The problem is as follows- I have a character concept that IMO would work pretty well here (again, just IMO) and worked well in comics for years, but for some reason people seemed enraged of it.
The idea is simple- make a magical girl in a superhero setting. Im not talking about a wishy-washy copy of Sailor Moon, Tokyo Mew Mew or crap like Wedding Peach that coats everything in sugar and has "Love Love Strawberry Beams" with sparkles (Im not an idiot). The general idea is to mix two titles:
-Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: Or as I'd like to call it "what if magical girls were made for adults, had a good story, compelling characters and serious plotlines". I was stunned just how great it works and TV Tropes agrees with me.
-Shazam!: A young person turns into adult and becomes a great superhero. Everyone knows it, nobody has problems with it.
So, why is (almost) everyone here against? I havent heard a single good argument against it, aside from "Its against the rules", which alone is enough to overthrow EVERYTHING and ANYTHING I'll say, but let me be honest- that rule is stupid. No offense to those who made it- I heard the reasons and arguments against it and I do realize its for our own good, but isnt that too much? Aside from "Rules are rules", the only arguments I heard were:
-beating up kids is squicky- yes it is. Which is why I have a character that turns into adult women, they get beaten up all the times. Besides, there were a lot of great kid heroes that took beating and it wasnt considered squicky- Power Pack (Im refering to Marvel Adventures line, not 616) , few Robins (including the current), Molly Hayes of Runaways and more (granted, there werent many of them, but they existed)
-young sex scenes are a no-no - well, duh, Im not going there. Im not stupid enough to try having my 12 year old have sex with people, not even in her adult form. Hell, one of the running gags would be her getting squicky when people flirt with her to her disgust)
-other heroes wont accept someone so young - so? There are plenty characters that werent accepted by their peers for any reason, that didnt stop them from being heroes. Stephanie Brown (Spoiler) was constantly turned down but never gave up (granted, she was above 16, but thats not my point). Makes for a good story.
And thats about all the arguments I heard that makes sense. For the record, here are some rough ideas of how I saw it:
-she's a child prodigy, wise and smart beyond her age. When talking to her adult form, you'll have hard times figuring out her actual age
-sex is wrong, if anyone old tried to hit on her, she'll reject immediatly and feel disgusted over it. If its a person she can trust, she might tell the truth, but only if she thinks they'll accept it. Either way, she'll avoid it on her own.
-despite being smart, she's not a smartass and will look for guidance, a team or older mentor
-yes, she does realize she's too young for this, but it wont stop her. You know, "power and responsibility" and doing whats right above personal gains
-her parents dont know it, and really- why would she tell them? So they could ground her forever?
In other words, I know what Im doing, or at least Im pretty sure I do. I dont want to start a war, I dont want to make enemies and all said and done, Im here to have fun, but not at a cost of being a dick. In case you wanna ask- no, raising her age will completely miss the point and I'd rather make someone else and pity your limited imagination (no offense meant). Im asking for this rule to include a "In special case only" part, which Im aiming at.
(14:21:22) Moira: Still, if i were you, i'd bump that up to 16, i really dont see a 12 year old getting accepted
(14:21:32) Ecalsneerg: Nope
(14:21:46) playah: accepted as a team member or character in general?
(14:21:54) Moira: in general
(14:22:01) playah: why?
(14:22:02) Ecalsneerg: Quark was 14 when he got approved, and we've said now that we wouldn't approve someone that young
(14:22:19) playah: ever heard of Billy Batson?
(14:22:33) Moira: yeah, he's grown up a little
(14:22:46) playah: yeah, now he's like, 10
(14:22:47) Ecalsneerg: Yep, he's a teenager in current comics
(14:22:58) Ecalsneerg: Wait, he got de-aged?
(14:23:16) playah: really? Back in Young Justice he seemed like a 10 year old, and that wasnt far away
(14:23:23) Moira: last i heard he was 16
(14:23:32) playah: details
(14:23:42) Moira: Young Justice was YEARS ago
(14:24:05) playah: quiet, I still want to think its alive
(14:24:29) playah: and WHY exactly dont you (as a site) want a younger heroes?
(14:24:35) Ecalsneerg: I'm not sure
(14:24:52) Ecalsneerg: Because adult supervillains beating up 10-year-olds is squicky?
(14:25:22) Ecalsneerg: That might be it, it got ruled prior to me getting a green name
(14:25:26) playah: I dunno, I like Power Pack, and they get beaten up all the time
(14:26:10) playah: besides, everyone on this site has a level 0 immortality, so I dont see a problem here
(14:26:24) Moira: it got ruled after two guys basically RPed their 14 year olds having sex
(14:26:41) playah: and why would I want to engage her in sex?
(14:26:50) Ecalsneerg: ... ah, that's why. Thank you mental block!
(14:27:03) Ecalsneerg: playah, we didn't think that of those players
(14:27:14) Ecalsneerg: Then Shaen walked in. And it was hilarious
(14:27:34) playah: so, becouse two guys were idiots, you limited ideas for characters?
(14:28:05) Ecalsneerg: "Be legal in most states" is hardly a limit
(14:28:20) playah: dude, this isnt a porn site
(14:28:39) Ecalsneerg: Legal adult =/= age of consent
(14:29:05) Ecalsneerg reminds you he doesn't use the American phrasing
(14:29:11) playah: you do realize that mainstream comic books have a strong tradition of underage heroes and sidekicks?
(14:29:40) Ecalsneerg: Most of the Teen Titans are 16
(14:29:53) playah: could've foold me
(14:30:00) Moira: Starfire is far faaar away from 16
(14:30:20) Moira: who are the titans these days?
(14:30:23) Ecalsneerg: playah, they're drawn younger because people are stupid
(14:30:30) playah: Starfire and Raven looked like hot moms when they were introduced
(14:30:33) Ecalsneerg: "Teenagers? Taller than adults? UNPOSSIBLE"
(14:31:03) Ecalsneerg: playah, it's a lot more noticeable when they cross over with other titles
(14:31:10) Ecalsneerg: They're all scrawny midgets
(14:31:28) playah: all said, I still dont understand why I cant make a character like that, aside from sexual scenes (which I wont do becouse Im no idiot)
(14:31:30) Moira:
Aquagirl
Beast Boy
Blue Beetle
Bombshell
Kid Flash
Miss Martian
Raven
Static
Superboy
Wonder Girl
(14:31:39) Moira: these are the titans at the moment
(14:31:50) Moira: are any of them younger than 16?
(14:31:54) Ecalsneerg: playah, is it so wrong for us to say "We don't want kids getting beaten up?"
(14:32:12) playah: no, it isnt
(14:32:34) playah: but Im not making a "regular" child
(14:33:02) Ecalsneerg: Well, duh?
(14:33:10) Ecalsneerg: It's a superhero site. Noone is regular
(14:33:37) playah: Im making a girl who turns into adult (to hide identity) with superpowers
(14:34:27) playah: we also dont want to see women getting beaten, and yet look how many are there
(14:34:55) Ecalsneerg: playah, that's different
(14:35:09) playah: yeah, yeah, women's rights and stuff
(14:35:20) Ecalsneerg: Well, look at it this way
(14:35:26) Ecalsneerg: Women can get in the military
(14:35:30) Ecalsneerg: 12 year olds can't
(14:36:00) playah: Military =/= superheroes
(14:36:27) Ecalsneerg: Ok then, police force
(14:36:35) playah: sigh...
(14:37:10) playah: nothing you say will convince me, so I'll just sumbit the character when its done and see if its accepted
(14:37:34) Ecalsneerg: No offence, but I don't need to convince you
(14:37:46) Ecalsneerg: I just do it out of politeness
(14:37:54) playah: Ik now
(14:38:09) playah: Im not offended
(14:38:28) Ecalsneerg: Seriously, why does she need to be younger than 16?
(14:38:51) playah: nope, the whole point of the character is that she IS young
(14:39:10) Ecalsneerg: 16 is young
(14:39:29) playah: its like saying "You know what, Batman is cool, but you know what would be better? If his parents were alive!"
(14:39:54) Ecalsneerg: So... pre-Identity Crisis Tim Drake?
(14:40:04) playah: if that wont get accepted, then I might as well just make someone else
(14:40:27) playah: yeah, Tim Drake, as in my favourite DC character (but I digress)
(14:40:39) Ecalsneerg: Why is 16 too old?
(14:41:07) Moira: you know who else was that young? Dick Grayson, Age Twelve from ASBAR
(14:41:27) playah: becouse there are tons of characters that are 16 and nobody seems to mind them becouse, well, nobody does
(14:41:40) Moira: You must add "Age Twelve" when refering to Dick Grayson from that series
(14:41:47) Ecalsneerg: I was 17 when I joined the site
(14:41:52) Ecalsneerg: Not 13
(14:42:07) playah: so?
(14:42:50) Ecalsneerg: The playerbase see no issue with 16 rather than 12 because 16 is about the lowest age in the playerbase
(14:43:04) playah: the whole point is that she first appears as adult, everyone accepts her and thinks she's okay, but then she reveals her secret and everyone is like "Holy crap, she's 12? Didnt see that coming!"
(14:43:23) Ecalsneerg: Then phone child services
(14:43:38) playah: you dont get that reaction if she's 16, becouse Claremont is made out of those guys
(14:44:02) Ecalsneerg: And 16 is when you are considered to no longer need a legal guardian
(14:44:19) playah: never said I wont need a legal guardian
(14:44:45) Moira: How old does she look when she transforms?
(14:45:04) playah: middle 20's
(14:45:37) Ecalsneerg: I still can't believe you consider 12 comparable to 16
(14:45:49) playah: its not comparable
(14:45:53) Ecalsneerg: That 4 year difference is massive at that age
(14:45:59) Moira: Maybe they grow em different over there?
(14:46:01) Moira:
(14:46:08) playah: she's just wise beyond her age
(14:46:09) Ecalsneerg: No, you are comparing them
(14:46:25) Ecalsneerg: (13:43:38) playah: you dont get that reaction if she's 16, becouse Claremont is made out of those guys
(14:46:47) Ecalsneerg: And even upbeat, optimistic people like Jack of all Blades think 16 is way too young in-setting
(14:48:08) playah: so?
(14:48:49) Ecalsneerg: So, people will still go "duh-wha'?"
(14:49:19) playah: Im exactly expecting a "You're 12? Thats cool, lets team-up anyway"
(14:50:00) Ecalsneerg: "You're 12, yet out fighting crime on your own? God, your mother is a piece of irresponsible trash"
(14:50:08) playah: and I still havent heard any good arguments against aside from "This is our site's rules"
(14:50:21) playah: "She doesnt know that."
(14:50:44) Moira: ifi do admit, it does sound kind of coolfor a self contained story
(14:50:45) Ecalsneerg: No, they are valid points
(14:50:55) Ecalsneerg: You just dislike them because it goes against your idea
(14:51:03) Moira: heck, even an NPC
(14:51:20) Ecalsneerg: "Kids getting beaten up isn't fun" is a valid point, whether you respect it or not
(14:51:23) playah: yes, I do like this idea, hence why Im giving it my last characte slot
(14:51:58) playah: and Im brining up Billy Batson as an example becouse he works
(14:52:14) playah: and has worked for years, even before he grew into a teenager
(14:52:50) Ecalsneerg: Our Billy Batson expy was in his 80s and turned into a younger man
(14:53:02) playah: cool, but no thanks
(14:53:03) Ecalsneerg: Wolverine eviscerating people with claws has sold comics for years
(14:53:13) Moira: I forgot about Captain Wonder1
(14:53:17) Ecalsneerg: "It happened in comics" is not an argument in and of itself
(14:53:48) Moira makes a note to reference him sometime
(14:53:50) playah: then how about "It happened in JLU, which is considered kid friendly and overall liked and accepted" ?
(14:54:02) Moira: Think they'd sell Captain Wonder tshirts?
(14:54:13) Ecalsneerg: Moira, yes
(14:54:16) playah: and in Batman Brave and Bold
(14:54:25) Ecalsneerg: JLU? Kid friendly? LOLWHAT?
(14:54:40) Ecalsneerg: It's kid friendly in that your kid shouldn't understand 90% of the jokes
(14:55:19) Moira: (szept) Hey, if you want, you can throw your arguement on the character building forum for everone to discuss
(14:55:33) playah: (szept do Moira) I might do
(14:55:46) playah: and thats wrong?
(14:55:56) Moira: (szept) present your case and ask for opinions
(14:56:10) Ecalsneerg: Notice also that, in JLU, he was in one episode, ("(13:50:44) Moira: ifi do admit, it does sound kind of coolfor a self contained story"), and left the League due to not fitting in with its moral standards
(14:56:38) Moira: That's what i was semi-refering to
(14:57:17) playah: besides, why did you reference Wolverine?
(14:57:35) Ecalsneerg: As something in comics considered inappropriate for here
(14:57:39) Moira: Wolverin is the Hitler of comic conversations
(14:57:46) Moira: Wolverine Eats Sugar
(14:58:23) playah: Boys, Kick-Ass and Watchmen is popular as well, but what does it have to do with Captain Marvel?