RP and methods of hair colouring!

[kenty191]

Hi everyone, I hope this doesn't seem like too trivial a question but here I go anyhow:

If a character (and the player behind them) wanted to change their haircolour what sort of possible methods would be available? This change would namely effect Karn who I would like to turn from blond to a red head (he's going to be going through a mid-life crisis soon and I wanted some physical change to be apparent!)

The two I can up with were:
1) Coloured pigment of some sort - probably a temporary fix which would need to be reapplied and RPed as such

2) More magical means such as a glamour - I know Rhynn used to RP hair colour changes but she was a high level illusionist. I had hoped to have Karn speak to Rhynn about glamours and such as a bard with some skill with illusions and charms but he never managed to speak with her about that. However, with the above example no OOC visable change was ever made (as far as I remember) and so would such a RP option be viable for explaining a permanent colour change?
   
    Any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks in advance
Kenty191

[ycleption]

1. Well, henna, walnuts, and turmeric can be used as hair dye; henna is probably the best choice for the color change you're going.

2. haven't the foggiest. I do think that RPing magical transformations needs to be done carefully, as it can get out of hand.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

Dye. A classic option, but, just as in real life, not perfect. (The dyes mentioned above are excellent options.)

Illusion. Temporary, and requires some magical skill. Also goes away when in a DMZ.

Transmutation. Have your hair (and the roots themselves) changed so that you hair is the different colour.

For mechanics, if you go with a permanent solution, a Database Mod can alter your character's hair colour.

Is Karn really old enough for a mid-life crisis? Even though his main flame is older than dirt and getting near to dying of old age.

[kenty191]

How viable would henna be as a RP tool for an actual colour change request? I'm looking to make this visable to Karn's friends and I'm planning on RPing some changes to Karn as part of his 'new look' as he might put it and to reflect his early mid life crisis (for an elf!).

[kenty191]

Is Karn really old enough for a mid-life crisis? Even though his main flame is older than dirt and getting near to dying of old age.

Well thats part of the reason for the crisis - quarter life crisis? (plus I'm going to be able to be around a lot more and feel like some meaty RP!)

The transmutation sounds like a nice idea. Though a transmutation specialist? I don't know of many. Though I suppose specialism wouldn't be a requirement.

[ycleption]

Well, it's been used as a hair dye for thousands of years...
It can produce a range of colors from fairly bright red to dark brownish red.
Henna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[kenty191]

Fair enough but I suppose the next question then would be, is there henna on Layonara? If so it seems like a fairly achievable process.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

That's a similar question to "are there carrots on Layonara?".

[kenty191]

and are there?! Okay, okay point taken!

[lonnarin]

Now if there was only some script which greyed our hair and caused us to go bald when we entered our elder years, more than half of us would either forget our own natural hair colors or flood the disputes forum with toupe requests!

"Request for Alchemical Rogaine", hahah!

[LynnJuniper]

The Hypertext d20 SRD is your new god.
Glamours and Figments are 1st to 2nd level spells, and in Original D&D Lore, Bards are actually more naturally attuned to it than wizards are. I do not see it far fetched at all for a bard of Karn's level to be able to cast a glamour to change his hair color...

Then again , I
1) Don't play here and should probably stop lurking =P
and
2) am aware that this is not cannon D&D And has been moving further and further away since I've left.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

You're right - Bards are naturally inclined towards illusion in canon. But it's a temporary solution, and one that would eat up a spell per day.

[kenty191]

Oooh! Well I'm glad you're lurking!

I do quite like the idea of the glamour and would prefer that as the RP hook.

However, I realise Layo is not D&D so could someone step in to clarify if a 1st or 2nd level bard spell slot would be sufficient to maintain a change in hair colour in Layo and for me as a player to submit for the hair colour change?

[lonnarin]

One trick I like when RPing minor prestigitations is using the "/o casts" command so the character will do the little sparkly dance associated with spellcasting.  For auditory illusions, like amplifying my guitar magi-hendrix style, I cast "Amplify" on myself while weilding it.  Ultimately though, clear such illusions with the GM first if you're on a quest.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

I've seen such illusions done before - should be cool, day-to-day. On quests, though, yeah; run it past the GM just in case.