for instance, I have four animals in the combination now, but if I had to I could take off one because I would have my base animal then I'd pay extra for the two other animal add ons. Or I could take off two and keep two and I will still get an outcome I like. It's all about mix and match, you just have to find something (and try to limit yourself to the lowest possible number to get that combination) that works.

As for Moreau having a reason. Let's face it. He could have a reason for doing ANY COMBINATION. No matter how stupid the combination might be. You just have to be witty and crafty enough to come up with a reason that'll have it look plausible. Moreau has a serum that would mix animals. If he didn't intend on reusing that serum he wouldn't have that as an option. Now he's a scientist so his basic outlook is based on cause and effect. He created Zach, so that does not null and void Moreau wanting to create another mythical animal. In fact it makes it more likely that he would. Just a few reasons off the top of my head:

- Zach was a guy, maybe he wants to try it on a girl now
- maybe he wants to do different animals to see if he gets the same results
- Maybe he wants to see if he can create a mythical animal that's more docile (like a unicorn)
- It could be a character based reason.

There's a lot of reasons you could use to justify a combination serum, just find one that makes sense.

That is all. Done ranting. I don't even know if that made sense. : [ I need to get more sleep.

glad i got that straightened out!

D:
Dude. Don't beg in this thread.