Ezra has blue hair, is there any good reason why that can`t just be a valid human hair colour in the SW universe? There are lots of alien species, can`t there be lots of human ethnicities in Star Wars too, different or more than on our earth? Black skin, blue eyes and red hair? Sure, why not? That can be a valid ethnical appearance in the galaxy! Why should humans and races look like they do on our earth? Why can`t there be more?

I know there isn`t any one true answer to this question. But how would you handle it in your game? Could someone play a human with bright red skin and natural purple hair if they wanted to, saying it was just a human variation?

I have seen lots of ethnicities in the prequels in the background. Asian, black, etc. Jango and Boba and the clones are Polynesian.

Yes.

Gotta have blue hair!

(Picture of Stongbad anime version, with bright blue hair)

Seriously though, I assumed Ezra's hair to be black-blue rather than blue-blue. The blue tinting is just the result of an artistic need to provide highlights to give it form. See below, where you've got Ezra with "natural" hair colors and Sabine with dyed hair.

(picture of Rebels team)

If they tried to go with a white/black highlight you lose depth in all but the most perfect lighting:

(Picture of Kim Kardashian whose dark hair is kinda flat looking.... yes I feel bad for posting that)

Where blue highlights are pretty common to add form to characters with black hair.

(Pic of character Christopher Blair from Wing Commander video games)

While I have no serious issue with going a little extreme with hair/eye/skin coloration, I do feel that if you go too far you end up in "near human alien" territory fast.

No, I wouldn't. Not naturally anyway. There are too many near-human species in the EU to declare the person "human" in my mind.

That said, it can be very difficult to determine near humans species from just a human with hair dye, contact lenses, or body mods. There could be gene-splicing as well that would become a variant human, but it really comes down to one thing outside of a mechanic standpoint...

Does the Empire consider this person to be human? Will they be given the "opportunity" to serve the government? Will they be hounded and oppressed for looking different?

I have seen lots of ethnicities in the prequels in the background. Asian, black, etc. Jango and Boba and the clones are Polynesian.

Polynesia never exisisted in the SW galaxy! I am talking about ethnicities that doesn`t exist in our world. Ethnicities in Star Wars can be whatever you want it to be, even more than exist on our earth. Europe. Asia and Africa doesn`t exist in the Galaxy.

There are already lots of "near-humans" that fit your ideas, but that's not to say actual humans in SW couldn't also have pigmentation and hair colour that we don't have IRL. Do whatever you want.

I have seen lots of ethnicities in the prequels in the background. Asian, black, etc. Jango and Boba and the clones are Polynesian.

Polynesia never exisisted in the SW galaxy! I am talking about ethnicities that doesn`t exist in our world. Ethnicities in Star Wars can be whatever you want it to be, even more than exist on our earth. Europe. Asia and Africa doesn`t exist in the Galaxy.

Are you sure? Nubia is a planet in the SW Universe.

I STILL can't believe the writers thought that would be okay. Jeez.

No, I wouldn't. Not naturally anyway. There are too many near-human species in the EU to declare the person "human" in my mind.

That said, it can be very difficult to determine near humans species from just a human with hair dye, contact lenses, or body mods. There could be gene-splicing as well that would become a variant human, but it really comes down to one thing outside of a mechanic standpoint...

Does the Empire consider this person to be human? Will they be given the "opportunity" to serve the government? Will they be hounded and oppressed for looking different?

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid! Why should ethnicities be limited to european, african, or asian when those places never even existed? "Ok, your human character is blond and has black skin. That`s cool"..

No, I wouldn't. Not naturally anyway. There are too many near-human species in the EU to declare the person "human" in my mind.

That said, it can be very difficult to determine near humans species from just a human with hair dye, contact lenses, or body mods. There could be gene-splicing as well that would become a variant human, but it really comes down to one thing outside of a mechanic standpoint...

Does the Empire consider this person to be human? Will they be given the "opportunity" to serve the government? Will they be hounded and oppressed for looking different?

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid! Why should ethnicities be limited to european, african, or asian when those places never even existed? "Ok, your human character is blond and has black skin. That`s cool"..

When I create a Sci Fi Universe from scratch I don't really disagree with you. There are a ton of possibilities. When I play in an existing universe, I use that universe's history and lore.

There are already lots of "near-humans" that fit your ideas, but that's not to say actual humans in SW couldn't also have pigmentation and hair colour that we don't have IRL. Do whatever you want.

Or facial and/or body strucure, not to mention culture.

No, I wouldn't. Not naturally anyway. There are too many near-human species in the EU to declare the person "human" in my mind.

That said, it can be very difficult to determine near humans species from just a human with hair dye, contact lenses, or body mods. There could be gene-splicing as well that would become a variant human, but it really comes down to one thing outside of a mechanic standpoint...

Does the Empire consider this person to be human? Will they be given the "opportunity" to serve the government? Will they be hounded and oppressed for looking different?

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid! Why should ethnicities be limited to european, african, or asian when those places never even existed? "Ok, your human character is blond and has black skin. That`s cool"..

When I create a Sci Fi Universe from scratch I don't really disagree with you. There are a ton of possibilities. When I play in an existing universe, I use that universe's history and lore.

Yea. And the universe history and lore does not account for this, so it is all up to you!

Yea. And the universe history and lore does not account for this, so it is all up to you!

Again, to a point I agree. I make new cultures, groups, nations, planets, and everything else all the time. I still try to keep the feel of the source material though in what I create. A mixture of real world races? Absolutely, but that is already occurring in the real world with globalization. So you can have ebony skinned people with ginger hair and blue eyes. You can have any type of culture you want and it all makes sense.

It would be like making micronized Zentradi in the Star Wars Universe. Sure, it could work. They may even look cool with their green and blue hair. But is it star wars?

Keep in mind, this is in no way suggesting that you shouldn't populate your universe any way you wish. You asked our opinions so I am responding as such. I personally would be hesitant to include any variation on humans that would be impossible with reasonable extrapolation of the current human genome.

Otherwise, what would I be able to give the various near-human species? Of course if you don't think they fit, just make them gene altered humans. You could still have the Empire not respect them. Do a whole racist purity angle I suppose.

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid!

I think the idea is they are of human genetic stock, but branched to the point of genetic incompatibility. Like Pantorans must have some kind of anti-freeze blood, and if a stock human mated with one maybe the kid won't be viable.

Yes. And you could have an entire nation and culture of humans who looked like this and it would all make sense. And yes, I am all for making it Star Wars! But I don`t see any reason why I should tell a player that he or she couldn`t play a pink skined rodian, a hairy hutt or a green human if he or she wanted to! It is a huge galaxy(a fictional one) so why not?

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid!

I think the idea is they are of human genetic stock, but branched to the point of genetic incompatibility. Like Pantorans must have some kind of anti-freeze blood, and if a stock human mated with one maybe the kid won't be viable.

So humans can breed with other species? I would really like to see a half hutt, half human!

Again, I know there isn`t a real answer to this:p

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid!

I think the idea is they are of human genetic stock, but branched to the point of genetic incompatibility. Like Pantorans must have some kind of anti-freeze blood, and if a stock human mated with one maybe the kid won't be viable.

So humans can breed with other species? I would really like to see a half hutt, half human!

Again, I know there isn`t a real answer to this:p

No, he means that near humans have reached the point where they are no-longer genetically compatible with other humans. Not that they can breed with other species.

Again, the only real answer is that it isn't in the universe unless you want it to be. I tend towards a more realistic version of humanity, but there is no reason you have to be constrained by my thoughts. Arguing about my opinions though is simple contrariness.

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid!

I think the idea is they are of human genetic stock, but branched to the point of genetic incompatibility. Like Pantorans must have some kind of anti-freeze blood, and if a stock human mated with one maybe the kid won't be viable.

So humans can breed with other species? I would really like to see a half hutt, half human!

Again, I know there isn`t a real answer to this:p

No, he means that near humans have reached the point where they are no-longer genetically compatible with other humans. Not that they can breed with other species.

Again, the only real answer is that it isn't in the universe unless you want it to be. I tend towards a more realistic version of humanity, but there is no reason you have to be constrained by my thoughts. Arguing about my opinions though is simple contrariness.

No longer compatible, of course, I`m with you! Read that a bit fast. I see, near-humans might have evolved from humans, got it. Otherwise I don`t get near-humans at all. They can`t be aliens? I know, space opera, science fantasy, fiction! But still...

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid!

I think the idea is they are of human genetic stock, but branched to the point of genetic incompatibility. Like Pantorans must have some kind of anti-freeze blood, and if a stock human mated with one maybe the kid won't be viable.

So humans can breed with other species? I would really like to see a half hutt, half human!

Again, I know there isn`t a real answer to this:p

No, he means that near humans have reached the point where they are no-longer genetically compatible with other humans. Not that they can breed with other species.

Again, the only real answer is that it isn't in the universe unless you want it to be. I tend towards a more realistic version of humanity, but there is no reason you have to be constrained by my thoughts. Arguing about my opinions though is simple contrariness.

No longer compatible, of course, I`m with you! Read that a bit fast. I see, near-humans might have evolved from humans, got it. Otherwise I don`t get near-humans at all. They can`t be aliens? I know, space opera, science fantasy, fiction! But still...

Actually, every one is Star Wars is an alien... from a certain point of view. Humans don't even have a true home world. Anyone running an Archaeologist campaign, there's an idea for you. Where did humans originate from?

Actually, every one is Star Wars is an alien... from a certain point of view. Humans don't even have a true home world. Anyone running an Archaeologist campaign, there's an idea for you. Where did humans originate from?

That could be a blast. I would suspect some aspect of the EU at least hinted at this. Maybe a human scientist got sucked through a wormhole in a shuttle of his own design? Nah... that's preposterous.

That is why I never cared for near-humans and think the term is just utterly stupid!

I think the idea is they are of human genetic stock, but branched to the point of genetic incompatibility. Like Pantorans must have some kind of anti-freeze blood, and if a stock human mated with one maybe the kid won't be viable.

So humans can breed with other species? I would really like to see a half hutt, half human!

Again, I know there isn`t a real answer to this:p

No, he means that near humans have reached the point where they are no-longer genetically compatible with other humans. Not that they can breed with other species.

Again, the only real answer is that it isn't in the universe unless you want it to be. I tend towards a more realistic version of humanity, but there is no reason you have to be constrained by my thoughts. Arguing about my opinions though is simple contrariness.

No longer compatible, of course, I`m with you! Read that a bit fast. I see, near-humans might have evolved from humans, got it. Otherwise I don`t get near-humans at all. They can`t be aliens? I know, space opera, science fantasy, fiction! But still...

They can be, and are aliens. Most of the "Near human" stuff was just a way for RPGs to allow characters who are human except... to exist without the need to generate a custom stat template for every little thing. If your character is a near-human from a warm watery planet, he'll have short, downy hair, slightly webbed hands, closing nostrils, and that's it. While those characteristics might imply he's a better swimmer, it's not enough to apply anything beyond a rank or two in Athletics, which the character can get under the existing rules... His ability to generate viable offspring from a pairing with a "human" is kinda... beyond the scope of the game in most cases...

That's the rub of this discussion. If you make a "human" with purple skin, a gold mohawk, and a second set of meevonks, is that character a human of absurdly colored and reproductively redundant ethnic stock, or a "Near human?"

No longer compatible, of course, I`m with you! Read that a bit fast. I see, near-humans might have evolved from humans, got it. Otherwise I don`t get near-humans at all. They can`t be aliens? I know, space opera, science fantasy, fiction! But still...

That's why I generally agree with you in other settings. Near-humans are really just a product of make-up and costume design. I.e. humans with funny heads or simple prosthetics. I believe that most near-humans in Star Wars are actually different species, but Oden has a good point. Who knows what happened in the deep past?

They can be, and are aliens. Most of the "Near human" stuff was just a way for RPGs to allow characters who are human except... to exist without the need to generate a custom stat template for every little thing. If your character is a near-human from a warm watery planet, he'll have short, downy hair, slightly webbed hands, closing nostrils, and that's it. While those characteristics might imply he's a better swimmer, it's not enough to apply anything beyond a rank or two in Athletics, which the character can get under the existing rules... His ability to generate viable offspring from a pairing with a "human" is kinda... beyond the scope of the game in most cases...

That's the rub of this discussion. If you make a "human" with purple skin, a gold mohawk, and a second set of meevonks, is that character a human of absurdly colored and reproductively redundant ethnic stock, or a "Near human?"

It is beyond the scope of the game, but its also a really good way to determine the line of human vs near-human. At least I think that is what a biologist would suggest, not being one myself mind you.

Edit - Why do I feel we entered X-MEN territory with this topic?

Near-humans are really just a product of make-up and costume design. I.e. humans with funny heads or simple prosthetics.

Hey boss... the custom rubber mask budget is running low and the actors are complaining they want more recognition!

Eh... Just cut up the old masks and glue the bits to their foreheads and do something stupid with their hair. Boom, new aliens!

Our skin and hair color is part genetic chemistry, part environment. I would think exposure to different colored suns and evolution under varying wavelengths of light allows pretty much any combo that turns your crank to be perfectly acceptable and possible on a galactic scale.