Transformation is a broad and abstract concept. As a result, there is typically a focus on the impossible and extreme forms of transformation in role-playing. This can lead to difficulty incorporating transformation into offline role-play sessions. So, how exactly does gear help someone indulge in transformation role-play?
To start, you should understand how you want to incorporate transformation into your role play. For example, what form will the transformed take? It’s also recommended to know what your role-play scenario is. Once these are established, look for gear that works with your specific scenario. Full-body costumes are effective, as they completely conceal the wearer. You could also consider using other forms of gear, such as whips or gags, as a way to trigger a transformation.
Whether you’re completely new to trying transformation role play in person, or you’re looking for some inspiration. Let us guide you through the transformation process! You’ll never be the same.
Working Out A Transformation Role Play Scenario
You may already have some ideas in mind for your transformation roleplay. Or you might have some gear in mind that you aim to use. However, it is still advisable to take some time to plan your scenario.
If your scenario is weak, not even including gear will save it. Without strong role-playing capabilities, it’ll be harder for you and your role-play partners to stay immersed. This is what changes the act of putting on a costume into believing that it is your new body.
So, what should you do to determine what your transformation role-play scenario will be? Consider the following aspects, and everything will start to fall into place!
Setting
A setting isn’t just the physical location you’ll be having your role-play session in. Whilst that is important, it should come after discussing what your setting will be within the narrative. In short, what sort of world or period will your role play be based in?
Think about what setting works best to match your preferences for situations involving transformation. Do you enjoy sci-fi elements? Why not set your story in a futuristic experimental lab? Fantasy and magical powers more your sort of thing? What about a dungeon belonging to a corrupt warlock?
If you’re more fixated on what the actual result of the transformation is, you can use that to decide a setting. Planning on a dragon transformation? Fantasy settings complement that well. Whilst animals such as pigs, cows, or horses work well in farm settings.
You can even mix genres! The beauty of role-playing is that your only limit is your imagination. Do you enjoy fantasy settings, but you’re eager to try something involving a drone transformation? Try something like a setting based in a castle belonging to a secret, evil time-travelling scientist.
You don’t even have to work with a completely fictional setting! A setting based in modern-day reality also works effectively when paired with a strong scenario to support it. It’s also a cost-effective option if you don’t want to spend money on extra props and decorations.
Some people may even prefer this, as it allows them to role-play as themselves, especially if they enjoy the idea of being transformed in reality. This naturally works in synergy with their normal surroundings. They’ve likely already fantasized about exploring their home after being transformed!
Characters
With a setting established, it’s time to consider your characters. You need to know how many people will be involved in your role-play session, and what their preferences are.
This is more than just whether they’re simply a sub or dom, however. Transformation adds an aspect to a role play that can potentially change character dynamics completely. A character that was once shy and submissive can suddenly become dominant and confident.
Therefore, you will want to know what your role-play participants' preferences are regarding transformation. Do they want to be transformed? Do they want to be directly and intentionally responsible for transforming someone else? Or are they simply bystanders witnessing someone’s transformation?
With your participants’ preferences in mind, you can then discuss your characters. Some people may prefer to role-play as themselves. However, if you plan to play original characters, consider the following points.
How do they fit into your setting? Is it familiar to them? Or are they from another world, location, or time? How do they react to their surroundings? You should also consider the relationship between your characters. Do they know each other already? Or are they strangers?
Regardless of how you feel about transformation, consider how your character would react. Is the transformation scary to them? Exciting? A mild inconvenience? Consider this in the context of how your character is transformed. A self-inflicted transformation isn't always done intentionally, after all!
What if you're playing a character who isn't transforming? Or one who isn't transformed until after another character transforms first? Are they a random witness? Or are they directly responsible for the other character's transformation? Do they even know that the other character is going to transform?
You don’t even have to stick to original characters! There's nothing wrong with role-playing as a character from an existing media franchise. Or even being transformed into one!
What matters most, however, is that you choose a character that best aligns with your preferences. Don't force yourself into a role that you won't enjoy. Discuss your ideas for your characters to try and find a way to cater to everyone's preferences.
Creating A Narrative
You’ve got some ideas for your settings and characters. It's now time to establish what your starting narrative will be, along with how that leads up to the actual transformation.
This should be easy enough to work out if you’ve got strong ideas for your setting and characters. Still struggling to figure out a starting point? Think about how your characters end up in the same setting.
Is it a complete coincidence? Has one character kidnapped the others? Are they roommates? You will find that certain settings and character dynamics make it easier to plan how you start your narrative. The kidnapping idea works well for lab settings. Or with characters that force a transformation onto someone.
Enjoy a complex backstory? You can work backwards from your main setting to add extra details. If one character has control over another in your setting, think about why they might target them. Is it revenge? Or is the transformation victim obliviously signing up for an experiment for the money?
More of a mutual or accidental transformation scenario? Then, consider if this has happened to one or multiple of your characters before. What causes it to happen? A curse? Genetic modification? Was one character simply pretending to be a human? Are your characters aware that one of them can transform into something else?
Then, of course, consider why they might transform during your session. Is it for a specific reason related to their backstory? Wanting to show off to a date? Or wanting to corrupt someone into becoming like them?
Even if you're playing as yourselves, don't feel afraid to come up with narratives! Is there a reason why you're suddenly in a toony world? Or why has your boyfriend started to turn into a fat, older man?
If you prefer, there doesn’t even need to be a reason for a transformation happening or a backstory. Some people prefer leaping right into the transformation process. Feel free to include as much, or as little detail as you like!
You don’t need to feel obliged to role-play all the details of your characters’ backstory. Or the events leading up to the scene where the transformation happens, either. These extra points make it easier to improvise and understand how your characters should interact with each other.
The Transformation Process
Finally, the moment you've been waiting for. The transformation! Although this part can be as exciting as it is, it's also often here that people struggle to maintain momentum.
Even with the use of gear and costumes, a true transformation is unfortunately not possible. You and the other role-play participants have to rely on the strength of your narrative and characters. If it's engaging enough, you're more likely to believe that a transformation is happening.
Often, participants might prefer a more “instantaneous” transformation where the transformed individual puts on all their gear out of sight of the other participants. Giving the illusion that they've transformed rapidly.
However, others enjoy a slower transformation. You could consider discussing in advance certain transformation cues. This helps indicate when the transforming role player should put on more of their gear.
These options may not be ideal for some role players who are transforming, as they must pause and take a brief break from the role-play. If you're used to written role-playing, this may throw you off. So, is there any way to work around this?
One alternate option includes having the transforming role player close their eyes. Then have someone put the gear on for them. As silly as this may sound, this is surprisingly effective. There can be multiple narrative-related reasons why a character is blinded or unconscious during their transformation.
Another option is to have the gear itself serve as a transformation trigger, whether the transformed becomes a living version of the gear they're wearing. Or the actual being that the gear represents. This works well if you're a fan of quickfire, spontaneous role-play sessions.
It might be a good idea to plan how you want to approach the transformation itself. Some people may prefer just starting in gear. Working with the concept that they've just woken up in their transformed state. Feel free to experiment and see which approach works best for you!
Regardless of your approach, it's highly recommended that one participant describe the transformation. Whether this is through literal narration or comments made in character, it helps stimulate the imagination of the transforming participants.
Be sure to utilize numerous detailed descriptions. How does the sensation of changing skin feel? Are they gaining weight? Gaining new senses? Perhaps struggling to fight back against an emerging new identity? Onomatopoeia also goes a long way!
The Aftermath
This may have potentially been discussed when discussing your narrative. But what direction are you planning to take your narrative and characters once the transformation is over?
Some people may enjoy the opportunity to have their character explore their new body and adjust to it. Others may enjoy scenarios where a transformed character is immediately forced to service another character. It's mostly dependent on the form of transformation and the setting you choose.
Character dynamics should also be considered, especially if personal conflicts cause a transformation. What happens now that the character has their revenge? Does the transformed character fight back? Or do they embrace their new self?
Think about what your character would do in the situation they're in now that they've changed. How does that affect their relationship with the other characters? Do they want to change back? Do they feel betrayed? Grateful? Indifferent? Can they finally fight back?
Other scenarios where a transformed character completely takes on a new identity work best with a continuation post-transformation. It allows the transformed to have time to act as a 2nd character. Drawing attention to just how different they've become post-transformation.
You may even have a session where multiple people undergo a transformation. You do not need to have every transformation occur simultaneously. If it makes it more exciting, each transformation can have large gaps between each other. Particularly useful if you're planning to have multiple sessions.
Additional transformations can even be completely unrelated to the first! You don’t have to stick to the same transformation trigger or result. Whichever works best for your session or preferences!
You don’t even have to have an aftermath if you don’t want to! Some people just enjoy the actual transformation itself. It’s okay to end things as soon as the transformation is over. As long as you make this preference clear beforehand!
Choosing The Right Gear
Now you know how to set up a transformation role play effectively. It's time to see what gear can do to really bring your session into reality!
Costumes And Masks
Some of the more easily accessible and effective pieces of gear are costumes and masks. Both are intended to disguise the wearer. Giving the illusion that they are someone, or something, else.
This is obviously ideal for a roleplay based on the concept of someone becoming something completely different. These come in a wide range of materials and appearances. You'll likely find something suitable for your session.
They're also often designed to be easy to put on or take off, which works well for instantaneous or quick transformations. Some may come in multiple parts. This also means that these are good options for longer transformations.
The only downside is that masks often have limited movement or static features. This can potentially ruin the immersion for some participants.
Bodysuits And Petsuits
Bodysuits and petsuits are a great option if you want to go with a seamless, coordinated alternative to a costume. They’re designed to be worn as a full set that covers most or all of the wearer’s body.
These also come in a large range of different materials and appearances. But a majority of them will be made of silicone or rubber. This option will appeal to people who find the gaps between costumes and masks distracting.
A potential downside is that it can be difficult to put on a bodysuit or petsuit quickly. Especially if you’re doing it alone, it may end up being easier to start your role play already wearing it simply. However, this may also lead to a second potential issue: overheating.
Prosthetics
Prosthetics are by far the harder option to apply. Most will require an application before your role-play starts. This is essentially the same technique used to create practical visual effects on actors. As such, it will also require a good understanding of how to create and apply prosthetics.
However, this is likely to be your best option if you want realism. Prosthetics are crafted based on the wearer’s proportions. This means that they will be able to move their face and emote whilst wearing them.
There are some smaller prosthetic options available that can be used as an alternative. Typically, they will be cheaper and easier to apply. But they will lack the full transformation illusion that larger-scale prosthetics provide.
Depending on the extent of prosthetic use, there is also a risk of overheating. Or even suffocation. It’s recommended that you only create and apply your prosthetics if you have had previous professional experience. Or if you spend time learning how to make them from a professional.
Other Gear
Don’t feel afraid to bring in other gear too! It doesn’t even have to be something wearable! Part of the appeal of transformation role play is that it’s versatile. There are so many different factors that can be customised according to your tastes.
Got some whips? Why not use them as a transformation trigger to turn your role-play partner into a horse? Got some gas masks? Put one on and slowly find yourself turning into a skunk or drone!
Just get creative with what you have. It’s both a great way to keep things from going stale and a great way to entice someone who may not be into transformation. They may share a kink for your BDSM gear, for example.
Using Gear In Online Transformation Role Play
Some of you may not be comfortable with the idea of engaging in any form of transformation role-play in real life. As enticing as we’ve made it sound, there’s no shame in having your preferences. But what if you still want to get gear involved?
For starters, you can simply get into gear when you’re being transformed just as you would do if you were doing it in person. You can even send pictures of yourself to your role-play partners if you feel like it’d add to your session!
Like the idea of taking photos of your transformed self, but don’t want to interrupt your role-play session? You can always take them after you’ve finished. Some people prefer a more meta approach. Adjusting their social media profiles to act as if they’ve actually transformed in reality.
You could also take several shots of various body parts in gear. Saving them for future reference and sending them when the corresponding body part is changing. For example, has someone mentioned a tail growing? Send a photo of your new tail with your accompanying response!
Perhaps you’re in a situation where you lack any wearable gear. Or your wearable gear isn’t relevant to the transformation. But you do include some gear you own as a transformation trigger, such as air pumps or gags.
If you’re talented with photo editing software, you can always edit photos of yourself with the corresponding gear. Making it so you appear as you do post-transformation in your role play. You can even make it into a transformation sequence for that extra sense of immersion!
Conclusion
So there we are! That should cover everything you need to know to bring your transformation role plays to life using gear! We hope you’ve already started to brainstorm some interesting new scenarios to try!
Just remember, your gear is simply a tool in which to enhance the narrative that you and your role-play partners have created. You need that narrative to help continue the belief that you are the thing you look like.
Using non-wearable gear? That narrative will help you believe that the gear being used on you is actually transforming you. Your imagination is the spark that makes role-playing work. Even if you have the most realistic costume money can buy. Or a cheap, felt mask.
So, don’t feel afraid to keep trying if something doesn’t immediately work for you. Or if something you enjoy role-playing online doesn’t translate well in person. Just keep trying out different things and see what sticks!
What are some of your favourite transformation role-play scenarios? Or do you have any tips on how you use your gear in role-plays? Feel free to share with us in the comment section below!
Want to try becoming something new? Why not try becoming a zebra? Looking for something more submissive and mindless? You’d make for a very handsome shark drone!
Now, why don’t you follow me into my basement? I’ve got some dog treats with your name on them! …Hm? Don’t you eat dog treats? Then why are you drooling? Silly dog.
